The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education voted to approve the School Equity Need Index 2018 that includes community indicators that will identify the highest-needs students to invest $25 million dollars from Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2018-19 California budget.

The resolution also requests the superintendent to create a working group for community stakeholder input.

This measure is a result of the hard work, contributions and input from students, parents, partners and district staff.

The action is a follow-up to the 2014 “Equity is Justice” resolution that inspired the district’s arts equity index.

“Action has defined progress in America and progress in our district,” said LAUSD board President Mónica García, who sponsored the resolution. “The path toward 100 percent graduation is an imperfect process that requires urgency and a new direction. With today’s action, each school community maintains their budget, and our highest needs schools receive an injection of additional investment. We thank every partner for helping to put kids first.”

“Today, the board, our students, and our advocates came together on behalf of our highest-need communities,” said Vice President Nick Melvoin. “We know that we need to do more – and our state and federal government need to do more – but this is a foundation upon which to build. I look forward to the next iteration of a student-based funding formula that continues to ensure dollars reach our classrooms. Equity is justice, but California spending so little on our students remains an injustice.”

“I supported this resolution, because I am a firm supporter of equity-based funding,” said board member Ref Rodriguez. “However, I also believe that this is only the first step toward that. I have consistently advocated for a per-pupil funding model, in which the dollars follow the students more closely. I hope that, as a district, we can explore other models to create a more holistic and comprehensive framework to fund our high-needs schools adequately and equitably.”

The Los Angeles Equity Alliance, a group of educational justice organizations representing thousands of student, parent and stakeholder voices applauded the district’s commitment.

Maria Brenes, InnerCity Struggle’s executive director shared her support.

“I believe in the promise of this district,” she said. “From A-G, to the Student Bill of Rights, our children and families have seen courage in action. Today, is no different. I am a proud Angeleno today.”

“Today’s unanimous vote is a historic moment,” Community Coalition Executive Vice President Executive Director Aurea Montes-Rodriguez said. “The district is putting black and Latino high-needs students first by adopting the Student Equity Need Index 2.0.”

In addition to the immediate $25-million infusion, additional requirements of the board action include periodic updates; making the “equity-based funding formula” a primary funding model to be used by the district; the identification of additional resources; and “‘a menu of options’ for evidence-based programs” from the superintendent.