BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
May 11, 2022
4:45 p.m. – Closed Session
6:00 p.m. – Open Session
Hybrid: Zoom / Santa Rosa High School Auditorium (1235 Mendocino Ave)
*** streamed ***
A live link will be posted on the SRCS website (link).
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 Appointment/Employment (Position to be filled: Director)
B.2 Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Title of employee being reviewed: Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Vice Principals, Assistant Principals, Directors, Coordinators)
B.3 Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
B.4 Conference with Labor Negotiator (Designated Rep: Michael Shepherd, SRTA/CSEA)
C. RECONVENE TO REGULAR OPEN SESSION (6:00 p.m.)
C.7. Special Presentations for Student of the Month and Certificated/Classified Employees of the Month (ALES, SLES, LELA, HSMS)
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
- Donovan McMath Pace, Student of the Month
- Entire Staff: Classified/Certificated Employee of the Month
Steele Lane Elementary School
- Andrew Zaragoza, Student of the Month
- Katrin Fullerton, Classified Employee of the Month
- Samantha Kim, Certificated Employee of the Month
Lewis Early Learning Academy
- Jesus Salse Soto, Student of the Month
- Eugenia Chaparro Sanchez, Classified Employee of the Month
- Robert Johns, Certificated Employee of the Month
Herbert Slater Middle School
- Sovonn Eng, Student of the Month
- Marlen Ceballos, Classified Employee of the Month
- Amanda Killen, Certificated Employee of the Month
SRTA honors the work of our members this year which many are saying is the most difficult ever.
C.9. 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
E.2. (Action) Resolution Proclaiming the Recognition of Administrative Professionals in May 2022
SRTA encourages members to take time to share their appreciation for administrators.
E.3. (Action) Resolution for Mental Health Awareness
The Board will consider the approval of Resolution No. 2021/22-51 recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
SRCS has remarkably expanded mental health services recently. SRTA knows that the utilization of these services for students relies on caring and observant members. SRTA encourages members who are experiencing personal difficulty to reach out for help.
E.4. (Action) Resolution for School Nurse Day
Kudos to our school nurses who are an incredible group!
While SRCS has made strides to increase our nursing staff, we are still woefully shy of appropriate staffing ratios.
The California School Nurses Organization recommends one nurse to 1200 elementary students, one nurse to 1500 secondary students, and one nurse to 100 severely handicapped students.
E5. (Action) Consider Contract Approval of eduClimber Software by Illuminate Ed
Summary
The Board will receive information on and consider approval of the contract with Illuminate Education for the eduCLIMBER data dashboard platform. Initial cost including the first year of service and training $111,464. Ongoing annual cost $91,964.
SRCS Dashboard Needs and Wants
SRCS Data-Tech Needs and Wants
SRTA appreciates the sketched out implementation plan. Where will the comprehensive implementation plan be available including a matrix of who has access to what, and specifically who will be included in which training and when will these be held?
What is the plan for turning this data into actionable items? What are the expected actions relative to specific indicators? Where is this mapped out?
Have earlier data integrity issues with this program been resolved? Is the expectation they will not hinder full implementation of this tool?
The presenter for the Aeries program that was considered stated that under the current contract SRCS has full access to their monitoring program. SRTA supports allowing sites to utilize and individualize this program specifically to allow for monitoring of specific metrics for high school WASC monitoring.
E6. and 7 (Action) Issuance and Sale of a General Obligation Refunding Bonds of the District and Related Actions
Elementary Bond Sale: $23,100,000 Total Estimated Repayment: $32,541,642
Resolution 2022/22-56
Secondary Bond Sale: $24,000,000 Total Estimated Repayment: $35,032,728
When comparing this secondary contract to the elementary contract, SRTA is confused as to why issuing $900,000 more in bonds (an increase of 3.9%) leads to repayment of $2.5 million more (an increase of 7.7%).
Is this the last issuance of bonds?
What are the remaining specific items that this money will allow SRCS to address?
Where is SRCS at with updating the Facility Master Plan? When is the targeted start and completion of this expected?
Upon reflection, how would the process of spending of further bond monies be altered? It is recommended that SRCS invite stakeholder input and consultation with their union partners around these matters before embarking on another round of bonds, to ensure everyone is unified to help pass future measures.
