BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
April 26, 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.)
*** 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 Appointment/Employment (Position to be filled: Principal)
B.2. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Title of employee being reviewed: Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Vice Principals, Assistant Principals, Directors, Coordinators)
B.3. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Number of potential cases: 2)
B.4. Student Expulsions (Case Nos: 22/23-31, 22/23-32, 22/23-33, 22/23-34, 22/23-36, 22/23-28)
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 (Hidden Valley Elementary School and Santa Rosa French-American Charter School)
Hidden Valley Elementary School
- Roxanne Bourdé, Student of the Month
- Debbie Gonzales, Classified Employee of the Month
- Angie Wallace, Certificated Employee of the Month
Santa Rosa French-American Charter School
- Cooper Van Tuyl, Student of the Month
- Betty Malfatti, Classified Employee of the Month
- Christelle Carrey, Certificated Employee of the Month
SRTA extends a special invitation to HVES and FACS to come out and support their honorees!
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.
Safety Concerns raised since the last board meeting:
A student reported hearing another student say “I’m going to shoot up the school.” It was not followed up on until the following day.
Adults came on our campus during school looking for a student with the intent of harming them. We went in lockdown for about half an hour with zero communication from the office.
I was punched in the nose by a student. I made a police report. I sat with the restorative specialist and student. The student hardly spoke during the session. The student wouldn’t even indicate if it was intentional or accidental. Not even an apology one way or another.
SRTA Members feel like site administration is given limited parameters by the district office to operate within when regarding student discipline. This leads to feeling disillusioned with our district. Our ability to attract and retain staff is being affected.
A student is sexually harassing staff and students. Despite interventions the incidents are getting more frequent. Another student has repeatedly and consistently demonstrated disruptive behavior and willful defiance and has chronically behaved in ways that cause physical injury to others and damage property. This is impacting the emotional and academic performance of other students in the classroom. Current policies foster an environment where these behaviors continue and are increasing instead of impacting change.
Is this how things are supposed to be working?
D.3. The Superintendent’s report will include an update on the Safety Advisory Round Table (SART)
SRTA members Ian Myers and Margaret Buhn report that all the items from the listening sessions have been categorized and there was time for discussion between members. There was a promise of reaching the first concrete steps on May 10. The committee is expected to continue next year.
E. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
E.1. (Action) Resolution for May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
The Board will consider approval of Resolution 2022/23-66 for May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
While SRTA members appreciate the board acknowledging the contributions of various cultures, what is the expected impact from having agenda items such as these? Is there a metric to evaluate the effectiveness of this?
Resources for members looking for inspiration for their classroom: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2022 – For Teachers
The following four items are resolutions to appreciate staff. How is the appreciation of staff conveyed? Is it expected that all staff read the agenda and that works to convey this appreciation?
E.2. (Action) Resolution Recognizing Guest Teacher Appreciation in May 2023
Summary
The Board will consider approval of Resolution 2022/23-68 Recognizing Guest Teacher Appreciation in May 2023.
SRCS relies heavily on subs. SRTA members are grateful to the subs that cover for us.
What would it take to assign substitutes to be an integral part of a campus or two so that they are part of the community, and know the school culture and students? This would create a more consistent learning environment for our students.
E.3. (Action) Resolution Celebrating Child Nutrition Services (CNS) Professionals week of May 1-5, 2023
Summary
The Board will consider the approval of Resolution 2022/23-65 Celebrating Santa Rosa City Schools Child Nutrition Services (CNS) Professionals for the week of May 1-5, 2023.
SRCS students have more heavily relied on CNS to meet their nutritional needs with the shift to providing food for all students.
E.4. (Action) Resolution for Teacher Appreciation Week May 8-12, 2023
Summary
The Board will consider the adoption of Resolution 2022/23-67 recognizing May 8-12, 2023, as Teacher Appreciation Week.
E.5. (Action) Resolution for Classified School Employee Week May 14-20, 2023
Summary
The Board will consider approval of Resolution 2022/23-64 recognizing May 14-20, 2023 as Classified School Employee Week.
The classified employees provide critical support for student learning. The working conditions for these people must be improved. They deserve livable wages.
E.6. (Action) Ethnic Studies Graduation Requirement Revisions
Summary
Suggested change in wording of policy: “Beginning with the class of 2028, successful completion of a single two-semester course or two semesters (10 credits) of any a-g offerings in Ethnic Studies, including courses offered through dual or concurrent enrollment. Any Ethnic Studies course taken shall meet a UC/CSU a-g course requirement and shall also accrue credit for coursework in the subject that course is offered. Completion of the middle school Ethnic Studies elective course with a grade of ‘C’ or better prior to grade 9 shall satisfy the graduation requirement, though high school credits will not be awarded.”
