President José Huizar called the meeting to order at 1:49 p.m.

The following Members were present: Ms. Marlene Canter, Ms. Julie Korenstein, Mr. Jon Lauritzen, and President José Huizar. Mr. Mike Lansing arrived at 2:18 p.m. and Mr. Tokofsky arrived at 1:53 p.m.
Ms. Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte was absent.

Superintendent Roy Romer was present.

Ms. Canter led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Student Member Solimiya P'yatkovska from Hollywood High School commented on how her school has several programs that reflect an environment of Small Learning Communities; such as the Performing Arts Magnet Center, The Perkins Vocational Program; a School for Advanced Studies and the New Media Academy which is now in its 11th year. She noted that these small communities provide individual attention and development of the individual interests and talents of every student. She also noted that another factor that makes her school such a great environment is their wide range of extra curricular activities in sports and clubs such as the International Culture Club, the Science Club and the Academic Decathlon Team.

Student Member Trishtan Williams from Crenshaw High School commented on the many programs that her school has, such as the Winters Program and the Loop Program, where students go to elementary and middle schools to tutor other students in reading. Another great program is the Best Buddies, which focuses on special education students so they know they have a friend and someone to talk to. She noted that their debate team is doing very well, along with the girls basketball team. She also noted that their attendance has been the best out of all District schools. She stated how the school is losing money due to the loss of the sale of sodas on campus.

Mr. John Perez representing United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA)

Mr. Michael O'Sullivan representing Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA)

Mr. Dan Isaacs, AALA

Ms. Jewel Blake

Ms. Connie Moreno representing California School Employees Association (CSEA)

Ms. Hermelinda Sanchez, Title I, District I
Ms. Clara Gonzalez

Mr. Scott Folson

Ms. Rosalyn Williams in place of Donna Wessels

Ms. Diane Lazarus in place of Marcia Cunha

Superintendent Roy Romer made a presentation on the budget. The following Items were considered by the Board:

Add a $6.1 million Reserve to Assist School-Sites ($4 million Per Capita to Schools and $2.1 million in Central Office Reserve for Distribution on Advice of Local Superintendents to the General Superintendent)

Mr. Lauritzen moved the following amendment:

That the Superintendent be directed to bring to the Board Meeting on May 11, 2004, more economical alternatives for organizing the District, including reducing or eliminating Local Districts, by first meeting the District's need of funding the classrooms and the schools.

Mr. Tokofsky moved that the item be adopted. Ms. Korenstein seconded the motion.

Mr. Richard Sheehan, Special Counsel to the Board, and Mr. Lorenzo Tyner, Budget Director, responded to questions from Board Members.

Item 1a) Reduction in Inflation Estimate - $10.7 million

Mr. Lansing moved that the item be adopted. Ms. Canter seconded the motion.

Mr. Tokofsky moved the following amendment:

That $5.35 million remain in health benefits and $5.35 million be held until the Board Meeting of

Mr. Lauritzen seconded the motion.

Mr. Lansing moved the following amendment:

That $10.6 million be approved and $.1 million be held.

The motion was not approved for lack of a second.

Ms. Korenstein moved to hold the entire item until the Board Meeting of May 11, 2004. Ms. Canter seconded the motion, which on roll call was adopted, 5 ayes, 1 no, Mr. Lansing. Ms. LaMotte was absent.

Item 1c) Efficiencies and Program Reduction in the TIIG Program. - $6.0 million

Ms. Canter moved that the item be adopted. Mr. Lansing seconded the motion.

Dr. Theodore T. Alexander, Jr., Associate Superintendent, Specially Funded and Parent/Community Programs Division, responded to questions from Board Members.

On roll call, the item was adopted, 6 ayes. Ms. LaMotte was absent.

Item 1e) Shift of Categorical Funds - $4.7 million

At the request of the Superintendent, this Item was withdrawn.

Superintendent Romer, Mr. Tyner, and Dr. Roger Rasmussen, Deputy Director of Budget Services responded to questions from Board Members.

