BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
May 24 , 2023
4:00 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. Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
B.3. Conference With Labor Negotiator (Name of designated rep attending: Michael Shepherd (SRCS); name of organization: SRTA/CSEA
B.4. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Number of potential cases: 1)
B.5. Student Expulsions (Case Nos: 22/23-29)
C. RECONVENE TO REGULAR OPEN SESSION (6:00 p.m.)
C.8. Special Presentations for Outgoing Student Board Member Julie Bui
SRTA extends gratitude to Julie Bui for her service this year.
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 be prepared to observe the recent practice of 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.
Article IX of the California State Constitution says, “All public-school students shall have the right to a high-quality public education that provides them with the skills necessary to fully participate in the economy, our democracy, and our society.” What policies can SRCS enact to protect the rights of all students to not have their learning environment destroyed by bad choices and behaviors of a few fellow classmates?
The article in Sunday’s Press Democrat Slater Middle School teachers: We’ve had enough after violent middle-school melee | PD Plus sums up so much.
D.3. The Superintendent’s report will include an update on the Safety Advisory Round Table (SART) and the Superintendent’s Annual Report.
E. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
E.1. (Discussion) Empowering Student Learning Through Technology
The Board will receive information and a demonstration about the use of classroom technology, which is a set standard across the district.
ViewSonic (Why) (Panel Display) (Education Solutions)
LightSpeed (Redcat Data Sheet) (Student & Teacher Mics)
How do we maintain the 1:1 Chromebook Program? Is 1:1 the best way to ensure students have technology access when needed? If students do not bring a device to class, is there a system to ensure they are not penalized from learning that day?
When creating and practicing our implementation plans, is there a pause to evaluate metrics and ensure expectations are being met as intended, allowing for adjustments as needed?
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.
E.2. (Discussion) Update on Child Nutrition Services (CNS) Department
Summary
The attached additional information contains the takeaways of this presentation.
Goals 1. Hire and retain excellent staff. 2. Prepare and serve from scratch food that meets students’ needs and reflects the community we serve. 3. Invest in infrastructure to prepare and serve meals that meet students’ needs. Heavily packaged food can not be replaced with food from scratch until more staff is hired and equipment and preparation facility is updated. 4. Nutrition Education and taste testing The goal is to have students taste test items to assist in the development process. 5. Local procurement The goal is to increase the use of local items.
SRTA members appreciate the efforts to feed all of our students.
There are widespread concerns about the quality of food being offered to our students, indicated by parent feedback at the recent district LCAP meetings.
E.3. (Action) Form a Board Subcommittee in Relationship with the City of Santa Rosa
Summary
The Board will consider forming a Board subcommittee with the City of Santa Rosa, focused on relationship building, and safety and security.
SRTA supports bringing back SROs to school campuses possibly with modifications
E.4. (Action) Approval of First Read, and Potential Waive of Second Read for CSBA Updated Policy 6146.1 – High School Graduation Requirements: Ethnic Studies
Summary
Old language: Beginning with the class of 2025, a single two-semester course or two semesters (10 credits) of any a-g offerings in Ethnic Studies developed pursuant to Education Code 51226.7. Any Ethnic Studies course taken must meet a UC/CSU a-g course requirement and shall also accrue credit for coursework in the subject that course is offered.
New language: Beginning with the class of 2025, 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.
Ethnic Studies Graduation Presentation
BP 6146.1 (Strikeouts) (Clean)
SRTA honors the intent of this requirement and the effort put into implementing it.
The last presentation asked for more time. The response from board members was, “What do you need?”
Students can be negatively impacted by the use of a waiver as identifying as “A current senior who cannot meet the Ethnic Studies requirement.” This can be interpreted that the fault is with the student, not that our system hasn’t had the time to provide the needed smorgasbord of choices for 100 percent implementation.
Current plans will require some students to take Ethnic Studies courses outside the district to fulfill district requirements, even for the class of 2027.
