BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
November 8, 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).
Board of Education / Video Board Meetings
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: Dr. Vicki Zands (SRCS); name of organization: STRA/CSEA)
B.4. Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Case name: OAH Case No. 2023-070397 Lopez vs. SRCS; OAH Case No. 2023-070721 Stavrou v. SRCS)
B.5. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Number of potential cases: 3)
B.6. Student Expulsions (Case Nos: 2023/24-10)
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
Steele Lane Elementary School
- Diana Sofia Flores Menjiva, Student of the Month
- Ashley Tirado, Classified of the Month
- Kristen Ott, Certificated Employee of the Month
Piner High School
- Ayshna Kumar, Student of the Month
- Nancy Thiele, Classified Employee of the Month
- Ryan Riddle, Certificated Employee of the Month
SRTA members at SLES and PHS are extended a special invitation to attend this board meeting to celebrate their own.
D. REPORTS
D.2. Santa Rosa Teachers Association (SRTA) Report
President Howell will read the Sunshine document, stating which topics SRTA is opening for negotiations this year.
D.6. Safety Report
From the prior reports from Superintendent Trunnell, it is expected that the report will including updates on hiring and touch on the following topics:
- A Safety Advisory Round Table (SART) update
- Mental Health and Counseling
- Safety and Security
- Facilities
- Communication & Transparency
E. Public Comment on Non Agenda Items
SRTA members are invited to complete ‘blue cards.’ Online comments have been suspended. Please be prepared to observe the imposition of a possible 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 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 limited to those in person. Comments are most impactful when they are well spoken, composed and reasonable.
F. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
F.1. (Action) Resolution Recognizing the Week of November 14, 2023 as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
From the resolution: “Whereas, the Santa Rosa City Schools District believes in engaging student voices in partnering for an educational environment that emphasizes inclusion, diversity, validation and equity;
and Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Santa Rosa City Schools District Board of Education hereby approves the adoption of “Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day,” to be honored annually by school-wide activities in both elementary and secondary schools on November 14.”
“My message is really that racism has no place in the hearts and minds of our children.” Ruby Bridges
SRTA joins in celebrating the legacy of Ruby Bridges.
Walk To School Day Event Guide
F.2. (Discussion) Facilities Master Plan Draft Plan
The draft plan of the Facilities Master Plan will be presented. The following information that is not yet complete/included in the draft, which will be updated in the final version when presented.
- Indicators of Quality (IoQ) scores are not filled in, as they are being finalized.
- Project costs are not included, as they are being finalized.
- The Executive Summary is not included, as it pertains mostly to the overall costs summary, which is being finalized.
- Some sites are not included in the current draft due to revisions/updates/clarification (SRFACS, District Office/Early Learning Center, Lewis)
- Formatting/editing/quality review is still pending.
28% of the bond funds are expected to cover operational costs: construction contingency, design fees, construction management costs, Division of the State Architect and California Department of Education fees, hazardous materials abatement, and inspection fees, as well as testing laboratory, bidding and other attendant costs.
It looks like the draft will include an implementation plan. SRTA awaits clear communication about the selection process used to choose and calendar projects using bond funds.
Some information in the draft is not accurate. Members are encouraged to review the pages of the draft pertinent to their site. What is the process to provide feedback to create the best possible FMP?
The process of spending bond funds appears to require more and more middle men as time passes. The fact that only 62% of funds will actually go to construction costs is concerning. With $1.5 billion in identified need, and $525 million approved for bond funds, only $325 million will actually be spent on construction costs. This is assuming the projects can be completed at today’s dollar value. Construction costs have increased by 62% over the 2016 estimates.
F.3. and F.4. Public Hearing and Acceptance Regarding STRA Contract Reopeners (Sunshine) for 2023-2027
The Board will conduct a legally-required Public Hearing on the proposed Santa Rosa Teachers Association (SRTA) “Sunshine” proposal for contract reopeners for 2024-2027, followed by the official acceptance of this proposal.
Our students deserve the best educational professionals. Being $15,000 below the state average for total compensation in the eighth highest cost of living cities in the country doesn’t allow SRCS to attract and retain the best educational professionals.
