[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6244751,"mediaKeyId","3228851-1c7ef707e68071e42136f2c1cba72ca8","parentId",3228851,"title","Board approves transfer of small special retiree reserve into general fund","audioSeconds",152,"startMs",4379000,"endMs",4531000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228851-1c7ef707e68071e42136f2c1cba72ca8&start=4379&end=4531","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228851-1c7ef707e68071e42136f2c1cba72ca8/thumbnail_4379000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244751/California/Board-approves-transfer-of-small-special-retiree-reserve-into-general-fund","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244751-e6b81a4f50500c41e1a61c8cb3e80bfc/orig.mp4?Expires=1777564644&Signature=KmS3Dhkgw68cFC~lJ2U4UNcBQCm4o0aBeC0GuzduQYtseOjOhg1cOJYLKy6vSXNgenXt3uysb2cs~ZUD16gYxQ9VqrRmOJcgKoFLoDN-Fi2Frp0mM2pyfemo2QkuUfuuShpc93PO8V43J1C432yVh5R7tI3aNZZjpG9Fi-oJ5EZmAT1GQ2HxgoJgS0jBCIk~r~OABTRyizZuuAWq6kpp-eDmtP24rlFin0TC6oxP-eowWj1byrBq4Kg2~4Xz1iG70tYZzxysma0RWIKrOtYasYHiJGA8f3dSQg3nWKKjyxkuegNPoSLpGOirotRaCRMGDOI8itVzrnpLwKyNeUPNRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Los Altos Elementary","date","2025-05-06T19:03:51Z","article","The Lhasa School District Board of Trustees approved Resolution 24/25-14 to transfer the balance of a special retiree reserve fund into the general fund, a procedural consolidation the district described as aligning accounting with its pay-as-you-go approach to retiree benefit payments.

Chief financial presenter (Mr.) Waligandovich told the board the reserve (fund 20) held about $14,000 and earned minimal interest; the district budgets roughly $1,200,000 for retiree benefits annually under its pay-as-you-go practice. Staff said maintaining the small separate fund created unnecessary accounting steps because expenditures must be transferred back to the general fund when paid.

Trustee Vladimir moved and Trustee Stella seconded the resolution. The board took a roll-call vote and the resolution passed unanimously. District staff said the action will close the special fund and transfer the balance to fund 01 (general fund), and that retiree benefit payments will continue under the existing pay-as-you-go method.

No new retiree benefits were approved; the vote was an internal accounting change. The board did not discuss impacts to budgeted retiree benefit spending or long-term prefunding strategies at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LASD Board Meeting - May 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees approved Resolution 24/25-14 to move the district's small special retiree reserve fund balance back into the general fund; district staff said pay-as-you-go retiree benefit costs remain unchanged.","taxTitle","Los Altos Elementary, School Districts, California","taxId",59114,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244756,"Board accepts initial proposals from classified employees and district as bargaining starts",295,4077000,4372000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228851-1c7ef707e68071e42136f2c1cba72ca8&start=4077&end=4372","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228851-1c7ef707e68071e42136f2c1cba72ca8/thumbnail_4077000.jpg","/articles/6244756/California/Board-accepts-initial-proposals-from-classified-employees-and-district-as-bargaining-starts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244756-c6a7f61b28a29400f1a392b7da61fd21/orig.mp4?Expires=1777564645&Signature=IBJzkUNGz5TXbMdQvdjs4-0UxAnmdQSjAZKVykfQOH8JOX73l0KAJSLsq2Hm8dBRtHo8Q~ZF5rptiSq0HvotrfL~T9qJ4ijxFXZgMyHBqQX0333oM69W3KY3OKJcexTviuqV~EUpsxpZWTsb7gDf3ZEybLd00E8LJGnF5lqGdZcLa~1L2Q2g0Qqg1a2Flt8VLRhSM4-P46JnaOfRK5VlxF6PlSfEL0gi~h6MlZknLEuwrHs2SajX~eWCPQqqyh1fS3eSL1DzIOGEB50FHwvImA0qoqC5lujSDW0EdOJa0pnRUNMZa-zDyPbhSgRXwtjjjrefD6W2HJ86VZ0jB2tAxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lhasa School District Board of Trustees opened public hearings and unanimously accepted initial proposals from the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 103 and the district, marking the start of successor-agreement negotiations for 2022–25.

During the meeting staff read the CSEA proposed articles (including compensation, employment and assignments, leaves and miscellaneous provisions) and the district’s counterproposal (compensation, insurance, reclassification, leaves, severance and contractual provisions). The board opened and closed the public hearings without public comment.

Board procedural action followed: Trustee Vladimir moved and Trustee Stella seconded motions to accept the CSEA’s initial proposal and then the district’s initial proposal. Both motions passed unanimously with no abstentions. Staff characterized the acceptance as the formal receipt and acknowledgement of each side’s opening bargaining positions; it does not constitute agreement on terms.

