April 1, 2024
The district hired CAW architects earlier this year to develop a Facilities Master Plan for the district’s 9 schools. After walking through the sites, surveying principals, staff, and parents, then conducting workshops for each school, the architects have identified 3 priorities. One is to modify facilities to accommodate students in transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten. Another is to replace outdated infrastructure such as roofing, lighting, and windows. The third is to ensure that each campus has permanent and adequate space for each of their programs, such as music and library. CAW architects will prepare scope statements and budgets before making another presentation to the board in June.
The board voted unanimously to approve an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Palo Alto Unified School District. The current version of the MOU allows Los Altos Hills residents zoned for PAUSD to attend Gardner Bullis from grades K-6. The new MOU extends the agreement to grades TK-8. There are currently 35 students who are interdistrict transfers under this agreement. PAUSD transfers corresponding funds to LASD using the Local Control Funding Formula.
Superintendent Mrs. McGonagle asked the board to authorize her to accept a grant agreement with Valley Health Foundation, which was approved 5-0. The grant awards the district $278,995 over a period of 2 years to help pay for counselors at Egan Jr. High.
Mr. Walukiewicz, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, was able to secure a little over $1 million in grant money from the CalSHAPE Ventilation Program. This state program provides funding to upgrade HVAC systems in public schools. The board voted to approve a contract with Syserco Energy Solutions to complete the work, which includes installing MERV-13 filters and carbon dioxide sensors at each school.
Stella Kam, Observer