COVID-19 and its Effect on LASD's Program and Financial Situation

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The Tuesday, May 26, 2020 LASD Board meeting will start open session at 7:00pm and it will be held using the Zoom webinar platform.  To register in advance for the meeting, click on this link.  The entire agenda and supporting documentation for this week's meeting can be found here.

Sandra McGonagle will start by presenting LASD's Summer Learning for All.  This is a discussion item and Sandra's presentation can be found under agenda item H.1 using the link above.  Summer Learning for All is an optional program starting June 1st for all LASD students.  The website can be found here.  Check back on June 1 when it is updated with curriculum for the rest of the summer.    The curriculum is focused on the core subjects of Reading and Math, with an exploration in to the 6 C's (Creativity, Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, communication and Critical Thinking). 

Next up, Sandra will cover how the district will implement Math Placement for our incoming 6th, 7th and 8th graders.  This is a discussion item and her presentation can be found under agenda item H.2. While the district has traditionally used standardized objective tests, such testing was canceled statewide in the wake of COVID-19.  The biggest change is that all 6th graders across the district will learn the same math curriculum in the first 6 weeks of the fall (designed centrally by LASD's Curriculum and Instruction Department).  After 6 weeks and the administration of 2 objective assessments, the 6th graders will receive their math placement and be separated for math according to that placement. 

Mr. Baier will then present Re-Opening for 2020-21 School Year.  This is a discussion item and his presentation can be found under agenda item H.3.  The presentation is largely the same as the one he gave during Town Hall this past Monday.   Long story short, there are a lot of unknowns as it relates to how exactly LASD will begin its 20/21 school year.  One constant is that they school year will start for students on August 19th.  It will either be 100% in person, a mixture between in person and virtual (blended/hybrid), or 100% virtual.  The district is analyzing and vetting each scenario out fully and will choose the best of breed according to district constraints.  Even once an implementation is chosen, it will very likely change, either because an iteration is needed, or COVID-19 circumstances.  

Next up, Randy Kenyon will give the Financial Update. This is discussion item and Randy's presentation can be under agenda item H.4.  Randy will be going over the impact of the Governor's May Revise to state budget on LASD's budget for 20/21 and what to expect for the 20/21 and 21/22 school year budgets.  COVID-19 has hit the economy hard and LASD's bottom line will be hit; how hard is uncertain.  Either way, Randy has many suggestions of what to be done in 20/21, and going forward to weather this storm.  

In the wake of the financial recession we are finding ourselves in, the Budget Review Committee has recommendations on how the district can remain fiscally solvent.  Randy will present them and they can be found under agenda item H. 5.  The recommendations include short and long term actions for the Board to take.  This is a discussion item, and now action will be taken. Randy is likely asking for Board direction of actions to be brought to the Board at a later date.  

Now, onto something completely different, Jeff will present an LASD/BCS 2-Year Facilities Agreement Extension.  The is an action item and the agreement can be found under agenda item H.6.  A couple of weeks ago, because of the many uncertainties caused by COVID-19, the Board directed Bryan Johnson and I to ask BCS for a 2 year extension to the current 2 year agreement.  BCS has publicly stated they are amenable to such an extension.  The Board is asked to approve this agreement.   

Next, the Board is asked to approve a Resolution for the Order of Election, Specifications of the Election Order and Consolidation Request.  This is an action item and can be found under agenda item H.7.  This is a resolution the Board needs to pass every 2 years (each election cycle) to place the expiring seats on the ballot.  For the November 3, 2020 election there will be 2 seats up for election, my own, and Steve Taglio's. (Yes, I am running for re-election.)  

Last, but not least, Randy asked the Board to approve a Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRAN).    Every Spring the Board is asked to authorize these notes because we have expenses over the summer before we receive our portion of the property tax revenue from Santa Clara County.  This year we are being asked to borrow $20,000,000.  

Please note, this is just the highlights of what is on the agenda for the 5/26/20 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.