BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
333 South Beaudry, Board Room
1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 22, 2004

The Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles, acting as the Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District, met in special session on April 22, 2004, at the Los Angeles City Board of Education Administrative Offices, Board Room, 333 South Beaudry, Los Angeles, California.

President José Huizar called the meeting to order at 1:52 p.m.

The following Members were present: Ms. Marlene Canter, Ms. Julie Korenstein, Mr. Jon Lauritzen,
Mr. David Tokofsky, and President José Huizar. Mr. Mike Lansing arrived at 2:11 p.m. Ms. Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte was absent.

Superintendent Roy Romer arrived at 2:05 p.m.

Ms. Canter led the Pledge of Allegiance.


BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 287 - 03/04
Budget Reductions for Fiscal Year 2004-2005

The following speakers addressed the Board on the report:

Mr. John Perez representing United Teachers Los Angeles

Ms. Dolores Sanchez in place of Connie Moreno representing the California School Employees Association

Ms. Eliza Chavez-Fraga

Mr. Michael O'Sullivan representing the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles

Ms. Karen Young

With the consent of Board Members, Mr. Scott Folsom representing the 10th District PTA was given the opportunity to addressed the Board.

Mr. Lorenzo Tyner, Budget Director, and Superintendent Romer responded to questions from Board Members.

Superintendent Romer highlighted the budget balancing strategies listed in Attachment 1 of the Board Report. He stated that an execution plan will be provided in the near future to allow auditing and documentation of the use of bond funds for various items in the Attachment. He indicated that Item 1E in the amount of $4.7 million for the Arts Program would have to be withdrawn due to legal issues. He added that more discussion and adjustments will have to be made due to legislative assumptions and the Governor's May revise, which will affect the budget.

Mr. John Mockler, Special Consultant to the Board, reviewed the proposed budget being presented.

Mr. Mockler, Superintendent Romer, Mr. Tyner, and Mr. Richard Sheehan, Special Counsel to the Board, responded to questions from Board Members.

Ms. Canter moved that the report be amended by deleting Item 1E and that the report as amended be adopted. Mr. Lansing seconded the motion.

Ms. Korenstein moved that the $6.1 million being held in reserve be returned per child to schools.

Ms. Korenstein accepted Superintendent Romer suggestion that the Board vote on the item and he would provide a formula for distributing the funds at the next meeting.

Mr. Lauritzen moved that the Board separate the items and place them on either the Consent Calendar or Regular Calendar for the next meeting. Following discussion, Mr. Lauritzen moved instead to postpone all items to the next Board meeting. Mr. Tokofsky seconded the motion, which on roll call the motion failed,
4 noes, 2 ayes, Mr. Lauritzen, Mr. Tokofsky. Ms. LaMotte was absent.

Mr. Tokofsky moved to redistribute the $6.1 million to a per pupil allocation. Ms. Korenstein seconded the motion.

Following discussion and out of courtesy to absent Board Members, the maker and the seconder withdrew the amendment and agreed to postpone action on the following:

Ms. Korenstein requested that the $6.1 million in reserve, 1A, 2I, and 2K be postponed.

Mr. Tokofsky requested that Items 1C, 1E, 2H and 2M be postponed.

Mr. Lansing moved to terminate the employment of Mr. John Mockler. Ms. Canter seconded the motion.
Mr. Sheehan expressed concern regarding taking action on the motion which had no prior introduction. He suggested that the motion be considered at the next meeting.

Following discussion, the maker and seconder withdrew the motion.

Ms. Canter moved to amend her original motion and adopt the following:

Item 1B - Purchase Equipment at New Schools with Bond Funds $8.8 million

Item 1D - Direct Purchase of Power $5.0 million

Item 2A - Information and Technology $6.9 million

Item 2B - Facilities $5.2 million

Item 2C - Instructional Support Services $5.0 million

Item 2D - Business Services $4.6 million

Item 2E - Special Education $4.2 million

Item 2F - Finance $3.5 million

Item 2 G - Environmental Affairs $1.0 million

Item 2L - Planning, Assessment and Research $0.1 million


Mr. Lansing as the second of the original motion agreed to Ms. Canter's amendment. By general consent the motion was adopted. Ms. LaMotte and Mr. Lauritzen was absent.

- - - -

Ms. Canter moved that the meeting be adjourned. Ms. Korenstein seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted. Ms. LaMotte and Mr. Lauritzen were absent.

The meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m.

APPROVED BY BOARD: June 22, 2004



______________________________________ ______________________________________
JOSE HUIZAR JEFFERSON CRAIN
PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BOARD

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