School Board Wrap-Up

The following is from the Aug. 25 meeting of the Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education.

Swine flu update

Supt. Robert Fraisse told the board that the Centers for Disease Control has warned that H1N1, the so-called “swine flu” virus, could affect half the population during the coming flu season, and that 90,000 deaths could occur. In response, health officials are proposing that public schools become inoculation centers when a vaccine is available.

“We have to decide if we want to give vaccines on campus,” Fraisse said. “We will have to make a decision in September.”

Back-to-school activities

School staff are busy making preparations for the start of the school year Sept. 8, including in the areas of food service and transportation, said Assistant Supt. for Business Services Norma Shelton.

Shelton said that slightly more applications were received for free bus service and lunches than in past years.

Nancy Hubbell, assistant superintendent for instructional services, said her staff handled 1,152 applications from teachers for openings in the district.

Network of schools formed

Laguna Beach High School Principal Don Austin described a new association he has spearheaded, involving more than 30 schools in four counties, from Malibu to the Mexican border and the Inland Empire.

“We have created a network of schools and have invited them to talk about problem-solving,” Austin said. “We will host five to six meetings a year.”

Austin said he initially invited 10 schools to participate, but interest in the project far exceeded that number.

The network will discuss common issues faced by educators, such as how to improve “transitions” for students.