School Board Wrap-Up

The following is from the Sept. 8 meeting of the Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education.

Swine flu prevention

Darrin Reed, executive assistant to the superintendent, said a prevention program for the H1N1 virus, also called swine flu, has been put in place, as well as a plan of recovery should an outbreak occur.

“We’ve been working with and will continue to work with the Orange County Health Care Agency and Centers for Disease Control, and will disseminate messages and updates to parents and students” via the schools’ websites, he said.

Students are being encouraged to practice “social distancing” (less physical contact), while the schools take extra sanitary and cleaning measures.

Fund transfers

Asst. Supt. Normal Shelton announced the transfer of funds from the Restricted General Fund to Unrestricted General Fund for 15 programs.

The 2008/09 California budget authorizes school districts to use funding received from the state for Tier Three programs for any education purpose, to the extent permitted by federal law.

Shelton said the same dollar amounts for each program would remain for this year.

Transportation agreement OK’d

The board approved an addendum to the Durham Transportation Agreement, and extended transportation services for the 2009-10 school year with a not-to-exceed amount of $1,410,150.

Transportation costs remain the same as the 2008-09 school year.

While the board said Durham has proven reliable and responsive to the district’s needs, it continues to look for a more cost-effective transportation program.

Interdistrict attendance plan

The board approved the Interdistrict Attendance Agreement, which allows resident students to attend schools in other districts, and would reduce expenditures associated with student instruction as a result of reduced student enrollment.

As a Basic Aid district, the district does not receive state funding on a per-pupil basis.

Board members have the option to consider each student’s case separately in approving or denying requests.

Mascot issue raised

Bruce Hopping and Dennis McTighe appeared before the board for the second time to request that the Artists be reinstated as Laguna Beach High School’s mascot.

“This is a legacy that has been recognized for 70 years, and the Breakers is undemocratic,” McTighe said.

He argued that the former mascot is of truer origin and meaning.