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Contact: Ally Salvaria, Communications Director |
For Immediate Release |
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Email: Ally.Salvaria@LAUSD.net |
Phone: (818) 726-6151 |
L.A. Unified Board Approves Board Member Nick Melvoin’s Resolution to Modernize District Systems
LOS ANGELES, CA — April 8, 2025 — In an effort to make L.A. Unified a more user-friendly, streamlined school district for families and employees, the Board of Education unanimously passed Board Member Nick Melvoin’s resolution to modernize antiquated systems, digitize paper records and forms, and bring the District into the 21st century.
The resolution, co-sponsored by Board Member Tanya Ortiz-Franklin, Board President Scott M. Schmerelson, and Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill, calls for a comprehensive review of outdated, paper-based systems across the District, and directs the Superintendent to develop a modernization plan, with clear deadlines for reviewing outdated systems, designing digital-first alternatives, and delivering real results. It also comes on the heels of the city’s recent wildfires that destroyed critical paper records in schools, underscoring the urgency of creating digital backups and more resilient systems.
“We should be saving people time, not burying them in paperwork,” said Melvoin. “Not only do we want to create a more user-friendly experience for our families and staff, but we also want to ensure that the preservation of vital records and paperwork is part of our disaster preparedness plans—not an afterthought.”
“At Los Angeles Unified, we are committed to creating more user-friendly and accessible experiences for our families, students, and employees,” said Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. “By expanding access to digital tools and online services, we’re breaking down barriers, enhancing efficiency, and making it easier for everyone to connect with our schools in faster, simpler, and more transparent ways.”
"Improving our systems will strengthen our schools," Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. "By digitizing key processes like enrollment, payments, emergency cards, permission forms, timecards and more, we can provide modern options for families and give our school staff more time to focus on what matters most – supporting our students. This is an important step toward a more efficient and effective school system."
"Ensuring our families, staff and students can benefit from fully digitized, user-friendly District processes will allow us all to work more efficiently and accomplish our mission to serve our students better every day,” said Board President Scott M. Schmerelson. “It just needs to happen."
“The modernization and digitization of District processes will have many benefits for the students, families, and employees of the District, including increased efficiency, collaboration, security, and accessibility,” said Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill. “I will continue to advocate for digital equity so that all families in the District have access to these important resources.”
“Digitization bridges the gap between the District and its families, turning frustration into access, and paperwork into partnership,” said Board Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas.
“As an LAUSD parent myself, I know the value in removing barriers and lessening the burden of paperwork on our families and employees,” said Board Member Kelly Gonez. “I look forward to continued efforts to modernize our processes to support our families and staff in collecting and maintaining information at school sites.”
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For press inquiries, please call Ally Salvaria at 818-726-6151 or email at Ally.Salvaria@LAUSD.net.
