BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
March 13, 2024
4:30 p.m. – Closed Session
6:00 p.m. – Open Session
Hybrid: Zoom / Santa Rosa City Hall Council Chambers (100 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404)
*** 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 (Dr. Vicki Zands ; SRTA/CSEA)
B.4. Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Case: 24CV-00520; 23CV-00397; #2024010111)
B.5. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Number of potential cases: 2)
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 (Helen Lehman Elementary and Hidden Valley Elementary)
Helen Lehman Elementary School
- Morassa Pea, Student of the Month
- Ashley Gerhardt, Classified Employee of the Month
- Mary Taylor Kleinman, Certificated Employee of the Month
Hidden Valley Elementary School
- Kallye Walker, Student of the Month
- Josh Hall, Classified Employee of the Month
- Kelly Wood, Certificated Employee of the Month
A special invite goes out to the staff of HLES and HVES to attend this meeting to honor your own.
D.6. Safety Report
Recently, public comments have been welcome during this item.
D.7. Migrant Education Report
Focus on Academics Intervention with tutoring using SRCS teachers
Elementary
In person and virtually at home or The Boys & Girls Club
Springboard
Secondary
SRHS Night School – 75% participation
Cyber High with Targeted Support
AB1806: 130-credit for Graduation Option
Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
Mini-Corps Program (SSU student tutors)
Adelante 6-12 Summer 2023 111 students
Goal: 40% of Ss ages 3-5 will attend 15 hours of school readiness
ELA Goal: 30 hours of tutoring during the school year
Fall 2023-24 (ELA) 85 students participated
K-10 State and Regional Results: 10%
K-8 SRCS District Results: 17%
9-12 SRCS District Results: 4%
Goal: 20 hours of tutoring during the summer
K-10 State and Regional Results: 17 & 20%
K-5 SRCS District Results: 44%
6-12 SRCS District Results: 36%
MATH Goal: 30 hours of tutoring during the school year
Spring 2023-24 (Math) 68 students participated
K-10 State and Regional Results: 9%
K-8 SRCS District Results: 30%
9-12 SRCS District Results: 0%
Goal: 20 hours of tutoring during the summer
K-10 State and Regional Results: 13 & 10%
K-5 SRCS District Results: 43%
6-12 SRCS District Results: 38%
Is this TOSA position being eliminated?
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 three minute time limit or the imposition of a possible two or even one 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.
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. (Discussion) MTSS Intervention Counselor Update
The high school MTSS Intervention Counselor position started during the 2020-2021 school year and is currently funded through the district’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). The MTSS Intervention Counselors provide targeted support and interventions for identified students in collaboration with school counselors, teachers, administrators, and staff. Each comprehensive high school has a .8 FTE dedicated MTSS Intervention Counselor at their site and a .6 FTE MTSS Intervention Counselor at RHS. This year, the position expanded to include .5 FTE at each middle school.
Intervention techniques listed include
Tier 2 Teams • Student Study Teams • Peer Counseling • Focused Student Study Sessions • After School Groups • Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Lesson Development Delivery and Support • 504 Plan Meeting Coordination and Facilitation • Safe School Ambassadors
Reflection and Next Steps:
Utilize data to identify needs and high-impact practices for continuous systemic improvement. • Explore an integrated approach of alternative interventions for students. • Continue collaboration to develop additional systems and structures that support a coherent approach to the work.
Are all the listed interventions available at all sites? Are these interventions the sole responsibility of the MTSS counselors?
What structure will be utilized for the next steps?
What metrics demonstrate the vital work of this team?
Is it expected that MTSS Counselors will continue at these levels? If not, how will targeted support be provided?
F.2. (Action) Approval of 2023-24 Second Interim Budget Report
Updates to the budget include an increase of $2.3 million in income and $4.5 million dollars in expenses. Nearly $2.5 million of that is in additional expenses for Special Education.
The three year plan shows the need for $26 million in cuts for 25-26 which have not yet been identified.
The inclusion of publicly available proposals with the SRTA Bargaining Unit is recommended best practice and differs from past practice.
This report is submitted as qualified, stating that the district may not meet its obligations for this year and the next two years. This requires the district to create a less involved third interim report.
The report shows that SRCS expects to be funded for 500 fewer students next year. While understanding that SRCS must reduce expenses, eliminating 67 certificated positions at a rate of 1 position for the loss of 7.5 students raises many questions.
SRTA members are concerned with the ever growing proportion of the budget that is being utilized to meet the needs of our students with special needs. Utilizing contractors to provide services that SRCS is unable to provide due to an inability to attract and retain workers (when they can work for the outside contractor for 16% more in hourly wages and for increased hours per day) has created an inescapable loop. Annual expenses for Special Ed have risen by over $16 million in just a few years. Can SRCS address this issue?
Next year SRCS is preparing to provide services to over fifty additional high needs students currently being served by SCOE. Currently students needing medical care are sent home from SRCS when we do not have the staff available to help them. How is SRCS going to hire the necessary people to appropriately care for fifty additional high needs students?
