COVID, Assessment Data, and Federal Relief

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The Monday, October 18, 2021, 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.

First up, Jeffrey Baier will present a Pooled Testing Update.  This is a discussion item and his presentation can be found under agenda item H.1.  The opt in pooled testing program has 77-93% participation rate in our elementary schools and a just over 60% participation rate at our junior highs.  We have had 2 positive pool tests so far, with no spread in the pools as of yet (that is to say, no additional positives from the follow up response testing).

Next up, Elizabeth Leach will present the Spring Alternate Assessment Update.  This is a discussion item and her presentation can be found under agenda H.2. The presentation includes overall results for all grade levels and disaggregated data for special populations of students including English Language Learners, Special Education Students and low socioeconomic students.  Overall, the data seems shows no learning loss as a result of the 2020-21 school year, but we do not have apples to apples data comparisons from the 19/20 or 18/20 school year because different assessments were used.    

Then, Sandra McGonagle will present LASD's Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Plan III.  This is an action item and Sandra's presentation and the ESSER III Expenditure Plan can be found under agenda item H.3.  The plan outlines how LASD will expend federal monies "to address students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs, as well as any opportunity gaps that existed before, and were worsened by, the COVID-19 pandemic."  The plan itemizes how LASD will expend monies on continuous and safe in-person learning, addressing impact of lost instructional time, and technological updates to allow for equitable access.  The Board is asked to approve this expenditure plan.  

Board President Vaishali Sirkay will next present two Resolutions in Appreciation for Outstanding Services on the Citizens Advisory Committee for Finance and in Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service on the Measure N Citizens Oversight Committee to retiring committee members.  This is an action item and the Board is asked to approve the resolutions found under agenda items H.4 and H.5 in recognition of the exemplary services of the committee members.  

Last, but not least,  the Board has yet another round of Board Policy Updates to discuss.  The Board Policies can be found under agenda H.6. 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 and our Board is gradually going through a backlog of such updates.

Please note, this is just the highlights of what is on the agenda for the 10/18/21 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.