President Caprice Young called the meeting to order at 3:22 p.m.

The following Members were present: Ms. Marlene Canter, Ms. Genethia Hudley Hayes, Mr. José Huizar, Ms. Julie Korenstein, Mr. David Tokofsky and President Caprice Young. Mr. Mike Lansing arrived at 3:50 p.m.

Student Members Andrew Davis from Valley Alternative High School, Catherine Obedoza from Van Nuys High School, and Nataly Tortola from Reseda High School were present.

Superintendent Roy Romer was present.

Vice President Huizar led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Principal Barbara Wright provided a brief background on the school, which serves students in grades
Pre-K through 1st grade and promotes the "Literacy for Learning" Program.

Student Member Catherine Obedoza of Van Nuys High School shared concerns that due to overcrowding, her school had been placed on a multitrack year-round schedule forcing neighborhood students to travel to other school. She noted that since the Math/Science, Medical and Performing Arts Magnets are housed on the school site, there has been an increase in enrollment; which has meant that campus maintenance has to be performed during the school day thereby causing some disruption of classroom activities. She reported that last year over 435 students took more than 900 Advanced Placement tests for a pass rate of 75.6 percent; performed significantly better on the national average of the Scholastic Aptitude Test; fifteen students earned National Merit Scholarship Awards; and her school was a recipient of a digital grant where each classroom was provided with 3 to 4 computers.

Student Member Nataly Tortola of Reseda High School reported on concerns that students are unable to communicate with teachers; that focus needs to be placed on improving Stanford 9 test scores. She announced that the Academic Decathlon Team earned an award for being the most improved school and placed 17 out of 51 schools in the State competition. She noted the success of the basketball and chess teams.

Ms. Dolores Sanchez, representing Senator Gloria Romero, addressed the Board on the motion.

Ms. Korenstein moved:

Whereas, Negotiations between bus drivers serving the Los Angeles Unified School District and their employer Laidlaw have been at an impasse since February 2002;

Whereas, The bus drivers' recent walk-out is adversely effecting the education and enrichment of many of the Los Angeles Unified School District's 730,000 students by causing them to arrive late and/or miss general education classes, special education classes, assessment, testing and sporting events;

Whereas, It is, therefore, in the interest of our students and their right to education that this dispute be resolved as soon as possible;

Whereas, Many of the bus drivers in question are the parents of District school children and have the right to earn a living wage that will allow them to meet their basic obligation to their families to provide food, clothing and shelter during these economically challenging times; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles encourages the two parties in this dispute to come to an amicable and expedient resolution of this impasse so as to enable our students to resume, without further hindrance, the important work of participating fully in their education, and that the Board Secretariat transmit this motion to the parties involved.

After discussion, Ms. Canter moved to amend the "Resolve" as follows:

...parties in this dispute to accept the mediator's proposal a binding arbitration in an effort to come to an amicable ..."

Ms. Canter moved to delete all the paragraphs of the motion with the exception of the last paragraph.
Mr. Lansing seconded the motion. Following discussion, the maker and seconder withdrew the amendment.

Ms. Canter moved to delete the word "wage" in the fourth paragraph. Ms.Korenstein and Mr. Huizar accepted Ms. Canter's motion as a friendly amendment.

On roll call, the motion as amended was adopted, 6 ayes, 1 no, Ms. Hayes.

The motion as adopted reads as follows:

Whereas, Negotiations between bus drivers serving the Los Angeles Unified School District and their employer Laidlaw have been at an impasse since February 2002;

Whereas, The bus drivers' recent walk-out is adversely effecting the education and enrichment of many of the Los Angeles Unified School District's 730,000 students by causing them to arrive late and/or miss general education classes, special education classes, assessment, testing and sporting events;

Whereas, It is, therefore, in the interest of our students and their right to education that this dispute be resolved as soon as possible;

Whereas, Many of the bus drivers in question are the parents of District school children and have the right to earn a living that will allow them to meet their basic obligation to their families to provide food, clothing and shelter during these economically challenging times; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles encourages the two parties in this dispute to come to an amicable and expedient resolution of this impasse so as to enable our students to resume, without further hindrance, the important work of participating fully in their education, and that the Board Secretariat transmit this motion to the parties involved.

