L.A. Area Chamber Statement on 'Letters of Intent' to Operate LAUSD School Sites

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce applauds the groundbreaking reform taking place in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and commends the 181 applicants comprising internal teams, nonprofit groups and charter school operators for their enthusiasm in filing their letters of intent all in the effort of creating higher performing schools.

“The Chamber is encouraged by the enthusiasm shown in this new process where all interested parties are not only welcome to join the effort of improving our schools, but are also held responsible for the very outcome,” said Gary Toebben, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.  “The Los Angeles School Development Institute (LASDI) will be available to these groups that have submitted letters of intent and are committed to creating higher performing schools in Los Angeles.”

The Chamber encourages all groups to take advantage of all the resources available to them through LASDI, including proposal writers, editors, advisors, school design consultants, project managers and other resources, based on the need of each school team.

The district is expected to select the operators of the 36 schools by February and the groups will start running the schools by fall 2010.

On Thursday, LASDI will host a conference at the L.A. Area Chamber where school teams can meet with LAUSD experts and ask questions regarding the school choice process.  Teams will also have a chance to participate in a panel discussion on governance models, and learn more about the types of support offered through LASDI.  For more information, go to www.lasdi.net.  

LASDI includes a broad range of partners including the United Teachers of los Angeles (UTLA), Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA), LAUSD, UNITE-LA, the Chamber, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO and the City Los Angeles.

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The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business in L.A. County. Founded in 1888, the Chamber promotes a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region. For more information, visit www.lachamber.com.