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.  

Current Considerations 

The Board approved a Director of Programs and Services job description in March 2019 and a revised version in May 2019.  Since then, the Superintendent and Governing Board have determined to modify the job description to refine its scope.  The duties related to developing and implementing district-wide initiatives, professional development, and programs related to equity, inclusion, and diversity will be assigned to and independent services contract for the 2019-20 school year. 

Financial Implications 

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the updated job description for the Director of Programs and Services.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the updated job description for the Director of Programs and Services.

Background 

There is a need to hire a Director of Programs and Services.  The start date of the position is July 1, 2019.  The Governing Board must approve all appointments.  

Current Considerations 

Under the immediate supervision of the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, the Director of Programs and Services coordinates programs, curriculum, technology, training, outreach, and systems relating to educational services. The position also oversees, supervises, and evaluates the School Safety Plans, working with site administration at each of the district’s schools. The Director serves as the district’s Compliance Officer in charge of writing, reporting and filing all of the reports enumerated in the job description. Additional duties include coordinating and supporting district and site programs related to student services, parent education offerings, and crisis response services. 

In the district’s on-going efforts to recognize and grow the talent of its administrative team members, I find that Ms. Karen Hurley’s professional skill set is suited to this position and believe her placement in a district position will serve the needs and interests of students and staff throughout LCUSD.   

Financial Implications 

Although the job description is slightly modified, this is an established District position and does not constitute a new or additional salary.  The anticipated salary for the position is $145,582.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the appointment of Ms. Karen Hurley as the Director of Programs and Services.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the appointment of Ms. Karen Hurley as the Director of Programs and Services.

Background 

There is a need to hire an LCHS Assistant Principal.  The Governing Board must approve all employment contracts.  

Current Considerations 

After an exhaustive search, the Superintendent is recommending to the Governing Board Mr. Jason Ito for the position of LCHS Assistant Principal.  Mr. Ito has 8 years of public school experience and 2 years of private independent school experience.  In preparation for his administrative assignment, he has served as a Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) with El Segundo Unified School District.  

Financial Implications 

The LCHS 7-12 Administrative Team will consist of 2 Assistant Principals and a Principal.  Mr. Ito’s anticipated salary will be $121,977.

It is recommended that the Governing Board vote to approve Mr. Jason Ito as an LCHS Assistant Principal.

The Governing Board is requested to vote to approve Mr. Jason Ito as an LCHS Assistant Principal.

BACKGROUND 

The district has a need to assess, design, and develop equity, inclusion, and diversity programs and initiatives throughout the district to support students, staff, and families to ensure the maintenance and furtherance of a thriving climate of care within the La Canada Unified School District.  

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS 

In order to move forward with this work, the Superintendent is requesting Governing Board direction to post for an Independent Services Contract for a one-year term, part-time Equity and Inclusion Officer.  The position will work directly with the Superintendent as an independent service provider, assisting the district by developing a needs assessment and subsequent implementation plan, with oversight of programs and initiatives related to equity, inclusion, and diversity designed to strengthen the educational process and environment within the La Canada Unified School District.  

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS 

The part-time position will be hired at a .4 - .6 Full Time Equivalency (FTE).  The contract shall be commensurate with a Director level salary on the Certificated Managerial, Supervisory and Administrative Salary Schedule, with placement according to verified levels of experience.  The term of the contract shall be one-year.  As an Independent Service Contract there are no statutory or health benefits associated with the position.  As such, the contract is anticipated to range from between $55,000 – $95,000 for the annual service.

It is recommended that the Governing Board discuss the agenda item and direct the Superintendent to post for an Independent Services Contract in order to hire a part-time Equity and Inclusion Office for a term of one-year.

The Governing Board is requested to discuss the agenda item and direct the Superintendent to post for an Independent Services Contract in order to hire a part-time Equity and Inclusion Office for a term of one-year.

Background

The District currently leases approximately 16,800 square feet of classroom and support space to the Child Education Center, Caltech/JPL Community (CEC).  The existing lease covers the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. This one year extension would carry the lease forward through June 30, 2020. 

