President Caprice Young called the meeting to order at 2:16 p.m.

The following Members were present: Mr. José Huizar, Ms. Julie Korenstein, Mr. Mike Lansing, and President Caprice Young. Ms. Marlene Canter arrived at 2:18 p.m., Ms. Genethia Hudley Hayes arrived at 2:32 p.m., and Mr. David Tokofsky arrived at 2:28 p.m.

Superintendent Roy Romer was present.

Mr. Huizar led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Student Members Loc Huynh from the Downtown Business Magnet High School, Tony Scheel from Sylmar High School, and Steven Vanover from Verdugo Hills High School were present.

Dr. Maria Ott, Senior Deputy Superintendent of Instruction, also welcomed and extended congratulations to all the student representatives and the schools' administrative and teaching staffs. She thanked Mr. Hector Madrigal, Director of Pupil Services; Mr. Michael Guillemet, Coordinator of Pupil Services and Attendance, Ms. Maria Reza, Assistant Superintendent of Student Health and Human Services and other staff members who assisted in today's presentation. Each of the schools in attendance were presented with a trophy in recognition of their achievements.

Later in the meeting, Student Member Steven Vanover from Verdugo Hills High school reported that the entire school participated in the"Learning Walks" which were videotaped and submitted to KLCS for broadcast. He commented on an application his school had submitted to the Department of Parks and Recreation for a swimming pool; with the hopes of having an aquatics program implemented in the near future; and on the school's annual Blood Drive on May 7, 2002.

Student Member Tony Scheel shared his concerns that Sylmar High School is very old and needs repainting and new bleachers on the playing field and in the gym. He noted that his school has 3,600 students on a single-track schedule; and because it is a large school, they have magnet programs and five small academies. He added that students are trying very hard to improve and to bring up their Stanford 9 scores.

The following speakers addressed the Board on the motion:

Ms. Karen Lopez

Ms. Vanessa Gonzales

Mr. Carlos Morales, representing Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women

Ms. Tomorrie Cook, representing Rosa Parks Sexual Assault Crisis Center

Ms. Hayes moved:

Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District finds that sexual violence is a complex public health and safety problem that impacts deeply upon youth and jeopardizes their opportunities for rich learning experiences;

Whereas, The national data compiled by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Center for Education Statistics, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention show that in 1998 students ages twelve through eighteen were victims of more than 2,700,000 total crimes at school, and that 253,000 of these crimes were violent crimes such as sexual assault including rape, aggravated assault, and robbery;

Whereas, Nearly 20% of young women from eleven to nineteen experience some form of sexual and/or physical abuse in their interpersonal relationships;

Whereas, The Los Angeles Police Department has found incidences of forcible rape increased 3.5% in California and 7% in Los Angeles County during 2000 and the U.S. Department of Justice has found that only 17.2% of those rapes committed by a known perpetrator are now reported to the police;

Whereas, These statistics indicate that many of our students are at risk, and hence education on sexual assault awareness is vital to the mental health and wellness of both female and male students and should be integrated into the core curriculum;

Whereas, April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month and April 24th has been designated Annual Denim Day in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles designates April 2002 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and April 24th as Annual Denim Day in Los Angeles.

Ms. Marcela Lucero representing the Berkeley Early Education Center

Ms. Michelle Cienfuegos representing the Berkeley Early Education Center

Ms. Cheryl Johnson-Jones representing United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA)

Ms. JoAnne Maite

Ms. Carlene Davis in place of Beverly Brewster, representing the Los Angeles City Commission for Children, Youth and Their Families

Superintendent Romer made a brief presentation stating the importance of Early Childhood Education in terms of what it does to help children in grades K-12.

Ms. Carmen Schroeder, Assistant Superintendent of the Early Childhood Development Division, gave a brief overview of the Division's mission to provide a high quality early education program to maximize school readiness. She explained the budgetary impact of the 5-year plan and the goal to make the program self-sustaining within the five year period. She then responded to questions by Board Members.

Ms. Jolene Koester, President of California State University Northridge

Ms. Roslyn Kleinbard in place of Jim Parker

Mr. James Stewart

Mr. Charles Brink, representing the Northridge Neighborhood Council

Ms. Shari Sack

Mr. Howard O. Watts

Ms. Korenstein moved that the report be adopted. Ms. Canter seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted. Ms. Hayes and Ms. Young were absent.

