Background

It is important to continually review and update the district’s board policies in order to stay on top of changing state requirements and/or district needs 

Current Considerations

As part of this continual review, the district has the following policy revision for the Board’s consideration:      

BP 6162.5    Instruction: Student Assessment

This policy revision reflects a change in LCUSD’s online grading system.                 

Financial Implications

It is recommended that the Governing Board adopt the recommended Board Policy revision.   

It is recommended that the Governing Board adopt the recommended Board Policy revision.   

BACKGROUND

LCTV 2 is the second course in a three course pathway that will blend academic rigor and career and technical training in the field of video production. Students in LCTV 2 will experience both the creative and technical aspects of filmmaking and video production in conjunction with learning about historical and contemporary traditions and conventions. LCHS administration has worked with the teacher currently teaching the LCTV 1 course and funding has been secured to bring this course to LCHS students. The administration is making a recommendation to add this course to our offerings. 

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

Please see attached course description for LCTV 2.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The financial impact for this course will be in on-going equipment acquisition, maintenance, and replacement, materials acquisition for this course, and infrastructure upgrades to support this course and those that will follow in the video production pathway. We are grateful to the La Canada Flintridge Educational Foundation and State of California for providing funds that will bring this course to life. The teacher teaching LCTV 1 will be teaching this course.

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

BACKGROUND

Last year LCHS added PLTW - Introduction to Design course to its offerings.  This year they would like to add the second course, PLTW - Principles of Engineering (POE), which is a foundation course of the high school engineering pathway. This course will expose students to some of the major concepts that they will encounter in a postsecondary engineering course of study. Students will also learn how to document their work and communicate their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community. The administration is making a recommendation to add this course to our offerings. 

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

Please see attached course description for Principles of Engineering-Project Lead the Way II.    

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The financial impact will be in continued registration with Project Lead the Way, materials acquisition for this course, teacher training and infrastructure upgrades to support this course.   Staffing will come from the overall staffing allotment.

Background
Annually, the State of California proclaims one week in May to be Classified School Employee Week to give special recognition to classified employees.

Current Considerations
This year, California public schools have been asked to set aside May 21-27, 2017, as Classified School Employee Week to honor their classified employees.

Financial Implications
There are no costs associated with this resolution.

Background

 For thirty six years, the state of California has proclaimed one day in May to be Day of the Teacher to bring attention to California teachers for their fine work and dedication.  In 1982, a California law was passed calling for the Day of the Teacher to be observed the second Wednesday in May each year.

Current Considerations

California public schools have been asked to set aside May 10, 2017, as Day of the Teacher to honor their teachers.  In an effort to express the District’s sincere appreciation of its entire certificated staff, it is being requested that the Governing Board declare May 8 -12, 2017 as the Week of the Teacher. 

Financial Implications

There are no costs associated with this

Background

During the 2016-17 school year, elementary school teachers have been reviewing and piloting a variety of ELA instructional materials and communicating their findings to site and district administration.  Upon review and consideration, they recommend Reach for Reading: National Geographic Learning for Kindergarten, California Journeys: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for grades 1-5 and California Collections: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for grade 6.  

Current Considerations

The elementary school teachers have reviewed a variety of textbooks and have decided upon:

    Reach for Reading: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning for Kindergarten;

    California Journeys: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for grades 1-5;

    California Collections: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for grade 6.

K-6 grade parents have been given the opportunity to review these textbooks as well and to provide input to the teachers and administrators. The recommended textbook(s) will be available for interested parents and community members to review at the District Office from April 18, 2017 through June 18, 2017. 

Financial Implications

We anticipate $350,000 - $400,000 for a 2017-18 elementary ELA adoption.  

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the adoption of:

     Reach for Reading: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning for Kindergarten;

    California Journeys: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for grades 1-5;

    California Collections: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for grade 6.

TheGoverning Board approve the adoption of:

     Reach for Reading: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning for Kindergarten;

    California Journeys: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for grades 1-5;

    California Collections: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for grade 6.

Background

Each year, the District is required by the State of California (Education Code Sections 41020-41020.8) to conduct an independent audit of all funds and activities under the control of the Governing Board. Based on this requirement by the State, as well as the need to have audited financials for other fiscal evaluations, a new contract is necessary.

Current Considerations

The current contract with Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co. LLP will expire at the end of this fiscal year. Audit contracts are typically set for three year terms with annual engagement letters.

