III. Students' Concerns

Student Members Heather Whitlow of Westchester High School, Dylan Redmon of Fairfax High School, and Elizabeth Bernier of Hamilton High School

District's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Independent Auditors Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1997

Our Kids, Our Schools - Review of Proposition BB Progress

A.Board of Education Report No. 1

(Ratification of Revised Unique Multitrack Year-Round Calendars for Ascot Elementary School for School Year 1997-98)

B.Board of Education Report No. 2

(1997-2000 Memorandum of Understanding Between the Los Angeles Unified School District and the California School Employees Association for Unit D {Office-Technical and Business Services})

C.Board of Education Report No. 3

(1997-2000 Memorandum of Understanding Between the Los Angeles Unified School District and Los Angeles County Building and Construction Trades Council for Unit E {Skilled Crafts})

D. Board of Education Report No. 4

E.Board of Education Report No. 5

(Agreements and Amendments, Professional Services Agreement, Personal/Professional Services Agreements Aggregating $50,000 and Over, Amendments to Personal Services Agreements Aggregating $50,000 and Over, and Donation of Money)

F.Board of Education Report No. 6

VII.New Reports ­ Direct To Board For Action

G.Board of Education Report No. 7

H.Board of Education Report No. 8

(Student Reinstatements)

I.Board of Education Report No. 9

(Student Applications for Admission)

J.Board of Education Report No. 10

(Universal Hiring Program Grant Application Under U.S. Department of Justice)

K.Board of Education Report No. 11

(Unclassified Elections to Professional Expert C, Classified Employee Dismissals, Certificated Employee Election, and Approval of Interim Management Contract)

L.Board of Education Report No. 12

(Various Purchasing Transactions)

M.Board of Education Report No. 13

(Routine Personnel Actions)

N.Board of Education Report No. 14

(Rescission of Student Expulsion)

O.Board of Education Report No. 15

(Year 2000 Project)

P.Instruction/Curriculum/Student Achievement Committee Report No. 1

(Special Education Nonpublic School Placement)

Q.Mr. Tokofsky - White House Place/Eco-Village (Noticed October 20, 1997): WITHDRAWN AT THE REQUEST OF MR. TOKOFSKY

R. Ms. Castro, Ms. Fields, Mr. Horton , and Ms. Korenstein - March as National Women's History Month (Noticed December 15, 1997)

Whereas, Congress has passed Public Law 100-9 declaring the month of March to be designated "Women's History Month";

Whereas, Women of all dimensions of diversity: race, ethnicity, class, religion, sexual orientation, physical ability, have served the nation as early leaders in the forefront of every major progressive social change movement in the United States and worldwide;

Whereas, Women have been leaders, not only in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in the Abolitionist Movement, the Emancipation Movement, the Industrial Labor Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and other movements, which create a more fair and just society for all;

Whereas, Women have made and continue to make historic contributions in countless recorded and unrecorded ways; and

Whereas, Despite these contributions from women in all walks of life, the role of women in history up to and including the present, is often overlooked and frequently undervalued; now, therefore,

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles urge all schools to join in the observance of March as National Women's History Month;

Resolved further, That all schools be encouraged to observe this month with special classroom activities, assemblies or other programs that honor women of the past, as well as contemporary women, including women in our families and communities; and be it

Resolved further, That all 3-12 grade students be encouraged to participate in the student essay project, designed to honor women and men who have made a significant contribution to the Women's Rights Movement.

