President Caprice Young called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m.

The following Members were present: Ms. Marlene Canter, Mr. José Huizar, Mr. Mike Lansing,
Mr. David Tokofsky, and President Caprice Young. Ms. Genethia Hudley Hayes arrived at
2:09 p.m. Ms. Julie Korenstein was absent the entire meeting.

Superintendent Roy Romer was present.

Student Members Andrew Dayao from Verdugo Hills High School, Andrea Gonzalez from Sylmar High School, and Povi Tamu-Bryant from the Downtown Business Magnet were present.

Mr. Huizar led the Pledge of Allegiance.

President Young introduced Jose Di Raimondo from North Hollywood High School, who would be sitting in on the Board Meeting.

President Young asked for a minute of silence in memory of Mr. Fred Rogers, host of the "Mr. Rogers" children's television program, who passed away on February 27, 2003, in honor of his contributions to children and education, especially preschool age children.

Student Member Povi Tamu-Bryant acknowledged efforts by the District, through Mr.William Crittendon, Administrator of School Operations and Safety, in facilitating the Associated Student Body Presidents' Meetings on a monthly basis. She indicated that these meetings offer students the opportunity to network with other student leaders and administrators. She commented that the students of the Downtown Business Magnet improved in their API scores this year and the school was determined to be the most improved in this area. She stated that staff has been assisting the Class of 2004, 2005 and 2006 in preparation for their Exit Exams. She also shared concerns regarding the overcrowding at her campus and inquired about the possibility of reopening the upper level during nutrition and lunch time.

Mr. Tokofsky referred back to a Board motion from last year, and mentioned that the Board will be receiving a report regarding the different possibilities for magnet schools such as seating and equity concerns across the local districts; and suggested that the Board follow up on obtaining that report.
President Young indicated that the report was due back to the Board in April, 2003.

Later in the meeting, Student Member Andrew Dayo reported on some of the achievements by the student body at Verdugo Hills High School. Some of the accomplishments include working with local elementary schools through weekly tutoring, hosting a holiday gift giving event at Pinewood Elementary, a literacy project on Dr. Seuss Day and sponsoring a community blood drive. He also shared his appreciation for the extra attention given to the upkeep of the restrooms, but expressed concern regarding the lack of hot water. He concluded by stating that Verdugo Hills High School is a smooth running campus thanks to the efforts by administration, staff and group organizations.

Board of Education Report No. 66 - 02/03 - Increase Adult Group Fees Under Civic Center Permit Program: Assigned to Regular Calendar.

Board of Education Report No. 68 - 02/03 - Agreements and Amendments: Assigned to Regular Calendar.

Board of Education Report No. 74 - 02/03 - Award of Advertised Construction Contracts; Approval of Change Orders; Award of Unadvertised Special Services, Unadvertised and Informal Facilities Contracts; Cancellation of Contracts, Rejection of Bids, and Approval of Agreements for Professional Services and Amendments to Agreement: Assigned to Regular Calendar.

Board of Education Report No. 77 - 02/03 - Delegation of Authority to Execute Agreements Relative to Acquisition of Property: Assigned to Regular Calendar.

Board of Education Report No. 78 - 02/03 - Renewal Lease for MTA Parking Lot: Assigned to Regular Calendar.

Board of Education Report No. 79 - 02/03 - Renewal Lease for Department of Transportation Parking Lots: Assigned to Regular Calendar.

Board of Education Report No. 86 - 02/03 - Agreement for Audit Services: Assigned to Consent Calendar.

Board of Education Report No. 87 - 02/03 - Bond Contracts Audit Services: Assigned to Regular Calendar.

Board of Education Report No. 88 - 02/03 - Supplemental Service Providers Contract: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Dr. Joseph Zeronian, Chief of Financial Officer responded to questions by Board Members.

By general consent, the report was adopted. Ms. Korenstein and Ms. Hayes were absent.

