• Pre-established re-openers for 2016-17 shall include salary, benefits, evaluations, and calendar; and pre-established re-openers for 2017-18 shall include salary, benefits, collaboration, and calendar. Revised or additional re-openers may be added with the district’s initial sunshine proposal during the 2016-17 school year
• Article XI: Bargaining Unit Member Duties/Hours of Employment – Language from the existing MOU regarding banking minutes for professional collaboration time was added to the collective bargaining agreement. 
• Article XVI: Evaluations – Language was added to update the district’s teacher evaluation process and to ensure that this process is in compliance with the Stull Act.
• Compensation - For the 2015-2016 fiscal year certificated employees will receive an increase of 4.25% that shall be permanently added to the 2014-2015 Salary Schedule (Appendix D). As of June 30, 2016 the existing Salary Schedule will sunset. A new restructured Salary Schedule shall replace the updated 2015-2016 Salary Schedule and will take effect on July 1, 2016.
• Calendars – The 2016-17 work calendar for the school counselors, school psychologists and nurse was revised. One date on the 2016-2017 Late Start/Collaboration Early Release Days calendar for 1^st – 6^th grade early release was changed from Friday April 28, 2017 to Friday, April 21, 2017.
• Job Description – A job description for Teacher on Special Assignment was agreed to.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are financial implications associated with the following collective bargaining agreement changes: For the fiscal year 2015-2016, an increase of 4.25% shall be permanently added to the 2014-2015 Salary Schedule (Appendix D). As of June 30, 2016 the existing salary schedule will sunset.

For the 2016-2017 fiscal year, a new restructured Salary Schedule shall replace the updated 2015-2016. This new schedule shall be permanent and ongoing subject to the scope of bargaining. This salary schedule will take effect July 1, 2016 for the 2016-2017 school year. This brings the 0.54% increase budgeted for the additional work day (previously agreed to) in 2017-2018 forward to start in 2016-2017. The additional day will not be added to the calendar until the 2017-2018 school year, however the increase will already be on schedule so there will be no additional increase for the extra instructional day when it goes into effect in 2017-2018.

• Article XXIII - Compensation - Language changed to reflect a 4% increase on salary schedule, retroactive to July 1, 2015.
• Language changes were made in the following articles, as seen in the attachment:
  • Article II - Term/Duration
  • Article V - Association Rights
  • Article IX - Hiring
  • Article X - Notification of Job Opening
  • Article XII - Layoff and Reemployment
  • Article XIII - Hours of Employment
  • Article XV - Evaluations
  • Article XVII - Transfers
  • Article XVIII - Leaves
• Four (4) Memoranda of Understanding have been agreed upon, with regards to the following:
  • Attendance Clerk Work Days
  • Establishment of the following work positions
    • Social Media Specialist
    • Technologist I
    • Technology Specialist I

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are financial implications associated with the following collective bargaining agreement changes: the 4% retroactive salary schedule increase, the addition of two additional workdays for Attendance Clerks, and the establishment of the positions for Social Media Specialist, Technologist I and Technology Specialist I.

BACKGROUND

In accordance with the requirements of AB 1200 (Government Code Section 3540.2(a), etc., staff has prepared and submitted the "Public Disclosure" document to the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) regarding the costs associated with the Collective Bargaining Agreements between the District and the California School Employees Association (CSEA Chapter 122), the La Canada Teachers Association (LCTA), and the Confidential, Managerial, Supervisory, and Administrative Association (CMSAA). 

The terms of the agreements for California School Employees Association (CSEA Chapter 122), and the Confidential, Managerial, Supervisory, and Administrative Association (CMSAA provide for a compensation increase of four percent (4%) as of July 1, 2015.

The terms of the agreement for the La Canada Teachers Association (LCTA) provide for an increase of 4.25% as of July 1, 2015 on the existing salary schedule. Effective July 1, 2016 a restructured salary schedule will be put into place.

A copy of the AB 1200 Public Disclosure Document is attached for reference.

Staff members create new courses in consultation with their department chairperson.  The administration reviews all proposed new courses and is making the following recommendation to expand curriculum offerings and better meet student needs. 

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

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

Staff members create new courses in consultation with their department chairperson.  The administration reviews all proposed new courses and makes its recommendation to the Governing Board for approval. This recommendation supports the implementation of the Common Core Standards in mathematics and better prepares students for new standardized assessments. 

Over the past two years LCHS has been implementing new math courses aligned with the CCSS.  At the 7/8 level, it was decided to keep the existing course structure until current students enter high school.  Starting next year, the courses offered at LCHS 7/8 will be CC Math 7, CC Math 7 Advanced, CC Math 8, and CC Math 8 Advanced.  The 8^th grade Advanced course will be aligned with the 8^th grade CCSS and include advanced concepts from higher level math courses.  This course will provide more rigor, depth and challenging learning opportunities to students and prepare them for the LC Math 1 Advanced class.    

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

The Governing Board is requested to approve the course description for CC Mathematics 8 Advanced.

Background

On or before July 1, 2016 the Governing Board is required to adopt its Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) using the State Board of Education template.  The LCAP must identify for all pupils the specific actions the Local Educational Agency (LEA) will take to achieve its goals and the measures by which progress will be identified.  The County shall disapprove any district budget that does not include the expenditures necessary to implement the LCAP.

Current Considerations

The LCAP is a three-year plan and it requires annual updates.  It is to include the annual goals for all pupils identified for each of the 8 state priorities and includes additional local priorities.  In developing the LCAP, parent advisory committees, local bargaining units, teachers, staff members, administrators, parents and pupils must be consulted.  All of these requirements have been met. 

