To the members of the Labor Community Strategy Center and the Dignity in Schools Campaign,

The need for safety is a collective responsibility that must balance our lessons learned from history, our present challenges and our vision for the future.

I very much appreciate our LAUSD staff that embraces the tremendous responsibility to provide space and energy for the development of relationship, safety and environments for our children to learn.

I regret that LAUSD’s participation in the 1033 program may have caused a lapse in the trust LAUSD was building with many community partners including the Dignity in Schools Campaign. I apologize for any misunderstanding caused by this participation and the perception among some that LAUSD seeks to perpetuate policies of division instead of creating communities that are safe, supportive and successful.

Together, with community partners, LAUSD has come a long way. And to use the words of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “,.,we have a long way to go,”

Let us commit ourselves collectively to continue our work towards 100% graduation by increasing support services for our scholars, increasing graduation, fully implementing the historic Student Climate Bill of Rights and ultimately eliminating the racial disparities that exists in suspensions, expulsions and academic achievement.

I appreciate your spirit of collaboration.

ln the spirit of hope,