By general consent, the report was adopted. Ms. Hayes and Ms. Korenstein were absent.

Mr. Sam Yoshida, Director of Facilities Contracts, and Mr. Ron Bagel, Acting Director of Real Estate, responded to questions by Board Members.

By general consent, the report was adopted. Ms. Hayes and Ms. Korenstein were absent.

Mr. James McConnell, Chief Facilities Executive, responded to questions by Board Members.

Ms. Canter moved the following amendment:

Changing Section (ii) of the Recommendation to read: pertain to routine ministerial actions, relatively minor transaction, or non substantive matters where no single instrument involves an expenditure of more than $250,000.

Mr. Tokofsky seconded the amendment, which by general consent was adopted. Ms. Korenstein was absent.

After discussion, Ms. Canter further amended the report as follows:

Changing the last sentence in the Recommendation to read: Any instrument executed pursuant to this delegation that requires expenditure in excess of $15,000 must be approved or ratified by the Board pursuant to Education Code Section 17604.

Ms. Hayes seconded the amendment, which by general consent was adopted. Ms. Korenstein was absent.

By general consent, the report as amended was adopted. Ms. Korenstein was absent.

Mr. Richard Sheehan, Special Counsel to the Board, responded to questions by Board Members.

Roll call was held open pending the return of Board Members.

By general consent, the report was adopted 4 ayes. Ms. Korenstein, Mr. Lansing and Mr. Tokofsky were absent.

Ms. Margaret A. Klee, Chief Information Officer, and Mr. Harold Kwalwasser, General Counsel, responded to questions by Board Members.

On roll call, the report was adopted 6 ayes with Mr. Tokofsky voting no on Agreement No. 0300748.

Ms. Korenstein was absent.

Dr. Zeronian made a brief presentation regarding the report and indicated the District has a positive ending balance for the current fiscal year. The forecasted ending balance is $388 million and includes the assumption that mid-year reductions will be approved by the Board.

After discussion and on roll call, the report was adopted, 4 ayes, 2 noes, Mr. Huizar and Mr. Tokofsky. Ms. Korenstein was absent.

Whereas, The Governor's budget proposal for fiscal year 2003-04 recommends a realignment of child development funding;

Whereas, The California Department of Education has administered the funding for child development programs since their inception in 1943;

Whereas, If child development funding is transferred to counties the approximately $89.3 million of anticipated District funding would be transferred from the California Department of Education to

Whereas, The proposed child development funding realignment will compromise quality child care and development and may result in the loss of care for 153,000 children in the District;

Whereas, The proposed funding realignment would undermine school readiness efforts and linkages between early education and California's educational system (K-12);

Whereas, Eighteen organizations including the California Association for the Education of Young Children, the California Head Start Association, Children Now and the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund oppose the realignment of child development funding; and

Whereas, The City of Los Angeles Board of Education strongly believes that the Governor's proposed budget must consider children's needs first and hold children and families harmless so that they can continue to have access to quality early care and education; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles believes in the current statewide early care and educational development system administered by the California Department of Education that delivers optimal school readiness for California's neediest children; and

Resolved further, that the Board opposes the Governor's Proposal for Fiscal Year 2003-04 on Child Care Funding Realignment; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board instructs its State Legislative program to advocate against the Governor's proposal for the child development funding realignment, and to promptly send copies of this resolution to all California State Legislators.

Selma Williams

Sheryl Johnson-Jones representing United Teachers Los Angeles

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 81 - 02/03 - Accelerated High School Charter Petition: Assigned to Consent Calendar

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 82 - 02/03 - Imagine Academy Charter Petition: Assigned to Consent Calendar

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 83 - 02/03 - Culture and Language Academy of Success Charter Petition: Assigned to Consent Calendar

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 84 - 02/03 - Was withdrawn prior to the meeting.