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

Ms. Mary Ramirez representing the Chanda Smith Community Planning Committee

Ms. Catherine Clinch representing the Hostile Environment Committee

Mr. Alfonso Perez

Ms. Alexandra Gonzales

Mr. Demetrius Mallory

Ms. Nadine Munguia

Ms. Melissa Shafii

Ms. Marilyn Lopez

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

After discussion and by general consent, the report was adopted. Mr. Huizar, Mr. Lansing and
Mr. Tokofsky were absent.

Later in the meeting Mr. Huizar and Mr. Tokofsky recorded aye votes on the report.

Mr. Lester C. Roberts regarding Case No. 327-01/02

Ms. Morena Carranza regarding Case No. 313-01/02

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

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

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

Before action is taken on Board of Education Report Revised No. 8, regarding the request for a waiver of State Education Code for Senior Management Positions, a public hearing must be held.

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

Ms. Connie Moreno, representing the California School Employees Association

Mr. George Buzzetti shared time with Mr. Gene Krischer representing Friends of the Children

Mr. John Paul Drayer

Ms. Hayes moved that the report be adopted. Ms. Korenstein seconded the motion.

Mr. Tokofsky moved to amend the report by limiting the waivers for 3 years. Ms. Korenstein seconded the motion, which on roll call failed 5 noes, 2 ayes, Ms. Korenstein, Mr. Tokofsky.

After discussion and on roll call, the report was adopted, 5 ayes, 2 noes, Ms. Korenstein, Mr. Tokofsky.

He stated that the following Local Superintendents, with great assistance from the State in the audit, have taken on a tremendous responsibility and a developed creative plans to improve the 10 schools; and every 90 days, these Superintendents will provide a progress report to the Board related to their individual Districts:

The following Local Superintendents provided a brief summary of the needs of the schools and how they will be addressed:

Mr. Richard Vladovic, District K Superintendent

Ms. Judy I. Burton, District B Superintendent

Ms. Liliam Leis Castillo, District E Superintendent

Ms. Bonnie Rubio, District H Superintendent

Mr. Richard Alonzo, District F Superintendent

Ms. Renee Jackson, District G Superintendent

Dr. Sylvia Rousseau, District I Superintendent

The following speakers addressed the Board on the motion:

Mr. Hector Villagra, representing the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund

Mr. Kevin Rudiger, representing Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg

Mr. Huizar moved:

Whereas, Students who attend school under the Concept 6 calendar receive only 163 classroom days each year, as opposed to 180 under other calendars;

Whereas, The District's own calendar studies have shown that students attending Concept 6 schools on Track B perform academically at lower levels than students on all other calendars and tracks;

Whereas, Concept 6 schedules were developed only as a measure to deal with extreme overcrowding and have never been considered an educationally positive innovation;

Whereas, Concept 6 schedules have been used in portions of the District for over 20 years, and have allowed schools sizes to grow to over 5,000 students at the senior high school level, 4,400 students at the middle school level, and 2,500 students at the elementary school level;

Whereas, The negative impacts of Concept 6 schedules impact low-income students and students of color ­ those in the most overcrowded schools already ­ disproportionately;

Whereas, The Concept 6 calendar because of its multi-track nature fails to insure the equal distribution of academic resources and opportunities across all tracks;

Whereas, The Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Acts recently passed by the State Legislature will provide much needed funds for new construction to high-need districts such as the Los Angeles Unified School District, enabling the District to relieve some of the worst overcrowding;

Whereas, AB 2027 establishes a reasonable time frame to phase out Concept 6 calendars and to ensure that all students receive at least 180 days per year in the classroom; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles expresses its strong support for AB 2027 and encourages members of the California Legislature and the Governor of the State of California to act to ensure that the bill is enacted in law.

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

Office of the Superintendent No. 2. - Puente Charter School Petition: Assigned to Consent Calendar

Office of the Superintendent No. 3 - Community Harvest Charter School Petition: Assigned to Consent Calendar

President Young announced:

The Board is in receipt of the Para Los Niños, Puente, and Community Harvest Charter Petitions. This constitutes a public hearing for each of the petitions, 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 at the back of the Board Room and fill out a speaker's card. Those individuals will be heard after the speakers already on the list.

Ms. Miki Jordan, representing Para Los Niños

Mr. Hector Luis Ramirez, representing Para Los Niños

Ms. Jacqueline Duvivier Castillo, representing Para Los Niños

Ms. Elizabeth Douglass, representing Para Los Niños

Sister Jennie Lechtenberg, representing the Puente Chard School

Mr. Paul Millman, representing the Puente Chard School

Ms. Diana Juarez, representing the Puente Chard School

Mr. Christopher Don, representing the Puente Chard School

Ms. Lyla Gearring representing the Puente Chard School

The Board will take final action to either approve or deny the charter request at the Board meeting on May 14, 2002. Should the charter request be denied, the petitioners may submit the petition directly to the Los Angeles County Office of Education or directly to the State for action.