Board of Education

S.Budget Services and Financial Planning Division No. 1

(Adoption of Traditional, LEARN, and Multitrack Year-Round Calendars for School Year 1999 2000)

T.Budget Services and Financial Planning Division No. 2

(1997-98 Class Size Reduction Program (K-3) - Certification of Implementation

U.Budget Services and Financial Planning Division No. 3

(1998-99 Budget Development Calendar)

V.Business Services Division No. 1

(Agreements and Amendments, and Personal/Professional Agreements, Personal/Professional Services Agreements Aggregating $50,000 and Over Requested by Clusters and Offices)

W.Facilities Services Division No. 1

(Award of Advertised and Unadvertised Contracts)

X. Facilities Services Division No. 2

(Appointment of Architect for San Fernando/Sylmar New ES No. 2 (Pacoima MS) Project)

Y.Accounting and Disbursements Division No. 1

(Cash Management Investment Policy)

Z.Accounting and Disbursements Division No. 2

(Agreement for Audit Services)

AA.Facilities Services Division No. 1

(Request for Proposition BB Funding for a New Primary Center and to Upgrade Buildings for Previously Authorized Primary Centers)

BB.2:00 p.m.- Regular Meeting, November 17, 1997

2:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting, December 1, 1997

XI. Correspondence and Petitions

CC.Report of Correspondence

Motions and Resolutions (Draft Language)

DD.Mr. Tokofsky - Motion to Establish an Office of Inspector General (Noticed November 3, 1997)

Whereas, the Los Angeles Unified School District projects one billion six hundred million dollars ($1,600,000,000) annually in business, construction, and consulting contracts for the next 10 years, adding an additional approximate four hundred million dollars ($400,000,000) in voter approved Proposition BB funds;

Whereas, such funds should be allocated in the most cost-effective basis that prevents tax dollar waste or abuse; and

Whereas, the District wishes to avoid even the appearance of lax controls over these new expenditures; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles establish the Office of Inspector General and appoint an Inspector General to a term of office of five years, which may be renewed once for a total of 10 years; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles convene a panel of at least three members of the Association of Inspectors General to screen and recommend candidates for the selection of an Inspector General; and be it

Resolved further, That the selection panel use the following criteria when making their selection: That the inspector general shall have verifiable experience in criminal investigations and prosecutions, the conducting of audits, public administration, conflict of interest and campaign finance laws, and any additional skill or knowledge necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of an inspector general; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles shall select the inspector general from the candidates recommended by the panel of Inspectors General; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles establish policies and procedures for the removal from his or her position as Inspector General if 1) a two-thirds majority of its members votes for the removal; or 2) if the Inspector General is found to have violated a state or federal law or regulation, local ordinance, or a policy or practice of the Board, relative to ethical practices, including, but not limited to, the acceptance of gifts or contributions; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles define the duties of the Inspector General as being responsible for auditing and investigating any and all matters regarding the operations, activities, construction, and expenditures of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles, District and Board staff, and District contractors and subcontractors. The authority of the Inspector General shall also include investigation of possible conflicts of interest, improper communications with Board Members on potential contracts before contract awards, or other ethical violations and be it

Resolved further, That the Inspector General shall have subpoena power as authorized by state and local codes or granted powers and the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles acknowledges that any investigatory file compiled by the inspector general is an investigatory file compiled by a law enforcement agency subject to disclosure pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 6254 of the Government Code; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles direct the Inspector General to establish procedures to require that a prequalification questionnaire be completed by each construction company, engineering firm, consultant, legal firm, product vendor, and any other business entity seeking to contract with the board for the furnishing of goods or services. The Board will establish polices and procedures to prohibit the District from entering into a contract or doing business with any firm that knowingly provides false information on the questionnaire. The questionnaire shall solicit information regarding the firm including, but not limited to the following subjects: (1) Experience; (2) Quality and timeliness of past performance; (3) Reliability and responsibility; (4) Compliance with wage, hours, and other fair; (5) Compliance with equal employment requirements; (6) Subcontractors used by the firm; (7) Integrity of the firm and its key personnel; (8) Gifts given, or contributions made, to members, alternate members, or employees of the Board; (9) Lawsuits filed against the firm and their dispositions; and be it

Resolved further, That the Inspector General shall, at a noticed public meeting of the Board of Education, report quarterly on the following: (a) School construction, design, and repair contracts, including expenditures on such projects for consultants, attorneys, developers, and construction firms; b) Expenditures of funds allocated by Proposition BB and any future bond measures approved by the voters for school construction, design, or repair; (c) Travel, meals, and refreshments, private club dues, membership fees and charges, and any other expenditures which are specified by the Board; (d) A report on savings or recommendations for savings; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles fund the Office of Inspector General using existing District resources, which may include redirecting funds which would otherwise be allocated to the Independent Analysis Unit or the recently established Special Audits Branch.