Mr. Howard O. Watts who also spoke to other subjects

Ms. Sandra McNeill

Ms. Cecilia Nunez

Ms. Saundra Bryant

Mr. Lansing moved the adoption of the following reports designated as Consent Calendar items in accordance with Board Rule 61 with an amendment to Facilities Committee Report No. 1 to postpone action on Section (6) until May 14 and Section (12) until April 23:

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 1
FACILITIES COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 1

Mr. Huizar seconded the motion.

Ms. Canter moved to postpone action on Section Nos. 3, 9, and 11 in Facilities Committee Report No. 1 until 6 p.m. Mr. Tokofsky seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted.

Later in the meeting and by general consent, the Consent Calendar as amended was adopted.

President Young announced:

The Board of Education is receiving today the Chanda Smith Consent Decree Implementation Plan
No. 18, Elimination of Hostile Environments.

Parents of students with disabilities will receive notice within the next few days about the April 23 Board meeting at which time they can give public comment regarding this plan. If anyone is unable to attend or speak at the meeting, they can mail their comments to the Board of Education or e-mail to the Board of Education. A copy of the plan will be available on the District website, at each Local District Office, or by calling (213) 625-4035. The Board will take action on the plan at the April 23 meeting.

Following discussion and response by staff and by general consent, the report was adopted. Mr. Huizar was absent.

Later in the meeting, Mr. Huizar recorded an aye vote on the report.

Following staff responses to questions by Board Member and on roll call, the report was adopted 4 ayes, 1 abstention, Ms. Korenstein. Mr. Huizar and Mr. Lansing were absent.

Later in the meeting, Mr. Huizar recorded an aye vote on the report. The final vote was 5 ayes,
1 abstention, Ms. Korenstein. Mr. Lansing was absent.

Ms. Jan Marquard representing Budget cuts for School Based Health Centers
Northeast Valley Health Corporation

With the consent of the Board the following individuals were given the opportunity to share
Ms. Marquard's time;

Dion, student from Los Angeles High School

Rudy Perez from San Fernando High School

Arizona Olmos from Hollywood High School

Maria Garcia from San Fernando High School

Ms. Ruth Garcia

Ms. Malinda Condi, Teacher from Hollywood High School

Ms. Blanca Torres

Mr. Harold Soohoo, Counselor from San Fernando High School

Ms. Tu Lynn Smylie Budget Cuts for School Based Health Centers

Ms. Olga Hall School Concerns

Ms. Leticia Rodriguez African American Learners Initiative

Mr. Michael Saulenas Asbestos

Ms. Giselle Szemeredia Counseling Issues

Ms. Bennie Poole Budget Cuts

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles authorize the Office of the Inspector General to investigate all Los Angeles Unified School District expenditures since the passing of Proposition 227 concerning C-Bet funds; and be it

Resolved further, That the Superintendent or his designee present to the Board on or before

May 1, 2002, a comprehensive report of all adult English as a Second Language (ESL) programs in

Resolved further, That the Superintendent or his designee evaluate the effectiveness and thoroughness of these adult ESL programs with particular regard to the current use and future potential of computer assisted instruction; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board authorize the Superintendent to initiate and complete an RFP process by

June 15, 2002, to fulfill areas of need within the District adult ESL instruction programs with particular emphasis on the incorporation of computer assisted instruction.

That the funding source for Item II, Paradigm HealthCare Services, Inc., be changed from 003/1859 to 003/1559, and that the report as amended be adopted.

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

Later in the meeting, Ms.Korenstein and Ms. Young recorded aye votes on the report.

Later in the meeting, Ms. Young recorded an aye vote on the report.

Following discussion, Mr. Huizar moved the following amendment, which was accepted as a friendly amendment by the maker and seconder:

That staff report on steps and timeline to prepare students to successfully pass exit exams.

On roll call, the report as amended was adopted 6 ayes, with the exception of Item No. 5 on which
Ms. Korenstein voted no. Ms. Canter was absent.

