BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
January 11, 2023
4:30 p.m. – Closed Session
6:00 p.m. – Open Session
Hybrid: Zoom / Santa Rosa City Hall Council Chambers (100 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404)
*** 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 Melanie Martin at mmartinsrcs.k12.ca.us.
B.1 Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Title of employee being reviewed: Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Vice Principals, Assistant Principals, Directors, Coordinators)
B.2 Student Expulsions (Case Nos: 22/23-07, 22/23-11)
C. RECONVENE TO REGULAR OPEN SESSION (6:00 p.m.)
C7. Special Presentations for Student of the Month and Certificated/Classified Employees of the Month for Helen Lehman Elementary and Santa Rosa High)
Helen Lehman Elementary School
- Zoie Pouykham, Student of the Month
- Lidia Centeno, Classified Employee of the Month
- Robert Oliver, Certificated Employee of the Month
Santa Rosa High School
- Andre Achacon, Student of the Month
- Alejandro Escobar Jr., Classified Employee of the Month
- Kevin Costello, Certificated Employee of the Month
SRTA members at Helen Lehman Elementary and Santa Rosa High are extended a special invitation to attend (in person or online) to acknowledge those being honored from your site.
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. There is an invitation for comments on specific items during each item.
Please commit to watching or attending 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) Board Communication Norms Review
Summary
The Board will discuss and consider approval of the Communication Norms guidelines.
E.2. (Discussion) Material Revision for Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School (SRACS)
Summary
The Board of Education will receive information as part of a discussion on proposed revisions to the Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School’s charter document.
SRTA supports this change. Our schools are built with a 4-6 continuum that this change would support. The timing is right to expand the program while making use of the vision and wisdom of the founding staff.
E.3, 4, 5 and 6 (Action) Certifies the Passage of the Bond Measures and Establishes the Oversight Committees
Summary
Certifies passage of the Elementary School District Measure G $125 million general obligation bond measure and the High School District Measure C $398 million general obligation bond measure. General obligation bond citizens’ oversight committee for Measure G. and C will also be approved.
Resolution Certifying Measure G
Resolution to establish Measure G Bond Oversight Committee
Resolution Certifying Measure C
Resolution to establish Measure C Bond Oversight Committee
SRTA reiterates that the Oversight committee’s job is to approve accumulated expenses as appropriate to be expensed to the bond. Choosing and prioritizing projects is NOT part of the duties of this committee. The creation of the Facilities Advisory Committee is a step in the right direction, but an inclusive structure for this process has yet to be fully delineated.
E.7. Acceptance of the 2021-2022 Independent Audit Report
Summary
The Board will consider acceptance of the independent Audit Report for the combined Santa Rosa Elementary and High School districts. The report has been completed by the firm Chavan & Associates, LLP for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.
2021-22 SRCS Audited Financials
E.8. (Action) Approval of Revised Board Policy 1312.3 Uniform Complaint Procedures
Summary
The Board will consider approving the revisions to Board Policy 1312.3 Uniform Complaint Procedures.
The Uniform Complaint Procedure name implies it is a single procedure for all complaints. But that is not the case.
Per the adoption of this item, these are the procedures for Non-UCP Complaints:
- child abuse or neglect shall be referred to the County Department of Social Services Protective Services Division or the appropriate law enforcement agency.
- health and safety violations by a child development program shall, for licensed facilities, be referred to Department of Social Services
- sexual harassment shall be addressed through the federal Title IX complaint
- employment discrimination or harassment shall be investigated and resolved by the district in accordance with the procedures specified in AR 4030 – Nondiscrimination in Employment, including the right to file the complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
- violation of a state or federal law or regulation related to special education, a settlement agreement related to the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE), failure or refusal to implement a due process hearing order to which the district is subject, or a physical safety concern that interferes with the district’s provision of FAPE shall be submitted to the California Department of Education (CDE)
- Any complaint alleging noncompliance of the district’s food service program with laws regarding meal counting and claiming, reimbursable meals, eligibility of children or adults, or use of cafeteria funds and allowable expenses shall be filed with or referred to CDE in accordance with BP 3555 – Nutrition Program Compliance.
- discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in the district’s food service program shall be filed with or referred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture
- sufficiency of textbooks or instructional materials, emergency or urgent facilities conditions that pose a threat to the health or safety of students or staff, or teacher vacancies and misassignments shall be investigated and resolved in accordance with AR 1312.4 – Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures.
The SRCS COMPLAINT PROCEDURES HANDBOOK (2018) clarifies procedures for all complaints.
E.9. (Action) Approval of Board Member School Site Liaison Assignments for 2023
Summary
SRTA appreciates the establishment of board liaisons for sites. Our members look forward to site visits from board members.
E.10. (Action) Public Board Meetings Via Teleconference per AV 361
F. CONSENT ITEMS
F.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 127 current postings for 198 job vacancies for SRCS.
There are 38 certificated openings (three less than the last meeting), and 1 certificated management openings (the same as last meeting). Most of the positions are part time, and most have been posted since October. There are 159 current classified openings (four less than the last meeting), and no classified management positions (the same as last meeting.)
SRTA welcomes Kiana Herzog (CCLA) and welcomes back Ann Marie Izaba (CCLA.)
We bid farewell to Evelyn Clancy (MHS) after one year of service to our students.
Non-represented personnel changes include hiring two new administrators, and two new supervisory employees. We bid farewell to the retiring Michael Braff.
This month changes to classified staff include three new hires and one rehire. There are two resignations and one termination. We are losing 9 years of wisdom and experience with these departures.
Twenty-two posted classified jobs pay less than the city of Santa Rosa’s minimum wage of $17.06, several paying $15 per hour. SRCS has still not made the $1,000 bonus pay obvious to anyone looking at these job postings on EdJoin as requested. Why would anyone apply for one of these sub-pay jobs as posted on EdJoin?
F.4. Approval of Donations and Gifts
There is gratitude to a generous anonymous donor who has provided Helen Lehman $20,000 to use at the Principal’s discretion.
There is appreciation for the Made in Santa Rosa Foundation giving Abraham Lincoln $3,300, Helen Lehman $3,500 and Proctor Terrace $1,000 to use at the Principal’s discretion.
F.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| District-wide | |||
| 1 | SCOE Special Education | $5,000 | To provide 8 hrs/mo of adaptive PE @ $155/hr |
| 4 | SOLIANT | $44,470 | This is for another semester of SLP to cover for an employee on extended leave. The contract states an increase of $85,470, an increase of 17% over the first semester rate. |
| 6 | Indoor Environment Solutions (IES) | $4,000 | To provide expert maintenance/repair of our new Johnson Controls EMS system as needed. |
| Secondary | |||
| 2 | Cardea Services | $3,645 | Provide mandated PD for 45 teachers providing Health Education for 7-9th grade students. |
| 3 | Open-Up Resources | $3,600 | 3 2-hour PD sessions for 10 Math teachers at Piner to better leverage their adopted text to improve student achievement. |
| 5 | Lexia PowerUp! | $3,200 | For reading intervention for 80 SDC students. “If gains show at least 10% improvement, the program may be considered for next year.” |
Total value of contracts = $63,915.00
SRTA celebrates the first clear metric expectation for renewing a contract.
F.6. Approval of New Course Proposal for Psychology and Sociology
Summary
The Board will consider approval of new semester long Psychology and semester long Sociology courses for the 2023-2024 school year.
SRTA supports this course.
F.7. Approval of Contract with Dr. Jo Boaler
The Board will consider approval of a $92,000 contract with Dr. Jo Boaler and her associate, Cathy Williams, to provide Math professional development for Math teachers in grades 4th-12th, along with follow-up professional learning sessions provided for teachers in cohorts 4th-6th, 7th-8th, and High School Integrated Math 1. This contract will support teachers with tools and strategies to develop a positive sense of math identity in students and planning for Big Ideas in mathematics for multi-dimensional learning to increase student learning and access of essential math concepts. This work will take place from 1/12/23 through 6/30/23.
Seven days of PD will be provided at $11,429 per day.
Jo Boaler is renowned. “Growth Mindset” lacks scientific support as a significant improvement factor, whereas climates celebrating academic success and curiosity are shown to improve student achievement.
SRTA wonders if local leaders/organizers involved in designing the Jan 27 kick off include district teachers. The Math Steering Committee has yet to be informed of this program.
