The L.A. Unified Community Schools Steering Committee (CSSC), co-convened by UNITE-LA, is thrilled to welcome six new members–Sidra Dudley, Daniel Allbee, Rosa Jimenez, Ingrid Villeda, Esteban Zaragoza and Alyssa Moore–to the 2025-26 committee. Each new member brings a wealth of passion and expertise that will help steer the sustainability of the Community Schools Initiative (CSI), ensuring it continues to thrive and enhance our schools.

In August and early September, the new members participated in an orientation conducted by UNITE-LA, which was designed to introduce the CSI’s goals and provide a historical foundation before kicking off the new committee year. The orientation set the stage for the first official CSSC meeting in September, where all 16 members—both new and returning—convened to reaffirm the committee’s mission, establish community guidelines, agree on key operating principles and align on key priorities for the year ahead. Sidra Dudley was also introduced to the CSSC as the new Community Schools Initiative Director.

Key meeting highlights were the reauthorization of the CSSC bylaws, updates on the Meaningful Teaching & Learning Subcommittee, as well as a review of the Community Schools Professional Development and Sustaining Community Schools Resolutions, significant developments that will enhance and sustain the CSI for years to come. We are excited for the valuable contributions each member will make in advancing the CSI, as their collective expertise and dedication will be instrumental in driving efforts forward.

This year’s members include:

• Rowena Lagrosa, Interim Director of CSI, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Sidra Dudley, Director of CSI, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Maria Miranda, Elementary Vice President, United Teachers Los Angeles
• Ingrid Bryan, Principal, 93rd Street Elementary School
• Heidi Mahmud, Administrative Coordinator, Los Angeles Unified School District–Student, Family & Community Engagement
• Nicholas Wu, Chief Program Director, Communities in Schools LA
• Daniel Allbee, EGI Coordinator, Los Angeles Unified School District–Division of Instruction A-G Intervention & Support
• Jose Benitez, Principal, Alta California Elementary School
• Maricela Sanchez Robles, Executive Director of Elementary Instruction, Los Angeles Unified School District Division of Instruction
• Jennifer Cano, Senior Manager of Policy & Advocacy, Alliance for a Better Community
• Rosa Jimenez, Chief of Staff, Board District 5
• Ingrid Villeda, Community School Coordinator, 93rd Street Elementary
• Esteban Zaragoza, Student Representative, Venice High School
• Alyssa Moore, Chapter Chair, Hawkins High School
• Marisa Saunders, Associate Director for Research, UCLA Center for Community Schooling
• Arelia Valdivia, Executive Director, Reclaim Our Schools L.A.
• Emily Grijalva, Community School Coordinator, Mendez High School

For more information, please reach out to Jenny Vu, Director of Education Systems Strategy, at [email protected].