Financial Updates Galore!

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The Monday, March 6, 2023, LASD Board meeting will start its open session at 7:00pm and contemporaneous public comments may only be made in person in the LASD Board Room. If you plan to participate in person, follow county guidelines as they relate to masking. We will continue to use the Zoom webinar platform for community members to follow our meetings at home, but public comment will not be allowed on it. If you cannot attend in person, and have a comment that you would like the LASD Board to consider in its decision making, please email all of us at [email protected] by 5pm on Saturday, 3/4//23.  To register to watch the board meeting from the comfort of your home, click here.  The entire agenda and supporting documentation for this week's meeting can be found here.

Before we get started with regular business, 6th graders from Almond School will give the Board a presentation on their water conservation science project. ​

We start regular business with the 2nd Interim Financial Report.  This is an action item and the financial report, presentation and Erik Walukiewicz's recommendation can be found under agenda item I.1 using the link provided above.  Every year within 45 days of January 31st, governing boards must certify that their district will be able to meet all their fiscal obligations for the current fiscal year, and next 2 years, among other things by approving a 2nd Interim Report.  Erik's report not only supports that we can certify such, but also shows we are in a good financial place for now.   

Next, Erik will give a Financial Outlook Update.  This is a discussion item and his presentation can be found under agenda item I.2. According to Erik, while LASD is currently in a healthy financial position, we are facing slowing economic growth and a need to offer more competitive salaries to our staff because of the increased cost of living.  LASD is currently at the bottom of comparative salary scales in the Bay Area and goods and services are costing more for the District and its staff.  Furthermore, maintenance of our aging facilities is taking away from our general fund that could otherwise be spent on salaries and generally our students' education.

Then, the Board is asked for an Approval an Art Music Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant.  This is an action item and the request and how it will be spent can be found under agenda item I.3, In June 2022, Governor Newsom allocated $2,183,997 to an Arts Music and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant to our district.  Among other things, the grant can be spent on instructional materials and technology purposes.  LASD's plan is to spend the grant on replacing aging Chromebooks and other technology, classroom, and library upgrades.  The Board is asked to approve this allotment. 

Erik will next present a Resolution Authorizing Budget Increases and Transfers Between Major Accounts to Balance the Budget as Necessary at Second Interim.  This is an action item and his memo in support and resolution can be found under agenda item I.4.  The Board is asked to approve this resolution whose only change to the 22/23 budget is an increase of $122K in revenues in the general fund.       

Then Erik will present a Resolution for Elimination of Classified Services for 2023-2024 School Year.  This is an action item and his resolution can be found under agenda item I.5.  The Board is asked to approve this resolution that eliminates 2 FTE (full time equivalent) of licensed vocational nurses because the district no longer needs as many nurses as we needed during the height of the pandemic. 

Last but not least, the Board must consider 2023 CSBA Delegate Assembly Election.  This is an action item and the ballot and applications of those Santa Clara County trustees running for spots can be found under agenda item I.6.  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 and federal government in all of our districts' best interest.  We are asked to agree on six candidates to be our representatives.  

Please note, this is just the highlights of what is on the agenda for the 3/6/23 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.