Pledge of Allegiance

Adoption of Consent Items - Regular Board Meeting of July 8, 2003

1. Board of Education Report Revised No. 3 - 03/04 ADOPTED
Business Services Division

(Agreements, Amendments, and Donation of Money) Ratifies contracts and amendments for professional services totalling $18.5 million; amends contracts with the University Corporation and Woodcraft Rangers for approximately $900,000; accepts donations from Palisades Enrichment Program.

3. Board of Education Report No. 19 - 03/04 ADOPTED
Business Services

(Implementation of a Voluntary Benefits Program) Establishes a voluntary benefit program for employees and retirees to include auto, homeowners, renters, etc.

4. 2003-2004 Initial Negotiating Proposal from United Teachers Los Angeles (Noticed July 8, 2003)

5.2003-2006 Initial Negotiating Proposal from Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (Noticed June 24, 2003)

Receipt of Communications for Action at Next Board Meeting
(The Board will assign these items to Consent or Regular Calendar)

6. Board of Education Report No. 21 - 03/04 REGULAR
Business Services Division
(Agreements and Amendments)

7. Board of Education Report No. 24 - 03/04 REGULAR
Facilities Services Division

(Facilities Contract Agreements, Change Orders, Completion of Contract, Rejection of Bids, Cancellation of Contracts, and Professional Services Agreements)

9. Board of Education Report No. 36 - 03/04 REGULAR
Business Services Division
(Retirement Incentive for Area Food Service Supervisors and Cafeteria Workers II)

Special Reports and Presentations

State Budget Update - Vivian Castro

Health Benefit Committee Proposal (Collective Bargaining Units)

Adoption of Regular Calendar - Regular Meeting of July 8 and July 22, 2003

(Amendment to Add Three Projects to January 2003 Strategic Execution Plan for New Construction - Reopening of Hughes, Hesby and Oso)

12. Board of Education Report No. 23 - 03/04 (Direct) ADOPTED
Pupil Services Division
(Student Expulsions)

13. Board of Education Report No. 25 - 03/04 (Direct) ADOPTED
Pupils Services Division
(Student Reinstatements)

14. Board of Education Report No. 26 - 03/04 (Direct) ADOPTED
Facilities Services Division

(Resolution of Intention to Dedicate Easements at Corona New Primary Center)

(Resolution of Intention to Dedicate Easements at Jefferson New Elementary School No. 1)

(Resolution of Intention to Dedicate Easements at South Central Los Angeles New High School No. 1 [Santee])

(Resolution of Intention to Dedicate Easements at Wilson New Elementary School No. 1)

(Authorization to Negotiate and Enter into a Lease at 5351 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles, for a Field Office for Board of Education District 1)

20. Board of Education Report No. 33 - 03/04 (Direct) ADOPTED
Special Education

(Credential Waiver Request for Special Education Teachers)

(Nonroutine Personnel Actions)

(Waiver Regarding the Employment of Retired Members of a School Retirement System as Staff Assistants to Board Members)

Whereas, For generations California's state and local governments have aided hard-working people to build better lives for themselves and their children. All Californians should still have that opportunity to achieve their dream of a better future. This means children deserve quality public school, community colleges, and universities, and that the seniors can live with dignity. Access to health care, safe homes, roads, and neighborhoods, and a reliable infrastructure that supports economic growth are prerequisites for a healthy, functional society;

Whereas, Current efforts to address the State's $34.8 billion deficit with deep cuts to services and transportation will cause great harm to all Californians;

Whereas, These cuts would reverse the significant progress made in California in improving the schools and basic infrastructure, providing health care to more people, and beginning to shape an effective system of long-term care on which all can depend;

Whereas, Proposed spending caps should be avoided as they will only lock the State into a permanent budget crisis and will adversely affect future generations; and

Whereas, Cuts to important state and local services harm the basic infrastructure of the State and are not good for businesses or families; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles call for a just budget that fairly spreads the burden of cuts and increased revenues. A balanced solution includes creating new revenues such as reinstating the upper income tax brackets on the wealthiest Californians and increasing the tobacco tax; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education is opposed to any new spending caps that permanently ratchet down funding for education, health care, infrastructure investment and other important public services and never allow them to recover when times are good.

