Background

With the Age of Innovation upon us, students face increased access to powerful online resources as they move from inhabiting the physical world to a exploring a digital world. Our instructional focus is also on the move with teachers who lead with a single computer quickly creating classroom experiences where all students have a device. Natural changes occur in terms of productivity, presentation, communication, and collaboration. A need has developed to provide training for students and teachers in these shifts. We must consider issues of privacy, copyright, audience, voice, and evaluation. The technology department has worked for the past two years to informally introduce lessons on these topics while also building a program. This presentation aims to offer an overview of the formal program, progress towards full implementation, and forecast next steps.

Current Considerations

Jamie Lewsadder, the Director of Technology, along with Lindsay Staley, Jennifer Zine, Carrie Adkins, and David Paszkiewicz - Teachers on Special Assignment, will present to the Governing Board on the LCUSD Digital Citizenship Program. The presentation will focus on current implementation, sample lessons, and next steps.

Financial Implications

It is recommended that the Governing Board review the presentation, and engage in questions and discussion.

The Governing Board is requested to review the presentation, and engage in questions and discussion.

BACKGROUND

LCHS math department members and administrators have been working with District consultant Heather Dallas to create two new courses aligned with the Common Core State Standards.  Last year LC Math 1 and LC Math 1 Advanced courses were introduced to our students and this year we are adding two new courses to the offerings.  The administration reviews all proposed new courses and is making a recommendation to add these new courses to our offerings.  

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

Please see attached course description for the following potential new courses:

            LC Math 2;

            LC Math 2 Advanced 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The financial impact will be in instructional material acquisition.  Staff will be compensated to design instructional materials and assessments for these two courses.  Staffing will come from the overall staffing allotment.  Once a school year has been confirmed for a district-wide math series adoption, new textbooks will be purchased for these courses.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the attached course descriptions.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the attached course descriptions.

Background

After more than a decade of use, the turf football field and the track at La Cañada High School are in need of replacement. Due to the influx of one-time dollars from the state, revenues were available to address the project. The Track/Field Replacement Committee was created, with a variety of stakeholders to address the needs and concerns for a new field and track.

Current Considerations

The need to replace the field and resurface the track have become more pressing with the extensive wear, the conditions and concerns with usability. The Field replacement Committee has met several times to identify the needs, to research the options, and to assess best solutions. Visits to fields manufactured of different materials were made by members of the committee. Input from staff, student, and community users was taken into consideration at the meetings. Based on the outcomes from these meetings, work with an architect and a landscape architect, and the current information available the Track/Field Replacement Committee is recommending a Zeolite fill for the field with a ½” compression pad below the turf to absorb sporting impacts. For cleaning and cooling purposes a portable watering system is planned in lieu of an underground irrigation system. The track will be resurfaced rather than complete removal and replacement. District staff is currently looking to gather more refined bids and schedules to complete this project during summer 2016.

Financial Implications

Initial estimates for the replacement of the turf and the resurfacing of the track may reach $1,500,000. The price is forecast as a ceiling. Vendors will provide more detailed costs before the contract is presented to the Board in the month ahead.

It is recommended that the Governing Board review the current considerations, providing staff with direction to continue with its work with vendors in order to present a finalized contract for the Board to approve in April.

The Governing Board is requested to review the current considerations, providing staff with direction to continue with its work with vendors in order to present a finalized contract for the Board to approve in April.

Background

Last year the La Cañada Unified School District selected Chartwells as the district’s food service management company. The California Department of Education requires agreements to be renewed annually for the upcoming school year. This is our first renewal.

Current Considerations

The contract, per state requirements, is only for one year, but it can be renewed annually for up to five years. We continue working with Chartwells to build capacity and increase participation. Over the past several years there have been annual declines in participation across the district. In 2015-2016 those declines have continued at the elementary sites, but the 7-12 campus shows sales that have remained flat from the previous year. Chartwells has sent out specialists from the culinary and marketing departments to provide strategies to generate higher levels of participation. We are currently setting goals for the 2016-2017 year as a matrix for measuring success.Expenses are based on a per meal cost. That per meal cost for the 2016-2017 school year will be $1.958 per meal. This includes the cost of food and materials along with a Chartwells employee on site.

