President Julie Korenstein called the meeting to order at 2:01 p.m.

The following Board Members were present: Mrs. Barbara M. Boudreaux, Ms. Victoria M. Castro, Ms. Valerie Fields, and President Julie Korenstein. Mr. Jeff Horton arrived at 3:47 p.m., Mr. George Kiriyama arrived at 4:41 p.m., and Mr. David Tokofsky arrived at 2:13 p.m.

Student Member Jennifer Zamora of Banning High School was present.

Superintendent Ruben Zacarias was present.

The President led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

President Korenstein called upon Dr. Roger Rasmussen, Director of the Independent Analysis Unit, who stated the Independent Analysis Unit had developed their own projection of income and expenditures for the year and compared it with those of the Financial Services Division which proved to be quite similar. He noted that it is early in the fiscal year and all these estimates will change by the time the year is concluded. He also stated that there will be no difficulty in the District meeting its financial obligations this year.

Mr. Henry Jones, Chief Financial Officer, thanked Mr. Olonzo Woodfin, Controller, Mr. Fred Lising, Director of Accounting, Mrs. Teresa Chou, Fiscal Reports Specialist, Ms. Melba Page, Acting Fiscal Reports Specialist, Dr. Rasmussen and other staff who were responsible for preparing the information for this report and the presentation. Mr. Jones highlighted the revenues and expenditures included in the second Interim Financial Reports based on the actual figures through October 31 and projections through the balance of the fiscal year. The 6% salary increase that was authorized for most employees was reflected in the report as well as funds set aside for those classifications still in negotiations. He also noted that a 1% variance could result in a difference of $39 million. He stated that based on these data, the report projects there will be $137 million available to begin to address commitments that the Board has already made.

After discussion, the report was adopted by general consent. Mr. Horton and Mr. Kiriyama were absent.

This is the final opportunity for the public to address the Board on the District's 1997-98 Initial Negotiating Proposals to United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and Associated Administrators of
Los Angeles (AALA) regarding traditional, LEARN, and multitrack year-round calendars for the 1999 2000 School Year received November 17, 1997.

Mr. Howard Watts was given the opportunity to address the board on the proposal.

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 1
BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS/PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 1

Mrs. Boudreaux seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted. Ms. Castro, Mr. Horton and
Mr. Kiriyama were absent.

Mrs. Boudreaux moved that the report be adopted. Mr. Tokofsky seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted. Ms. Castro, Mr. Horton, and Mr. Kiriyama were absent.

Superintendent Zacarias called upon Mr. David Koch, Business Manager of Business Services Division, to respond to questions raised by Board Members.

After discussion and on roll call the report was adopted, 5 ayes, with the following abstention:

Mr. Tokofsky abstained from voting on Agreement Nos. 980433 and 980614 in Section (1), and Item E in Section (3) of Board of Education Report No. 3 for reasons previously recorded in the Minutes, Regular Meeting, January 8, 1996, and voted aye on the balance of the report.

Ms. Castro and Mr. Kiriyama were absent.

Later in the meeting, Ms. Castro recorded the following vote:

Ms. Castro abstained from voting on Agreement Nos. 980652 and 980553 in Section (1), and Item C in Section (3) of Board of Education Report No. 3 for reasons previously recorded in the Minutes, Regular Meeting, February 20, 1996, and voted aye on the balance of the report.

The final vote was 6 ayes, with the abstentions as noted.

Mr. Kiriyama was absent.

Mr. Tokofsky moved that the report be adopted. Ms. Fields seconded the motion.

Mr. Tokofsky indicated he would consider moving an amendment to authorize the submission of all of the applications for zero apportionment and request that applications exceeding $2,000,000 come before the Board prior to going to 100% funding.

Ms. Louargand explained some of the difficulties which would occur as a result of the amendment.
Mr. Tokofsky withdrew his intentions to move an amendment.

The report was adopted by general consent. Mr. Kiriyama was absent.

