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NOTICE OF INTENTION TO AMEND THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE OF THE ANTELOPE VALLEY JOINT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Antelope Valley Joint Union High School District, pursuant to the authority vested in it by section 87306 of the Government Code, proposes amendment to its conflict of interest code.  A comment period has been established commencing on June 18, 2018 and closing on August 2, 2018. All inquiries should be directed to the contact listed below.

The Antelope Valley Joint Union High School District proposes to amend its conflict of interest code to include employee positions that involve the making or participation in the making of decisions that may foreseeably have a material effect on any financial interest, as set forth in subdivision (a) of section 87302 of the Government Code.  The amendment carries out the purposes of the law and no other alternative would do so and be less burdensome to affected persons.

Changes to the conflict of interest code include: the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) job description and title was abolished and replaced with the new position of Director of Business/Fiscal Services. The Director of Business/Fiscal services is responsible to perform the exact same duties the former position/job description of CFO did for the school district.

The proposed amendment and explanation of the reasons can be obtained from the agency’s contact.   

Any interested person may submit written comments relating to the proposed amendment by submitting them no later than August 2, 2018, or at the conclusion of the public hearing, if requested, whichever comes later.  At this time, no public hearing is scheduled.  A person may request a hearing no later than July 18, 2018.

The Antelope Valley Joint Union High School District has determined that the proposed amendments:

1. Impose no mandate on local agencies or school districts.
2. Impose no costs or savings on any state agency.
3. Impose no costs on any local agency or school district that are required to be reimbursed under Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
4. Will not result in any non-discretionary costs or savings to local agencies.
5. Will not result in any costs or savings in federal funding to the state.
6. Will not have any potential cost impact on private persons, businesses or small businesses.

See proposed changes

All inquiries concerning this proposed amendment and any communication required by this notice should be directed to:

Rachel Orosco, Executive Assistant Superintendent’s Office
David J. Vierra, Ph.D., Superintendent
Antelope Valley Joint Union High School District
44811 Sierra Hwy. Lancaster, CA. 93534
(661) 948-7655 ext. 225, rorosco@avhsd.org

May 24, 2018

Dear Antelope Valley Union High School District Parents/Guardians,

As you know, on May 11, 2018, our community suffered a traumatic event at Highland High School. This incident has weighed heavy on all our hearts, and we continue to support one another through the healing process.

Tragically, one of our students was injured. We are collectively relieved to know that he is on the road to recovery, and I know you join me in keeping him and his entire family in our prayers. 

The resiliency our staff and students have demonstrated is inspiring. I am incredibly proud of how parents, students, staff, and the community have come together during this very difficult time. We know how important it is to provide ongoing support in the form of counseling and resources to all those affected as they heal from this traumatic experience, and we continue to do so.

The safety of our students and staff continues to be the number one priority, and we are committed to doing all we can to provide a secure learning environment. I want you to know that we have a standing practice of continuously reviewing our safety protocols.

Each of our schools has a dedicated school deputy who is on campus each day; we believe this is important in supporting our security staff. We also have various drills and training for students and staff throughout the school year, and we continue to underscore the importance of vigilance through “See Something, Say Something.”

As recently as April 2018, in light of recent school shootings, our District began conducting “school safety walks.” During these “walks,” District and school leadership, as well as law enforcement partners discussed safety priorities, identifying things that work well, and things we want to change or improve.

Through this effort, we identified various potential improvements - some of which applied to multiple schools, while others were specific to a particular school. While we are still in the process of developing the details, I want to share some of the things we are considering for our schools, which include enhanced fencing, additional security personnel, updated surveillance cameras, front entrance modifications, and an online visitor entrance system. We expect to provide more details of what this will look like in the coming months.

As we continue to review our processes internally and externally with our community and law enforcement partners, we will share updates with you. I invite you to continue to share your feedback with me as well.

We know how important it is to communicate with you in a timely manner about important and emergency school matters. If you haven’t already, please download the Antelope Valley Union High School District app and follow us on Facebook @AVUHSD. If you need to update your contact information in school records, please contact your school, and someone will help you through that process.

Attached you will find a document that outlines various resources for you and your student. Should you need additional assistance in locating the proper support, please contact your school directly.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to do all we can to provide a safe, positive learning environment for all our students and staff.

