LAUSD’s Headquarters Choice a Good One

Re “LAUSD: Belmont Redux?” Opinion, July 29: Either David Tokofsky was asleep (highly unlikely), in the press room (his favorite haunt) or out of the room on the telephone (highly likely) when staff briefed Los Angeles Unified School District board members [on the purchase of a headquarters building] during at least three separate closed sessions. The real estate staff made itself available to answer any questions individual board members still had after those sessions.

What are the pluses that Tokofsky did not mention? Most important, there will be a new high school at 450 N. Grand Ave. that will relieve the very overcrowded old Belmont High School. The administrative staff will be housed together, saving countless working hours of commuting to headquarters for meetings and consultations; in fact, there will be enough room for the state architect to move in and really work closely with staff to swiftly approve new schools. Moving staff out of very expensive, leased quarters will save so much money, the new building will be paid for out of those savings in a relatively short time. And unused space can be rented out, providing another source of funds that can go into the classroom.

Valerie Fields

Former Member, LAUSD Board