Later in the meeting, Ms. Canter recorded an aye vote on the report. The final vote was unanimous, with the exception noted.

Later in the meeting, Ms. Canter recorded an aye vote on the report.

Following discussion, Mr. Tokofsky moved the following amendment:

That a differentiated rate be used to determine Title 1 funding for schools, so that schools with a free/reduced lunch rate of 65 percent or higher will receive approximately $100 more per student than schools with a free/reduced lunch rate between 40 percent and 65 percent

Dr. Ted Alexander, Associate Superintendent, Specially Funded and Parent/Community Programs, clarified that this motion changes the Superintendent's recommendation so that it applies to all schools with a free/reduced lunch rate of 40 percent or greater.

Ms. Hayes seconded the motion, which on roll call was amended, 4 ayes, 3 noes, Ms. Canter,
Ms. Korenstein and Mr. Lansing.

Ms. Korenstein moved to reduce the differentiated rate in Mr. Tokofsky's amendment to $50.
Mr. Lansing seconded the motion, which on roll call was adopted 4 ayes, 3 noes, Ms. Hayes, Mr. Huizar, Mr. Tokofsky.

After discussion and on roll call, the report as amended was adopted.

Whereas, The fourth Tuesday of April was declared by the State Legislature as School Bus Drivers's Day, and these drivers are deserving of special public recognition and the highest commendations;

Whereas, The safety of our children rests in the hands of trained school bus drivers every school day;

Whereas, Personal time and energy are expended by school bus drivers in their initial training, maintaining a current license, perfecting their driving skills, and occurring added knowledge of school bus laws through continuing education classes;

Whereas School bus drivers, through behavior modification techniques, are sometimes asked to assist the students in appropriate interactive peer and adult behavior;

Whereas, School bus drivers often face natural and unexpected hazards in the performance of their duties;

Whereas, School bus drivers consistently demonstrate an awareness of, and direct attention to, the mechanical maintenance of the school bus and safety conditions of the school bus routes; and

Whereas, Many school bus drivers perform their services for thousands and thousands of accident free miles, year after year,; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles proclaim, Tuesday, April 23, 2002,

Ms. Hayes moved a waiver of Board Rule 72 to consider the following motion in Support of Senate Bill 1731 which requires high schools to enroll every student in College Preparatory Coursework (A-G Curriculum). Mr. Huizar seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted.

Ms. Hayes moved:

Whereas, All of Los Angeles Unified School District's graduating seniors must be ready and prepared for postsecondary education, training and the workforce;

Whereas, A high-rigor college readiness curriculum expands students' educational and vocational opportunities and increases students' likelihood of success in either or both of these areas;

Whereas, In California today, only 35% of our students graduate from high school having successfully completed the curriculum necessary to even apply to the University of California/California State University systems (the A-G curriculum);

Whereas, The gap in completion of the A-G curriculum between groups of color in California is

severe -- only 25% of African American and only 22% of Latino graduating seniors have successfully met the A-G requirements, meaning that the remaining 75% of African Americans and 78% of Latinos are not eligible to even apply to UC/CSU;

Whereas, The comparable figures for the District are equally stark, as only 39% of all District students, only 36% of African American District students and only 32% of Latino District students successfully complete the A-G curriculum;

Whereas, Among those admitted to postsecondary educational institutions, many students are still ill prepared, with 46% of CSU and 36% of UC incoming freshmen required to complete remediation; and

Whereas, a high-rigor college readiness curriculum has been shown to close achievement gaps and lead to higher achievement scores, lower high school drop out rates, higher college-going rates, higher levels of postsecondary academic success, and higher postsecondary education persistence and completion rates; now, therefore, be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education supports the passage of Senate Bill 1731 which requires high schools to enroll every student in college preparatory coursework (the A-G curriculum) unless, after they are made aware of all their choices, they "opt out" of the rigorous curriculum with their parent and school's consent.

Ms. Korenstein moved the following amendment:

That the Board of Education support legislation that includes career technology education in A-G requirements.