Current Considerations

The CEC has requested consideration to extend the existing lease into another long term lease. This one year extension will provide the next fiscal year to continue discussions for a new long term lease that is anticipated to begin July 1, 2020.  

Financial Implications

The one year extension will generate revenues of $43,351.74.

BACKGROUND 

In order to assess the feasibility of a successful parcel tax renewal measure, as well as to develop a measure for the ballot and implement a public outreach and communications program for awareness, it is recommended that the District contract the services of Charles Heath from TBWB Strategies.  Mr. Heath was instrumental in guiding the effective outcome of Measure LC, the 2014 Parcel Tax Campaign. 

Per the attached contract, TBWB will assist the district in evaluating the feasibility of a parcel tax measure by developing potential parcel tax strategies to meet the District’s funding needs to be tested in polling.  TBWB will collaborate with the district’s preferred pollster to design, conduct and analyze an opinion survey of voters in the district to assess the feasibility of a parcel tax measure; conduct a demographic analysis of voters in the district; analyze past election results in the district and region to understand voter turnout trends; research other local tax proposals that may be heading to an upcoming ballot that could compete with a parcel tax measure; and make specific recommendations regarding type of measure to pursue, optimal election date, election type, tax rate, and tax structure. 

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

In order to move forward in the process of researching a potential parcel tax election, it is requested that the Governing Board approve entering into a contract with TBWB to assist the district with the process. 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS 

TBWB shall be paid a base consulting fee of $6,500 per month.

Background

Both LCHS 7/8 and 9-12 began their work with Stanford’s Challenge Success initiative in the 2016-2017 school year. Challenge Success works with high performing schools and districts to help them recast a narrow definition for student success and implement programmatic changes which emphasize student health and wellness.  Challenge Success research emphasizes the importance of “play time, down-time, and family time” in the lives of students.  It also cites the important role that adequate sleep plays in student learning, memory, and teens’ abilities to think, perform and react appropriately.  Compelling research demonstrates that later school start times for middle and high school students result in adolescent students getting more sleep on school nights.  Challenge success advocates for later school start times.  As an outcome of LCUSD’s Challenge Success initiative and the compelling data regarding adolescent sleep needs, LCUSD in 2017 adjusted the LCHS 7-12 start time to 8:30 a.m. 

Current Considerations

Since adjusting the LCHS 7-12 start time to 8:30 a.m., LCUSD as a community has seen first hand the benefits of the later start for students and families. Additionally, if our surrounding school districts adopted a later start to the school day, the times for after school competitions and events would also adjust to a later start time.  Despite the LCUSD Governing Board’s commitment to the premise of Local Control, it recognizes that LCHS  7-12 students would benefit from a state-wide mandated late start by not having to be released as early from classes for their afterschool competitions, thus missing less instructional time.  Finally, as a part of the overall commitment to its Wellness Initiative, LCUSD believes that the compelling science and data associated with adolescent sleep needs cannot be ignored. The attached resolution supports Senator Portantino’s Senate Bill 328 which mandates a later start in the school day for middle and especially high school students throughout the State of California. 

Financial Implication

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

Background

On or before July 1, 2019 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. The LCAP Executive Summary is attached to this agenda item.  The full LCUSD draft LCAP 2019-20 is available electronically and also via hard copy upon request from the Fiscal Services Offices at the District Office during business hours from June 1 to June 25, 2019.  

Financial Implications

The LCAP is intended as a planning document that drives the District’s budget development.  The Superintendent, the Associate Superintendent of Business and Administrative Services, the Chief Technology Officer and the Fiscal Services Department have worked together to ensure that both documents are aligned.

It is recommended that the Governing Board review the LCAP, engage in subsequent discussion, and provide direction to staff related to any recommended changes to the LCAP prior to the Governing Board voting to adopt the plan at its June 25, 2019 meeting.

