LASD Board Highlights

Over the last several months, the Board has been working with a third-party consultant to provide an analysis and assessment of the school district's facilities needs. This work culminated in a report presented at the July 29 meeting.

After an inspection of our schools, as well as input from teachers, staff and parents, the highest priority potential facilities improvement projects were grouped into various categories, including campus modernization, site improvement, and program improvement. Each of the identified needs at all school sites were then included in these categories and prioritized.

Essential modernizations make up the bulk of the identified priority projects, including updating inefficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, replacing outdated fire alarms and repairing or replacing leaking roofs. To provide a robust middle school program at Blach and Egan and reduce overcrowding on these campuses, other projects were identified, including the construction of the 10th site. Other priority projects include adding space for the growing Transitional Kindergarten and Kinder programs and improving or adding innovation labs at elementary schools for our STEM programs.

Now that a thorough process has identified key projects to improve our school facilities, the Board will work to finalize the Facilities Master Plan and prioritize projects based on community preferences, repair needs and educational programming priorities. A draft of the plan is expected to be presented at the August 19th board meeting

The Board reviewed an update on community outreach regarding a potential bond measure to fund facilities improvement projects, as well as the results from a local voter survey.

The survey reflected voter support for a bond measure that requires 55% approval from local voters to pass. The voter survey showed that voters continue to prioritize maintaining high-quality local schools and rate LASD schools positive. With additional information about the need for the bond measure, voter support just slightly exceeds the 55% threshold for passage.

Given the great need for facilities needs at existing sites, as well as persistent overcrowding at our junior high school sites, the Board is considering placing a bond measure on the November 2024 ballot to fund facilities improvements at existing school sites and construct facilities needed to restore our small neighborhood schools.

The Board will consider placing a bond measure to fund priority facilities improvements and repairs on the ballot at its next meeting on Monday, August 5 at 7:00pm. For more information, please check out item E.3. on our online agenda for the July 29 Board meeting.