Acton Agua Dulce Unified School District

School Board Meeting Agenda

Item 2.3 Linda Wagner, Superintendent Date: 2-10-05 e: Possible Reopening of Acton School

Item 3.11 Los Angeles. County Office of Education

ACTON-AGUA DULCE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees Acton, California AGENDA – Regular Meeting MEADOWLARK SCHOOL Thursday, February 24, 2005 – 7:30 p.m.

The Board will Open the Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m. then Recess to Closed Session to Discuss Negotiations, Personnel and Student Matters.

The Regular Meeting will Convene at 7:30 p.m.

1.0 OPENING OF MEETING

1.1 Called to order by ____________________ at ______ p.m.

1.2 Members present: C F Ma Me S

1.3 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by _________________

1.4 Administration Present: _____________________________

Action 1.5 Adopt Agenda as Presented.

It is recommended that the February 24, 2005 agenda be approved as presented to the Board. All corrections to the agenda will be submitted at this time.

Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S that the February 24, 2005 agenda be approved as presented.

Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S

1.6 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS The Board of Trustees recognizes that citizens of the community have the right and are encouraged to attend meetings of the Board, and to observe its deliberations.

Procedures have been established for citizens to place matters directly related to school district business on the agenda of any regular board meeting. Requests for placement must be made in writing and delivered to the office of the District Superintendent not later than 4:00p.m. on the 6th business day prior to the meeting. The position of the item on the agenda will be determined by the Superintendent, who may consult with the Board President on the matter. Items placed on the agenda by the public will be for information and discussion, so that the Board may be advised of the views of the community. Members of the public may address the Board regarding items on the agenda before or during the Board’s consideration of the items. Prior to the start of the meeting, persons wishing to speak, will on forms provided, indicate their name, address, and item on which they intend to speak. If the matter is listed as an item for Board action, the Board will not take action until persons who have requested to speak have done so. Unless otherwise approved by the Board, the total time allotted to all persons wishing to speak to an item will be 3 minutes. These comment time allocations cannot be assigned by one member of the public to another for the purpose of extending the period of public comment by any one person. Each person who addresses the Board must first be recognized by the presiding officer. Comments must be addressed to the Board as a whole and not to individual staff members or District employees. The Board and staff are not obligated to comment on or respond to addresses by the public.

Persons appearing before the Board are reminded, as a point of information, that members of the Board are without authority to act independently, as individuals, in official matters. No person is granted any privilege by the Board to make statements that may be considered defamatory or otherwise actionable by other persons, including District officers and employees.

To address the Board on an item not on the agenda, please fill out an Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District Comments Card available at the entry door and give it to the Board President. The President will recognize you during the Comments portion of the meeting. Upon recognition, state your name and make your statement. For items not on the agenda, please note the following stipulation of the Brown Act.

Pursuant to the Brown Act, Governing Board members cannot discuss any item which does not appear on the agenda. The Governing board may provide a reference to staff or other resources of information, request staff to report back at a subsequent meeting, or direct staff to plan an item on a future agenda.

Complaints against employees are addressed in closed session, and the District’s complaint procedure should be followed before discussion with the Board.

2.0 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Report 2.1 Enrollment Report

(Strategic Plan: Business – Current Information)

Report 2.2 Financial Update – by Dean West of Vincenti, Lloyd and Stutsman.

(Strategic Plan: Business- Consultation with Experts)

Discussion 2.3 Consideration of Utilization of Acton Campus for Classrooms. Enclosure (Strategic Plan: Business- Input of Constituents)

Action 2.4 Approval of contract for the Portable Relocation and Restroom Installation Project at High Desert Enclosure and Meadowlark Schools be awarded to the apparent low bidder.

(Strategic Plan: Facilities – Phase I)

Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S Action 2.5 Approval of contract for inspection services for the Portable Relocation and Restroom Installation Enclosure Project. (Strategic Plan: Facilities – Phase I)

Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S Action 2.6 Form committees on Facilities, Instruction and Finance from applicant pool.

