Los Angeles Unified Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin Celebrates Her First Year in Office (12-15-2021)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Stephanie Salazar

Los Angeles Unified Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin Celebrates Her First Year in Office

LOS ANGELES (December 15, 2021) — Today marks Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin’s first year serving Board District 7 (BD7) on the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education.

Since taking office, Board Member Franklin has acted on her vision of ensuring all Los Angeles Unified students develop their full potential and graduate fully prepared to thrive in college, career and life by advocating for more equity-based policies and budgeting. Throughout the year, she has proven to be an equity trailblazer by authoring and co-authoring the following 10 resolutions:

Exploring Mastery-Based Learning & Grading (authored)
Closing the Digital Divide to Improve Distance & Hybrid Learning (authored)
Accelerating Achievement through Equity in Action (authored)
Keeping Schools and Communities Safe and Supported in Response to Noxious Odor Near Dominguez Channel (authored)
Equity is Justice 2021
Fully Funding Access to Immersive, Outdoor Learning Opportunities
Mental Health is Mental Wealth
Sustaining, Deepening, and Expanding the District’s Community Schools Initiative
Accelerating College Access, Awareness, and Attainment through Dual Enrollment
Got a Plan for That? Removing Barriers to College and Career Success

In addition to the resolutions, she has worked alongside her colleagues on the Board of Education to implement $790 million in equity-based funding initiatives, including the Student Equity Needs Index and Black Student Achievement Plan.

“I’m proud of the relationships we’ve built, the collaboration we’ve cultivated, and the courage we’ve mustered in our first year, alongside my Board colleagues and district leadership at all levels,” said Board Member Franklin. “The ultimate measure of our impact will, of course, be seen with student outcome data in June and beyond, but I am hopeful about our opportunities for educational justice in the district that raised me, gave me my first job, and supported my leadership journey, along with so many others.”

As a former Los Angeles Unified educator and alumna, Board Member Franklin made it a priority to foster authentic and responsive relationships with her school communities. One of her first goals as a new board member was to visit all BD7 schools at least once and visit her highest-need schools multiple times, which she has accomplished with 450 visits. Board Member Franklin also organized 53 community events, including meet & greets, listening sessions, town halls, community conversations and home visits on topics such as the Black Student Achievement Plan, return to campus, student vaccine mandate and more.

To help guide and implement her vision, Board Member Franklin hosted eight interns and fellows, established four advisory councils (student, family, educator and school leader), and collaborated with more than 100 community partners. As she continues her service, Board Member Franklin looks forward to leading alongside her community to achieve educational equity in Los Angeles Unified.

Tanya Ortiz Franklin is the newest member of the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education representing Board District 7, where she was previously a student, teacher, teacher-educator and advocate. She is committed to ensuring all students graduate fully prepared to thrive in the college, career and life of their choice. Los Angeles Unified Board District 7 includes the diverse communities of South LA, Watts, Gardena, Carson, Lomita, Harbor City, Wilmington and San Pedro.

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