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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - With firefighters reporting progress on the multiple blazes around the L.A. area, but fires still burning, the Los Angeles Unified School District plans to reopen most of its schools and all its offices Monday.
"Conditions have improved for a majority of areas across the Los Angeles region and the District is confident it is safe for students and employees to return to campuses," the district said in a statement Sunday.
Masks will be provided to students and employees, and all open schools will be limited from conducting outdoor and athletics activities, according to officials.
"Thanks to the tireless work of District employees who cleaned schools and classrooms, and first responders and local authorities who ensured the safety of our school communities, the District is able to restore normal school schedules and instruction as quickly as possible," the LAUSD statement added.
"... Los Angeles Unified is working diligently to ensure a smooth transition for the reopening of schools, including employee assistance, securing substitute coverage, and managing other logistical challenges."
However, some schools in the most severely impacted fire areas will remain closed due to mandatory evacuation orders, the district said.
Those include Canyon Charter Elementary; Kenter Canyon Charter Elementary; Palisades Charter Elementary; Marquez Charter Elementary; Topanga Charter Elementary; Lanai Road Elementary; and Paul Revere Middle School.
Speaking to the media Sunday evening, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said air quality inspections and HVAC filter replacements for more than 1,000 schools in the district were expected to be completed by Sunday night.
"We are also closely monitoring Roscomare Road Elementary and Community Magnet Charter, which are currently in an evacuation warning zone," Carvalho added.
Carvalho also said the district was aiming to provide support to its workforce, offering $500 to each employee displaced by a fire.