LTUSD board meeting recap: District awarded $4.7 million Community Schools Grant

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - The following is a recap of the May 9, 2024, Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) board meeting provided by Teresa Schow, executive assistant to Superintendent Dr. Todd Cutler.

South Tahoe Education Association President Jodi Dayberry announced LTUSD was awarded a 4.7 million Community Schools Grant. This critical funding will help to retain counselors and provide intervention support, and programs during difficult financial times. Both Dr. Cutler and Ms. Dayberry thanked Director of Student Services Beth Shepherd and Student Services Compliance Specialist Amber Bettencourt for their efforts in writing the successful grant application. Ms. Dayberry expressed excitement about “rolling our sleeves up and doing some great work.”

In a series of heartfelt statements marking Staff Appreciation Week, School Board members, Ms. Dayberry, and Dr. Cutler conveyed their sincere gratitude towards the dedicated LTUSD staff. Highlighting the indispensable role of educators in shaping the lives of students, Ms. Dayberry underscored the collaborative effort required to achieve this and gave a shout-out to support staff, education partners, board members, and administrators, and along with the board, reiterated their gratitude to all staff members for their unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions.

South Tahoe Public Utilities Water District (STPUD) Conservation Specialist Lauren Benefield highlighted the amazing programs that STPUD provides in collaboration with South Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition (STEEC) for LTUSD students. STEEC is a coalition of over 15 environmental organizations that help to connect children to Tahoe’s nature. STEEC implements high-quality and accessible outdoor environmental education in partnership with the local schools. Ms. Benefield noted that STEED gets students out of the classroom and into the Tahoe outdoor classroom. The programs also expose students to a variety of career opportunities.

Assistant Principal Heather Hart, Athletic Director Kevin Hennessee, and Career Technical Education Specialist Isaiah Tannaci presented a comprehensive update on athletic participation and engagement at South Tahoe High School. Hennessee provided a detailed overview, revealing that 736 students actively participated in athletic programs at STHS. He emphasized the significance of fostering connections with students, citing research indicating that students who feel connected to their school demonstrate higher levels of success academically and maintain better attendance records. He further highlighted the school's commitment to a holistic approach to student development, aligning with the District's focus on nurturing the whole student. An area of pride for the high school is its sports medicine program and facility, which Tannaci described as one of the finest in the region. He attributed this success to a fruitful partnership with Barton, which has facilitated the development of comprehensive care protocols for student-athletes.

Human Resources Director John Simons requested that the Board consider embedding snow days into the already approved 2024/25 Academic Calendar. He also presented the proposed 2025/26 Academic Calendar. The calendars will be brought to the Board as an action item at the May 23, 2024, Board meeting.
Brian Whitmore of Studio W Architects updated the Board about the updated LTUSD Facilities Master Plan draft. Whitmore highlighted the efforts the District has made to gather staff and community input including visiting each site to gather invaluable input from staff and holding a public open house. The current draft plan includes the community input gathered during the process. Whitmore noted that four priorities rose to the top during the process: complete all code, health, safety, and security improvements; ensure all students have access to modern learning and support environments to compete in a Global economy; develop high-quality athletic playground and outdoor learning facilities; and replace non-permanent school facilities with permanent school facilities. The plan will be brought to the Board during the May 23, 2024, meeting as an action item.

Members of the STHS staff presented draft revisions to Board Policies 5127, Graduation Ceremonies and Activities, and 5127.1 Valedictorian and Salutatorian. STHS leaders and counselors have collaborated with students, parents, and staff over the last two years to explore options to recognize graduating seniors. The draft revisions will align achievement with the diverse student body at STHS and relieve the students of the stress associated with class rank by moving away from the Valedictorian and Salutatorian to a Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude, and Magna Cum Laude recognition system. If the proposed revisions are approved by the Board during the May 23, 2024 Board meeting, STHS staff will phase the changes in over the next few years.