BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
March 29, 2023
3:30 p.m. – Closed Session
6:00 p.m. – Open Session
Hybrid: Zoom/Santa Rosa City Hall Council Chambers (100 Santa Rosa 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 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. Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Case Name: Pieri v. SRCS)
B.3. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Number of potential cases: 3)
B.4. Student Expulsions (Case Nos: 22/23-17, 22/23-18, 22/23-19, 22/23-21, 22/23-23, 22/23-20, 22/23-26, 22/23-30)
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 (Cesar Chavez Language Academy (CCLA) and Elsie Allen High School)
Cesar Chavez Language Academy (CCLA)
- Aliana Martinez, Student of the Month
- Patricia Chino Ramirez, Classified Employee of the Month
- Kelly Mackura, Certificated Employee of the Month
Elsie Allen High School
- Priscila Magallan, Student of the Month
- Rosalia Gonzalez, Classified Employee of the Month
- Ry Basham-Mintz, Certificated Employee of the Month
C.9. Public Comment on Non Agenda Items
SRTA members are invited to complete ‘blue cards’ in person or raise their hands and provide voice only comments if attending online. Please put SRTA at the start of your online name. 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, so safety items would be addressed here.
Comments are requested at the board meeting to bring a member’s perspective and share real experiences of the impact of district policies and practices. There is an invitation for comments on specific items during each item, so they need to be held until then.
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.
A Shared Safety Concern:
During a class a student posted on Google Classroom that he was “going to bring a gun to school and shoot you.” Administration acted quickly after being notified by a student. They identified the student who had written the threat. They sent the required email notifying the student’s teachers that Ed Code XYZ was violated by Student X. The problem is that many other teachers learned about this activity from students in their classes. Students could not stop talking about it. It is ridiculous that teachers learn about dangerous incidents from students without being informed by the administration. It is far more detrimental to NOT tell staff than to let the story, however changed or exaggerated, be told by students.
C.10. Election of the Clerk of the Board
E. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
E.1. (Action) Resolution Designating April as School Library Month
SRTA joins the resolution in thanking the District Library Media Specialist, the Library Technicians, and the Instructional Materials Technicians.
If we truly value our libraries, wouldn’t we staff them with certificated Librarians? Wouldn’t we fund them so they can maintain relevant collections for students? Currently there is one certificated librarian for the entire district, a staffing ratio of 15,000:1. The state’s Model School Library Standards call for a ratio of one full-time teacher librarian for every 785 students (785:1 recommended ratio vs 15,000:1 actual SRCS ratio).
E.2. (Discussion) Facilities Projects and Funding Update
Summary
Information will be presented regarding progress on Bond Measures I & L projects, common facilities needs district wide, and funding mechanisms and opportunities.
Summer 2023/2024 Current Project List
● Major Sewer Line Repairs (MHS/SRHS)
● MCHS LED Theater Lighting Upgrade
● BHES Roof/HVAC
● CCLA Roof/HVAC
● RVMS Gym Roof/HVAC
● Portable Rooftop/HVAC Repairs
● Technology Upgrades/Touch Panel TV’s in Classrooms
● SRHS Phase 3 Roof/HVAC
● MHS/RHS Restroom Remodel
Isn’t the District Office also scheduled for some very necessary work from these funds?
How much funding remains from Bond Measures I & L? When will these funds be exhausted?
Where is the complete list of what will be completed with the remainder of these funds?
How were these final projects chosen?
As we move toward plans for utilizing the new Bond Measures C & G, what decision making systems will be utilized to prevent future issues like the neglect of facilities at Montgomery High School coming to public light at the tail end of the bond spending window?
Where is the information from the 15 day Developer Fee exploration that was recently contracted?
Several teachers would prefer projectors to touch panels. Can the district support this?
E.3. (Action) Board Vacancy for Trustee Area 7 and Estimated Timeline
Summary
Due to the resignation of Director Laurie Fong, a vacancy has been declared on the Santa Rosa City Schools’ Board of Education in Trustee Area 7. Applications will be accepted through 4:00 p.m. on April 20, 2023. Then a subcommittee of board members will paper screen candidates. The May 10 board meeting will include interviews and appointment to office.
