Here are some decisions and discussions from...

Here are some decisions and discussions from Tuesday night’s Laguna

Beach Unified School District meeting.

Levy of Special Taxes

The board unanimously voted to approve the discussion/action item

that authorizes the district board to levy special taxes within the

district for the 2005-06 fiscal year.

WHAT IT MEANS

The adoption of the authority to levy special taxes is an annual

requirement.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Norma Shelton said

the only change this year from the previous year was specific to tax

bonds sold to pay a note. Other than that, Shelton said it was

identical to last year.

BUS SERVICE

The board unanimously voted to approve an addendum to a

transportation agreement with Durham Transportation for bus

transportation services for the 2005-06 school year not to exceed

$1,021,307, an increase of 4.9% over the previous period.

The current contract was entered into in July 1996. The addendum

cover the period of Sept. 1 to Aug. 31, 2006.

Board members questioned the increase, and Shelton responded that

the overall transportation rates are in accordance with the regional

Consumer Price Index.

Shelton said she has looked at other options and has not found a

more cost-effective vendor.

“I have gone to all neighboring districts and different companies;

I have a difficult time having anyone respond,” Shelton said.

“Vendors don’t like to provide transportation in Laguna Beach.”

Laguna’s hills, winding roads and the size of the district make it

not as attractive for bus companies to service as other districts,

she told the board.

In other transportation-related issues, Superintendent Theresa

Daem told the board that, in 2006, all school buses must be fitted

with seat belts and that bus companies are reporting a shortage of

bus drivers.

Board member Bob Whalen said he would like to look into how the

district could obtain “green” diesel buses as a pilot program in the

future.

LANDSCAPING

The board unanimously voted to approve a contract not to exceed

$59,856 with Artistic Maintenance Inc. for landscaping maintenance

for fire prevention for the school’s athletic fields and landscaping

for the 2005-05 school year.

Grounds and facilities director Eric Jetta said the company has

assigned a permanent person to the district and is pleased with the

outcome. This contract includes responsibility for the irrigation

system, general custodial clean-up, debris removal, extra work and

additions, frequency of service, supervision and management of work

and project assumption.

ATHLETIC FIELDS

The board unanimously voted to approve a contract with Artistic

Maintenance Inc. for maintenance of the athletic fields at California

Interscholastic Federation acceptable standards not to exceed the

amount of $56,772.

WHAT IT MEANS

The overall services that Artistic Maintenance will provide have

increased approximately 15,000 square feet do to the modernization

projects at Thurston Middle School and Laguna Beach High School. The

board feels a 2% cost increase due to fuel and cost of living and

required liabilities is reasonable.

Jetta explained that twice a year the Laguna Beach High School’s

synthetic turf needs to be maintained due to the settlement of the

rubber pallets. The company is responsible for both the football and

baseball fields and the track.

RULES OF CONDUCT

The board reviewed a proposed new policy on “Civil conduct by

parents, guardians, invitees, visitors and members of the public on

district property.” The proposed policy, designed “to prevent

disruption of classwork or extra-curricular activities,” will be

considered at the next meeting.

The proposed rules call for penalties for anyone covered by the

policy who “materially disrupts classwork or extracurricular

activities.”

The next board of education meeting will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 at

the District Office, 550 Blumont St. For information, call (949)

497-7700. The board will have its annual retreat on Aug. 25.