Background

At an emergency meeting of the LCUSD Governing Board on Thursday, March 12, 2020, the Board voted to enact district-wide school closures effective on Friday, March 13, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to exercise its Local Educational Agency responsibility to ensure the health and safety of its students, staff, and families by engaging exigent measures to flatten the coronavirus infection curve.  At the Governing Board Meeting on March 31, 2020, staff prepared a comprehensive presentation wherein each LCUSD Department and School Site reviewed its actions and services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the “Safer at Home” order, and the requirement to move to a distance learning instructional model. 

Current Considerations

It has been one week since the last special meeting of the LCUSD Governing Board on April 21, 2020, where District Cabinet gave a general update on actions and services since March 31, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the “Safer at Home” order. Tonight’s presentation is broader in scope and includes reports from LCUSD’s Principals and Department Directors. 

Financial Implications

Background

The state of California has proclaimed one day in May to be Day of the Teacher to bring attention to California teachers for their fine work and dedication.  In 1982, a California law was passed calling for the Day of the Teacher to be observed the second Wednesday in May each year.

Current Considerations

California public schools have been asked to set aside May 10, 2017, as Day of the Teacher to honor their teachers.  In an effort to express the District’s sincere appreciation of its entire certificated staff, it is being requested that the Governing Board declare May 11 - 15, 2020 as the Week of the Teacher. 

Financial Implications

There are no costs associated with this

Background
Annually, the State of California proclaims one week in May to be Classified School Employee Week to give special recognition to classified employees.

Current Considerations
This year, California public schools have been asked to set aside May17-23, 2020, as Classified School Employee Week to honor their classified employees.

Financial Implications
There are no costs associated with this resolution.

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 extend this course to our offerings.  

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS 

Medical Biology was added to the elective offerings at LCHS 7/8 during the 2019-20 school year. It was designed to be a semester-long course providing students with a thorough understanding of the terminology of body systems and their interrelationships.  Students engaged in labs and had the opportunity to hear presentations from health care field experts. For the 2020-21 school year, this course will become a year-long course with added content and include four main sections: basic life support, advanced life support, wilderness medicine, CPR and basic first aid.  

Please see the revised course description for Medical Biology.              

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

This is a First Read item.

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, Forensic Science, will be added to the Science Department offerings during the 2020-21 school year. Forensics is the interdisciplinary application of science to investigate and establish how historical events have occurred for the purposes of providing evidence to resolve criminal, legal, and investigative issues. This course utilizes skills and concepts from multiple disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, biology, anthropology, psychology, and statistics to accomplish its goals. Laboratory practice will make up at least 25% of this course in order to explore topics such as DNA fingerprinting, blood analysis, toxicology, crime scene investigations, counterfeiting, and rate of decay

Please see attached course description for Forensic Science.               

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

The financial impact will be in instructional material acquisition.  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 course, AP Computer Science Principles, will be added to the Electives and Science Department offerings during the 2020-21 school year. In this course, students will develop computational thinking skills vital for success across all disciplines, such as using computational tools to analyze and study data and working with large data sets to analyze, visualize, and draw conclusions from trends. The course will engage students in the creative aspects of the field by allowing them to develop computational artifacts based on their interests. Students will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills by working individually and collaboratively to solve problems, and will discuss and write about the impacts these solutions could have on their community, society, and the world.

Please see attached course description for AP Computer Science Principles.              

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

Background 

The Facilities Master Plan identifies several safety and security projects at each of the school. The fencing and railing project addresses fencing areas around the north side of the campus, and there is work to resurface upper decks on Buildings A and B as well as replace and improve railings. Consistent with guiding principles of the Facilities Master Plan and the District Safety and Security Taskforce, the design intent of the project is to improve safety and security for student and staff while maintaining a welcoming presence to the community. 

Current Considerations 

This presentation will show the Board the updated fencing design based on input provided at earlier meetings. The fencing portion of the project is scheduled for construction in the summer of 2020. The railing and decking proposals are an update on the designs based on feedback from the Board, the site, and the input from structural and materials studies. The District will establish a phasing plan for the completion of this work in the summers ahead.  

Financial Implications

Background 

This project would install fencing in areas on the north side of campus to reduce entry points and enhance security.  The project will also construct a ramp to the softball field to provide accessibility to the softball field.  This project also supports the Facility Master Plan. 

The District issued an invitation for formal bids in accordance with Public Contract Code 22000.  More than forty contractors were invited to bid on the project.  Additionally, advertisement for bids was published in La Canada Valley Sun, the Glendale News Press and five other general publications for bidding.  Staff received eight bids in response to the invitation.  The lowest responsive bid of $533,777 was submitted by Golden Sun Enterprise.  Staff has determined that Golden Sun Enterprise is a responsible bidder. 

Current Considerations 

Approval of this item would authorize staff to execute a contract with Golden Sun Enterprise for Bid No. LCF 19/20-07; Fencing & Wayfinding Improvement at La Cañada High School. 

Financial Implications 

Background

Each year, the District is required by the State of California (Education Code Sections 41020-41020.8) to conduct an independent audit of Measure LCF. The audit is composed of Financial and Performance components. These components address the fiscal accountability of the bond funds, and they also confirm that the procedures meet the requirements set forth by statute and the bond language.

Current Considerations

Governing Board action is to receive and accept the audit report.

Financial Impact

BACKGROUND

In an effort to offset unanticipated costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the District has filed with the Federal Emergency management Association (FEMA) and the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to seek any available funding.  these resources are to cover costs related to personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff, additional cleaning supplies and equipment, and other expenses incurred due to the closure of school facilities.  At this time, there are not estimates on the amount of funds that may be available, but the District has applied and taken action to be eligible for funds.  This resolution is one element of the application process.

FINANCIAL IMPACT

The financial implications are unknown at this time.  Funding amounts are unclear, but these actions will establish District eligibility for emergency funds related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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

Background

The Los Angeles County Office of Education provides financial support in processing accounting transactions and reporting revenues and expenditures.  The cost of these services is based largely on the Average Daily Attendance of the district.

Financial Implications

Approval of this item will result in a cost not to exceed $23,000 for the fiscal services provided by LACOE for 2020-21.

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 construction contract for the fencing projects at Paradise Canyon and Palm Crest (Bid No. LCF 18/19-09) was awarded to Ace Fence Company.  The projects are completed.  The construction contract included a contract allowance of $67,860 which was not fully used during the course of the projects.  This change order returns the unused allowance to the District.  

Current Considerations 

This Change Order deletes the remaining allowance from the contract amount pursuant to the Change Order clause of the agreement.   

Financial Implications 

The contract amount is decreased from $678,600 to $633,400. The Measure LCF fund 21.1 will be credited.