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-2 9-20 – 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/Pgu2ek8H8mbmDDuT7

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.

Public Comments can also be made in person at 4490 Cornishon Avenue in La Canada, California.  COVID-19 protocols will be followed. 

Background

Education Code Sections 35053(g), 42130, and 42131 require the Governing Board of each school district to certify at least twice a year (as of October 31^st and January 31^st) to the district’s ability to meet its financial obligations for the remainder of that fiscal year and for the subsequent two fiscal years. 

The certification by the Governing Board must be classified as follows:

Positive:          A school district that, based on current projections, will meet its                                              obligations for the current fiscal year and two subsequent fiscal years.

Qualified:         A school district that, based on current projections, may not meet its financial                         obligations for the current fiscal year or subsequent two fiscal years.

Negative:         A school district that, based on current projections, will be unable to meet its                         financial obligations for the current fiscal year or subsequent fiscal year.

Introduction

District Budget for 2020-21 and Multi-Year Projection Scenarios

The Governing Board, at its meeting on June 30, 2020, adopted the District’s Budget for 2020-21, and they reviewed multi-year budgetary projections through 2022-23.

In addition, at its meeting on August 11, 2020, the Governing Board approved the District’s 45-Day Budget Revise for 2020-21.

Current Considerations/Budgetary Overview

The Second Interim Report for 2020-21 and the multi-year has some changes from the updated budget of August 2020 and the First Interim Report in December.

Revenues:

• The Second Interim shows a decrease in Other State and Local revenues.  This is due to a decrease in the Classified Summer Assistance Program and a decrease in a security contract, along with rental income as a result of the pandemic.

   

  Expenditures:

• Salaries:  Salary costs were updated to reflect the most recent personnel for 2020-21.

   

• Benefits:  Costs of benefits directly relate to salaries. The change here is a result of the updated salaries and adjustment in STRS and PERS rates.

• Supplies, Services and Capital Expenditures:  Supplies have decreased as student consumables are available on-line.  Utilities have been reduced to reflect the savings due to the school closures. The security contract has been decreased.  Non-instructional services, such as student transportation, has also been reduced due to the circumstances.  Costs are carried forward into future budget years as applicable.

   

• Transfers Out:  Transfers out for Deferred Maintenance reflect $250,000 of expenditures, and the ongoing transfer of $125,000 to retirement benefits remains the same as in the original budget.

   

  Multi-Year Considerations:

• The out year estimates of revenue for LCFF are based on a slight decrease in ADA for 21-22 and returns to flat enrollment in 22-23. Federal and Other State funds are predicated on the revenue and expenditure assumptions in the original budget. The Learning Loss Mitigation Funds corresponding to revenues and expenditures of $1.5 million have been removed from the multi-year projections. The Dartboard provided by School Services of California is the basis for budgeting upcoming years. Expenditures are adjusted to account for increases in Step and Column, benefits (including health and welfare and pension increases), and other factors.

   

  Special Note: Transfers are included in this presentation as noted above. Additionally, the transfer of $100,000 from Fund 40.0 to the Cafeteria Fund (13.0) is also part of First Interim.

   

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the Second Interim Financial Report 2020-2021. 

Background

It is important to continually review and update the district’s board policies in order to stay on top of changing state requirements and/or district needs.

Current Considerations

As part of this continual review, the district has the following policy revision for the Board’s consideration:           

BP 0200          Educational Goals: Philosophy, Objectives and Comprehensive Plans                       

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications associated with the recommended Board Policy revisions. 

Background

At an emergency meeting of the LCUSD Governing Board on Thursday, March 12, 2020, the Board voted to enact district-wide school facility closures effective on Friday, March 13, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to exercise its Local Educational Agency responsibilities to ensure the health and safety of its students, staff, and families.  Subsequently, at meetings of the LCUSD Governing Board, staff has prepared presentations to update the LCUSD Community regarding its actions and services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic related school facility closures, distance learning, and reopening progress.

Current Considerations

With the COVID-19 infection metric on adjusted case rates at 7.2/100,000 on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, it is highly likely that the metric reported today (March 9) will be at or below 7/100,000 and Los Angeles County will begin its move into the less restrictive Red Tier.  In the Red Tier, districts may open middle and high school campuses in a hybrid fashion if they adhere to the required health protocols.  Guidelines allow middle and high schools to reopen as early as the Wednesday after the second consecutive Tuesday that a county is in the Red Tier.  As such, LCUSD intends to continue its reopening progress, implementing a phased reopening of LCHS 7-12.   A hybrid schedule will be presented this evening for the Governing Board’s review.  It is requested that the Governing Board take action to adopt a hybrid model bell schedule for LCHS 7-12 and give staff direction regarding timelines for the phased reopening of the LCHS 7-12 campus.  Students of families desiring to remain in distance learning will be allowed to do so.

