Gosh, what could be causing the Los Angeles Unified School District to be in such a financial bind? This current story appears to have many culprits, including the beloved teachers' union. But, there's only so much money to go around, and any money spent on educating a citizen of another country is money that could be spent on our own citizens and on health benefits for teachers and such.

Meanwhile:

Acknowledging that their effort will probably lead nowhere, Los Angeles Unified school board members will try again today to figure out how to pay for billions of dollars in retirement health benefits and workers' compensation costs - a burden that weighs heavily on the district's future.

...unfunded debts: $6 billion to provide health insurance to retirees and their families, as well as half the district's $685 million in workers' compensation liability...

... In 2002, the LAUSD spent a record $148.5 million on workers' compensation claims, and the projected cost to pay all outstanding claims is about $627 million by June 2006.

The district pays the bulk of its workers' compensation and retiree benefits out of its $5.8 billion general fund - the same fund used to pay for teachers' salaries, textbooks and school supplies...

...United Teachers Los Angeles officials said their members will not compromise on health benefits...

"The best possibility might be (for) the federal government or the state to intercede or to give the district a long-term payment plan to make it as painless as possible," said Sam Kresner, executive assistant to the UTLA president...