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

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
333 South Beaudry Avenue, Board Room
12 noon Thursday, July 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 July 22, 2004, at the Administrative Offices, 333 South Beaudry Avenue, Board Room.

President José Huizar called the meeting to order at 12:35 p.m.

The following Members were present: Ms. Julie Korenstein, Ms. Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte, Mr. Jon Lauritzen, and President José Huizar were present. Ms. Marlene Canter, Mr. Mike Lansing, and Mr. David Tokofsky arrived at 12:40 p.m., 12:38 p.m., and 12:50 p.m., respectively.

Mr. Lauritzen led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dr. Maria Ott, Senior Deputy Superintendent occupied the Superintendent's chair until his arrival.

President Huizar announced that due to the number of speakers on the list and the courtesy given to augment the list with additional property owners and tenants, speakers will have a maximum of two minutes to address the Board.

REGULAR

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 7 - 04/05
Approval of Revised Project Definitions and Amendment of New Construction
Strategic Execution Plan for Selected Phase II Projects Incorporating Phase III Seats

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

Later in the meeting, Mr. Tokofsky and Ms. Canter recorded aye votes on the report.

After discussion of Board of Education Report No. 19, Mr. Tokofsky moved to reconsider the previous action taken on this report. Ms. Canter seconded the motion, which on roll call was adopted, 6 ayes, 1 no, Mr. Lansing.

Mr. Tokofsky moved that the report be adopted with an amendment to change Project No. 56.40022 to include as low as 972 seats and as high as 1,512 seats. Ms. LaMotte seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted.

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 8 - 04/05
Designation of the Site Located West of Main Street Between 88th Place and 90th Street as
the Preferred Site for the Location of the New South Region Elementary School No. 1

Mr. Rod Hamilton, Regional Development Manager for the South Region, provided a brief overview of the site.

The following speakers addressed the Board on the report:

Ms. Lorena Jaramillo

Ms. Rosario Bonilla in place of Ms. Bertha Orrostieta

Rev. Searcy Jackson, Jr.

Mr. Marcial Alvarez

President Huizar requested that in the future the documents presented to the Board indicate the Board Member for the school site.

Mr. Hamilton responded to concerns from Board Members.

By general consent the report was adopted.

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President Huizar modified the Order of Business.
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BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 19 - 04/05
Designation of the Site Located at the Southwest Corner of Orchard Avenue and Gage Avenue
as the Preferred Site for the Location of the New South Region Middle School No. 2

Mr. Hamilton provided a brief overview of the site.

The following speakers addressed the Board on the report:

Ms. Maria Bonilla

Hon. Teresa Jacobo, City of Bell

Mr. Marco Antonio Vasquez

Mr. Alfredo Romero

Mr. Tokofsky moved the following amendment:

That the report be adopted with an amendment to keep the school as originally defined with 972 students instead of the proposed shift to 1,512 students until there is explicit discussion regarding instructional issues, local district issues as well as the cost issues associated with building new facilities.

Ms. Canter seconded the motion.

In response to Board Members questions, Mr. Hamilton stated that should the Board approve a school for 972 students a smaller site will be acquired. He also indicated that the proposal to increase this site to 1,512 seats was based on the planning guidelines provided by the Superintendent in consultation with his executive staff and local district superintendents approximately one year ago for the maximum desirable size of schools. Mr. Ed Van Ginkel from the Facilities Division pointed out that it is easier to designate the entire site, start the feasibility study, and then determine if a smaller site with a different configuration is necessary. He emphasized that a decision on this matter is needed within a 30-45 day period to meet the deadline of opening schools in 2009 or earlier.

Mr. Lansing commented that as a result of the lengthy discussion held at the Facilities Committee on this issue, he requested that the Superintendent bring to the Board an analysis of size ranges of schools, how instruction is tied with the construction plan, and the cost factors of building two smaller schools vs. one large school. Mr. James McConnell, Chief Facilities Executive, suggested to move the report as recommended by staff and continue to address this issue.

