Background

Per La Cañada Unified School District Governing Board Policy 4143.1 and Government Code Section 3547, a public presentation (sunshining) of any negotiation proposal between the District and The California School Employees Association (CSEA) and Its La Canada Unified School District Chapter #122 is required. Attached is the California School Employees Association (CSEA) and Its La Canada Unified School District Chapter #122's 2019-2020 proposal to La Canada Unified School District (LCUSD) for review by the Board and the public. The public has an opportunity to express itself on the proposal at a public hearing prior to starting the negotiations process.

It is recommended that the Governing Board present the California School Employees Association (CSEA) and it's La Canada Unified School District's Chapter #122's 2019-2020 negotiation proposal and convene a public hearing on it at the January 14, 2020 meeting of the Governing Board.

Background

Per La Cañada Unified School District Governing Board Policy 4143.1 and Government Code Section 3547, a public presentation (sunshining) of any negotiation proposal between the District and The California School Employees Association (CSEA) and Its La Canada Unified School District Chapter #122 is required. Attached is the La Cañada Unified School District’s 2019-2020 proposal to the The California School Employees Association (CSEA) and Its La Canada Unified School District Chapter #122 for review by the Board and the public. The public has an opportunity to express itself on the proposal at a public hearing prior to starting the negotiations process.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Governing Board present the La Cañada Unified School Districts 2019-2020 negotiation proposal and convene a public hearing on it at the January 14, 2020 meeting of the Governing Board.

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

During the past two years, elementary school teachers have been piloting a variety of Science instructional materials and communicating their findings to site and district administration.  Upon review and consideration, they recommend: National Geographic Learning- National Geographic Exploring Science for Kindergarten-1, and Accelerate Learning- STEMscopes CA NGSS 3D for grades 2-6.    

Current Considerations

The elementary school teachers have piloted a variety of materials and have decided upon: 

     National Geographic Learning: National Geographic Exploring Science for Kindergarten-1;

     Accelerate Learning:  STEMscopes CA NGSS 3D for grades 2-6.      

K-6 grade parents have been given the opportunity to review these textbooks as well and to provide input to the textbook adoption committee. The recommended textbook(s) will be available for interested parents and community members to review at the District Office from January 15, 2020 through March 16, 2020.   

Financial Implications 

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 CONSIDERATIONS 

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 2018-2019 school year. 

The SARCs contain required information regarding the condition and performance of each school.  Staffing information is also included.  The template used to prepare the documents was available through the district’s annual subscription to Document Tracking.  

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. Based on discussion and direction from the Governing Board, modular construction was determined to be the most efficient option for the new buildings. Schematic design of the modernization project is nearing completion. The presentation is intended to update the Board on the current status of the project and provide feedback for the next phase of design development.

Financial Implications

Background 

In December of each year, the Governing Board sets the Governing Board meeting calendar for the following year. 

Current Considerations

In order to better plan and schedule for the Governing Board meetings the Governing Board is being asked to adopt a two year meeting calendar.  Attached is the proposed Governing Board meeting calendar for 2020 and 2021.

Financial Impact

There is no financial impact on the District for adopting the meeting calendar.

The Governing Board is requested to adopt the proposed Governing Board meeting calendars for 2020 and 2021.

The Governing Board is requested to adopt the proposed Governing Board meeting calendars for 2020 and 2021.

Background 

The La Cañada Unified School District is seeking consultant services in connection with its Food Service program – a Food Service Management Company. Regulations require the District to prepare a Request for Proposal every five years to receive bids from food service management companies to provide services for the cafeteria. The attached RFP is in draft form while it is being reviewed and finalized by the Nutrition Services Department at the California Department of Education.  

Current Considerations 

The approval of this item will authorize staff to begin the RFP process. The current vendor, Chartwells, has provided food management services since July 1, 2015. This is the end of the five year cycle, and the bidding process needs to be re-opened for any interested firms. The attached RFP is in draft form is being reviewed and finalized by the Nutrition Services Department at the California Department of Education. After corrections from NSD, the RFP process will begin. 