F. CONSENT ITEMS
F.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 139 current postings for 258 job vacancies for SRCS. There are 162 certificated openings (92 more than last meeting), and 3+ certificated management openings with one a Secondary AP Pool. There are 160 current classified openings (52 more than last meeting), and no classified management positions (the same as last meeting.)
SRTA celebrates the approval of two additional people choosing to work less next year. Being flexible and supportive of staff needs allows retaining highly qualified staff for the long term while simultaneously building a more committed workforce.
SRTA congratulates the following members who have noticed their future retirements: Susan Cleek (HCMS) and Anne Sullivan (PTES.) We also bid a fond farewell to the following resigning members Mercedes Castro (LBES), Zachary Hasbany (EAHS), Francine Leiphart (RHS), Megan Steward (T&L), and Rosa Martinez (EAHS). We are losing 67.5 years of wisdom and experience with your departure. Thank you for your service to our students!
There are three classified new hires. This month there is notice of three resignations and two retirements. They leave taking 34 years of institutional knowledge with them. We are grateful for their service to our students and staff.
There are three administrator resignations and one supervisory retirement after a combined 36 years of service. SRTA sends our appreciation to Rick Edson (Deputy Superintendent), Kimberlee Armstrong (Associate Superintendent of Ed. Services), Drew Morrison (Warehouse Manager) and John Kennedy (AP PHS) for your dedication to our students.
F.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
# | Provider | Cost | Description |
District | |||
1 | Matrix HG | $6,852 | HVAC maintenance for main network rooms at various sites. |
2 | Informed K12 | $36,968 | Electronic internal office forms and workflow process to automatically collect signatures, route and track electronic forms. |
3 | SportsNet | $11,500 | This program is used to manage all coaches and athletes 5 for all SRCS middle schools and the 5 comprehensive high schools. |
Total value of contracts = $55,320.
In the January 12, 2022 contracts it was presented that upgrading the contract with Frontline for $207,400 would streamline HR processes and consolidate various other contracts including reducing the contract with Emics, Inc. dba Informed K12. In fact, this contract has increased from last year. It is stated that this contract is for a time of overlap while Frontline is more fully implemented. How long is this overlap expected to last? Is it wise to spend money and time creating new forms for a system that is being retired?
F.6. Approval of Acquisition of Instructional Mobile Devices, Hotspots, and Hotspot Service for Students and Staff
Summary
Hotspots: Purchase 500 @ $57 and provide service @ $13.50 per month. Units plus 12 months of service for a grand total of $109,500 (per the attached contract- not $138,000 as noted.)
Student Chromebooks: Purchase 10,150 @ $358 and 700 @ $403 for a total of $4,273,997.
Staff Pro-Books: Purchase 50 @ $1,137 for a total of $62,534
SRTA celebrates these purchases. There are identified students and staff that will benefit from the distribution of these items.
What is the plan for disbursing and recollecting these hotspots and student chromebooks? With a 20% damage rate, what is the process for utilizing warranties if there are problems? How is that messaged out?
What is the expectation for students who intentionally damage units?
F.7. Approval of Equipment Upgrades for Classified Personnel and Site and District Administrators
Summary
Staff Desktops: Purchase 225 @ $990 for a total of $243,988
SRTA supports this purchase to ease the work of our classified and administrative personnel.
What are the expectations for when further purchases will be required?
F.8. Approval of Knowledge Saves Lives Incorporated Contract
Summary
4 hours of training during the month of June, 2022. Cost $2,950
There is no clear audience specified for this training nor metrics to evaluate this contract.
F.9. Approval of Physical Education Exemption
Summary
It appears that all students beyond freshman year would qualify for this exemption. All sophomores and juniors were sent information to apply. The results are as follows:
Exemption | Site | Numberof Students |
Permanent | Elsie Allen | 4 |
Two-Year | Maria Carrillo | 10 |
Permanent | Maria Carrillo | 57 |
Two-Year | Montgomery | 7 |
Permanent | Montgomery | 36 |
Two-Year | Piner | 6 |
Permanent | Piner | 26 |
Two-Year | SRHS | 24 |
Permanent | SRHS | 263 |
There is no data provided on the demographic breakdown of those that responded, but the rates of participation can be calculated.