Financial Implications

Background

As an outcome of the Superintendent’s 2020-2021 Goal on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), an LCUSD DEI Special Committee was formed in December 2020.  The DEI Special Committee has 5 Subcommittees, these are: District and School Leadership, Human Resources - Policy and Practices, Professional Development and Parent Education, Student Services and Climate of Care, and Curriculum and Instruction.  Over the past 3 months, the full Committee has met 3 times, the Subcommittees have been meeting weekly or bi-monthly, and the DEI Administrative Leads have met 4 times.  The DEI Special Committee intends to bring its DEI Three-Year Implementation Plan to the Governing Board for approval at an upcoming meeting.  As a guiding document to LCUSD’s DEI Initiative, the District and School Leadership Subcommittee developed this DEI Framework which has been workshopped with the entire DEI Special Committee.

Current Considerations

The DEI Subcommittee on District and School Leadership is recommending this final draft version of the LCUSD DEI Framework - Guiding Principles for the DEI Initiative to the Governing Board for review and discussion.  Staff will also take questions from the Governing Board to update the community regarding the work and progress of the LCUSD Special Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Financial Implications

Background

In the 2019-2020 school year, LCUSD worked with DEI Consultant Ms. Christina Hale-Elliott to draft the DEI Commitment Statement and Definitions.  The Commitment Statement and Definitions have been vetted by administration, teachers, and staff at each school site.  They were presented to parents at a Family Learning Series event.  The Governing Board reviewed them at its Retreat in January 2020 and at a Governing Board meeting in the 2019-2020 school year.  Currently, the DEI Commitment Statement and Definitions have been reviewed, vetted, and revised by the LCUSD DEI District and School Leadership Subcommittee.  On March 1, 2020 the Subcommittee presented the updated DEI Commitment Statement and Definitions to the full DEI Special Committee for review and feedback.  Presented tonight is the Subcommittee’s final version of the DEI Commitment Statement and Definitions recommended for Governing Board adoption. 

Current Considerations

The DEI Subcommittee on District and School Leadership is recommending this final draft version of the LCUSD DEI Commitment Statement and Definitions to the Governing Board for review and approval.  This is the first reading of a two reading agenda item.

Financial Implications

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 2018, was adopted by the Los Angeles County Board of Education at its February 2, 2021, regular meeting, and reflects district responses to the December 4, 2020, 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

Background

The first two major projects for Measure LCF will be the Palm Crest Modernization and the La Cañada High School South Campus Improvement Project. Each will be a multi-million dollar project and require management oversight. The design process for each of these jobs has been going for over two years. In order to assure the construction work is done in accordance with the approved plans, and to manage the unanticipated issues that arise during construction, it is common for a District to hire a Project Manager. The Project Manager acts as an Owner’s Agent to administer the construction contracts, oversee the contractors, oversee the inspections and testing in conjunction with the inspectors, and closely collaborate with the architects throughout the construction period from groundbreaking to the final acceptance.

Current Considerations

In order to assure close monitoring, attention to detail, maintaining of the construction schedule and project budget, it is recommended to employ Linik Corporation to do the project management for the Measure LCF work at Palm Crest Elementary and La Cañada High School. Overseeing the quality assurance program, coordinating schedules, communicating with site principals, and mitigating issues in the field are primary roles for the Project Manager. They will act as an Owner’s Agent for the Modernization at PCR and the South Campus Improvement Project at LCHS.

Financial Implications

The contract is for a total of $1,210,575. The South Campus Improvement Project will cover the

Background

Foothill Intermediate School (FIS) has vacant spaces available. A lease was not renewed, and the District will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to license the space. The existing lease will be changed to a license rather than a lease based on recommendation from District counsel. The RFP will be posted on the website and submissions are due by April 15, 2021.

Current Considerations

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one tenant was not able to continue with the lease. At this time, the District intends to look for a licensee to use the space. This action is to post a Request for Proposal to use the space available at FIS. District staff will review the proposals and make recommendations on how to proceed at a future meeting.

