Hot, angry parents continue to hammer LAUSD for shade and even cool water for kids

Elizabeth Hernandez joins other parents and community groups that want LAUSD to address sweltering school conditions outside Lorena Street Elementary School in Boyle Heights. “LAUSD has a greening index that tells us this school is one with the highest need,” said executive director of the coalition, Arelia Valdivia, adding that just 5% of the Lorena campus offers green space. On days like today, are kept inside because it’s too hot, or they’re left outside to deal with the heat.” Reclaim Our Schools has called for improvements including: reducing pavement at 10 additional schools each year through 2040 beyond the district’s existing commitments, making all schools 50% green space, using electric-powered school buses and installing EV chargers at every school. “We appreciate the advocacy and partnership by community organizations and we encourage our local, state and federal elected officials to prioritize greening infrastructure investments in schools and our communities and develop climate change solutions for California.” The LAUSD Board of Education has adopted resolutions to support climate literacy, greening and other sustainable efforts and pointed to its greening index and greening projects or funds, such as the $50 million allocated to replace bungalows with outdoor learning spaces, the district said. “They lack a comprehensive plan and have no excuse for fully rejecting the thoughtful plan we proposed.” Valdivia said the school district has long ignored parents’ requests for immediate shade relief and put the burden of greening campuses on parents and schools.