Whereas, SBX1 18 authorizes a local educational agency to convert categorical ending balances to the general fund balance; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles direct the Superintendent to examine ways in which the District can take advantage of this new legislation and report back to the Board within 30 days.

Discretionary Contracts -

Whereas, Board Member Lansing introduced, and the Board of Education passed a motion calling for a reduction of District spending on discretionary contracts by $5 million; and

Whereas, the District currently spends approximately $100 million on discretionary contracts; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles directs the Superintendent to reduce spending on discretionary contracts by an additional $20 million, for a 30 percent total reduction.

Overtime -

Whereas, the District spent approximately $30 million on employee overtime this year; and

Whereas, Board Member Lansing's motion reduced overtime expenditures by $5 million; now therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education directs the Superintendent to reduce expenditures on employee overtime by an additional $5 million, for a total reduction of $10 million. This is an approximate 30 percent total reduction to overtime expenditures.

Central Office Reductions -

Whereas, it is in the best interest of the students to focus resources towards the school site level; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles direct the Superintendent to ensure that each Central Office reduce its budget by at least 15 percent.

Whereas, The Republic of El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839;

Whereas, A12-year civil war in El Salvador, which cost the lives of some 75,000 people, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms;

Whereas, Los Angeles now has the largest Salvadoran population in the United States, and is the largest Salvadoran metropolis outside of El Salvador;

Whereas, It is estimated that approximately 900,000 to 1 million Salvadorans live in Los Angeles County;

Whereas, Salvadorans throughout Los Angeles have become U.S. citizens and professionals holding important positions in government offices, private industries, civic activities, and non-profit organizations, such as the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF), the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), Clinica Monsignor Romero, PIPIL, Homies Unidos, and various other groups;

Whereas, The District is home to many immigrant families and students, including Salvadorans, especially at Belmont High School and other schools in the Pico-Union/Westlake area of the District;

Whereas, Currently, the demographics of the district and El Salvador are such that there are common attributes, and the sharing of rich historic and cultural heritage, making it appropriate to consider linking El Salvador with the District through a new "Sister School Program;"

Whereas, The Los Angeles City Council is considering renewing the Sister City Program with the City of San Salvador through a motion authored by Councilman Nick Pacheco and Councilman Ed Reyes;

Whereas, The City of Los Angeles, through the Mayor's Office, has expressed an interest in working with the District to establish the "Sister School Program," a parallel program to the City's official Sister City Program in El Salvador;

Whereas, The goals of a Sister School Program would be to: 1) link schools in the District with schools in El Salvador to promote cultural, technological, and intellectual exchanges; 2) designate up to seven schools as Sister Schools, one per Board Member District; and 3) encourage travel and exploration between those schools in El Salvador and the District;

Whereas, The United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) has expressed an interest in working with the LAUSD to create a Sister School Program, and in particular to promote educational exchanges between teachers in El Salvador and teachers in the District;

Whereas, A Sister School Program is a new program for the District and will require the Superintendent and his staff to work with the City of Los Angeles in melding the Sister School and Sister City concepts, and in developing specific guidelines and rules of participation; and

Whereas, The City of Los Angeles is sending an official delegation to El Salvador July 24-27, 2003, and this would be an appropriate trip for the District to explore the Sister School Program alongside the City's Sister City Program; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles hereby instruct the Superintendent and his staff to work with the City of Los Angeles, and the appropriate International Embassies, non-profit organizations such as SALEF, and with UTLA in the creation of a "Sister School Program" with the country of El Salvador; and be it

Resolved further, That the Superintendent report back within 45 days to the Board of Education with the appropriate policies and guidelines, including any potential costs for the creation and implementation of the Sister School Program with El Salvador and for other countries.

Whereas, Cafeterias represent an integral core facility of often understated importance at our school sites that are directly linked with student health, nutrition, and achievement; and

Whereas, The design of cafeterias has a significant impact on student participation in the food service and national school lunch program and directly affects the revenue that supports the District food service program; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles directs the Superintendent to establish specific standards for high-quality eating environments, cafeterias and full service kitchens for new school construction and school site modernization, and that these standards should include provisions ensuring the availability of adequate and accessible drinking fountains in the immediate vicinity of cafeterias and eating areas;

Resolved, That theses standards should reflect current best practices that have resulted in increased student participation in the food service program as well as input from students and other school community members;

Resolved, That the Board directs the Superintendent to survey existing and planned school cafeterias, eating areas, and kitchens and to determine conformity of existing and planned facilities to these updated specifications and consider modernization of cafeteria as a priority core facility need in the drafting of funding allocations from the next general obligation bond issue; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board directs that Superintendent to provide a report in writing to the Board of Education within 180 days detailing the process and the findings elated to this motion.