EE. Ms. Fields and Mr. Kiriyama - Regular Board Meeting Schedules (Noticed December 15, 1997)

Whereas, The Board has a significant responsibility as the policy making body of the Los Angeles Unified School District;

Whereas, The history of the L.A. City Board of Education reveals that prior to 1976, the Board held regular meetings every Monday and Thursday; in the 1976-77 school year the Board reduced its regular meetings to once a week; and beginning in the 1991-92 school year to the present, the Board has held its regular meetings twice a month to do the Public's business;

Whereas, The fulfillment of the Board's duties requires informed decision making taking into account recommendations from the Superintendent, his staff and community members;

Whereas, The volume of District business requiring the Board Members' attention has increased necessitating substantially more preparation time and resulting in extended board meetings; and

Whereas, The Board has an interest in reducing any delays felt by schools because of several factors, including but not limited to the number of agenda items due to the passage of Prop. BB and class size reduction; now, therefore, be it

Resolved That, the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles make all necessary changes to the rules, policies and procedures of the District to allow the body to hold its regular meetings on the first, second, third and fourth Monday of each month at 2 p.m.;

Resolved That, the agenda items be limited to 26 a meeting, with the exception of items of urgency and placed on the agenda by the Board president or the Superintendent;

Resolved That, one Board of Education meeting per month be held in each Board district on a rotating basis; and be it

Resolved further That, the above resolutions be implemented on a 10 month trial basis and reviewed at that time before becoming permanent.

FF.Mr. Horton, Mrs. Boudreaux, Ms. Castro - Spending Limits on School Administration (95/5 Ballot Initiative)

Whereas, The Initiative proposes that, beginning in the 1999-2000 fiscal year and every year thereafter, no more than five percent of all funds received by school districts (all federal, state and local revenue) shall be expended on administrative costs, as defined by the measure;

Whereas, The Initiative proposes that, beginning in the 1998-99 fiscal year and every year thereafter, each school district shall include in its budget a system indicating the contribution of each expenditure to the achievement of a specific performance objective pursuant to the district's effort to improve pupil performance;

Whereas, The Initiative states that every district failing to comply with any provision of the Initiative shall be fined by the State Board of Education an amount equal to five percent of the basic
per-ADA revenue limit times total ADA;

Whereas, The penalty for the Los Angeles Unified School District would total $116.4 million if the District was to be found out of compliance;

Whereas, The Initiative includes in the five percent, and thus subject to reduction, certain school district costs that protect the safety of students, such as school bus maintenance and repair;

Whereas, The Initiative includes in the five percent, and thus subject to reduction, certain school district costs that provide and protect the quality of educational services provided to students, such as curriculum development, staff development, and supervision of instruction;

Whereas, The Initiative reduces fiscal efficiency by reducing district services provided to school sites, such as data processing, payroll, accounting, bulk purchasing, and warehousing.

Whereas, The Initiative will increase administrative costs at school sites as they assume more administrative responsibilities from the district;

Whereas, The Initiative will increase administrative costs in school districts as they carry out the mandates contained in the Initiative; and

Whereas, The Initiative is opposed by several major statewide educational organizations, including the California State PTA, California School Board Association, Association of California School Administrators, California School Employees Association, Service Employees International Union, California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, California Association of School Business Officials, Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Easton, and the League of Women Voters; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles oppose the Spending Limits on School Administration (95/5) Initiative.