The Governing Board is requested to review the LCAP, engage in subsequent discussion, and provide direction to staff related to any recommended changes to the LCAP prior to the Governing Board voting to adopt the plan at its June 25, 2019 meeting.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the 2018-19 Estimated Actuals and 2019-20 Budget.

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 Project and to provide expert guidance on potential remediation and monitoring measures. Since November 2018, the Governing Board has requested a standing discussion agenda item for the foreseeable future to provide an opportunity to update stakeholders regarding progress and the District’s related responses or activities. 

Financial Implications 

Currently, any financial implications to the District in relation to the Devil’s Gate Reservoir Restoration (Sediment Removal and Maintenance) Project are unknown, however concerns regarding student, staff, and community health, safety, and traffic impacts remain.  Current expert and legal fees are estimated at $85,000.

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 District has specific needs related to legal documents and advice related to Measure LCF. Dannis Woliver and Kelley will be one of the firms available to provide those resources to the District. They will also be able to provide legal services in other areas of educational law.

Current Considerations

The District would like to have the extensive resources to get knowledgeable advice and information in respect to the use of bond dollars and the contracting of services for bond projects. This service agreement is valid July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 and will allow access to this firms specific skills related to construction and technology that will assist with a successful bond program.

Financial Implications

The rates for services are included in the contract, and an initial purchase order for services will be opened against Fund 40.0.

The Governing Board is requested to approved the La Canada High School Special Activity request to attend the Varsity Wrestling Trip to Arrowhead Friday, December 8 - Sunday, December 8, 2019.

The Governing Board is requested to approved the La Canada High School Special Activity request to attend the Wrestling Overnight Home Camp Friday, October 11 - Sunday, October 13, 2019.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the La Canada High School Special Activity request to attend the Varsity Wrestling CIF State Championships in Bakersfield, California Wednesday, February 26 - Saturday, February 29, 2020. 

Background

Under a joint use agreement with the City of La Cañada Flintridge (City), the District operates the eight tennis courts at the former Foothill Intermediate School site on Cornishon Avenue. Over the years, the condition of the tennis courts on Cornishon has deteriorated, and they are in need of resurfacing. At the Joint Use Committee (JUC) meeting, the JUC concurred to request each agency’s governing body to vote to support a fifty percent contribution toward the resurfacing of the tennis courts. The Board acted to support a fifty percent contribution to the resurfacing of the Cornishon Tennis Courts at the November 2018 Board meeting.

Current Considerations

The FIS Tennis Courts are one of two tennis court facilities available for public use. The existing courts were resurfaced over 25 years ago. With the current deteriorated conditions, major repairs must take place to avoid the closure of the courts. Knowing the value of the courts for the community and the sports programs in the District, the JUC voted to make the project a high priority. 

The JUC recommended to repair and overlay a new surface on top of the existing one. The estimated project life for this option would be 20-25 years. The estimated cost before bidding was $140,000.

The City has received bids for the project, and the lowest responsive bidder was $118,293.28. The addition of a construction contingency brings the potential total to $125,000. The City will carry the contract for the project, and it will invoice the District for half of the expenses at a total cost of $62,500.

The City Council Consideration Item and the Bid Register are attached.

Financial Implications

Costs up to $62,500 based on lowest bid and construction contingency. Funding would be from Fund 40.0 or Fund 14.0.

Background 

The Facilities Master Plan identifies this project as a needed site improvement project at La Cañada High School 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 geotechnical study is required by the building code to determine the characteristics of underground soil conditions, and to provide information for structural design for the foundation of the pool and building structures.   

Current Considerations 

This agreement is for consultant to perform detailed geotechnical survey of the proposed location of the improvements and to provide related engineering report.  The total contract amount of $14,590 will be funded through reimbursement with Measure LCF funds.  

Financial Implications 

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve Agreement with Geo-Advantec Inc., for geotechnical engineering services for the Pool & South Campus Improvement Project at La Cañada High School.

The Governing Board is requested to approve an Agreement with Geo-Advantec Inc., for geotechnical engineering services for the Pool & South Campus Improvement Project at La Cañada High School.