Enclosure Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S

3.0 CONSENT AGENDA Action 3.0 It is recommended that the following Consent Agenda items be approved:

3.1 Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on February 10, 2005

3.2 Approval of Purchase Order Report #04-05.11

3.3 Accept Warrant Register Report

3.4 Payment of Stipends

3.5 Approval of Requests to Use Facilities

3.6 Approval of the donation of listed items

3.7 Approval of the monthly budget report

3.8 Approval of the Gamut Online contract for Board Policy services

3.9 Approval of the following stipended positions for baseball at Vasquez High: Bob James as Head Coach, Max Koopman as J.V. Coach, and Jerry Koopman as Varsity Assistant

3.10 Approval of the audit report prepared by Burkey, Cox and Evans

3.11 Approval of the 1st Interim Letter from LACOE

3.12 Approval of supplementary transportation contract with Wilsona School District

3.13 Approval of emergency waiver for school closures due to rain

3.14 Approval of revisions to Strategic Plan: A Road Map for the Future

3.15 Approval of Contract for Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School Agency Services Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S that the above Consent Agenda items be approved.

Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S CM 3.1 Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on February 10, 2005.

Enclosure CM 3.2 Approval of Purchase Order Report #04-05.11. (Strategic Plan: Business- Current Information).

Enclosure CM 3.3 That the Warrant Register is accepted by the Board for information and discussion.

Enclosure (Strategic Plan: Business- Current Information)

CM 3.4 Approval of Payment of Stipends (Strategic Plan: Instruction - Extracurricular).

Name Activity Fund School Amount CM 3.5 Approval of the requests to use school facilities. (Strategic Plan: Instruction – Extracurricular)Name Description CM 3.6 Approval of the donation of the following items: (Strategic Plan: Business – Community Involvement)

Item Donated by New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Gardening JoAnn Lachance View Sonic 17” Monitor Kristie Walker CM 3.7 Approval of the monthly budget report. (Strategic Plan: Business – Current Information)

Enclosure CM 3.8 Approval of Gamut Online service contract for Board Policy services. Enclosure (Strategic Plan: Business-Consultation with Experts)

CM 3.9 Approval of the following stipended positions at Vasquez High: Bob James as Head Coach, Max Koopman as J.V. Coach, and Jerry Koopman as Varsity Assistant.

(Strategic Plan: Instruction – Extracurricular)

CM 3.10 Approval of the audit report prepared by Burkey, Cox and Evans.

Attachment (Strategic Plan: Business – Consultation with Experts)

CM 3.11 Approval of the 1st Interim letter prepared by LACOE.

Enclosure (Strategic Plan: Business – Consultation with Experts)

CM 3.12 Approval of supplementary transportation contract with Wilsona School District.

(Strategic Plan: Business – Creative Alternatives)

CM 3.13 Approval of emergency waiver for school closures due to rain.

Enclosure CM 3.14 Approval of changes to Strategic Plan: A Roadmap for the Future.

Enclosure (Strategic Plan: Business – Input of Constituents)

CM 3.15 Approval of Contract for Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School Agency Services. To Top

4.0 CORRESPONDENCE/PROPOSALS/REPORTS

4.1 Report by Superintendent.

4.2 Reports by Principals and Director of Business Operations.

Status Report - Meadowlark School Enrollment.

4.3 Transportation Report.

4.4 Reports by Employee Organizations.

4.5 Report by Student Representative. Report from Mr. Hanlon, Instructor, Medical Magnet, Palmdale High School.

4.6 Report by Town Councils.

4.7 Reports by Board Members.

.

4.8 Discussion by Board Members. To Top

5.0 INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES Instructional Improvements:

Report 5.1 Receive report from Director of Curriculum and Instruction. – Phil Rosell

6.0 PERSONNEL Action 6.1 Approval of Dan Alfrey’s return to the position of full time bus driver, from the position of 4 hour mechanic and 4 hour bus driver.

Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S Action 6.2 Approval of ______________ for the position of four hour mechanic.

Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S Action 6.3 Approval of ______________ for the position of Custodian/Grounds/Maintenance.

Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S Action 6.4 Approval of _____________ for the position of Instructional Aide – Special Education.

Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S To Top

7.0 DISTRICT ORGANIZATION AND BOARD OPERATIONS Action 7.1 CSBA Elections Enclosure The Board is asked to select and vote for listed candidates (or write-in candidates) to serve as CSBA Delegate Assembly Representatives in our region.

Delegates: ______ Rose Koscielny (Saugus Union SD)

______ Steven M. Sturgeon (William S. Hart Union HSD)

Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S To Top

8.0 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

1. Home schooling – March 10

2. Brown Act Workshop – March 10 Following the Completion of Fundraising Efforts by Community Volunteers

1. Work Initiation on Facilities Master Plan Following the Completion of the Developer Fee Study:

1. Public Hearing on Developer Fee Increase to Statutory Rates

9.0 CALENDA

10.0 CLOSED SESSION

Closed Session may be called at any time during a formal meeting by motion of the Board of Trustees for the purpose of discussing a personnel problem, a pupil problem, land purchase, consultation on a legal problem with an attorney, and with employee organizations in regard to salaries and/or fringe benefits. All formal action involving such matters must be made in an open meeting.

Action 10.1 Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S that the Board adjourn to Closed Session at ______ p.m. for:

1. Student Matters

2. Personnel Matters

3. Negotiations

4. Litigation Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S Action 10.2 Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S that the Board reconvene to Regular Session at ______ p.m.

Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S

11.0 ADJOURNMENT Action 11.1 Moved by C F Ma Me S Seconded by C F Ma Me S that the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees adjourn at ______ p.m., Thursday, February 24, 2005.

Ayes ____ Noes ____ Absent ____ Ayes C F Ma Me S Noes C F Ma Me S Absent C F Ma Me S To Top

Item 3.11

From:

Los Angeles. County Office of Education

1-14-05

To

: Mr. Fred E. Heslep, Board President Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District 32248 N. Crown Valley Road Acton, CA 93510

Dear Mr. Heslep:

In accordance with the provisions of Education Code (EC) Section 42131, a review of the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District's (District) First Interim Report for fiscal year 2004-05 has been completed by the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools (County Superintendent). Based on the multiyear projections and assumptions provided by the District, with data current as of October 31, 2004, it appears that the District should be able to meet its financial obligations for the current and two subsequent fiscal years. We therefore concur with the District's positive certification. However, in view of the uncertainties surrounding education funding, the District is urged to exercise caution in implementing its spending priorities. The various comments resulting from our review are reflected in the following sections.

LABOR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

According to the information provided in your First Interim Report, certificated labor contract negotiations for 2004-05 remain unsettled and potential increases, with the exception of step and column changes, have not been calculated and incorporated into budgeted salary and benefit expenditures. Because labor costs make up a large portion of the District's budget, we are concerned that the District may have difficulty maintaining the required minimum three percent Reserve for Economic Uncertainties once a settlement is reached.

This letter is a reminder that, before the District's Board of Education takes any action on a proposed collective bargaining agreement, the District must meet the public disclosure requirements of Government Code Section 3547.5 and the California Code of Regulations Title V, Section 15449. The document used for this analysis was included in Urgent Bulletin No. 6, dated July 15, 2004, and is titled "Assembly Bill (AB) 1200: Public Disclosure of Proposed Collective Bargaining Agreements." Please call me if you need an additional copy.

We have received your AB 1200 public disclosure and salary settlement analysis, indicating that classified labor contract negotiations are settled for an on-salary schedule increase of one percent, retroactive to July 1, 2004, plus a $100 bonus for each classified employee as a one-time payment. The classified total compensation increase of 1.49 percent exceeds the actual percentage change in the District's base revenue limit from 2003-04 to 2004-05. While the cost of the settlement is not reflected in the budget, the District's financial analysis of the salary settlement indicates that it will maintain the required level of reserves.