GG.Ms. Castro - Greening Proposal (Noticed January 12, 1998)

Whereas, The Proposition BB Blue Ribbon Citizens' Oversight Committee has approved a motion to plant lawns and trees on playgrounds scheduled to receive Proposition BB funds, replacing up to one-third, or nearly 20 million square feet, of asphalt;

Whereas, The planting of lawns and trees, also known as "greening," presents countless benefits to Los Angeles schools and neighborhoods, including reduced pollution and exposure to ultraviolet light, a safer, more exercise-friendly environment and greater educational opportunities for students;

Whereas, Non-profit groups will continue their commitment to "greening" schools by supplying the District with volunteer labor and trees free of charge;

Whereas, "Greening" will eventually lower energy costs by shading school buildings and grounds, thus reducing the District's reliance on air conditioning; and

Whereas, Because of budget cuts to staff there are presently not enough gardeners and gardening equipment to attend to the immediate maintenance needs from any new greenery; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles instruct the Superintendent to include in his 1998 budget the nearly $1 million in funds necessary to pay for the first-year costs associated with the "greening" proposal; and be it

Resolved further, That the Superintendent include in future budgets the funds necessary to cover the ongoing costs associated with this proposal

Motions and Resolutions (Initial Announcements)

HH.Mr. Kiriyama - National School Breakfast Week

Whereas, National School Breakfast Week is observed in March each year and its theme for 1998 is "Get Up for School Breakfast";

Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District provides a school breakfast program in every school and child care program in the District, and serves more than 216,000 breakfast meals daily, constituting the largest school breakfast program in the United States;

Whereas, Numerous studies have shown that children who eat breakfast perform better in school, are more creative than those who skip the morning meal, and are able to work faster and make fewer mistakes than students who do not eat breakfast; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles join other school districts throughout the Nation to observe the week of March 2-6, 1998, as National School Breakfast Week; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education continue its support of the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs and nutrition education for the District's students.

II.Mr. Horton - Establishment of Accountability Task Force

Whereas, This school district and its schools are currently organized around compliance with specified procedures rather than around responsibility for student achievement;

Whereas, Every school district employee must take some responsibility for student achievement; and

Whereas, The Board of Education intends to move as rapidly as possible towards a system structured around accountability for student success; now therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles direct the Superintendent to appoint a Task Force on Accountability which shall be charged with recommending to the Board and the Superintendent an organizational structure to create clear accountability at all levels for student achievement.

This Task Force shall develop a plan which will address issues such as:

Resources and procedures for intervention in low performing schools;

The link between employee evaluation, promotion, rewards and sanctions--both individually and collectively--to measurable student achievement;

Meaningful measurements of student achievement;

Resources and organizational changes necessary to institute accountability for student achievement in all aspects of District operations, including schools and classrooms, cluster and central offices;

The effect of decentralization, and the role of central authority; and

Other issues the task force deems appropriate to achieving the goal of reorganizing the schools and the District along proven principles of accountability.

The Task Force shall take into account existing research, educational studies, and proposals on related issues, such as the recently issued report of the California Commission on Rewards and Interventions, the CSBA Focus Group on Accountability, the report of the LEARN Task Force on Assessment and Accountability, and other relevant documents from professional and private sector organizations

The Task Force shall be composed of leading experts from:

Organizations of District employees and parents;

The business community;

Universities and K-12 educational organizations;

Other public institutions; and

Shall also include the Board's Independent Analysis Unit.

In order to move as rapidly as possible, the Superintendent shall appoint the Task Force and report its composition to the Board of Education by the end of February, 1998. The Task Force shall complete its work and submit a set of recommendations to the Board and the Superintendent by the end of May, 1998.

JJ.Meeting, Conference and Convention Motions and Announcements

KK.This Week In Education

• Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary School Students Aris Kirkland and Katrina Chambers

• Southern Christian Leadership Council Martin Luther King, Jr., Essay and Art Contest Winners

• Stanford University Student Arthur Lee, Former Muir Middle School and Hollywood High

Ms. Fields will comment on the following:

• Calvert Elementary School Student Isabella Glenn-Lambert
  

• California School Boards Association, API Conference

• King Drew Magnet-Unveiling

• San Pedro High School-Los Angeles Police Department Academy Opening
  
  
  

LL.Speakers