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Board Approves Measures to Ensure Safe Reopening of Schools
LOS ANGELES (June 22, 2021) – The Board of Education today adopted a resolution affirming Los Angeles Unified’s commitment to protect the health and safety of students, staff and families when schools reopen for the 2021-22 school year.
Sponsored by Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson, the resolution calls for schools to be cleaned and sanitized to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and for students and staff to have access to personal-protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 vaccinations. It also allows schools to hire a full-time healthcare assistant if they are unable to recruit a nurse to serve the campus five days a week.
“As a former principal, I am proud to sponsor a resolution that will allow the District to make the return to in person schooling safe and healthy for every student and family,” Board Member Schmerelson said. “Our ongoing commitment to protecting students will inspire confidence among Los Angeles Unified families and let them know that there is someone they can turn to on campus if any health concern arises.”
“This resolution highlights our District's efforts to ensure that we have the necessary resources in place to welcome back our students in the safest way possible,” Board President Kelly Gonez said. “I look forward to a successful Fall reopening!”
“We are proud to reaffirm this District’s commitment to our students’ health and safety,” Board Vice President Nick Melvoin said, “and will continue working to attract more of the nursing and healthcare services we need to fulfill this commitment in every school community.”
“We want to make sure our students and staff do not get COVID-19 at school when in-person classes resume,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III, a co-sponsor, said. “Parents, guardians, families please be assured our campuses are safe and send your children to school.”
“It used to be a given that our schools had onsite nursing and other important health supports,” Board Member Jackie Goldberg said. “The bad news is it took a global pandemic to resume that practice; the good news is that we are resuming the practice. We must see to it that those most adversely impacted by COVID-related events are supported. We’ve been committed to do what it takes to keep our kids staff safe and our families well-informed throughout the reopening process.”
“The health, safety and well-being of our students and school communities will continue to be our top priority as we fully return to campus,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “Today’s decision reaffirms our District’s commitment to making sure each and every one of our schools has the necessary staff and resources they need to have a safe and equitable return to campus.”
“This school year proved once again that health and safety are foundational to student learning,” Pia Escudero, Executive Director of Division of Student Health and Human Services, said. “The District is forever grateful to every school nurse and other staff member who worked on the front lines this past year vaccinating our school communities and keeping families safe. By deepening our investment in these critical staff and resources for next year, the District is helping to ensure that all students will return to campus safe, healthy, and ready to learn.”