This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
LAUSD Will Not Reopen Campuses At The Start Of Next School Year
Los Angeles Unified school officials have ruled out reopening the district’s campuses for in-person instruction when a new school year begins next month, Superintendent Austin Beutner announced Monday.
On August 18, classes will resume in online-only mode — though unlike last spring, Beutner pledged LAUSD students will be able to expect “daily, live engagement” with their teachers.
Beutner did not set a timetable for reopening LAUSD campuses, but promised more details about how the semester will play out by “early August.”
In his video address Monday, he acknowledged the decision would disappoint some parents and that a prolonged closure could lead to “lifelong impacts” for some students. But, he said, L.A. County’s coronavirus testing numbers are headed in the wrong direction:
“Reopening schools will significantly increase the interaction between children and adults from different families. A 10-year-old student might have a 30-year-old teacher, a 50-year-old bus driver or live with a 70-year-old grandmother. All need to be protected. There's a public health imperative to keep schools from becoming a petri dish.”
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