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 85 - 02/03 - High Tech Charter Petition: Assigned to Consent Calendar

Mr. Jefferson Crain, Executive Officer of the Board, announced:

The Board is in receipt of the Accelerated Elementary, Accelerated High, Imagine Academy, Culture and Language Academy of Success, and the High Tech High Schools Charter Petitions. This constitutes public hearings for the charters, and those individuals who wish to address the Board on these items will be heard. Anyone who wishes to speak to these communications should go to the recording booth and fill out a speaker's card. Those individuals will be heard after the speakers already on the list.

The following speakers addressed the Board on Board Report No. 80 - Accelerated Elementary School Charter Petition:

Ms. Erika Juarez

Mr. Jonathan Williams

The following speakers addressed the Board on Board Report No. 81 - Accelerated High School Charter Petition:

Mr. Michael Toomer

Mr. Kevin Sved

The following speakers addressed the Board on Board Report No. 82 - Imagine Academy Charter Petition:

Ms. Carole-Ann Scott

Ms. Susan Bryan

Ms. Natasha Hayes

Ms. Concepcion Trejo

The following speakers addressed the Board on Board Report No. 83 - Culture and Language Academy of Success Charter Petition:

Ms. Janice Bucknor

Mr. Anthony Jackson

Mr. Daniel Russell

Ms. Toni Lawshea

Dr. Sharroky Hollie

The following speakers addressed the Board on Board Report No. 85 - High Tech Charter Petition:

Ms. Roberta Weintraub

Ms. Marsha Rybin

Dr. Doris Lasiter, Principal of Birmingham High School

Mr. Richard Berliner

President Young stated:

The Board will take final action to either approve or deny the charter petition requests at the Regular Board meeting on March 25, 2003. Should the charter requests be denied, the petitioners may submit the petitions directly to the Los Angeles County Office of Education or directly to the State for action.

Later in the meeting Mr. Howard Watts addressed the Board on the Dedication of Easements and other items.

Ms. Young read:

Reference is made to Board of Education Report Nos. 44 through 48, dated February 25, 2003, wherein the Board adopted resolutions of intention to dedicate, without consideration, a portion of Middleton Primary Center to the City of Huntington Park and portions of Monroe Elementary School No. 2, Manual Arts Primary Center No. 2, Ramona Elementary School and Commonwealth Elementary School Addition to the City of Los Angeles for public street purposes.

The Board has fixed this meeting as the time and place for the public hearings upon the question of such dedications.

An opportunity is now given to anyone present to file with the Board petitions protesting the proposed dedications, signed by at least ten percent of the qualified electors of the District as shown by the affidavit of one of the petitioners.

No petitions being filed, a motion is now in order to adopt the resolutions and to direct the President and the Deputy Director of Real Estate to sign on behalf of the Board the deeds dedicating said properties.

Ms. Hayes moved:

That the Board of Education of the Los Angeles Unified School District of Los Angeles County, in pursuance of the provisions of Sections 17556 through 17561, inclusive of the Education Code of the State of California, does hereby declare its intention to dedicate rights of way for street purposes to the Cities of Los Angeles and Huntington Park, a municipal corporation, (hereinafter called Grantee"),
all that certain real property situated in the Cities of Los Angeles and Huntington Park, State of California, legally described as follows:

For legal description see Exhibit "A" attached hereto and by this reference made a part of this instrument.

Such dedications are proposed to be made by Grant of Easement and Right of Way for public street purposes, without consideration, under the following conditions:

In the event Grantee ceases to use said real property for the purpose described herein, then all right of grantee herein shall cease and the above-described property shall revert to Grantor free and clear of the easement or estate hereby granted, and Grantor may reenter and retake full possession of said premises; it being an essential part of the consideration hereof that use by Grantee of said premises for the purpose described herein is a condition for the continuing of Grantee's easement or estate hereunder.

