Los Angeles Unified School District
Board of Education
Karla Griego
Board Member, Board District 5
News Release
CONTACT
Rosa Jimenez,
(213) 241-5555
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2025
LAUSD Uplifts Professional Development Autonomy for Community Schools and Pilot Schools
Los Angeles (March 13, 2025) - The Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District passed a resolution entitled “Aligning Site-Based Professional Development, Collaboration, and
Decision-Making in the Community School and Pilot Models”, sponsored by Board Member Karla Griego and co-sponsored by Board President Scott Schmerelson, Board Vice President Dr. Rocio Rivas and Board Member Kelly Gonez. The resolution unanimously approved by all board members, will provide community schools and pilot schools with decision making purview over their site-based professional development.
“The Community School model is intended to provide school communities with a level of autonomy over budget, discipline and electives, but lack the ability to develop professional development tailored to the unique needs of their schools and staff,” said Board Member Karla Griego. “This resolution expands professional development autonomy to both community schools and pilot schools to allow for differentiated professional development that is responsive to the varied needs of educators. I am proud to lead this resolution to support community school and pilot schools in their need to implement professional development that aligns with their school’s vision of success”.
“It goes without saying that when members of our community schools can design their own professional development, based on their interests, needs, and strengths, the promise of true collaboration that professional learning communities require will come to be,” said Board President Scott Schmerelson.
“This resolution empowers educators and local school communities to design the professional development that best serves their students. That’s what equity and innovation look like in practice,” said Board Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas.
“Every day we are working to strengthen instructional practices and accelerate student learning. This flexibility for our Community Schools and Pilot Schools will improve learning, student engagement, and wellness by empowering local school communities to create relevant trainings that support the unique needs of their students,” said Board Member Kelly Gonez. “Working together, we can ensure we’re meeting the needs of every student and putting them on a path to lifelong success.”
“I firmly believe that the best decisions are made with those who are impacted by those decisions,” Board Member Ortiz Franklin said. “Differentiated professional development, particularly for schools such as Community and Pilot schools that developed a plan as a school team, is the right decision to help each learner – adults and students – meet our big goals.”
“In a district as large as LA Unified, we know that the best approach for one school community won’t necessarily be right for another. I have long supported policies that expand local decision-making and increase flexibility so our schools can best serve the unique needs of their students, families, and staff,” said Board Member Nick Melvoin.