Financial Implications

Background

As part of staff’s due diligence during the planning and design of the pool project at La Cañada High School, staff reviewed the property title and discovered an existing, abandoned easement for a water pipeline and a gas pipeline running across the property. The easement was originally granted to the Valley Water Company (“Water Company”) when the District acquired the property, pursuant to the Final Order of Condemnation No. 604049, recorded with the Recorder’s Office of the County of Los Angeles as Instrument No. 2440 on November 26, 1952.  The District has requested that the Water Company execute a deed (“Quitclaim Deed”) quitclaiming any interest it may have in the abandoned easement to the District.  The water company has confirmed that this abandoned easement was superseded or replaced with another easement on the property, and has executed the required Quitclaim Deed releasing its interests in the abandoned easement. Staff is recommending that the Board accepts the Quitclaim Deed. 

Current Considerations

It is recommended that the Board Approves Resolution No. 14-20-21, authorizing staff to execute the Certificate of Acceptance related to the abandoned easement, and to record the certificate with the Los Angeles County Recorder.

Financial Implications

Background

The District requires the services of an audit firm to prepare the annual audited financial statements for both the District and Measure LCF.  The District's current audit contract expired with the receipt of the audit report through June 30, 2020.  The District has been pleased with the service provided by Eide Bailly, LLP, previously know as Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., (VTD)

Current Considerations

This contract with Eide Bailly, LLP will cover the fiscal years ending on June 30, 2021, 2022, and 2023.  Audit contact are typically set for three year terms with annual engagement letters.

Financial Implementations

Fees for services for the District Audit will be $35,000 for year ending June 30, 2021, $35,500 for year ending June 30, 2022 and $36,000 for year ending June 30, 2023.  This is a general fund expense.

Fees for services for the Measure LCF Audit will be $7,500 for year ending June 30, 2021, June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023.  This is a Measure LCF expense.

It is recommended that the Governing Board approve the contract with Eide bailly, LLP to act as the District's Auditor.

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

Background

To comply with the California Administrative Code Section 4-333, the District is required to employ the services of inspectors approved by the Division of State Architect to provide competent, adequate inspections for projects.

The overall modernization project at Palm Crest includes the construction of a two-story modular building.  The modular building will be fabricated and manufactured off-site beginning April 1, 2021 and be completed by October 2021.  The fabrication plant is located in Manteca, California.  North American Technical Services (“NATS”) would perform the “in-plant” inspections.  Accordingly, NATS would be responsible for all aspects of the inspection of the fabrication, and for monitoring all work that occurs in the fabrication plant. Such aspects of construction include, but are not limited to plywood shear wall nailing, gypsum wall board installation, roofing, electrical or mechanical work, etc., including welding inspection.

The inplant inspection is critical to the delivery of code compliant buildings. It is conducted in accordance with the Division of State Architect’s procedures.  The in-plant inspector is part of the District’s quality assurance team who carries out its duties to ensure the modular building is built in compliance with the construction documents.

Current Considerations

The approval of this item will authorize staff to execute the agreement with North American Technical Services to provide in-plant inspections during the manufacture and fabrication of the modular building for Palm Crest.

Financial Implications

Background

At its meeting on April 16, 2019, the Board approved Agreement with Premier Inspection Services to provide inspection services for various projects under construction.  Inspections are required to comply with the California Building Code and is an important element of the District’s quality assurance program and construction oversight.  This amendment would extend the services to cover additional projects anticipated to be constructed in the next three years.

Current Considerations

The compensation arrangement of the Agreement is Time and Materials.  Accordingly, the Consultant is paid only for actual work performed. The total contract amount is increased from $250,000 to $650,000. 

Financial Implications

Background

To comply with the California Administrative Code Section 4-333, the District is required to employ the services of special inspectors and testing laboratories approved by the Division of State Architect to provide competent, adequate and materials testing and inspections for projects. The construction inspections and materials testing are critical to the delivery of code compliant projects. The testing laboratory is part of the District’s quality assurance team who carries out its duties to ensure all construction work is completed in compliance with the construction documents.

During the course of the bond program, the District will employ one or more testing laboratories to provide materials testing and special inspections such as welding, masonry and soils inspections.  This agreement is a time-and-material agreement that allows the District the flexibility to assign the testing laboratory to specific project(s) based on qualifications and project needs when projects are ready for construction. There is no minimum guarantee of work. The term of the agreement is for three years with option to renew for two years.

Current Considerations

The approval of this item will authorize staff to execute the agreement with Converse Consultants to provide materials testing and special inspections for various projects upon assignment by the District. The agreement is a three-year, time & materials agreement for a Not-To-Exceed contract amount of $200,000. The services will be performed as directed by District staff on an as-needed basis pursuant to requirement of the Division of State Architect.

Financial Implications