Sincerely,

David J. Vierra, Ph. D.
Superintendent
Antelope Valley Union High School District

 

SPANISH:

24 de mayo de 2018

Estimados Padres/Tutores del Antelope Valley Union High School District,

Como ustedes saben, el 11 de mayo de 2018, nuestra comunidad sufrió un evento traumático en Highland High School. Este incidente ha pesado en todos nuestros corazones y seguimos apoyándonos unos a otros a través del proceso de curación.

Trágicamente, uno de nuestros estudiantes resultó herido. Estamos conjuntamente aliviados de saber que él está en el camino hacia la recuperación y sé que ustedes se unen a mí para mantenerlo a él y a toda su familia en nuestras oraciones.

La fuerza de recuperación que nuestro personal y estudiantes han demostrado es inspiradora. Estoy increíblemente orgulloso de cómo los padres, estudiantes, personal y la comunidad se han unido durante este momento tan difícil. Sabemos lo importante que es proporcionar apoyo continuo en forma de consejería y recursos a todos los afectados a medida que se recuperan de esta experiencia traumática, y nosotros seguimos haciéndolo.

La seguridad de nuestros alumnos y el personal continúa siendo la prioridad número uno y nos comprometemos a hacer todo lo posible para proporcionar un ambiente de aprendizaje seguro. Quiero que ustedes sepan que tenemos una práctica permanente de revisar continuamente nuestros protocolos de seguridad.

Cada una de nuestras escuelas tiene un policía escolar dedicado, que está en el campus todos los días; creemos que esto es importante para apoyar a nuestro personal de seguridad. También tenemos varios ejercicios y capacitaciones para los estudiantes y el personal a lo largo del año escolar, y seguimos destacando la importancia de la vigilancia a través de "Ver algo, decir algo".

Recientemente, en abril de 2018, debido a los recientes tiroteos en las escuelas, nuestro Distrito comenzó a realizar "caminatas de seguridad escolar". Durante estas "caminatas", los líderes distritales y escolares, así como miembros de las fuerzas del orden discutieron las prioridades de seguridad, identificando cosas que funcionan bien, y cosas que queremos cambiar o mejorar.

A través de este esfuerzo, identificamos varias mejoras potenciales, algunas de las cuales aplican a varias escuelas, mientras que otras son específicas de una escuela en particular. Mientras todavía estamos en el proceso de desarrollar los detalles, quiero compartir algunas de las cosas que estamos considerando para nuestras escuelas, que incluyen cercas mejoradas, personal de seguridad adicional, cámaras de vigilancia actualizadas, modificaciones a la entrada principal y un sistema de ingreso de visitantes en línea. En los próximos meses, nosotros esperamos proporcionar más detalles de cómo se verá esto.

A medida que continuemos revisando nuestros procesos internamente y externamente con nuestra comunidad y nuestros miembros encargados de hacer cumplir la ley, compartiremos las actualizaciones con ustedes. Los invito a que continúen compartiendo sus comentarios conmigo.

Sabemos lo importante que es comunicarse con usted de manera temprana sobre asuntos escolares importantes y de emergencia. Si aún no lo ha hecho, descargue la aplicación de “Antelope Valley Union High School District” y síganos en Facebook @AVUHSD. Si necesita actualizar su información de contacto en los registros escolares, por favor comuníquese con su escuela y alguien lo ayudará con ese proceso.

Adjunto encontrará un documento que describe varios recursos para usted y su estudiante. Si necesita asistencia adicional para encontrar el soporte adecuado, comuníquese directamente con su escuela.

Gracias por su apoyo continuo a medida que trabajamos para hacer todo lo posible para proporcionar un entorno de aprendizaje seguro y positivo para todos nuestros alumnos y personal.

 

Sinceramente,

 

David J. Vierra, Ph. D.

Superintendente

Antelope Valley Union High School District

We wish you a great summer break and look forward to seeing you Monday, August 13, 2018 for the start of the new school year! 

"Salute to Youth: The Career Connection" will bring local high school ninth-grade and middle school students together to learn about different career and education opportunities available after high school. This event helps students and parents begin to discover a career path and the resources available to move toward that goal. We invite local business, industry and government leaders to join us in encouraging Antelope Valley students to prepare for their futures!

More than 70 colleges and universities will be in attendance to connect you with counselors and workshops to help you discover your path to college and careers. Hope to see you there!