Most Southern California school districts, including Los Angeles Unified, the nation’s second-largest, planned to keep most classrooms open Monday, officials said, even as the state battled heavy rain, flooding and landslides.
Many students depend on schools for basic nutrition, Los Angeles Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said at a news conference Sunday, explaining why he had decided not to close most of the district. The impact of wind and rain will also vary greatly by neighborhood, he said, meaning many schools won’t be as affected.
On Monday morning, Los Angeles Unified said winds were forecast to ease in the morning, citing it as a reason to keep schools open.
Los Angeles Unified has more than 400,000 students in more than 700 schools throughout the district. At least one, Vinedale College Preparatory Academy in Sun Valley, will be closed because it is in a mandatory evacuation area. Those students will report to a different school, according to the district.
A flash flood warning was in effect for more than 85,000 people in Los Angeles and Ventura counties as of 9 a.m. Pacific Time Monday, the National Weather Service said.
Other Southern California districts, including Santa Monica-Malibu, Long Beach and San Diego, had also not announced any closure plans as of early Monday.
The Long Beach Unified School District said on social media it would trim trees and remove debris from roofs to “eliminate potential hazards.” He also asked parents to prioritize safety and allow more time for dropping off and picking up their children.
Santa Barbara Unified Schools, a smaller district north of Los Angeles, closed Monday as a precaution, officials said. “This decision prioritizes the safety and well-being of our students and staff during potentially hazardous weather conditions,” the school district said in a statement.