Item 2h) Beyond the Bell - $0.5 million
Item 2i) Health and Human Services - $0.5 million
Item 2j) Human Resources - $0.3 million
Item 2k) Early Childhood Education - $0.2 million
Item 2l) Planning, Assessment and Research - $0.1 million
Item 2m) Ethics Office - $0.1 million
Item 2n) School Police - $0.1 million

Mr. Lauritzen moved to hold the above items until the Board Meeting of May 11, 2004.
Mr. Tokofsky seconded the motion, which on roll call was adopted 4 ayes, 1 no, Mr. Lansing.
Ms. Canter and Ms. LaMotte were absent.

Mr. Lauritzen moved the following amendment:

That the Superintendent be directed to bring to the Board Meeting of May 11, 2004, more economical alternatives for organizing the District, including reducing or eliminating Local Districts, by first meeting the District's need of funding the classrooms and the schools.

Ms. Korenstein moved the following motion:

Whereas, The teen pregnancy problem crosses all racial, cultural and socio-economic lines, and teen parenthood has emotional, health and financial consequences that impact the teen, their families and society as a whole;
Whereas, By the year 2010, the total adolescent population in California for ages 10 to 19 is expected to top 6.2 million, which translates into more individuals entering reproductive age;

Whereas, The California Department of Health Services, "It's Up to Me' teen pregnancy prevention campaign works with a vast network of community-based organizations (CBOs), including Community Challenge Grants (CCGs), Make Involvement Programs (MIPs), Information and Education Programs (I&Es), and TeenSMART Outreach (TSO) programs to promote teen pregnancy prevention on a local level;

Whereas, All of us play an integral role in preventing teen pregnancy in our respective communities and government alone cannot solve the problem of teen pregnancy;

Whereas, The California Department of Health Services' teen pregnancy prevention programs and the "It's Up To Me" campaign have created and enhanced opportunities for collaboration between government and parents, community groups, schools, religious institutions, health and human service providers, and the private sector in California to plan and implement effective strategies and programs in communities across the State to reduce the number of teen pregnancies;

Whereas, In the year 2001, births to teens 15 through 19 years of age declined to a rate of 45.1 per thousand, down from 48.1 per thousand in 2000 - making California's teen birth rate fall below the national average of 48 per thousand - for the first time in 10 years;

Whereas, This significant decline of such an important health indicator clearly attests to the fact that effective intervention programs and the involvement of California communities and the "It's Up To Me" campaign are making a difference;

Whereas, In the San Fernando Valley an estimated 1,747 teen births are reported each year, placing it in the 11th rank in California with 57.7 teen birth rates per 1,000 in the San Fernando Valley; and

Whereas, May is designated Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month in the United States; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles recognize May 2004 as "Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month."

The Board is in receipt of the Bert Corona Charter School Petition. This constitutes a public hearing for the petition, 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 the speakers already on the list.

The following speakers addressed the Board:

Ms. Amy Berfield

Mr. Mario Matute, Youth Policy Institute (YPI)

Ms. Martha Lazalde, Bert Corona Charter School

Mr. Victor Gomez

Ms. Jean Brown, Assistant Superintendent, and Mr. Slingerland responded to questions from Board Members.

President Huizar stated:

The Board will take final action to either approve or deny the charter request at the Board meeting on May 11, 2004. 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.

Mr. Sheehan stated that he did not believe the Superintendent had the authority to take the action as stated without the Board taking action to allow a school to operate on a Concept 6 calendar after July 1. Mr. Kevin Reed, General Counsel, agreed with Mr. Sheehan's statement that a resolution has to be adopted prior to July 1 in order for schools to operate on a Concept 6 calendar, but that the Superintendent may proceed with his plan.

The following speakers addressed the Board on the report:

Ms. Justina Paque, City of South Gate

Ms. Guadalupe Aguiar

Mr. Pablo Ramos in place of Daniel Olivarez

Ms. Mary Johnson

Ms. Valerie Munoz
Ms. Martha Ibarra

Ms. Judy Lopez

Ms. Patricia Mont

Ms. Mary Johnson

Dr. Maria Gutierrez Ott, Senior Deputy Superintendent, and Mr. James McConnell, Chief Facilities Executive, responded to questions from Board Members.