Mr. Hal Netkin

Ms. Nancy Romero

Ms. Isabel Vasquez

Ms. Castro moved a waiver of Board Rule 72. Mr. Horton seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted.

Ms. Castro moved:

Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is committed to educating all its students so that each student will contribute to and benefit from our diverse society;

Whereas, The LAUSD recognizes its legal obligation to take appropriate action to overcome language barriers that impede equal participation by its students in its instructional programs;

Whereas, Bilingual education programs have been part of our American educational history since the nineteenth century when bilingual education was provided to immigrants from Germany, Sweden, France, Italy and other countries;

Whereas, The use of the student's language for instruction (bilingual education) is one of several teaching methods which have been used successfully by the LAUSD to ensure that English learners become literate in English, gain access to the core curriculum and build a positive self-image;

Whereas, Pursuant to the LAUSD's Master Plan for English Learners, students are tested to determine which teaching methodology would be best for the students; and

Whereas, Participation in any of the Master Plan programs is voluntary and parents have the final say as to which program their child will be assigned;

Whereas, The proposed Unz Initiative severely limits options suited to the very varied needs of our non English and limited English speaking students;

Whereas, The proposed "English Language Education for Immigrant Children Initiative" (the Unz Initiative) would unduly limit local choice by school districts and parents relative to educational programs for their children; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles go on record in opposition to the proposed Unz initiative; and be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education reaffirm its commitment to continue to search for best methods by which to meet the academic and other educational needs of all its student, including its English learners;
and be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education direct the Superintendent to make information available to the Los Angeles community on the demographics and academic and language needs of our English learner students; the role of bilingual education programs in meeting those students' needs; and what improvements could be made; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education direct the Superintendent to prepare an informative on the impact of the proposed Unz initiative on its teaching personnel and on its ability to meet the needs of all our students; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education direct the Superintendent to prepare an evaluation of the potential Constitutional and other legal aspects of this initiative.

Ms. Fields seconded the motion. Staff from Language Acquisition and Bilingual Development Branch presented to the Board information regarding the effects of the Unz Initiative should it pass this spring. They also reviewed the ten key provisions contained within the Unz Initiative and shared information on the impact on the Master Plan programs in the District.

Ms. Fields moved an amendment as follows:

Whereas, using the initiative process to make curricular decisions is inappropriate and could be harmful;

Whereas, The proposed "English Language Education for Immigrant Children Initiative" (the Unz Initiative) would unduly limit local choice by school districts and parents and interferes with our school based management and LEARN schools' right to make decisions for their schools relative to educational programs for their children; now, therefore, be it

Whereas, Total immersion practices at the beginning of this century in large city school districts such as New York City resulted in failure and an increased dropout rate; now, therefore, be it

The mover and seconder of the motion accepted the amendment as a friendly amendment.

After discussion, the motion as follows was adopted by general consent:

Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is committed to educating all its students so that each student will contribute to and benefit from our diverse society;

Whereas, using the initiative process to make curricular decisions is inappropriate and could be harmful;

Whereas, The LAUSD recognizes its legal obligation to take appropriate action to overcome language barriers that impede equal participation by its students in its instructional programs;

Whereas, Bilingual education programs have been part of our American educational history since the nineteenth century when bilingual education was provided to immigrants from Germany, Sweden, France, Italy and other countries;

Whereas, The use of the student's language for instruction (bilingual education) is one of several teaching methods which have been used successfully by the LAUSD to ensure that English learners become literate in English, gain access to the core curriculum and provide a positive self-image;

Whereas, Pursuant to the LAUSD's Master Plan for English Learners, students are tested to determine which teaching methodology would be best for the students;

Whereas, Participation in any of the Master Plan programs is voluntary and parents have the final say as to which program their child will be assigned;

Whereas, The proposed Unz Initiative severely limits options suited to the very varied needs of our non English and limited English speaking students;