E.5. (Discussion) First Reading of Updated Board Policy 6146.1 – High School Graduation Requirements: Special Education
Summary
Every student with a disability should have an opportunity to earn a high school diploma that allows them to pursue any postsecondary college, training, or employment options, and meaningfully and fully participate in their community. The expectation under the IDEA is that every student receives the support and services they need in order to access the same opportunities as their peers without disabilities. This includes a high school diploma.
Based on the student’s experiences and input from the family, student, and school staff, the IEP team may consider other pathway options. This regulation expects IEP teams to consider the most rigorous and general education compatible graduation pathway that is appropriate for the individual student. The decision to allow an alternative pathway for graduation is made by the Administrative Designee at the meeting as in any IEP.
High School Graduation Requirements
Is this intended for students with mild to moderate, and moderate to severe learning disabilities, students who have Extensive Support Needs, and students who formerly were served in Special Day Classes?
What additional support and services will be available to assist students with these additional requirements?
Will this shift deny these students the services current 18-21 years old get with job training and placement?
Is the intention to say, “We offered the opportunity,” or are there plans in place to evaluate the success of these requirements, and make necessary adjustments?
E.6. (Action) Governor’s May Revision Update to the Proposed 2023-24 State Budget
Summary
The Governor’s May Revise for the 2023-24 California State Budget includes a 8.22% COLA, as well as cuts to other current block grant funds. The overall result is an improvement to the bottom line.
Next fall the Budget Advisory Committee is scheduled to look at structural ways to provide a stronger ongoing financial situation.
E.7. (Action) Approval of Proposed Revisions to the Certificated Guest Teacher and Classified Substitute Salary Schedule Rates
Summary
This extends the sub pay structure from this year to next year. Subs will get $200/day short term and $300/day if they are in a long term (more than 6 days) placement. If someone completes 40 days of full-time subbing there is a $1,500 bonus payable in June.
SRTA is grateful for those that sub in our classes.
Beginning intern teachers start at $311 per day, $11 more than long term subs. They do not qualify for the bonus which equals $8 per day if applied over the entire year.
SRCS has a difficult time attracting and retaining highly qualified staff, as evidenced by the next four agenda items. There are several classes of students who currently have no assigned teacher. When a substitute takes one of these jobs, there is no structure for support. Who is providing lesson plans? Who is copying or posting to Google Classroom? Who is grading? Who is entering grades into Aeries? What does it take to create a system to support these substitutes and students?
There will be shifts to implementation of the Frontline system for next year so that teachers will select pre-slugged half days or full days, depending on their site schedules. Sub half days will be up to four hours.
If a teacher’s pay is docked to cover the expense of a sub, that teacher should be able to have the sub work ‘for them’ the entire day, without the sub being required to cover another absence during a prep time.
When a substitute does not accept a job, other teachers can volunteer to cover for pay. There is not a good system allowing for this volunteering if the absent teacher provides instruction while the teacher has prep time, such as an elementary music or PE teacher.
E.8, 9, & 11. (Action) Approval of Provisional Internship Permit Application (PIP) for Taylor Barstow, Celina Luna, & Dylan Santiago
Summary
The Board will consider approval of a Provisional Internship Permit Application (PIP) for Taylor Barstow, Celina Luna, and Dylan Santiago. Applicants agree to “complete core academic area subject matter to enroll in an intern program for the Education Specialist Instruction Preliminary Credential (academic areas include art, English, foreign language, mathematics, music, science, social science, and multiple subjects.)”
E.9. (Action) Approval of Short-Term Staff Permit (STSP) for Kurt Chapman
Summary
The Board will consider approval of a Short-Term Staff permit (STSP) with the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for Kurt Chapman to be placed as a moderate/severe education specialist. “This individual is unable to enroll in a Commission-approved intern program due to timelines, lack of space in the program, or needs to complete core area subject matter (for education specialist permit.)”
F. CONSENT ITEMS
F.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 138 current postings for 238 job vacancies for SRCS.
There are 90 certificated openings (two more the last meeting), and 6 certificated management openings (three less than the last meeting). There are 142 current classified openings (nine more than the last meeting), and no classified management positions (the same as the last meeting.)
Credentialed positions have completed the internal posting window and are now available for public applications. This late posting date has eliminated several worthy candidates from consideration, as they have already completed the hiring process for other districts.
