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. The audit must be received and accepted by the Governing Board before January 31 of the following year.

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

Background

The Facilities Master Plan identifies several projects related to modernization and construction of buildings. Palm Crest Elementary is the first site to be modernized. Consistent with guiding principles of the Facilities Master Plan, the design intent of the project is to reduce the portable buildings on the campus, modernize the existing classrooms, increase playground areas, update infrastructure systems, create a designated drop-off area, and upgrade safety and accessibility on the campus. 

Current Considerations

The District has hired architecture firm LPA for the modernization of the Palm Crest Elementary site. They have developed options to address the need for modernization of the campus and a new classroom building to replace many of the portable classrooms. The site design committee has reviewed the concepts from LPA, and two options were presented to the site leadership and the PCR PTA. The Board reviewed the options at the Board meeting on December 13, 2018. The Board asked for further analysis of costs, ingress and egress of classrooms, and interior versus exterior hallways. The District staff, Linik, and LPA will address and discuss those items. 

Financial Implications

The budget for modernization at Palm Crest Elementary is approximately $27,500,000. This will be paid predominantly with bond dollars from Fund 21.1. The direction from the Board will assist the architects and District staff in refining the design within the budget considerations.

It is recommended that the Governing Board give direction to District staff and the architects to further develop and refine the design based on the discussion.

The Governing Board is requested to give direction to District staff and the architects to further develop and refine the design based on the discussion.

BACKGROUND

The state of California, acting on the regulations of Proposition 98, requires the governing boards of California school districts to prepare and issue an annual School Accountability Report Card (SARC) for each elementary and high school under their jurisdiction and to make them available to parents and/or guardians on a website.

CURRENT CONSIDERATION

Attached are copies of the current School Accountability Report Card for each of the four schools.  Please note that the information is substantially based on the 2017-2018 school year.

The SARCs contain required information regarding student performance, staffing and condition of each school.  LCUSD works with Document Tracking to prepare and submit the SARCs to the state.

FINANCIAL IMPACT

There have been approximately 20 hours of staff time used in preparing these documents.  As a mandated program, costs could be reimbursed by the state, if funded.

It is recommended that the Governing Board accept the current School Accountability Report Cards.

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 5145.7    Sexual Harassment - Students                       

Financial Implications 

Background

Currently all 7/8 students are assigned to a Physical Education (P.E.) class to comply with Education Code Section 51222. However, each year the administration receives requests to exempt/excuse from Physical Education classes students who are engaged in competitive sports because of substantial drain on their energy and/or fears of injuries due to overexposure to physical activity. Administration would like to support these students, but there is no alternative to P.E. and the Education Code does not permit exemption from P.E. based upon participation in non-District sponsored athletics. 

Another issue which the administration faces involves students who get injured and provide a doctor’s note in order to be excused temporarily from physical activity. These students do not participate in P.E., and as a result, often end up spending P.E. period in the counselors’ offices or working on assignments in the IRC under a teacher’s supervision.  Education Code mandates that schools provide physical education even when students are unable to perform physical activity.  For this reason, administration would like to offer an Independent Study P.E. course where students will receive credit for physical education while excused from physical activity.

Current Considerations

LCHS 7/8 administration would like to offer a 6th period Independent Study Physical Education course to support competitive athletes and students who are temporarily excused from physical activity due to injuries or other health related reasons. 

Financial Implications

There will be costs associated with allocating a  .2 FTE to a Physical Education teacher who will support the students through monitoring and assessing their progress.  The total cost should not exceed $20,000 annually. If it is decided to add this course to the 7/8  master schedule, it will be put in effect in the 2019-20 school year. Administration may decide to use an online Physical Education course which may have a yearly set up fee as well as per student license fee. 

It is recommended that the Governing Board review the presentation,engage in subsequent discussion related to it, and take action to approve the plan for implementation in the 2019-20 school year.

The Governing Board is requested to review the presentation, engage in subsequent discussion related to it, and take action to approve the plan for implementation in the 2019-20 school year.

Background 

At its meetings on 12/16/2013, 10/28/2014, 11/18/2014, 9/26/2017, and 10/30/2018 the LCUSD Governing Board discussed in open sessions its concerns regarding the Devil’s Gate Reservoir Restoration (Sediment Removal and Maintenance) Project, passing two resolutions which identified its concerns for student, staff, and community health as well as engaging in discussions regarding health, safety, and traffic impacts. 