Whereas, The proposed "English Language Education for Immigrant Children Initiative" (the Unz Initiative) would unduly limit local choice by school districts and parents and interferes with our school based management and LEARN schools' right to make decisions for their schools relative to educational programs for their children;

Whereas, Total immersion practices at the beginning of this century in large city school districts such as New York City resulted in failure and an increased dropout rate; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles go on record in opposition to the proposed Unz initiative; and be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education reaffirm its commitment to continue to search for best methods by which to meet the academic and other educational needs of all its student, including its English learners;

Resolved further, That the Board of Education direct the Superintendent to prepare an informative on the impact of the proposed Unz initiative on its teaching personnel and on its ability to meet the needs of all our students; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education direct the Superintendent to prepare an evaluation of the potential Constitutional and other legal aspects of this initiative.

Mr. Kiriyama was absent.

Ms. Wanda Robinson, representing Teamsters Teamsters Contract Negotiations

Ms. Margaret Villegas, representing Teamsters Teamsters Contract Negotiations

Mr. Alex Caputo-Pearl Conditions at John Muir Middle School

Ms. Carol Jordan Hopkins Conditions at John Muir Middle School

Ms. Maria Valencia Special Education Concerns

Ms. Olga Hall LEARN

Ms. Gloria Ladner LEARN

Ms. Nefertiti Madden, representing RBBAC Special Education

Ms. Marta Angel Special Education

At the request of the Superintendent, the following items were changed:

Deleting the following from the transfer to the Facilities Services Division:

Under: CLASSIFIED SALARIES

+Professional Expert

OFFICE SUPPLIES +200,000

CONTRACT SERVICES +500,000

Adding the following to the transfer to the Facilities Services Division:

The ongoing cost for these resources is $2,606,255; staff will provide an annual assessment of the staffing levels augmented by this report.

After discussion, on roll call, the report was adopted as amended, 5 ayes. Mr. Horton and Mr. Kiriyama were absent.

Ms. Castro moved an amendment as follows:

The recommended discipline of Employee No. 146106 be charged from dismissal to demotion from the classification of Permanent Driver Trainer Bus Truck effective at the close of December 16, 1997, to classification of Permanent Heavy Bus Driver effective December 17, 1997.

Mrs. Boudreaux recommended a friendly amendment to Ms. Castro's amendment:

The recommended discipline of Employee No. 545103 be modified from dismissal to demotion from the classification of Permanent Driver Trainer Bus Truck effective at the close of December 16, 1997 and elected to the classification of Permanent Heavy Bus Driver effective December 17, 1997, and the recommendation for Employee No. 276776 be modified from dismissal to demotion.

Staff recommended the report be amended to modify the action on Employee No. 146106 to demotion and withdrew the recommendation for action concerning Employee Nos. 276776 and 545103.

After discussion, the report as amended by staff was adopted by general consent. Mr. Horton and Mr. Kiriyama were absent.

The amendment for the report is as follows:

Modifying recommended discipline on Item No. 2, Employee No. 146106, from dismissal to demotion from the classification of permanent driver trainer (bus-truck), effective at the close of December 16, 1997, and elected to the classification of permanent heavy bus driver, effective December 17, 1997; and withdrawing Item No. 3, Employee No. 276776, and Item No. 4, Employee No. 545103.

Mrs. Boudreaux moved:

Whereas, Since October 1995, the City of Los Angeles has designated three "Days of Dialogue" whose topics have included diverse subjects such as Race Relations, Affirmative Action and most recently Violence in our Community;

Whereas, Evaluations from these dialogue sessions reflect enthusiasm and a desire to participate in ongoing discussions;

Whereas, Once again, there is a need for continuing discussion of race relations;

Whereas, The Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution (SPIDR) has recently looked at the Days of Dialogue model and agreed to support the pilot program of the National Days of Dialogue on Race Relations to be conducted nationwide January 16-20, 1998;

Whereas, The National Days of Dialogue has been selected to become a centerpiece of the events leading up to the national observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, Monday, January 20, 1998;

