Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Los Angeles Unified to Streamline Construction of School Yard Shading (10-10-23)

CONTACT: 
communications@lausd.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2023

Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Los Angeles Unified to Streamline Construction of School Yard Shading

Shade Structures Can Reduce Ambient Heat by 15 Degrees

Los Angeles, CA (Oct. 10, 2023) –  Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 515 School Facilities: Shade Structures, a measure, sponsored by the District and authored by Senator Henry Stern, to eliminate regulatory barriers that make the construction and installation of shade structures on K-12 schools and community colleges prohibitively expensive.

On the hottest days, playground asphalt temperatures can reach as high as 145 degrees. Children who attend schools in urban areas built with heat retaining materials are at greater heightened risk of heat-related illnesses, poor health outcomes and disruptions toward their ability to learn as excessive heat interrupts outdoor activity and exercise. Schoolyard shading can have a significant impact on the urban heat island effect, lowering ambient temperatures by 15 degrees.

“August was the hottest year on record and unless we act now, our kids will continue to suffer on the front line of the climate crisis,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “I am grateful to Governor Newsom for recognizing that extreme heat is a serious and urgent threat to students and for signing this common sense climate solution that cuts red tape to help schools make our campuses greener and more resilient.”

Los Angeles Unified proposed this bill after experiencing that installing a single shade sail on an elementary school campus could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional costs to meet regulatory requirements on other parts of the campus. As the District continues to roll out its schoolyard greening program which prioritizes schools with the least access to parks or green space, SB 515 will remove costly barriers that have prevented the large-scale installation of schoolyard shading.

SB 515 reduces costs by holding accessibility requirements to the federal limit of 20% of the cost of the project, making it possible for schools to install these low-dollar construction projects without fear of unexpected runaway costs, some of which can be triggered three years after the project is completed. Eligible shade structures must be pre-approved by the State and are required to meet all Federal and State accessibility requirements.

Additionally, Governor Newsom also signed AB 439 Task Order Procurement Contracting by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles). This bill sponsored by Los Angeles Unified extends by 10 years Los Angeles Unified’s ability to quickly send school maintenance and repair contractors out to school sites when problems arise.

“Our district is committed to greening and improving our infrastructure with urgency, and the last thing we need is unnecessary roadblocks,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “These bills — SB 515 and AB 439 — reflect a proactive approach to enhancing the learning environment for our students. Through Senator Stern's advocacy for better school facilities and Assemblymember Carrillo's efforts to streamline school maintenance processes, these bills collectively contribute to a greener, more resilient, and well-maintained educational infrastructure. Thank you Governor Newsom, Senator Stern and Assemblymember Carrillo.”

“California is experiencing extreme heat waves and dangerous environmental conditions due to climate change,” Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “Shade structures provide a huge relief when students are outside, possibly preventing serious heat related illnesses.”

“Our students deserve sustainable learning environments,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “I applaud Governor Newsom and the legislature for recognizing that the time to act is now and for their continued efforts that support our students.”

“As we continue to bring substantial greening to our Los Angeles Unified campuses, the immediate relief of shade structures is essential to handling extreme heat,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said. “These bills will make it easier for us to quickly make our campuses safer for kids while we invest in the vital work of creating climate resilient, sustainable campuses with natural green space."

“I am thrilled that an opinion piece I authored last year has led to the introduction and successful passage of SB 515, aiming to reduce the bureaucratic barriers to creating more climate-resilient schools,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “As the effects of the climate crisis intensify, we will continue to push for more common-sense solutions and legislative actions that help us better support the needs of our school communities.”

“As we combat the climate crisis, our efforts to combat extreme heat take on even greater importance,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “I applaud our state leaders for passing SB 515 to streamline the installation of shade structures to protect our students from scorching temperatures. This is just part of our work to create greener, more sustainable campuses, and we look forward to continued partnership with the Governor and our legislature on this important issue.”

“We are proud to support these critical bills signifying a leap forward in the safety and sustainability of our school communities,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “Our schools must be well-maintained to ensure our students thrive in clean and healthy environments, both inside and outside the classroom.”

For the most up-to-date information, please follow Los Angeles Unified on Twitter/X at @laschools and @lausdsup, Instagram at @laschools and @lausdsup and Facebook at @laschools and @AlbertoMCarvalho1.

###