But because of ICE, LAUSD is reporting a significant drop in students. Get those thank you notes in the mail!
LAUSD expects $1.3B deficit; per-student budget up 229%, students down 29%
In April 2025, LAUSD had 402,600 students, 81,300 staff and a budget of $18.4 billion, or $45,703 per student. But enrollment was down 29% “while per-student spending is up 229% and staffing rose 21% since the 2012-2013 school year.”
We’re no good at math, but it sure seems like fewer students would require a smaller staff. Weird!
“2023-2024 LAUSD data show 57% of students did not meet state reading standards, 67% did not meet math standards, and 76% did not meet science standards. For the coming 2025-2026 fiscal year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed spending $24,746 per student.
For added hilarity, LAUSD anticipates a projected $1.3 billion deficit by fiscal year 2028!
ICE has its work cut out for it.