SRTA wishes to thank Director Fong for her service. The students and staff at Montgomery High School deserve TLC, clear expectations and defined discipline processes. We are rooting for Principal Fong to meet these needs.
SRTA encourages members to seek applicants for this position.
E.4. (Discussion) Safe Routes to Schools Program Update
Summary
The Board will be provided with an update on the collaboration between Safe Routes to Schools Program and Santa Rosa City Schools.
8 Comprehensive Sites 2022-23 CCLA, HLES, HVES, JMES, PTES, SRCArts, FACS, SRMS
7 Past Participation ABES, BHES, ALES, RVMS, HSMS, HCMS, SRACS
8 Potential Participant LBES, SLES, High Schools (future contract)
SRTA continues to be concerned that the implementation of this program requires principals, teachers, and or parents to champion existing programs which means they volunteer to make it happen. There are seven sites no longer participating. If this effort is important, we have to demonstrate respect and value for what it takes to implement it.
E.5. (Discussion) Survey Results and Updates: YouthTruth Culture and Climate Survey and Panorama Social-Emotional Survey
Summary
The Board of Education will receive an update regarding the Panorama and the Youth Truth Surveys. The Panorama Education Survey provides student and staff perception of their social-emotional learning (SEL) and well-being. The YouthTruth Culture and Climate Survey provides data on students, families, and staff.
Panorama contract $45,420.00 per year. YouthTruth Survey is mainly sponsored by the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) and community partners, with a $6,100 fee.
Educational Services / YouthTruth Survey Data
The Panorama survey data has worked as a universal screener to identify students in need. What proportion of these students were already identified by other means? What quantity of students were flagged by their responses? Was SRCS able to intervene with these students?
When Panorama was implemented, it was promised that it would allow for evaluating the effectiveness of programs by determining which students were using which resources and the impact to their self assessment. Where is this data?
How have these surveys “helped to inform SRCS how to improve school experiences”? What changes have resulted from this?
SRTA is curious about the “possible interventions and supports” that the results from these surveys as well as the demonstrable impact these have had on the district LCAP.
What percentile of change on each of these surveys is significant?
Why is the teacher portion of the Panorama survey being discontinued?
What expectation is being removed to allow for adding a second round of Panorama this spring? Our students spend too much time being surveyed and assessed, adding to their feelings of anxiety.
E.6. (Action) Updates to COVID-19 Safety Handbook
Summary
As part of a continuing transition from a pandemic to an endemic phase of COVID response and mitigation, and in conjunction with Governor Newsom’s proclamation terminating the State of California’s COVID-19 State of Emergency and correlating COVID response budget reductions, CDPH has made revisions to COVID response provisions (prioritizing broad Antigen/OTC distribution in lieu of PCR testing operations), redefined “Close Contact” and “Infectious Period” to better align with CDC protocols, and applied reduced or relaxed standards to existing isolation and quarantine mandates. The SRCS COVID Safety Handbook has been updated to reflect these changes.
Handbook Draft (English) (Español)
F. CONSENT ITEMS
F.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 124 current postings for 207 job vacancies for SRCS.
There are 55 certificated openings (sixteen more than the last meeting), and 2 certificated management openings (two more than the last meeting). There are 149 current classified openings (ten more than the last meeting), and one classified management position (one more than the last meeting.)
Ed Join has several Special Education positions for next year posted as are pools for various teaching positions.
Congratulations to the Summer School Administrators.
Secondary Principals: Randy Burbank, Kimberly Clissold, Andrea Correia and Casey Cunningham.
Extended School Year Administrators: Julie Grange and Mark McLain
Elementary Principals: Guadalupe Perez-Cook, April Santos and Isaac Murillo Estrada.
SRTA bids farewell to those six members resigning at the end of the year taking twenty-five years of service and experience between them: Carrie Bray (SRCARTS), Colleen Magill (JMES), Danielle Miller (JMES), Joseph Mills (PHS), Philip Nymark (HLES) and Jessica Tallman (SPSV). We wish you well with your future endeavors.