27. Motion to Delegate Authority to the Superintendent or Designee on the Use of Cellular Telephones by Students on School Campuses ADOPTED AS AMENDED

Whereas, The California Education Code Section 48901.5 permits the governing board of a local school district, or its designee, to regulate the possession of any cellular telephones, pagers, and any other electronic signaling device by students on campus, attending school-sponsored activities, or while under the supervision and control of school district employees; and

Whereas, The proliferation of cellular telephones has had a dramatic impact on the ability of users to communicate during an emergency; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles delegates its authority to directs the Superintendent or designee to develop District policy on the use of cellular telephones on school campuses and return said policy to the Board for approval.

Whereas, One of the steps in the procedures to amend this contract is the adoption by the governing body of the public agency of a resolution giving notice of its intention to approve an amendment to said contract, which resolution shall contain a summary of the change proposed in said contract; and

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Governing body of the Los Angeles Unified School District does hereby give notice of intention to approve an amendment to the contract between said public agency and the Board of Administration of the Public Employees' Retirement System, a copy of said amendment being attached hereto, as an "Exhibit" and by this reference made a part hereof.

Whereas, Senate Bill 65, the Dropout and Recovery Act of 1985, provided the vision and purpose of opportunity schools in the State of California, such that opportunity programs and classes provide a structured learning environment to help at-risk students, grades one through twelve, stay in regular classes or return to regular schools as soon as practicable;

Whereas, In the Los Angeles Unified School District the student population in the Options Program for year 2002-03 is 5,317;

Whereas, Two popular versions of alternative education in existence include independent study programs and continuation schooling;

Whereas, the typical profile for District Options program student is the following: most students are ages 14-18; attend an Options program due to student preference, non-attendance at their regular high school, failing grades, school, family and behavioral problems, or lack of goals and motivation; and most students are below grade level in reading, math, and writing skills; most students do not have the skills to pass the proposed California High School Exit Exam;

Whereas, From a policy perspective, the area of alternative education remains a generally misunderstood and unexamined specialization within public schooling;

Whereas, Current studies in the field of alternative education indicate that there is inconsistency between alternative programs, and that there is a lack of oversight due to the various mandates that alternative education has as individual institutions;

Whereas, The District would benefit from a study on the status of alternative education programs; and

Whereas, The formation of a Districtwide Alternative Education Taskforce would study the District Options programs, including continuation schools, independent study programs, community day schools, and other related educational programming; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles hereby creates a seven-member Alternative Education Taskforce, with each Board Member appointing one individual to serve on this Task Force, with such individuals having expertise in alternative education, or in the community;

Resolved further, That the District Office of Instruction convene, support, and work with this Task Force to develop a comprehensive report of the prevailing state of alternative education in the District;

Resolved further, That this Task Force provide recommendations to the Board of Education on ways to improve alternative education in the District; and be it finally

Resolved, That this Task Force submit its study and recommendations within six months of its creation.

Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District Adult and Career Education Division annually provides educational programs to over 300,000 adults and 60,000 high school students;

Whereas, The adult education programs have been an integral part of the District for over 100 years, and the Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROC/P) for over 40 years;

Whereas, The 2000 census data indicates that, when compared to other major urban areas, the Los Angeles region has the lowest level of workforce literacy when assessed on the basis of 6th grade adult literacy, high school diploma, and college degree;

Whereas, The educational programs delivered by the District Adult and Career Education Division have potential for being leveraged in addressing workforce literacy, parent education, academic instruction, and English language acquisition of the District's parents since a high percentage of Division students are also District parents;

Whereas, The Division's programs have a similar potential for assisting in the education and retention of high school students by leveraging resources to address career preparation and integrated academic instruction;

Whereas, These career preparation programs are to be viewed as an enhancement to high school students' options rather than detracting away from college opportunities;

Whereas, The Division's stand-alone facilities are assisting in addressing high school overcrowding by providing career preparation opportunities, with transportation, at its Regional Occupational Centers, Skill Centers, and Employment Preparation Centers;

