The L.A. Unified Community Schools Steering Committee (CSSC) is thrilled to welcome seven new members – Ingrid Bryan (LAUSD), Nicholas Wu (CIS-LA), Joel Cisneros (LAUSD), Jose Benitez (LAUSD), Maricela Sanchez Robles (LAUSD), Jennifer Cano (Alliance for a Better Community) and Emily Grijalva (LAUSD) to the 2024-25 committee. Each brings a wealth of passion and expertise that will help steer the direction of the Community Schools Initiative (CSI), ensuring it continues to thrive and enhance our schools.

In early September, the new members took part in an orientation conducted by UNITE-LA, which was designed to introduce the CSI’s goals and provide a solid 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, and agree on key operating principles for the year ahead.

A key meeting highlight was the review of the CSSC bylaws and proposed revisions, which sparked valuable discussions and insightful feedback. Committee members were engaged, offering thoughtful critiques that helped refine and improve the revisions. 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. The CSSC is co-convened by UNITE-LA.

This year’s members include:

• Selena Barajas-Ledesma, Director I of Community Schools Initiative, Los Angeles County Office of Education (*CSSC Co-Chair)
• Maria Miranda, Elementary Vice President, United Teachers Los Angeles (*CSSC Co-Chair)
• Ingrid Bryan, Principal, 93rd Street Elementary School
• Heidi Mahmud, Administrative Coordinator, Los Angeles Unified School District Division of Adult and Career Education
• Nicholas Wu, Chief Program Director, Communities in Schools LA
• Joel Cisneros, Executive Director, Student Mental Health and Wellness Programs. Los Angeles Unified School District Medical Services Division
• 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
• Sharon Delugach, Chief of Staff, Office of Board Member Jackie Goldberg
• Nicole Douglass, Community School Coordinator, 74th Street Elementary School
• Marisa Saunders, Associate Director for Research, UCLA Center for Community Schooling
• Maki Draper, Student Representative, Dorsey High School
• Kyle Serrette, Manager of Community Schools Campaign, National Education Association
• 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] and Roberto Thomas, Administrative & Communications Coordinator, at [email protected].