Grantee shall be responsible for damage caused intentionally or by any negligent act or omission of Grantee, its agent or employees while exercising the rights granted herein;

And that the President of the Board of Education and the Director of Real Estate be authorized to sign the Deed on behalf of the Board, dedicating said property to the Cities of Los Angeles and Huntington Park upon the terms and conditions set forth in the resolution adopted on March 11, 2003.

Ms. Canter seconded the motion.

Roll call was held open pending the return of Board Members.

Later in the meeting and on roll call the motion was adopted 5 ayes. Ms. Korenstein and Mr. Lansing
were absent.

Staff responded to questions by Board Members.

By general consent the reports were adopted. Ms. Korenstein and Mr. Lansing were absent.

It is recommended that the Board of Education deny the Algenard School for Design and Technology Charter Petition.

The following speakers addressed the Board on the Report:

Ms. Sharon Williams-Tobin

Mr. Floyd A. Tobin

Mr. Kevin Youngblood

Mr. Stacy Boyd

Ms. Cheryl Watson

Ms. Patricia Tobin

Mr. Huizar moved that the report be adopted as amended. Ms. Canter seconded the motion.

Dr. Grace Arnold, Director of Charter Schools Unit, Mr. Merle Price, Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services, and Superintendent Romer briefed the Board on the reasons for changing their recommendation from approve to deny.

Dr. Arnold, responded to questions by Board Members regarding the current process used by the District and commented on possible changes for the future.

After discussion and by general consent, the report as amended was adopted. Ms. Korenstein,
Mr. Lansing and Mr. Tokofsky were absent.

Mr. Gary Atkins, regarding Case No. 262-02/03.

Ms. Madeline Atkins, regarding Case No. 262-02/03

Mr. Hector Madrigal, Administrator, Pupil Services, addressed the Board regarding the student's placement stating that the student would be allowed to stay in the District Community Day School.

Ms. Hayes moved that the report be adopted. Mr. Huizar seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted. Ms. Korenstein, Mr. Lansing and Mr. Tokofsky were absent.

Ms. Lisa Rodriguez

Ms. Lorena Jaramillo

Mr. Jim Hake

Mr. Andy Griggs

Ms. Kameale Terry

Ms. Lovedy Brydon

Ms. Susan Nelson

Mr. Tim Carmichael representing Clean Air Coalition

Mr. John Quigly

Ms. Hayes moved:

Whereas, The United States government's proposed preemptive strike against Iraq represents an act of unilateralism that threatens to have serious implications for national, state and local economies;

Whereas, Over 80% of the Los Angeles Unified School District's students are students of color and/or high poverty students whose families disproportionately depend upon the social, health and welfare services that come from federal funding for education, anti-poverty programs, workforce assistance, affordable housing and transportation;

Whereas, People of color are disproportionately represented in the military (according to the Department of Defense African Americans represent 20% of the armed forces, while they are only 11% of the national population) and hence working class communities of color will be heavily impacted by a potential war;

Whereas, Unilateral action against Iraq, in circumvention of the United Nations Security Council, would represent an act of imperialism and would seriously undermine the United States' professed role as a force for democracy within the global community;

Whereas, Unilateral action against Iraq would potentially claim the lives of scores of innocent Iraqi civilians as well as those of American troops;

Whereas, The United States government has not provided the American public and the international community with conclusive and compelling evidence of the need for war against Iraq;

Whereas, The United Nations weapons inspectors should be allowed to continue to exercise due diligence in their thorough investigation of the existence of chemical, nuclear and biological weapons in Iraq, and every possible diplomatic avenue should be exhausted before resorting to a costly and protracted war;

Whereas, massive global protests against the prospective war have provided profound and compelling testimony to much of the international community's belief that the right of international law, as adjudicated through the United Nations Security Council, should be respected, and that peace and diplomacy should prevail over the rush to war; and

Resolved, That the Los Angeles Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles support education, public information and community organizing on the potential risks of a preemptive strike against Iraq as well as the continued diplomatic efforts of the United Nations Security Council toward a peaceful resolution to the conflict with Iraq; now be it

Resolved, further, That the Los Angeles Board of Education supports the Los Angeles City Council's February 21st anti-war resolution decrying the potential impact of a military action against Iraq upon the local economy and the welfare of the people of Los Angeles.

