Parents in the San Fernando Valley are demanding safer conditions for their children after an environmental concern left more than 120 students at Chatsworth Park Elementary displaced from their classrooms.
According to the Public Information Officer with Los Angeles Unified School District, an odor was detected in two classrooms last week.
The District’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) closed the classrooms for testing that included air sampling to evaluate conditions related to creosote odors and potential mold has been completed.
According to the district, students and staff were moved out of the building while the investigation continued out of an abundance of caution.
Parents are planning a community protest seeking “transparency, environmental testing, and safe learning conditions for our students and staff” outside of the school on Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Devonshire Street.
“We invite neighboring businesses, community members, media, Chamber of Commerce leaders, elected officials, and local organizations to stand with us as we advocate for the environmental safety of our school and accountability for our children’s health,” a flyer on a social media post read.
“Together we can demand the transparency and action needed to restore our school and build the urban planning magnet campus our community deserves for generations to come,” the post continued.
Preliminary results for the testing were expected by March 13. LAUSD said they will hold a town hall to discuss findings and next steps.
“We are committed to the health and safety of our students and staff and will continue to provide updates as they become available,” the district said.