Clerk’s Report

Overview and Highlights from the February and March 2025 Board Meetings.

Superintendent Search Update

The Board of Trustees is delighted to announce that, following an extensive and thoughtful search process, the Board unanimously selected Erik Burmeister to serve as its next Superintendent. Mr. Burmeister is anticipated to begin serving as superintendent on May 1, 2025 to ensure a smooth transition and lay the groundwork for a stable, collaborative, and successful 2025-26 school year. The Board of Trustees will take formal action to appoint Mr. Burmeister at its regularly scheduled meeting on April 16, 2025.

For more information:

https://www.catapult-connect.com/pv-en/_MjAzMjkzP3Q9cjgBX-3405

Budget Advisory Committee Update

The Finance Subcommittee presented a slate of candidates to the Board during the February and March regular board meetings to form the District's new Budget Advisory Committee. Following these presentations, the Board voted to appoint six community, parent and staff members to serve on the committee, alongside the two Board Trustees serving on the Finance Subcommittee. The District’s Chief Business Officer will also participate as a non-voting member.

The Budget Advisory Committee will serve as an advisory body on budget-related topics and provide recommendations during the District's budget development process. All recommendations from the committee are advisory in nature and not binding on the Board.

For more information on the committee, its meetings, and its members, please visit:

https://www.llesd.org/Departments/Finance--Business-Services/Budget-Advisory-Committee/index.html

Budget Update and Program Clarifications

Summer School and ESY Program Updates

As part of the District’s budget review process, the Board reviewed several non-mandated programs to evaluate potential cost savings. Following the direction of the District, the Board voted to not hold Kickstart and the general education portion of Summer School this year.

To clarify: the District will continue to offer Extended School Year (ESY) services as required by law to students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). All specialized services outlined in a student’s IEP will continue as planned. Additionally, the District is exploring summer camp options and alternative resources for students who qualify for ESY but do not have IEPs.

Reduction in Force (RIF) Discussion and Outcome

The Budget Advisory Committee reviewed staffing levels and provided recommendations regarding a potential reduction in force (RIF) to meet the March 15 state deadline for preliminary layoff notices.

After reviewing the recommendations, the Board did not take action on the proposed resolutions. As a result, there will be no layoffs or reductions in staff—including certificated, classified, or administrative/management employees—for the 2025-2026 school year.

Student Presentation: La Entrada Outdoor Education

La Entrada 5th-grade students presented to the Board at the March 5th Board Meeting about their recent Outdoor Education experience at Jones Gulch. After spending a week at camp in December, the students enthusiastically shared highlights from their time in nature. They spoke about the hands-on science lessons and team-building activities they participated in, reflecting on the valuable learning and memorable experiences they gained during the program.

We Need Your Voice! Help Shape Our District's Future

Thank you to everyone who participated in the LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan) Input Sessions earlier this month. Following those sessions, we invite all families and community members to share their input through our LCAP Survey, open through March 28.

Your feedback is critical in helping shape programs and services that best support our students.

Family/Community Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10ZAsZwOioIyhSlGJmuQPxH35HXyFNpIxPYe8CuupTdk/viewform?edit_requested=true

What We’ve Heard So Far – 2024 ThoughtExchange Highlights

Last year, the District gathered input through ThoughtExchange and LCAP sessions, which helped shape our current LCAP goals and priorities. For example:

The academic goal was elevated from Goal 4 to Goal 1 to emphasize academic achievement.
The stand-alone DEIAB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging) goal was removed because DEIAB principles are embedded across all goals.
A new action item (Action 1.6g) was added specifically to support thriving students, addressing a gap in previous plans.

You can review last year’s ThoughtExchange Results here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/114Po7ZZBFvD4t02_0xRrW09TJi5Q_pOt/view

We value your input as we continue refining this year’s LCAP. Please share your thoughts by completing the survey before March 28.

The next regular board meeting is on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 7:00 pm.

Board of Trustees

Paige Winikoff, President

Kimberly Legg, Clerk

Heather Hopkins

Gautam Nadella

Jason Morimoto

You may email the board at schoolboard@llesd.org. (Please note that any written correspondence with the board is subject to the California Public Records Act, which gives members of the public a right to inspect and request copies of records maintained by the school board.)

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