Our students deserve the best educational experience. They deserve the best curriculum, supplies, equitable opportunities and extra curricular opportunities.
Our students deserve to be safe, physically and emotionally. Eliminating overcrowded classrooms, and providing more preparation time will allow for stronger relationships between staff and students and a more robust learning ecosystem. SRTA members want to address other safety concerns in a collaborative way.
This process includes the ability for public comment. Please consider sharing your view on why “Our Students Deserve the Best” and what that means in terms of necessary changes to their learning environment.
F.5. (Action) Approval of and Addendum MOU reached with SRCS and SRTA regarding SRTA 23-24 #1 MOU Professional Development Prep Pay
The Board will consider approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was reached with the Santa Rosa City Schools (SRCS) and the Santa Rosa Teachers Association (SRTA) collective bargaining representatives on October 23, 2023, regarding pay for prep time for Professional Development day presentations by SRTA members.
While SRCS has raised the hourly and daily rates paid to consultants (with no evaluation or member feedback), this MOU lowers the rates for certificated staff to facilitate professional development.
F.6. (Action) Establishment of the Annual Organizational Meeting of the Board of Education
The Board is asked to establish the annual organizational meeting of the Board of Education on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the regularly scheduled Board meeting.
G. CONSENT ITEMS
G.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 136 current postings for 222 job vacancies for SRCS. Thirty-three jobs have been posted since the prior agenda. There are 31 certificated openings (one less than the last meeting), and 2 certificated management openings (the same as the last meeting.) There are 189 current classified openings (eleven less than the last meeting), and no classified management positions (the same as last month.) There are 91 open positions listed under “Teacher Assistant / Aide / Paraprof.”
EdJoin has changed their layout for postings.
The newest postings clearly state the classified hiring bonus. This upgrade is appreciated.
SRTA welcomes four new certificated hires: Vela Millen (RHS), Anna Weston (LELA), Barbara Shelton (MCHS) and Lisette Garcia-Kohler (FACS). We hope you have a long and fruitful career with SRCS. This brings this year’s certificated hires to 122. That is more than 12.5% of our workforce.
Farewell to the retiring Farrell Miller (SRHS). We thank you for your seventeen years of service to our students.
This month’s changes to classified staff include five promotions, five new hires and one resignation who leaves after less than two years with the district.
We welcome Mark Ryan as the new principal of SRHS.
G.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| District | |||
| 1 | VIA Actuarial Solutions / Van Iwaarden Associates | $15,000 | Provide pension and retiree healthcare (other postemployment benefits or OPEB) actuarial services as required for audit. |
| 5 | STEDI.org | $17,500 | PD for substitute teachers, paraeducators, specialists, and struggling teachers, as well as teaching management skills for SubOffice personnel and school staff. |
| Secondary | |||
| 2 | Sonoma County Schools Connect Consortium Telecommunications Services | $24,950 | Provides internet connecting and filtering services to remain compliant ($5/elementary student) |
| 4 | Momentum In Teaching | $23,375 | PD to support teachers in engaging students in the writing workshop process embedded in the Lucy Calkins writing curriculum. 7 days @ $2,100/day + 11 travel days @ $789 |
| Elementary/Charter | |||
| 3 | Sonoma County Schools Connect Consortium Telecommunications Services | $50,931 | Provides internet connecting and filtering services to remain compliant ($5/secondary student) |
| 6 | Community Matters | No Direct Cost | 2 PD days for HSMS for Safe School Ambassador program. |
Total value of contracts = $131,756.00
SRTA supports the streamlining of the SRCS onboarding process, especially for Substitute Teachers. Some subs may benefit from PD. Other subs may have a wealth of knowledge that others could benefit from. SRTA hopes that subs are included in a feedback loop to evaluateSTEDI.org. Our members report that some Student Teachers who are placed in our district schools are still unable to sub because the district has not processed their paperwork in spite of them having completed all requirements.
This is the actual purpose of bureaucracy: to help organizations maintain consistency, especially as they grow. Processes for hiring, firing, managing, and making decisions are supposed to bring order to chaos. But there’s a point where rules and procedures stop being helpful and start interfering with actual work. And it can be downright exasperating.
