SCHOOL BOARD WRAP-UP

The Laguna Beach Board of Education discussed the district’s priorities, opportunities and perceived threats at a public retreat on Tuesday.

Following a discussion of current projects with the highest priority, they developed a collaborative vision of how to improve the district in the future.

The district leadership presented the board with a proposed strategic planning model to align goals between the district and the school sites.

The first phase, which would run through the rest of the school year, would gather key “hard” and “soft” data to determine where the district stands before setting future goals during the summer.

In the late summer, the board and staff would develop specific action plans from the goal setting sessions, which they would mark as research, pilot or sustaining action initiatives.

“We have the ability and the responsibility to determine our own fate,” Superintendent Robert Fraisse told the board.

“Trust allows risk-taking and innovation, and it’s the risk-taking and innovation that lead to great breakthroughs.”

Close to board members’ hearts were students who fall between the cracks, and may be overlooked due to the district’s generally high test scores.

The board hopes to develop a discussion structure for issues posed at PTA Coffee Breaks, monthly sessions with guest speakers that touch on hot topics.

Board members also hope to develop a plan for the district’s performing arts program, which trustee Theresa O’Hare said was “bursting at the seams.”

District leaders gave updates on several current initiatives:

?The district will continue to lobby for continuance of Basic Aid, which allows districts to rely on local property taxes rather than state tax revenues as its primary form of income. Should the program be discontinued, the district would be affected by the economic issues that are plaguing other districts.

? New disaster plans and protocols were developed due to an outside assessment that school sites were in danger during fire season.

?A pilot program targeted at supporting at-risk high school students, which has improved many students’ attendance and grades, will be continued.

?The International Baccalaureate program will not be implemented in the near future; the district will research the program, train its instructors in it, and add a related high school elective.

?Elementary-level foreign language options ranging from exposure to immersion will be researched and presented.

?NovaNet, current a high school pilot program, is one of several packages being examined that assist students who are falling behind.

?The district expanded its Positive Behavioral Support program to the high school this school year; previously, it only existed at the elementary and intermediate levels.

?The district plans to continue the Professional Learning Communities, targeted professional development programs that each employee participates in.

?The district has provided Cross-cultural Language in Academic Development training to nearly every teacher.

?The Pyramids of Intervention program will continue to offers school-based, customized academic and behavioral student intervention.

?A pilot initiative is underway that uses an online program, MyAccess, to increase writing practice and teacher feedback opportunities.

?The district is currently researching treatment options and guidance methods for families whose children have drug or alcohol issues.

?Board members voiced interest in offering additional college planning resources to high school students.