By Elvia Perez, Fix School Discipline, October 23, 2019
I am a recent LAUSD graduate and student rights activist. I believe that ending the random search policy is a tremendous victory for the #StudentsNotSuspects Coalition[1] who have spent years fighting for this very moment. I co-founded the Students Deserve chapter at my high school, in hopes of bringing an end to these “random” searches, as they serve to criminalize, traumatize, and degrade racial and ethnic groups. Students Deserve is a grassroots coalition comprised of LAUSD parents, teachers, and students, who have teamed up with organizations in the #StudentsNotSuspects Coalition in the hopes of ending the criminalization of students, while improving school culture. Although LAUSD is taking the initiative to improve the quality of education for millions of students, it is important for individuals to recognize that there is still much LAUSD needs to do when it comes to investing in mental health resources, higher education, and art programs. There is this incredible opportunity for the District to administer the resources and money it used for random searches in a way that would improve educational opportunities for all students. As students, we believe that our focus should now be directed on ensuring that LAUSD chooses to reallocate the $1,120,000 (the amount estimated to be utilized in staffing costs alone for LAUSD Schools to implement the policy) in the most effective matter, one that would best address the needs of their students. As a recent LAUSD graduate, I know LAUSD can improve the lives of millions of students by investing in more in mental health resources, arts education, and college access programs.
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