Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, changes have been made to the Brown Act by the Governor (Governor’s Executive Orders N-25-20 and N-29-20 – Brown Act Requirements)

Public comments on non-agendized and agendized items can be submitted on Tuesday beginning at 3:30 pm via the following link:

https://forms.gle/V83YtVbAEEv8vPhJ8

Please note, the public comment link is not live until Tuesday at 3:30pm.  All comments will be read by a moderator during the meeting.

Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, changes have been made to the Brown Act by the Governor (Governor’s Executive Orders N-25-20 and N-29-20 – Brown Act Requirements)

Public comments on non-agendized and agendized items can be submitted on Tuesday beginning at 3:30 pm via the following link:

https://forms.gle/V83YtVbAEEv8vPhJ8

Please note, the public comment link is not live until Tuesday at 3:30pm.  All comments will be read by a moderator during the meeting.

Comments for the Public Hearing can be submitted on Tuesday beginning at 3:30 pm via the following link:

https://forms.gle/V83YtVbAEEv8vPhJ8

Please note, the public comment link is not live until Tuesday at 3:30pm.  All comments will be read by a moderator during the meeting.

Background

The purpose of the Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program is to provide state-funding to reduce youth tobacco use by empowering students in grades 6-12 to make healthful decisions through tobacco-preventative instruction, intervention, cessation programs, and reinforcement activities through youth development. LCHS will work with the support of LACOE’s TUPE unit.  They will provide Technical Assistance (TA) by assisting with but not limited to The Tobacco-Free School District Certification process, planning and preparing applications for TUPE grant funds, and trainings on administering the California Healthy Kids Survey.

Current Considerations

There are several requirements LCHS 7-12 must meet to earn the grant monies.  These requirements include: providing student services in the form of curriculum, intervention, and cessation programs, promote family and community engagement, providing professional development to staff, and promoting interagency partnerships.  Currently we have informational opportunities available to our community to educate them on the program and dangers of vaping.  In addition, LCHS will use the monies to implement the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) to collect data on important facets of our Local Control Accountability Plan, such as school climate, pupil engagement, parent involvement, and academic achievement. 

Financial Implications

Background

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LCUSD school facilities were closed on March 13, 2020.  Over the summer of 2020, LCUSD’s Leadership Team along with the Elementary and Secondary Reopening Review Committees engaged in comprehensive planning for the reopening of  campuses for the 2020-2021 school year.  On July 17, 2020 Governor Newsom ordered that school districts in counties on the monitoring list for COVID-19 open virtually.  As such, District planning since the Governor’s announcement focused on ensuring an exceptional distance learning and instruction opening, while also ensuring all plans were in place to allow the district to welcome students back on campus in a hybrid fashion once health conditions allow.

Current Considerations

The District opened the school year on August 17, 2020.  The District was fully staffed for the new school year and teachers, staff, and administrators excitedly welcomed students back to their virtual classrooms.  In tonight’s report, our LCUSD Leadership Team will present opening highlights from the district and each of its schools and departments.

Financial Implications

BACKGROUND

In her capacity as the LCUSD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant, Ms. Christina Hale-Elliott conducted an LCUSD DEI Strengths and Needs Assessment Report. As an outgrowth of her Strengths and Needs Assessment findings, she also created Recommendations for Sustainability for the District in relation to its DEI initiative and commitment.  Ms. Hale Elliott presented her report and recommendations to the Governing Board at its meeting on August 11, 2020.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

After Ms. Christina Hale-Elliott’s presentation to the Governing Board and LCUSD Community on the DEI Strengths and Needs Assessment Report and the Recommendations for Sustainability, the Governing Board discussed the presentation. The Governing Board gave direction to staff to prepare an agenda item whereby it could identify its priorities regarding organizing, effecting, and managing a programmatic DEI initiative throughout the District.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Background

On March 12th, the Governing Board voted to close school facilities in response to concerns about COVID-19. Following the action, Governing Board meetings, with legal guidance related to new orders from the Governor on the Brown Act, were held via an online platform. The process to allow the public to submit comments was revised to accommodate for the provisions of the new orders so that the public could submit a commit electronically. The new process for board meetings also included broadcasting live to YouTube and substantially increased access to meetings for the LCUSD community. Engagement at meetings is extremely high. District staff receive reports of students and families listening to meetings and staff members engaged and following the broadcasts.  The new format has increased the connection to board discussions and actions in a positive manner.

Current Considerations

Tonight will be the 14th Governing Board meeting held electronically and there have been significant improvements to access for the community. As we look forward to a time when meetings could move back to an in-person format when it is safe to gather in large groups, it initiates reflection regarding what is working well and what needs improvement with the current format. There are several options for meeting formats to discuss. Live-streaming has led to increased access and connection through the district YouTube channel. The ease of access for submitting a public comment gives the board members a wider view of the opinions of community members. 

