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La Canada Unified board approves learning continuity plan, schedules staff workdays and contingency instruction
Summary
Trustees approved a district learning continuity plan that schedules two certificated staff workdays and outlines emergency-home learning arrangements and independent-study options for students unable to return to campus.
The La Canada Unified School District board on Tuesday approved a learning continuity plan to guide instruction during the district’s post-fire reopening period. The board directed staff to implement two certificated workdays for staff preparation and to post contingency assignments for students unable to return to campuses.
Under the approved plan, certificated staff will return for two workdays on Tuesday, January 14 and Wednesday, January 15, to ready campuses, complete planning and post essential assignments. Students were scheduled to return in person Thursday, January 16, if reopening conditions are met. Principals prepared a TK–6 emergency home-learning plan that staff said families may begin using immediately if students cannot return.
Assistant Superintendent Jim Cardinal and Associate Superintendent Jamie Lusader were identified as primary authors of the instructional continuity plan. The plan calls for 7–12 teachers to post period-by-period assignments in Google Classroom and for TK–6 principals’ plans to be used where families must remain home. The district said it will negotiate the “effects of working conditions” with the La Cañada Teachers Association (LCTA) before requiring 7–12 teachers to post asynchronous lessons, and that paraprofessionals would not be required to attend the certificated workdays.
Dr. Deborah Pratick said the district had secured roughly 25 substitute teachers who have offered to be available for at least the next two weeks and that the district would draft a memorandum of understanding to compensate staff whose colleagues prepare lessons for substitute coverage.
The board approved the plan on a voice vote. Trustees asked staff to prioritize mental-health check-ins: more than 1,000 family survey responses flagged students needing counseling, and the district will bring additional counselors on site for staff and students during the two staff workdays.
The plan also describes an independent-study option if a student remains unable to attend in person after two weeks; independent-study contracts would be available for 15-day intervals, and families would be asked to coordinate with school sites to register if absence continues.
Board and staff said they will explore additional supports for students preparing for college-entry and advanced-placement exams, and staff said they would contact the College Board and county partners for guidance on AP and other high-stakes testing conflicts.
"If we aren't able to open this week because of the conditions and criteria that you have set, we would plan over the long weekend for how to reopen, with a school under warning and have that school relocated," Wendy said when describing contingency steps.
