BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
January 12, 2022
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 Conference with Labor Negotiator (Designated Rep: Michael Shepherd, SRTA)
B.3 Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Case Name: Elijah Christian vs. Santa Rosa OAH Case No. 2021-100556)
B.4 Student Expulsions (Case Nos: 21/22-07, 21/22-10, 21/22-12, 21/22-13, 21/22-14)
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
The Board will consider the continuance of conducting public meetings virtually, as specified in Assembly Bill (AB) 361.
E.2. (Action) Adoption of 2022 Revised Board Meeting Calendar
Summary
The Board will consider adoption of the 2022 REVISED board meeting calendar as stated in Board Bylaw 9100 and 9322.
E.3. (Action) Board Communication Norms Review
Summary
The Board will discuss and consider approval of the Communication Norms guidelines.
E.4. (Action) Updated COVID-19 Safety Handbook
Summary
Modifications to the Santa Rosa City Schools COVID-19 Safety Handbook include:
Phase 1 for “Moderate Transmission” (Current Tier):
- Begin Weekly Voluntary Pooled Testing for Students and Staff.
- Principals and Departments modify previous documents for pooled distribution.
- By 1/11/22, begin to send out Consent to pool test forms to families.
- Effective 1/24/22, begin first pooled testing.
- 1/18/22 begin Daily health screener through Parent Square for students and employees.
- Middle School sports except wrestling must wear masks at all times.
- Limit Capacity for indoor events to 500.
- Begin Temperature checking for indoor sports events.
- No eating or drinking (mask off) in the gym.
- Move all January meetings to Virtual, including 1-27 Professional Development.
- Reduced Rainy Day Elementary Lunch schedules.
- Provide Rapid tests to all families when received by the County.
- Begin progressive enforcement with employee consequences for non-weekly testing.
Phase 2 for “Substantial Transmission” rates in addition to the above:
- Student and employee daily temperature checks.
- Reduce/Restrict student recess/playground based on “color” codes.
- Students will be required to wear a mask while eating, pulling the mask down while taking a bite and replacing the mask after the bite.
- Reduce indoor sports activity capacity to athletes and family only.
- Require outdoor mask wearing for students and staff.
- Move IEPs and 504/SST to mandatory virtual.
- Consider canceling all overnight activities, sports, and extracurricular activities.
Staff exposed to someone with Covid-19
- Do not quarantine if they are fully vaccinated. They test, mask, and monitor.
- Quarantine for 5 days if they are not fully vaccinated (including booster if eligible.)
This handbook is one of the components that will be updated when the Board reviews the entire COVID Safety Plan (CSP), including individual Site COVID Safety Plans, on January 26, 2022.
SRCS COVID-19 Safety Handbook (Updated for 01/12/22)
SRSC COVID-19 Student & Family Handbook (Updated for 01/12/22)
SRCS Manual Para Estudiantes Y Familias
SRTA welcomes changes to make our students and staff safer amidst the Omicron outbreak.
As SRTA members prepared to return from Winter break, there was a defined desire for the district to provide KN95 masks per our MOU. SRTA appreciates the efforts made to secure and distribute these masks to our campuses. SRTA members also appreciate the switch to virtual meetings, for safety’s sake.
Successful implementation of change includes an education piece including transparency around the data, best thinking and requirements for the change. In this case, this should explicitly explain the differences between policy and procedures for elementary vs. secondary. In the provided bullet points, it looks like MS sports will be masked, and wrestling and HS sports won’t. That causes confusion which should be minimized.
Currently SRCS provides on site testing to employees that have not reported being vaccinated. Vaccinated employees must go to Lewis to test. When will all employees be able to opt in to this testing on their campuses?
