Board Meeting Format, COVID-19 Guidance Update, Superintendent Search, and so much more...

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The Monday, March 7, 2022, LASD Board meeting will start its open session at 7:00pm and public participation will continue to happen using the Zoom webinar platform. The LASD Board will be meeting physically together following COVID safe protocols in the LASD Board Room. To register in advance for the meeting, click here.  The entire agenda and supporting documentation for this week's meeting can be found here.

Because COVID is still a thing, though tapering, we must start the meeting with Jeff Baier giving an Assembly Bill 361 Update. This is an action item and there is no presentation attached under agenda H.1. As highlighted in many prior updates, in March 2020, the Governor declared a state of emergency and executed an Executive Order allowing for suspension of certain Brown Act requirements, thus allowing for remote meetings.  AB 361 suspends and supplants that Executive Order.  AB 361 allows for remote meetings and same suspensions of the Brown Act that the Executive Order allowed WHEN (1) a state of emergency has been declared AND (2) one of the following has happened:  (A) state or local officials recommend social distancing measures, or (B) local agency (LASD BOARD) determines meeting in person would present "imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees."  On September 21, 2021, Santa Clara County Public Health Department recommended (and still recommends) that public bodies continue to meet remotely and the State of California is still in a state of emergency.  AB 361 requires that any given governing body make specified findings regarding (1) and (2) above and to make those findings every 30 days thereafter, in order to continue to meet under abbreviated teleconferencing procedures.  Jeff asks that we make the "specified findings" in this meeting.  

Nonetheless, COVID is heading from a pandemic into an endemic.  Therefore, next Jeff will discuss an update to the Board Meeting Format.  This is a discussion item and his short presentation can be found under agenda item H.2.  There is a strong likelihood that State of California's State of Emergency will end by the end of the month making it such that the LASD Board may no longer make findings that remote meetings are appropriate under AB 361.  The LASD Board will need to determine how board meetings will take place going forward, what COVID related meeting protocols should be in place, and what public engagement in board meetings will look like.

Next up, Jeff will give a COVID-19 Update. This is a discussion item and his presentation can be found under agenda item H.3.  According to the California Department of Health (CDPH) and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD), indoor masking in schools move from being mandated to strongly recommended after March 11th, with the true switch to strongly recommended being on March 14th.  Jeff is recommending we follow the CDPH and SCCPHD updated guidance. 

Then, Sandra McGonagle will give a Wellness Committee Update.  This is a discussion item and her presentation can be found under agenda item H.4.  The California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA), passed in 2016, requires that all sexual health instruction and materials must be medically accurate, may not promote religious doctrine, and must be inclusive of all sexual orientations and genders.  The law is intended to ensure that students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to:

• protect their sexual and reproductive health from HIV, other sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancy;
• develop healthy attitudes concerning adolescent growth and development, body image, gender, sexual orientation, relationships, marriage, and family; and
•  have healthy, positive, and safe relationships and behaviors.

The  sexual health curriculum is also focused on making sure parents are partners in this discussion and allows families to opt out of some or all of the discussion.  The District's Wellness Committee is evaluating two curriculums that meet the CHYA requirements: Positive Prevention Plus and Health Connected  Which curriculum the District will be piloting has not been determined as of yet.  

Sandra will next present the Universal Pre-Kindergarten and Extended Learning Opportunity Program Update.  This is a discussion item and Sandra' presentation can be found under agenda H.5.  The state has mandated that all 4 year olds will be eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) by the 2025/26 school year with a gradual roll in of 4 year olds based on their birthdate starting in the 2022/23 school year.  The cost to the District is expected to be $240,000/classroom a year for staffing, with a sunk cost of $50,000/classroom for furniture, materials and curriculum per classroom.  It is expected that the ongoing cost will be $3.2 million to $4.7 million/classroom for staffing and $700,000 to $850,000/classroom in sunk costs for materials once the District reaches full TK capacity. LASD is only expected to receive roughly $143,000 in one time funding from the State for instituting this mandate. Furthermore, the Extended Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP), also mandated by the state, requires districts to offer a 9 hour school day to at least 50% of its unduplicated (English Language Learners, Low Income and Foster/Homeless Youth) TK students in the 2022-23 school year, with an expectation to implement the same through 6th grade in the coming school years.  There are a bunch of next steps required to implement the ELOP mandate, that Sandra has thoroughly outlined in her presentation.

