Here are some decisions and discussions from Tuesday night's Laguna
Beach Unified School District meeting.
Levy of Special Taxes
The board unanimously voted to approve the discussion/action item
that authorizes the district board to levy special taxes within the
district for the 2005-06 fiscal year.
WHAT IT MEANS
The adoption of the authority to levy special taxes is an annual
requirement.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Norma Shelton said
the only change this year from the previous year was specific to tax
bonds sold to pay a note. Other than that, Shelton said it was
identical to last year.
BUS SERVICE
The board unanimously voted to approve an addendum to a
transportation agreement with Durham Transportation for bus
transportation services for the 2005-06 school year not to exceed
$1,021,307, an increase of 4.9% over the previous period.
The current contract was entered into in July 1996. The addendum
cover the period of Sept. 1 to Aug. 31, 2006.
Board members questioned the increase, and Shelton responded that
the overall transportation rates are in accordance with the regional
Consumer Price Index.
Shelton said she has looked at other options and has not found a
more cost-effective vendor.
"I have gone to all neighboring districts and different companies;
I have a difficult time having anyone respond," Shelton said.
"Vendors don't like to provide transportation in Laguna Beach."
Laguna's hills, winding roads and the size of the district make it
not as attractive for bus companies to service as other districts,
she told the board.
In other transportation-related issues, Superintendent Theresa
Daem told the board that, in 2006, all school buses must be fitted
with seat belts and that bus companies are reporting a shortage of
bus drivers.
Board member Bob Whalen said he would like to look into how the
district could obtain "green" diesel buses as a pilot program in the
future.
LANDSCAPING
The board unanimously voted to approve a contract not to exceed
$59,856 with Artistic Maintenance Inc. for landscaping maintenance
for fire prevention for the school's athletic fields and landscaping
for the 2005-05 school year.
Grounds and facilities director Eric Jetta said the company has
assigned a permanent person to the district and is pleased with the
outcome. This contract includes responsibility for the irrigation
system, general custodial clean-up, debris removal, extra work and
additions, frequency of service, supervision and management of work
and project assumption.