Whereas, The Division's programs need new and modernized school facilities, technology enhancements, and up-to date career training equipment;

Whereas, The District has made significant progress in addressing the school facilities needs of K 12 students; and

Whereas, The progress has been positively impacted by the successful local passage of Propositions BB and K and the commensurate matching of state funds; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the Los Angeles City hereby instructs the Superintendent to incorporate in the District's Facilities Strategic Plan a specific component on the facilities needs of the Adult and Career Education Division, inclusive of the following:

1.Address the needs of stand-alone Adult and Career Education Division schools within the current process for itemizing and prioritizing projects pursuant to Measure K since these schools were in the Proposition's provisions.

2.Include Division facilities modernization, technology, and new construction needs in future bond measures.

3.Incorporate Division adult school administrative and counseling housing needs in new high schools being planned, patterned after existing high schools, so these programs have access at the end of the regular day.

4.Dedicate funds to address pending Division construction projects, including those at the East Los Angeles Skills Center, Evans Community Adult School, Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center, and Venice Skills Center.

5.Examine the potential for converting major Division leased sites to lease-purchase to provide a long range facilities benefit to the District.

6.Examine the potential for addressing high school overcrowding by converting occupational centers to joint use high school career preparation centers with career themes.

7.Incorporate Division programs within the ongoing planning that will define small learning communities at the District's high schools.

8.Examine the potential for using Division generated lottery revenues to address facilities needs; and

Resolved further, That the Superintendent submit to the Board the Adult and Career Education Division Facilities Master Plan within 90 days of adoption of this resolution.

Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District is committed to providing an environment in which students can learn to make healthful food choices for lifelong health;

Whereas, Today's youth have poor dietary habits resulting in high percentages of obesity among District students such that in 1998 a University of California Los Angeles study reported that nearly 40% of students in a District elementary school survey were obese;

Whereas, Approximately 25% of children in Los Angeles are overweight and face an increased risk of chronic diseases later in life such as asthma and diabetes as well as social stigma;

Whereas, Studies show that good nutrition increases student achievement;

Whereas, Increased participation in the District food service program provides both a nutritional benefit children as well as a revenue benefit to the District; and

Whereas, This motion provides a framework for the nutritional health of District students; now, therefore, be it

1)Adopts the following nutrient standards for all food served on campus (including but not limited to the Student Store, Vending Machines, and Cafeteria) from the morning opening of school until 30 minutes after the last period, effective July 1, 2004:

b. No more than 10% of total calories from saturated fat;

c. No more than 35% added sugar by weight (not including fruits, vegetables, and 100% juices);

d. At least 1 gm of fiber per serving for a la carte and snack grain products;

e. No more than 480mg of sodium per a la carte serving;

2) Instructs the Superintendent to adopt appropriate snack and serving portion sizes based on USDA meal guidelines;

3) Instructs the Superintendent to ensure that meals served comply with USDA standards for fat content based on meals selected and served on a daily basis;

4) Instructs the Superintendent to provide at least one plant-based vegetarian option in addition to the salad bar as one of the 11 options served daily in the cafeteria;

5) Instructs the Superintendent to develop a plan to promote fruit and vegetable consumption at school sites and report such plan to the Board of Education within 180 days;

6) Instructs the Superintendent to provide soy milk options wherever dairy is sold;

7) Instructs the Superintendent to develop a point of sales computerized payment system at all high schools within 2 years, and at all schools within 4 years;

8) Instructs the Superintendent to provide a salad and fruit bar at all High Schools within 2 years, at all Middle Schools within 4 years, and at all Elementary Schools within 6 years;

9) Instructs the Superintendent to offer the second chance breakfast at all qualified elementary, middle and high schools within 2 years;

10) Instructs the Superintendent to increase the Health Education graduation requirement from one semester to one year, expanding nutrition education within the curriculum from two weeks to four weeks, and absorbing the Life Skills curriculum within the Health Education Curriculum;

11) Instructs the Superintendent to link Nutrition Education curriculum to food service point of sales at school sites and increase hands-on learning opportunities;

12) Instructs the Superintendent to encourage all Charter School applicants to adhere to these nutrition guidelines as well as those previously adopted in the Healthy Beverage Resolution;

13) Instructs the Superintendent to develop a food service community liaison structure and an outreach plan to facilitate regular community input and participation in the District Food Service program;

14) Instructs the Superintendent to create an enforcement mechanism for vending and student body sales in consultation with Local District Superintendents, the COO, and the Inspector General;

15) Instructs the Superintendent to research the viability of using USDA organic and California grown products in the LAUSD food service program and report to the Board of Education within 180 days.

