Los Angeles Unified Board of Education Approves New Campus Accessibility Enhancements and Facilities Upgrades
Investing in our students with more than $60 million bond dollars at work
Los Angeles, CA (Dec. 12, 2023) – The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education today approved more than $60 million in projects to advance the Los Angeles Unified’s 2022-26 Strategic Plan by providing campus accessibility improvements and further facilities upgrades and site improvements.
“Our commitment to providing a conducive and modern learning environment for every student across Los Angeles Unified is unwavering,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “These investments reflect our dedication to the success and well-being of our students. Together, we are building the foundation for a brighter future.”
The Board approved $32 million in accessibility enhancements at Halldale Elementary School, Strathern Street Elementary School, and Utah Street SPAN School. The projects will incorporate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to provide equal opportunity access to programs and activities on campus and ensure a barrier-free learning environment for students, staff and community. The approved projects support the implementation of the Los Angeles Unified ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan.
Additionally, three athletic facilities upgrade projects with a combined budget of $23 million were approved at Manual Arts High School, San Fernando High School and Valley Oaks Center for Enriched Studies (VOCES). The improved athletic facilities will include field lighting, scoreboard and goal posts and bleachers among other improvements, to support physical education programs, student athletic achievement and competitive athletic programs.
The Board also approved $3.3 million in interior upgrades and site improvements to provide Student and Family Resource Centers at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School and Susan Miller Dorsey High School. The Student and Family Resource Centers, to be operated by the Los Angeles Unified Student Health and Human Services Division, will deliver a variety of basic needs services to promote the health and well-being of students and families.
In other infrastructure upgrades, the Board approved $1.8 million to provide a new cooling tower at Middleton Street Elementary School.
Additionally, the Board approved over $66 million in construction contracts for prior Board-approved projects including: ADA accessibility improvements at Wilmington Park Elementary School; new campus-wide roofing at Kenter Canyon Charter Elementary School; a new outdoor classroom and other campus upgrades at Alexandria Avenue Early Education Center; a new science classroom building with two science laboratory classrooms at Verdugo Hills High School; a new classroom building with 15 classrooms, food services facilities and support spaces at Delevan Drive Elementary School.
Lastly, the Board authorized the District to enter into agreements with three non-profit organizations for the construction of State-funded projects to create and expand green spaces at four school sites: The Trust for Public Land (TPL) at 107th Street Elementary and STEAM Magnet; TreePeople, Inc. at Wilmington Middle STEAM Magnet School and Middleton Street Elementary School; and The Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust (LANLT) at 52nd Street Elementary School.
“I am always happy to have the opportunity to approve projects that will further modernize, green, electrify and upgrade our district infrastructure,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “These are exciting projects, and I’m happy that we’re moving them forward.”
“Our mission as a public school district is to be as inclusive and accessible as possible for every child that walks through our doors,” Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “These $60 million in bond dollars will help us further that mission to ensure better facilities and accessible accommodations for all of our students, regardless of condition or disability.”
“Once again, we are thankful to the voters within the Los Angeles Unified boundaries who continue to support our schools,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “These dollars are critical investments in our campuses that facilitate the greater delivery of academic support and success for our students.”
“Focused and continued investment in our schools’ infrastructure will benefit all students, enabling us to directly address green equity to our campuses through outdoor learning spaces, as well as crucial ADA accessibility enhancements for our schools,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said.
“LA Unified continues to invest in updating our aging infrastructure with the safe, clean, modern facilities that students need to learn and thrive,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “I’m happy to approve so many projects today to achieve that goal, and am impatient to see us bring these projects to school communities as quickly as possible.”
"I’m excited to bring significant investments to our East Valley schools at today’s Board meeting, especially athletic upgrades at San Fernando High School, VOCES and Sun Valley Magnet,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “These and other projects will benefit our students academically, socially, and emotionally as they pursue their education."
“I am proud to approve this transformative $60 million, as a part of our overall bond project to enhance our campus facilities,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “In Board District 7 this includes a Student and Family resource center, building upgrades, and so much more! These investments show our commitment to ensuring we create a positive learning environment for all our students.”
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