OCTOBER BOARD MEETING RECAP
In case you missed the Governing Board meeting on October 23, 2024, here are some highlights. If you want to take a deeper dive into any of these topics, slide presentations can be found on the Lafayette School District website, and an audio recording of the meeting can be found here.
- A group of Stanley 8th graders from the Leadership class were highlighted in our Student Spotlight. They shared a presentation about the wide array of exciting electives at Stanley, many of which are only made possible through community donations to LPIE.
- Assistant Superintendent Betsy Balmat presented her monthly review of LAFSD Celebrates - a set of resources for teachers related to the District’s monthly heritage celebrations. Betsy’s presentation showcased the various schools’ celebrations of Latinx Heritage Month. Parents/caregivers can learn more about LAFSD Celebrates, and see some sample lessons, here.
- Lafayette Education Association president Kristi Gingrich thanked the board and district for positive negotiations and shared that they are “feeling great.” Negotiations with our teachers union continue in November.
- California School Employees’ Association executive board member Ava Feldman shared that they have reached a Tentative Agreement with the District on a new contract, and their members will vote on it next week, with the goal of bringing it to the Governing Board in November for approval.
- Multiple community members made public comments in support of the District’s LAFSD Celebrates program, sharing the importance of celebrating LGBTQIA history, and praising the District’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Betsy Balmat provided an overview of the 2023-2024 CAASPP and CAST results, noting strengths, challenges, and next steps. She also shared information about follow-up support for students and the District’s plans for monitoring student progress.
- Ami Nichols, Program Specialist for Student Services, presented an update on the District's California Healthy Kids Survey results, as well as an overview of social-emotional supports available for students. The survey showed positive trends, including higher scores on the metrics of “Caring Adult Relationships” and “School Connectedness,” a focus for our schools.
- Melissa Dodd, Chief Business Official, shared that the District Budget Advisory Committee - made up of community members, board members, classified staff, and certificated staff - has begun working towards a budget reduction target of at least $1M, and likely higher, for the 2025-2026 school year. This is needed because costs continue to increase and outpace revenue by $5-6M annually as a result of our commitments to recruitment and retention which will account for all of the District’s one-time reserves. The additional reductions and savings are required to offset both known and anticipated cost increases; and to reverse the District’s trajectory of deficit spending.
- The Board approved the first reading of a policy and administrative regulation regarding e-bikes and e-scooters on our campuses. In keeping with current California law, the revised rules would ban Class 3 e-bikes and all e-scooters, require students who bring Class 1 and 2 e-bikes to school to register these e-bikes prior to bringing them onto campus, and require that these students take an online bike and traffic safety course in order to register their Class 1 or 2 e-bike. The policy/AR will be up for a second reading and final approval at the November board meeting.
- The Board passed a resolution recognizing the Week of the School Administrator, commending all school leaders in the Lafayette School District for the contributions they make to successful student achievement.
- Each year, the Governing Board approves annual goals for the District. Last night, the Board passed the final 2024-2025 Focus Goals.
Our next Governing Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 6pm in the Stanley Library and streamed via Zoom. Hope to see you there!