LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education will hold an emergency meeting at 7 a.m. today to consider the school district's response to the coronavirus.
Alex Caputo-Pearl, president of United Teachers Los Angeles, the union representing the district's teachers, on Thursday called for “the rapid, accelerated, and humane closure of LAUSD schools.
“Other countries have shown that a proactive -- not reactive -- approach slows the spread of the virus, makes sure health care providers are not crushed with overwhelming demand and dramatically reduces fatalities,” Caputo-Pearl said.
There was no immediate response from the district to the union's call to close the schools.
The union also released what is called “10 Common Good Community Demands,” including 15 additional paid sick days for all Los Angeles County workers, a weekly disaster stipend and creation of a food supply network.
“The state has a $20 billion reserve and this is exactly the time to tap into that reserve to support students and families,” Caputo-Pearl said. “There is an opportunity here to build a social safety net through our `Common Good Community Support' demands. Let's take the opportunity to build those now.”
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