Whereas, To date, the following cities have joined the effort:

€Tuscaloosa, Alabama
€Los Angeles, California
€Denver, Colorado
€Tallahassee, Florida
€Chicago, Illinois
€New York, New York
€Durham, North Carolina
€Salisbury, Maryland
€Amherst, Massachusetts
€Dallas, Texas
€Washington, D.C.;

Whereas, The support by the City of Los Angeles for this national pilot project has made a substantial contribution to its success; and

Whereas, Our public schools provide the perfect and safe location to discuss issues of race, violence and affirmative action; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles support the National Pilot Program, Days of Dialogue on Race Relations, which will be conducted nationwide from January 16-20, 1998.

President Korenstein seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted. Mr. Kiriyama was absent.

Accounting and Disbursements Division No. 1 - Reports of Warrants Issued, Request to Reimburse Revolving Cash Fund, and Request to Reissue Stale Dated Warrant: Assigned to Consent Calendar

Budget Services and Financial Planning Division No. 1 - Budget Transfer - Resources for the Blue Ribbon Citizens' Oversight Committee Related to School Repair Bonds: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Business Services Division No. 1 - Agreements and Amendments, Personal/Professional Services Agreements, Personal/Professional Services Agreements Aggregating $50,000 and Over, Amendment to Professional Services Agreement, and Amendments to Personal Services Agreements Aggregating $50,000 and Over: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Facilities Services Division No. 1 - Award of Advertised and Unadvertised Contracts, and Rescission of Contracts: Assigned to Consent Calendar

Facilities Services Division No. 2 - Appointment of Architect - Van Nuys New ES No. 1: Assigned to Consent Calendar

Information Technology Division No.1 - Education Technology Grant: Assigned to Consent Calendar

Whereas, Neighborhood schools enhance kids' learning and increase parent participation in a school;

Whereas, Small schools and children centers personalize learning;

Whereas, Schools emphasizing green environments replete with plants and earth's treasures enrich the urban environment in which most of the District's students inhabit and study;

Whereas, Eco-Village is a neighborhood based organization committed to White House Place Primary Center and the surrounding neighborhood;

Whereas, Eco-Village is located in a historic site and the historic neighborhood of the Bimini Bath;

Whereas, The City of Los Angeles and the Community Redevelopment Agency along with the
Los Angeles Unified School District have invested substantial financial resources and efforts in the development of Eco-Village;

Whereas, Eco-Village currently involves and serves the White House Place students and the entire neighborhood by reducing crime and gang activity;

Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District, acting in the best interest of the children should seek to avoid the delay or a battle with the supporters of Eco-Village; and

Whereas, There are other options to be explored regarding the placement of two necessary bungalows;

Whereas, The Superintendent's staff, such as the Real Estate Division have met with the Community Redevelopment Agency and the City Council Office to develop alternative solutions for housing children at the White House Place Primary Center, as well as to explore the possibility of selling the four-plex property at 3551-3557 White House Place, to the City's Community Redevelopment Agency; and

Whereas, The Community Redevelopment Agency will continue to work with the Eco-Village community to ensure an on-going program for sustainable community education; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Superintendent and his staff prepare for the Board's review a plan with a specific timeline and a detailed chronology of previous negotiations to resolve the land, building and education uses of the area proximate to White House Place known as Eco-Village.

Mr. Tokofsky's motion calling for the establishment of an Inspector General was noticed November 3, 1997, and was assigned to the Audit Committee and the Business and Operations/Personnel Committee for action in January 1998:

Whereas, the Los Angeles Unified School District projects one billion six hundred million dollars ($1,600,000,000) annually in business, construction, and consulting contracts for the next 10 years, adding an additional approximate four hundred million dollars ($400,000,000) in voter-approved Proposition BB funds;

Whereas, such funds should be allocated in the most cost-effective basis that prevents tax dollar waste or abuse; and

