SRTA members are reminded that due to winter holidays there is only one regularly scheduled board meeting in both November and December.
BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
December 13, 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 email.
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 – Anticipated Litigation (Number of potential cases: 3)
B.5. Student Readmissions (Case Nos: 2022/23-43, 2022/23-45, 2022/23-47)
B.6. Student Expulsions (Case Nos: 2023/24-11)
C. RECONVENE TO REGULAR OPEN SESSION (6:00 p.m.)
C.7. Annual Organization of the Board
The board President gives an End of Year Report.
The board members nominate and elect the President, Vice President, and clerk for the next year.
SRTA expresses appreciation for those who have served this year.
D. REPORTS
D.2. Santa Rosa Teachers Association (SRTA) Report
D.6. Safety Report
From the prior reports from Superintendent Trunnell, it is expected that the report will including updates on hiring and provide a Safety Advisory Round Table (SART) update, including these pillars:
- 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. and 2. Public Hearing and approval of District SRTA Contract Reopeners (Sunshine) for 2024-2027
The Board will conduct a legally-required public hearing on the proposed Santa Rosa City Schools District “Sunshine” proposal with Santa Rosa Teachers Association (SRTA) for contract reopeners for 2024-2027 before they vote to approve.
• Article 6 Hours and Days of Employment (specifically, but not limited to, professional workday,bell schedules, adjunct duty, common planning time, and early release time)
• Article 8 Safety Conditions (specifically, but not limited to, classroom suspensions)
• Article 9 Evaluation Procedure (specifically, but not limited to, evaluation cycles and timelines)
• Article 11 Leave of Absence Provisions (specifically, but not limited to, Bonus days, Professional Development Days, Catastrophic Leave Bank and Disaster Leave Bank, permissive leaves, and substitute hours and pay)
• Article 13 Transfers and Reassignments (specifically, but not limited to, assignments, reassignments, and transfer process)
• Article 16 Compensation (specifically, but not limited to, salary schedules including Athletic Directors, department chairs, credentials and certificates that authorize particular kinds of services/instruction, and benefits for all bargaining unit members)
• Partnering with SRTA to review, clarify, and make any necessary minor adjustments to any articles and sections within the collective bargaining agreement.
SRTA Openers (for reference)
● Our students deserve curriculum and supplies that will maximize access to learning. Our students deserve equal and equitable opportunities to take full advantage of their education. (Article 7)
● Our students deserve educators at their best. This includes provisions for educators such as enhanced leave rights and increased ability to care for new families. (Article 11)
● Because our students deserve the best, including the right to consistent teaching, SRTA requests improvements and clarity regarding involuntary transfers, reassignments, job sharing and evaluations. (Article 9, 12 & 13)
● SRTA proposes to partner with SRCS in affecting minor changes to language, contract maintenance and other modifications designed to clarify existing agreements throughout the contract. (All articles, sections, and appendices)
● Because student participation increases academic success, our students deserve the best extra curricular opportunities. (Appendix G, H, I)
Safety is an essential precursor to learning. Our students deserve both the safest and best learning environments. A truly safe school setting must extend beyond freedom from danger to include freedom from fear of danger, which inhibits both teaching and learning as well as participation in school and community activities. Because our working conditions are also our students’ learning conditions, SRCS must address overpopulated classrooms and lack of preparation time, in turn placing greater value on the relationships between students and their educational professionals. SRTA demands an equal voice to address these safety concerns that are adversely affecting learning environments. These factors prevent relationship building between students and educators which lead to compromised quality of instruction, and ultimately sacrifice the safety of the learning ecosystem. (Articles 6, 8 and 14)
SRTA Members are encouraged to share specifics about how addressing the items in our openers will positively impact SRCS students, because they deserve the best!
F.3. (Discussion/Action) School Safety Measures
The Board will discuss school safety efforts the district has taken, and consider additional measures that add to the safety and security of schools. Overall, the number of disciplinary issues have decreased between last year and this year. However, the number of incidents of violence have spiked over the past several weeks, leading to a need to consider amplifying the work specifically around safety and security.
SRTA Members are concerned about safety at our schools. It doesn’t feel like there has been enough substantial improvement since the loss of student life in March. Recent events involving gang affiliations and students hurting each other with weapons are not acceptable. Just because a site hasn’t been mentioned in the news doesn’t mean that they are safe. The response to student conflict has not been sufficient to reduce the threat, causing stress for too many students and staff.
Safe Schools Now
Safe Schools for All
Our schools must be safe for all students and staff.
- Raise the minimum wage for Campus Supervisors / Student Advisors to at least $25 dollars an hour.
- All district wide administration meetings should be held after school hours to ensure administrator availability on campus during school hours.
- Additions of SROs with modifications.
- Students that have weapons on campus will be arrested and expelled by SRCS.
Mental Health Support
The mental health and social-emotional needs of students and staff must be cared for.
- Decrease school counselors ratio to 400:1
- Increase School Based Therapists to 1:500 on each site
- Creation of a Wellness Center on every campus with a Wellness Counselor (PPS) to orchestrate community resources for student access.