Mr. Lansing seconded the motion. Following discussion, the maker and the seconder withdrew the amendment.

By general consent, the motion was adopted.

Office of the Superintendent No. 3 - Approval to Implement Phase 1 and the Short Term Improvement Plan as Part of the Integrated Student Information Systems Project: Assigned to Regular Calendar

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

Budget Services and Financial Planning Division no. 1 - Emergency Closure of Gardena Adult School on February 6, 2002; Attendance Allowance Due to Emergency; Payment of Employees: Assigned to Consent Calendar

Business Services Division No. 1 - Amendments to Agreements for Professional Services, Agreements for professional Services Aggregating Over $500,000, Amendment to Agreement for Professional Services Aggregating over $500,000, Donations of Materiel and Money: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Facilities Services Division No. 1 - Award of Advertised Construction Contracts, Approval of Change Orders, Completion of Contracts, Award of Unadvertised Special Facilities Services Contracts, and Unadvertised and Information Facilities Contracts: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Instructional Services Division No. 1 - Closing of Newcomer Center at Bellagio Road School: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Instructional Services Division No. 2 - State Waiver Request for Economic Impact Aid (EIA) Funding Flexibility: Assigned to Regular Calendar

President Young announced:

The Board is in receipt of Instructional Services Division No. 2, State Waiver Request for Economic Impact Aid (EIA) Funding Flexibility. A public hearing will be held at the Regular Board Meeting of April 23, 2002, in Room H-160 (Board Room). Those persons who wish to address the Board regarding this item should call Area Code (213) 625-6273 or (818) 997-2300, ext. 6273, prior to

School Management Services No. 1 - Establishment of a New Primary Center‹Belmont/Hollywood Primary Center No. 3: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Facilities Services Division No. 3 - Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for East Valley Area New High School No. 3 and East
Valley Area New Continuation High School No. 1 (Southwest Corner of Van Nuys Boulevard and Lanark Street): Assigned to Regular Calendar on April 25, 2002

Facilities Services Division No. 4 - Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for Wilson New Elementary School No. 1 (off Oakland Street near Southwest Corner of Huntington Drive South and Lifur Avenue): Assigned to Regular Calendar on April 25, 2002

Facilities Services Division No. 5 - Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for Alexandria New Elementary School No. 1 (Northwest Corner of Beverly Boulevard and Harvard Boulevard): Assigned to Regular Calendar on April 25, 2002

Facilities Services Division No. 6 - Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Fund to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for Washington New Primary Center No. 1 (Southeast Corner of South Vermont Avenue and 112th Street): Assigned to Regular Calendar on April 25, 2002

Facilities Services Division No. 7 - Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for Manual Arts New Primary Center No. 2 (West of Vermont Avenue Between 46th and 47th Street): Assigned to Regular Calendar on April 25, 2002

Facilities Services Division No. 8 - Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for Jefferson New Primary Center No. 6 (West Side of Maple Avenue Between 36th Street and 36th Place): A Assigned to Regular Calendar on April 25, 2002

Facilities Services Division No 9 - Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for Maywood New Elementary School No. 5 (East of Cudahy Avenue Between 52nd and 53rd Streets, City of Maywood): Assigned to Regular Calendar on
April 25, 2002

Facilities Services Division and Office of Environmental Health and Safety No. 2 - Approval of Project and Approval of Project and Approval of Mitigated Negative Declaration for Fletcher Elementary School Addition (Fletcher Drive and Estara Avenue): Assigned to Consent Calendar

Facilities Services Division and Office of Environmental Health and Safety No. 3 - Approval of Project and Approval of Project and Approval of Environmental Impact Report for Central Los Angeles Area New Middle School No. 4 (Thirty-Fifth Street and Broadway): Assigned to Consent Calendar

Facilities Services Division and Office of Environmental Health and Safety No. 4 - Approval of Project and Approval of Environmental Impact Report for East Valley Area New High School No. 1B (Vineland Avenue and Cumpston Street (Noho Project): Assigned to Consent Calendar

Facilities Services Division and Office of Environmental Health and Safety No. 5 - Approval of Project and Approval of Mitigated Negative Declaration for Noble New Elementary School No. 1 (Kester Avenue Between Parthenia Street and Chase Street): Assigned to Consent Calendar

9:30 a.m., Closed Session, February 26, 2002

Ms. Hayes seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted.

