Whereas, Los Angeles is the most ethnically, racially and culturally diverse community in the world;

Whereas, Students who attend the Los Angeles Unified School District reflect the community's diversity;

Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District has historically maintained a strong commitment to affirmative action and equal opportunity in its employment practices;

Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District's affirmative action policies have assisted in the recruitment and hiring of qualified minorities and women;

Whereas, The existence of a diverse faculty, staff and administration is beneficial to the success of students in acquiring a viable and complete education;

Whereas, The California Civil Rights Initiative would outlaw most if not all of our current affirmative action programs on the assumption that they are discriminatory;

Whereas, The California Civil Rights Initiative would prohibit State and local government agencies from using affirmative action programs in the areas of public employment, public education and public contracting;

Whereas, The California Civil Rights Initiative would limit the representation of under represented groups which is critical in an ethnically diverse city such as Los Angeles; and

Whereas, The California Civil Rights Initiative, for the first time, would expressly permit discrimination against women and girls in areas where it has never been permitted by law and eviscerates California's constitutional protection against gender-based discrimination; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles reaffirm its commitment to affirmative action and to diversity among its faculty, staff and administration; and be it

Resolved further, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles strongly oppose the California Civil Rights Initiative.

The motion will be acted upon by the Board of Education at an upcoming meeting.

LILLIAN WHITE RETIREMENT RECOGNITION

Ms. Anna McLinn, Principal, Marvin Avenue School, introduced the following individuals:
Mrs. Lillian White, a Cafeteria Worker at Marvin Avenue School who is retiring this month;
Ms. Jeanne Austin, Supervisor of Civilians, Wilshire Division Police Department; and
Ms. Marilyn Lezine, Chapter 1 Coordinator at Marvin Avenue School.

Ms. McLinn stated that it was an honor to recognize Mrs. White who has been a District employee for 17 1/2 years. Mrs. White has been a Cafeteria Worker at Marvin Avenue School for more than 10 years. She commended Mrs. White for her outstanding cooking skills.

Ms. Austin expressed her appreciation to Mrs. White for her compassion, dedication, and deep love for all children.

Ms. Lezine reported that Mrs. White has improved staff morale through her love of cooking.

Mrs. White expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to cook for the staff and students at Marvin Avenue School. She introduced her son, Mr. Keith Gaston, and her grandsons,
Mr. Patrick Gaston, Mr. Anthony Gaston, and Mr. James Gaston.

Ms. McLinn announced that Marvin Avenue School's next PTA fundraiser will be "Lillian's Soul Food Cookbook."

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Mrs. Leo reported that a press conference, called by Senator Richard Polanco, was being held in Sacramento this morning regarding desegregation funding.

Mrs. Leo highlighted the following bills:

Assembly Bill 3180, by Assemblyman Curt Pringle, would provide vouchers for students to go to a private or public school if they are in a public school that ranks at or below the 5th percentile in the State.

Assembly Bill 2033, by Assemblyman James Brulte, would implement the Governor's proposal to cut all income taxes by 15%.

Senate Bill 1678, by Senator Leroy Greene, was withdrawn. It would have established a new funding model for special education.

Assembly Bill 955, by Assemblyman William Knight, was opposed by the Board of Education. The bill would, among other provisions, place a cap of three years on any student's participation in an English-acquisition program, after which a student would be placed in a program for English proficient students or, if necessary, in a remedial education program for limited-English-proficient students. The measure would also remove the requirement that teachers providing instruction in bilingual education programs hold either a bilingual-crosscultural certificate or other bilingual education credential.

Assembly Bill 2248, by Assemblyman Steve Baldwin, would require a district to obtain prior permission from the parent or guardian of each pupil before providing any instruction regarding AIDS, venereal disease, or human sexuality. Currently, parents must be notified about instruction on these issues, and have the right to exclude their children from such instruction. This measure would also levy a penalty for each hour of instruction on these subjects provided without written consent of the parent.

Senate Bill 1414, by Senator Leroy Greene, would eliminate the Language Arts Enrichment Program in grades 1 to 3, inclusive, and instead create the Class Size Reduction Program in those grades to reduce class size to an average of no more than 20 pupils per certificated teacher. The classrooms acquired or constructed for this purpose would not be included in determining the area of adequate school construction. The Superintendent of Public Instruction would be required to provide $500 per unit of enrollment reported as of October of the prior year in the classes selected for class-size reduction. The main bill to help with the funding is Assembly Bill 2449, by Assemblywoman Dede Alpert, and is currently in the Budget Committee.

Assembly Bill 2453, by Assemblywoman Dede Alpert, would authorize a school with a school based program coordination plan to conduct staff development in instructional methods in core curriculum areas on noninstructional days, so as not to take instructional time from pupils. Schools utilizing this procedure would receive $150 per participating teacher per noninstructional day. Senate Bill 1564, by Senator Steve Peace, is a similar bill but in a recent amendment he raised the amount to $220 per day for each certificated employee.

