Background

The Governing Board approves all overnight field trips at both the elementary and secondary levels.  Governing Board approval takes into consideration the distance traveled, per pupil expenses and the availability of financial assistance, instructional rationale and value, chaperone make-up and ratios, as well as student safety.

Current Considerations

Typically LCHS groups who travel abroad do so on an every other year basis with the “off year” field trip venues being planned for more local and affordable destinations.  Last year the LCHS Choral Program traveled to Barcelona, Spain.  This year the Chamber Singers plan to travel to Honolulu, Hawaii and the Concert Choir has submitted a field trip approval form for travel to Chicago, Illinois.

The Governing Board values the exceptional choral music program at LCHS and recognizes the unique learning opportunities provided by performance field trips.  However, the Governing Board desires to discuss the proposed field trips in light of the current considerations as well as the per pupil costs associated with these trips.

Financial Implications

Background

Many school districts have entered into Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) as a means of installing solar energy. The agreement provides solar panels that are essentially leased and then maintained by solar provider. District motivations have been based on a smaller carbon footprint and anticipation of stabilized and reduced energy costs. There is also an interest from some community members to move toward solar power for the school district.

Current Considerations

Installation of panels will require work at each site, and the panels need to be operational by the December 31, 2016. It is unknown if the incentives that currently exist for solar installation will be renewed.

Financial Implications

Background

It has been a Superintendent’s Goal and an action item in the LCUSD LCAP since the 2014-15 school year to create new District and school site websites which are easily navigable, contain current and updated information, and are aesthetically representative of a high performing school district.

Current Considerations

As of Monday, October 12, all 6 websites have been launched.  The websites will remain in beta mode for the remainder of the calendar year to facilitate fixes and adjustments.  The District is in the process of hiring a Media Specialist to help support the ongoing maintenance and updating of content on the websites.

Financial Implications

It is recommended that the Governing Board view the presentation showcasing the new District and site websites and engage in subsequent discussion, providing any direction as identified.

It is recommended that the Governing Board view the presentation showcasing the new District and site websites and engage in subsequent discussion, providing any direction as identified.

Background

The changing nature of technology integration in schools necessitates ongoing planning and program review.  Technology is now an integral part of the District’s instructional delivery, assessment design and data review, special education program design, human resources in terms of job postings and evaluation, and facilities design and planning.  As such, technology commands a significant role in the District’s budgetary assumptions.

Current Considerations

Recently, LCUSD’s Director of Technology, Jamie Lewsadder, prepared a report titled LCUSD Technology Outlook 2015-16.  The report looks at potential upgrades for classrooms, computer labs and building infrastructure, as well as the impacts these upgrades will have on instruction, professional development, and budget.

Financial Implications

It is recommended that the Governing Board view the presentation on LCUSD’s Technology Outlook for 2015-2016 and engage in subsequent discussion, providing any direction as identified.

The Governing Board is requested to view the presentation on LCUSD’s Technology Outlook for 2015-2016 and engage in subsequent discussion, providing any direction as identified.

Background

Section 48926 of the California Education Code requires the County Superintendent of Schools, in conjunction with superintendents of the school districts within the County, to develop a plan for providing services to expelled pupils. The updated plan, last published in 2012, was adopted by the Los Angeles County Board of Education at its April 7, 2015, regular meeting, and reflects district responses to the December 8, 2014, survey that was provided to districts countywide.

The county-wide plan enumerates existing educational alternatives, identifies gaps in educational services and plans for filling those service gaps and identifies alternative placements for pupils who fail to meet terms and conditions of their alternative placement.

Current Considerations

LCUSD has extremely low expulsion rates, however, policies and procedures are in place to proceed with an expulsion if needed.  The Los Angeles County Plan for Expelled Pupils provides all districts within the county with necessary information regarding expulsion of pupils. Local governing boards are asked to accept and acknowledge a basic plan to address the needs of all expelled students in Los Angeles County, as required by Education Code Section 48926.  

Financial Implications

None.

Background

Due to an unexpected surplus this year in the State General Fund, California’s Pre-K-12 teachers and administrators have an additional $500 million to spend on professional development to support teacher and administrator development. As specified in the 2015-16 California Senate Bill 77 Section 58, each district, county office of education, charter school, and state special school with certificated staff can receive a share of these Professional Development funds. The funding is calculated based on the number of full time certificated staff members employed in each district (approximately $1400 per full time certificated staff member).  The funds will be distributed by CDE to the districts to be used for the next three years.  Local Educational Agencies are responsible for creating their professional development plans and presenting them to the Governing Board for approval.  Upon approval, the funds can be utilized and expenses tagged for reporting purposes.  The report must be submitted to California Department of Education by June 30, 2018.

Current Considerations

Currently we have several professional development opportunities available to our teachers which allow them to strengthen their teaching practices and share their instructional knowledge and expertise with colleagues.  LCUSD also supports professional growth of teachers by funding trainings and workshops provided outside of the district.  The Educator Effectiveness Grant will allow the District to continue providing quality professional development to teachers over the next three years. The plan provided to the Governing Board outlines district-wide trainings that will be funded by this grant.     

Financial Implications

The State has allocated about $1,400 per full time certificated staff member to districts to support educator training and effectiveness.  For LCUSD, this allocation is estimated to be about $300,000.  The funds will be spent on teacher and administrator trainings over the next three years.  The professional development plan targets how those dollars will be allocated with some flexibility for adjustments. 

It is recommended that the Governing Board review the presentation, engage in subsequent discussion providing direction to staff for any changes to support Board approval when the plan returns as a second-reading item.

The Governing Board is requested to review the presentation, engage in subsequent discussion providing direction to staff for any changes to support Board approval when the plan returns as a second-reading item.

Background

At the September 15, 2015 Governing Board Meeting, the Board announced its intentions to recognize and celebrate all staff for their outstanding collective work as evidenced, in part, by student performance on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress by issuing a 1% off-schedule increase for 2015-2016.

Current Considerations

The attached Memo of Understanding with California School Employees Association and its La Canada Chapter #122 is provided for Governing Board approval and upon membership ratification and CSEA 610 processing will initiate the District’s ability to process the 1% off schedule bonus.

The Confidential, Managerial, Supervisory and Administrative Association (CMSA) has no collective bargaining rights with the District.  The “meet and confer” process has taken place and the attached memorandum provides documentation, pending Governing Board approval, for the District to process CMSA membership’s 1% off schedule bonus.

Assistant Superintendents Wenn and Davis and Chief Business and Operations Officer Evans are contract employees.  Contract addendums are attached to provide for their 1% one-time off schedule bonuses.

The District’s and LCTA’s bargaining team will meet again on Monday, October 19, regarding a Memorandum of Understanding.

Financial Implications

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.

The painting project at La Cañada High School proceeded with few delays or difficulties. The plans were detailed and specific, however, as work progressed there were items that needed additional work, and the Project Manager – Linik Corp. needed to invest more time. Also, the departure of our Manager of Maintenance and Operations resulted in other duties being handled by Linik Corp.

 Current Considerations

In the process of the painting project there were elements of the contract that needed to be met. There were also change orders that required evaluation and assessment. Linik Corp needed to invest extra hours to assure the contract was correctly followed. They also added time assessing change orders and minimizing the impact. During the closing of the project, Linik oversaw the completion of the punch-list. This assured all of the details were taken care of as noted by the architect.

 Financial Implications

The additional cost is $8,710. Funding for the change order will come from Fund 14.0.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the change orders for the project management of the La Cañada High School painting project for Linik Corp. in the amount of $8,710.00.