Background 

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

Current Considerations

Since the 2003 Board Policy revision regarding transportation for school-related trips, LCHS has had numerous challenges with the implementation of the described practices with regard to resources and meeting student and family needs.  The Athletic Department has proposed a few practical adjustments to improve the existing policy while addressing the concerns. These suggestions are also aligned with the Challenge Success initiative in promoting student wellness.  With the suggested revisions, students will be afforded the flexibility to balance athletic obligations with other school related responsibilities.                         

Financial Implications 

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

BACKGROUND 

A new science course, Physics 1 P Advanced, will be added to the science offerings for 9th grade students at LCHS. Based upon the recommendation of the LCHS science faculty, the Physics 1 P Advanced course is designed to explore topics in the California Science Framework using a higher level of algebraic thinking than Physics 1 P. The science faculty believes that in the second year of our Next Generation Science Standards implementation a segment of the LCHS student population would benefit from a more rigorous, math-focused advanced science course.  

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS 

Please see the attached course description for Physics 1 P Advanced.  

FINANCIAL IMPACT 

The financial impact will be in ongoing professional development of teachers and additional supplemental materials as determined by the science faculty.

BACKGROUND

Staff members create new courses in consultation with their department chairperson as well as site and district administration.  During the past 3 years math courses have been created and implemented to align math course content and instructional practices to the Common Core State Standards.  LC Math 4 is the final course in the college preparatory pathway.  

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS 

Please see attached course description for LC Math 4.              

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

BACKGROUND

The LCHS PreCalculus and Advanced Math Topics teachers have evaluated textbooks during the 2017-18 school year to be used for the newly proposed course LC Math 4.  After reviewing several textbooks, the teachers have selected PreCalculus from Glencoe-McGraw Hill, published in 2014.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

LCHS math teachers reviewed PreCalculus textbooks and decided upon:

    PreCalculus, (c) 2014, published by Glencoe-McGraw Hill.

This textbook comes from the same publishing series as the approved LC Math 1/1 Advanced and LC Math 3/3 Advanced textbooks.  The book will be available for interested parents and community members to review at the District Office from April 17 through June 18, 2018.

FINANCIAL IMPACTS

The cost of this adoption is not to exceed $20,000.

BACKGROUND

Spanish language teachers piloted 3 textbooks during the 2017-18 school year.  After piloting three textbooks, they have selected Descubre from Vista Higher Learning, published in 2014.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

The Spanish language teachers piloted three textbooks and decided upon:

    Descubre, Levels 1-3, (c) 2014, published by Vista Higher Learning.

The textbooks will be available for interested parents and community members to review at the District Office from April 17 through June 18, 2018.

FINANCIAL IMPACTS

The cost of this adoption is not to exceed $75,000.

BACKGROUND

The 2017 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) identified several broad initiatives tied to the district-wide implementation of the Challenge Success program. One of the most significant of these initiatives was the implementation of the late start schedule for students at La Canada High School in grades 7-12. The 2017 LCAP called for a Late Start Oversight Committee to be formed in order to assess and monitor the implementation of the late start schedule at LCHS 7-12. The Late Start Oversight Committee, comprised of representatives from key stakeholder groups, met three times over the period of February and March, 2018 and reviewed data in order to make a recommendation regarding the late start schedule.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

The student, parents, faculty, and administrators that comprised the Late Start Oversight committee recommend that the late start schedule be continued for the 2018-19 school year. This recommendation comes from reviewing staff, student, and parent perception survey data related to the late start schedule and analyzing the findings of other key data points. The conclusion of the committee’s data analysis reveals that the late start schedule is widely supported. In analyzing the data, the Late Start Oversight Committee identified four key student cohorts whose experience was negatively impacted by the implementation of the late start schedule and has created a remediation plan to address the unique issues associated with each cohort moving forward.

FINANCIAL IMPACT

There is no financial impact related to the recommendation to continue the late start schedule for the 2018-19 school year.

It is recommended that the Governing Board accept the recommendation of the Late Start Oversight Committee and continue with an 8:30 a.m. starting time for students in grades 7-12 for the 2018-19 school year.

