LAUSD cuts funding to school libraries, plans to lay off library aides

Superintendent John Deasy told KPCC's Madeleine Brand Thursday that the district has been hit hard by cuts in state funding. He said he weighed how students learn when making difficult decisions, “students learn to read through their classroom teacher, not through the library."

"It doesn’t mean the libraries don’t support and enhance that. But the fundamental acquisition of literacy skills occurs with their classroom teacher, and that’s who we tried to protect in this process," he said.

Deasy said he’s working with some Hollywood philanthropists to raise at least $200 million to help offset the budget cuts.