Whereas, the District wishes to avoid even the appearance of lax controls over these new expenditures; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles establish the Office of Inspector General and appoint an Inspector General to a term of office of five years, which may be renewed once for a total of 10 years; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles convene a panel of at least three members of the Association of Inspectors General to screen and recommend candidates for the selection of an Inspector General; and be it

Resolved further, That the selection panel use the following criteria when making their selection: That the inspector general shall have verifiable experience in criminal investigations and prosecutions, the conducting of audits, public administration, conflict of interest and campaign finance laws, and any additional skill or knowledge necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of an inspector general; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles shall select the inspector general from the candidates recommended by the panel of Inspectors General; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles establish policies and procedures for the removal from his or her position as Inspector General if 1) a two-thirds majority of its members votes for the removal; or 2) if the Inspector General is found to have violated a state or federal law or regulation, local ordinance, or a policy or practice of the Board, relative to ethical practices, including, but not limited to, the acceptance of gifts or contributions; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles define the duties of the Inspector General as being responsible for auditing and investigating any and all matters regarding the operations, activities, construction, and expenditures of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles, district and Board staff, and District contractors and subcontractors. The authority of the Inspector General shall also include investigation of possible conflicts of interest, improper communications with Board Members on potential contracts before contract awards, or other ethical violations and be it

Resolved further, That the Inspector General shall have subpoena power as authorized by state and local codes or granted powers and the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles acknowledges that any investigatory file compiled by the inspector general is an investigatory file compiled by a law enforcement agency subject to disclosure pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 6254 of the Government Code; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles direct the Inspector General to establish procedures to require that a prequalification questionnaire be completed by each construction company, engineering firm, consultant, legal firm, product vendor, and any other business entity seeking to contract with the board for the furnishing of goods or services. The Board will establish polices and procedures to prohibit the District from entering into a contract or doing business with any firm that knowingly provides false information on the questionnaire. The questionnaire shall solicit information regarding the firm including, but not limited to the following subjects: (1) Experience; (2) Quality and timeliness of past performance; (3) Reliability and responsibility; (4) Compliance with wage, hours, and other fair; (5) Compliance with equal employment requirements; (6) Subcontractors used by the firm; (7) Integrity of the firm and its key personnel; (8) Gifts given, or contributions made, to members, alternate members, or employees of the Board; (9) Lawsuits filed against the firm and their dispositions; and be it

Resolved further, That the Inspector General shall, at a noticed public meeting of the Board of Education, report quarterly on the following: (a) School construction, design, and repair contracts, including expenditures on such projects for consultants, attorneys, developers, and construction firms; b) Expenditures of funds allocated by Proposition BB and any future bond measures approved by the voters for school construction, design, or repair; (c) Travel, meals, and refreshments, private club dues, membership fees and charges, and any other expenditures which are specified by the Board; (d) A report on savings or recommendations for savings; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles fund the Office of Inspector General using existing District resources, which may include redirecting funds which would otherwise be allocated to the Independent Analysis Unit or the recently established Special Audits Branch.

Whereas, Congress has passed Public Law 100-9 declaring the month of March to be designated "Women's History Month";

Whereas, Women of all dimensions of diversity: race, ethnicity, class, religion, sexual orientation, physical ability, have served the nation as early leaders in the forefront of every major progressive social change movement in the United States and worldwide;

Whereas, Women have been leaders, not only in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in the Abolitionist Movement, the Emancipation Movement, the Industrial Labor Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and other movements, which create a more fair and just society for all;

Whereas, Women have made and continue to make historic contributions in countless recorded and unrecorded ways; and

Whereas, Despite these contributions from women in all walks of life, the role of women in history up to and including the present, is often overlooked and frequently undervalued; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles urge all schools to join in the observance of March as National Women's History Month;

Resolved further, That all schools be encouraged to observe this month with special classroom activities, assemblies or other programs that honor women of the past, as well as contemporary women, including women in our families and communities; and be it

Resolved further, That all 3-12 grade students be encouraged to participate in the student essay project, designed to honor women and men who have made a significant contribution to the Women's Rights Movement.