E5. (Action) Criteria to Determine Certificated Personnel Who Shall Be Exempt From the Order of Layoff (“Skipping Criteria“)
Summary
Credentialed teachers considered high need will be skipped if there are layoffs. High need is defined as:
(1) Single Subject Spanish, Spanish (BCLAD) and/or French (BCLAD)
(2) Single Subject Math and/or Single Subject Science (including but not limited to physics, chemistry, biological science, physical science and life science)
(3) Special Education
(4) All teachers who are assigned to a dual immersion program at CCLA or SRFACS
(5) In 2022-2023 are assigned within the scope of any one or more of the credentials, certifications, or permit authorizing instruction or services in the areas identified in (1) – (4), above, shall be exempt from the order of layoff.
This criteria is unchanged from last year.
E6. (Action) Tie-Breaking Criteria to Determine the Order of Termination Among Certificated Employees with the Same Hire Date
Summary
In preparation for potential Reduction in Force (RIF), the Board will consider approval of Resolution 2021/22-22, Resolution to adopt seniority date tie-breaking criteria for establishing an order of termination for employees who first rendered paid probationary service to the District on the same date and to comply with the requirements of Education Code section 44955.
This criteria is unchanged from last year.
E7. (Action) Frontline Education Human Resource Management System (HRMS) Contract
Summary
Extending the contract to Frontline will expand the services utilized, and replace theses other services:
- EdJoin (Job posting, hiring and interview process) (No current contract $0)
- Informed K12 (Workflow automation forms) ($35,207)
- TargetSolution (Employee Mandated Trainings) (No current contract $0)
- Hard Copy Personnel Files (No cost)
Initial financial outlay $207,400. Annual Recurring Fees $176,103
SRTA supports upgrading our HR software to utilize a single program. Making this shift with a structured plan including appropriate training and transfer of data makes sense.
When and how will these programs be evaluated to ensure SRCS is able to fully utilize the programs as anticipated? Specifically this concern arises because the Frontline Professional Growth system has been less than adequate for SRCS use, requiring a clumsy work around to share Zoom links for sessions.
While these shifts are being made to increase efficiency, can SRCS shift to ‘automatically’ calculating and paying SRTA members who have more students than contractually allowed, eliminating the extensive monthly paperwork?
E8. (Action) Approval of MOU reached with SRCS and SRTA regarding Home and Hospital Alternative Work Assignment
Summary
Home and Hospital Teachers agree to
- Work with students who need re-engagement and/or support
- Steps and parameters for re-engagement and/or support
- Teaching strategies for students re-engaging through a Home Support Program
- Procedures in regard to attendance for students in the Home Support Program
- Program facilitation
- Caseloads at or under 25 total students contact hours per week
- Supporting AB 130 Independent Study Programs students in person at school or district site or at another mutually agreed upon location
SRTA appreciates the collaboration with members that this MOU represents.
SRCS Home and Hospital teachers deserve appreciation and proper utilization. They are an incredible resource for our students.
E9. (Discussion) Independent Study Update- AB 130
Summary
53 teachers are teaching the equivalent of 13.2 FTE to serve 403 KA – 12 students. 71 Elementary, 57 Middle School, and 281 High School. The majority of participating students are Latino/hispanic and speak English Only.
Survey results put Acellus in a positive light.
At the Aug 11 board meeting it was said that these students, like all students, would receive wrap around services and support resources. How is this working? What is the data around these students taking advantage of additional services?
The flow of communication to participating staff could improve, especially around the structures for taking roll and assigning grades. The report fails to capture the difficulty students are experiencing trying to learn math with Acellus. Many participating staff do not feel like they are able to help students bridge this gap.
E10. (Action) Resolution to appoint Matthew Dunkle to the Adult Education Program Member Participation and Sonoma County Adult Education Consortium Oversight Committee
Summary
The Board will consider approval of Resolution 2021/22-27 appointing Executive Director of Educational Services Matthew Dunkle to represent the Santa Rosa City Schools on the Sonoma County Adult Education Consortium Oversight Committee.
