Board of Education Approves Major Infrastructure Upgrades and Campus Improvements

Board of Education Approves Major Infrastructure Upgrades and Campus Improvements

Investing in our students with more than $195.7 million bond dollars at work

Los Angeles, CA (Nov. 14, 2023) – The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education today approved more than $195.7 million worth of bond-funded projects to provide upgraded, state-of-the-art facilities that further advance the Los Angeles Unified’s 2022-26 Strategic Plan.

The 32nd Street USC Magnets school was approved for a major modernization project valued at $108 million. The multi-phase project will construct 23 new general and specialty classrooms; including media and filming making, flexible engineering, graphic design, a chemistry lab, exterior painting, greening and landscaping improvements, site infrastructure upgrades and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility upgrades. The 32nd Street USC Magnets school will be temporarily relocated to off-site interim facilities for the duration of construction.

The Board also approved $45 million for the development of wellness center facilities at Los Angeles High School and Wilmington Middle School STEAM Magnet. Wellness Centers are Los Angeles Unified-built facilities operated by outside medical providers/partners who focus on prevention, education, early intervention and screening. The wellness centers will provide free and low-cost comprehensive medical, dental and mental health services for students, families and community members.

Additionally, four classroom upgrade projects were approved at Samuel Gompers Middle School, Los Angeles Academy Middle School, Palms Middle School and Pacoima Middle School with a combined budget of $36.5 million. The projects will transform existing classrooms with new upgrades, including technology equipment with supporting electrical upgrades, interior paint, flexible classroom furniture, white boards/tack boards, ceiling tiles and window blinds and ADA accessibility improvements.

The Board also approved a $4.8 million project at John Marshall High School to provide approximately 80,000 square feet of new synthetic turf on the football field, including new perimeter drainage, field cooling system, repair of the track and ADA accessibility upgrades to the bleachers. 

Three Sustainable Environment Enhancement Developments for Schools (SEEDS) projects, with a combined budget of $350,000, were approved at Burbank Boulevard Elementary School, Clifford Math & Technology Magnet Elementary School and Trinity Elementary School. The SEEDS projects will enhance campuses by removing existing asphalt areas to create outdoor sustainable learning spaces that directly support the school curriculum, such as science, health and nutrition.

Additionally, the Board approved nearly $13 million in construction contracts for prior Board-approved projects including: outdoor classroom projects at Locke and Normont Early Education Centers (EEC); campus upgrades at State Street EEC; new roofing at Palms Middle School; athletic field lighting and expansion of an existing wellness center at Manual Arts High School. 

Lastly, the Board approved an updated 10-year Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA) between Los Angeles Unified and the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building Trades Council (Building Trades) and signatory craft unions. The PSA is a construction labor agreement to support the District’s multibillion-dollar Bond Program focusing on projects that modernize, build and upgrade school facilities. The updated PSA memorializes the District’s and the Building Trades’ shared commitment to promote project stability with a highly skilled workforce and includes a local hire provision that creates construction career pathway opportunities for District residents and graduates.

“Part of becoming the district of choice for families across Los Angeles Unified means having world-class facilities that provide a state-of-the-art experience for everyone,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “This District and this board have shown the willingness to invest in our school communities by not only building and upgrading campuses, but by doing so in a sustainable manner that will reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate our role in climate change.”

“I am always happy to have the opportunity to approve projects that will further modernize, green, electrify and upgrade our district infrastructure,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “These are exciting projects, and I’m happy that we’re moving them forward.”

“Our students, staff and administrators deserve the best facilities possible,” Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “Upgrading our classrooms doesn't just mean a fresh coat of paint, although that is included. It means staff can receive equipment to help them teach more efficiently, and our students can learn in safer environments.”

“The continued investment in our facilities upgrades will ensure that our 22nd century Los Angeles Unified students and beyond will have the ability to become the leaders of tomorrow,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said.

“This investment in District facilities is critical to keeping our schools open, thriving and ecologically sound," Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said. “Part of the work we do on the Greening Schools and Climate Resilience Committee is to keep environmental responsibility front and center, making sure that these efforts align with our climate goals.”

“As we continue to invest in creating more modernized facilities, innovative learning environments and green space on all our campuses—I’m proud to direct more funding toward meeting this goal—and especially excited to approve the outdoor enhancements at Leichman Career Preparatory & Transition Center, Lokrantz Special Education Center, Whitman Continuation High, and West Valley Occupational Center in my district,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said.

“Across our District, we are investing in projects that will support the holistic needs of our students and families, including the expansion of two new Wellness Centers, greening projects, and classroom upgrades to provide modern learning environments for our middle school learners,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “I’m excited to see these projects and others in action in the East Valley and beyond.”

“I am excited to approve these facilities investments that support the holistic wellness of our students and community,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “The bond-funded projects will provide our Board District 7 with: 21st century classroom environment upgrades at Gompers MS and LA Academy MS, an expanded wellness clinic at Wilmington MS, outdoor classroom projects at Locke EEC and Normont EEC and a new electronic marquee at Gulf ES and so much more!”

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