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.  The audit report must be submitted to the State by December 15 of each year and presented to the Governing Board by January 31.

Current Considerations

Since an audit is conducted under state direction and auditors report directly to the State Controller's Office, the appropriate Governing Board action is to receive and accept the audit report. Approval of the audit is a function of the Office of the State Controller.

Financial Impact

The audit cost of $30,500 was included in the budget for the fiscal year 2014-15.

Background

In December of 2011 the Governing Board approved Board Policy 7310 Naming of Facilities, detailing the protocols and procedures by which the Governing Board may approve the naming of facilities.  Per Board Policy, the Board must approve all naming rights agreements by taking action in open session.

Current Considerations

A naming opportunity has recently been developed which is not specifically identified in Exhibit 7310 attached to AR 7310(a).  The concept is to add an addendum to the already existing capital campaign around the naming of seats in the newly renovated LCHS Playhouse.  The existing program, a partnership between the La Canada Flintridge Educational Foundation (LCFEF), in conjunction with District administration and other LCHS support/affiliate organizations (Boosters, PTSA, Choral Parents, Music Parents) involved the  “selling” of naming rights chairs in the LCHS auditorium.  These funds have been disbursed in phase 1, and are currently being used to pay for capital improvement projects or equipment for the LCHS campus.

This addendum, a partnership between the organizations outlined above, will add a direct funding source to the Fitness Center, above and beyond the current allocation in phase II of the Spartan Spirit Campaign. This addendum will allow for naming opportunity on the beams leading to each side entrance of the Fitness Center.

Per the Governing Board discussion last year at its December 9, 2014 meeting, District administration along with representatives from LCFEF and other support organization representatives will provide regular campaign progress updates to the Governing Board. 

Financial Implications

Per AR 7310, the Board shall not incur any expenses in the naming of a building, area or program, unless the gift is made directly to the District.  In terms of potential donation revenue, with a revised tiered pricing structure, this particular naming opportunity will potentially generate funds in excess of $180,000. Each beam, a total of 18, will have a naming opportunity in a name plate at approximately 10,000 per name plate.

Background

Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year the La Canada USD initiated the hiring of targeted extra-duty extra-pay teacher leader positions to develop the leadership capacity of it’s teaching staff and to assist with supporting district/state initiatives: the implementation of Common Core Standards, the development and enhancement of Professional Learning Communities, the increase of technology as an instructional tool in the district’s classrooms (K-12), and to support beginning teachers and teachers in need of additional support.

Each successive year the LCUSD has utilized the information from the teacher, parent, community and student surveys, as well as our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) to either add new extra duty pay and/or teacher leader positions and adjust the positions in subsequent years based on the feedback.

Current Considerations

The Human Resources Office wishes to apprise the Governing Board of the current extra- duty, extra-pay teacher leader positions and to report on the significant work being accomplished by LCUSD teacher leaders to further the quality of teaching and learning practices in the LCUSD.

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications associated with this agenda item. The EDEP Teacher Leader stipends carry an annual financial implication of approximately $165,000.

This is an Information item only.  

The Governing Board is requested to review this update on the LCUSD's Extra-Duty Extra-Pay Teacher Leader positions.

Background

December 14, 2015 marks the three-year anniversary of the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which was the second deadliest mass shooting in American history.  Since December 2012 there have been approximately 95 school shootings nationwide.

Current Considerations

In response to both the anniversary of the tragic event at Sandy Hook Elementary School and to the request of community members advocating for the prevention of gun violence, the LCUSD Governing Board brings forward this resolution as a demonstration of its ongoing commitment to promote healthy, safe and supportive environments for students both at school and in the home.

Financial Implication

There are no financial impacts associated with the Governing Board’s passage of the attached resolution.

It is recommended that the Governing Board discuss the proposed Resolution and vote to adopt it.

The Governing Board is requested to discuss the proposed Resolution and vote to adopt it.

Background

Due to GASB 54 requirements for Fund Balance reporting and Governmental Fund Type Definitions that became effective in July 2010, the commitment of funds for prescribed uses is done via Board Resolution. Funds placed in a status of “Committed” must have specific purposes, and removing those funds from the “Committed” status requires a Board Resolution to change the classification.