Board of Education Report No. 290 - 03/04 - Agreements, Amendments, and Donation of Money: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Board of Education Report No. 294 - 03/04: Withdrawn prior to meeting

Board of Education Report No. 298 - 03/04 - Report on Physical Inventories of Stock in District Warehouses: Assigned to Consent Calendar

Board of Education Report No. 299 - 03/04 - Ratification of Award of Advertised, Unadvertised, and Information Contracts, Approval of Change Orders, Completion of Contracts, Rejection of Bids, Termination of Contracts, and Approval of Agreements and Amendment for Professional Services Contracts: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Board of Education Report No. 300 - 03/04 - Amendment to Add Seven Charter School Expansion Projects to the January 2004 Strategic Execution Plan for New Construction: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Board of Education Report No. 301 - 03/04 - Approval of Project and Mitigated Negative Declaration for Belmont Elementary School No. 9 - Sixth Street and South Hobart Boulevard: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Board of Education Report No. 302 - 03/04: Withdrawn prior to meeting

Board of Education Report No. 304 - 03/04 - Report of Warrants Issued and Request to Reissue Stale Dated Warrant: Assigned to Consent Calendar

Board of Education Report No. 305 - 03/04 - Closure of 98th Street School: Assigned to Regular Calendar

Board of Education Report No. 306 - 03/04 - Resolution to Authorize the Amendment of the Trust Agreement and Lease Agreement Relating to Certificates of Participation (Land Acquisition Program II, 2001 Series D): Assigned to Consent Calendar

Ms. Millie Sally, School Mental Health Budget Reduction

Mr. Victorio Gutierrez, Psychiatric Social Workers Budget Reduction

Mr. Luciano Lopez, Healthy Start Program Budget Reduction

Mr. German Balan, Healthy Start Program Budget Reduction

Ms. Felicia Kidd Complaint against a Teacher

Ms. Margarita Santiago Complaint against a Teacher

Ms. Araceli Veliz Complaint against a Teacher

Mr. Gene Krischer, Friends of the Children Accountability

Ms. Nancy Fox Red Team Concerns

Mr. Jefferson Crain stated:

The Board is in receipt of the Granada Hills Charter High School Renewal. This constitutes a public hearing for the petition, 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 the speakers already on the list.

Ms. Elizabeth Camacho

Mr. Jake Cale

Ms. Maria Sarcas

Ms. Brown, Mr. Bauer, Dr. Benjamin, Mr. Tim Buresh, Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Merle Price, Deputy Superintendent, responded to questions from Board Members.

President Huizar stated:

The Board will take final action to either approve or deny the charter request at the Board meeting on May 11, 2004. 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.

Mr. Jim Delker, Acting Deputy Chief Facilities Executive, responded to questions from Board Members.

On roll call, the report was adopted, 6 ayes, with the exception of Agreement Nos. 0110240, 0310413, and 0310408 on which Mr. Tokofsky voted no. Ms. LaMotte was absent.

The Board will be receiving the negotiating proposal to United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA), Los Angeles School Police Association (LASPA), Local 99, California School Employee's Association (CSEA), Building Trades Council, and Teamsters. There will be an opportunity to address the Board on the proposals at the Board meetings of May 11 and 25, 2004, in the Board Room. Those persons who wish to address the Board on the proposals should call Area Code (213) 241-7002 or Toll Free (877) 772-6273, prior to 10 a.m. the days of the meetings.

An opportunity is now given to those individuals who had requested to address the Board on SEIU Local 99 Proposals for Unit B - Instructional Aides, Unit C - Operations-Support Services, Unit F - Teaching Assistants, and Unit G - Playground Aides.

A final opportunity to speak to the initial negotiating proposal will be given at the 1 p.m., May 11, 2004, Board meeting to be held in the Board Room. To be placed on the speakers' list, individuals should call the Board Secretariat at Area Code (213) 241-7002 or Toll Free (877) 772-6273, prior to 10 a.m. the day of the meeting.

That the Board authorize the Chief Procurement Officer, Procurement Services Group, to execute the contracts and that the contracts be brought back to the Board for ratification.

By general consent, the report was adopted as amended. Ms. LaMotte and Mr. Lansing were absent.

That Section II, Agreement No. 0401010, be amended by changing the "start date" from January 1, 2004, to July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, and that the report as amended be adopted.

Ms. Canter seconded the motion.

Ms. Anne Fischer, Chief Procurement Officer, Ms. Mary Lewis, Administrator for Alternative Certification Programs, and Deborah Hirsh, Chief Human Resources Officer, responded to questions from Board Members.