After discussion, and on roll call, the motion failed, 2 ayes, 2 noes, Ms. Canter, Ms. Young, 1 abstention, Mr. Lansing. Ms. Korenstein and Mr. Tokofsky were absent.

Resolved, that the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles encourages balanced, open education and debate in our schools regarding the appropriate role of the United States in global security and supports the students in their peaceful, legal freedom of expression.

Ms. Canter seconded the motion.

After discussion, and on roll call, the substitute motion was adopted, 4 ayes, 1 no, Ms. Hayes.
Ms. Korenstein and Mr. Tokofsky were absent.

Whereas, Physical and emotional well-being is a critical precursor to optimal learning;

Whereas, Primary care, health education and preventive measures provided by school-based and school-linked health centers can promote such well-being;

Whereas, a growing number of underserved students do not have access to medical, dental and psychological care, and as a result, may not get needed services;

Whereas, In 2003, the Los Angeles Unified School District has over 60 school-based and school linked health care partnerships delivering comprehensive medical, dental, mental health, vision, and health education services at, or linked, to schools;

Whereas, Students served by school-based and school-linked health centers show improved rates of school attendance, improved scores on standardized tests, less absenteeism due to illness, increased immunization rates, and generally feel safer and more supported while attending school;

Whereas, Schools that are served by school-based and school-linked health centers have student populations with lower rates of substance abuse problems, lower instances of school violence, and fewer teen pregnancies and cases of sexually transmitted diseases;

Whereas, Families that are provided services by school-based and school-linked health centers in their community utilize emergency room care less frequently and have lower work absenteeism because of the on-site health services readily available to their children; and

Whereas, The District has adopted substantive policies for its schools that address the importance of coordinated efforts that facilitate child and adolescent well-being, including safe schools, family involvement, active health promotion, and creative learning environments; now therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles promote the use of robust partnerships between the District, schools and community providers to enhance the availability of needed health services; and

Resolved further, That the Board encourage that all funding options for school-based health and school-linked health centers be explored, including federal, state, local, and private resources; and be it finally

Mr. Tokofsky and Ms. Young's motion regarding Gifted Education (Noticed February 25, 2003) was assigned to the Curriculum and Instruction Committee for discussion.

Whereas, The District's Gifted and Talented Education Programs are excellent opportunities for students with the highest potentials and abilities to develop to their full capacity by providing enriching and challenging learning experiences; and

Whereas, Identification of gifted students in the District may be inequitable across ethnic and socio economic groups, with the District less likely to identify minority and low socio-economic status students as gifted than other groups of students; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles direct the Superintendent to authorize staff to examine possible inequities in identification of gifted students and present a plan to identify and serve gifted students, and remedy existing inequities.

Resolved, That the Board of Education direct the Executive Officer of the Board to amend Board
Rule 72 to read:

Board Members wishing to present a motion or resolution for action by the Board of Education shall announce the subject matter of the intended motion or resolution at least two meetings before the Board meeting at which the motion or resolution will be presented for action. Prior to Board action, the President shall assign such motions and resolutions to the appropriate Standing Committee for consideration of their programmatic and financial effects. Draft language of the proposed motion or resolution shall be presented at least one meeting prior to the meeting at which action is to be taken.

The President may direct that the Standing Committee sit as an Augmented Committee for purposes of consideration of the motion. In such event, consideration of the motion shall take precedence on the Committee's agenda, and the provisions of Board Rule 144 shall apply to the Committee meeting.

