LA County Supervisors Vote to Provide Reopening Assistance for Schools

LOS ANGELES —  The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Feb 23, passed a proposal put forward by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Sheila Kuehl to assist schools across the county as they work to reopen and allow students to return to classrooms. The effort aims to address barriers that make it difficult for school districts in low income communities from meeting safety guidelines for reopening.

The motion means the county will equitably distribute 1 million high-quality masks to the County’s 81 school districts and help connect school districts with funding for upgraded ventilation systems and information they need to set up testing programs. 

On Feb. 16, cases in LA County dropped below the State’s threshold to allow schools to reopen for in-classroom learning for grades K-6. Schools are required to take steps to make classroom learning safer for teachers and students. This includes masking, adequate ventilation, regular testing, and contact tracing protocols.

As school districts have moved to reopen with plans to vaccinate teachers and other school staff starting March 1, public schools in lower income areas have found it more difficult to overcome hurdles to reopening safely. A recent survey of 20 school districts in Los Angeles County demonstrated that schools in more affluent areas are moving faster to reopen than those in lower-income communities.

Details: www.file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/school-reopening-assistance