Ms. Lilia M. Meza

Mr. Kevin Rudiger representing Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg

Ms. Mary Ann Rolston

Ms. Patty Ichimura

Mr. Min-Soo Lee

Ms. Sisay Mekonnen

Ms. Heidy Arrivillaga

Mr. Vitalino Torres

Ms. Rochelle Farkas

Local District F Superintendent Alonzo provided information regarding the Newcomer Center and responded to questions by Board Members.

Following discussion, Superintendent Romer requested that the report be withdrawn in order to have further discussion regarding civil rights issues in a Closed Session meeting.

Mr. Michael Saulenas Asbestos

Mr. Rick Selan Instruction

Ms. Pamela Lewis Counseling Issues

Ms. Sara Puma Pupil Services and Attendance

Ms. Delilah Cazares Problems at Eastman Elementary School

Dr. Bernard Endres Environmental Problems at the Belmont Learning Center

Ms. Patricia McPherson Safety

Mr. Julio Fonseca shared his time with Counselors
Ms. Joyce Butler

Mr. George Buzzetti Accountability

Mr. Gene Krischer representing Friends Facilities and Accountability
of the Children

Before action is taken on Board of Education Report No. 7, regarding the State waiver request for Economic Impact Aid (EIA) Funding Flexibility, a public hearing must be held.

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

Mr. Oscar Almaguer representing the Title I District Advisory Council

Mr. Walter Waddles

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

Following discussion and by general consent, the report was adopted. Ms. Hayes was absent.

BOARD OF EDUCATION NO. 1
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 1
FACILITIES COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 1

Ms. Canter seconded the motion.

The following speakers addressed the Board on Facilities Committee Report No. 1 (East Valley Area New High School No. 1B:

Mr. Sazzad Bipu

Ms. Ruth Vasquez

Mr. Steve Ireland

By general consent, the Consent Calendar was adopted. Ms. Hayes was absent.

Staff responded to questions by Board Members. On roll call, the report was adopted, 6 ayes, with the exception of Item No. 2 on which Mr. Tokofsky voted no. Ms. Hayes was absent

Ms. Pearl Iizuka, Deputy Business Manager, requested to questions by Board Members. On roll call, the report was adopted by a unanimous vote of those present, 6 ayes. Ms. Hayes was absent.

Before action is taken on Board of Education Report No. 13, regarding the waiver of State Education

Code 52084A, Morgan Hart Funding, a public hearing must be held.

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

Ms. Canter moved that the report be adopted. Ms. Korenstein seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted. Ms. Hayes was absent.

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 the District; and be it

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.

Mr. Tokofsky moved:

Whereas, The fourth Tuesday of April was declared by the State Legislature as School Bus Drivers' 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 accruing 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 today as School Bus Drivers' Day throughout the District, and recognize all drivers for their continued and excellent service to the staff and students of the District.

Ms. Korenstein's motion regarding Campus Locker Policy was withdrawn:

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, As a result of some of our schools no longer allowing students to use lockers has been 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, weighing up to 5 or 6 pounds each, and an 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 a backpack can weigh up to 30 pounds, 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 policies 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 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.

• Resolved, That the Board of Education reconsider its action taken on April 9, 2002, regarding Board of Education Report No. 14 (Ranking of Schools for Title I Eligibility) as amended.

• Board of Education Report No. 14

The Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles declares that having conducted extensive recruitment throughout the community, state, region, and nation, having offered employment to all fully credentialed candidates who applied and who have met District standard and qualifications in the designated subjects, and having implemented and operated alternative programs for teacher credentialing, there are insufficient fully-credentialed teachers to meet the staffing and instructional needs of the Los Angeles Unified School District, and it is necessary to employ teachers with emergency permits under provisions of Education Code 44300.

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

Business Services Division No. 1 - Agreements for Professional Services, Amendment to Agreement for Legal Services, and Amendment to Agreement for Professional Services: 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 Services and Unadvertised and Informal Contracts, and Cancellation of Contracts: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Facilities Services Division No. 2 - Adoption of a Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for Cahuenga New Elementary School No. 1 (Southwest Corner of Oxford Avenue and 2nd Street): Withdrawn by Staff

Facilities Services Division No. 3 - Adoption of a Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for 15th Street Elementary School Addition (Pacific Avenue and Sixteenth Street): Assigned to Regular Calendar on May 16, 2002

