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 4:30 pm via the following link:

https://forms.gle/5znvM6MReecKhzPq8

Please note, the public comment link is not live until Tuesday at 4:30pm.  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 4:30 pm via the following link:

https://forms.gle/5znvM6MReecKhzPq8

Please note, the public comment link is not live until Tuesday at 4:30pm.  All comments will be read by a moderator during the meeting

Background

Senate Bill 98, Section 43509, established the Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan (Learning Continuity Plan), which is intended to balance the needs of all stakeholders, including educators, parents, students and community members, while streamlining meaningful stakeholder engagement and condensing several pre-existing plans. It combines the intent behind Executive Order N-56-20, which extended the timeline for the 2020-2021 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and required a written report to the community, and the ongoing need for LEAs to formally plan for the 2020–21 school year, amid the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Learning Continuity Plan replaces the LCAP for the 2020–21 school year and supersedes the requirements in Executive Order N-56-20.  The LCAP and annual update to the LCAP are not required for the 2020–21 school year. A new three-year LCAP is currently scheduled to be adopted by local educational agencies by June 30, 2021.

Current Considerations

The Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) memorializes the planning process for the 2020–21 school year and includes descriptions of how the LEA will do the  following: offer classroom-based instruction whenever possible; provide continuity of instruction and ensure access to a full curriculum regardless of the method of delivery; address gaps in learning; conduct meaningful stakeholder engagement; maintain transparency; address the needs of unduplicated pupils (English learners, foster youth, low-income students), students with exceptional needs, and students experiencing homelessness; provide access to necessary devices and connectivity for distance learning; provide resources and supports to address student and staff mental health and social emotional well-being; and continue to provide school meals for students.

The Learning Continuity Plan shall be adopted by the local educational agency’s Governing Board by September 30, 2020.  School districts are required to submit the Learning Continuity Plan to the county office of education not later than 5 days after adoption of the plan. The county superintendent of schools may submit recommendations, in writing, for amendments to the Learning Continuity Plan by October 30, 2020.  The governing board of a school district shall consider the recommendations submitted by the county superintendent of schools in a public meeting within 15 days of receiving the recommendations.

School districts must post a copy of the Learning Continuity Plan on the homepage of their internet website.

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications directly associated with this public hearing and Governing Board adoption of the Learning Continuity Plan.  However, as the LCP replaces the LCAP for the 2020-2021 school year, it identifies the priorities for the 2020-2021 school year and the associated steps and costs related to implementation.  Therefore, all of the financial implications of the LCP are identified within the Plan.

 Public comments on non-agendized and agendized items can be submitted on Tuesday beginning at 4:30 pm via the following link:

https://forms.gle/5znvM6MReecKhzPq8

Please note, the public comment link is not live until Tuesday at 4:30pm.  All comments will be read by a moderator during the meeting

Background

The La Cañada Unified School District proposes the following improvements to Palm Crest Elementary School: construction of one new two-story, approximately 23,184-square-foot classroom building (comprised of two wings); renovation of 18 existing classrooms; conversion of one classroom building to four specialty classrooms; demolition of the old District Office and garage; removal of trees for construction of a new upper parking lot; alteration/improvement to the existing drop-off area; alteration/improvement to the existing west parking lot; installation of temporary portable classrooms for use during project construction; and construction and extension of site utilities to the new classroom building, improvement to landscaping areas, and pedestrian walkways.

A requirement of the District’s review of environmental impact of this development under regulations established by the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is an environmental review.  This review has been completed. The IS/MND concludes that after implementation of mitigation measures, no significant unavoidable environmental effects would occur as a result of the proposed project. Potentially significant impacts related to aesthetics, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, noise, transportation, and mandatory findings of significance would be mitigated to a less than significant level.

Current Considerations

It is recommended that the Board Approves Resolution No. 6-20-21, Approving the Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, Final Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the construction and operation of the Palm Crest Elementary School Modernization Project; adopting written findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act; approving the project; and delegating authority to staff to execute the Notice of Determination.

Financial Implications

None.

Background

The La Cañada Unified School District proposes the following improvements to Palm Crest Elementary School: construction of one new two-story, approximately 23,184-square-foot classroom building (comprised of two wings); renovation of 18 existing classrooms; conversion of one classroom building to four specialty classrooms; demolition of the old District Office and garage; removal of trees for construction of a new upper parking lot; alteration/improvement to the existing drop-off area; alteration/improvement to the existing west parking lot; installation of temporary portable classrooms for use during project construction; and construction and extension of site utilities to the new classroom building, improvement to landscaping areas, and pedestrian walkways.

A requirement of the District’s review of environmental impact of this development under regulations established by the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is an environmental review.  This review has been completed. The IS/MND concludes that after implementation of mitigation measures, no significant unavoidable environmental effects would occur as a result of the proposed project. Potentially significant impacts related to aesthetics, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, noise, transportation, and mandatory findings of significance would be mitigated to a less than significant level.

