Reorganization, 1st Interim Finances, and Bond Program Update

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The Monday, December 12, 2022, 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, wearing a mask is recommended in accordance with CDPH guidelines. 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, 12/10/22.  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.

First up, the Board will go through its annual Reorganization.  On election years, of which, this is one, that also involves newly (re)elected board members taking their oaths of office.  This year, for her first time, Sandra McGonagle will administer the oaths of office for Vladimir Ivanovic, Bryan Johnson, and Vaishali "Shali" Sirkay.  My incumbent colleagues will again swear to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic," among other things.  Then the Board will elect from its members a President, Vice President, and Clerk.  If all goes well, I will become our next Board President and Bryan Johnson will become our next Board Vice President.  This is then followed by a round of musical chairs where all trustees change their seats at the table. Next the Board is asked to approve the 2023 Board Procedures (not much different from years prior) and then discuss memberships on various Board subcommittees.  

Then, it is business as usual with me presiding over and managing the rest of the meeting. Before we get started with regular business, Springer School will present how the new Board approved Twig Science curriculum is being implemented at the school.

Next, Sandra McGonagle will present the LASD COVID-19 Testing Plan.  This is an action item and the plan Sandra is asking the Board to approve can be found under agenda J.1 and at this url. CA is requiring each school district to adopt a COVID-19 testing plan and the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) recommends local districts adopt the CA Department of Public Health's Testing Framework (that can be read using the url above).  That all being said, it is a framework that LASD has already been following and this is a formality.  

Sandra will next introduce CSBA Delegate Assembly Nominations.  This is an action item and there is no supporting documentation.  Any LASD Board member can ask to be nominated to run to be a member of the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Delegate Assembly for Region 20 (Santa Clara County).  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.  This is only the nomination stage, the election happens in February/March and is determined by a majority of the votes of all the boards of trustees/education in Santa Clara County.  

Erik Walukiewicz will then present the 1st Interim Financial Report.  This is an action item and Erik's presentation, recommendation, and the 1st Interim Financial Report can be found under agenda item J.3.  Every year within 45 days of October 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 1st Interim Report.  Erik's report not only supports that we can certify such, but also shows we are in a good financial place. 

And next, by popular demand, Randy Kenyon (and others) will be back (virtually) to present a Bond Project Update to the Board.  This is a discussion item and their presentation can be found under agenda item J.4.  Topics covered during this presentation include: (1) CEQA update, (2) 10th site Schematic Design Update, (3) TDR Status Report, (4) Bond Fund Finances and Projected Cash Flow, and (5) a 10th Site Summary Timeline.  There are many important updates in the presentation.  The final project description for a CEQA filing with the state is expected to be brought to the Board in January.  The project description will include the biggest use the District could ever expect of the property, and other lesser/alternative uses of the property.  A rough construction cost estimate for a K-8, 900 student school (biggest use of the property) is $161,602,088.  Of the $79.3 million worth of developments rights (TDRs) LASD can sell, LASD has $58.8 million worth of executed purchases agreements from 4 developers.  Read the presentation or come to our board meeting to find out more.  

Then, Erik will present a Blach Intermediate School Site Improvement Project.  This is an action item and his presentation and recommendation can be found under agenda item J.6.  The Board is asked to approve this project of new exercise equipment that an Eagle Scout will install and fully fund at Blach.  

Next, Erik will present a requested Appointment to the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC).  This an action item and his memo and the applications can be found under agenda item J.7.  The CBOC is a committee whose sole charge is to ensure the district expends the bond proceeds for the purposes described in the bond ballot language.  The Board is asked to approve the appointments of Steven Houtchens and Brandon Kam.

Last, but not least, Erik will ask for an Approval of Amendment 1 for Additional CEQA Consulting Services for the 10th Site Project.  This is an action item and his recommendation and the amendment can be found under agenda item J.8.  Because the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is now expected to be done in January and not October, as originally planned, and because the City of Mountain View is requiring more traffic analysis for the same, the cost of CEQA consulting services have gone up.  The Board is asked to approve an additional $78,530 in fees.     

Please note, this is just the highlights of what is on the agenda for the 12/12/22 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.