1,000 LAUSD Employees Attend Conference in Burbank

Nearly 1,000 office assistants, bus drivers, cooks and aides who work for the Los Angeles Unified School District participated in a conference Tuesday on how to handle everything from dangerous students to retirement.

The sixth annual conference covered such topics as how to deal with an angry parent, how to help a troubled student, how to prepare for retirement and how to relate to the media.

“These people are the glue that holds everything together,” said Julie Korenstein, president of the district’s Board of Education, during a break in the one-day gathering at the Burbank Hilton hotel. “Helping them to become better will only help the school district.”

Several participants said they were encouraged by the seminar.

“It’s a great thing, seeking input from everybody,” said Kay Kinney, an office assistant at Broad Avenue Elementary School in Wilmington. “Schools are very important and we need to get more people involved, especially the parents.”

Richard Walker, a bus driver who transports students attending two Chatsworth schools, said the children will benefit.

“If we refocus on what’s important and learn to communicate positively and effectively with our superiors, we can make changes that help everyone,” Walker said. “We can encourage improvements.”