Declining Enrollment Leads to Shift in LA Unified’s Building Plans
No New Campuses, But Aging Buildings Need Upgrades
With declining enrollment, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LA Unified) no longer needs to build new campuses. However, the district will continue to replace or update aging buildings to ensure students have safe and modern learning environments.
Aging Facilities Need Upgrades
According to a staff report, more than 60% of LA Unified’s school buildings are over 50 years old and desperately in need of upgrades. The report states that most students are attending school in deteriorating and aging facilities that do not meet today’s standards for learning and safety.
Budget for Maintenance and Upgrades
The district has a budget for maintenance, but major repairs or upgrades, such as replacing a roof, updating a WiFi network, or installing air conditioning in a cafeteria kitchen, are typically paid for out of bonds.
Proposed Bond for Upgrades and Improvements
LA Unified has proposed a $9-billion bond to fund major modernizations, upgrades, and reconfigurations to school campuses. The bond would also fund other projects, including:
- $75 million for electric buses
- $461 million for cafeteria upgrades
- $258 million to make spaces accessible for those with disabilities
- $70.5 million for security cameras
- $1.25 billion for school greening projects, such as planting trees, removing asphalt from playgrounds, and installing outdoor classrooms
Comparison to State Bond
The proposed bond would be the district’s largest in total dollars, but not in spending value when adjusted for inflation and compared with a $7-billion bond passed in 2008. The state bond, which will appear on ballots across California, includes $1.5 billion for community colleges, leaving $8.5 billion for all K-12 schools statewide, including those in LA Unified.
Conclusion
The proposed bond would provide a significant investment in LA Unified’s schools, allowing the district to upgrade and modernize aging facilities and provide a better learning environment for students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does LA Unified no longer need to build new campuses?
A: Due to declining enrollment, the district no longer needs to build new campuses.
Q: What is the purpose of the proposed bond?
A: The bond would fund major modernizations, upgrades, and reconfigurations to school campuses, as well as other projects, such as electric buses and school greening initiatives.
Q: How much money is proposed for the bond?
A: The bond would total $9 billion.
Q: How does the proposed bond compare to the state bond?
A: The proposed bond would be the district’s largest in total dollars, but not in spending value when adjusted for inflation and compared with a $7-billion bond passed in 2008.