SRTA supports the measures outlined in this item.
Where is the data on how many courses are current and in progress? How many students are currently enrolled as compared to enrollment for next year? How much is the implementation of this effort costing?
SRTA appreciates the effort of TOSA Heather Rossi-Garcia and Executive Director Tim Zalanardo leading enormous strides in ETHS including course creation. The model of supporting collaboration with time is one that SRTA members hope can be duplicated for other course creation efforts. SRTA Members are concerned that there aren’t enough viable internal pathways for all students to meet the current requirement given the current implementation timeline.
Part of this resolution is extending the deadline for requiring Ethnic Studies as a graduation requirement. The roll out of any changes must include a communication effort to explain to incoming seventh graders what this requirement is, and how they can meet it, including an Ethnic Studies elective course in middle school if this is an option. Encouraging this course in middle school could be transformational for students, and could inspire students to take more Ethnic Studies courses during high school.
E.7. (Action) Approval of MOU reached with SRCS and SRTA regarding Preparation Time and Compensation for the 2023 Summer Programs
Summary
The Board will consider approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was reached with Santa Rosa City Schools (SRCS) and the Santa Rosa Teachers Association (SRTA) representatives on April 7, 2023, regarding Preparation Time and Compensation for the 2023 Summer Programs.
SRTA is appreciative of acknowledging the prep time required to teach summer school, by providing remuneration of five hours per week.
E.8. (Action) Consider Additional Teleconferencing Provisions
Summary
The Board will consider adopting additional Board Teleconferencing Provisions as specified in Assembly Bill 2449 (Gov. Code. 54953).
F. CONSENT ITEMS
F.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 112 current postings for 195 job vacancies for SRCS.
There are 50 certificated openings (five less than the last meeting), and 5 certificated management openings (the same as the last meeting). There are 139 current classified openings (one less than the last meeting), and one classified management position (the same as the last meeting.)
Credentialed positions have still not been posted for internal transfers for next year which must happen before positions are posted to the public. Other districts have already completed their hiring for staff positions.
Welcome to one certificated new hire: Christian Hernandez Carlino (CCLA). We hope you have a rewarding career with SRCS.
SRTA bids farewell to those two members resigning at the end of the year taking sixteen years of service and experience between them: Brady Boyd (RHS), Jaime Hamilton (HSMS). We wish you well with your future endeavors. To date there are 42 certificated resignations.
Congratulations to those retiring in June after 51 years of combined service to our students: Cheryl Allen-Ruhl (HVES), Sally Fogg (SRMS), and Lori Schoffstall (SRMS). To date there are 26 certificated retirements.
Principal Mitch Tucker is relocating to Burbank from SRMS.
This month changes to classified staff include four new hires and three resignations.
F.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| District | |||
| 3 | North Coast School of Education | $375,000 | This is the cost for utilizing NSCOE for providing interns and induction (formerly known as BTSA.) This is at a cost of $3,500 per teacher, so SRCS expects 107 teachers. Mentor teachers receive $1,250 and the District Supervisor gets $100 per candidate. |
| 4 | Chavan & Associates, LLP (District Audit) | $157,500 | This is a three year contract for providing audits for the district with an increase of 5% and then 8.6%. |
| 5 | Chavan & Associates, LLP (Measure I and L Bonds Audit) | $30,000 | This is a three year contract for providing audits for the district bonds at $30,000 per year. |
| Secondary | |||
| 1 | Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) | $272,295 | QWA’s rate is based on the cost of the project. This represents an increase to a contract built at 9.6% of the expected project bid to 10.3% of the actual project bid. The increase is due to the increased cost of the project from the projected amount. The reason for also increasing the percentage is not clear. |
| 2 | Greystone West Company | $29,671 | This is for Construction Management services for the auditorium light project at MCHS. Will SRCS continue to hire project managers when the Project Manager position at the district office is filled? |
| 6 | Costa Engineers Inc. | $25,000 | For engineering services for the replacement of the defunct boiler at RVMS. This was not included in the expected projects for the remaining bond funds. |
Total value of contracts = $889,466.25
I
F.6. Approval of ProCare Contract for Temporary Speech & Language Services
Summary
This contract is to staff the necessary Speech and Language position (SLP) while the Santa Rosa City Schools employee is out on leave and any unexpected SLP coverage required through the school year. Cost : $110/ hour for 37 hours per week from April through June for $40,000.