Current Considerations

Fund 01.0         The General Fund will face increasing expenditures for the remainder of this decade due to increasing contributions to pensions. These increases will be ongoing after they are fully implemented. The multi-year budgets reflect these increased costs, but in the years beyond those increases will continue. Cost of Living Adjustments will not be enough to cover typical step and column increases and the increased pension contributions. In an effort to prepare for the additional expenditures the Board should consider committing funds for the additional expenditures needed to meet pension obligations.

Fund 17.1:       In order to plan for potential losses in income due to the end of any lease revenue for the La Cañada Unified School District, money has been set aside historically. This allows for a change in lease revenue as well as reserves for any catastrophic occurrence. The set aside of these funds was also recommended by the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Committing dollars from Fund 17 will set aside money to allow a smooth transition in the event of revenue losses.

Financial Implications

The fiscal implications of committing funds will result in funds being available for the purposes directed by the Board. These funds may be taken out of a committed status by a Board Resolution, but until that time, they may only be reserved and expended for those purposes. Fund 01.0 will have an amount of $490,000 committed to the upcoming costs of pension contributions, and Fund 17.1 will have $1,500,000 committed for as a safeguard against income losses due to leases being interrupted by default, termination or catastrophic event.

It is recommended the Governing Board adopt Resolution 9-15-16 to commit funds for the prescribed purposes.

Background

Senate Bill No. 359, California Mathematics Placement Act of 2015, requires that governing boards or school districts adopt a fair, objective and transparent mathematics placement policy as of January 1, 2016 for pupils entering grades 7 and 9.  The bill further requires that the districts post their mathematics placement policy on their Internet websites.   The purpose of the policy is to correctly place all pupils in appropriate mathematics courses ensuring a fair process and chance of success for all pupils. 

Current Considerations

LCUSD has been implementing fair and objective mathematics placement procedures for incoming 7^th and 9^th grade students but has not had a policy in place.  The requirement to develop and adopt a policy affords us the opportunity to put those procedures in writing and communicate it to our parents and community.   

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications associated with this agenda item.

The Governing Board is requested to adopt the Board Policy on Mathematics placement for pupils entering grades 7 and 9 before the beginning of the 2016-17 school year.      

The Governing Board is requested to adopt the Board Policy on Mathematics placement for pupils entering grades 7 and 9 before the beginning of the 2016-17 school year.  

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the First Interim Financial Report 2015-2016.  The First Interim Report meets a positive certification.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the First Interim Financial Report 2015-2016. The First Interim Report meets a positive certification.

BACKGROUND

The District wishes to hire The K-12 Alliance at WestEd to provide services to District staff throughout the 2015-2016 school year.  Four consultants will work with the Science Steering Committee to assist them with the design of District-wide NGSS Implementation Plan.  La Canada Unified School District and South Pasadena Unified School District will work together on this charge to maximize resources.   

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

The District is asking the Governing Board to approve entering into an agreement with The K-12 Alliance at WestEd.  Completion of service per this contract will be May 31, 2016.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve entering into an agreement with The K-12 Alliance at WestEd.

The Governing Board is requested to approve entering into an agreement with The K-12 Alliance at WestEd.

BACKGROUND

There have been many recent changes in the law and regulations regarding school attendance. The District wishes to hire a consultant, Student Support Services Solutions, Inc., from November to December 2015, to update and revise BP/AR 5113 and BP/AR5113.1 (Chronic Absence and Truancy). Recommended changes to or creation of forms and notices that are utilized at the schools and district will also be provided by the consultant. These updates will include discussions with appropriate staff members regarding the inclusion of district-specific practices and procedures as authorized by law. A cross reference and cursory review of other policies that are cited in these BPs and ARs will be conducted and recommendations for critical revisions will be made, if needed.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

The District is asking the Governing Board to approve entering into an agreement with Student Support Services Solutions, Inc. Updating and revising these policies now is forward-thinking because it is highly anticipated that attendance reporting will be part of new federal and state accountability requirements. Completion of service per this contract will be December 31, 2015.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The cost of the consultant services is $500 per hour to accomplish the tasks enumerated above.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve entering into an agreement with Student Support Services Solutions, Inc.