Randy Kenyon will then present LASD's Audited Financial Report for the 2020/21 school year.  This is an action item and our auditor's report and 2020/21 financial report can be found under agenda item H.6. The auditor found the District had no exceptions, no material weaknesses, no disagreements with management, and no significant passed on adjustments.  The Board is asked to approve the Audited Financial Report.  

Next Randy will present the 2nd Interim Financial Report.  This is an action item and Randy's presentation and the 2nd Interim Financial Report can be found under agenda item H.7.  This financial report reflects revenues and expenditures accrued through January 31st of this year.  The report is positive and shows our District can meet our financial obligations for this year and for 2 future years. Randy's presentation also include "what if" scenarios showing the impact of  future revenues and expenditures including technology spending incorporation into the district budget and reserve outlooks. Randy asks the Board to approve the 2nd Interim Financial Report.  

Then, Randy will present a Universal Meals Program Update.  This is a discussion item and his presentation can be found under agenda item H.8.   The state has mandated that all schools must provide free breakfast and lunch to all students who want them starting in the 2022/23 school year.  The meals must meet federal nutrition standards and guidelines.  LASD is looking to possibly contract out to Mountain View Whisman School District (MVWSD) to supply those meals.  MVWSD has committed to keeping the price to LASD no higher than the state and federal reimbursement rates.  There will be significant ongoing and sunk costs in getting this program up and running in our district, including $400,000 a year for staffing, and facility modifications and the procurement of 2 refrigerator vans, refrigerators, warners,  storage ,and point of service meal tracking software and hardware at a cost of over $330,000.  LASD can only expect $100,000 in state funding for this implementation.  
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Trustees Bryan Johnson and Vladimir Ivanovic will next present the City of Los Altos/LASD Schools Subcommittee Meeting Report. This is a discussion item and that meeting's agenda show their topics of discussion can be found under agenda item H.9.  I look forward to hearing more about the meeting. 

Jeff Baier will then present the Draft 2022/23 District Calendar.  This is an action item and the calendar, along with MVLA High School District's calendar, to which we align, can be found under agenda H.10. The Board is asked to approve this calendar. 

Next, Jeff will present the 2022 CSBA Delegate Assembly Election.  This is an action item and the list of delegates  and their applications can be found under agenda H.11. The Board is asked to choose 4 candidates out of 4 running to be our representatives to the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Delegate Assembly.  Our representatives to the Delegate Assembly are tasked with representing our area's interests with the CSBA to ensure that this statewide organization is advocating with the state government in all of our districts' best interest.   
 
Then, Board President Steve Taglio will give a Superintendent Search Update.  This is a discussion item and there is no presentation included with the agenda.  LASD is working with Leadership Associates (a school executive search firm) to conduct this Search.  Their services include their facilitation of meetings to gather essential feedback from parents, staff, and community members, along with an online survey to gather feedback virtually.  You can read more about the meetings and surveys here.

Jeff Baier will next ask the Board to approve a Revised 2021-22 Board Meeting Calendar that adds a regular board meeting on April 25, 2022. This is an action item and the revised calendar can be found under agenda item H.13.  

Last, but definitely not least, the Board has another round of Board Policy Updates to discuss.  The Board Policies can be found under agenda items H.14. As stated in prior updates, the California School Boards Association (CSBA) frequently advises local school districts on updates and deletions to board policies, bylaws and regulations based on recent changes to Federal and California state law and regulations.

Please note, this is just the highlights of what is on the agenda for the 3/7/22 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.