Adam Grant, Organizational Psychologist
Training students to be Safe School Ambassadors is valuable, in and of itself. If we want to actually implement an ongoing program, structural support must be provided. SRCS can not rely on teachers donating their duty free time to run groups during lunch. This is not what sustainable looks like.
G.6 . Approval of MOU regarding Improving Equity in Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles
This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and designed to help high schools expand AP CSP course offerings using the Beauty and Joy of Computing (BJC) curriculum. Piner High School will receive curriculum- based teacher professional development and implementation support that aims to increase student participation and success in CS. This project will involve 80 high schools across the country.
This project is funded through December 31, 2026.
AP Computer Science A Course Proposal
What is the current process for curriculum approval? Does the board approval of this item count as the approval of this new curriculum instead of the board approved CS Awesome curriculum?
G.7 . Approval of Authorized Signatory for California Department of Education, Early Childhood Education Contract
This resolution authorizes 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.
H.1. Approval of Minutes
J1. Future Board Discussion Items
SRTA Members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
- Facilities Master Plan (12/13/23)
- Deferred Maintenance Plan (
7/27/228/24/2211/8/2312/13/23) - First Interim Budget Report (12/13/23)
- Reorganization of the Board of Education (12/13/23)
- Community Schools Grant update (
11/8/231/10/24)
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Schools Plus Report (
10/11/23) - Alternative Education options for students
- Officially closing Learning House
- MAP Testing (Board request 8/23/23)
At one meeting, the fact that a certain percentage of math and English teachers had given this test last year was presented by SRCS as evidence that the test is good, and teachers supported giving it. This is not logical nor accurate. The legitimate concerns teachers have shared about this assessment have been dismissed. The meeting teachers had with a district representative last year about alternative assessment possibilities appears to have been to no effect.
The longitudinal CAASPP data has clearly identified concerns about student performance. Current efforts could be better spent addressing those academic concerns, instead of collecting more data. This is especially frustrating when the MAP assessment isn’t seen as helpful for students or teachers.
Thank you to Directors Medina and De La Cruz for requesting more information on this assessment. SRTA members look forward to this agenda item.
- Parcel Tax
With a flier going out, has the board decided to proceed with a Parcel Tax?
- COVID Updates (
6/14/238/9/23)
Many students and staff are currently out with COVID. This round has been very unpleasant, in multiple ways. Many staff feel certain they were infected at school. However RESIG is has denied some staff workman’s comp to cover their days off of school. Staff is being forced to use personal days to cover the minimum 5 day quarantine, after getting infected at work. There has been a lack of clear communication about who is requiring the need for staff to take a PCR test.
- A-G Program Review (board request 8/10/22, and again on 6/14/23)
What does the data look like about A-G Completion since this policy was adopted? Where is data on students who are not on track to graduate? How helpful were prior IGPs in allowing students to earn diplomas? How many current students 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 systemic measures are in place to offer academic support K-12 to increase A-G success? What metrics are being used to evaluate these efforts?
- Results of Developer Fee exploration
- SRACS Accelerated Charter Material Revision Request (delayed)
- Review of Math grades and progress including demographic data (board request)
- SCOE Unification/Redistricting Report (on option #1)
- Plan for Staff Housing support program from the proceeds of Fir Ridge
Until the district makes a decision, the proceeds from the sale are just sitting. Getting a program started could help SRCS attract and retain staff.
- Open Enrollment Policy Update
- Student Voice Policy
- BEST Plus Update
J.4. School Site Reports
J.5. Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) Williams Settlement Findings for 2023-24 Site Visits
SCOE staff is required to visit schools identified as Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI), or schools where 15% or more of the teachers are holders of a permit, certificate, or any other authorization that is a lesser certification than a preliminary or clear California teaching credential and report the results of the visit.
The following district sites were visited by SCOE:
- Albert F. Biella Elementary
- Brook Hill Elementary
- James Monroe Elementary
- Steele Lane Elementary
- Rincon Valley Middle
- Elsie Allen High
- Montgomery High
- Santa Rosa High
SRTA Members wonder what metrics are used to state that ‘School Facilities are in Good Repair.’