As provided by the State Criteria and Standards, when certificated labor contract negotiations are settled after the adoption of the District's budget, the District must analyze the budget to determine the effect of the settlement, and the Governing Board must certify to the validity of the analysis within 45 days of the final settlement. Within this 45 day period, the District Superintendent must also send the County Superintendent any revisions to the District's current budget necessary to fulfill the terms of the agreement. Furthermore, Assembly Bill (AB) 2756 established the following requirement in Government Code (GC) Section 3547.5 (c), regarding the processing of these revisions:

Please note that, pursuant to EC Section 42142, within 45 days of the settlement, the District Superintendent must also send to the County Superintendent any revisions to the District's current budget necessary to fulfill the terms of the agreement. Furthermore, Assembly Bill (AB) 2756 established the following requirement in GC Section 3547.5 (c), regarding the processing of these revisions:

"If a school district - does not. adopt. all of the revisions. to its budget needed in the current fiscal year to meet the costs of a collective bargaining agreement, the county superintendent of schools shall issue a qualified or negative certification for the district on the next interim report pursuant to Section 42131 of the Education Code."

DEFICIT SPENDING

We noted that the District projected an operating deficit of ($133,337) with the submission of the First Interim Report, which represents 1.06 percent of the District's expenditures and other outgo for fiscal year 2004-05. However, when the cost of the classified labor contract settlement is incorporated into the First Interim projection, the operating deficit would be ($157,291), representing 1.26 percent of the District's projected expenditures and other outgo for fiscal year 2004-05. According to our review of the District's First Interim data and assumptions, and as confirmed by the District, this projected deficit is primarily due to the encroachment of restricted programs on unrestricted resources and the expenditure of restricted fund balance carried forward from the prior year in addition to the classified settlement. While the District continues to maintain the required level of reserves, it is important that this level of deficit spending be recognized and monitored so that it remains manageable.

SUBMISSION OF STUDIES, REPORTS, EVALUATIONS, AND/OR AUDITS

EC Sections 42127 and 42127.6 now require districts to submit to the County Office any studies, reports, evaluations, or audits done of the district that contain evidence that the district is showing fiscal distress. They also require the County Office to incorporate that information into our analysis of budgets, interim reports, and the district's overall financial condition.

We request that the District submit to this office any such documents commissioned by the District (e.g., reports done by the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team), or by the State Superintendent -of Public Instruction and/or a state control agency any time they are received by your district.

CONCLUSION

Thank you for providing documentation that supports the District's positive certification. The multiyear projections, with accompanying narrative and assumptions, were extremely helpful in our analysis of the 2004-05 First Interim Report and in verifying the District's fiscal condition.

We are aware that the information provided reflects the District's financial position and assumptions as of October 31, 2004, and that further adjustments will be made during_ the. year as. additional data becomes available. We hope that these comments . will be helpful to the District administration and board as you plan for the remainder of 2004-05 and develop your projections for 2005-06 and 2006-07. We wish to express our appreciation to the District staff for their cooperation during the review of the 2004-05 First Interim Report. If our office can be of further assistance, please call me at (562) 922-6135.

Sincerely,

Teri S. Stockman

Business Services Consultant

Division of Business Advisory Services To Top

Item 2.3

To: Board of Trustees

From: Linda Wagner, Superintendent Date: 2-10-05

Re: Possible Reopening of Acton School

Background

During the board meeting of February 24, we will review the rationale behind the closure of Acton School, and consider reopening that site.

In the January 2004 First Interim Report, LACOE Fiscal Services Advisors noted an historic declining enrollment trend. Because ADA is the predominant building block for development of revenue projections, they noted, "we are concerned that. . .the decline in ADA would severely impact the District's fiscal solvency."

This report also pointed out that we risked an inability to project 3 years of fiscal solvency due to economic threats related to declining enrollment. As part of that report, the District was required to create a Board-adopted fiscal stabilization plan with the Second Interim Report, reflecting a positive General Fund balance for the next 3 years and cutting $400,000 from annual operating costs overall.

As a result of this report, it was determined that there would be a series of layoffs, the elimination of class size reduction at grades K and 3, an early retirement incentive and the closure of the Acton site.