Total Participation | Enrolled 10 and 11 per SARC | Percent of Students participating | |
Elsie Allen | 4 | 568 | 0.007 |
Maria Carrillo | 67 | 736 | 0.014 |
Montgomery | 42 | 827 | 0.008 |
Piner | 32 | 711 | 0.008 |
SRHS | 287 | 970 | 0.025 |
The Two Year Exemption requires meeting several fitness standards during freshman year. The Permanent Exemption just requires that a student be in the 10th or 11th grade.
This exemption has the potential to severely impact our Physical Education program. Will PE remain a freshman year requirement?
Are there any other plans to reach out to qualifying students beyond the initial notification? The disparity in responses suggest this may not have been equitable notification for all families.
F.10. Approval of Proposed Job Description for Associate Superintendent / Chief Business Official of Business Services
Summary
The Board will consider approval of the proposed job description for Associate Superintendent / Chief Business Official (CBO) of Business Services.
The proposed salary for this diminished position has just been reduced by $2,234. This Associate Superintendent salary is $30,000 more than the other Assistant Superintendent positions.
F.11. Approval of Proposed Job Description for Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services
Summary
The job description appears unchanged except for a reduction from Associate Superintendent to Assistant Superintendent and an additional $1,706 in salary, bringing it to $172,706.
Has the current organizational structure for a consolidated Education Services been evaluated?
Why do the two Assistant Superintendent positions differ in salaries by $1,706?
F.12. Approval of Proposed Job Description for Assistant Superintendent, Technology & Information Services
Summary
This revamped position has a proposed salary of $172,706.
When the Deputy Superintendent position was first flown, it was a consolidation of two positions, and was promised to reduce expenses. Duties to oversee transportation, warehousing, facilities, food service, and maintenance remain. When duties for overseeing district technology were removed, there was no change in remuneration to the Deputy Superintendent. Now that this job is to be flown as a separate position it is clear that the end result is an increase to expenses by this salary.
F.13. Approval of Proposed Job Description for Communications Coordinator / Public Information Officer
Summary
Serves as a member of the Cabinet. Current posted salary starts at $105,565.
The elevation of this position to the cabinet level raises hope that district communication can continue to improve.
F.14. Approval of Resolution No. 2021/22-59 Designating Positions for Representative and Alternate to the Redwood Empire Schools’ Insurance Group’s Joint Powers Board
Summary
This will designate the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources as the representative and the Executive Director of Fiscal Services as an alternate representative to the Redwood Empire Schools’ Insurance Group’s (RESIG) Joint Powers Authority Board.
G Approval of Minutes
I1. Future Board Discussion Items
SRTA Members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
- Student/Staff awards & site reports: Proctor Terrace Elementary School, Albert Biella Elementary School, Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts (5/25/22)
- Budget Update: May Revision (5/25/22)
- Ethnic Studies Update (5/25/22)
- Learning Supports for 2022/2023 (5/25/22)
- A-G Completion Improvement Grant Plan (5/25/22)
- Report from DELAC (5/25/22)
- District-wide Solar Project Update (5/25/22)
- LCAP Updates (6/8/22)
- Universal TK Plan (6/8/22)
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Approval of Board Policies (from 3/9/22)
- Review of Math grades and Sem 1 progress including demographic data
- SCOE Unification/Redistricting Report
- Open Enrollment Policy Update
- Granting a permanent easement to City of SR at MHS
- Lease / Leaseback Montgomery High School (What is happening with the proposed building at MHS?)
- Parcel Tax Update
- Student Voice Policy
- Dress Code Policy
- BEST Plus Update
I.4. WASC Letter to EAHS
Summary
It is the decision of the Commission to remove probation and restore accreditation status to Elsie Allen High School through June 30, 2027 with a mid-cycle visit during the 2023-2024 school year.
Congratulations to the staff of EAHS!
It is hoped that SRCS can create processes to actively support the WASC process at all high schools and avoid any future probationary notices.
I.4. School Site Videos