Current Considerations

It is recommended that the Board Approves Resolution No. 6-20-21, Approving the Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, Final Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the construction and operation of the Palm Crest Elementary School Modernization Project; adopting written findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act; approving the project; and delegating authority to staff to execute the Notice of Determination.

Financial Implications

Background

The Superintendent prepares annual goals which are reviewed, revised, and ultimately approved by the Governing Board.

Current Considerations

In Closed Session on September 10, 2019, the Governing Board gave direction regarding the Superintendent’s 2019 – 2020 goals.  Since 2011 the Superintendent has elected to make the goals public.  This presentation serves to inform the public regarding the Superintendent’s progress on last year’s goals prior to the Governing Board’s adoption of the Superintendent’s goals for the current school year.  The attachment to this Governing Board agenda item is the 2019-2020 goal narrative.  The Superintendent’s presentation will assess her outcomes and levels of success in meeting each goal.

Financial Implications

Background

The Governing Board adopted an LCHS 7-12 distance learning schedule designed for the virtual reopening of the district’s secondary instructional program.  It was adopted on July 21, 2020.  At that time, the Superintendent identified that developing a 50% hybrid schedule for in-person learning, while also providing an option for families to remain in distance learning, remained as a task for LCUSD Administration along with the Secondary Reopening Committee.

Current Considerations:

Since the LCUSD Governing Board Meeting on July 21, 2020, the Secondary Reopening Committee has met 5 times to propose, review, and discuss various schedule options for when students return to campus for instruction in a hybrid attendance model.  The challenges of designing a secondary hybrid schedule, which also provides the option for students to remain distance learners, have been significant.  On September 23, 2020, the Committee weighed the merits of two schedules which emerged as the strongest after months of review, development, and deliberation.  Committee consensus was split and it was determined that the Superintendent and Cabinet would review, refine, and forward a recommendation to the Governing Board.  Upon review, I am electing to forward an alternative schedule to the Board along with the two (plus another which was requested by committee members) from the Committee.  I believe all three have merits, but recommend the alternative plan as it emphasizes the integrity of the instructional program, maintenance of instructional minutes, and provides a potential opportunity for a phased reopening which would allow teachers time to work with the Tech Department to design their workspaces in order to optimize instructional delivery as well as time to work with site administration to customize workspace PPE.

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications directly associated with the Governing Board’s adoption of an LCHS 7-12 Hybrid Learning Schedule.  Adopting or prioritizing Schedule #2 may add additional costs related to substitute teacher assignments.

Background

Because LCUSD school facilities are closed due to State and Public Health orders, LCUSD fields and the LCHS stadium and fields are also closed.

Current Considerations

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued a Reopening Protocol for Youth Sports Leagues.  Implementing this Protocol would support the reopening of the LCHS stadium and fields to allow LCHS athletic teams to engage in training, conditioning, and skills-building activities.  LCHS Administration has been working with its athletic coaches to design training, conditioning, and skills-building activities which comply with the Protocol and are prepared to order any specific PPE that the coaches have requested.  District administration desires to reopen the LCHS stadium and fields for LCHS athletic teams on October 12, 2020.  The District Administration also desires to stagger the reopening of the LCHS stadium to its licensee and field use to La Canada Flintridge community groups until November 2, 2020.  This will allow the high school’s teams to establish their training, conditioning, and skills-building schedules in advance of the licensee’s and community users' return. 

Financial Implications

Background

State and County agencies have required a written report from LEAs formally detailing plans for the 2020–21 school year amid the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current Considerations

The LCUSD School Reopening and Safety Plan 2020-2021 sets forth the plan for the 2020–21 school year and includes descriptions of how LCUSD will structure its instructional program; provide for the social and emotional well-being of its students, staff, and families; ensure family and community engagement; protect the health and safety of all stakeholders in response to COVID-19; and practice facility cleaning and disinfecting.  A reopening plan is required of all local educational agencies.  It is designed as a reference for the Learning Continuity Plan, a written report to inform the LCUSD community regarding reopening and safety protocols developed for the 2020-2021 school year in response to the pandemic, and it is required by the Department of Public Health as a reference document to support their Reopening Protocols for K-12 Schools.

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications directly associated with the Governing Board adoption of the LCUSD School Reopening and Safety Plan.  However, many of the Health and Safety components of the plan have required the purchase of cleaning agents and Personal Protective Equipment.  Additional temporary FTE has been required for the implementation of the Elementary Virtual Learning Academy.  Extended academic supports (i.e. chromebooks, hotspots, intervention licenses, etc.) have also been purchased to mitigate student  learning loss.  These expenses have largely been supported by one-time state funds associated with COVID-19 relief.

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

Background

A settlement agreement was reached regarding Student #20200911.

Current Considerations

The facts and circumstances, and a copy of the settlement agreement, are being withheld due to student privacy rights under 20 U.S.C. § 1232g and Education Code § 49060, et seq.  To avoid additional time and expense concerning this matter, the District settled the dispute without admitting any liability.

Financial Implications