Westchester Secondary Charter School v. Los Angeles Unified School District

This appeal stems from Westchester Secondary Charter School’s (WSCS) request for classrooms and related space for the 2014-2015 school year. Los Angeles Unified School District (the District) offered WSCS space at Crenshaw High School (Crenshaw). WSCS objected to this offer and filed a petition for writ of mandate in April 2014. WSCS sought a peremptory writ ordering the District to comply with its obligations under Proposition 39 (as approved by voters, Gen. Elec. (Nov. 7, 2000); Ed. Code, § 47614) to “make reasonable efforts to provide the charter school with facilities near to where the charter school wishes to locate” (§ 47614, subd. (b)). The court rejected WSCS’s arguments that the District had not complied with its obligations under Proposition 39, and it denied the writ petition in this respect. We affirm.

BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

1. Charter Schools Act and Proposition

The Legislature enacted the Charter Schools Act of 1992 (§ 47600 et seq.) “to provide opportunities for teachers, parents, pupils, and community members to establish and maintain schools that operate independently from the existing school district structure.” (§ 47601.) “Charter…