The Governing Board is requested to accept the recommendation of the Late Start Oversight Committee and continue with an 8:30 a.m. starting time for students in grades 7-12 for the 2018-19 school year.

Background

There was a strong community presence at the February 27, 2018 Governing Board Meeting.  Stakeholders raised questions and concerns regarding student safety, security and well-being on the four LCUSD campuses.  

Current Considerations

Since the February 27, 2018 Governing Board meeting immediate actions have been implemented to augment and support safety and security on our campuses.  At the March 20^th Governing Board meeting, the District launched the applications for the District-wide Safety, Security and Student Well-Being Task Force. Applications from parents, staff and students were due on April 10^th and extensive numbers were received.  Since then the Governing Board has determined to make the Task Force a Governing Board Committee, with open meetings subject to the Brown Act.  Additionally, a committee met to determine the Task Force members based on the applicant pool.  All applications were greatly appreciated and those not selected are encouraged to participate via the open meeting structure. 

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications associated with the formation of a Governing Board Task Force on Safety, Security and Student Well-Being.  However, direction to pursue facility upgrades or modifications, staffing increases, or programmatic additions or enhancements at LCUSD school sites will carry financial implications.

It is recommended that the Governing Board announce the Task Force members and engage in discussion of this topic, providing direction to staff as necessary.

The Governing Board is recommended to announce the Task Force members and engage in discussion of this topic, providing direction to staff as necessary.

Background  

One of the 2017-18 Superintendent goals was to reorganize district-level administrative positions, making adjustments and restructuring as necessary in order to maximize efficiencies and ensure services to stakeholders.  Additionally, and in relationship to the recommended reorganization, all LCUSD job descriptions require Governing Board approval.  

Current Considerations 

The reorganization flow-chart is attached to this agenda item for Governing Board review.  Some of the reorganization has been necessitated by the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources position remaining unfilled for the 2017-18 school year and given the retirement of the Chief Director of Assessment, Research and CalPADs per this evening’s Personnel Report.  It is requested that the Governing Board approve the job description for an Executive Director of Personnel Services.  Additionally, updated district-level and Cabinet-level job descriptions will be brought to the Governing Board at a subsequent meeting to complete this goal and ensure that all remaining duties and responsibilities are assigned to staff.  

Financial Implications 

The salary for the Executive Director of Personnel Services is included in the budgetary projections for the 2018-19 school year and beyond.  The position is included on the Certificated Confidential, Managerial, Supervisory and Administrative Salary Schedule.

 The Governing Board is requested to review the Superintendent’s plan for District-level Administrative reorganization and approve the attached job description for Executive Director of Personnel Services.

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

Background

The Los Angeles County Office of Education provides financial support in processing accounting transactions and reporting revenues and expenditures.  The cost of these services is based largely on the Average Daily Attendance of the district.

Financial Implications

Approval of this item will result in a cost not to exceed $22,000 for the fiscal services provided by LACOE for 2018-29.

Background

To avoid any potential year-end budgetary allocation issues, the Governing Board has routinely authorized the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) to make year-end transfers as may be needed to eliminate possible shortages in one or more “objects” of expenditure.  Specifically Education Code Section 42601 provides:

“At the close of any school year a school district may, with the approval of the governing board, identify and request the county superintendent of schools to make (within each Fund) transfers between the designated fund balance or the unappropriated fund balance and any expenditure classification or classifications, or balance any expenditure classifications of the budget of the district for that school year as necessary to permit the payments of obligations of the district incurred during the school year.”

The Governing Board of the La Cañada Unified School District, in accordance with the provisions of Section 42601 of the Education Code, is requested to authorize the County Superintendent of Schools to make appropriation transfers necessary at the close of the 2017-2018 fiscal year to permit payment of obligations of the District that have been incurred during the fiscal year. 

Background

Under Article XVI, Section 6, of the California Constitution school districts are allowed to borrow from the School Pools Fund maintained by the Los Angeles County Treasurer if cash is needed to pay obligations for current operating requirements lawfully incurred in the fiscal year.