Four release days will be used for follow up work with each group. It has been difficult for some teachers to attend training this year because of a lack of substitute coverage. What can SRCS do to ensure educators can participate?
What is the total amount budgeted for this program? How much are the release days required for this effort expected to cost, and where is this money coming from?
While it is appreciated that we are undertaking quality efforts for Tier 1 math instruction, there is a necessity for addressing students’ Tier 2 and Tier 3 math needs.
The board requested an item to review Math grades and progress including demographic data. Inclusion of that data here would help explain the need for this contract.
F.8. Approval of Acceptance of Arts Education Framework Grant
The Board will consider approving the acceptance of the $7,500 Arts Education Framework Grant provided by Creative Sonoma through the County of Sonoma.
Our students benefit from education in the arts.
F.9. Approval of Contract with A. Cuthbertson Consulting, Music Education Services
A. Cuthbertson Consulting, Music Education Service, will provide a 4-hour virtual training as part of the district’s January 27th professional development day titled Introduction to Culturally Responsive Music Education for up to 25 teachers for $6,500.
This is one of many contracts establishing services for the Jan. 27 PD day. As of Tuesday, SRTA members still await communication about the plans for this day.
F.10. Approval of the 2021/22 Annual Developer Fee Report and Resolution No. 2022/23-31
The fees are $3.48 per square foot of residential construction and $0.56 per square foot of commercial and industrial construction. There is $1.1 M ini reported expenses for last year and $1.2M in proposed expenses for this current year which includes $0.4 M for facility lease for JPA transportation (Westco Busses) and most of the rest is for rental of portables.
At one point the board approved waiving developer fees. It did something like eliminate the fee on the space above the second floor of residential buildings in order to help foster the building of large housing complexes in downtown Santa Rosa. Did that waiver have a sunset date, or is it still in effect?
F.11. Approval of E-Rate Year 26 (2023-2024 Form 471 applications for service and associated discounts to provide dark fiber services and access from Sonic and DGI for Alba Lane Barn and Lewis Campus
The Board will consider approval of E-Rate Year 26 (2023-2024) Form 471 applications for service and associated discounts to provide dark fiber services and access from Sonic and DGI for Alba Lane Barn and Lewis Campus.
The agenda state the project will be bond funded with the following allocation (before discounts):
Measure I: $99,004.37
Measure L: $18,001.87
Total: $117,006.24
With all discounts applied, over 5 years this translates to the equivalent of a monthly fee of:
- Alba Lane Barn — $218.41
- Lewis campus – $171.61
SRTA appreciates contracting with the local company, SONIC, for this work.
G.1. Approval of Minutes
I1. Future Board Discussion Items
SRTA Members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
- Student/Staff awards & site reports: Montgomery High School, Piner High School (1/25/23)
- Resolution recognizing the week of the School Counselor (1/25/23)
- Resolution recognizing February as African-American History Month (1/25/23)
- Resolution recognizing February at CTE Month (1/25/23)
SRTA requests that this item include CTE data including pathway completion rates.
- Board Governance Handbook (1/25/23)
- Governor’s Budget Proposal (1/25/23)
- School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs) (1/25/23)
- Panorama Survey Report (1/25/23)
- Student/Staff awards & site reports: Luther Burbank Elementary School, Learning House Elementary School (2/8/23)
- Resolution on Skipping Criteria (
1/11/232/8/23) - Resolution on Tie-Breaking Criteria (
1/11/232/8/23)
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Feedback on Condition of Schools Survey Data (10/26/22)
- A-G Program Review and Reconsideration (board request 8/10)
- Deferred Maintenance Update and Future Planning (7/27/22 8/24/22)
- Update on Covid Spending
- Approval of Board Policies (from 3/9/22)
- Review of Math grades and progress including demographic data (board request)
- SCOE Unification/Redistricting Report
- Open Enrollment Policy Update
- Granting a permanent easement to City of SR at MHS
- Lease / Leaseback Montgomery High School
- Student Voice Policy
- Dress Code Policy
- BEST Plus Update
I.4. School Site Reports
SPSA – Helen Lehman Elementary
I.5. Williams Settlement Quarterly Report October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022
Two HVAC complaints were made and resolved this quarter.