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Readers React: Want to know how to make L.A. Unified schools safer? Ask a teacher

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To the editor: While the article, “L.A. schools fall short on safety measures, new report warns,” usefully examines the problem of campus safety in the Los Angeles Unified School District, it fails to present the viewpoint of a single teacher or a representative from the teachers’ union, United Teachers Los Angeles.

The union has already taken an eloquent stand on safety and mental health issues, calling on the district to increase the number of counselors and psychologists at all school sites.

Last April, UTLA supported the student-led actions for gun control and more mental health resources, stating: “Arm us not with guns but with counselors, school nurses, psychologists, teacher librarians ... for more mental health resources around safe, healthy schools.”

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Philip Leeman, Los Angeles

The writer is a teacher in L.A. Unified.

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To the editor: Maybe there should be more transparency coming from LAUSD administrators and Board of Education members when it comes to parents and students knowing about safety.

Do school principals inform the stakeholders at each school when there is a safety issue like a student being stabbed on campus, gang activity on or near the campus or threats made online? Do principals notify the stakeholders within 24 hours after an act of violence takes place on or near campus? Do they hold campus meetings to inform the stakeholders, or do they keep that information private because they are afraid parents will remove their children from the school?

How often do school board members visit the campuses in their districts to talk to the stakeholders about their concerns?

Jeff Trovatten, Encino

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