News Release
Contact: Shannon Haber (213) 393-1289
Board Approves Improvement and Development of Athletic Facilities
LOS ANGELES (June 22, 2021) – The Board of Education today approved creation of a program to modernize, upgrade or develop athletic facilities at high schools across Los Angeles Unified using revenue from voter-approved Measure RR.
Under the resolution sponsored by Board Members Mónica García, Tanya Ortiz Franklin and Nick Melvoin, district staff will return in 90 days with a plan for selecting and funding the projects. The resolution also indicates the need for the program to consider and address the specific needs of LGBTQ+ students and students with disabilities. The Board is also seeking potential partners to help fund the projects.
Measure RR, which was approved by 71% of voters in 2021, provides $7 billion to upgrade, modernize and replace aging and deteriorating public school facilities, update technology and address inequities in our school facilities.
Los Angeles Unified fields 2,074 teams across 88 high schools, according to the latest count. But many schools have athletic facilities deemed inadequate, undersized or outdated for competitive sports. More than six out of 10 high school programs have at least one team that uses off-campus facilities. Overall, roughly 100 teams play their home games away from campus.
"We are breathing in joy and love as we celebrate a major step forward in modernizing and upgrading athletic fields in our most deserving schools that are essential for student wellness,” Board Member Mónica García said. "I am so grateful to all of our partners, allies and the community for continuing to advance the call for equity in opportunity across the District."
“Thanks to the support of our voters, Measure RR will fund school upgrades so we can provide a well-rounded public education to our students,” Board President Kelly Gonez said. “Athletic facilities are critical to the wellness of all students, including our student athletes, and I’m glad we can ensure athletic projects are part of our bond program.”
“Outdoor activity and sports programming is an important part of promoting health and fitness for our students,” Board Vice President Nick Melvoin said. “I’m proud to support this resolution to ensure that all of LA Unified’s student athletes have equitable access to the athletic facilities and resources they need to compete and succeed.”
“Physical activity has become even more important for students who did not get much exercise during the COVID-19 shutdown,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “Athletics motivates some of our students to come to school and keep their grades up so they can participate. Competitive sports teaches life lessons like teamwork, rewards for hard work, learning not to repeat the same mistake, and winning isn’t everything.”
“I am thankful to our voters for passing Measure RR and allowing us the opportunity to address the significant and unfunded needs in our school facilities,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerleson said. “We have always been mindful in addressing the needs of all our schools by prioritizing projects and this resolution will allow us to further expand and target funds for our athletic facilities and future investments”
“Sports and competition are great for giving our kids opportunities to participate in healthy activity, bonding, learning teamwork, and creating community; that is, as long as athletic facilities are safe and inviting,” Board Member Jackie Goldberg said. “The Board has a duty to make sure that all Los Angeles Unified students can access these benefits—including LGBTQ+ and kids with disabilities. The Human Rights Campaign noted that more than half of transgender youth never use a locker room aligned with their gender and as a result, almost of a third of them quit playing. We can end that. We can create safe and inclusive spaces for everybody. This resolution is a good first step.”
“I’m proud to co-sponsor today’s decision to provide equitable and inclusive sport opportunities for our students and athletic facilities that promote health and wellness on our high school campuses,” Board Member Tanya Oritz Franklin said. “Let’s continue to create spaces that give our current and future students, families, alumni and school communities the opportunity to come together and create lasting, joyful memories.”
"Athletics are very important to our school program and many of our students participate in different sports throughout the school year, some on multiple teams. This investment will be worth every penny," Ben Gertner, principal of Theodore Roosevelt High School, said. "While we are very fortunate to be the beneficiaries of a comprehensive modernization project that has already brought us a new gymnasium and new classroom buildings, this resolution would allow for that missing piece to upgrade our outdoor athletic facilities. I am so grateful to the school board and the taxpayers for investing in our campus."
"In today’s social climate, we believe that there is a substantial amount of systemic inequality as it pertains to our community, and our athletic facilities embody this disparity," Andres Favela, principal at James A. Garfield Senior High, said. "We believe that this is the pivotal moment to close the gap on such a disproportioned matter."
“Thank you to the students and parents who fought to pass these critical bond dollars,” Maria Brenes, Executive Director of InnerCity Struggle, said. “We need equity and supportive investments now more than ever to ensure healthy and safer learning environments.”