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Parent urges proof of staff drug/alcohol testing, defends school police at LAUSD meeting
Summary
A Spanish‑language speaker supported school police, requested verification of staff sobriety when concerns arise, and asked the board for 'safe passage' protections and staff testing to improve student safety.
At the Nov. 19 Los Angeles Unified School District board meeting, Maria Daisy Ortiz spoke in Spanish and asked the board to maintain school police and to require proof of alcohol and drug testing for school employees when there is a reasonable suspicion.
Ortiz said she supports school police presence in schools and described concerns about drugs, trafficking and student safety, arguing that school police have helped “maintain order and security inside and outside the schools.” She asked the district to provide parents with a mechanism to request testing for school personnel when there is reasonable cause.
Ortiz acknowledged that some parents oppose school police but asked the board to consider safety risks, including trafficking and drug activity she says affect students. The comment concluded without a public board response during the public‑comment period.
Why it matters: Decisions about school policing and staff screening affect student safety, community trust and school climate. Ortiz’s remarks reflect a segment of the parent community that supports school police and seeks clearer procedures for addressing suspected staff impairment.
What’s next: The board recessed into closed session; no public action on school policing or staff‑screening policy was taken during the meeting.