Attached to this agenda item is a draft copy of the LCAP Executive Summary.  Board discussion and direction, as well as staff and stakeholder review, will result in additions, corrections, and edits being made to this draft document prior to Board approval of the LCAP as a second reading agenda item on June 28, 2016.

Financial Implications

The LCAP is intended as a planning document that drives the District’s budget development.  The Superintendent and the Fiscal Services Department have worked closely together to ensure that both documents are aligned.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the La Cañada Unified School District Local Control Accountability Plan for 2016-17.

Background

Routine Restricted Maintenance is a state mandated set aside for any school district who has received state bond money for facilities projects. La Cañada Unified has participated in the state facilities funding with past bond projects. The state requires districts to set aside 3% of total district expenditures to be used for routine restricted maintenance. This entails regular maintenance and services to assure facilities are kept in good usable condition.

During the financial crisis, districts across the state were given flexibility to reduce these contributions. La Cañada Unified always maintained the required contribution of 3%. Currently state flexibility is ending. Districts need to move back to the 3%, and since LCUSD never reduced its contribution, we remain at the 3% requirement.

Any donated funds used to purchase staff, supplies, and other programmatic improvements for the district increase the total expenditures and are therefore subject to the 3% contribution for Routine restricted Maintenance (RRM).

Current Considerations

When funds are donated to the district, there is a 3% premium incurred due to the RRM contribution. Consistency is important, and the Business Office wants direction on whether to charge the 3% from the donated dollars, or to incur those costs as a district expense above the donation amounts. If a specific dollar amount was given, the purchasing power would only be 97% due to the set aside. If a particular service was provided, the cost would actually be 103% of the service due to the additional contribution to RRM. After investigating practices in other districts, the Business Office found that both methods are practiced. 

It is recommended that the Governing Board discuss and decide on how to apply the 3% RRM beginning in the 2016-17 fiscal year. The 3% can be taken as a cost of the donation, or it can be absorbed by the District’s General Fund. Consistent application of this practice is the primary objective.  

Background

A current lunch meal costs $3.25 at the elementary and $4.00 for middle and high school students. This price has been in place since the 2012-13 school year. A survey of similar school district lunch prices found our charges to be in the same range. Prices varied between $3.00 and $3.75 for elementary and from $4.00 - $5.00 for secondary.

Current Considerations

Over the past several years the cafeteria services program has been running right on the line of break even. This year costs will exceed revenues. Multiple factors impact these numbers, most of which relate to ongoing increases in expenditures. Since the last meal increase in May of 2012, food costs have increased, and salaries have gone up by 10%. There have also been increases in costs for repairs and maintenance as our equipment is aging. Along with these factors, there is a strong interest in using more environmentally friendly serving materials. A variety of products have been proposed that move the District away from Styrofoam and towards recycled and recyclable serving items.

Approve the increase in meal prices as proposed.

BACKGROUND

LCHS and District administrators have worked collaboratively to identify new elective offerings for students in grades 7-12. LCTV is the first course in a proposed three course pathway that will blend academic rigor and career and technical training in the field of video production. LCHS administration has conducted interviews with teachers currently teaching this course in other districts 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.        

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. Staffing will be hired on a part-time basis to teach this course.

This is a First Reading Item.  It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the attached course description.

Background

As with all districts in California, LCUSD is transitioning from California Science Content Standards to Next Generation Science Standards.  As a district, we have created a detailed five-year implementation plan to lead this effort.  Through this plan we will develop scientifically literate students and prepare them for successful careers in science and engineering.

Current Considerations

Currently we are communicating the NGSS Implementation Plan to our teachers to raise their awareness and involve them in the ongoing development of the processes related to the implementation plan.  Upon Governing Board approval, the Steering Committee will communicate it to the parents and the community at large.  The five-year NGSS Implementation Plan is a working document as components of the plan may require adjustments over time. 

Financial Implications

The District will use Educator Effectiveness and Instructional Materials fund dollars to support the transition to the Next Generation Science Standards. The funds may be spent on teacher training, textbooks and materials, and technology.  The implementation plan specifies how those dollars will be allocated with some flexibility for adjustments. 

The Governing Board is requested to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards Implementation Plan.

The Governing Board is requested to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards Implementation Plan.

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

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 2015-2016 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.

Typically LCHS groups who travel abroad do so on an every other year basis.  This year the Chamber Singers and Concert Choirs will be traveling to Italy for a performance tour. 

It is recommended that the Governing Board approved the LCHS Special Activity to travel to Italy for a performance tour March 23-31, 2017.

Annually the LCHS Chamber Singers go on retreat to a specified location.

An opportunity for the LCHS Men's and Women's Ensemble to perform in Orange County/San Diego, CA March 3-5, 2017.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the LCHS Special Activity to attend a performance tour in Orange County/San Diego, CA March 3-5, 2017.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the LCHS Special Activity to attend a performance tour in Orange County/San Diego, CA March 3-5, 2017.

Permission is requested to dispose/recycle the following elementary school materials:

HSP Math Textbooks - Grades K-6

HSP Math Workbooks - Grades K-6

HSP Math Teacher Editions - Grades K-6

HSP Math Manipulatives

All other materials associated with the HSP Math series

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve discarding the HSP Math materials listed above, which are no longer pertinent to the curriculum and have been replaced with a new adoption.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the discarding/recycling of the materials on the above mentioned list.