Every year, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing asks schools to submit a Declaration of Need if they are not able to find teachers who have completed the full credential process.  This allows JJMS to have teachers work under a variety of permits and University Intern Credentials as allowed by law.   This is necessary due to the teacher shortage that continues across the USA. 

The board should consider a motion to approve the submission of the Declaration of Need  attached to this agenda item. 

State law requires all stakeholders to have the opportunity to comment and make suggestions for the LCAP prior to board approval in June 2025.   Board members are invited to ask questions about the goals/actions and to make suggestions for what could be included. 

The attached bell schedule and academic calendar for the 2025-26 school year meets or exceeds all requirements set by state law.  

The board should consider a motion to approve the attached 2025-26 academic calendar, calculation of instructional minutes and the bell schedule. 

In accordance with Ed Code (§44258.2) the Board delegates to the Principal/Ex. Dir. the authority to employ the holder of a single subject teaching credential, with his or her consent, to teach classes in grades 6 to 8, inclusive, in a JJMS middle school, if he or she has a minimum of 12 semester units, or six upper division or graduate units, of coursework at an accredited institution in the subject to which he or she is assigned. And also in accordance with EC §44256(b) the Board delegates to the principal and the Ex. Dir. the authority to employ holder of a multiple subject teaching credential to teach any subject in departmentalized classes to a given class or group of students below grade 9, provided that the teacher has completed at least 12 semester units, or six upper division or graduate units, of coursework at an accredited institution in each subject to be taught. Such assignment shall be with the teacher's consent.

In accordance with Ed Code  §44256(b) the Board delegates to the principal and the Ex. Dir. the authority to employ holder of a multiple subject teaching credential to teach any subject in departmentalized classes to a given class or group of students below grade 9, provided that the teacher has completed at least 12 semester units, or six upper division or graduate units, of coursework at an accredited institution in each subject to be taught. Such assignment shall be with the teacher's consent.

The Executive Director presents here a list of credentialed staff that will be assigned using the Local Area Option and will maintain consent forms from each teacher for each school year. The Executive Director will document that each of these educators meets the requirement for transcripted unit requirements to qualify under the local area option. 

The board should consider a motion to approve the use of the Local Area Option for the following JJMS staff who will be teaching in the 2025-26 school year. 

Leslie Gameros, holder of a Clear Multiple Subject credential (210082851), will be authorized to teach ELA in a departmentalized setting.

Jacqueline Estrada, holder of a Preliminary Multiple Subject credential (230173639), will be authorized to teach ELA in a departmentalized setting.

Mason Antone, holder of a Clear Multiple Subject credential (200121674) will be authorized to teach Math and/or Social Studies in a departmentalized setting. 

Griselda Lara, holder of a Clear Multiple Subject credential ( 230029823)  is authorized to teach ELA in a departmentalized setting. 

Paola Reyes-Guerrero, holder of a Clear Multiple Subject credential (230147938) is authorized to teach ELA and/or Math in a departmentalized setting.  

Veronica Ramos, holder of a Preliminary Multiple subject credential (Credential No: 230223120   ) is authorized to teach Math in a departmentalized setting. 

Due to the shortage of teachers, especially in Math single subject,  the JJMS administration would like to submit a Provisional Intern Permit in Single Subject Math for Nicole Shabazi to teach at JJMS during the 2025-26 school year.  Ms Shabazi has already begun the credentialing process but is not yet eligible for a University Intern credential.  This permit will allow her to teach Math for one school year.  

The JJMS Board should consider a motion to authorize the JJMS administration to apply for a Provisional Intern Permit in Single Subject Math for Nicole Shabazi. 

JJMS must notify the LAUSD every year if we want to keep the option open to leave the SELPA in the future.  

The board should consider a motion to approve the submission of the attached letter to LAUSD.

The budget for 2025-26 is presented here for discussion.  The board will approve the budget at the June meeting simultaneous with LCAP.   

The JJMS staff has proposed a 3% raise for all employees with a 2% of salary bonus to be paid in August 2025 for the retention of qualified staff.  The proposed budget also includes a small increase ($50 per month per employee) in the allowance for medical insurance premimums to help employees offset rising healthcare costs.  

The board will discuss this proposal. 

Looking at the budget for the next three years, this is the best time to replace aging laptops for JJMS teachers. Attached is a quote for replacing the necessary laptops for teachers and administrators