Last week, as neighborhoods in the hottest parts of LA hit temperatures above 100 degrees, educators, parents, and community groups held a press conference urging the district to fast-track school greening projects and HVAC upgrades on LAUSD campuses. 

Farmdale Elementary Community School parent Lisa Lomax spoke on behalf of student councilmembers who have been saying they need more shade on campus as far back as 2021. 

“Those students were tired of not being able to play during recess, of getting headaches and so many other issues due to the extreme heat,” said Lomax. “We’re not looking for excuses, or even explanations, we’re looking for action. We’re looking for LAUSD to clear the funds that have already been awarded and reserved for the planting trees. This is a small ask but it has wider implications, bigger impacts.” 

As part of the member-endorsed Win Our Future platform of demands, the UTLA member bargaining team presented a new Healthy Green Public Schools article (page 82) to the district in February with proposals to upgrade HVAC systems starting with the highest-need schools, make marked progress toward installing 30% green space on every LAUSD campus, allocate campus space for cooling centers, post annual progress and inspection reports, and more to build healthy and climate resilient campuses. 

In November, voters approved a $9 billion bond to pay for LAUSD facility improvements — including HVAC upgrades, removal of lead pipes, and greening projects — but so far, the district has refused to establish timelines or commit to prioritizing improvements in bargaining for clean drinking water, adequate cooling, and more critical improvements.