How does this work with the Soliant contract for SLP services for the semester for $44,000 to provide services for a staff member on leave?
F.7. Approval of Business Services Position Restructuring
Summary
The Board will consider a new job description and salary schedule that is reflective of the elimination of the separate facilities and maintenance directors and replacement with the combined position of Executive Director/Chief Operations Officer: Maintenance & Operations/Transportation/Facilities.
F.8. Approval of Elsie Allen HS FFA Students to travel to Raleigh, NC for Next Generation Power, Structural & Technical Systems Conference
Summary
The Board is being asked to approve the Field Trip Request form for two ( 2) Elsie Allen High School FFA students to attend the Next Generation Power, Structural and Technical Systems Conference in Raleigh, NC, on June 26-July 1, 2023.
F.9. Approval of Contract with Finalsite for Web Hosting
Summary
The Board will consider the approval of the FinalSite contract for the SRCS district website and individual schools websites to replace the soon to be defunct hosting by School Loop.
How will the district support sites in using the new platform to its maximum ability?
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: Steele Lane Elementary, Ridgway High School (
3/8/23rescheduled to 5/10/23) - Upcoming resolutions for may 10th meeting:
- Resolution for May as the Month of Speech and Language Pathologists
- Resolution Recognizing Administrative Professionals
- Resolution for Mental Health Awareness Month
- Resolution for School Nurse Day
What action beyond a vote of board support do these resolutions propose? When acknowledgement is made for staff, how is that staff aware of the appreciation for their service?
- Presentation by Child Nutrition Services (5/10/23)
- A recent LCAP survey of parents requested improvement to the quality of food. Are there any plans underway to meet this request?
- Update on the Facilities Master Plan (5/10/23)
How will items be prioritized? What will the board’s role be in this process?
- Technology Updates for Classrooms (
4/26/235/24/23)
SRTA members request equity. Not all classrooms have the same needs. Our technology policies should have flexibility to meet the needs of all. Placing the same equipment in the same place in each room doesn’t account for the variability of the sun impacting visibility. Providing the same equipment in each room, disallowing the replacement of equipment that meets the functional needs of a class and forcing the change to other technology is not an effective implementation plan.
- Governor’s May Revision Update (5/24/23)
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Safety (board statement on 3/8/23 that this will be a future item)
The California Constitution states, “All students and staff of public … schools have the inalienable right to attend campuses which are safe, secure, and peaceful.” (Article 1, Section 28(f).
What are the steps for intervening when a student creates a disruptive and/or unsafe situation for other students and staff?
Some current practices seem to protect bullies and tolerate intimidation without intervention.
What changes to discipline practices have been put into place since March 1?
What is the current discipline policy and process? When are police contacted?
What are the consequences for cutting a class? Students not experiencing any repercussions are wandering our campuses instead of attending classes. This can lead to unsafe conditions for other students.
What are the staffing ratios of adult supervisors expected to be on our campuses?
What are the MTSS staffing ratios expected to be on our campuses, including Restorative Specialists, Family Facilitators, Student Facilitators, Counselors, Psychologists, Therapists, Behavioral Specialists, and others ?
An audit of the programs for students with special needs is called for. Have we been able to attract and retain the necessary employees to run these programs effectively?
What anti-bullying efforts are we implementing?
How many students are not coming to campus because they don’t feel safe? It is a hardship on teachers to provide independent study.
- A-G Program Review (board request 8/10/22)
This should include data on students that are not on track to graduate. How helpful were prior IGPs in allowing students to earn diplomas? How many current seniors are not on track to graduate even with the IGP? SRTA members are hearing that an enormous proportion of current juniors and sophomores are not on track to graduate. How many of these students are meeting the state requirements for a diploma but not the extra requirements of our district?
What are the systemic measures in place to offer academic support K-12 to increase A-G success?
- Parcel Tax survey results
- Results of Developer Fee exploration
- SRACS Accelerated Charter Material Revision Request (delayed)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
Santa Rosa French-American Charter LCAP
I.5. Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) Letter-2022/23 Second Interim and Standard Reminders
I.6. Williams Settlement Quarterly Report
Summary
There was one resolved complaint about a Heating/Ventilation /Air Conditioning unit at Montgomery High School. Report
This report is inaccurate as at least one facilities based Williams complaint was not included. Staff at Steele Lane Elementary was informed on Monday, March 6th that a Williams complaint had been received the previous week about the non functioning heater in the MPR.