BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
December 8, 2021
5:00 p.m. – Closed Session
6:00 p.m. – Open Session
*** streamed ***
A live link will be posted on the SRCS website (link).
https://bit.ly/SRCSvideoboardmeetings
Please take time to review the following abbreviated version of the agenda. Click here to see the entire agenda. It has live links on many items with more information. If you want to comment to the board about any upcoming items, email agendacomments@srcs.k12.ca.us. Please CC wearesrta@gmail.com on your comments.
Closed Session Items:
A.1. Public Comment On Closed Session Agenda Items. To comment, email Adina Flores at ayflores@srcs.k12.ca.us.
B.1 Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Title of employee being reviewed: Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Vice Principals, Assistant Principals, Directors, Coordinators)
B.2 Student Expulsions (Case Nos: 21/22-08, 21/22-09, 21/22-11)
C. RECONVENE TO REGULAR OPEN SESSION (6:00 p.m.)
C.7. Public Comment on Non Agenda Items
SRTA members are invited to raise their hands and provide voice only comments during the meeting. Please observe the standard three minute time limit (and be prepared for a last minute change to a two minute limit). Only items not on the agenda are addressed at this time.
Comments are requested at the board meeting to bring a member’s perspective to the messages contained in this analysis and share real experiences of the impact of district policies and practices. Please commit to watching at least one board meeting this year, and speaking to an agenda item that impacts you or your students. Speakers are most impactful when they are well spoken, composed and reasonable.
E. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
E.1. (Action) Public Board Meetings Via Teleconference per AB 361
Summary
Summary
The Board will consider the continuance of conducting public meetings virtually, as specified in Assembly Bill (AB) 361.
E.2. (Action) School Site Safety Plans
Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts
Rincon Valley Middle/Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter
With the major safety incidents last week, it is apparent that there is much room for improvement. we need to do better. The procedures for communicating with staff are less than ideal. Site administrators have more than ever on their plate, and require more staff for supervision and support with incident management.
With the churn of administrators, trust has not been established across the district. The need for timely and clear communication is paramount.
What progress has been made since eliminating the School Resource Officers (SRO) from sites? They were removed because of identified issues that do not appear to have been addressed.
Cleanliness of sites is a campus culture and safety issue. With the increased use of site cafeterias, there is an increase of trash. Eliminating food for vermin is a necessity for safety. The custodial staff is stretched too thin to take care of everything that needs attention.
What is the minimum action that counts as involving and updating staff on emergencies and site plans?
SRCS does not appear to have effective emergency response procedures for campuses. Creating detailed plans including roles and responsibilities for individuals and preparedness training for staff, as well as having sufficient supplies for extended emergencies, requires time and funding that is not provided across the district. The high turnover in staff requires that significant time be spent on this annually for sites to become and remain prepared.
Covid prevention has exasperated preparedness concerns. SRTA awaits plans for keeping students safe and dry while they eat lunch during covid when there is not sufficient outdoor covered eating spaces at our sites. Direction is also required regarding open doors and windows with inclement weather. Many classroom openings have no protection from the elements.
Is StopIt! in place district wide as a way for students to provide anonymous tips? How is that communicated? Where is the data on the utilization of this service? Many members are unaware of this service, which means students are unaware if it is available.
E.3. and 4 (Action) Public Hearing and Resolution: Naming of Cesar Chavez Language Academy Campus
As a matter of clarification, the merger committee did not complete the process of submitting a name for the new school.
Can SRCS engage in an honest after action review and create procedures for closing and naming schools that will actually be followed? With the constant threat of declining enrollment, it is reasonable to expect that such procedures would be useful. Creating the plan in flight has not worked previously.
As clearly expressed at the last board meeting, this is a case of too little, too late. After the poor process and broken promises, this resolution to ‘rename’ this campus with the Charter School name is opening lesions.
E5. (Action) Educator Effectiveness Block Grant Funds Allocation for 2021-2026
Summary
Educator Effectiveness Funds (EEF) provide grant monies for the next five years. These plans are said to be flexible.
