GUSD Continues Perfecting Policy Guide, Lays Out Plan for Special Ed.

Revisions to board policies concerning school and home work, continued strengthening of the special education program and a somber remembrance of a former Glendora family highlighted the Glendora Unified school board meeting Monday.

Before handling business, Superintendent Robert Voors spoke highly of the convocation event held yesterday at . Convocation is held before the start of the new school year and is a way for administrators, faculty and staff to come together and discuss the start of school.

"We had a great turnout and a lot of fun," Voors said. "We're excited about school starting ... we'll all be out at our campuses to welcome the students."

The board then moved to business and approved a second reading of revisions to its homework and makeup work policies, Board Policy 6154, regarding homework and makeup work.

Minor wording was updated to stay current with California School Board Association guidelines.

In this ongoing process, Board policies are updated on a regular basis, according to Michelle Hunter, assistant superintendent of education services.

The list of suggested updates included adequate arraignments to be made with students who have missed school work due to excused and unexcused absences.

The most significant potential changes are being considered to establish guidelines suggesting parameters for how much time at each grade level students should focus on homework and the creation of a site plan by teachers outlining what homework will be like at that specific school.

The district will continue to work with an outside company to continue offering quality education to special needs students.

Based in Pasadena, Villa Esperanza Services has long provided programs and opportunities for developmentally disabled students in 24 school districts in over 41 cities in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

The district approved a renewal contract with Villa Esperanza for $12,000.

Students in Glendora who have highly specialized instructional needs are sent to non-public schools, according to Hunter.

As a member of the East San Gabriel Valley Special Education Local Plan Area, Glendora Unified is tasked with ensuring that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Glendora's special education program has around 900 students, serving students from age three through 22 if they have not met requirements for a diploma by age 18, said Hunter.

In addition to funding to be received through federal means, Glendora will budget $5 million to cover remaining costs.

The board closed the meeting in remembrance of the Whittle family.

The Whittles, former Glendora residents, perished in a plane crash while vacationing in Provo, Utah Aug. 14. They last lived in Claremont.

"[They were] wonderful people, known by many," said board President Doug Ferrell.

A memorial service will be held in Claremont's The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 728 E. Baseline Road at 6 p.m. tonight.