CSEA representatives spoke briefly to thank the board and said they look forward to bargaining. District staff and negotiators said the next step is to schedule negotiating sessions with both parties. No changes to employee pay or contract language were approved at the meeting; acceptance of initial proposals simply formally begins the negotiations process under state labor rules.

Trustees recorded no dissent; the board’s action was procedural and consistent with negotiating timelines.","The board opened public hearings and voted to accept both the California School Employees Association chapter 103 initial proposal and the district's initial proposal; votes were unanimous and negotiations proceed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244761,"Board unanimously approves Los Altos Educational Foundation annual grant MOU",383,3679000,4062000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228851-1c7ef707e68071e42136f2c1cba72ca8&start=3679&end=4062","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228851-1c7ef707e68071e42136f2c1cba72ca8/thumbnail_3679000.jpg","/articles/6244761/California/Board-unanimously-approves-Los-Altos-Educational-Foundation-annual-grant-MOU","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244761-ecd51fd3bba521f619ce308206920bac/orig.mp4?Expires=1777564645&Signature=C6UdNY1TMcP1ZjAeR6jQrtXP-HNCi2iSsiAZZamC3DuPSAFXZLrmlaM1C1sT6Q76wy4JMod1~lRx3-1TblvmMYIQbyU7qHwO6UACY9Ng09BxyrcRdwgigTeo9sup-x5TcE2ZirkgAZ2tbjMEuXBvOX0rZRvZkMl512tpcxIOR4dD6m922RNQ~3U76XgkwNJPYwnxEEJE3ol7d8YpjvMSWNdjNUlFj8w~40Wvj3yj9lhA6IeHrxKrC6eZa07nYeQI~dDIYvRGhWVgUS-lvjVywCo8AYNdnu99l-ps7Rkbf2Oh5DRYZltKQIoyRQLoEZZ3MGAZabc-zZ4SSt1sPKPKiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lhasa School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2025–26 memorandum of understanding with the Los Altos Educational Foundation, formalizing years-long fundraising and grantmaking partnership between the district and the nonprofit.

Heather McDonald, executive director of the Los Altos Educational Foundation, told the board the foundation has raised funds for the district for more than 40 years and has contributed nearly $62,000,000 to the district since its founding. McDonald described the foundation as a parent-led nonprofit representing all nine schools and said LAEF seeks transparency through FAQs, annual reports and public filings.

District staff outlined the MOU as a clarifying document to define roles and expectations between the foundation and the district. The board had one public comment card submitted for the item; Heather McDonald and two LAEF board members, Krista Sanders and Emily Harris, attended to answer questions.

Trustee Vladimir moved to approve the memorandum, Trustee Stella seconded, and the motion carried unanimously with no abstentions. Board members thanked LAEF volunteers and staff for fundraising efforts that support district programs.

The board did not discuss specific grant awards or funding lines during the MOU vote; McDonald said LAEF posts detailed financial information online and is audited by an independent firm. The MOU approval formalizes the operational relationship but does not itself allocate district funds.","The Lhasa School District Board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) formalizing the foundation's partnership and grant process for 2025–26.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244766,"Springer students present research-driven essays on zoos, form classroom advocacy group",907,369000,1276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228851-1c7ef707e68071e42136f2c1cba72ca8&start=369&end=1276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228851-1c7ef707e68071e42136f2c1cba72ca8/thumbnail_369000.jpg","/articles/6244766/California/Springer-students-present-research-driven-essays-on-zoos-form-classroom-advocacy-group","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244766-e27a0369971de50fffeb467d5f658208/orig.mp4?Expires=1777605729&Signature=YERAUQv6ctEOrKftt3yNV8RLWOoUJXIkc8shfB4otVWooYkB6oG8XAeakkefZZOxBk32b0nxWn6LgBJ9fpdf7EKKjhuuDyy6whA7GCKrYk9tNYBkcPDEhe-KVh6qy4EgaS613SHiRgZa2O8AIZ8behurDPY5dQYeNqD~CJkuEEfzud1Xs~GS5t4wKEO2l2c8kXv0E4MKlRSa~fTsiSdcY7PcINQ1UfGM2cTuRVwystPAbffRzP-DK~-05xixDOQdH2jzAnMmVcBdI1ws-HW0WUUE~f3usJizwTn5~TEizL6uSflk3GJhs1mm12ozVcEllC0-I~kH2YTsEb-tKoLVGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Springer Elementary fifth graders presented a research-based writing project to the Lhasa School District Board of Trustees, documenting how classroom investigation shifted many students’ opinions about keeping animals in zoos and led to a student-led petition and informal advocacy group.

Principal (Missus) March introduced the class and framed the project as an example of “deeper learning,” emphasizing student agency, inclusion and learning by doing. Teachers Brooke Bailey and Mr. Ramirez described the unit: students began with surveys, created class definitions, researched both sides of the argument, organized evidence on charts and Post-it notes, and used structured peer feedback techniques such as “two stars and one wish” and “rainbow editing.”

