As KIPP, a corporate charter school, tries to expand across Southeast Los Angeles County, community opposition is becoming the norm. 

At the 2/15/23 meeting of the Montebello Unified School District, dozens of parents, teachers, and students from Joseph Gascón Elementary rallied to oppose KIPP. 

Norma Jean, a teacher at Gascón Elementary said, “The turnout at the board meeting was proof that Montebello parents will fight for their community against KIPP. We will not hand over our school to the people trying to kill public education.”

KIPP has been criticized for their funding from major corporations, as well as the subsidies they have managed to secure from the government. Most recently, a USA TODAY investigation found that while many small business were left behind during the pandemic, KIPP received tens of millions in PPP loans.

In place of KIPP, the community is advocating for a different type of school. Erica Estrada, a teacher and parent at Gascón said, “We are coming together as a community of Gascón parents, teachers and students to demand that the Montebello Unified School District choose us to be the first elementary community school.  This will help us remove KIPP from our campus.  We are taking back our school!”

The need to push back against KIPP became especially clear when one of the students testified about the segregation of KIPP and Gascón students, saying “I want to be able to play on my playground again!”

Aaron Reveles, a former candidate for the School Board, resident, and public school teacher said, “Our local School Board is our representation, they should be hearing their community out and taking these issues to the county level at LACOE. Our representatives invite and mingle with state, city, and federal representatives when it’s time for elections and fundraisers, but can’t take the time to talk to them when it’s time to get anything done for the community?”

The group is expected to continue its opposition to KIPP.