The Second Interim Report in April 2004 noted: "Our review of the District's 2004-05 budget indicates that the implementation of the District's board-adopted fiscal stabilization plan, which includes the closure of one school. . .has allowed the District to project the required level of reserves in the current and two subsequent fiscal years."

The same report went on to state: "The District has taken significant steps in addressing the deficit spending trends by enacting a Board-adopted fiscal stabilization Plan, which includes the closure of one school and certificated and classified personnel reductions for 2004-05, resulting in project reductions of approximately $394,717 (goal was $400,000) in 2004-05 and 2005-06. Based on the assumptions and narrative, the District's Board of Education appears to be planning to take the actions necessary to maintain the District's fiscal solvency in the two subsequent fiscal years."

Based on this series of responses from the county, we can construe that they support the decision to close the school, and applaud the efforts of our District in reducing our overall operating costs.

Savings from School Closure

The closure of Acton produced $313,005. in recurrent savings from salaries alone. Last year, utility costs at Acton School and the District Office combined were as follows:

Communication $ 3,108.56 Electricity $68,681.36 Water $ 1,503.18 Waste Disposal $ 2,739.12

Total $76,032.22

Total Savings realized this year, assuming the District Office uses 25% of the total site utilities, is $370,036.67. Bearing in mind that we were $400,000 short in January 2004, we can credit the school closure with our current ability to project a positive ending balance for the next three years.

Re-Opening Acton School

If Acton School is opened again:

• The District would be contractually obligated to pay teachers to move, in the approximate amount of $11,411.

• The District would be obligated to pay movers. The last move cost $21,000 in movers alone.

• The District would need to provide custodial and maintenance staff.

• The overall projected cost of the return to the site is $40,000 for the above listed items.

The Portable Relocation and Restroom Installation Project - Meadowlark and High Desert Schools

Tremendous District resources have been put in to the effort to consolidate our sites. Each step of this process was approved by the Board of Trustees. Each step in this process was carefully considered and approved by the Board.

Project Costs Thus Far Include:

Purchase of 2 Restroom Buildings $106,228. Architectural Fees $ 42,000. Other Related Fees $ 4,000. Total $152,228.

If Acton reopens, the District will have to complete the restroom project at High Desert and Meadowlark anyway, because we have already purchased the restrooms and they must still be installed.

Proponents of the Acton site suggest that we re-open the Acton site without adding personnel to our district. This would result in the dividing of existing principals, secretaries, clerks, psychologists, maintenance, custodians, Title I teachers and others between the existing sites. A proposal that is being suggested is that the Acton School site can run without a full time principal and other basic personnel and that the sites can share these employees.

Estimated Costs to Re-Open Acton School Without Adding Support Personnel

Moving Costs $ 42,000 Utilities, at 75% of total site costs $ 57,032 Site Instructional Aides $ 36,000 Additional cleaning and cleaning supplies $ 25,000

One-Time Costs (Moving) $ 42,000

Annual Recurring Costs $118,032

At this time, these costs are not in the budget. Unanticipated additional costs would come from the general fund, and would significantly impact negotiations, instructional supplies, classified personnel, and general district resources. We expect that this cost would cause the District to go from positive to qualified certification unless cuts were made in an amount equal to the anticipated annual cost of the site - $118,032.

Recommendations

At this time, it is the recommendation of the Superintendent that Acton School not reopen until the District qualifies for an additional administrator. This will take place when the district has 100 teachers; 11 more than exist in the District at the present time. Once that happens, the additional administrator should be added at the Acton site, and the site should be reopened at that time.

I recommend that the portables be moved to Meadowlark and Acton Schools as planned. The funds earmarked for this purpose are facilities funds and cannot be used for general fund expenditures. If they are not encumbered, those funds will be required to be returned to the state if we obtain hardship status for VasqueZ High School.

The Board of Trustees put much study into their decision to close the Acton site. It was with a great deal of public input and many hours of consideration and planning that decisions were made to consolidate the sites. They are encouraged to continue with the plans they have made and approved. The decision to re-open Acton School at this time would surely result in significant fiscal difficulty. To Top

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