Background

Pursuant to Education Code (EC) 32280 every school in California is required to develop a comprehensive School Safety Plan to address safety concerns identified through a systematic planning process.  A School Site Council or safety planning committee shall review and update the plan.  Each school shall report on the status of its plan I the annual School Accountability Report Card.

Current Considerations

The plans explain how each site has addressed the required key components.  All plans were approved by the School Site Councils to which community members, representatives from LCTA, CSEA, PTA, and student government were invited. We continue to follow the requirements as set forth in the categorical requirements, however, the categorical funding no longer exists under the new Local Control Funding Formula.  Components of the plans (as per Ed Code 32282) include the following:

1. Assessment of the current status of the school or school-related crimes
2. Child Abuse reporting procedures
3. Disaster procedure, routing and emergency
4. Policies related to suspension, expulsion, or mandatory expulsion and other school designated serious acts which would lead to suspension or expulsion
5. Procedures regarding teacher notification of dangerous students pursuant to EC 49079
6. Sexual harassment policy pursuant to EC 212.5
7. Provisions of any school wide dress code established pursuant to EC 35183
8. Procedures for safe ingress and egress to and from school
9. A safe and orderly environment conducive to learning
10. Rules and procedures pursuant to Chapter 1.2 of Title 15 of the Penal Code
11. Hate crime reporting procedures pursuant to Chapter 1.2 of Title 115 of the Penal Code

The plans will be in effect for the 2019-2020 school year.

Financial Implications

There is no financial impact to approving the School Safety Plans

It is recommended that the Governing Board receive this report as informational and no action be taken.

The Governing Board is requested to receive this report as informational and no action be taken.

Background

The Facilities Master Plan identifies several projects at each of the school sites to be constructed as part of the District’s Measure LCF Bond Program.  At its workshop on May 18, 2018 the Board accepted staff’s recommendation for sequencing of projects.  This presentation provides the most recent outlook on the progress of Measure LCF projects. 

Current Considerations

The design and engineering of projects provides the District more detailed information with updated costs, scope, and program needs. This report informs the Board of the current scope and estimated costs of items in this first series of bond funding, and it looks at the effect on the overall bond program across the future issuance of funds. 

Financial Implications

This Bond Update presentation is for the purpose of informing the Board of the most current progress on Measure LCF projects, the current cost estimates, and the impacts on the overall Bond Program.

This is a progress report on the most recent status of the Measure LCF Bond Program input and direction from the Board is requested.

This is a progress report on the most recent status of the Measure LCF Bond Program input and direction from the Board is requested.

Background 

At its meeting on April 17, 2018, the Board approved Agreement with Radfall Company to provide design and engineering services for the installation of a new sewer line at Palm Crest and connection of the sewer line to the public sewer main at the street.  The design work requires the services of an electrical engineer to design the electrical connection of a proposed sewer lift pump system that was not anticipated at the time the agreement was executed.       

Current Considerations 

The agreement is being amended to incorporate the additional scope for electrical engineering services.  The total contract amount would be increased by $6,900 and will be funded with Measure LCF funds.  

Financial Implications 

The final contract is not to exceed $35,500. Funds will come from Measure LCF.

Background

The Low-Performing Students Block Grant (LPSBG) is a state education funding initiative with the goal of providing grant funds to districts serving pupils identified as low–performing on state English language arts or mathematics assessments who are not otherwise identified for supplemental grant funding under the local control funding formula or eligible for special education services, as specified in Education Code Section 41570(d).  As a condition of receiving funds, school districts must develop a plan describing how funds will increase or improve evidence-based services for the identified pupils to accelerate increases in academic achievement, and how the effectiveness of the services will be measured.  The plan should also include information on how it aligns with the LEA’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).  Funds shall be used for services that directly support pupil academic achievement, including, but not limited to professional development for certificated staff, instructional materials, or additional supports for pupils.  Schools can spend the funds through 2021.   

Current Considerations

LCUSD has developed a plan that explains how these grant funds will be increasing services provided to our low-performing pupils to increase their academic performance. It will be reported to the Superintendent of Public Instruction by March 1, 2019 regarding the adopted plan to use the funds by November 1, 2021, the implementation of the plan, the strategies used, and whether those strategies increased the academic performance of the identified pupils. 

Financial Implications

For LCUSD, the Low-Performing Students Block Grant allocation is about $92,873.  The funds will be spent on services to support low-performing students in mathematics and English language arts.

It is recommended that the Governing Board discuss and adopt this plan in order for LCUSD to submit it to Superintendent of Public Instruction by March 1, 2019.

The Governing Board is requested to discuss and adopt this plan in order for LCUSD to submit it to Superintendent of Public Instruction by March 1, 2019.

Background

Education Code Section 41422 allows the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to grant normal apportionment credit to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in emergencies. When one or more schools are closed because of “extraordinary conditions,” an LEA may request authorization to maintain apportionments. If authorized, LEAs are not penalized for falling below the statutorily required annual number of instructional days and/or minutes. 

