You can see the agenda here, the materials here and the video of the meeting here.
The meeting started with the recognition of Ms. Karla Gould on the occassion of her retirement. Ms. Gould has served the District for 34 years. She started her career in education as a bus driver. in another school district, and ends it as the Personnel Director of the Personnel Commission following years of extraordinary service. You can watch the video here.
The Superintendent provided his remarks about the Strategic Plan which you can watch starting here. You can see his Update on the Strategic Plan here.
The Board also approved investments in the following Board District Priority and Region Priority Projects in BD3 schools for a total of $790,630.00
- Blythe ES
- Will receive lunch tables ($24,152)
- Start will begin Q1 2024 and end Q3 2024
- Carpenter Community Charter ES
- Will receive an upgraded video surveillance (CCTV) system ($65,771)
- Construction starts Q3 2024 and will end Q4 2024
- Hale Charter Academy
- Auditorium lighting system upgrades ($600K)
- Construction starts Q4 2024 and finishes Q1 2025
The Board also approved funding for the School Network System Upgrade to support anticipated future growth of high-performance student and teacher technology since existing network hardware is near its end lifecycle and has been supporting district services for 7-10 years in the following schools in BD3/
- Schools in BD3
- Aggeler CHS ($331,641)
- Anatola EL ($780,735)
- Andasol Ave EL ($648,338)
- Haynes Chtr EL for Enriched Studies ($653,660)
- Kester EL ($1,373,714)
- Lemay St EL ($580,855)
- Lockhurst EL ($801,499)
- Miller CTC at Cleveland SH ($777,271)
- North Hollywood SH Zoo Magnet ($403,922)
- Superior EL ($713,507)
- Van Nuys EL ($1,078,609)
The Board also approved the resolution – Remembering and Honoring the Significance of Lunar New Year which I sponsored with the co-sponsorship of Board Members Melvoin, Rivas, and Ramirez)
Lunar New Year is celebrated by over 1.5 billion people around the world, spanning many countries and cultures. Our Asian and Asian-American communities have made an impact on California’s history, and it’s time to openly acknowledge the positive characteristics that go into our modern society through that diversity.
However, this resolution goes beyond just a commemoration. Over these past few years, our Asian neighbors have been attacked, verbally and even physically, since the start of the pandemic. And just last year, the tragic events of senseless violence struck the community of Monterey Park, a neighborhood not too far from where we currently sit. I introduced this resolution as one that combats Asian-American hatred but also contributes to positive action. Studies show that when people are exposed to other cultures, they become more open-minded and socially accepting of others.
The resolution also includes a request for the District to incorporate important lessons explicitly about the teaching of Asian-American Pacific Islander culture. Learning more about the history of Los Angeles’s own Chinatown, Koreatown, Filipinotown, and other neighborhoods about the Asian diaspora is also essential to the history of Los Angeles itself.
Finally, I also co-sponsored the resolution Commemorating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the National Day of Service that Dr. McKenna authored.