Facilities Services Division No. 4 - Adoption of a Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for Middleton New Primary Center
(Southwest Corner of Zoe Avenue and Middleton Street, City of Huntington Park): Assigned to Regular Calendar on May 16, 2002

Facilities Services Division No. 5 - Adoption of a Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for South Gage New Elementary School No. 6 (Tweedy Boulevard Between State Street and Madison Avenue, City of South Gate): Assigned to Regular Calendar on May 16, 2002

Facilities Services Division No. 6 - Adoption of a Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for North Hollywood New Primary Center No. 4 (Northeast Corner of Archwood Street and Bellingham Avenue): Assigned to Regular Calendar on May 16, 2002

Facilities Services Division No. 7 - Adoption of a Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for Central Los Angeles Area New Middle School No. 4 (East and West of Hill Street, Between 37th and 35th Streets): Assigned to Regular Calendar on May 16, 2002

Facilities Services Division No. 8 - Adoption of a Resolution of Necessity and Authorization to Obtain Funds to Obtain Orders for Possession of Land Parcels Required for Southeast Area New Learning Center (Northwest Corner of Fishburn Avenue and Randolph Street): Assigned to Regular Calendar on May 16, 2002

Human Resources No. 1 - Special Education Teacher Credential Waiver Authorizations: Assigned to
Consent Calendar

Information Technology Division No. 1 - State Waiver Request for Library Funding Flexibility: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Facilities Services Division and Office of Environmental Health and Safety No. 1 - Approval of Project and Approval of Mitigated Negative Declaration for Nevin Elementary School Addition (Compton Avenue and East Thirty-Second Street): Assigned to Consent Calendar

9:30 a.m., Special Meeting, April 6, 2002

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

There will be a Special Committee of the Whole meeting at 4 p.m., on Tuesday, May 7, regarding intervention; and

The Ad Hoc After School Program Committee and the Ad Hoc Parent Community Advisory Council meetings scheduled for April 30, 2002, have been canceled.

That Ms. Genethia Hudley Hayes, Member of this Board, be found absent due to hardship at the time of the April 16, 2002, Special Board meeting; and

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

Mr. Huizar announced:

There will be Special Board meetings held at 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, April 25; Tuesday, May 14; and Thursday, May 16, in Room H-160 (Board Meeting) regarding proposed eminent domain actions.

There will be Special Board meetings at 1 p.m., on Thursday, April 25, and Tuesday, April 30, regarding the 2002-03 budget.

There will also be a Special Board meeting at 1 p.m., on May 16, regarding the Facilities Master Plan and Multitrack Year-Round Scheduling.

Whereas, The Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles supports competition in the contracting process so that all qualified bidders have a fair opportunity to enter bids and to eliminate favoritism, fraud, and corruption in the awarding of public contracts;

Whereas, When non-competitive procurement actions are taken, District staff should at the least indicate in writing the efforts they took to identify other vendors and the efforts they will take to ensure that future procurements are competitive;

Whereas, Non-competitive procurements should not be used because of poor advance planning;

Whereas, District business should be conducted in a manner above reproach and with complete impartiality, and the expenditure of public funds should require the highest degree of public trust and an impeccable standard of conduct;

Whereas, A general rule must be to avoid any conflict of interest or even the appearance of a conflict of interest in District-contractor relationships;

Whereas, The procurement of professional services is governed by both the California statutes and Board policy;

Whereas, Board policy requires competitive bidding through a request for proposals for the procurement of professional services in excess of $56,900;

Whereas, Board policy allows an exception to competitive bidding if approved by the General Counsel, who may also ask input from the Office of the Inspector General;

Whereas, Recent reviews have shown that some District administrators are not complying with selected provisions of Board policies relating to professional services contracts; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That waivers only be granted by the General Counsel for professional services contracts up to $500,000 that meet the following criteria:

• District staff have thoroughly investigated possible vendors, and it is reasonable to believe no other significant vendor would appear who would offer the same quality of services at significantly different prices;

• Time is of the essence;

• The vendor already has significant knowledge of the problem, or the District has a high level of confidence in the work that more than offsets any price advantage that might be attained by a request for proposals;

• District staff have conducted a process similar to a request for proposal but without the formality; and be it
  
  

Resolved further, That any waiver for professional services contracts in excess of $500,000 be submitted to the Board for review and approval prior to District staff awarding such contracts; and be it

Resolved further, That the Office of General Counsel provide quarterly written reports to the Board showing the waivers requested, granted, and denied as well as the reasons for such decisions; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Chief Procurement Officer maintain statistics on the use of request for proposals for professional services contracts awarded over $56,900 and provide these statistics quarterly to the Board.

APPROVED BY BOARD: May 28, 2002

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