PYLUSD school trustees handle multiple issues

Placentia-Yorba Linda school district trustees have been busy with the following matters:

--A report outlining the district's clear ability to meet financial obligations through June 2019 was approved with “a positive certification,” even though expenses are expected to outrun income in this and the next two fiscal years.

Budgets will be balanced with funds from reserves, with reserve cash remaining at five percent of expenditures, as recommended for schools. The report also sees a decline in average daily attendance from 24,650 this year to 24,404 in two years.

--A three-year plan to use a $409,883 state grant to increase the number of students who enroll at colleges and universities and complete an undergraduate degree in four years was reviewed.

The funds will serve 2,745 students who meet a state standard of participation in one or more of three programs: English language learner, foster youth or eligibility for free or reduced price meals. Funding is about $150 per student for the three years.

Specific plans include hiring trained tutors to support students in meeting college and university entrance requirements and sending teams to a summer institute to learn methods of increasing student writing scores and the number of university-eligible students.

Chromebook computers will be purchased to help students develop computer skills and aid in college research and work on college and scholarship applications and writing college essays.

--Negotiations on a new contract between the district and the teachers union are underway, with each party agreeing to examine wages and benefits. Also, the district wants to look at leaves and evaluation procedures, while the union seeks to consider professional day language.

Current salaries range from $49,649 for a beginning teacher with a California credential to $102,774 for a 30-year veteran with an advanced degree and/or additional college credits.

Also currently in place is an incentive for early notification of resignation or retirement. Teachers who provided notice prior to Jan. 16 will receive $2,000, and teachers who give notice by March 1 will receive $1,000.

And employees in three positions on a substitute salary schedule – Child Care Teacher 1, Food Service Worker and Bus Driver Trainee – received a 50-cent per hour Jan. 1 pay hike to $10.50 to comply with state law, costing about $10,000 for the remainder of the school year.

--Among several board policies undergoing revisions is one regarding the rights of pregnant, married, parenting or lactating students, which added two pages describing specific services related to support, absences, reasonable accommodations and complaints.

The revised policy states “the classroom setting” is “the preferred educational environment unless an alternative is necessary to meet the needs of the student and/or his/her child.” A second reading and adoption is expected at a Feb. 7 meeting.