The Los Angeles Unified School District school board, at their meeting on Tuesday, unanimously approved a resolution to provide support to employees who are parents. Many LAUSD employees are unable to qualify for California’s state-paid family leave, as mentioned in the resolution. During public comments at the meeting, teachers and community members expressed feeling unsupported by the district when it comes to parenting issues.
The resolution, titled “Parental Package: LAUSD as an Equitable Employer of Choice for Thriving Families,” covers various aspects of parenthood, such as family planning, pregnancy, parental leave, and childcare. It aims to address challenges faced by employees in these areas and improve employee retention in a field that is predominantly female. The ultimate goal is to make LAUSD a model employer for parents across the nation. The resolution marks the beginning of a comprehensive process that involves collecting data on employee demographics, leave taken by employees, access to healthcare, and other factors related to parenting needs.
Tanya Reyes, a veteran teacher with LAUSD, shared her experience of returning to work after the birth of her daughter and the challenges she faced in balancing work and motherhood. She highlighted the importance of paid leave for mothers and the need for policies that protect families. The resolution passed by the school board sets the stage for further action, including the development of a detailed plan by November to address the needs of parent employees. In the meantime, the district will work on providing lactation spaces, appointing liaisons for parent support, and consulting with affordable childcare providers as needed. The resolution signals a commitment by LAUSD to become a more supportive and inclusive employer for parents in the district.