School Board wrap-up

Mary A. Castillo

What happened:

The board reached an agreement with Spectrum Voice Technologies, Inc.

to provide an automated substitute request-assignment system at the cost

of $29,868.53

What it means:

Teachers can call into the system and request from a personalized menu

of preferred substitutes. The system is designed to be more efficient and

create better attendance and human resource records.

Vote: 4-0

What happened:

Board members voted to increase prices for school breakfasts and

lunches by $.25 each

What it means:

The increase will cover the cost of the anticipated $10,000

encroachment on the 2002-03 General Fund. The meal increase will also

fund the automation of the daily food service operations, ongoing system

support and maintenance, equipment repair and replacement and inflation.

The district has not increased prices since 1998 and the cost for

breakfast is $1.50 and lunch is $2.25.

Vote: 4-0

What happened:

Board members agreed to further discuss allowing the investment of

district funds in the County Treasurer’s Extended Fund Pool.

What it means:

School districts are being asked by the Orange County Department of

Education to respond about a proposed transfer of a portion of the

Education Pool into the Extended Pool. All districts must agree to do so

before an action can take place. The board voted to discuss the issue at

greater length but did not authorize a transfer of funds.

Board member Susan Mas dissented.

Vote: 3-1

What happened:

Board members reached an agreement for contracted services with

Artistic Maintenance, Inc. in the amount of $4,205 per month for

maintaining the athletic fields at CIF standards from August 2002 through

August 2003 with a not-to-exceed amount of $46,255.

What it means:

The district contracted with Artistic Maintenance, Inc. last year and

will continue its relationship based on the company’s performance.

Vote: 4-0

What happened:

An agreement was reached for contracted services with Artistic

Maintenance, Inc. in the amount of $3,370 per month for specialized site

maintenance and $775 per month for adjacent slope maintenance for fire

prevention from August 2002 through August 2003 with a not-to-exceed

amount of $46,255.

What it means:

The district contracted with Artistic Maintenance, Inc. last year and

will continue their relationship based on the company’s performance.

Vote: 4-0

What happened:

The Board awarded construction contracts for the summer 2002

improvement projects at Thurston Middle School, Top of the World

Elementary School and El Morro Elementary School.

What it means:

Heavy demolition and earthwork will begin at school sites this summer

while students are away. However, the total project will come in over

budget at a cost of $107,464.

Vote: 4-0

What happened:

The Board assigned prime work category construction contracts to

McCarthy Building Companies for Phase II improvement projects at El Morro

Elementary School and summer 2002 improvement projects at Top of the

World Elementary and Thurston Middle schools.

What it means:

McCarthy will act as representatives of the district overseeing the

progression of the work, and that it remains on schedule and on budget.

The company worked with the district on Phase I of the project at El

Morro and in other capacities.

Vote: 4-0