- District creation of Alternative Placements for K-12 students unable to fully access their education in a traditional setting where they can receive the intense services they need.
- Create an off-campus location for site suspended students where they can receive SEL lessons, create a plan for reintegration, receive services, and work through a restorative process, as well as work on assignments due in their classrooms.
Prevent Violence
Preventing violence before it occurs must be a focus for all schools.
- Our students and staff need access to programs and trainings that prevent violence like de-escalation techniques, bullying prevention, and conflict resolution
- Keep temporary Police Presence on High School Campuses and supporting Middle Schools until SROs are trained and on sites
- Comprehensive student safety plans and policies must be created, reviewed and followed consistently at every school site.
- Consistently evaluate and improve our restorative program to improve its efficiency. Include training for all staff in restorative practices.
Relevant and Engaging Schools
Schools must be relevant and engaging for all students.
- Our students deserve to have classes available to them that are appropriate to their skill levels and interests.
- Off Ramp from A-G (college eligibility for all) for some students
- Allow 2 Year Math 1P classes in high school with no limitations.
- Addition of CTE programs, Magnet Programs on sites.
- Smaller class sizes and class caps to allow teachers to connect with students.
- Creation of Alternative Education Options: ISP, Online School, Hybrid of online and in person school, Campus Academies including credit recovery, therapeutic behavioral programs
F.4. (Action) Facilities Master Plan Presentation
The Facilities Master Plan will be presented for consideration.
Implementation Plan This slidedeck has a slide for each site and the district office, stating which projects are expected to be done over the course of the bond.
SRCS has already started planning work on the following four quick-start projects:
● Montgomery High School 2-Story Building Project
● Roofing & HVAC Replacement Projects ○ Rincon Valley Middle School ○ Luther Burbank Elementary School ○ Helen Lehman Elementary School
● Summer of 2024 Projects ○ New Furniture ○ Fencing ○ Exterior Painting
● District Office & Education Center ○ Early Childhood Education ○ Central Kitchen Remodel ○ Maintenance and Operations Facilities ○ Adult Transition Center ○ District Office & Support Services
The last slide has a summary of the budget for these projects with $545M for secondary, $94M for elementary, $88M for DO, and $84M for management totaling $545M.
This plan looks like most sites will be treated roughly equally, with the exception of FACS which needs more research and discussion because of fault lines, and Monty which is set to get their two story building.
The prioritizing of projects and timelines is not apparent in the implementation plan.
What is the system that will be used for site project decision making for each site project? There was discussion that sites would be included in more detailed decisions. What will that look like?
Will new furniture be purchased for the entire district? What will happen with the old furniture, especially that still has a lot of life? What happens after a bit, when a piece of furniture needs to be replaced? How will that work? Will sites be responsible for finding funds for those purchases?
F.5. (Action) 2023-24 First Interim Budget Report
The Board will consider approval of the 2023-24 First Interim Report with Qualified Certification.
F.6. (Action) Approval of MOU reached with SRCS and CSEA 75 Regarding 2024-2025 Classified Employee Calendar
The Board will consider approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was reached with California School Employee Association, Region 75 (CSEA 75) regarding the 2024-2025 Classified Employee Calendar with 242 workdays which has been negotiated and approved by both parties.
F.7. (Action) Approval of a Correction of Variable Term Waiver for a Pupil Personnel Services Credential for Angelica Montalvan
The Board will consider approval of a correction of a previously presented Variable Term Waiver request for a Pupil Personnel Services Credential for Angelica Montalvan to serve as a school counselor. It was previously presented as an Administrative Services Credential.
F.8. (Action) Adopt Resolution No. 2023/24-25, Approving Lease-Leaseback Contract with Wright Contracting LLC dba Wright Contracting General Builders for the New Classroom Building at Montgomery High School Project and Making Related Findings
F.9. (Action) CSBA Delegate Nomination
The Board will make their nomination for the CSBA’s Delegate Assembly.
G. CONSENT ITEMS
G.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 115 current postings for 262 job vacancies for SRCS. EdJoin has changed their search options for postings, making it nearly impossible to continue to provide statistics.
SRTA welcomes four new certificated hires: Anita Santiago (BHES), Analicia Googooian (MCHS), Kelly McMiller (RHS) and Anthony Henderson (EAHS.) Welcome back to Daniel Paulson (MHS.) We hope you each have a long and fruitful career with SRCS. Kateland Pinella is welcome back into our ranks. This brings this year’s certificated hires to 126. That is more than 12.5% of our workforce.
This month’s changes to classified staff include one promotion, fifteen new hires, five resignations and one retirement. We are losing thirty five years of experience serving the students and staff of our district.
