FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Megan VandenBos, 818-792-0679
Los Angeles Unified Board Calls for Increased Investment in Areas Surrounding Schools
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 6, 2020) –- The Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution calling on Los Angeles County and City to prioritize school communities as they reimagine public safety. Both governmental entities are looking to reinvest funding into local communities.
The resolution, authored by Board Member Kelly Gonez, and co-sponsored by Scott M. Schmerelson and Nick Melvoin, made the case for additional supports for students and families as they make their way to and from school. Many families walk, bike, or take public transit to school each day, exposing them to transportation challenges and risk of harassment or threats of neighborhood violence. The resolution highlighted crossing guards, improved physical infrastructure, expanded youth programing, and partnerships that promote a stronger community presence as much-needed investments.
“No student should be put at risk as they make their way to school,” Board Member Gonez said. “Today, we took an important step in calling on L.A. County and City to partner with the District and address the issues students encounter on their way to and from school. As our local leaders consider what public safety should look like in our region, they should invest in our families and prioritize the wellbeing of our students in the areas surrounding our schools.”
"The safety of students is our top priority,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “It’s important we work with local government and civic partners to invest in pedestrian and traffic safety around our schools and create safer routes for students to schools.”
"We must protect one another, and every policy maker in Los Angeles shares the duty to build safe neighborhoods and create better ways to protect the lives we all serve,” Board Member Mónica García said.
“School safety on and off campus must continue to be the District’s number one priority. Improving safety requires time and commitment from our elected officials, our school staff and our community partners,” Scott M. Schmerelson said. “I am proud to support Safe Routes to School, traffic safety initiatives and new programs that will prevent any accidents, injuries or trauma to our students and families, especially when walking to and from school.”
“The safety of our students and families starts with a safe commute to and from their school communities,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “We must continue to invest in safe passages for our kids, proactively support community-based approaches, and call on our City and County partners to work with us in prioritizing student safety.”
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