INGLEWOOD TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Public Statement Regarding Measure MM
October 30, 2026
To the Inglewood Community, Parents, Educators, and Voters:
The Inglewood Teachers Association (ITA) believes that every student deserves a safe, modern, and properly maintained school environment. Our educators witness firsthand how school facilities affect student learning, educational opportunities, and the working conditions of those responsible for educating our children.
However, supporting public education also requires responsible stewardship of public funds, transparency, and accountability.
As voters consider Measure MM, a proposed $396 million school facilities bond for the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD), ITA believes the community deserves clear answers about previous bond expenditures, current facility conditions, declining enrollment, school closures, and the district's long-term educational priorities.
A History of Significant Public Investment
Inglewood voters have previously authorized substantial funding for school facilities:
Measure K (1998): $131 million
Measure GG (2012): $90 million
Measure I (2020): $240 million
Measure MM (2026): Proposed $396 million
If Measure MM passes, these four measures would represent approximately $857 million in combined bond authorizations.
While bond authorization does not mean that every dollar has been borrowed or spent, this history raises an important question:
What measurable improvements have students, educators, and families received from previous investments, and what projects remain unfinished?
Before asking taxpayers to approve additional borrowing, the district should provide a comprehensive, publicly accessible accounting of previous bond expenditures, completed projects, outstanding obligations, and remaining facility needs.
Declining Enrollment and School Closures
IUSD has experienced substantial enrollment declines, from approximately 10,500 students to approximately 6,000 students.
This reduction of roughly 43 percent raises serious questions about the district's long-term facilities planning.
The community deserves to know how projected enrollment, school consolidation, campus closures, and potential property redevelopment have been incorporated into Measure MM.
We must ensure that public resources are directed toward facilities that will serve students and families rather than financing projects without a clearly demonstrated educational need.
Student and Employee Safety Must Be Prioritized
ITA recognizes that aging facilities require repairs and modernization. However, identifying safety concerns is only the first step.
The district must explain which deficiencies have been documented, which have been corrected, and which remain unresolved.
Particular attention must be given to findings and recommendations identified through fiscal and facilities reviews, including those associated with the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT).
Students and employees should not have to wait for another bond election to receive clear information about existing health and safety concerns.
Transparency Regarding Campaign Contributions
ITA also believes the public has a right to understand who is financing campaigns seeking approval of substantial public construction funding.
Available campaign-finance information identifies contributors associated with school construction, architecture, legal services, and related professional industries.
Some contributors associated with the earlier Measure I campaign have also been identified in Measure MM campaign reporting.
Campaign contributions are lawful when properly disclosed. A contribution does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing or improper influence.
Nevertheless, public confidence requires transparency regarding campaign contributions, district contracts, procurement decisions, and potential conflicts of interest.
ITA calls for accessible disclosure of campaign contributors, contribution amounts, relevant district contracts, and the procedures used to award those contracts.
Accountability Before Additional Borrowing
ITA believes that any proposal to increase long-term taxpayer obligations should be accompanied by clear and enforceable accountability measures.
The district should publicly provide:
A complete accounting of prior bond expenditures and remaining funds.
Campus-specific project lists, budgets, timelines, and completion reports.
Documentation identifying unresolved health and safety deficiencies.
Enrollment projections and facilities plans addressing school closures and consolidation.
Public access to relevant construction contracts, amendments, change orders, and independent audits.
Clear explanations of the proposed bond's tax implications for property owners.
These are reasonable expectations when public officials request hundreds of millions of dollars in additional borrowing.
ITA's Position
The Inglewood Teachers Association opposes Measure MM as written because we believe the district has not adequately demonstrated the transparency, accountability, and long-term planning necessary to justify this additional bond authorization.
Our opposition should not be mistaken for opposition to school modernization or investment in public education.
We support safe schools, modern classrooms, adequate instructional resources, and equitable educational opportunities.
We also believe that public trust must be earned through documented results, responsible financial management, and meaningful community participation.
Our Commitment to Inglewood Students and Families
ITA remains committed to working with parents, educators, community members, and district leadership to establish a facilities improvement plan that is transparent, fiscally responsible, and centered on student needs.
The fundamental question is not simply how much money the district can borrow.
The fundamental question is what students and families will receive for every dollar invested.
Inglewood's children deserve safe schools, educational opportunity, and responsible leadership.
Transparency. Accountability. Safe Schools. Student Success.
Respectfully,
John Hughes
President
Inglewood Teachers Association
Safety • Sanity • Salary
