The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education unanimously approved the 2023-24 budget, as proposed by Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, on June 20. In alignment with the student-focused goals of the 2022-26 strategic plan, the district’s $18.8 billion budget unveils significant new investments that reinforce our commitment to academic excellence and supporting students and employees.

The budget is informed by engagement with LAUSD stakeholders through the Local Control and Accountability Plan development process and is guided by the principles of the strategic plan, including empowering student achievement, budgeting with equity and urgency, investing in our workforce and protecting fiscal responsibility. Created in the shadow of expiring one-time Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund III funding of $2.6 billion, the budget addresses the urgent need to manage the transition responsibly, as remaining funds must be spent by September 2024.

Over $4.2 billion through 2025-26 is invested in class size reduction; psychiatric social workers, pupil services and attendance counselors, academic counselors, college counselors and psychologists; professional development; increased compensation for employees and climate resilience.

Notably, the budget does not reduce health benefits for employees or retirees; lay off employees; reduce Student Equity Needs Index or Black Student Achievement Plan funding; eliminate literacy and numeracy interventions; reduce student mental health supports; make wholesale reductions to student programs; reduce afterschool investments or reduce investments in community-based organizations.

“Our strategic, equity-driven, and historic investments in staff and our schools lead us toward becoming the premier urban school district in America,” Carvalho said. “This year’s budget is responsible and values-based, enabling Los Angeles Unified to fund and support the critical priorities of this board, even as one-time federal funding sunsets and the state grapples with a massive shortfall of revenue. Guided by our strategic plan, we will continue to implement data-informed strategies that enhance and inspire student achievement, support our highly effective workforce and protect taxpayers’ investments.”

“As we confront the post-pandemic reality of reduced state and federal support, it must be said that our students deserve better,” board president Jackie Goldberg said. “But I’m proud of the way this budget deploys the resources available to Los Angeles Unified, advancing our student-centered strategic plan with investments in innovative instruction and equitable facilities.”