• No more than 85 percent of the anticipated revenues accruing to the district may be borrowed.

• No transfer may be made prior to the first day of the fiscal year nor after the last Monday in April of the current fiscal year.
•  
• Any borrowed money shall be repaid from revenues accruing to the district before any other obligation of the district is met from such revenue.

Current Considerations

Although in past years the District has had no need to borrow from the School Pools Fund, the Los Angeles County Office of Education recommends that Governing Boards plan for this contingency prior to the beginning of each new fiscal year.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the ability to make temporary transfers from the School Pools Fund.

Background

Under current state law (Education Code 42603) the Governing Board of a school district may direct that moneys held in any fund be temporarily transferred to another fund of the district for payment of obligations under the following restrictions:

• No more than 75 percent of the maximum of moneys held in any fund during a current fiscal year may be transferred.

• The transfer shall not be available for appropriation or be considered income to the borrowing fund.

• Borrowing shall occur only when the fund receiving the money will earn sufficient income, during the current fiscal year, to repay the amount transferred.

• Amounts transferred shall be repaid either in the same fiscal year or in the following fiscal year if the transfer takes place within the final 120 calendar days of a fiscal year.

  Current Considerations

  Although in past years the District has had no need for interfund borrowing, the Los Angeles County Office of Education recommends that Governing Boards plan for this contingency prior to the beginning of each new fiscal year.

  Financial Implications

  Currently, there are no fiscal implications associated with approval of Resolution 18-16-17.  Additionally, no interfund borrowing would take place prior to specific Governing Board authorization.

   

It is recommended that the Governing Board adopt Resolution 17-17-18 providing for the temporary borrowing of cash between various District funds should that be needed to address any short-term/temporary cash-flow needs.

The Governing Board is requested to adopt Resolution 17-17-18 providing for the temporary borrowing of cash between various District funds should that be needed to address any short-term/temporary cash-flow needs.

Background

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

Current Considerations

Beginning July 1, 2018, 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

A key component for effective and efficient management of the bond program is the implementation of a cost accounting and tracking system.  The District has received proposals from two firms who have developed cost accounting and tracking systems specific to tracking project costs on bond programs for school Districts.  Staff has reviewed and compared both systems.  Staff has selected the system by KeyAnalytics as the cost accounting system best suited for the District’s bond program. 

The system developed by KeyAnalytics will provide the District with project budget tracking, reporting and compliance services needed to assist the District in developing, implementing, and overseeing a cost control and tracking system that will be integrated with the District’s existing fiscal system operated by the County and/or the District.  The system provides a web-based database where the financial data for the bond program will be uploaded and maintained during the time period in which the bond program is being implemented.  The system will provide the District an analytical tool for monitoring cash flow, budget, project costs and other expenses related to the bond program.  The Financial Management & Reporting System is designed to support and enhance the ability of the District needed for tracking all major budget and cost functions of the of the Measure LCF Bond Program.   

Current Considerations

This agreement is for the use of the online database and associated consultation services for cost control and cost tracking system for Measure LCF Bond Program.  The term of the agreement is renewable annually for up to five years.  The cost of the system is $3,500 per month plus an initial one-time setup cost of $4,500.  The cost of this agreement will be funded with Measure LCF funds.  

Financial Implications

The contract annual cost is $42,000. Funds will come from Measure LCF.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve entering into an agreement with KeyAnalytics Inc., for Project Tracking and Reporting System for Measure LCF Bond Program.

The Governing Board is requested to approved the LCHS Special Activity request to attend the LCHS Special Activity request to attend the Concert Choir/Chamber Singers Performance Tour to France: March 29 - April 6, 2019.

The Governing Board is requested to approved the LCHS Special Activity request to attend LCHS Marching Band Camp at Cal Poly Pomona, August 7-10, 2018.

The Governing Board is requested to approved the LCHS Special Activity request to attend the WBA Championships in Bakersfield, CA November 16 - 18, 2018.