The Los Angeles Unified Community Schools Steering Committee (CSSC), co-convened by UNITE-LA, has begun its 2026–27 year with a renewed focus on the long-term sustainability, quality and impact of the Community Schools Initiative (CSI). With six new members joining 10 returning members, the 16-member committee brings together perspectives from across LAUSD, UTLA, school leadership, higher education, families, students and community partners. Together, the committee will help shape priorities for the year ahead as LAUSD prepares for new state community schools funding and continues strengthening implementation across the initiative.

New members Karen Mercado, Yavonka Hairston-Truitt, Leyda Garcia, Ben Gertner, Chacha Baca and Santiago Rafael Rojas Aragon participated in an orientation led by UNITE-LA in August and September, providing a shared foundation in CSI’s history, goals and structures. At its September kickoff, the full committee reaffirmed its mission, established community guidelines and operating principles, and aligned on priorities for the year. Members are eager to advance work focused on strengthening school-site decision-making, supporting effective implementation of project- and community-based learning, advancing professional development best practices across all 70 sites and helping LAUSD plan for the long-term sustainability of CSI. Through its cross-sector membership and ongoing collaboration, the CSSC will continue to identify shared priorities, co-create solutions, advocate for needed resources and strengthen implementation to improve student outcomes.

This year’s members include:

• Sidra Dudley, Director of CSI, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Maria Miranda, Elementary Vice President, United Teachers Los Angeles
• Karen Mercado, Senior Director, Instructional Operations, Los Angeles Unified School District - Office of the Deputy Superintendent
• Heidi Mahmud, Administrative Coordinator, Los Angeles Unified School District–Student, Family & Community Engagement
• Yavonka Hairston-Truitt, Principal, Venice High School
• Leyda Garcia, Director, Loyola Marymount University-School of Education
• Jose Benitez, Principal, Alta California Elementary School
• Ben Gertner, Director, Los Angeles Unified School District-Linked Learning
• Chacha Baca, Community Representative and Parent, Miramonte Elementary School
• Rosa Jimenez, Chief of Staff, Board District 5
• Ingrid Villeda, Community School Coordinator, 93rd Street Elementary
• Santiago Rafael Rojas Aragon, Student Representative, Hawkins High School
• Alyssa Moore, Chapter Chair, Hawkins High School
• Marisa Saunders, Co-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, Senior Director, Postsecondary Access Strategy & Initiatives, at [email protected].