All Board Members' motions shall be submitted to the Board Secretariat and referred to the appropriate committee by the President of the Board. The committee chair shall agendize the item for consideration at the next committee meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Board Member may request that an item be agendized for a full Board Meeting, in which case, draft

Whereas, The Cinco de Mayo holiday is an important day for persons of Mexican ancestry and is celebrated annually by people of all cultures on the fifth of May;

Whereas, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla, a victory of the Mexican armed forces over the invading French army in 1862, an important milestone in Mexico's struggle to retain its sovereignty;

Whereas, Cinco de Mayo is a day when all Latinos honor their spirit of self-determination, dignity, and respect for cultural heritage;

Whereas, Mexican American and Latino communities suffer disproportionately from the negative effects of alcohol use and abuse, high rates of alcohol-related diseases and death, an inordinate number of traffic fatalities and alcohol-related driving violations and many types of alcohol-involved violence;

Whereas, Alcohol and tobacco free Cinco de Mayo celebrations elevate the cultural level of Latino communities and promote healthy lifestyles and not festivities organized to sell more beer and alcoholic beverages;

Whereas, The District pursues policies to protect health and to prevent alcohol and tobacco consumption by its students; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles endorses and adopts the "Cinco de Mayo Con Orgullo" campaign of Latinos and Latinas for Health Justice and directs the Superintendent to encourage all of Los Angeles School District schools to commemorate Cinco de Mayo and to utilize the materials, resources, and assistance of Latinos and Latinas for Health Justice in order to educate students about the holiday and to encourage the commemoration of alcohol and tobacco free Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Resolved, That the Board of Education direct the Executive Officer of the Board to amend the Rules for the Operation of the Board of Education such that:

2.All matters receiving a committee recommendation for approval by unanimous vote of all assigned committee members may be forwarded to the Consent Calendar of the next regularly scheduled board meeting.

Whereas, In 1999, the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System estimated that 826,000 children nationwide were victims of maltreatment and most experts believe that the actual incidents of abuse and neglect are more numerous than statistics indicate;

Whereas, The abuse and neglect of children results in countless health, societal and community problems, including poor academic performance, soaring school drop out rates, violent crime statistics, and substance abuse;

Whereas, Schools, parent education programs, community centers, respite care services and other preventive programs help to protect children by addressing circumstances that place families at risk for child abuse and neglect;

Whereas, The Children's Bureau reports that professionals, including teachers, law enforcement officers and social service workers, made 56% of the screened-in reports nationwide; and

Whereas, The mission of educating children includes a responsibility to promote the health and welfare of children; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City Los Angeles hereby declares April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and directs the Superintendent to encourage all District staff to support activities which promote education and awareness on the prevention of child abuse in the month of April and throughout the year.

9:30 a.m., Closed Session, February 25, 2003
1:00 p.m., Regular Board, February 11, 2003

Ms. Canter seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted. Ms. Hayes, Ms. Korenstein and Mr. Tokofsky were absent.

Ms. Rita Suarez Student Needs

Mr. Lincoln Bell Hate Crime/Discipline

Ms. Susan Nelson East Los Angeles High School No. 1

Ms. Berta Orrostieta Public Comment

Ms. Lucia Perez Calendar

Ms. Rosa Lopez Calendar

Mr. Randy Stoller Restrictions in my Position with Los Angeles Unified School District

Ms. Ruth Sarnoff Environmental Issues

Mr. Sam Reeves Property at 1300 W. 3rd Street

Ms. Olga Hall Title I

Mr. Oscar Almaguer Public Comment

Ms. Hayes nominated Ms. Canter for the position. Mr. Lansing seconded the nomination. With no other nominations, Ms. Hayes moved to close nominations and appoint Ms. Canter. Mr. Lansing seconded the motion which was approved by general consent. Ms. Korenstein and Mr. Tokofsky were absent.

APPROVED BY BOARD: April 22, 2003

______________________________________ ______________________________________
CAPRICE YOUNG JEFFERSON CRAIN
PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BOARD
iu