By general consent, the report was adopted as amended. Ms. Korenstein, Ms. LaMotte and Mr. Lansing were absent.

Whereas, School Nurses in the Los Angeles Unified School District are celebrating their 100th anniversary on School Nurses Day, May 12, 2004;

Whereas, Children are our most valuable resource and we must ensure their good health and well-being in safe and supportive surroundings;

Whereas, School Nurses are skilled, knowledgeable, compassionate and are able to provide a healthy and nurturing environment;

Whereas, School Nurses handle emergencies in our schools with decisiveness and professionalism; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles and the Superintendent recognizes and appreciates the outstanding dedication of school nurses and for 100 years of excellence in nursing and health services provided to the students and families of the Los Angeles Unified School District; and recognizes May 12, 2004, as School Nurses Day.

Whereas, The job of principal is complex, varied, and demanding, requiring principals to both lead and manage their school sites;

Whereas, The most important place for a principal during school hours is at the school site;

Whereas, Principals are responsible for the instructional leadership, long term instructional planning, and the day-to-day operations of their school sites;

Whereas, District-mandated professional development and meetings often call principals away from their school sites; and

Whereas, Principals are unable to effectively manage and lead their schools when they are frequently called away for off-site activities; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education directs the Superintendent to review all District mandated off site time for principals to ensure efficiencies and alignment with District goals and objectives; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board directs the Superintendent to significantly reduce off-site mandated time for principals and report back to the Human Resources Committee within 90 days with a plan and within 6 months with a progress report.

Whereas, Effective professional development is vital to maintaining a strong teaching staff and improving academic achievement;

Whereas, The March 2003 Compendium of Professional Development Program Descriptions indicates that there are numerous professional development activities in the District, but these activities have not been systematically studied as to their effectiveness and alignment with District goals and objectives;

Whereas, The lack of a central management system for professional development and the lack of effective feedback mechanisms impairs the District's ability to ensure that professional development is aligned with District goals and that it provides a value added to teachers;

Whereas, The full cost-benefit impact of these disparate activities on a teacher's classroom time has not been studied; and

Whereas, Recent research by the District's Program Evaluation and Research Branch indicates that the more a teacher is absent, the greater the negative impact on the academic achievement of students; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles recognizes the importance of effective professional development in improving professional practice, improving student achievement and eliminating the achievement gap;

Resolved further, That the Board directs the Superintendent to inventory all professional development and to review all current Local District and Central Office Division (including grants and specially funded programs) professional development programs and practices to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with District goals and objectives;

Resolved further, That the Board directs the Superintendent to identify and eliminate professional development that is redundant or not aligned with District's goals and objectives;

Resolved further, That the Board directs the Superintendent to significantly reduce District mandated off-site professional development (including grant and specially funded professional development) and report back to the Human Resources Committee within 90 days with a plan and within 6 months with a progress report;

Resolved further, That the Board directs the Superintendent to develop a teacher and administrator feedback mechanism to inform and improve relevance, methodology, and content of future professional development; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board directs the Superintendent to develop a centrally administered mechanism to streamline and manage professional development programs to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with District goals and objectives.

Before action is taken on the Report of Correspondence regarding correspondence from Jack O'Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, concerning receipt of a notification of non compliance, Compliance Investigation case Nos. S-0489-03/04 and S-0508-03/04, 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 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 the items of correspondence as indicated in the report be approved. Mr. Tokofsky seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted.
Ms. Korenstein, Ms. LaMotte, and Mr. Lansing were absent.

10:30 a.m., Special Meeting, March 4, 2004
10:30 a.m., Special Meeting, March 11, 2004 WITHDRAWN
9:30 a.m., Closed Session, April 13, 2004

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

Ms. Canter congratulated Lanai Elementary School and Open Charter Elementary School for being named 2004 California Distinguished Schools, and Fullbright Elementary School for receiving an honorable mention.

Mr. Lauritzen congratulated Millikan Middle School for hosting the Safe Schools press conference; and Reed Middle School for winning the band competition, the orchestra competition, the chorus competition, the girls' barbershop quartet competition.

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

The meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m.

APPROVED BY BOARD: August 24, 2004

____________________________________ ___________________________________
JOSE HUIZAR JEFFERSON CRAIN
PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BOARD

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