Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Megan VandenBos, 213-241-6388 June 17, 2025
Facing Reductions, L.A. School Board Commits to Budgets Centering Equity, Student Needs, and the Value of Employees
LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2025 – The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education today approved priorities and guardrails for its upcoming budget, which will include $1.6B in planned budget reductions in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. The resolution, authored by Board Member Kelly Gonez, laid out three guardrails for implementing budget cuts:
- Center students' need and minimizing the impact of any reductions on students,
- Prioritize equity, in particular protecting high-needs schools as defined by the Student Equity Needs Index (SENI) and the Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP), and
- Recognize the value of all employees and the critical work they do to support students, families and schools.
The resolution further committed the Board to public conversations about pending budget reductions in the coming months and to gathering feedback from students, families, and school staff through townhall meetings throughout the District and multilingual surveys.
“Budgets are a reflection of priorities and even in difficult budget environments, we must choose to make decisions that protect our students, particularly our most vulnerable and those currently under attack by the Federal government,” said Board Member Kelly Gonez. “This resolution reflects the Board’s shared commitment that we will approach any reductions in alignment with our values of equity, transparency, uplifting the critical work of our employees, and meeting students’ need.”
“Los Angeles Unified remains steadfast in maintaining critical investments that reflect the needs of our students,” said Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. “Let it be clear: any budget adjustments will be guided by equity and a commitment to supporting our schools. This Board’s dedication to ensuring equity will continue to guide our choices.”
“We must be clear-eyed, when we make budget decisions,” said Board President Scott M. Schmerelson. “Centering students’ needs, prioritizing equity and recognizing the value of all our employees must be our guiding lights.”
“As we face difficult financial decisions, our commitment must remain clear: equity is not optional, it is essential,” said Board Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas. “Every budget choice must protect our most vulnerable students and prioritize the people and services that support their success.”
“While I fully support developing a budget that allocates resources based on student needs in order to provide the equitable supports needed for each student to succeed, I believe the process to achieve such a budget should be given the time needed to achieve a budget that is fully transparent, data-driven, and informed,” said Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill.
“Even as the District has made strides to include more equity and transparency in our budget conversations, there is more work ahead,” said Board Member Nick Melvoin. “We will continue to advocate for thoughtful listening, clear decision-making, and accountability when it comes to making hard decisions to invest our resources in the face of a potential fiscal crisis.”
“Our budget must center equity by prioritizing resources for the students who are currently and historically underserved and marginalized. As we navigate financial challenges, we must amplify community voices in budget decisions and fiercely protect our students and staff from bearing the brunt of cuts,” said Board Member Karla Griego.
"As the board considers tough budget choices over the next few months, our students deserve budget decisions that put their needs first—and that's exactly what this resolution delivers,” said Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin. “By focusing on equity and transparency, preventing repetition of past harm, and creating structured opportunities for community input, we're building a decision-making process that truly serves our scholars and schools."
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