Students presented their findings and reflections. One student reported that an initial class survey showed “over 60% of us said that animals should be kept in zoos,” and that figure later shifted to 96% opposing zoos after research and classroom discussion. Pupils said sources that affected their views included reporting on an animal killing at the Copenhagen Zoo and broader statistics students found on European zoos’ practices.

Students described concrete classroom practices used to strengthen arguments: distinguishing substantiated claims from unsubstantiated ones, prioritizing strong evidence from experts and research, and peer-editing to improve clarity and mechanics. Several students said the project inspired them to form an “anti-animal-cruelty association,” collect signatures on a petition and plan — at least in the classroom — a peaceful protest.

The presentation emphasized pedagogy and student voice rather than district policy. The board did not vote on any district action related to the project during the meeting. Staff and trustees praised the students for critical thinking and civic engagement; no external advocacy activities beyond classroom organizing were announced.

Trustees and staff commended the teachers and students, highlighting inclusion and the use of evidence in opinion writing as classroom learning goals.","Fifth graders at Springer Elementary shared a semester project that moved classroom opinion away from supporting zoos to opposing inhumane practices; students described research, peer editing and a classroom petition.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244768,"Lhasa students return from weeklong Taiwan exchange; board formalizes sister-school partnership",1630,1710000,3340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228851-1c7ef707e68071e42136f2c1cba72ca8&start=1710&end=3340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228851-1c7ef707e68071e42136f2c1cba72ca8/thumbnail_1710000.jpg","/articles/6244768/California/Lhasa-students-return-from-weeklong-Taiwan-exchange-board-formalizes-sister-school-partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244768-8d64bc84506995e9cb519b6e3aed9ec6/orig.mp4?Expires=1777564645&Signature=VkPHFR2WLmD4al~QheGCuA-h8yxFwAhD0soLBsKxan-NJ5cBrotBBJlAeP8ccGA1ahej9ZYO~kNQYNKiLtRHwge0cHc2-Lgvj9CmI8Co3tdW1CsaSpf~V9l7AwAn-BEL1Uxx1aTDwipcfONg7oP7IZj4Mn3fnO9eI2U3JAGWE~OMLGM6wHstPprCUaH9-pxsIGX9vdj3jKGGKsDwInKl9~~~0XeSAJVjpTk7nUuPQIHp25DXS26~4at9jHyH4yBsSMSia~Aa5mO5724o9kQ2ranVZMwU4ETrg-nggAVSQ8tdDySR3K~twIWHLLdWjQfdrXakWmvQnEbgm6m2M9kQOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eagan Middle School students and staff described a weeklong cultural and academic exchange in Taiwan and the Lhasa School District Board of Trustees acknowledged a formalized sister-school relationship and ongoing partnership during its regular meeting.

Students from Eagan summarized visits to junior high schools in Taipei and other cities, classroom exchanges, cultural sites and workshops, and a climate-change summit attended during the trip. Staff said the trip emphasized “learning by doing,” increased students’ Mandarin practice, and produced enduring friendships with Taiwanese peers. Principal Raquel Mataroli and teachers Chi Ling Chang and Joe Patino introduced the group and explained the itinerary, which included host-family stays, school visits, a tea workshop, and a semiconductor literacy class.

Board members and staff framed the visit as reciprocal: Taiwanese delegations previously hosted Lhasa students, and district leaders said the sister-school arrangement will support future exchanges and program collaborations. Catherine Singh, a board member from the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District who helped coordinate the trip, was thanked by staff for assistance.

Students recounted specific activities: attending assemblies, sampling school-provided lunches, cleaning classrooms alongside Taiwanese students, visiting the National Palace Museum and Taipei 101, releasing sky lanterns on Shifen Old Street, and working in tea fields and indigo-dye workshops. Several students noted differences in daily schedules — earlier start times, longer days and designated classroom-cleaning periods — and said the experience changed how they view school routines and global citizenship.

Staff reflections emphasized logistics and student growth. One staff member told the board it was “no small feat to take six eighth-graders across the world and bring them back whole and safe,” and praised students for independence and use of Mandarin. School leaders said the exchange deepened ties with Taiwanese partner schools and that reciprocal visits — Taiwanese students visiting Eagan and delegations focused on educational technology and AI — are part of the formal partnership.

The board did not take a substantive vote as part of the presentation; members thanked students and staff and expressed support for continuing the exchange program. Trustees noted the visit highlighted district programs in Mandarin and global learning and encouraged continued hosting of international partners.

Less critical details: presenters said host families provided daily cultural immersion, and students reported continuing contact with Taiwan classmates through social media. The district noted the trip required chaperones and coordination but gave no budgetary figures at the meeting.","Eighth-graders and staff described cultural and academic experiences from a week in Taiwan and the board acknowledged a new sister-school agreement and ongoing exchanges.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves transfer of small special retiree reserve into general fund

Board accepts initial proposals from classified employees and district as bargaining starts

Board unanimously approves Los Altos Educational Foundation annual grant MOU

Springer students present research-driven essays on zoos, form classroom advocacy group

Lhasa students return from weeklong Taiwan exchange; board formalizes sister-school partnership