Budget, Free Meals, 10th Site, Safety Plans, and Superintendent Search

---

---

The Monday, February 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, 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 to ensure we comply for our next meeting. 

Next, Sandra McGonagle will present the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Mid-Year Update.  This is a discussion item and her presentation and supplemental documentation can be found under agenda item H.2.  Assembly Bill 130 requires districts to give a mid year update to the Board on expenditures made and data received related to the LCAP approved in June 2021.  The update shows we are progressing well toward meeting our LCAP goals and how much we have spent so far to do so.  You can read more in the documentation included in this agenda item. 

Then, Randy Kenyon will present the 2022-23 Preliminary Budget.  This is a discussion item and his presentation can be found under agenda item H.3.  There are several key assumption the budget includes: 

1. Property tax growth of 4%
2. Only slight enrollment growth of .6%
3. Increased funding allotment/transfer of $250,000 to BCS (because of state mandated cost of living (COLA) increase of 5.33%)
4. State funding (except COLA on special education) to remain flat
5. Class sizes return to pre-pandemic
6. No additional teachers needed because enrollment growth expected to be minimal
7. No across the board raises for staff, expected step and column movement on salary schedules, and health insurance rate increase
8. Free Meals for All expected to cost the District $400,000 a year
9. Parcel Tax set to expire in June 2025.  

Considering those key assumptions, the financial reality (now) and outlook for the District is quite strong with an 18.6% reserve expected in the 22/23 school year.  That being said, the Board asked Randy to consider a bunch of "what if" scenarios and how they would effect our budget and financial outlook in the long term (both separately and together) including (1) assuming the cost of staff computers (from the PTAs), (2) 2% pay increase for all employees, (3) parcel tax renewal, (4) increased property tax growth (5%), (5) charter non-renewal, and (6) lastly, assuming the cost of purchases all tech for students (from the PTAs).  You can see how all these scenarios and combinations of scenarios effect our bottom line now and in the future in Randy's presentation. 

The Citizens Advisory Committee for Finance (CACF) will next present its Mid-Year Update. CACF is officially the District's oversight entity for how we spend our parcel taxes.    Unofficially, they are a whole lot more.  CACF advises the Board and our chief business officer, Randy Kenyon, on the best ways to expend (or not expend) our resources in the best interests of the fiscal health of LASD.  This is a discussion item and their presentation can be found under agenda item H.4.  In this report, CACF recommends the District (1) create a maintenance fund, so facilities upkeep stops encroaching on the general operating fund, (2) be aware/ask staff about their concerns to ensure retention, (3) enhance programs, and (4) address mental health needs. 

Randy and Lisa Gelfand will then present the 10th Site Master Plan.  This is a discussion item and the presentation can be found under agenda item H.5. A couple of meetings ago we agreed on where the 2 acre park that will be transferred to the City of Mountain View will be located on the over 11 acres that LASD purchased for the 10th site.  During this meeting, the Board will be presented possible layouts as to the rest of the parcel as it relates to school placement and field placement and the pros and cons of each.  I highly recommend you review the presentation.  

Next, Randy will give us an update on Universal Meals for All.  This is a discussion item and Randy's presentation can be found under agenda item H.6.  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. The District is working with School Food and Wellness Group to determine our best course of action.  The consultant has already determined the following: 

1. Need 2 refrigerated vans
2. Staffing needed at each site
3. Facilities at most sites will need improvements
4. Some needs for refrigerators, warmers and storage at different sites.       

Then, Ms. Erin Green will present the Comprehensive School Safety Plans. This is an action item and Ms. Green's presentation and all the safety plans can be found under agenda item H.7.   Every year, each site must update their Comprehensive Safety Plan and it must be presented to the Board for its approval.  It covers physical and mental safety and, in a word, is comprehensive.  Check out your personal school site's plan to learn more about what has been done and what is in store.

Last, and definitely not least, Board President Steve Taglio will present the Timeline for Superintendent Search.  This is a discussion item and there is currently no attachment to agenda item H.8.  As detailed in his letter to the parent community and in his interviews with the Los Altos Town Crier and Mountain View Voice, Superintendent Jeff Baier has decided to retire after serving LASD for over 20 years, the last 12 years as our Superintendent.  The hole left by his impending absence at the end of the school/fiscal year will be immeasurable, but we are confident that we will find an excellent replacement to steward us into the future.  

Please note, these are just the highlights of what to expect at our 2/7/2022 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.