Contact:
Megan VandenBos, 213-241-6388
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2025
L.A. School Board Takes Bold Action to Combat Extreme Heat
LOS ANGELES, November 18, 2025 – As extreme heat events grow in frequency and severity, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education today took bold and unanimous action to build resiliency on campuses, invest in essential, clean-energy infrastructure, and respond proactively to ensure student and staff safety, prioritizing historically underserved communities and communities impacted by extreme heat. Board Member Kelly Gonez authored the comprehensive resolution; Board Member Karla Griego, Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas, Student Board Member Jerry Yang, Board Member Nick Melvoin, and Board President Scott Schmerelson joined as cosponsors.
With the Board’s action today, the school district will:
- Accelerate its heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) modernization projects to meet the urgent need of replacing outdated and failing cooling infrastructure;
- Create interim cooling plans for schools, including the deployment of portable AC’s, shade structures, hydration stations, and misting systems;
- Install climate friendly, all electric technologies such as heat pumps, in HVAC modernization projects, aligned with the District’s goals to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy; and
- Prohibit new artificial turf installations at early education, elementary, and middle schools and commissioning a comprehensive study on health, environmental, and fiscal impacts of artificial turf vs. natural grass/materials for high school athletic fields, with stakeholder input.
“We must take urgent, equity-driven action to build resiliency, mitigate risks of climate change, prioritize those most impacted by extreme heat, and ensure our students are in classrooms and playgrounds that are safe and comfortable for learning,” said Board Member Kelly Gonez. “I’m proud of the collaborative effort to bring this resolution forward, and I look forward to the continued work to invest in our infrastructure and update our protocols to protect our students, staff, and families.”
“Our Los Angeles community knows all too well the impact of emergencies caused or exacerbated by climate change,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “We’ve seen firsthand the direct effects in raging wildfires, fierce storms, prolonged drought, and severe flooding. Because of this, Los Angeles Unified reaffirms our unwavering commitment to fostering safe, sustainable, and resilient school communities."
"I represent the San Fernando Valley, one of the hottest places in the Los Angeles Metro Area, where temperatures in the Summer can be 10 degrees higher than in other areas around the city," said Board President Scott M. Schmerelson. "For the past year and a half, we have been involved in this work to elevate our schools and get proper cooling and ventilation systems. I am happy to support this resolution as it pushes our work further, ensuring that our students and staff have comfortable and safe workspaces. Students, teachers, and staff cannot learn and work in overheated classrooms!"
"Our students deserve schools that protect their health, their learning, and their future. As temperatures rise and climate risks intensify, we cannot wait," said Board Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas. "We must lead with urgency and with equity, to ensure every campus, especially those in historically under-resourced communities, has the shade, clean air, cooling, and green spaces our children need to learn and thrive."
“This resolution takes urgent and equitable action to upgrade cooling systems, increase shade and green space, and phase out harmful turf creating safer and more comfortable learning environments for our students,” said Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill.
"We’ve made important progress in greening our campuses, but our students cannot wait—we must accelerate this work,” said Board Member Nick Melvoin. “Expanding shade and increasing green space are essential to reducing extreme heat, improving air quality, and supporting student well-being as we continue to feel the impacts of climate change. It’s also time for the District to evaluate whether maintaining artificial turf at our schools still makes sense, and review all of our policies with an eye to our new climate reality."
"I’m proud to co-sponsor this resolution, which seeks to accelerate heat mitigation efforts in our school communities, while prioritizing SENI and underserved communities that have faced generations of environmental injustice,” said Board Member Karla Griego. “By engaging parents, students, and environmental justice leaders, we ensure that our solutions truly reflect the needs of the communities most impacted.”
"I have seen firsthand the challenges our students and educators face when our HVAC systems fail and when heat-trapping surfaces limit natural cooling on our campuses," Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. "Strengthening green spaces and cooling our classrooms is urgent and essential to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of our students, staff, and surrounding communities as climate conditions are rapidly changing. I look forward to a clear, actionable plan that supports the Board's goal of transitioning to 100% clean, renewable energy, improving our HVAC systems, and prioritizing our schools that face the most severe and ongoing heat challenges."
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