31-a. Mrs. Korenstein - Resolution Prohibiting The Use of Irradiated Foods

Whereas, An October 26, 2002, Associated Press news report announced that irradiated meat may, for the first time, be used by local school districts in their federally subsidized lunch programs, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicated that districts will be able to, but not mandated to, purchase irradiated meat as of January 2004;

Whereas, The sale of irradiated meat has been available to the public since 1999 but has not been received with consumer confidence nor has it been permitted in our public school lunch programs until this time;

Whereas, There have been no comprehensive, long-term studies done on humans regarding the health effects associated with the consumption of irradiated foods;

Whereas, Young children are the most susceptible population to cumulative toxins, additives, and chemical/radioactive processes, and there is still controversy and debate in the medical and scientific communities as to acceptable levels of low-level radiation and the long-term effects of low-level radiation on food products;

Whereas, Many consumer groups strongly oppose the use of irradiated foods, citing research that this process destroys vitamins and nutrients and can produce chemical bi-products that have been linked to birth defects and cancers;

Whereas, Irradiation can result in the elimination of odors and colors that are naturally occurring indicators of spoilage thus resulting in the unintentional consumption of spoiled foods;

Whereas, Even when successfully eliminating bacteria, the process of food irradiation does not inactivate the dangerous toxins that have already been produced by bacteria and remain in food even after the bacteria has been destroyed, such as in the case of C. botulinum;

Whereas, Irradiation may also cause mutations in bacteria and viruses that could lead to potentially more resistant strains;

Whereas,The European Parliament, after careful and diligent investigation, has ruled not to expand the trading of irradiated foods to include meat and produce within the European Union due to the many unanswered questions as to the health and safety effects of irradiation; and

Whereas, There is a strong commitment on the part of the Board of Education to provide nutritious and unadulterated foods to our students as health has a fundamental effect on an individual's ability to learn; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles hereby prohibit the use of all irradiated food products in our Food Services lunch, breakfast and snack programs at all District school sites.

1:00 p.m., Regular Meeting, May 13, 2003
12 noon, Special Meeting, June 17, 2003
9:30 a.m., Closed Session, June 24, 2003
5:30 p.m., Special Meeting, June 24, 2003
9:30 a.m, Closed Session, July 8, 2003

Public Hearings ADOPTED

34. Dedication of Resolutions of Intention to Dedicate Easements, without consideration, at Cahuenga

Elementary School No. 1 to improve access to and circulation around new developments and to establish and maintain utility service; at Dena Primary Center to improve access to and circulation around new developments and to establish and maintain utility service; at East Valley High School No. 3 for storm drain and street tree easement; and at Manual Arts New Elementary School No. 3 for storm drain and sanitary sewer to the City of Los Angeles; at Southeast Learning Center to establish and maintain utility service to the City of Maywood; at Southeast Area New Learning Center to improve access to and circulation around new developments and to establish and maintain utility service to the City of Huntington Park; at South Gate New Elementary School No. 7 to establish and maintain utility service to new developments to the Southern California Edison Company; and at Weemes Elementary School Playground to improve access to and circulation around developments and to establish and maintain utility service to new developments to the City of Los Angeles.

This Week in Education

Public Comment

Adjournment

Please Note That The Board Of Education May Consider Any Item Referred from a Board Meeting Five Calendar Days Prior To This Meeting. (Education Code 54954.3(b)(3))

The Board Of Education May Also Refer Any Item On This Order Of Business For The Consideration Of A Standing Committee Of The Board Of Education Which Meets On The Tuesday Or Thursday Immediately After This Meeting.

Members Of The Public Who Wish To Address The Board Regarding Items On This Agenda Should Call The Board Secretariat At Area Code (213) 241-7002 or Toll Free (877) 772-6273, Prior To 10:00 A.M. The Day Of The Meeting To Determine If They May Be Added To The Speakers' List.