In thinking about how we might choose to evolve how Board meetings are run, it should be noted that any significant technology or process changes will take planning, financial resources, and staff training. That work can start now, to enable readiness for the transition back to in person meetings. The essential problem we seek to solve is how we might build upon the increased community engagement and ensure the efficiency  and effectiveness of the board meetings. 

For public comments, this may also be the time to evaluate options for how the public submits comments. Reaching the 6th month marker of virtual meetings is a good place to reflect and review the successes and challenges to date, especially given the transition to virtual meetings was overnight and we anticipated adjustments would be required.  Subsequent responses could include a change in process or format related to public comments, without seeking to exclude or prohibit public involvement, still upholding the provisions of the Brown Act, and maintaining the integrity and spirit of  LCUSD meetings. The following adjustments are staff recommendations and/or options for the board to consider:

1. Follow a time limit (now set up via a word count, but the use of timer may be better option)

2. Limit public comment to one comment per person per item

3. Refrain from reading anonymous comments live at the meeting, but provide those to the board in written form for review (given this could violate the single comment per person rule)

4. Accept public comments up until the start of the meeting and then close them

5. Move the public comment process from a written submission to a call-in process

6. Establish a time limit for public comment per item

Financial Implications

Quotes have not yet been procured for the infrastructure needed to install equipment related to livestreaming. However, there are provisions in the Measure LCF Bond Project for technology modernization at the district office which could be allocated to this small project.

Requests for provisional internship permits may be submitted by employing agencies to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in order to solve a temporary certification or assignment problem.  If the employing agency finds there are an insufficient number of fully certificated persons who meet the specified employment criteria for a position, the provisional internship permit acts as an "emergency credential" for the chosen candidate while he/she completes a credentialing program.  The candidate must meet certain requirements for the permit, as well as pledge to complete the credentialing program.  Provisional internship permits are granted for a specific amount of time, typically no longer than one school year.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the Provisional Internship Permit request, so that the District may submit an application on behalf of Heather Applegate to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the Provisional Internship Permit request, so that the District may submit an application to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing on behalf of Heather Applegate, part-time RSP teacher at Paradise Canyon Elementary School.

BACKGROUND

Law requires districts to hold a public hearing and to certify that the district has sufficient textbooks and instructional materials for each student or will have prior to the end of the fiscal year.  The textbooks and/or instructional materials are to be consistent with the curriculum standards/frameworks and adoption cycle established by the state board.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

Each site submits textbook and instructional material requests to the district's curriculum office, which in turn uses state textbook funds to order state adopted instructional materials as appropriate for each student in the district. In addition, sites also use categorical funds to finance any additional requests not covered by state funds.  Each student has an individual copy of the adopted textbooks K-12. 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

All requests for basic instructional materials have been funded by the amount allocated for the 2020-2021 school year.  Supplemental texts have been and will continue to be covered as funds allow. 

Background 

Proposition 30, The Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012, approved by the voters on November 6, 2012 and Proposition 55, The Tax Extension to Fund Education and Healthcare, approved November 8, 2016, temporarily increased the state’s sales tax rate for all taxpayers and the personal income tax rates for upper-income taxpayers per Article XIII, Section 36 in the California Constitution.  The new revenues generated from Proposition 30 and 55 are deposited into a state account called the Education Protection Account (EPA) per Article XIII, Section 36 (e) provisions.  School districts, county offices of education, and charter schools (LEAs) receive funds from the EPA based on their proportionate share of the statewide Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) revenue.  A corresponding reduction is made to an LEA’s state aid component of LCFF revenue. There is no change to overall LCFF resources.  For the 2019-20 fiscal year the EPA reduced the State Aid portion of the LCFF by $926,386 per the Unaudited Actuals.  LEAs received the Education Protection Account funds quarterly in 2019-20.  Payments were made in September 2019, December 2019, March 2020 and June 2020.  The Propositions require that the use of these funds be announced at an annual Board Meeting. 

Current Considerations 

The La Cañada Unified School District used the 2019-20 Education Protection Account funds to support salaries and benefits for regular classroom teachers. Last year was approximately 7.39 full time equivalent positions. 

Financial Implications 

The amount of Education Protection Act funds apportioned for 2019-20 totals $926,386.

Background 

Each year the district is required to compile the unaudited financial data for the prior year and submit it to the State utilizing the State’s standardized software. Per California Education Code §42100, this report must be submitted to the Governing Board and then the County Office of Education by September 15th. Although the prior fiscal year formally ended on June 30, final accounting tabulations are not generally completed by the District and LACOE until the end of August.  These financial reports and the supporting documentation is then audited by a State approved independent auditing firm (Eide Baily, LLP) and the financial reports are finalized for submission to the Board of Education and the State by December 15^th.  

General Fund Ending Balance 2019-20

The General Fund revenues decreased over the estimated actuals. The LCFF revenues reflect a decrease of $390,559 due to reduced enrollment. The Classified Summer Assistance Program was paid out in 2019-20 which reduced the Other State Revenue and donations were decreased due to the school closure.