Santa Rosa City Schools (English)
Santa Rosa City Schools (Español)
Cesar Chavez Language Academy (English)
Cesar Chavez Language Academy (Español)
Santa Rosa Charter for the Arts (English)
Santa Rosa Charter for the Arts (Español)
Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter (English)
Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter (Español)
Santa Rosa French-American Charter (English)
Santa Rosa French-American Charter (Español)
SRTA members desire a menu of options for Professional Development, including time to work with colleagues. Members want exposure to best practices as well as time to create plans to implement new practices. There is a desire to be in each other’s classrooms, and have time to debrief around what is seen.
With the difficulty that exists in attracting staff, SRTA suggests that funds from this grant be used to re-establish PAR. This program is provided for in the SRTA contract, but was gutted during earlier funding cuts. Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Program’s purpose is to support and renew quality teaching in classrooms throughout the District. The Program emphasizes teacher professionalism and recognizes that teacher quality positively affects student outcomes. The PAR Program’s Mentor Teachers provide confidential instructional support to teachers who have received below-standard evaluations or to those who request it. Ideally Mentor Teachers are selected in a rigorous interview process, and receive regular professional development in methods and strategies to best serve the Participating Teachers they work with around the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTPs).
It is well established that ongoing ventures like lesson study are most effective in helping teachers grow and implement changes in their practice. Effective programs have built in time to complete the cycle of inquiry (question, predict, plan, investigate, record, reflect and revise.) This includes time for collaboration. Releasing the practice of one and done, and shifting the focus to more valuable endeavors will reap great benefits.
E6. (Action) Approval of MOU Reached with SRCS and SRTA Regarding Mandatory Training
SRCS is required to provide training:
- Suicide Prevention Training (every two years) CA Ed Code Section 215, SRCS Board Policy and AR 5141.52
- Mandated Reporter Training (annually, during the first six weeks of school) California AB 1432 and Ed Code 44691
- Those applying pesticide must complete Integrated Pest Management of at least one hour, (annually) Healthy Schools Act and CA Ed Code 17614
- Training on Blood Borne Pathogens (annually) Cal/OSHA and Title 8 CCR 5193
- Supervisory Employees must complete Anti-Harassment Training (every two years) CA AB 1825
When completing this training became an additional requirement, SRTA expected the time to complete the training be provided as changes to working conditions are a mandatory subject of bargaining. Each year there has been an issue with reaching an agreement on this. This year, district administration was unwilling to resolve this until SRTA filed a demand to bargain, and the negotiation teams met. This resulting MOU will establish an ongoing practice of providing time for this training. The district has promised to shorten the trainings so that three hours will be a reasonable amount of time to complete them.
An agreement was reached to provide 4 hours of paid time this year for those providing proof of completion of trainings by February, without requiring further paperwork.
SRTA celebrates the progress on resolving this ongoing issue.
E7. (Discussion) Requirement to Conduct Assessment of Trustee Area Map Using 2020 Census Data and Next Steps
The current Trustee Map has the appearance of being gerryrigged. It is hoped that the new map will be less political and instead utilize natural boundaries while balancing populations in each area.
F. CONSENT ITEMS
F.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 137 current postings for 266 job vacancies for SRCS, 16 fewer than last month. 31 of these are coaching positions. There are 55 certificated openings (three less than last month), and two certificated management openings (one less than last month.) There are 208 current classified openings (twelve less than last month), and one classified management position (the same as last month.)
As SRCS nears the middle of the year, the quantity of unfilled positions remains incredibly high. The current course is completely unsustainable. The day to day pressures on our system this year are unprecedented. Administrators can not be expected to do their jobs and constantly provide substitute services. Teachers can not continually give up their prep time. SRTA expects a systemic collapse without immediate change. What is the plan?
Welcome to SRTA new hires: Jessica Wood (CCLA), Taylor VanBebber (SPSV) and Sarah Pringle (SRHS.)
This month there are two resignations for non-represented staff.
There are six classified hires, three resignations and three retirements taking 59 years of institutional knowledge with them. Thank you for your service to our students and staff.