Financial Implications 

The Governing Board is requested to authorize staff to move forward with the RFP process.

BACKGROUND 

In working with its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Consultant, the District has begun assessing and developing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and initiatives throughout the district.  The District’s goal in this work is to support students, staff, and families, ensuring the maintenance and furtherance of a thriving climate of care within the La Canada Unified School District.  

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

As an initial component of LCUSD’s work in DEI, the District has engaged with administration, staff, and parents to create a draft LCUSD DEI Commitment Statement and LCUSD definitions for the terms diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS 

It is recommended that the Governing Board review the LCUSD DEI Commitment Statement and the corresponding LCUSD definitions for the terms diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The Governing Board is requested to provide feedback and direction for modifications and edits in order that the Commitment Statement and Definitions may be formally adopted by the Governing Board at a future meeting date.

The Governing Board is requested to provide feedback and direction for modifications and edits in order that the Commitment Statement and Definitions may be formally adopted by the Governing Board at a future meeting date.

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

Background

The Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) has a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) composed of members from Glendale, Burbank, and La Cañada.  This Committee's primary function is to review the Local Plan for the Consortium and provide informative workshops for parents of students with special needs. 

Current Considerations

The committee representatives nominated for the 2020-2022 term from La Cañada Unified School district are: Liza Medina, Heather Lhotka, and Diana O’Brian. 

Financial Implications

There is no impact upon the General Fund with this request.

Background

Since the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, Assistance League of Flintridge has sponsored a summer school program for La Cañada area students.  The program has provided a wide range of courses and has continued to grow during the past 30 plus years.  The Assistance League of Flintridge summer program now provides enrichment classes in grades 1 - 8. 

Current Considerations

The 2020 agreement for Assistance League of Flintridge Summer School program is being submitted for approval.  Assitance League of Flintridge classes are open to grades 1 through 8 and will be for five weeks. 

La Canada Elementary will serve as the elementary summer school site.  LCHS is the site for the 7-8 programs.

Background

On-going inadequate state funding has presented the District with the task of maintaining a balanced budget while meeting the needs of the students.  With the high cost of providing a summer school program to the students of La Cañada High School, the district decided to eliminate the program beginning with Summer School 2011.  A community committee approached the La Cañada Educational Foundation with a tuition based non-profit summer school program concept that would provide the needed summer school program.  The program provided a wide range of classes for full credit for 9^th – 12^th grade students.  The classes offered followed the District curriculum and California content standards.  The La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation is again planning to provide their 9^th-12^th grade summer school program.

Current Considerations

The attached 2020 Agreement for Use of School Property with the La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation is submitted for approval.  The agreement includes the cost of facilities use , technology support, and the educational materials associated with the classes offered.

Financial Implication

The Educational Foundation will fund administrative and technology support, will pay a facility use rate, and incudes fees for the use of educational materials.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the Agreement for Use of School Property between the La Cañada Unified School District and the La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the Agreement for Use of School Property between the La Cañada Unified School District and the La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation.

Background 

The Facilities Master Plan identifies several projects at each of the school sites to be constructed as part of the District’s bond program.  Prior to the approval of the projects, the District is required to identify the environmental impacts of the proposed projects, determine if the impacts will be significant, and identify alternatives and mitigation measures that would reduce or eliminate those significant impacts to the environment.  

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), serves two major functions: One is to provide decision makers with information about the environmental impacts of projects prior to granting approval.  The second is to allow the public to comment on the impacts of projects in their community. 

