​LASD and the School Board are back in business and have hit the ground running to ensure the school year starts off right.  The closed session for our 8/26/19 meeting begins at 6:00pm. The board will reconvene for open session starting around 7pm in the LASD Board Room. The entire agenda and supporting documentation can be found here. 

First up, Jeff Baier will update the Board on the progress and impending kickoff of the Community Engagement Process Regarding a Long Term Location for Bullis Charter School.  The is a discussion item, with no materials attached to the agenda. The consultant, MIG, and the Project Team composed of LASD staff, Trustee Vladimir Ivanovic and myself, have been working all summer creating materials to help increase community awareness of the historical context of LASD and BCS facilities disagreements, and share the scenarios that have been considered since 2004.  These materials will be used to get each and every engaged community member up to speed on the LASD/BCS facilities challenge over the years. This will allow any willing community member to constructively engage in the process to offer viable solutions for a 16 year old challenge.  I know I look forward to digging into this challenge and everyone's participation in the process.

Next up, both Jeff Baier and Randy Kenyon will Report on the Start of the School Year.  This is a discussion item and Randy presentation in regards to facilities improvements made over the summer can be found under agenda item H.2 using the link above.  There were standard repairs and improvements made across the district this summer along with the placement of 13 (12.5 (12 classrooms and a bathroom facility)) portables for BCS at Egan.  The installation of the BCS Egan portables are near completion and otherwise ready for occupancy, but are awaiting the completion of cement walkways/ramps requested for and paid for by the charter school. 

Randy Kenyon will then recommend Appointments to the Citizens Advisory Committee for Finance (CACF).  This is an action item and the list of appointees and their applications can be found under agenda item H.3. The Citizens Advisory Committee for Finance was initially put in place to monitor LASD's expenditure of parcel tax funds, but its charge has organically grown to oversees long-term district financial issues, including facilities needs, and make recommendations on major, long-term financial decisions to the Board.  Randy asks that we approve the list of appointees as presented.  

Lastly, the Board will consider approving a Lease Agreement with KJM, Inc. dba Stepping Stones Preschool.  This is an action item and the lease can be found under agenda item H.4.  The Los Altos Parents Preschool informed LASD that they would be ceasing operation on the Covington campus as of June 30, 2019.  LASD submitted an RFP to fill the space. There were 3 bids with Stepping Stones bid far exceeding the others.  Randy asks that the Board approve the lease.  

Please note, this is just the highlights of what is on the agenda for the 8/26/2019 meeting.  You can inform yourself about the rest of the agenda at the link provided above.  As always, feel free to email me with any questions. 

As everyone is winding down their summer vacation, and prepping for the 19/20 school year, we have our first School Board meeting on 8/12/19.  The closed session begins at 6:00pm. The board will reconvene for open session starting around 7pm in the LASD Board Room.  The entire agenda and supporting documentation can be found here. 

First up on the agenda is a Curriculum and Instruction Update presented by Sandra McGonagle.  This is a discussion item that requires no action.  Her presentation can be found under agenda item H.1.  The presentation outlines the work the Curriculum and Instruction Department has been up to this summer including continued work on math alignment, communication alignment across the schools, and summer professional development provided both in and out of district.  

Next up Randy Kenyon presents Budget Adjustments for the 19/20 budget.  His presentation, the Budget Review Committee's recommendations and the Resolution he asks the board to approve are found under agenda item H.2.  The Budget Adjustments we are asked to approve include corrections based on the finalization of the state budget and the calculation of the property tax increase.  The Budget Adjustment also includes employee raises agreed to at the end of the school year and implementation of some cost cutting measures (included in the Budget Review Committee's Recommendations) to be able to afford the raises.  Randy also asks that the board direct staff on other cost cutting measures recommended by the Budget Review Committee.  

In the department of some times you have to spend money to save money, next up, Mr. Kenyon is presenting a Resolution Authorizing Procurement of Energy Controls System Through Competitive Negotiation.  The Resolution can be found under agenda item H.3.  Randy is asking the board to approve this resolution so that he can solicit bids for energy control systems for each one of our schools.  The current energy control systems are antiquated and really don't allow the district to efficiently manage the use of power (thus costing us more money than it should, while concurrently increasing our carbon footprint).  This is just the first step in the process.  When a vendor or vendors are found, the Board will then be asked to approve the purchase/contract.  

Last up is a first reading of many Board Policy Updates.  All of the board policy updates can be found under agenda item H.4.  Many of the updates are brought on by changes in the law and are by recommendation of the California School Board's Association. 

Please note, this is just the highlights of what is on the agenda for the 8/12/2019 meeting.  You can inform yourself about the rest of the agenda at the link provided above.  As always, feel free to email me with any questions.