Current Considerations

As a result of power outages that left the La Cañada High School grades 7 – 12 without power, school had to be cancelled on October 16, 2018. With the completion and authorization of the attached J-13A documents, the District can submit a request to the California Department of Education to receive apportionment credit for the loss of student attendance on that day. 

Financial Implications

With the approval of the Request for Allowance of Attendance Due to Emergency Conditions, the District will be eligible to receive the apportionment funding for the lost day of student attendance.

BACKGROUND 

Staff members create new courses in consultation with their department chairperson.  The administration reviews all proposed new courses and is making a recommendation to add this course to our offerings.   

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS 

A new course, Mathematics for Financial Literacy, will be added to the Mathematics Department offerings during the 2019-20 school year.  This course will engage students in learning and applying basic tools for responsible money management, including: saving, budgeting, consumer awareness, insurance, investing, avoiding debt, college and career planning, spending wisely, money and relationships, taxes and giving

Please see attached course description for Mathematics for Financial Literacy.  

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

The financial impact will be in instructional material acquisition.  Staffing will come from the overall staffing allotment. 

This is a First Reading item. This item will come back at the next regularly scheduled Governing Board meeting for approval.

BACKGROUND 

Staff members create new courses in consultation with their department chairperson.  The administration reviews all proposed new courses and is making a recommendation to add this course to our offerings.   

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS 

A new course, Music Technology and Recording Arts will be added to the Visual and Performing Arts Department offerings during the 2019-20 school year. This course will cover the study of acoustic science, digital multi-track recording and related techniques and will focus on the aesthetic qualities of sound production in the studio and live environment. It will analyze the impact of digital and analog audio technology as a vital part of communication in the world today. 

Please see attached course description for Music Technology and Recording Arts. 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

Staffing will come from the overall staffing allotment. 

BACKGROUND 

Staff members create new courses in consultation with their department chairperson.  The administration reviews all proposed new courses and is making a recommendation to add this course to our offerings.   

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS 

A new interdisciplinary course, Oceanography, will be added to the Science Department offerings during the 2019-20 school year.  Oceanography is a laboratory science course that is targeted at giving students a complete and comprehensive understanding of ocean sciences. 

Please see attached course description for Oceanography. 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

The financial impact will be in instructional material acquisition.  Staffing will come from the overall staffing allotment. 

Staff members create new courses in consultation with their department chairperson.  The administration reviews all proposed new courses and is making a recommendation to add this course to our offerings.   

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS 

A new course, The Living Earth (NGSS Biology) will be added to the Science Department offerings during the 2019-20 school year.  As the third high school class in a three course Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) sequence, the Living Earth will employ the NGSS 3D instructional model that asks students to learn core disciplinary ideas related to the field of biology, to examine these content domains through cross-cutting concepts, and to employ the science and engineering practices to explore phenomena related to the topics mentioned above.   

Please see attached course description for The Living Earth (NGSS Biology). 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

Background 

All LCUSD job descriptions require Governing Board approval.  A 2018-19 Superintendent’s Goal is to continue to reorganize and monitor district and site-level administrative positions.  In part, the on-going reorganization requires updated job descriptions to replace any which have become outdated. 

Current Considerations 

The Executive Director of Special Education and Psychological Services will retire on June 30, 2019.  The announcement of her retirement prompted a review of the existing job description prior to posting for hiring for the position.  The attached job description has been updated to reflect all of the current and anticipated major duties, responsibilities, and requirements related to the position. 

Financial Implications 

There are no new financial implications associated with the updating of the Executive Director of Special Education and Psychological Services job description.  The position will be filled and the candidate placed on the existing Certificated Management and Supervisorial Association (CMSA) salary schedule.

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 attached budget adjustments reflect changes in anticipated revenues and expenditures. The updates reflect changes based on the 1^st Interim updates and funds related to capital projects. 

Current Considerations

As the budget year progresses the Interim Reports update budget trends as they become actuals. Based on the trends, budgets are adjusted as needed to better anticipate what the end of the year actual revenues and expenditures will be.

Financial Implications

Background 

At its meeting on April 17, 2018, the Board approved Agreement with LPA, Inc to provide architectural and engineering services for the project to install perimeter fencing at the three elementary school sites.   The time and effort spent to arrive at an acceptable solution was far greater that what was anticipated at the time the agreement was executed by the architect and the District.  In addition, the design of the project is more complex due to existing site conditions that require greater efforts to resolve issues related to ADA accessibility and to create single entry access into LCE. At its meeting on January 22, 2018, the Board approved this amendment, but the cover sheet gave incorrect costs. This approval will correct that error between the cover sheet and contract amount on January 22, 2018. 

Current Considerations 

The agreement is being amended to incorporate the additional scope for structural engineering and additional time for the architectural design.  The total contract amount would be increased by $66,000 will be funded through reimbursement with Measure LCF funds.  

Financial Implications 

The final contract is not to exceed $152,000. Funds will come from Measure LCF.

It is recommended that theGoverning Board approve Amendment No. 001 to 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 work completed as listed in the attached Notice of Completion and the issuance of all final payments

The Governing Board is requested to approved the Palm Crest Elementary request to attend Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania Monday, May 13 - Friday, May 17, 2019.