Sections 21000 et seq of the Public Resources Code (PRC) provides the guidelines for compliance with CEQA.  This agreement is for consulting services to assist the District in the evaluation of the Palm Crest Modernization project, conduct environmental studies and the preparation of environmental reports and other documents in compliance to the PRC guidelines.   As a pre-qualified firm, Ultra Systems Environmental is one of seven firms who responded to the District’s request for proposal.  Staff has evaluated the proposals and has determined that the proposal from UltraSystems Environmental is the most advantageous to the District for the services being requested.  

Current Considerations 

The approval of this item will authorize staff to execute the agreement with UltraSystems Environmental to provide consulting services related to CEQA for the Palm Crest Modernization project, and other future projects.  The agreement is a three-year, time & materials agreement for a Not-To-Exceed contract amount of $150,000. The services will be performed on an as-needed basis.   

Financial Implications 

The contract is not to exceed $150,000. Funds will come from Measure LCF.

Background 

The District is currently preparing plans for the modernization of Palm Crest Elementary School.  Because of the age of the buildings, it is likely that some of the materials used during the original construction of the buildings contain asbestos and/or lead.   It is a best practice for the District to test for the presence of asbestos and lead in older buildings during renovation project so that materials are not accidently disturbed and accidently exposed building occupants and construction workers to such materials.  This agreement is to collect samples and to test for the presence of asbestos and lead, and to develop specifications and workplan for the abatement of asbestos materials and lead if found during construction. The agreement also provides for monitoring abatement process during the construction phase of the project.  

Current Considerations 

The approval of this item will authorize staff to execute the agreement with Executive Environmental to provide consulting services related to asbestos & lead testing and abatement.  The agreement is a Time & Materials agreement for a Not-To-Exceed contract amount of $50,000, whereas the consultant will be paid for only actual work performed.  

Financial Implications 

Background 

The District has completed the Schematic Design phase for the Palm Crest Modernization project which includes a proposed two-story building addition and other site improvements.  The District is required to obtain and provide geotechnical survey of the site to determine the characteristics of existing soil, and to provide such information to the design team for proper design on the project.   

Current Considerations 

This agreement is for the consultant to perform detailed geotechnical survey of the proposed location of the new building addition and parking areas; perform geotechnical analyses, conduct laboratory testing and prepare preliminary geological, geotechnical, and construction recommendations for foundation design and earthwork/fill placement.  The total contract amount of $23,925 will be funded with Measure LCF funds.  

Financial Implications 

The contract is time and materials not to exceed $23,925. Funds will come from Measure LCF.

Background 

Education Code Section 17620 provides for the collection and expenditure of fees based upon new residential and commercial/industrial construction.  The District’s justification for collection of these “Developer Fees” lies in its need for modernization, as well as some new construction and reconstruction due to growth and adjustment in program needs.  

Note: The Governing Board, at its meeting on April 17, 2018 adopted Resolution 11-17-18 which established Developer Fee assessments (based on guidelines of the State Allocation Board/SAB) at $3.79 per square foot for new residential construction and $0.54 per square foot for new commercial/industrial construction and $0.12 per square foot for Public Storage within the boundaries of the District. These fees became effective June 18, 2018. 

Current Considerations 

The following information provides an overview of the Developer Fee revenue and project expenditures for the previous five years: 

Year                 Revenue                    Expenditures 

2014-15           $311,194                     $47,930

2015-16           $313,468                     $277,516

2016-17           $355,984                     $0

2017-18           $246,593                     $122,172

2018-19           $262,282                     $12,216 

Totals:            $1,489,521                  $459,834

Projects supported by Developer Fee Revenue: 

• Technology Infrastructure
• Modernization Planning/Consultation/Construction 
• Wireless Infrastructure upgrades 

Financial Implications 

This report is for informational purposes and has no financial implications beyond those previously reported.

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

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 specified contracts and bid divisions included in the Notice of Completion have been fulfilled and all punch list items have been completed as of the date referenced.  All work under these contracts was completed in conformance with the Facilities Master Plan.

The Governing Board is requested to approve the work completed as listed in the Notice of Completion and the issuance of all final payments