Congratulations to those retiring in June after 130 years of combined service to our students: James Holland (MHS), Christine Knight (RVMS), Rosy Laden (MHS), Annette Thomason (MHS) and Steven Williams (SRACS).
This month changes to classified staff include four new hires. There are two resignations.
There is one resignation and one retirement for Supervisory employees, leaving after a combined sixteen years of service to our students and staff.
F.4. Approval of Donations and Gifts
Thank you to the Made in Santa Rosa Foundation for $6,000 for a book vending machine at James Monroe Elementary.
F.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| Elementary | |||
| 3 | Boys and Girls Club Sonoma-Marin | $430,500 | 6 weeks of enrichment activities during K-6 Summer Academy summer school program from 11:30 – 5:30 each day, for 250 students |
| 4 | LandPaths | $86,400 | 6 week long outdoor camps at several open space areas for 216 SRCS students, ages 6-13 ($400/student/week) |
| 7 | Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) | $0 | 2 weeks of enrichment activities during the Math Lab summer school program from 8:30 – 1:00 each day, for 60 students |
| 12 | Sunbelt LLC | $21,875 | Extend contract to provide Licensed Vocational Nurse services to three students at an Elementary School in the District. |
| Secondary | |||
| 1 | KUTA Software | $7,400 | This software renewal will continue to support all secondary math teachers across the 5 comprehensive high schools. |
| 2 | Santa Rosa Metro Chamber / Mike Hauser Academy | $0 | SRCS will track students to determine: number of students enrolled in STEM classes in high school, number of students pursuing College or a Career in a STEM field pathway and graduation rate including a-g completion rate as well as demographic data |
| 8 | Cardea Services | $2,505 | Professional learning for 45 MS Science and HS PE1 teachers this school year on curriculum and standards to meet the requirements of the CHYA standards for Middle School and High School. This brings the contract to a total of $6,150. |
| 10 | Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD) | $59,000 | This training will support a cohort of 20 secondary teachers, EL Specialists and administrators to learn research based theory and instructional strategies focusing on English Language Development for Fall 2023. |
| 13 | Arntz Builders, Inc. | $38,020 | This is to cover the costs incurred by the general contractor for the delays in scheduling due to additional consideration needed by the district for installation of fiber. |
| District | |||
| 5 | SSU School of Extended Education | $104,000 | EXCEL for Youth and the School of Extended Education at Sonoma State will provide 2 weeks of enrichment classes at HLES to 400 SRCS students currently in grades 3-7 |
| 6 | Luther Burbank Center for the Arts | $45,743 | Provide organization and administration of the Mariachi/Arts Camp, teachers and support staff for 200 participants. |
| 9 | Team CivX | $168,845 | Changing prior contract to newly named company for Parcel Tax ballot measure electoral feasibility, public outreach, and communication consulting services. |
| 11 | ParentSquare | $72,421 | Usage highlights for the school year 2022/2023, as of 3/22/23: 99% of families are contactable through text, phone, and/or email, 493 Authors of posts and Smart Alerts, 125,697 Direct Messages, 23,742 Threads, 10,510 Posts, 153, and Smart Alerts sent. Cost is $4.73 each for 15,310 students. |
Total value of contracts = $1,036,709.21
This month includes contracts for summer programs. What is the purpose of summer programs? How are programs evaluated for continuation? What is the plan to ensure prompt, equitable communication with families about these opportunities so that all students have the opportunity to participate. Paper notifications must be included in this plan.
The Mike Hauser Academy states that longitudinal data will be collected on the progress of participating students. Can that data be shared in a future agenda?
Parent Square statistics state that 99% of families are contactable. Can SRCS perform a communication audit and assess how many families are connected with an email that they don’t actually check regularly?
What changes are being made to avoid future occurrences like the $38,000 fee being paid by SRCS for not providing the contractor what they needed in a timely fashion?