Assembly Bill 2470, by Assemblywoman Marguerite Archie-Hudson, would appropriate $10 million to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to provide $5,000 grants to currently employed paraprofessionals who are pursuing a teaching credential in special education. The grants would be used toward the costs of tuition, fees, and course-related materials and supplies at institutions of higher education with accredited programs for special education teaching credentials.

Assembly Bill 3119, by Assemblyman Steven Kuykendall, would provide that if a school district prohibits the transfer of a resident pupil to another district because of a negative impact on the racial and ethnic balance of the district or on a court-ordered or voluntary desegregation plan, the parent or guardian of the pupil must be provided written notice describing the evidence of the impact that was the basis for prohibition of the transfer, which could then be appealed at a hearing of the governing board that denied the transfer.

Assembly Bill 825, by Assemblywoman Denise Ducheny, and Assembly Bill 2630, by Assemblyman Jim Morrissey, pertain to adult education. Assembly Bill 2630 would clarify that high school youngsters can attend adult education classes if it gives them a better opportunity for vocational education. Currently, if youngsters are in high schools that provide those courses, they cannot take them in adult school.

In response to an inquiry made by Mrs. Boudreaux, Dr. Alexander indicated that all desegregation programs that were developed under court orders would be impacted if there is a cutback in desegregation funding.

PARENT COMMUNITY UPDATE

Ms. Castillo stated that at Monday's Board meeting she provided an end of the year report. She highlighted that report for the Committee.

There has been an increase in the number of volunteers this year from 2,932 to 5,062. The community is behind many of the Board's policies and new directions in terms of the goals that the Superintendent has set forward. One of the reasons that parents have become so positive is their direct involvement in committees. Parents were involved at all levels in standards, from the central level office in identifying student standards and through the Instructional Cabinets of the cluster and complex. The Office of Instruction reported that 4,000 parents turned in forms describing how they felt about the District standards.

The Parent Collaborative are parents from all of the organizations that the District has as well as parents from each of the high school complexes. The communication vehicle is from the school to the cluster to the central office. Through that communication, 1,800 workshops have been established. The Parent Community Services Branch received $1 million. Of that $1 million, 59% went to parent centers. In a 24-month period, the number of parent centers has doubled. Half of the schools in the District have parent centers. The remaining portion of the budget went to assist in activities and contract parent training programs that universities and outside organizations provide.

The Parent Press is a newspaper that is written by parents for parents.

Mrs. Boudreaux suggested that during the next school year a select number of parents from one school tour a select number of parents' centers.

BLACK EDUCATION COMMISSION END OF THE YEAR REPORT

Ms. Maddox reviewed the following major goals of the Black Education Commission:

1.Recommending and monitoring programs and activities to maximize the achievement levels of African-American students.

2.Acting in a liaison capacity to strengthen communication between the District, parents, and the community at large.

3.Investigating proposed and recommending new legislation affecting the District's educational programs.

4.Reviewing and assessing the effectiveness of educational materials in the District.

The Black Education Commission is proud of its Buffalo Soldiers abbreviated resource publication of African-American history. Each school and parent center has received a copy of the book.

Ms. Maddox expressed her appreciation to Mrs. Boudreaux for her advice and genuine caring;
Mr. Dafer Dakhil for his support of the Black Education Commission and for the use of the Masjid Omar Ibn Al Khattab in October 1995 and in February 1996; the Council of Black Administrators; the Brotherhood Crusade, Local 99, and the Parent Community Services Branch for their financial support and assistance.

During the next school year, the Black Education Commission will have the opportunity to sponsor the Scholastic Assessment Test Tutorial Program over a four- to six-month period. The Crenshaw/Dorsey/Jordan/Locke Cluster will be involved in the program.

TIMELINESS OF LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

Mrs. Roslyn Cooperman, Commissioner, Gender Equity Commission, stated that when Commissioners have taken a position on an issue, they have done so in accord with Board policy. Recently, the Commission was informed that it would no longer be allowed to take such positions unless it is first brought before this Committee and the Board of Education for approval. Last February and March, there were two items that came to the Commission for action. One came from a student commissioner pertaining to her attendance at the Beijing Women's Conference. The Commission wanted to send a letter to the United States Senate asking them to support the Convention to Eliminate Discrimination Against All Women. The Commission has been unable to send the letter because the Committee's approval has not been obtained. The second item pertained to legislation concerning family equity, and the Commission was unable to send a letter on this issue.

Mrs. Cooperman requested that a process be established that would enable the Commission to take a position on legislation or some other proposals with a timeliness that makes that position effective.