Whereas, The history of the L.A. City Board of Education reveals that prior to 1976, the Board held regular meetings every Monday and Thursday; in the 1976-77 school year the Board reduced its regular meetings to once a week; and beginning in the 1991-92 school year to the present, the Board has held its regular meetings twice a month to do the Public's business;

Whereas, The fulfillment of the Board's duties requires informed decision making taking into account recommendations from the Superintendent, his staff and community members;

Whereas, The volume of District business requiring the Board Members' attention has increased necessitating substantially more preparation time and resulting in extended board meetings; and

Whereas, The Board has an interest in reducing any delays felt by schools because of several factors, including but not limited to the number of agenda items due to the passage of Prop. BB and class size reduction; now, therefore, be it

Resolved That, the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles make all necessary changes to the rules, policies and procedures of the District to allow the body to hold its regular meetings on the first, second, third and fourth Monday of each month at 2 p.m.;

Resolved That, the agenda items be limited to 26 a meeting, with the exception of items of urgency and placed on the agenda by the Board president or the Superintendent;

Resolved That, one Board of Education meeting per month be held in each Board district on a rotating basis; and be it

Resolved further That, the above resolutions be implemented on a 10 month trial basis and reviewed at that time before becoming permanent.

This motion was assigned to the Business and Operations/Personnel Committee which will be meeting on
January 15, 1998, at 10:00 a.m.

2:00 p.m., Regular Meeting, December 4, 1995
4:00 p.m., Special Meeting, March 14, 1996
3:00 p.m., Special Meeting, July 8, 1996
4:00 p.m., Special Meeting, July 28, 1997
9:30 a.m., Closed Session, November 24, 1997
9:30 a.m., Closed Session, December 1, 1997

Mrs. Boudreaux seconded the motion, which on roll call was adopted, 5 ayes, with Ms. Fields abstaining on the Minutes prior to July 1, 1997. Mr. Horton and Mr. Kiriyama were absent.

That the regular scheduled Board meetings of January through April 1998 be rescheduled from the first and third Mondays to the second and fourth Mondays.

Mrs. Boudreaux seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted. Mr. Horton and Mr. Kiriyama were absent.

Ms. Castro moved:

That a special Board meeting be called for 12 noon, Thursday, January 8, 1998, in Room H-160 (Board Room) to receive and take action on student expulsions.

Mrs. Boudreaux seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted.

Ms. Castro announced:

That the January 1, 1998, Facilities Committee meeting has been rescheduled to 10 a.m., Thursday, January 22, 1998.

Ms. Fields announced:

That the January 1, 1998, meeting of the School Safety and Campus Environment Committee has been rescheduled to 2 p.m., Thursday, January 22, 1998.

Mr. Tokofsky announced:

That the January 1, 1998, meeting of the Student Health and Human Services Committee has been canceled.

Ms. Fields noted that she was privileged to be invited to the opening of the Getty Center. She also expressed appreciation to all the people who attended this celebration especially members of our District.

Mr. Tokofsky congratulated Mr. Horton on his election to the Vice Presidency of the California School Boards Association. He mentioned that the Armenian National Committee of America held its annual meeting honoring Mayor Willie Brown and Mr. Walter Gravian. He also noted that he attended the potluck with parents at Garfield High School and thanked other schools that had put together various holiday celebrations with the participation of teachers, parents and students. He acknowledged Los Angeles Chief of Police Bernard Parks who came to Aragon Avenue Elementary School for their DARE graduation. He also thanked the community partners for responding to the District's textbook shortage. He congratulated the District Marching Bands who were named 1997 City Champions. This year, 32 schools participated in the competition and San Fernando, Los Angeles, North Hollywood, and Granada Hills bands were named first place winners in the competition.

APPROVED BY: __________________________

________________________________ _________________________________
JULIE KORENSTEIN JEFFERSON CRAIN
PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BOARD

jm