San Diego Unified school board members are feeling the backlash over their decision to steer federal Title I funding exclusively into schools with the highest levels of poverty. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Title I funds pay for extra services that target students from low-income families.
A divided school board recently voted to give that money only to schools with a majority of disadvantaged students.
The 32 schools that stand to lose-out are now rallying their troops. Sarah Sullivan is principal of Pershing Middle School where 41 percent of her students come from low-income families. She says money matters.
Sullivan:
I need money just like everybody else, because my 41 percent desperately need additional services. The best I can do with my Title I money is to buy nearly one full teacher. And one full teacher actually makes a difference at a school like mine.
School trustee John Evans is softening his position. He's now pushing a proposal that helps protect schools like Pershing.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
