Placentia-Yorba Linda school district gives first readings to artificial intelligence, technology policies; new leaders for district, city

 First readings for three new policies dealing with artificial intelligence and technology were approved on 5-0 votes by Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District trustees at a recent meeting.

The artificial intelligence policy supports the use of AI by students and staff based on nine principles, including ethical use and transparency, accountability and responsibility, equity and access and security and privacy.

Key elements for students and staff are that AI “should be used to personalize and enhance the learning experience for each student (and) support digital citizenship and literacy” and to be used “to augment and support staff in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.”

The policy notes AI has the potential to “increase student access to information, support teacher effectiveness and facilitate...student assessments,” as well as a potential to “undermine student achievement, health and well-being.”

The policy also tasks the superintendent to ensure AI use is consistent with other board policies dealing with academic honesty, homework and make-up work, student assessment and student use of technology.

A second new policy is a technology plan that addresses equitable access for students, staff and school sites; using technology to improve educational services; identifying online misinformation; and preventing and responding to cyberattacks.

A third new policy tackles technology use by employees that outlines permitted uses, such as developing syllabi, reviewing student work and researching academic content or instructional techniques and non-permitted uses that include engaging with “harmful or inappropriate matter” or any activity “prohibited by law, board policy or administrative regulations.”

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Superintendent Kym LeBlanc-Esparza, whose four-year contract has a $375,000 base salary, has four assistant superintendents, but just one serves without a temporary title: Renee Gray, who helms student services. The other three are in either “interim” or “acting” positions.

Interim titles are held by Elizabeth Leon (educational services) and Joan Velasco (administrative services). Leon, director of elementary education, replaces Olivia Yaung, who resigned Sept. 9 to be an assistant superintendent in the 3,500-student El Segundo Unified School District.

Yolanda Mendoza is the acting assistant superintendent (human services) for Deputy Superintendent Issaic Gates, who was placed on leave in December but still collects a $255,000 salary.

Notes: Second reading of the city's e-bike ordinance restrictions has been delayed until the Oct. 7 City Council meeting so changes regarding locations of permitted uses can be made.

Peter Grant was chosen from 43 candidates to be City Manager replacing Mark Pulone, who retired after 12 years of service. The former Cypress leader begins his five-year contract with a $315,000 base salary.

Yorba Linda City Council approves agreements with Chamber of Commerce

 A new two-year agreement for the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce to render services for “promoting businesses and enhancing economic improvement” in the city earned unanimous approval at a recent City Council meeting.

The seven-page contract contains 14 specific performance measures the chamber has agreed to meet related to the services the chamber will provide for the next two years. The city will pay the chamber $25,000 per year, the same amount as in past years.

The chamber, founded in 1913, the same year as the birth of former president and native son Richard Nixon, has a current membership of 268 in 90 business categories within the city and nearby areas.

Yorba Linda's 1% portion of the sales taxes collected from the businesses located within city limits is the city's second-highest revenue source behind property tax income, with a total of $8.5 million expected in the current fiscal year.

A significant contract term is for the chamber to “promote Yorba Linda as a key location for new and expanding business and industry and ensure businesses thrive and remain in Yorba Linda.”

Performance measures for this provision include soliciting continual feedback on the value of chamber programs through an annual survey of chamber members, with the results provided to all chamber stakeholders and city officials. Also included are regular visits to city businesses.

Another key chamber activity under the contract is to distribute information about the city, so individuals and businesses are encouraged to locate in the city and to distribute any pertinent city information when requested by interested parties.

Performance measures for this provision include compiling and publishing information relevant to the business community, such as a business directory and community guide, and working in cooperation with the city to update an information pamphlet in time for the 2028 Olympics.

In another unanimous council action at a recent meeting, an agreement was approved for a second five-year lease by the chamber to occupy the historic Trueblood house at 4801 Park Ave. near the post office at the intersection of Park Avenue and Lemon Drive.

Lease terms call for the chamber to pay the city $2,145 monthly and a $51.50 monthly operating expense fee, with a consumer price index annual increase not to exceed 3%. The chamber is to be responsible for utilities, furnishings, equipment, janitorial services and supplies.

The city-owned home underwent extensive restoration in 2018 and was identified by council a “government use site” in the city's Long-Range Property Management Plan.

According to a report to the council by Colleen Callahan, the city's economic development manager, the contract “combines the city's intent to locate a governmental use in the iconic building while providing (the chamber) a prominent location to conduct business and further the city's economic development goals.”