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As LAUSD strike starts, Supt. Austin Beutner says he’s committed to a quick resolution

L.A. Unified Supt. Austin Beutner provides an update on the teachers' strike at district headquarters Monday.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
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As thousands of picketing teachers made their way downtown to gather at City Hall and then march to L.A. Unified School District headquarters, L.A. Schools Supt. Austin Beutner told reporters at a news conference that the district is committed to reaching a quick resolution.

School board President Monica Garcia and three district parents and grandparents joined Beutner on Monday on the 19th floor of district headquarters at 333 S. Beaudry Ave. As they spoke, picketers were preparing to march to their building, known by many as “Beaudry.”

“We know children and families in Los Angeles need our schools to be open and focused on their learning,” Garcia said. “We know that the families most in need are the ones that are most impacted by today’s activities.”

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Beutner said protests have been peaceful, buses are running on a normal schedule, learning is happening and breakfast had been served at all LAUSD K-12 schools. The district also is having to keep an eye on schools in the northern San Fernando Valley that recently experienced fires and may be at risk because of the rain, he said.

“We remain committed to resolve the contract negotiations as soon as possible,” he said. “We made our last proposal to UTLA on Friday which was rejected. They walked away from bargaining. We would encourage them, we urge them to resume bargaining with us, anytime, anywhere, 24/7.”

The district also is in discussions with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Beutner said.

Beutner did not say how many students were at school Monday, but said there would likely be more information later in the day. “Some schools are well-attended, some schools are less than well-attended,” he said.

The latest on the LAUSD teachers’ strike »

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alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com

Twitter: @r_valejandra

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