The Governing Board is requested to approve entering into an agreement with Student Support Services Solutions, Inc.

Background

Each year it is necessary for the Governing Board to adopt a resolution regarding the reimbursement of expenses incurred by members of the Governing Board. 

Current Considerations

Adoption of the resolution allows the reimbursement of expenses incurred by Governing Board members that have received prior approval.

Financial Impact

The resolution includes reimbursement for necessary and actual expenses incurred while performing services at the direction of the Governing Board.

Background

Annually, it is necessary for the Governing Board to authorized district employees to sign for contracts, reports, leases, data processing, etc., which have been approved by the Governing Board.

The Governing Board also designates agents to approve projects included in the Consolidated application (SDE100) and grants from the Federal Office of Education, Health, and Welfare and the California Department of Education.

Current Considerations

Attached please find Signature Authorization Resolution 8-15-16 and Certificate of Signatures to be in effect December 2, 2015 to December 31, 2016.

Financial Impact

None.

Background 

In December of each year, the Governing Board sets the Governing Board meeting calendar for the following year.

Current Considerations

Attached is the proposed Governing Board meeting calendar through January 2017.

Financial Impact

There is no financial impact on the District for adopting the meeting calendar.

The Governing Board is requested to adopt the proposed Governing Board meeting calendar through January 2017.

The Governing Board is requested to adopt the proposed Governing Board meeting calendar through January 2017.

The Oak Grove site is leased to two tenants. This facility houses childcare and an elementary school. The covered walkway rooves connecting the various buildings of the campus are being damaged by water penetrating the surface and deteriorating the structural elements. Reroofing will entail repairs of any damaged wooden elements and a new surface to protect those components from future damage.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the bid for the Oak Grove roofing repairs by Rey-,Crest Roofing & Waterproofing Co. in the amount of $57,678.00.

Background

According to the 2014-2017 District Technology Plan, a goal is in place to refresh the outdated computers in labs, classrooms, and teacher workstations. The District currently has three computers labs for TK-6, three computer lab areas in the Internet Resource Center (IRC) at La Canada High School, and four classrooms that function with class sets of computers for instruction. There are nearly 260 teacher computer workstations in place, and another 135 computers in classrooms for student use. The Technology Plan calls for a maximum age of 5 years for the computes and has goals to remove computers that age out during the course of the plan. Funding sources for the computer refresh in the past have been from various support groups such as site PTAs and LCFEF. Currently, the parcel tax is supporting the computer purchasing.

Current Considerations

The Technology Department has worked to secure best pricing for computer purchasing through vendor comparisons, and careful product reviews. Lenovo surfaced as having the best product and best value. Approval of the NASPP ValuePoint Cooperative Purchasing Program as part of the Minnesota Master Agreement No. MNWNC-117, and corresponding California Participating Addendum Number 7-15-70-34-007 for use at LCUSD will allow the District to purchase computer equipment such as desktops, laptops, tablets, servers, and storage, without going through a third-party company. This contract will expire March 31, 2017.

Financial Implications

The District will spend $158,420.60 this year on 260 workstations for the three elementary computer labs and to replace teacher workstations at LCHS

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the use of the Piggyback contract, allowing purchasing of computer equipment.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the use of the Piggyback contract, allowing purchasing of computer equipment.

The Governing Board is requested to ratify the LCHS Special Activity to attend the Fresno - Cross Country State Championship Race in Fresno, California November 27 - 28, 2016.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approved the PCR Special Activity to attend Ocean Institute in Dana Point, California January 12-13, 2016; January 14-15, 2016; February 22-23, 2016; and February 29 - March 1, 2016.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approved the PCY Special Activity to attend Pali Mountain in Running Springs, CA February 22 - 26, 2016.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approved the PCY Special Activity to attend Ocean Institute in Dana Point, California February 1-2, 2016 and February 8-9, 2016.