F.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| District Wide | |||
| 4 | Grand Canyon University | $0 | For Credential Candidates – lacks specification about remuneration to mentors |
| 6 | CBRE, Inc. | 5% of Sale price | Real Estate Brokerage and consulting services for Fir Ridge property. |
| Charter | |||
| 3 | National Academy of Athletics | $1,920 | CCLA provide 6 hours of lunchtime activities |
| Elementary | |||
| 2 | Momentum in Teaching | $5,966 | SLES PD support for Lucy Calkins Units of Study |
| 5 | Sandra Anfang (California Poets in the Schools) | $2,000 | JMES Poetry consultant. The number of classes/students served is not specified. |
| Secondary | |||
| 1 | Jackson Family Winery | $0 | To house project participants’ livestock (Ag/FFA students at SRHS) in the barn located on the Property at 4255 River Road, Santa Rosa. |
Total value of contracts = $9,886
Experts say widely used reading curriculum is failing kids so why is SRCS still utilizing Lucy Calkins?
F6. Approval of Bid Award for District-Wide Waste Collection, Recycling, and Composting Services
This contract for $716,059 represents an increase of 10.8% over the one year contract that is about to expire.
G1. and G2. Approval of Minutes
I1. Future Board Discussion Items
SRTA Members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
- Board Meetings Via Teleconference (12/15/21)
- Reorganization of the Board of Education (12/15/21)
- Approval of the 2022 Board Calendar (12/15/21)
- CSBA Delegate Nomination (12/15/21)
- 21-22 – First Interim Budget Report (12/15/21)
- 2022/2023 Instructional Calendar (1/12/22)
- West County Transportation Update (1/12/22)
- Social-Emotional RTS Supports (1/12/22)
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Board Policy Updates: SAFS
- Opening of School Report 2021-2022 School Year
- CTE grant update for Elsie Allen High School
- Open Enrollment Policy Update
- Granting a permanent easement to City of SR at MHS
- Youth Truth Data
- MiSR Educational Foundation Update
- Lease / Leaseback Montgomery High School
- Parcel Tax Update
- Student Voice Policy
- Dress Code Policy
- BEST Plus Update
- PE update
SRTA Members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
I3. Update on Elsie Allen High School WASC Accreditation
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges provides the accreditation of our high schools. WASC expects sites to have evidence of goals they are making progress on. There is a significant self study process sites undergo to write their report that should be unified with the site SPSA.
The nearly year old report from the WASC visiting committee for EAHS calls out concerns that are to be addressed in an in depth progress report and two day visit scheduled for February 28 and March 1.
- Are district and site governance teams aligned?
- Has more coherence been built about how to address the school’s critical needs?
- Has anxiety around the school’s future with the closing of the feeder middle school been alleviated?
- Has a coherent vision including mission and goals with metrics been established?
SRTA appreciates the intense nature of the WASC process. If district administration could avail themselves of the experience of this process, they would be able to better support the efforts of sites to maintain accreditation.
I4. EL Program Update
Action Plans include the following:
- Created training for administration and staff around Designated ELD, legal mandates, policy and current best practices
- English Learner Specialist supporting staff at sites by modeling, planning, providing data and additional supports
- Researching professional development opportunities to support staff and students (Integrated and Designated ELD)
- Researching districts for models and best practices to inform our work
- Discussion and support around Master Schedule with administrators
- Provided AVID training to secondary staff at various sites (Summer 2021)
SRTA stands firm in wanting better academic results for our EL students. SRTA members would appreciate an implementation plan and timeline for this action plan work as well as metrics for measuring the impact of these efforts.
The updating of the EL Master plan has been discussed, but is not not included in this update. Having a Master Plan is only useful if it is used to guide practice, policy and procedures.
I5. Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) School Visitation Report
This report covers Piner High, Elsie Allen High, Cesar Chavez Language Academy, Abraham Lincoln Elementary, Steele Lane Elementary, Hilliard Comstock Middle, James Monroe Elementary, Brook Hill Elementary, and Albert F. Biella Elementary School.
The SARC page on the SRCS website links to incomplete SARC reports. The California State School Accountability Report Card site has complete SARCs and should be utilized instead.