In December of 2014, the District engaged DLR Group to facilitate the process of developing a Facilities Master Plan (FMP) for MBUSD.  The resulting document will describe the District's vision for its classrooms and buildings, defining the District's dreams and needs, and guiding its planning and improvements for the future.

• The Core Planning Group, which is providing leadership throughout the process
• Each campus' Site Committee, which are providing specific input about each site
• The wider MBUSD community, which is providing input through participation in meetings, forums, and surveys throughout the process

The Aquatics Boosters would like to install CIF and League record boards on the rooftop of the swim building facing the spectator bleachers on the opposite side of the pool at Mira Costa High School.  In support of this effort, MBX would like to contract and pay for the design, installation, and all materials and equipment for this screening and signage system and then donate the project to the District as a gift.  This agreement will authorize the project to move forward.  Subsequent to project completion, the Board will be asked to take action to accept the project as a gift.

The Division of the State Architect (DSA) recently informed the District that it will require the fields project to be submitted as a new project, rather than an addition to the existing project at Mira Costa High School.  In order to do this, the District was required to submit plan check fees in the amount of $38,000 to the DSA.  (This amount is based on the estimated construction cost and is for Fire Life Safety and Structural reviews; in discussions between the architect and DSA, DSA indicated that it would allow the project to bypass the access desk based on the scope of the project.)  In order to avoid delay, the payment was issued upon request and is now being submitted to the Board for ratification. 

Further, 5 CCR 604 authorizes a parent/guardian to administer medication to his/her child or designate an individual to administer the medication. In addition, California law allows students to carry and self-administer medication needed for the treatment or management of certain medical conditions, when the district has received a written request from the student's parent/guardian and written authorization from the student's authorized health care provider. Students have legal authorization to self-administer diabetes medication pursuant to Education Code 49414.5, auto-injectable epinephrine for anaphylactic reactions pursuant to Education Code 49423, and inhaled asthma medication pursuant to Education Code 49423.1. Pursuant to 5 CCR 605, districts also may choose to allow students to carry and self-administer other types of medication beyond those specifically authorized by the Education Code.

Various provisions of state law allow districts to train nonmedical district employees (i.e., those who do not possess a medical license) to provide medical assistance to students at school when a credentialed school nurse or other licensed individual is unavailable. For example, Education Code 49414, 49414.5, and 49414.7 authorize the use of trained, unlicensed school employees to administer emergency medications to students suffering from allergic reactions, severe hypoglycemia, and epileptic seizures. Moreover, in American Nurses Association v. Torlakson, the California Supreme Court held that, as with other prescription medications, state law permits trained, unlicensed school personnel to administer insulin to students in school in accordance with a written health care provider statement and parental consent.

Certain medication-specific statutes that authorize unlicensed district employees to administer medication to students require that such employees be trained. For example, Education Code 49414.7 requires training by qualified medical personnel for unlicensed district employees who volunteer to administer emergency antiseizure medications to students who suffer epileptic seizures. Guidelines for the training and supervision of such unlicensed school employees have been adopted as 5 CCR 620-627 and are specified in the following district administrative regulation.

Review Manhattan Beach Unified School District Administrative Regulation 5141.21, Administering Medication and Monitoring Health Conditions.

In 2001, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was reauthorized as part of the No Child Left Behind Act (42 USC 11431-11435). This Act is designed to ensure that each homeless student has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as other students.  Further, 42 USC 11432 mandates that districts adopt policies and practices that ensure that homeless children are not segregated or stigmatized on the basis of their status as homeless. This law also prohibits the segregation of homeless students into a separate school or program. Because the state of California receives funds under McKinney-Vento, all districts in California are subject to this mandate.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that placement decisions for homeless students are based on the student’s best interests as defined in law and this regulation.  To carry out this intent, pursuant to 42 USC 11432, districts are required to designate an appropriate staff person as a district liaison for homeless students. In its Non-Regulatory Guidance Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) gives some specific examples of activities that the liaison can perform in furtherance of these duties, such as assisting homeless children in enrolling in school and accessing school activities; obtaining immunization or medical records; informing parents/guardians, school personnel, and others of the rights of homeless children; working with school staff to make sure that homeless children are immediately enrolled in school pending resolution of disputes; and helping to coordinate transportation services.

By new law, Education Code 48918.1, as amended by AB 1806 (Ch. 767, Statutes of 20140), the district liaison must be notified before the expulsion hearing for a homeless student, when the student's alleged violation does not require a mandatory recommendation for expulsion; see AR 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process. When so notified, the district liaison is expected to assist the student and, as necessary, advocate on the student's behalf.

In addition, pursuant to Education Code 48915.5, as amended by AB 1806 (Ch. 767, Statutes of 2014), if the homeless student has also been identified as an individual with a disability and the district has proposed a change of placement due to an act for which decision to recommend expulsion is discretionary, the district liaison must be invited to participate in the individualized education program team meeting that makes a manifestation determination pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 USC 1415(k)).

MBUSD Administrative Regulation 6173 is updated to reflect NEW LAW (AB 1806) which requires districts to award partial credits to homeless students who transfer from school to school, exempts homeless students who transfer in grades 11-12 from locally established high school graduation requirements, and authorizes districts to allow a homeless student to remain in high school for a fifth year to compete graduation requirements.  The update also reflects provisions of AB 1806 requiring districts to notify the district liaison for homeless students when a homeless student is recommended for expulsion and, when a change of placement is proposed for a homeless student with disabilities, to invite the district liaison to participate in the individualized education program meeting to make a manifestation determination. In addition, the revision reflects law providing that, upon enrollment, a homeless student will be immediately deemed to meet residency requirements for participation in interscholastic sports or other extracurricular activities.