LAUSD SUPERINTENDENT RAMON C. CORTINES MARKS HIS FIRST 100 DAYS LEADING SCHOOLS TOWARD HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines marks his first 100 days leading the second largest school district in the nation by advocating for students at every turn.

Cortines has made strides toward improving student achievement, increasing transparency, streamlining the District, increasing accountability from all schools, departments and programs, and providing for safer schools.

“This District is heading in the right direction in terms of raising student achievement and graduation rates,” Cortines said. “We are working to unite with all of our employees, parents and community partners to accelerate the pace of change and make this a District of excellence despite our challenges.”

Some of Cortines’ accomplishments in his first 100 days leading the District include: visiting various school campuses to meet with students and teachers to ensure that high expectations and quality instruction are present in every single classroom; settling an employee benefits package that rewards employees and is financially responsible; reaching a tentative agreement with the teachers’ union (UTLA); calling for input in addressing the budget crisis by answering emails and explaining the district options via multiple KLCS-TV shows and forums; decentralizing important funding decisions so school principals and school site councils can determine how they want to spend their school’s funds; partnering with Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo to plan, develop and construct comprehensive youth centers on five middle school campuses to provide a safer environment for students; and launching the District-wide Report Card so every LAUSD parent can learn about their school’s areas of strength and need for improvement.

“LAUSD is going to look different than it has in the past. Our first 100 days shows that we are working to become a leaner and more focused district that meets our students’ needs first and foremost,” Cortines said. “We are going to keep what works, like periodic assessments, and re-evaluate what is not working.

“This District is about our children and I never want anyone to forget that. Budget crises come and go but the education of our students is our legacy. We will work to honor the commitment we have made to our students and their families every single day.”