BAKERSFIELD, California — Parents and students who filed a lawsuit against the Bakersfield City School District challenging the cancellation of summer school says they're not giving up and their legal battle is far from over.
On Thursday, BCSD sent out a news release in response to the Kern County Superior Courts decision to deny a lawsuit filed by the California Rural Legal Assistance, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance and Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights on April 29 alleging that the district's decision to cancel summer school was in violation of the legal requirement for revising.
In a statement sent to KERO television station, the plaintiffs and the parents of the students say they will pursue the lawsuit challenging BCSD’s failure to properly account for $1.6 million in funds designated to serve English learners, foster youth and economically disadvantaged students.
Staff attorney Lyndsi Andreas with the Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance said:
“The District has intentionally misrepresented the court’s ruling. This preliminary ruling does not exonerate the District or in any way resolve the ultimate legal question of whether the BCSD followed the law when it canceled summer school without first consulting with parents and parent advisory committees.”
One of the plaintiff's in the lawsuit claimed the district is trying to "frighten parents" and has no regards for their "voices and concerns."