Before action is taken on the Report of Correspondence regarding correspondence from Delaine Eastin, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, concerning receipt of a notification of non-compliance, Compliance Investigation Case No. S-0487-01/02, a public hearing must be held.

This constitutes a public hearing and those individuals who wish to address the Board on this item will be heard. Speakers should go to the recording booth at the back of the Board Room and fill out a card. Those individuals will be heard after any speakers already on the list.

Ms. Canter moved that the recommended disposition of all items of correspondence as indicted in the report be approved. Mr. Lansing seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted.

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

There will be a public hearing on April 23, 2002, for the Morgan Hart class size reduction waiver, which will be acted upon at the next Regular Board Meeting.

There will also be a public hearing on April 23, 2002, on Board of Education Report No. 8, Request for Waiver of State Education Code for Senior Management Positions (for up to 24 additional classified positions).

There will be a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, April 11, at 9:30 a.m., regarding eminent domain, in Room H-160 (Board Room).

Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District realizes that interscholastic athletic competition

Whereas, The highest potential of sports is achieved when all participants are committed to pursuing the six core principles of Pursuing Victory with Honor: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Good Citizenship;

Whereas, The Pursuing Victory with Honor philosophy contributes to the safety and well being of all student-athletes;

Whereas, the District is a member of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF);

Whereas, the CIF believes that the impact of sports can and should enhance the character and uplift the ethics of our students;

Whereas, Together the CIF and its member schools can make an even bigger impact and can change the very nature of high school athletics by restoring the purpose and intent of educational athletics;

Whereas, The District, the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles, the administrators, the athletic directors and coaches desire to adopt teach, enforce, advocate, and model the principles of Pursuing Victory with Honor;

Whereas, Board members, superintendents, principals, athletic directors, coaches, parents and students must maintain ultimate responsibility for the quality and integrity of our athletic program and ensure that character development academic, social, emotional, physical and ethical well-being of students is always placed above the desires and pressure to win; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles adopt the principles of Pursuing Victory with Honor to be implemented during the 2002-2003 school year and beyond.

Whereas, In recent years many schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District have decided to suspend the use of student lockers as a way of helping to ensure campus safety from the presence of drugs, concealed weapons, theft, as well as the inability to fund the repair of broken lockers;

Whereas, The result of some of our schools no longer allowing students to use lockers has led to a significant increase in the incidence of chronic neck and back pain among District students caused by routinely carrying heavy backpacks to, from, and around school campuses;

Whereas, Textbooks have become heavier over the years, on average weighing up to 5 or 6 pounds each, and increase in academic workload has prompted students to carry more books to and from school than ever before;

Whereas, The effects of regularly shouldering heavy backpacks has the potential to contribute not only to chronic pain but also to scoliosis, a spinal condition that can affect the quality of life enjoyed by our students for the rest of their lives;

Whereas, Doctors presently recommend that school children should not carry more than 15 percent of their bodyweight on their backs;

Whereas, The average sixth grader weighs approximately 75 pounds and the average backpack can weight up to 30 pounds and this means that many of our students are regularly carrying more than twice the maximum recommended weight on their backs as a direct result of some schools' policy;

Whereas, Inconsistent policy regarding the inclusion of lockers between District campuses creates a marked inequity among students depending on where they attend school;

Whereas, Students need to have access to textbooks and other learning materials throughout the school day as well as at home; and

Whereas, The issues of safety and appropriate use of lockers can be effectively managed by way of adult supervision and the regulation of student access to such lockers; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles directs the Superintendent to instruct New Facilities Division to include lockers in the design and construction of all new campuses; and be it

Resolved further, That the Superintendent implement a five-year plan to restore lockers to middle and secondary school campuses.

APPROVED BY BOARD: May 14, 2002

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

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