Families near the Lineage warehouse fire site in Belvedere and Boyle Heights sent their children back to school on Aug. 12 with HEPA air purifiers deployed to classrooms and HVAC filters replaced at the most affected campuses, after a district environmental review tested 10 schools within three miles of the blaze and found them safe for occupancy.

The Los Angeles Unified School District opened the 2026-27 school year that Wednesday with Superintendent Andrés E. Chait holding his first-day press conference in the Belvedere neighborhood, a deliberate signal to the community most shaken by the June 17 cold-storage fire that left more than 85 million pounds of rotting food at 1400 S. Los Palos St. in Boyle Heights.

"We know that families and employees are experiencing disruption," Chait said. "Their safety and well-being remain our highest priority. We will continue to communicate with those school communities and provide the support they need."

What testing showed

LAUSD's Office of Environmental Health and Safety completed a 561-page environmental assessment on Aug. 10, two days before doors opened. The team included a certified industrial hygienist, a licensed geologist and researchers from USC and UCLA.

Two elementary schools showed lead levels above California's 80 milligrams-per-kilogram screening threshold: City Terrace Elementary at 170 mg/kg and Christopher Dena Elementary at 120 mg/kg. Both areas are now off-limits to students pending further evaluation. The district attributed the elevated readings to historical urban deposition rather than fallout from the fire.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District and the EPA installed stationary air monitors on campuses. AQMD gave Lineage until Aug. 21 to finish cleanup and had issued 25 notices of violation as of Aug. 11. The agency has received more than 4,000 odor complaints since the fire broke out.

Lineage officials said 90% of cleanup was complete as of Aug. 11 and estimated the total cost at $80 million to $100 million, according to the Los Angeles Times. Mayor Karen Bass, speaking via video to the AQMD Hearing Board on Aug. 5, called what Boyle Heights residents face "a public health crisis that requires urgent and actionable measures" and signed an emergency executive order in July halting any rebuilding requests for the site.

Academic gains and the attendance push

LAUSD enters the year building on three consecutive years of academic growth, with the district reporting it is on track for record-setting achievement in English Language Arts, math and science for the second straight year, according to a district announcement. Achievement gaps are narrowing, with historically underserved student groups outpacing the district average in at least one subject.

Average Daily Attendance rose from 92.2% to 92.6% last year. The 2026-27 target is 95%, a benchmark tied directly to school funding under California's formula.

Chait started his day before sunrise at the Van Nuys bus depot, then visited classrooms at Gledhill Street Elementary, Reseda Charter High School, North Valley Occupational Center and Glassell Park Early Education Center. His tour ended at Belvedere Middle School, where the district launched a new Career Exploration program.

Board members weigh in

Board President Scott M. Schmerelson, Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas and board members Sherlett Hendy Newbill, Nick Melvoin, Karla Griego and Tanya Ortiz Franklin all issued statements. Ortiz Franklin visited seven schools across Board District 7, spanning Florence-Firestone to San Pedro. Griego said environmental crises like the Lineage fire impact student learning and well-being on the Eastside, and acknowledged the district is "navigating financial pressures" while centering students.

Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year remains open at enroll.lausd.net.