Current Considerations 

The District has engaged environmental consultants to review the existing Health Risk Assessments and to provide expert guidance on potential remediation and monitoring measures.  Additionally, the District is working with legal counsel to evaluate the possibility of filing an amicus brief in the existing challenge to the Devil’s Gate Project which is currently pending.  The Governing Board has requested a standing discussion agenda item for the foreseeable future to provide an opportunity to update stakeholders regarding progress related to both courses of action.

Financial Implications 

Currently, any financial implications to the District in relation to the the Devil’s Gate Reservoir Restoration (Sediment Removal and Maintenance) Project are unknown, however significant concerns regarding student, staff, and community health, safety, and traffic impacts remain.

It is recommended that the Governing Board discuss the topic of the Devil’s Gate Reservoir Restoration (Sediment Removal and Maintenance) Project, review staff’s update regarding progress related to work with the environmental consultants and with regards to a potential legal challenge, and provide on-going direction to staff for future actions and for community outreach plans over the next several months.

The Governing Board is requested to discuss the topic of the Devil’s Gate Reservoir Restoration (Sediment Removal and Maintenance) Project, review staff’s update regarding progress related to work with the environmental consultants and with regards to a potential legal challenge, and provide on-going direction to staff for future actions and for community outreach plans over the next several months.

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

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

The Facilities Master Plan identifies this project as a needed site improvement project at Palm Crest to be constructed as part of Measure LCF Bond Program.  At its workshop on January 29, 2018, the Board instructed staff to move forward with the planning of this project as a priority. The project is currently being designed by LPA who recommends that the District performs geotechnical survey of the site where a retaining wall is to be built.  The geotechnical survey would determine the characteristics of underground soil conditions and provide information for structural design for the retaining wall. 

Current Considerations

This agreement is for consultant to perform detailed geotechnical survey of the proposed location of the retaining wall and to provide related engineering report.  The total contract amount of $19,780 will be funded through reimbursement with Measure LCF funds.

Financial Implications

The contract is time and materials not to exceed $19,780. Funds will come from Measure LCF.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve entering into an Agreement with Allan Seward Engineering Geology, Inc., for geotechnical engineering services for the fencing project at Palm Crest.

The Governing Board is requested to approve entering into an Agreement with Allan Seward Engineering Geology, Inc., for geotechnical engineering services for the fencing project at Palm Crest.

Background 

The Facilities Master Plan identifies this project as a needed site improvement project at La Canada High School to be constructed as part of Measure LCF Bond Program.  This project is part of the safety and security improvements planned for the site.  This project would replace existing door locks with new wireless locks that can be control via an access control software.  The access control system would allow site administrators to have maximum control over site access.  The project is currently under construction.    

Current Considerations 

This agreement is for PlanNet to assist the District in technical review of shop drawings, material and equipment data for the project, and in the commissioning and acceptance of the system.  The term of the agreement is for one year.    

Financial Implications 

The contract is not to exceed $13,200. Funds will come from Measure LCF.

Background

The Facilities Master Plan identifies several safety and security projects at each of the school sites to be constructed as part of Measure LCF Bond Program.  At its workshop on January 29, 2018, the Board instructed staff to review the list of safety and security projects and to provide a recommendation on which projects can be implemented this year that could have an immediate effect at improving the safety and security of the site.  Staff is proposing to install perimeter fencing at the elementary school sites. Consistent with guiding principles of the Facilities Master Plan, the design intent of the project is to improve safety and security for student and staff while maintaining a welcoming presence to the community.  At some locations, existing ramps must be modified to meet current standards. This project must be designed by a licensed architect and would be required to be submitted to the Division of State Architect for review for ADA Accessibility requirement. 

Current Considerations

This agreement is for architectural & engineering services to develop drawings for the installation of perimeter fencing at the elementary school sites.  The total contract amount of $86,000 will be funded through reimbursement with Measure LCF funds.

Financial Implications

The contract is not to exceed $86,000. Funds will come from Measure LCF.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the Agreement with LPA Inc., for engineering and design services for perimeter fencing at the elementary school sites.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the Agreement with LPA Inc., for engineering and design services for perimeter fencing at the elementary school sites.

The Governing Board is requested to approved the LCHS Special Activity request to attend the WGI Guard World Championships in Daytona, Ohio April 1 - 7, 2019.

The Governing Board is requested to approved the LCHS Special Activity request to attend the Heritage Festival in San Diego, California March 21-24, 2019.