Financial Implications

Fees for services will be $33,000 for fiscal year 2017-2018, $33,500 for fiscal year 2018-2019, and $34,000 for fiscal year 2019-2020.

It was requested that the Governing Board review and discuss the contract with Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP  to act as Auditor for the District.

The Governing Board is requested to review and discuss the contract with Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP  to act as Auditor for the District.

Background

It is important to continually review and update the district’s board policies in order to stay on top of changing state requirements and/or district needs.

Current Considerations

As part of this continual review, the district has the following policy revision for the Board’s consideration:         

BP 0410    Philosophy, Goals, Objectives and Comprehensive Plans: Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities

These policy revisions reflect current law and educational best practices.                     

Financial Implications 

There are no financial implications associated with the recommended Board Policy revisions.

It is recommended that the Governing Board adopt the recommended Board Policy revisions.   

It is recommended that the Governing Board adopt the recommended Board Policy revisions.   

Background

The District has practices related to funding travel expenses for staff. These relate to travel in regards to professional development, trainings, and student related travel. Planning, booking, reserving and reimbursing for travel are routine activities during the course of business.

Current Considerations

Based on recommendations from our auditors, best practices include a Board Policy related to travel expenses. BP 3350 is built off the standard CSBA policy with some modifications to reflect current practices as well as specific needs that may relate to the La Cañada Unified School District. The Administrative Regulation will address these as well.

Financial Implications

This Board Policy will not incur any additional costs to the current practices related to travel expenses.

It is recommended the Governing Board review the Board Policies and engage in subsequent discussion. A second reading will occur at the next meeting of the Governing Board.

The Governing Board is requested to review the Board Policies and engage in subsequent discussion. A second reading will occur at the next meeting of the Governing Board.

Background

The District has conducted annual surveys of students in grades 4 – 12, parents, certificated staff and classified staff since April of 2012.  The 2017 survey results have been received by the District and will be published for community review following this presentation.  The stakeholder surveys inventory perception data regarding instructional program and delivery, support services, facilities, communication, administration, etc. at both the District and site-levels.

Current Considerations

The Governing Board’s initial direction to staff in 2011 to conduct the annual surveys built upon its core value to further communication and transparency with all La Canada Unified School District stakeholders and to ensure informed stewardship based upon data and input from students, staff and parents.  The survey results are used to inform the Superintendent’s goals, Local Control and Accountability Plan development, and provide data to site leaders in planning school initiatives and assessing program needs.  Teachers have received student survey data and will use it as a metric to inform professional practices and goal setting. 

Financial Implications

The costs of associated with conducting the comprehensive survey program in 2017 were approximately $10,662.75 paid to Panorama Ed.

It is recommended that the Governing Board review the presentation of the survey data, engage in subsequent discussion, and provide staff feedback and/or direction based on the findings.

The Governing Board is requested to review the presentation of the survey data, engage in subsequent discussion, and provide staff feedback and/or direction based on the findings.

Background

During the past three years, LCHS 7/8 Math department members have been reviewing a variety of instructional materials and communicating their findings to site and district administration.  At the end of last school year, the 6th grade teachers chose to adopt Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Math in Focus.  This raised interest in 7th and 8th grade teachers to add Math in Focus to their list of materials to review.  Upon review and consideration, they recommend Math in Focus for 7/8 students.

Current Considerations

The middle school math department members have reviewed a variety of textbooks during the past three years and have decided upon:

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Math in Focus for 7th and 8th grade math courses.

K-8 grade parents have been given the opportunity to review the materials and provide input to the 7/8 teachers and administrators.  The recommended textbook will be available for interested parents and community members to review at the District Office from March 14 through may 26, 2017.

Financial Implications

We anticipate $75,000 - $80,000 for a 2017-18 math adoption.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the adoption of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Math in Focus for 7th and 8th grade math courses.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the adoption of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Math in Focus for 7th and 8th grade math courses.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the Personnel Report as presented.

The Governing Board is requested to approved the LCHS Special Activity request to attend the International Public Policy Forum Debate in New York, New York Friday, May 5 through Sunday, May 7, 2017.

The Governing Board is requested to approved the 7/8 Special Activity request to attend the 7/8 Choirs Enrichment Tour: Orange County Thursday, May 4 through Friday, May 5, 2017.

Background

The Facility Use Fee Schedule is reviewed on an annual basis.

Current Considerations

Beginning July 1, 2017, it is proposed that the current Facility Use fee schedule be increased by three percent (3.0%) as outlined in the attached fee schedule.

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.