SRTA bids farewell to those two members resigning at the end of the year taking nineteen years of service and experience between them: Philip Nymark (HLES), James Harrington (ABES), Carrie Bray (SRCAS), Jeffrey Brazie (HLES), Sandra Hernandez (EAHS) and Marisa Gonzales (SPSV). We wish you well with your future endeavors. To date there are 50 certificated resignations.
Congratulations to those retiring in June after eighty-six years of combined service to our students: Robert Oliver (HLES), Stephen Beebout (MHS), Vilia Mangelsdorf (SRHS) and Lori Lapham (LBES.) To date there are 32 certificated retirements.
Administrators with more than three years in our district are provided the right to continue employment in a classroom position. Administrative reassignments include Albert Ettedgui (MCHS) to teacher at RHS, Adam Paulson (MHS) to teacher at MCHS, Victoria Nelson (LBES) to CSI Teacher on Special Assignment at HCMS, Laura Hendrickson (HCMS) to Administrator on Special Assignment and Patricia Delzell (HCMS) to teacher at HSMS. Administrative resignations include Mark Cimolino (EAHS) and Stephen Coyle (RVMS.)
SRTA extends a fond farewell to Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Michael Shepherd as he moves on from our district.
This month changes to classified staff include seven new hires, eight resignations and two retirements.
There is one supervisory resignation.
F.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| District | |||
| 1 | Sonoma State University (SSU): Counseling Field Experience Agreement | $0 | Addendum to require fingerprinting through SRCS. |
| 2 | Sonoma State University (SSU): Student Teaching Agreement | $0 | Addendum to require fingerprinting through SRCS. |
| 3 | Sonoma State University (SSU): Credential Programs Intern Agreement | $0 | Addendum to require fingerprinting through SRCS. |
| 4 | Western Governors University: Nursing Field Placement Agreement | $0 | There is no remuneration mentioned for supervision of these students. |
| 5 | Aeries Student Information System | $126,179 | For $8.40 per student this SIS platform provides attendance tracking, class scheduling, maintenance of grade data, electronic portal access and state test results. |
| 7 | Restorative Resources | $3,900 | Staff members seeking resolutions to conflicts and healing of harms may make use of these resources to precircle, have restorative dialogue, a formal conference and debrief. |
| Secondary | |||
| 6 | Home Builders Instute (HBI) | $0 | Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) at Piner funded through a teacher secured grant |
Total value of contracts = $130,078.80
F.6. Approval of California Interscholastic Federation (DIF) Representatives
Summary
This approves the Principal or Assistant Principal of each high school to be the site representative to CIF.
F.7. Approval of Proposal for In-Wall Lunch Tables for Proctor Terrace, Steele Lane, Hidden Valley Elementary Schools, and Santa Rosa French-American Charter School
Summary
The Board will consider the approval of four (4) piggyback proposals for MPR lunch tables for four elementary schools.
Proctor Terrace $41,549.09
Steele Lane $41,549.09
Hidden Valley $50,953.20
Santa Rosa French-American Charter School $48,589.09
Total $182,640.47
SRTA members appreciate the safety improvement provided by these new tables.
How much money is left in these bond funds? What else will be able to be covered with this money?
F.8. Approval of Proposal for Special Inspection and Testing Services on the Cesar Chavez Language Academy Roof and HVAC Replacement Project
Summary
These projects require testing and special inspections for portions of the work and materials to verify conformity to the contract documents, applicable laws, regulations, and codes at a cost of $17,405.25. These are summer 2023 projects.
F.9. Approval of Proposal for Special Inspection and Testing Services on the SRHS Phase 3 and DeSoto Hall Roof and HVAC Replacement Projects
Summary
These projects require testing and special inspections for portions of the work and materials to verify conformity to the contract documents, applicable laws, regulations, and codes at a cost of $15,985. These are summer 2023 projects.
F.10. Approval of New Course Proposal: Small Group Instruction
The Board will consider adding a new course title “Small Group Instruction” for Special Education classes to provide small class structures for core academic classes to replace existing “tracked” special education courses listed as Level 3 and Level 2.
