What to Expect at Monday's School Board Meeting

The Los Altos School Board, in a meeting that tackles a number of issues, is scheduled to discuss a timeline for locating a longterm home for , part of discussions that began with a finance committee that advises the board.

The Citizens Advisory Committee for Finance (CACF) began discussing possible sites for Bullis at its first meeting this school year, and has brought the matter to the school board. While no action is scheduled, the discussion takes place as the board is pondering its next move following its loss in court to provide an accurate measurement of facilities and offering "reasonably equivalent" space in compliance with state regulations.

The board is also scheduled to discuss the district's plan for a "transitional kindergarten program, part of the Kindergarten Readiness Act sponsored in 2010 by state Sen. Joe Simitian.

California, which previously permitted children to start kindergarten as young as four years and nine months, will now require children to be five by September 1. Teachers had long sought the change, and had consistently reported that children younger than five were the ones most likely to fall behind in kindergarten, because they were still developing the skills needed.

Transitional Kindergarten is for those autumn birthday boys and girls, who will get have the benefit of a year of instruction before they begin their regular year of kindergarten. The law phases in the cut-off date for enrollment from the current Dec. 1 date, to Nov. 1 for the 2012-13 school year, to Oct. 1 the for the 2013-2014 year and finally, Sept. 1 for the 2014-2015 year.

All districts in the state are ramping up to meet this new requirement. In neighboring Mountain View-Whisman School District, trustees to begin next school year.

The board will also discuss the procedure for replacing , who is departing Dec. 5 before the end of her term, which was extended when the school district switched to even-numbered election years. The school board, which has been actively seeking candidates since Harrigan announced her resignation Oct. 10, will hold a special meeting Nov. 14 to appoint a new school board trustee.

The board is scheduled to take some actions. It is scheduled to act on adopting its educational blueprint, with recently revised goals, and there are seven items on the consent calendar, ranging from purchase orders to personnel actions.

The Los Altos School Board meets at the district office board room, 201 Covington Rd., at 7 p.m.