E11. (Discussion) Panorama Survey: Strengths-Based Social-Emotional Survey Identifying Student Needs
Summary
Survey of students in the fall of 2021 reported Supportive Relationships. There are “Opportunities for teachers to find answers” to why students have difficulty focusing on learning. There is a need for greater student self-efficacy, especially for Latinx and secondary students. The survey results will help guide the next steps to respond to student needs.
Supports in place include Playbook, Wayfinder, RISE and SOS.
When staff proposed the contract with Panorama, there were high expectations for using this data to impact our systems. How is that rolling out?
What is the structure to inform and guide teachers to do this answer finding work?
In regards to the various supports that are in place, how have teachers been informed about these supports? What has the training been to utilize these supports? Where is the data on staff utilizing these resources?
E12. (Discussion) Requirement to Conduct Assessment of Trustee Area Map using 2020 Census Data and Next Steps
Without any maps or data to review, it is difficult to prepare for this item.
F. CONSENT ITEMS
F.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 134 current postings for 270 job vacancies for SRCS, 4 more than last month. 31 of these are coaching positions. There are 53 certificated openings (two less than last month), and three certificated management openings (one more than last month.) There are 213 current classified openings (five more 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. With the onset of Omicron, the unmet need for more adults on our campuses grows. Systemic collapse is not unthinkable.
SRTA welcomes the three certificated new hires: Evelyn Clancy (MHS), Richard Santina (PTES), and James Seder (SRHS).
There are thirteen classified hires and one resignation taking three years of institutional knowledge with them.
F.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| District Wide | |||
| 5 | KBA Docusys | $441,807 | Extend copier contract for one year for 2.5 million copies per month. |
| 6 | Maxim Healthcare Staffing | $450,000 | 15 COVID Admin Assistants at $45 per hour to help school administrators with implementation. Contract says not to exceed $350,000. |
| 7 | Nelson Staffing | $75,000 | Extending contract for 15 staff to support Covid Coordinator. Nelson charges 60% overhead markup for their services. |
| Charter | |||
| 8 | Portuguese Futbol Academy | $1,140 | CCLA students will be provided sports activities during eight Friday lunches. |
| Elementary | |||
| 2 | Momentum in Teaching | $13,549 | Increase original contract to add additional days of Lucy Calkins training for ABES staff. |
| 3 | Lawrence Hall of Science | $2,430 | 3 science festivals for BHES 2/10, 3/15 and 4/12 |
| Secondary | |||
| 1 | Corrina Hui, LLC | $50,000 | Renew contract for second semesterdevelopment and design sessions for diverse stakeholders that would meet the requirements for offering robust CTE Program (s) and a K-12 dual immersion “pipeline” at EAHS with CCLA. The CTE incentive grant will be utilized to help fund this. |
| 4 | Kate Kinsella, Ed.D | $10,000 | 4 90 min sessions for MHS staff (t $2,500 each) around evidence-based instructional principles, practices and resources to structure productive academic interactions that promote English language proficiency, learner engagement, and curricular access for all students. |
Total value of contracts = $1,043,926.00
SRTA members are ready for an upgrade to the copies on campuses. Sadly this will have to wait another year.
As the contract is renewed for the second semester, what progress has been made on the CTE /dual language work for EAHS? How long is this work expected to take?
Is there a plan to replace the Lucy Calkins curriculum with the recent evidence that it is not an effective program?
F6. Approval of Authorized Signatory for California Department of Education, Early Childhood Education Contract
Summary
Santa Rosa City Schools supports the whole student, both academically and with their Social-Emotional Wellness. As a method to evaluate the level of students’ Social-Emotional Learning and wellbeing. SRCS has implemented the Panorama Survey of students in the fall of 2021. The survey results will help guide the next steps to respond to student needs.
F7. Approval of the SRCS 2022-2023 Instructional Calendar
Summary
The Board will consider approving the draft Santa Rosa City Schools 2022-2023 Instructional Calendar.
SRTA members will take a ratification vote on this calendar over this next week.