Mr. Kevin Reed, General Counsel, expressed his concern that any change to the number of seats for this site will contradict the action previously taken by the Board when it approved Board of Education Report No. 7, Approval of Revised Definitions and Amendment of New Construction Strategic Execution Plan Phase II Projects incorporating Phase III Seats, which includes this school site at 1,512 seats. He further stated that when two actions are inconsistent, the Strategic Execution Plan rules and any changes should occur within the context of this Plan and not the definition of any specific project.

After discussion, Mr. Tokofsky moved to substitute his motion with the following:

To keep the school as originally defined with 972 students until there is further discussion and also simultaneously alter Board of Education Report No. 7 as it applies to Project 56.40022 to reflect this change.

Mr. Reed indicated that procedurally, the original amendment should stand and a separate motion for reconsideration of the Board's action on Board of Education Report No. 7 to change the specific project is in order.

President Huizar suggested Mr. Tokofsky consider changing his amendment to include both options 1,512 and 972 seats and also present a motion for reconsideration.

With the consent of the seconder, Mr. Tokofsky withdrew his original amendment.

After further discussion, Mr. Tokofsky moved the report be adopted with the following amendment:

That upon the advice of counsel the "Background" section of the report is not determinative and that the report be consistent with the Execution Plan as amended in Board of Education Report No. 7.

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

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 20 - 04/05
Designation of the Site Located at the Northeast Corner of Gage and Central Avenues
as the Preferred Site for the Location of the New South Region High School No. 2

Mr. Hamilton provided a brief overview of the site.

The following speakers addressed the Board on the report:

Mr. Joseph Titus shared his time with Ms. Renata Fernandez

Ms. Claudia Madrigal

Mr. Hyung Lyn

Ms. Ana Maria Ramirez

Mr. Carlos Losada representing Merona Enterprises

Ms. Josefina Lizardi

Ms. Helena Tyler

Mr. Hamilton responded to questions from Board Members.

Ms. LaMotte moved that the report be adopted. Mr. Lauritzen seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted. Mr. Tokofsky was absent.

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

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 21 - 04/05
Designation of the Site Located at the Northwest Corner of Western Avenue and 48th Street
as the Preferred Site for the Location of the New South Region Span School No. 2, Grades K-8

Mr. Hamilton provided a brief overview of the site.

The following speakers addressed the Board on the report:

Mr. Frank Prater, Empowerment Congress Central Area Neighborhood Development Council

Mr. Joe Cheatham

Ms. Janice Ramkalawan, 41st Place Block Club

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President Huizar passed the gavel to Ms. Canter and left the meeting.
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Ms. Doris Davis, 41st Place Block Club

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

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

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 22 - 04/05
Designation of the Site Located at the Northeast Corner of Alameda Street and Gage Avenue
as the Preferred Site for the Location of the New South Region Span School No. 3, Grades 6-12

Mr. Hamilton provided a brief overview of the site.

The following speakers addressed the Board on the report:

Mr. John Saroyan from Soroyan Lumber Company

Ms. Rosie Monteon in place of Ms. Ivonne Correa

Ms. Esther Guzman

Ms. Marisela Talamantes

Hon. Ofelia Hernandez, Vice Mayor for the City of Huntington Park

Hon. Richard Loya, Councilmember for the City of Huntington Park

An unidentified speaker from the Gas Company

Mr. Hamilton, Mr. McConnell, and Mr. Mehula responded to questions from Board Members.

Mr. Luis Ramirez from the Facilities Division and Mr. Tom Watson, a consultant with the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, also responded to questions from Board Members.

Mr. Lauritzen moved that the report be adopted. Ms. LaMotte seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted.

