LAGUNA BEACH SCHOOL BOARD WRAP-UP

The following is a roundup from the Laguna Beach School Board meeting Aug. 22:

Budget adjustments due to windfalls

Assistant Superintendent Norma Shelton said that the district has received revenue increases, both ongoing and one-time, for a total of $685,403 in additional funds.

Ongoing economic impact aid provided an additional $34,000 to the budget, and a new $40,000 arts and music increase was noted, which must be used on a new K-12 program; it cannot be used for current programs. She noted that new music and counseling employees had been hired. One-time aid includes $2,000 for English-language learner supplemental instructional materials, in addition to $42,000 for other materials. New state discretionary block grants totaling more than $214,000 were granted, in addition to a $220,000 supplies and equipment block grant, which may be used on art, music and physical education.

Presentation on safe Internet use

Victor Guthrie, director of technology for the district, told the board he plans to hold a series of presentations for faculty and parents on safe Internet use. Topics will include technology trends and threats, such as text messaging and chat, blogs and wikis, and social networking.

Guthrie said he and Mark Wagner have developed an information packet with the Laguna Beach Police Department and have been approached by the Orange County Board of Education to partner with them so that all districts will have access to the information.

Board member El Hathaway applauded the effort and requested that the presentations be made to the entire community.

Faculty Assn. report

Carol Nilsen, president of the Laguna Beach Unified Faculty Assn., described the agency fee process in which nonunion members are required to pay a representation fee for collective bargaining services that is equal to the price of full dues.

The Board of Education is not involved in the agency fee process, and the association is not currently considering eliminating agency fee.

Bicycle safety, soccer lights

In public comment, resident Bruce Hopping provided surfing tips for the Laguna Beach High School surf team and suggested that the entire student body put blinker lights on their bicycles and reflective material on their jackets, noting that a Laguna Beach High School student was recently killed in a hit-and-run accident while riding a bicycle.

Also during public comment, Alan Casario from AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) said that he wanted to work with the high school to develop scholarships for graduating seniors who had volunteered for AYSO.

He also requested occasional use of the high school field and brought up the possibility of either permanent or rolling lights being placed at the El Morro Elementary School field.