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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 2024 |
Board of Education Approves Infrastructure Upgrades for Adult and Career Education Facilities
Investing in our students with $81 million bond dollars at work
Los Angeles, CA (April 9, 2024) – The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education today approved $81 million to advance the Los Angeles Unified 2022-26 Strategic Plan by investing in infrastructure upgrades at facilities that offer adult education and workforce development training.
The Board approved $61 million to provide the East Los Angeles Occupational Center with new facilities to support Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. The project includes the construction of 14 new classrooms, including six general classrooms, four CTE classrooms with four associated lab spaces and support spaces. The four CTE Programs supported by the new classrooms include Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician and X-Ray/Radiologic Technician. Site improvements include resurfacing/restripping the existing parking lot, a new marquee, associated utility upgrades, landscaping and hardscaping.
Additionally, approximately $20 million was approved for Internet Protocol (IP) converge upgrades at six adult and career education campuses. The upgraded systems will support multimedia technologies that include voice, video and data, as well as new closed-circuit television (CCTV) and intrusion alarm systems. These projects will provide new phone systems, new network equipment and wireless access points at Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center, Harbor Occupational Center, North Valley Occupational Center, Rinaldi Adult Center, Venice Skills Center and West Valley Occupational Center.
The Board also approved over $14 million in construction contracts for prior Board-approved projects including: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility improvements at Carthay School of Environmental Studies Magnet and Curtiss Middle School, walk-in freezer modernizations at 32nd Street/USC Magnet School, 109th Street Elementary School, Miramonte Elementary School, Dominguez Elementary School, Rowan Avenue Elementary School and green schoolyard improvements at 14 schools across the District.
“Access to high quality adult education and training begins with securing state-of-the-art facilities for our students,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “These investments mirror our promise to elevate facility upgrades that offer adult education and workforce development training as outlined in Los Angeles Unified’s 2022-26 Strategic Plan, while meeting the full potential of our highly motivated students.”
“I am thrilled that we are investing $81 million in bond dollars in infrastructure upgrades for our adult and career education facilities,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “In our rapidly changing world, adult education is more important than ever. This is a much-needed investment in the long-term success of our city and our students. I am also pleased to see the District supporting $14 million in improvements for many of our local schools. We know there is so much more to be done, but every improvement makes a tremendous impact.”
“Los Angeles Unified must continue to support adult and career education as a means to provide students with opportunities for their future,” Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “With these millions of dollars being invested to provide better and more modern facilities to the East Los Angeles Occupational Center and upgrade internet protocol at six other adult and career sites, we show our commitment to adult and career education. Students must continue to have options after graduating high school, and they will not have to go far to find them at Los Angeles Unified.”
“These investments enhance the learning environment and empower our students to thrive in career technical education programs,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “By prioritizing upgrades at facilities offering adult education and workforce development training, Los Angeles Unified is paving the way for success and opportunity for all.”
“These investments strengthen our foundation on which to build our Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, adult and career education, as well as accessibility, food and nutrition modernization and green schoolyards,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said.
“I am pleased to support this round of investment in the District’s adult education facilities to enhance the ongoing learning needs of our students, their parents, and the entire Los Angeles community,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “The technological improvements to our campuses, including West Valley Occupational Center and Venice Skills Center within Board District 4, will allow our programs to reach students flexibly and teach them the modern skills they need for success. I’m also thrilled to be approving resources for new and ongoing outdoor and greening projects, including at Stoner Avenue Elementary and Calvert Charter for Enriched Studies.”
“By preparing students for employment in high-demand industries, we are creating career pathways that lift up entire families,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “These upgrades will help modernize learning environments for our adult learners and help prepare them for success in careers and in life.”
“I am proud to approve these investments, which will enhance the learning environments from elementary school to adult school,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “I am excited to see these projects progress and I eagerly anticipate the forthcoming improvements in our BD7 schools.”
For the most up-to-date information, please follow Los Angeles Unified on X/Twitter at @laschools and @lausdsup, Instagram at @laschools and @lausdsup and Facebook at @laschools and @AlbertoMCarvalho1.
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