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President Huizar assumed the Chair and resumed the Order of Business.
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BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 9 - 04/05
Designation of the Site Located on Arroyo Avenue, One and One-Half Blocks East of Glenoaks Boulevard as the Preferred Site for the Location of the New Valley Region High School No. 5 - San Fernando Land Bank Site

Mr. John Greer from Facilities Division provided a brief overview of the site.

The following speakers addressed the Board on the report:

Hon. Maribel de la Torre, Mayor for the City of San Fernando

Mr. Robert Focosi

Mr. Rodolfo Vasquez

Mr. Jose Pulido, City Administrator for the City of San Fernando

Mr. Steven McCarthy

Ms. LaMotte moved that the report be adopted. Ms. Korenstein seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted. Mr. Tokofsky was absent.

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

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 10 - 04/05
Designation of the Site Located at the Northeast Corner of Main Street and 58th Street as the Preferred Site for the Location of the Central Region Elementary School No. 16

Mr. Ed Van Ginkel, Senior Development Manager, provided a brief overview of the site.

The following speakers addressed the Board on the report:

Mr. Juan Garcia

Mr. Francisco Varela shared time with Mr. Eddie Reyes

Ms. Bella De Soto

Ms. Teresa Ramirez

Ms. Maria Pineda

Mr. Alejandro Lopez

Mr. Jose Hernandez

Mr. Van Ginkel responded to questions from Board Members.

Ms. Canter moved that the report be adopted. Mr. Lauritzen seconded the motion, which by general consent was adopted.

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 23 - 04/05
Designation of the Site Located at the Northeast Corner of Griffith Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard as the Preferred Site for the Location of the Central Region Elementary School No. 17

Mr. Van Ginkel provided a brief overview of the site.

The following speakers addressed the Board on the report:

Ms. Martha Sanchez

Mr. Mike Hernandez representing Councilwoman Jan Perry, City of Los Angeles

Ms. Cecilia Nuñez

Mr. Miguel Hernandez in place of Mr. Virgilio Valente

Ms. Beatriz Andrade

Mr. Julio Lopez

Mr. Jose Luis Salcedo

Mr. Jose Chue

Ms. Blanca Lucero

Mr. Van Ginkel and Mr. McConnell responded to questions from Board Members.

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

After discussion and by general consent, the report was adopted with the understanding that staff will contact the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) at its highest level possible to get a definitive statement on the availability of the land owned by the MTA and report to the Board at the Regular meeting on August 24, 2004. Ms. Korenstein was absent.

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 24 - 04/05
Designation of the Site Located at the Southeast Corner of Adams Boulevard and South Broadway as the Preferred Site for the New Central Region Elementary School No. 18

Mr. Van Ginkel provided a brief overview of the site.

The following speakers addressed the Board on the report:

Ms. Yadira Arevalo, Community Housing Corporation

Ms. Puri Behijar

Ms. America Alaniz

Ms. Maria Gomez

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President Huizar passed the gavel to Ms. Canter and left the meeting.
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Mr. Rafael Ceua

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President Huizar assumed the Chair.
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Mr. Van Ginkel responded to questions from Board Members.

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

After discussion and by general consent, the report was adopted with the understanding that staff will look at the feasibility of expanding this site and report to the Board at the Regular meeting on August 24, 2004. Ms. Korenstein was absent.

DIRECT

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NO. 34 - 04/05 (DIRECT)
Approval of Agreements

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

Superintendent Romer stated the purpose of the Riverside contracts was for assessments in English Language Arts and Science. Dr. Todd Ullah, Ms. Arzie Galvez from the Office of Instruction, and Mr. Dwayne Johnson, Director of Contracts, gave a brief overview of their involvement with the contracts.

By general consent the report was adopted. Ms. Korenstein was absent.

On motion by Ms. LaMotte, seconded by Mr. Lansing, the meeting adjourned by general consent at 5:27 p.m.


APPROVED BY THE BOARD: August 24, 2004




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JOSE HUIZAR JEFFERSON CRAIN
PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BOARD