"We're Being Left Behind": South LA Families Sound Alarm Over Crumbling School Infrastructure

Parents and students across South Los Angeles are increasingly vocal about the deteriorating conditions in their public schools, as a new report reveals that buildings in neighborhoods from Inglewood to Watts have seen minimal capital improvements over the past decade.

The concerns came into sharp focus at a packed community meeting last week at the Bethel A.M.E. Church on Central Avenue, where residents expressed growing alarm over cracked infrastructure, outdated technology, and resource gaps that have become standard in their schools.

"My daughter's classroom in Jefferson High School doesn't even have functioning air conditioning in the summer," said one attendee, describing conditions that have persisted despite Los Angeles Unified School District's $15 billion annual budget. "Meanwhile, schools in the Westside are getting renovations. It feels like a two-tier system."

The frustration reflects a broader disparity: schools serving predominantly low-income communities of color in South LA receive significantly fewer discretionary resources than their counterparts in wealthier areas, according to data from community advocacy organizations monitoring LAUSD spending patterns.

Current LAUSD enrollment in South Los Angeles stands at approximately 180,000 students, many of whom navigate buildings constructed in the 1950s and 60s with limited upgrades. Recent budget allocations have directed only 12% of new facility improvements to South LA despite the region accounting for 22% of district enrollment.

"Our kids deserve the same foundation for success as any other student in this city," explained one community organizer who has been coordinating advocacy efforts across neighborhoods including Compton, Long Beach, and South Central. "That's not about asking for luxury—it's about basic maintenance and up-to-date learning environments."

The discussion has extended beyond facilities to curriculum equity and mental health resources. Several attendees highlighted the shortage of counselors—some schools maintain only one counselor for every 800 students, well above the recommended ratio—and limited access to Advanced Placement and college-prep programs in their local schools.

District officials have acknowledged resource constraints while pointing to a $9.2 billion bond measure approved by voters in 2020, money that is gradually being allocated to facility improvements across the district. However, community members say the pace remains inadequate for urgent needs.

As summer approaches, these conversations are intensifying ahead of the 2026-27 school year, with parents organizing to ensure their voices shape upcoming district budget decisions and capital planning initiatives.

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