Mrs. Boudreaux suggested that Mrs. Cooperman send an informative memorandum on this issue to each Board Member.

NEW ADAGE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Mr. Earl Perkins, Title I Coordinator, Foshay Learning Center, and Mr. Howard Lappin, Principal, Foshay Learning Center, expressed their support for the New Adage Youth Development Program which emphasizes academics and athletics. The students participate in after school athletic activities following their tutoring sessions. The students have a grade point average of 3.0 and above. The program began in 1988 with five schools. Currently, there are 20 schools in the program. Student participants from the Foshay Learning Center introduced themselves to the Committee. The students presented Mrs. Boudreaux with a Foshay Learning Center T-shirt.

Dr. Alexander announced that Peary Middle School was supposed to be part of this presentation but their bus was delayed.

WEEMES HARMONICA ORCHESTRA

This item was not heard due to the delay of the school bus.

Mrs. Boudreaux announced that the Citizens Committee on Selection of Superintendent will hold the following public hearings:

June 24, July 1, and July 8, 7:00 p.m., at District Headquarters, Room H-163
June 25, 1996, 6:30 p.m., at Monroe High School Multipurpose Room
June 26, 1996, 6:30 p.m., at Dorsey High School Cafeteria
June 27, 1996, 6:30 p.m., at Roosevelt High School Cafeteria
July 2, 1996, 6:30 p.m., at Gardena High School Social Hall

The Citizens Committee members are as follows:

Mr. Dafer Dakhil, Director, Community Development and External Affairs, Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation, and Dr. Own Knox, retired District administrator were selected by Mrs. Boudreaux.

Mr. Armando Duron, former President, Mexican-American Bar Association, and Ms. Leticia Quezada, former Board Member and currently President, Mexican Cultural Institute were selected by Ms. Castro.

Mr. Ruben Lizardo, Project Director, Multicultural Collaborative, and Ms. Susan Yackley, parent, North Hollywood High and Reed Middle Schools were selected by Mr. Horton.

Ms. Robin Kramer, Chief of Staff to Mayor Richard Riordan, and Mr. Lou Moret, Chief Operating Officer, Southern California Association of Governments were selected by Mr. Slavkin.

Mr. Miguel Contreras, Secretary-treasurer, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and Mr. Danny Villanueva, Jr., Los Angeles business leader were selected by Mr. Tokofsky.

Mr. Edward Kaz, teacher, Reseda High School, and Ms. Lynda Levitan, Director of Education, 31st District PTSA were selected by Ms. Korenstein.

Mr. Joe Ahn, Field Representative to Mr. Kiriyama, and Ms. Dore Wong, Principal, Castelar School, were selected by Mr. Kiriyama.

SPEAKERS

Mr. Fernandez expressed his support for the motion by Mr. Horton, Mrs. Boudreaux, and
Mr. Kiriyama opposing the California Civil Rights Initiative.

Mr. Lamarr Piernas, Owner, Positive Moves Magazine, reported that last year he and his business associate, Mr. Scott Terrell, made a presentation to the augmented Cities, County and Community Relations Committee meeting regarding the proposed publication of a new magazine entitled Positive Moves. Since that time, the magazine has been produced. The publication is a youth oriented magazine that contains stories, poems, art and photography which is produced by students. The publication will soon be distributed to 17 schools. The projected goal is to distribute the publication to 34 schools which are located in San Pedro all the way north to Hollywood.

Mr. Piernas recently hosted a casting call to provide young people, interested in video production, an opportunity to volunteer for the soon to be produced Positive Moves-TV video magazine. Young adults will participate in the complete production. Positive Moves-TV will be shown on Continental Cable throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

Mr. Piernas requested the Committee's assistance in obtaining information on a regular basis that can be incorporated into the magazine from the Interscholastic Athletics and the Student Health and Human Services offices. Mrs. Boudreaux said that information could also be obtained from the School Police, the Cluster Leaders, and parent groups. She also suggested including the District's calendars. Dr. Alexander will meet with Mr. Piernas on this matter.

Mr. Edward J. Cabil, Executive Director, New Adage Youth Development Program, reported that he just came from a graduation for Muir Middle School students at the campus of USC. He noted that today's news report stated that on almost every corner in every city in America drugs and gangs are prevalent. His organization has programs in 20 schools that afford young people the opportunity to participate in sports. The key to success of this program is the commitment by the coaches and instructors. The mentoring process involves students who are highly at risk being assigned to someone who is a positive role model. The student can depend upon that person, not only during the after-school program but on weekends in which the student goes on trips and to church.

Mrs. Madi Reeves, Chairperson of the Black Education Commission, commended
Mrs. Boudreaux for her motion, "Blueprint for Action." She asked that the Board review the athletic eligibility requirements. There have been some inconsistences in the process.

Notes by: Dinah Edwards, Board Secretariat