F.6. Approval of Contract with Springboard Collective
The Board will consider approval of a contract with Springboard to offer an early literacy & family engagement program to approximately 250 TK-3 students for 5 weeks during summer school. $188,019
F.7. Approval of New Career Technical Education (CTE) Course Proposals: Introduction to Agriculture and Introduction to Healthcare
The Board will consider approval of two new Career Technical Education courses for the 2023-2024 school year.
Course Proposals
Agriculture introductory course for the existing Agriculture Program
Healthcare introductory course for the new Public and Community Health CTE Program
F.8. Approval of AP Precalculus (New Course) and Precalculus Course (New Name for Existing Course)
Course Proposals
AP Precalculus new AP Course fills the same role as our current Trig/Precalculus Honors courses
Precalculus renames the currently existing two semester Trig/Precalculus course.
F.9. Approval of a Home to School Transportation Plan for Qualification of 60% Reimbursement
The Board will consider approval of the Home to School Transportation Plans, which qualify SRCS to receive 60% reimbursement for prior year home to school costs. These are expected to total over $3.5 million.
Santa Rosa High School District estimate $2,530,379
Santa Rosa Elementary School District estimate $1,042,523
F.10. Approval of Architectural Firms to be Included in the Architectural Services Pool for Measure C & G Bond Program Projects
The Board will consider approval of seven Architectural Firms recommended for inclusion in the architectural services pool through the Request for Proposal/Qualification process. AXIA Architects – Santa Rosa, CA, Strata Architects- Sonoma, CA, Strata Architects- Sonoma, CA, Quattrocchi Kwok Architects – Santa Rosa, CA, TLCD Architects – Santa Rosa, CA, TLCD Architects – Santa Rosa, CA, PBK Architects- Berkeley, CA., HY Architects- Oakland, CA, and Perkins Eastman- Oakland, CA
Architectural Firms approved will be assigned projects identified through the Measure C and G Implementation Plan.
F.11. Approval of Construction/Program Management Firms to be Included in the Construction Management Pool for Measure C & G Bond Program Projects
The Board will consider approval of Construction/Program Management Firms recommended for inclusion in the construction management services pool through the Request for Proposal/Qualification process. Van Pelt Construction Services- Fairfield, CA, Greystone West Company – Sonoma, CA, and RGMK – Santa Rosa, CA.
Construction/Program Management Firms approved will be assigned projects identified through the Measure C and G Implementation Plan.
F.12. Award Bid for the Maria Carillo HS Theater Lighting LED Upgrade Project
The Board will consider the bid award to DMR Builders for the Maria Carrillo HS (MCHS) Theater LED Lighting Upgrade. This project is funded through the Measure I Bond Program. $847,750
F.13. Approval of Authorized Signatory for California Department of Education, Early Childhood Education Contract
This resolution authorizes Kathy Frye the Coordinator of State and Federal Programs to be a signatory for the California State Preschool Program (CSPP). Each CSPP grant requires the Board of Education to authorize signatories to accept the grant.
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: SR Charter School for the Arts, Santa Rosa Middle School (4/12/23)
- A Resolution in Support of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (4/12/23)
- Resolution for May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (4/26/23)
- Resolution for Classified School Employees Week (4/26/23)
- Resolution Celebrating CNS Professionals Week (4/26/23)
- Resolution for Teacher Appreciation Week (4/26/23)
- Resolution Recognizing Guest Teacher Appreciation In May (4/26/23)
- Student/Staff awards & site reports: Steele Lane Elementary, Ridgway High School (
3/8/23rescheduled to 5/10/23)
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Parcel Tax survey results
- Results of Developer Fee exploration
- SRTA members also expect an upcoming item to explore the rollout of the Ethnic Studies requirement.
- SRACS Accelerated Charter Material Revision Request (delayed)
- A-G Program Review (board request 8/10/22)
- Deferred Maintenance Update and Future Planning (
7/27/22 8/24/22) - Update on Covid Spending
- Approval of Board Policies (
3/9/22) - Review of Math grades and progress including demographic data (board request)
- SCOE Unification/Redistricting Report (on option #1)
- Open Enrollment Policy Update
- Student Voice Policy
- Dress Code Policy
- BEST Plus Update
I.4. School Site Reports