January 10, 2022
Superintendent Jeff Baier shared that LASD will be offering vaccination clinics at Blach Junior High from 3 – 7 pm on both January 13 and February 3. Vaccines will be available to all those eligible, including boosters for 12 to 15-year-olds.
The district’s energy consultant, Terra Verde, shared that the solar panels installed across campuses saved the district about $150,000 in energy costs over the 2020-21 fiscal year.
New assignments were made for Board Committees and other appointments in 2022. The board voted unanimously to approve the assignments which can be viewed using this link: Committees and Appointments.
January 24, 2022
Superintendent Jeff Baier presented updates to the LASD COVID Safe Schools Plan to match updated guidelines from Santa Clara County. The most significant change applies to vaccinated staff and students. For those who test positive but are fully vaccinated, 5 days of isolation are now required instead of 10. At-home antigen tests will now be accepted as proof of a negative test before returning to school. The board voted unanimously to approve the changes.
Assistant Superintendent Mrs. McGonagle provided a mid-year update on the Local Control and Accountability Plan. The district is currently piloting a new science curriculum for grades K – 8 and hopes to adopt the new curriculum next year. The district is also researching social studies curriculums to pilot in the future.
Assistant Superintendent Mr. Kenyon reviewed Governor Newsom’s proposals for the 2022-23 state budget and shared the impact on LASD. State revenues are at an all-time high and there will be increased spending on special programs such as universal TK and universal meals. The details are still forthcoming and the amount of funding that may be offered to LASD is unknown. The cost-of-living adjustment for 2022-23 is set to 5.33%, which means an extra $250,000 will be transferred to Bullis Charter School and an extra $150,000 will come from the state to fund Special Education.
LASD is currently working to schedule a meeting with the City of Los Altos. Many topics from the last meeting with the City remain on the agenda (safe routes to school, back entrance to Egan, affordable housing). Board members expressed the need for LASD to be better informed about City business and to have more of a voice in relevant decision making. This need and how to address it will be added to the meeting agenda to discuss with the City.
Stella Kam, Observer