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September 10, 2020
Board of Education Update
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The Board of Education met on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Below are summarized highlights of the meeting, but for detailed information about all agenda items addressed during the meeting, please click here to access the agenda and referenced documents, and click here to access a digital recording of the Open Session meeting. The next regularly scheduled meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 7 p.m.
In his Superintendent's Report, Dr. Jeff Wilson informed the Board about the following:
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District staff will be conducting a candidate information night on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, to provide information about governance and District operations so that candidates for the Board of Education will be well informed about issues affecting the District.
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Dr. Wilson "visited" several different classrooms and saw innovative ways that teachers are instructing through distance learning. Board members will be given the opportunity to observe classrooms virtually.
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Dr. Wilson introduced Carlos Kassam-Clay, the new Assistant Principal at San Marino High School. Mr. Kassam-Clay has broad teaching and administrative experience both nationally and internationally and most recently was an Assistant Principal in South Pasadena Unified.
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Dr. Wilson provided an update about the possibility of in-person instruction in the future. While September 14, 2020 has been identified as the date that small cohorts of special education and English Learner students may return to school in person, there are many testing and other logistics to be worked out, and it is unlikely that all requirements will be met by that date. Los Angeles County is not currently accepting applications for elementary school waivers, and Dr. Barbara Ferrer has suggested that it is not likely that elementary school waivers will be implemented in Los Angeles County any time soon.
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Dr. Wilson stated that while there are still improvements that can be made, the District currently offers the highest ratio of AP and honors courses among local public school districts. He was proud that our small high school is able to offer 15 AP courses and 4 CTE Pathways.
Information Items
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Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan: In a public hearing required by law, Dr. Michael Lin presented the first reading of the District's Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan (LCAP), which replaces the Local Control and Accountability Plan for this school year. The LCAP described the impact of COVID-19 on the District, continuity of learning via in-person and distance learning, and efforts to address learning loss and mental health issues, among other things. The Board will be presented with the final LCAP at its September 22 meeting. The Board thanked Dr. Lin and the LCAP Stakeholder Group for its hard work in putting together this new plan (see below).
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WASC Accreditation 2020 - Final Report: San Marino High School Principal Jason Kurtenbach proudly and officially reported that the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) had provided a 6 Year Clear certification to SMHS after its on-site visit in February 2020. This is the highest certification that can be bestowed on an educational entity. Mr. Kurtenbach reviewed the major goals and action plans that were put in place and updated the Board on steps that have and will be taken. For example, the District has entered into several agreements with educational institutions to provide interns who will support the Wellness Center. Click here to listen to a description of the goals and action plans set forth in the WASC report (40:41 in the digital recording).
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COVID-19 Compliance Team Update: Chief Technology Officer Dr. Stephen Choi updated the Board on work performed by the District's COVID-19 Compliance Team, which consists of about 25 administrators, teachers, staff, counselors and parents and represents all aspects of the SMUSD community. The Compliance Team is incorporating continual school reopening protocol updates provided by governmental agencies, with more revisions expected soon. Schools will be expected to conduct surveillance testing and are awaiting further direction. The District has established a new website at www.smusd.us/covid19complianceteam/ so that all stakeholders can access the latest data, reopening protocols, plans, schedules, training, and communications.
Action Items
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Resolution No. 5 on Equity, Inclusion, Racism, Implicit Bias and Diversity: Upon the third reading and after input from all Board members, the Board approved this Resolution confirming the Board's ongoing commitment to stand against and address racism, discrimination and inequity in the District. The Board thanked the leadership of Superintendent Wilson and Cabinet, along with Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) consultant Sharon Harvey.
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2019-20 Interfund Transfer of $171.470.29 from General Fund 01.0 to the Cafeteria Fund 13.0: As a result of the pandemic, the District has been required by law to offer free lunches to all students and is prevented by law from laying off food services employees despite a decline in food services demand. The Board approved the transfer of money from the General Fund to the Cafeteria Fund to balance the resulting shortfall in revenue and increase in expenses.
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Unaudited Actuals Financial Report - Fiscal Year 2019-20: The Board approved the Unaudited Financial Report, which provides the actual financial reports for the prior fiscal school year and includes all sources of revenues, prior year carry over balances and expenditures by type or classification. The Unaudited Financial Report will be submitted to the District's independent audit firm for auditing purposes, and the Board will receive the audit results typically in January.
Thank you LCAP Stakeholder Group! Maria Butron Kelly Duncan Leyda Escamilla Alana Faure Andrew Gayl Marisa Kelly Jason Kurtenbach Mike Lin Vangie Lingat Marguerite Lindsay Erik Negroe Helen Spitzer Daryl Topalian Becki Watlington
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San Marino Unified School District Board of Education
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C. Joseph Chang
President
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Vice President
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Chris Norgaard
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