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News Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2024 |
Board of Education Approves Major Infrastructure Upgrades and Campus Improvements
Investing in our students with more than $506 million bond dollars at work
Los Angeles, CA (June 4, 2024) – The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education today approved more than $506 million in bond-funded projects to provide upgraded, state-of-the-art facilities that further advance the Los Angeles Unified’s 2022-26 Strategic Plan.
“These are critical and necessary bond-funded projects,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “But there is more to be done. If we are seeking to be the premier urban school district in the nation, then our campuses and facilities need to be updated to foster an educational environment capable of addressing current academic challenges.”
The Board approved $402.6 million to replace portable buildings with new permanent classroom buildings at Bell High School, Leo Politi Elementary School, Limerick Elementary School and Third Street Elementary School. Additional campus upgrades include greening improvements to outdoor spaces that align with the District’s goal of 30% green schoolyards, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility improvements and exterior painting of existing buildings.
Over $64 million was approved to upgrade classrooms at Adams Middle School, Audubon Middle School, Bancroft Middle School, Burbank Arts Tech Community Magnet Middle School, Fleming Middle School, Hale Charter Academy Middle School, Louis Armstrong Middle School and Daniel Webster Middle School. Existing classrooms will be transformed with new technology, flexible classroom furniture, white boards/tack boards, ceiling tiles and window blinds, interior paint and ADA accessibility improvements.
The Board approved $31.4 million for ADA accessibility improvements at Haskell Elementary STEAM Magnet, Parthenia Academy of Arts & Technology, Perez Special Education Center, Willenberg Special Education Center, Hollywood High School and Lowman Special Education & Career Transition Center. The improvements will provide equal opportunity access to programs and activities on campus and ensure a barrier-free learning environment for students, staff and community.
Additionally, $8.5 million was approved for critical replacements and upgrades of school building/site systems including new paving and underground utilities at Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Middle School. The project includes ADA improvements and a new reading garden with greening. Fifteen schools will also receive secure entry system upgrades.
Today’s board meeting concludes the approval and commitment of projects funded by bond dollars for this school year. While Los Angeles Unified continues to make tremendous headway in modernizing facilities districtwide, the reality remains that there is more need than available funding. In many cases our schools are historic and aged, which means more updates and replacements are needed.
“I am thrilled to see Los Angeles Unified spending more than $506 million in bond dollars for much needed facilities upgrades and to help build new, state-of-the-art facilities,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “Providing students with a safe, inspiring learning environment is a vitally important investment in our future.”
“I am delighted to know about the more than $506 million in bond money that will go towards upgrading our school facilities,” Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “It is crucial that we upgrade our facilities as some are decades old to ensure our students have a better and safer place to learn.”
“We are grateful to the City’s voters for the over $506 million bond dollars that are being used to build and upgrade District facilities, providing state of the art environments that advance all pillars of the District’s Strategic Plan,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said.
“I’m proud to be a part of putting over $500 million in bond dollars to work so that schools which have served our students for so long can be modernized and upgraded,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said.
“As we continue investing in modernized learning environments, increased green space, and critical improvements on all our campuses, I’m proud to direct more funding to build a better future—including over $100 million invested in my district at Bancroft Middle School, Broadway Elementary, Cowan Elementary, Hollywood High, Sutter Middle School, Taft High, Third Street Elementary, Webster Middle School, Westminster Elementary, and Westwood Elementary,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said.
“Our facilities bonds continue to enable transformative investments in our schools, including at Lankershim Elementary, Fair Avenue Elementary, Lowman Special Education and Career Transition Center, and Sylmar Charter High School in Board District 6,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “We can’t wait for these improvements to come to our communities in the service of students.”
“I am excited to approve and see your bond dollars improving our schools, with new lunch tables, improved safety measures, new roofing, a wellness center, and much more,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “I look forward to seeing these funds upgrade our BD7 schools and get us closer to the true state-of-the-art facilities that all our students deserve.”
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.
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