Is this the new name and plan for previous Directed Study classes? How does this change impact class size and caseload limits? All current documentation uses RSP, SDC and ESN notations. The spirit of these agreements must be maintained.
F.11. Approval of Job Description for Operations Manager, Child Nutrition Services
The Board will consider approval of the Job Description for Operations Supervisor, Child Nutrition Services.
It is clear from the earlier agenda item that staffing at CNS is an issue. This appears to be a new administrative position with the responsibility of overseeing CNS operations on sites. Much of the job description seems to overlap the Director of CNS, whom this position will report to.
F.12. Approval of Job Description for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)
The Board will consider approval of the Job Description for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA).
F.13. Approval of Job Description for Coordinator, Multilingual Services
The Board will consider approval of the Job Description for Coordinator, Multilingual Services.
This appears to be an additional position at the district office. SRTA appreciates having a coordinator do administrative duties instead of a TOSA. Will this position include the elimination of a TOSA position?
Can a document be created that specifies the difference between a TOSA, a Coordinator and a Director at the district office?
F.14. Approval of Job Description for Coordinator, Alternative Education
The Board will consider approval of the Job Description for Coordinator, Alternative Education.
SRTA appreciates that our Alternative Education offerings require attention and development. This person will lead the District’s Alternative Education Steering Committee.
F.15. Approval of Proposal from Van Pelt Construction Services for Program Management for Bond Measures C & G
This contract is for $114,537 per month for five years for a total of $6,872,220. This will include a part time Principal in Charge (Program Manager) and a full time team consisting of a Program Operations Manager ( Manages Budgets and Program Activities), a Program Administrative Assistant (Supports Program Activities) a Sr. Project Manager (Design Management & CM Supervision During Construction), a Project Engineer (Design Management & CM Support During Construction) a Cost Estimator, and a part time Scheduler and a part time Quality Control Review (Technical Review of documents at design milestones) as well as a Finance Manager.
This contract is charged at 1.46% of the total bond funds. It appears this is for construction services. If an allotment of bond funds are spent on technology and technology infrastructure, will this contract cover that also?
Is this contract instead of hiring a district bond Project Manager and Senior Secretary or in addition to?
Will this service include post construction follow up for warranty items?
F.16. Approval for Professional Services Proposal for Axia Architects for the Architectural and Engineering of the Helen Lehman Roofing and HVAC Project (Measure L)
This project is slated for summer 2024.
When will we complete the allocation of the old bond funds?
F.17. Approval of the Student Representative to the Board of Education for 2023/2024 School Year
Welcome to Audrey Rauh from Maria Carrillo High School.
G.1. Approval of Minutes
I1. Future Board Discussion Items
SRTA Members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
- New Student Board Member Oath of Office (6/14/23)
- Public Hearing for LCAPs (6/14/23)
- Public Hearing for 2023-24 Budget (6/14/23)
- Site Single Plans for Student Achievement (6/14/23)
- COVID Updates (6/14/23)
- Educator Effectiveness Funds Grant Revisions (6/14/23)
- A-G Completion Improvement Grant Update (6/14/23)
- SCOE Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (6/14/23)
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Resolution Recognizing Administrative Professionals
5/10/23) - 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? How is SRCS keeping track of contacts with the police in order to be able to address the underlying issues?
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)
What does the data look like about A-G Completion since this policy was adopted? Where is 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 (even with the IGP), 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? What metrics are being used to evaluate these efforts?
- 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) - Review of Math grades and progress including demographic data (board request)
- SCOE Unification/Redistricting Report (on option #1)
- Staff Housing support program from the proceeds of Fir Ridge
- Open Enrollment Policy Update
- Student Voice Policy
- Dress Code Policy
- BEST Plus Update
I.4. Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
This Annex of the SCOE Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) details the hazard mitigation planning elements specific to the Santa Rosa City Schools, as a participating jurisdiction to the 2023 Sonoma County Office of Education MJHMP. This Annex provides additional information specific to Santa Rosa City Schools, focusing on the planning process, risk assessment, and mitigation strategy. It appears that SRCS was not represented in the formation of this plan.
J. School Site Reports