LASD Board Highlights

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If you missed the meeting, you can view the video here. The highlights of the meeting are below.

The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority. LASD's partnership with El Camino Health provides free asymptomatic testing for all staff and students. While participation among staff has been high, student participation hasn't been as widespread.

In an effort to increase asymptomatic testing for early detection of COVID in our schools, LASD is participating in a pooled testing pilot program, where 6th grade students in the same cohort may volunteer to be tested weekly. These 6th grade students' tests are pooled together and tested for COVID-19. This program has been underway for 2 weeks and all participating cohorts have tested negative.

LASD has also increased the availability of PPE for staff, including face shields, gloves, disposable masks, as well as N95 and KN95 masks for those who request them. We are fortunate for federal CARES Act funding to help fund these essential supplies.

LASD is grateful for community volunteers who will be hosting Healthcare Professionals Panels for all staff to help answer questions about COVID-19 and workplace safety. We have already held one of these events on Tuesday, February 9 and the second is scheduled for Thursday, February 11.

Identified cases of COVID-19 have remained low in LASD, with cases remaining isolated due to strongly enforced health and safety practices to prevent the spread of illness. Check our coronavirus tracker for information, which is updated weekly on Sundays with cases from the prior week.

For more information, check out item H.1. on our agenda online.

LASD partnered with Hanover Research to conduct a mental health analysis of students and staff in October and November 2020. The survey found that a majority of students (as reported by their caregivers) and staff reported their current state of mental health and well-being as good or excellent. However, staff and students also reported high levels of stress. Sources of stress included COVID-19, as well as school or work-related stress.

While awareness of mental health and crisis intervention resources available through LASD was strong at over 60%, the Board discussed ideas to increase awareness among families without knowledge of these essential services. Teachers identified key areas for further professional development, including addressing systemic racism and promoting better social-emotional learning practices. These are two areas of focus for the Board and administrative team this year, with professional development opportunities for teachers a key priority.

For more information, please check out item H.2. on our agenda online.

The Board unanimously voted on a revised Community Commitment to Healthy Schools. Please ensure you are familiar with this set of commitments to keep our schools safe, healthy and open.

For more information, please review item H.3.

The LASD Citizens Advisory Committee for Finance oversees long-term district financial issues, including facilities needs; monitors expenditures of parcel tax funds; and makes recommendations on major, long-term financial decisions to the Board. Representatives of the Committee are volunteer community members.

The CACF reported noted impacts to the district's finances due to the uncertainty of the pandemic's impact on revenues, including uneven student enrollment. The report also noted a potential for increased costs related to student mental health and academic support.

For more information, please view item H.5. on our agenda online.

The Board is planning for a public study session on March 1 at 7:00pm via Zoom to discuss planning for the 2021-22 school year. The public is invited to attend. Please register for the Study Session here.

The next regular meeting of the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees will take place on Monday, March 8 at 7:00pm via Zoom. To attend the meeting please visit our Board web page and register for the meeting using the provided link. The link will be posted on Thursday at 5:00pm the week prior to each meeting.

If you would like to stay updated regarding upcoming Board meetings, please email mbirnie@lasdschools.org, providing your name, email address and a request to be added to the email list for Brown Act updates, including upcoming meetings and agendas.

Website: www.lasdschools.org
Location: 201 Covington Road
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LASDK8/