Financial Implications

The cost per meal will be $1.958. This reflects the 2.735% Consumer Price Index. Based on those sales the annual cost for the service, which includes the purchase of food, is estimated to be $441,551. The goal is to increase sales and improve revenues over the first two years to reach a positive fund balance. The transitional time may require additional revenues from the General Fund. Progress toward this objective will be evaluated at the annual renewal.

Background

The United States Department of Agriculture oversees the National School Lunch Program. A required component of this federal program is the Civil Rights and Complaint Procedures. Acceptance of these procedures is necessary for the District to be in compliance with federal policies related to Child Nutrition Services.

Current Considerations

The District has a variety of avenues for complaints to be filed. The Uniform Complaint Procedure is the most common. However, as a program of the federal government, the attached complaint procedure is required for full compliance. There is much overlap with other complaint processes. Staff is regularly trained on topics related to civil rights and non-discrimination. Once these procedures are approved by the Board, the staff will receive updated training, and the plan will be available at each food service site.

Financial Implications

The financial implications associated with these procedures will be indirect and relate to staff trainings and any administering of complaints filed.

The currently approved 2016-17 school calendar has students starting school on August 16, 2016, and the last day of instruction would be June 1, 2017.  The Thanksgiving break will be a week in length from November 21, 2016 through November 25, 2016.  The Winter break begins on December 26, 2016 (preceded by a teacher work day on December 23, 2016), and students will return on January 9, 2017.  Spring break would be the last full week in March, from March 27, 2017 through March 31, 2017.

The proposed revision is to change the start dates of the work year for psychologists, nurses and counselors.  Psychologists work 13 additional days each school year, with 8 days preceding the first teacher work day, and 5 days following the last teacher work day.  Nurses and counselors work 10 additional days each school year, with 6 days preceding the first teacher work day, and 4 days following the last teacher work day.   

Instead of working August 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2016 before the first teacher work day as currently approved, the proposed revision would require psychologists to work July 29, August 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11, 2016.  In like manner, instead of working August 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2016 before the first teacher work day, the proposed revision would require nurses and counselors to work July 29, August 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11, 2016.

Background

The current state budget crisis has presented the District with the task of maintaining a balanced budget while meeting the needs of the students.  With the high cost of providing a summer school program to the students of La Cañada High School, the district decided to eliminate the program beginning with Summer School 2011.  A community committee approached the La Cañada Educational Foundation with a tuition based non-profit summer school program concept that would provide the needed summer school program.  The program provided a wide range of classes for full credit for 9^th – 12^th grade students.  The classes offered followed the District curriculum and California content standards.  The La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation is again planning to provide their 9^th-12^th grade summer school program.

Current Considerations

The attached 2016 Agreement for Use of School Property with the La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation is submitted for approval.  The agreement includes the cost of facilities use and the educational materials used to support the classes offered.

Financial Implication

The Educational Foundation will fund administrative support and will pay a facility use rate as well as fees for the use of educational materials.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the Agreement for Use of School Property between the La Cañada Unified School District and the La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the Agreement for Use of School Property between the La Cañada Unified School District and the La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation.

Background

The Williams legislature and the Valenzuela lawsuit settlement require a school district to use its uniform complaint process to help identify and resolve any deficiencies related to: instructional materials, teacher vacancy or misassignment, facilities and CAHSEE intensive instructional and services.

Current Considerations

Los Angeles County school districts are required to report on a quarterly basis to LACOE whether or not complaints have been received. The district received no Williams Uniform Complaints.

Financial Impact

There is no financial impact for the district.

Background

Due to the age and reduced value of a 1992 Chevy Astro Van, it is not worth the investment to repair the vehicle. District staff is requesting disposal of the van.

Current Considerations

Item to be disposed of is a 1992 Chevy Astro Van with VIN 1GCCM1529B181125.

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications for the disposal of furnishings and televisions. The van may generate a small amount of revenue from disposal.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approved the PCR Special Activity request to attend Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania May 16 - May 20, 2016.