G.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| District | |||
| 1 | Sonoma County Office of Education | No Direct Cost | For help with mental health services. Listed as a renewal with baseline data to come from this year. |
| 3 | LiftForward | $108.00 | Software. |
| 5 | Soliant Health | $389,367.00 | For 3 SLPs to cover 2 open positions and one maternity leave. |
| 7 | Community Matters | No Direct Cost | A master agreement for Safe School Ambassadors. |
| 8 | Asana | $3,000.00 | Collaborative team software will be used by CNS and Business Services. |
| 11 | Sonoma County Office of Education | No Direct Cost | SSA at HSMS, LCMS, MHS, EAHS and RVMS. |
| Secondary | |||
| 2 | TLCD Architecture | $108,287.00 | For Construction Administrative Services for the new MHS building. |
| 4 | Santa Rosa Metro Chamber | No Direct Cost | For an afterschool STEM program for secondary students. |
| 9 | Redbud Resource Group | $8,000.00 | Help design an Indigenous Studies course. |
| Elementary/Charter | |||
| 6 | Community Matters | $43,200.00 | Total $144,000 for Safe School Ambassadors. |
| 10 | LACO and Associates | $1,670.00 | Testing Solar Arrays at Monroe. |
Total value of contracts = $553,632.00
SRTA supports training students to be Safe School Ambassadors, 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 the SRCS 2024-2025 Instructional Calendar
The Board will consider approving the draft Santa Rosa City Schools 2024-2025 Instructional Calendar.
G.7 . Approval of the Proposal from Greystone West for Construction Management Services for the Rincon Valley MS, Helen Lehman ES, and Luther Burbank ES Roofing & HVAC Projects
The Board will consider approval of the proposal for Greystone West Company to provide construction management services for the Rincon Valley MS (RVMS), Helen Lehman ES (HLES), and Luther Burbank ES (LBES) Roofing and HVAC projects.
Measure C: $804,849.18 (RVMS)
Measure L: $250,443.72 (HLES)
Measure L: $350,938.74 (LBES)
G.8 . Approval of the Proposal to Digitize All SRCS Blueprints District-Wide
The Board will consider approval of the proposal from Greystone West Company for the District-Wide digitization of existing blueprints.
G.9 . Approval of Contract for Go Happy Transportation, Inc.
The Board will consider approval of the Go Happy Cab Transportation Contract, Not to exceed $12,240
This looks like a student version of Lift or Uber. Under what conditions will this be utilized?
G.10 . Approval of Proposal for Special Inspection & Testing Services on the Hidden Valley ES Solar Array Project
The Hidden Valley ES Solar Arrays project requires testing and special inspections for portions of the work and materials to verify conformity to the contract documents, applicable laws, regulations, and codes. Measure L; Time and Materials not-to-exceed the sum of $20,000
G.11 . Approval of the Proposal for Inspection Services for Solar Canopies at Hidden Valley ES, Rincon Valley MS, and Maria Carrillo HS
The Board will consider approval to award contracts for solar inspection services for three (3) Santa Rosa City Schools Sites. The total cost of all three contracts is $52,000.
Measure C-$40,500
Measure G-$11,500
G.12 . Approval of the Proposal for Sway Medical
The Board will consider approval of the Sway Medical quote for concussion management.
G.13 . Approval of Two New Career Technical Education Course Proposals – Public and Community Health and The Heart of Learning – Introduction to Education
The Board will consider approval of two new Career Technical Education courses for the 2024-2025 school year.
Public and Community Health Proposal
The Heart of Learning – Introduction to Education Proposal
G.14 . Approval of MOU with West County Consortium for Shared Services
Districts in Sonoma county frequently work with each other to provide services for students with disabilities and share servicing students in order to provide a full continuum of service options and for student continuity. For approval is an agreement between West County High Consortium (Sebastopol) and Santa Rosa City Schools.
The cost of this MOU is the same as the cost of a student in the SRCS program. Special Service costs are not fully funded through the collection of ADA and LCFF and even Special Education funds. After those sources of revenues, it is estimated that this cost to West County Consortium will not exceed $15,000, which is similar to what costs to the General Fund a student with such services would cost in SRCS.
G.15 . Approval of Contract Heartland School Solutions
Heartland School Solutions will provide software crucial for the management of the child nutrition program at Santa Rosa City Schools. Modules include inventory management, menu planning, digital menus, and point of service software used at secondary schools.
Fund 13
Year 1 $63,107.00
Year 2 $49,899.00
G.16 . Approval of the Proposal for the Refinish of the Cesar Chavez Language Academy Gym Floor
The Board will consider approval of the proposal by Hur Flooring to refinish the CCLA gym floor with the new school logo.
Fund 21- $ 31,096.31
G.17 . Approval of Job Description for District Translator – Spanish
The Board will consider approval of the Job Description for District Translator – Spanish.
H.1. Approval of Minutes
J1. Future Board Discussion Items
SRTA Members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
following are future board update items:
- Deferred Maintenance Plan (1/10/24)
- Board Liaison Sites (1/10/24)
- Resolution Recognizing Week of the School Counselor (1/24/24)
- Resolution Recognizing February as African American History Month (1/24/24)
- Resolution Recognizing February as CTE month (1/24/24)
- 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
- Many staff members have not been trained, and are not aware of what this looks like in practice.