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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 22, 2023
Board of Education Approves Infrastructure Upgrades and Sustainable Green Outdoor Learning Spaces
Investing in our students with more than $114 million bond dollars at work
Los Angeles, CA (Aug. 22, 2023) – The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education today approved more than $78.2 million to transform the playgrounds and campus exteriors at seven schools. The exterior upgrades at Grant Elementary School, Kester Avenue Elementary School, Pomelo Community Charter Elementary School, Colfax Charter Elementary School, Mar Vista Elementary School, Noble Elementary School, and Plummer Elementary School align with the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan to modernize infrastructure and create welcoming learning environments, as well as further the “Green Schools for All” Board Resolution to provide 30% green/natural schoolyards at schools across the District.
“Part of becoming the district of choice for the families across Los Angeles Unified means having world-class facilities that provide a state-of-the-art experience for students and families,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “This District and this board have shown the willingness to invest in our school communities by not only building and upgrading campuses, but by doing so in a sustainable manner that will reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate our role in climate change.”
Playground and campus exterior upgrades include new asphalt paving, greening and landscaping throughout the campus, exterior painting of all buildings, privacy fencing and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility improvements at each school site.
The Board also approved athletic facilities upgrades valued at $35.3 million at Bell High School, Eagle Rock High School, and South Gate High School. New and improved athletic facilities, including track and field upgrades, will support each school’s physical education program, student athletic achievement and competitive athletic programs. Modern high-performance facilities will also allow schools to practice and/or host games and other school community events.
Additionally, five Sustainable Environment Enhancement Developments for Schools (SEEDS) projects, with a combined budget of $600,000, were approved at Liberty Boulevard Elementary School, Limerick Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles Elementary School, Sun Valley Magnet, and Sylvan Park Elementary School. The SEEDS projects will enhance campuses by creating outdoor sustainable learning spaces that support school curriculum.
The Board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the District and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) for the Hydration Station Initiative Program. In keeping with the terms of the MOU, LADWP will commit up to $1 million for hydration station installations at select school sites located within the LADWP service area.
In addition, the Board approved $18.8 million in construction contracts for prior Board-approved projects to provide campus-wide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades at Soto Elementary School; new roofing at Gardena High School; ADA accessibility improvements at Eagle Rock Elementary School; and outdoor classroom and campus upgrade projects at Crescent Heights and Laurel Early Education Centers.
“I was proud to vote for these projects, and I appreciate the District’s work in meeting our directive,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “With this work, these seven schools will truly meet the 30% green space requirement that we need on all campuses by 2035 with decomposed granite, outdoor learning environments and shade trees. I look forward to future greening projects, ensuring that we are greening the places where our students actually gather.”
“It is always my pleasure to approve projects that will upgrade, modernize and create green spaces for our students,” Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “While our needs always outpace our resources, it is comforting to know that we are prioritizing our schools with the most critical needs as well as ensuring we meet the 30% green space requirement.”
“I applaud the investment in upgrading our playground infrastructure and increasing the amount of natural landscaping on our campuses,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “However, District 1 is home to some of the earliest campuses built in Los Angeles Unified with many sites that were opened in or before the 1920’s. These campuses deserve to be given greater priority in these playground and landscape transformations.”
“These vital upgrades and creation of essential outdoor learning spaces bring us closer to critical climate resilience,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas. “It's a wonderful start and we must keep these projects at the forefront and continue to partner and learn from community groups and organizations who continue to fight for climate justice and ways we can implement true green equity on our campuses.”
“I’m proud to direct new funding to invest in the District’s ongoing efforts to create more modernized facilities, outdoor learning environments, and green space on all our campuses—and especially excited to approve the $8.4 million investment for greening and exterior upgrades at Mar Vista Elementary in my district,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said.
“It’s exciting to make today’s investment in our schools to reach the 30% green space standard that the Board set last September,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “Prior to this project, Plummer Elementary and Noble Elementary in Board District 6 each had 5% or less of their campus devoted to green space leading to campuses that are often extremely hot and unhealthy for our elementary school students. These projects will transform our playgrounds by adding shade, reducing blacktop, and providing new green spaces for students to learn and play, and I look forward to investing in additional greening projects that will reach more students and more schools.”
“I’m proud to approve this $78.2 million investment to continue LA Unified’s commitment in creating greening spaces in school campuses to nurture our environment and enrich our students minds,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said.