The General Fund expenditures for services and supplies were reduced.  Most savings from expenditures come from the services section of the budget due to the school closure and from the deferred textbook adoption.

         “Legally Restricted Reserves”

• $282,431 in Restricted Lottery, State Mental Health funding, Ongoing & Major Maintenance Account, CTE Grant and restricted prepaid expenditures.

   

  “Other Assigned Reserves”

• $944,608 in Textbooks

• $158,084 One-time dollars from 2018-19

   

  “Other Committed Reserves”

• $490,000 in future PERS/STRS increased District contribution

   

  “Other Reserves”

• $6,518,882 Reserve for Economic Uncertainties

• $6,030 Revolving Cash Fund

• $39,928 Warehouse/ Stores Inventory/ Prepaid Expense

   

At First Interim we will review and recalculate budget based on enrollment and actual salaries and benefits.

The Unaudited Actuals Report also contains the other funds maintained by the District and several supplemental schedules for the Board’s review supplemental schedules for the Board’s review. 

Background

With the passage of Measure LCF, the $149 million general obligation bond, it is mandatory the Governing Board appoint a Citizens’ Oversight Committee to oversee the spending of the Citizens’ funds. The passage of the District’s Bond Measure (Measure LCF) on November 7, 2017 requires the appointment of members to a Citizens’ Oversight Committee. Specifically, Board Resolution No. 21-16-17 on June 20, 2017, provides that the Governing Board shall appoint or designate an oversight committee to ensure parcel tax proceeds are spent for their authorized purposes, and to report annually to the Governing Board and the public regarding the expenditure of such funds. The Bylaws for the operation of the Measure LCF Citizens’ Oversight Committee were approved by the Governing Board at its meeting on March 20, 2018.

Current Considerations

Applications for the Citizens’ Oversight Committee have been received and reviewed.  Attached are the proposed members. 

Financial Implications

Background

The passage of the District's Parcel Tax Measure (Measure LC) on march 3, 2020 now requires the appointment of members to an Oversight Committee.  Specifically, Board Resolution No. 21-16-17 on June 30, 2017, provides that the Governing Board shall appoint or designate an oversight committee to ensure parcel tax proceeds are spent for their authorized purposes, and to report annually to the Governing Board and the public regarding the expenditure of such funds.  The Bylaws for the operation of that Committee were approved by the Governing Board at its meeting on June 9, 2020.

Financial Impact

There are no financial costs associated with the appointment of the members of the District's Parcel Tax Oversight Committee.

Background

At its meeting on June 5, 2018, the Board approved Agreement with Architecture for Education to provide architectural and engineering services for various projects throughout the District.   Because the scope of the projects that were to be covered under the Agreement were not fully developed and defined, the Architect and the District agreed to a compensation arrangement based on percentage of construction cost at time of bid of the projects as follows:

The original agreement established the construction budget on which the Basic Fees portion of the compensation is based with the understanding that the construction budget would be adjusted once the projects are fully developed and bids are received. This arrangement provided a quick start on design and implementation of the projects. In addition, during the construction work, the District encountered site conditions which necessitated corrections for which the Architect was required to provide additional services to be reimbursed under the reimbursement provisions of the Agreement.

Current Considerations

As required under the Agreement, the Basic Fees of the Agreement is being adjusted in accordance the terms and conditions of the Agreement. The total contract amount is increased from $808,990 to $996,556. 

Financial Implications

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

In order for new graduates to qualify for California Teaching Credentials they must have practical experience in a classroom.  The district has provided this opportunity for local university students for many years.  Some of our teachers started in the district as student teachers.

The approval of the agreement is specifically for Heather Applegate’s internship.  This agreement is effective beginning August 10, 2020 and shall expire on August 10, 2025.  The provisions of this agreement may be terminated, altered, changed, or amended by mutual consent of either the district or Pacific Oaks College. 

BACKGROUND

The Gann Limit Appropriation Calculation report is completed in accordance with Government Code Section 7906(f):   “Each school district shall report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and to the Director of Finance, at least annually, its appropriation limit, its appropriations subject to limitation, the amount of its state aid apportionments and subventions included within the proceeds of taxes of the school district, and amounts excluded from its appropriations limit, at a time and in a manner prescribed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and approved by the Director of Finance.”

The formula for the calculation is statutorily set.  Resolution 3-20-21, and the completed Gann Appropriations Limit report, are attached for reference.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS

The data provided are based on unaudited actuals for 2019-20 and the projections for 2020-21.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Background

The construction contract for the gas line replacement project at Palm Crest (Bid No. LCF 19/20-9) was awarded to Barrington Plumbing.  The project is completed.  The construction contract included a contract allowance of $15,000 which was not fully used during the course of the project.  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 $100,422 to $90,154.90. The Measure LCF fund 21.1 will be credited.

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