F8. Approval of Proposed Reclassification of CSEA 75 Childcare Assistants
Summary
The Board will consider approving the reclassification recommendations for California School Employees Association, Chapter 75 (CSEA 75) Childcare Assistants.
SRTA supports our classified colleagues.
F9. Approval for the Opening of Four Bank Accounts at Exchange Bank
Summary
The Board will consider approval to open four bank accounts with Exchange Bank. Three new bank accounts for Piner High School and one new account for Montgomery High School. This will move all school accounts to Exchange Bank.
SRTA supports doing business with local establishments.
F10. Approval of the 2020/21 Annual Developer Fee Report and Resolution No. 2021/22-19
Summary
The majority of expensed items are for portables. There is also $375,352 for transportation JPA facility lease.
F11. Approval of Proposed Increase of Minimum Wage
Summary
The Board will consider approval of the proposed increase of minimum wage for:
- Accompanist
- After School Athletic Program, Elementary
- Auditorium Supervisor
- Ticket Taker/Timekeeper/Scorekeeper
- Student Workers
And, the revision of the Extra Duty Hourly/Miscellaneous Salary Schedule for 2021-2022 to reflect this increase ordered by the California Legislature.
California Minimum Wage Notice
SRTA appreciates this move to comply with the State of California’s $15/hr minimum wage. We are greatly disappointed that SRCS’s minimum wage continues to lag behind Santa Rosa City’s minimum wage which has increased to $15.85/hr as of January 1, 2022 because their minimum wage has automatic increases based on the Bay Area Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) while SRCS does not.
https://srcity.org/3164/Minimum-Wage
F12. Approval of Biometrics4All, Inc. Contract
Summary
The district is in the process of purchasing hardware, software and warranty through Biometrics4All, Inc. Biometrics4All will provide our Human Resources staff with remote training in becoming Fingerprint Roller Certified and Cal-DOJ testing. The DOJ only accepts electronically transmitted fingerprint images and related information to process requests for criminal records checks. Biometrics4All is the best technology partner for our Live Scan business with a minimal ongoing cost associated with the Live Scan (fingerprinting).
It seems prudent to shift to doing in-house fingerprinting. Will this provide sufficient capacity to handle all volunteers in SRCS? What is the plan to evaluate this shift to ensure it is implemented as envisioned?
F13. and F14 Renew Appointments to the Measure L (Elementary) and Measure I (High School) Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (COC)
Summary
This will renew the following two committee members.
Kristin Hendricks, Community Member/At Large – 3 Year Term (Elem and HS)
Frank Pugh, Community Member/Finance Background – 3 Year Term (Elem and HS)
Mindy Breslin, Community Member/At Large (HS)
Jennie Bruneman, Parent or Guardian (HS)
SRTA extends our appreciation for the willingness of these folks to continue to serve on this committee.
G1. and G2. Approval of Minutes
I1. Future Board Discussion Items
SRTA Members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
- Student/Staff awards & site reports: Helen Lehman Elementary, SR French American Charter (1/26/22)
- Resolution Recognizing February as African-American History Month (1/26/22)
- Resolution Recognizing Week of School Counselor (1/26/22)
- West County Transportation Update (moved to 1/26/22)
- Safe Routes to Schools Update (1/26/22)
- Santa Rosa Track Naming (1/26/22)
- 21-22 Governor’s Budget Proposal (1/26/22)
- COVID-19 Safety Plan Final update (1/26/22)
- Board Meetings Via Teleconference (2/9/22)
- CTE Month (2/9/22)
- Updates to Board Policies (2/9/22)
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Review of Math grades and progress including demographic data
- Social-Emotional RTS Supports (1/12/22)
- 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.
I4. Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) ESSER III Plan Approval Letter
ESSER III Plan Approval Letter
I5. Williams Settlement Quarterly Report
During the quarter of October 1 through December 31, 2021, the district did not receive any Williams Uniform Complaints.