F.3. (Action) Resolution No. 2023/24-47 Reduction or Discontinuance of Certain Particular Kinds of Service (PKS) for the 2024-24 School Year
This resolution eliminates an additional 0.95 FTE of site funded positions. Is this 0.95 correct ?
The SOL Counselors are back on this list after being spared at the last meeting.
The District Librarian is being eliminated.
The Coordinator of Alternative Education that was just hired is being eliminated.
1.3 FTE of Program Managers are being eliminated. (These are administrative positions.)
Education has become an incredibly stressful job. SRCS must take care to not further burden their workforce in the midst of these reductions of staff. The ability to attract and retain has been markedly strained. The workforce can not absorb more job responsibilities. Can SRCS use this time of substantial cuts in the workforce to refocus the district to center on doing fewer things better?
The budget update shows that the total savings from the eliminated Particular Kinds of Services has a financial impact of about $8.4 million ongoing.
F.4. (Action) Resolution No. 2023/24-48 Reduction in Classified Work Force Involving California School Employees Associate (CSEA) Chapter 75 for the 2024-24 School Year
The Board will consider the approval of a resolution regarding the reduction of the District’s classified work force in response to the Board approved budget reduction of March 13, 2024.
(The resolution will be uploaded to the Board agenda by 6pm Monday.)
SRCS classified positions have one hundred thirty-five unfilled positions posted on EdJoin right now.
SRTA members expect that the reduction in PKS for classified is restricted to eliminating unfilled positions.
Having fewer folks to perform these jobs requires more from administrators to ensure that individual responsibilities and priorities for duties are clear. Piling more work on fewer employees is certain to cause burnout.
F.5.& 6. Public Hearing and Action Regarding California School Employee Association Chapter 75 (CSEA 75) “Sunshine” Proposals for Contract Openers with the Santa Rosa City Schools District for 2024-2027
The Board will review CSEA 75’s “sunshine” proposal for contract openers with SRCS for 2024-2027 after a public hearing. The proposal includes negotiating various articles such as Recognition, Association Rights, Transfers, Safety, Leaves, Vacation Leaves, Holidays, Compensation, Pay and Allowance, Layoff and Reemployment, and Miscellaneous Provisions. Considerations include updating outdated language, addressing safety concerns, improving compensation, and complying with relevant laws. This marks the beginning of the collective bargaining process for the 2024-2027 contract.
SRTA members strongly support improvements to our classified siblings working conditions and compensation. Their work is absolutely essential to our schools and district.
F.7. (Action) First Read and Possible Waiver of Second Read – BP 6146.1
The purpose of this item is to propose revisions to Board Policy based on discussions and explorations by the SRCS Graduation Requirement Committee. This committee is focused on suggesting adjustments to SRCS graduation requirements to better support students in successfully completing high school and preparing for college and career. The committee has met four times in 2024 and has identified the need for short-term recommendations to address specific aspects of graduation requirements, particularly related to mathematics, waivers for mathematics, and student scheduling in third-year mathematics courses. Two versions of recommendations are being presented to the Board for consideration.
- Extension of the waiver to the Class of 2026
- Elimination of the specification of Math 2P, and the replacement language to include a second year of math that exceeds Math 1P
- Clarification that a student does not need to fail the 3rd year of math before being offered the waiver
Removal of the specification of the Class of 2024 and 2025 for the waiver, and replacement of the waiver specification with the statement, ” Students shall be encouraged to complete UC eligibility requirements in mathematics, but may omit the third year of math upon written, knowledgeable application by a student’s parent/ guardian.”
This committee has met and their initial proposals are being brought to the board. This is a shift in practice which is appreciated.
Students are not finding success with current A-G requirements. The pervasiveness of social media and the impact of COVID have severely impacted the academic achievement of many students. This overlapped with the adoption of more stringent requirements for graduation.
Student pass rates in math are a long time concern for SRCS and beyond. Nothing in the pre-high school system has changed to support this change in expectations at the high school level. Students are promoted to the next math course, no matter their capabilities.
Historically, SRCS followed the state requirements for math, two-years including Algebra 1. A student could graduate with a year of Algebra Readiness and a year of Math 1 (or Algebra 1.) This was an option, as was the option to take five years of math during high school, if a student chose to double up their junior or senior year.
The A-G adoption now requires a student to pass Math 1 and two more years of math. For the student that enters high school lacking a firm foundation in math, they are no longer offered any other option than Math 1.
The removal of parent and family choice of a math pathway has had consequences including higher rates of requests for SPED testing to circumvent these requirements.
The IGP and Waivers have been used as ongoing bandaids, as there is an issue in denying students a diploma when the system hasn’t been built up to support success with the additional requirements.
SRTA is disappointed that there is no data included in this item for reference on grad rates and the historic utilization of IGP and waivers.
The following data is from the class of 2021 when 28% of the senior class qualified for the IGP and 16% of the class graduated utilizing the IGP.
| School Site | number of seniors | Total Eligiblefor IGP | % of Senior Class | Graduated with IGP | % of Eligible that Graduated |
| EAHS | 237 | 54 | 23% | 39 | 72% |
| MHS | 372 | 90 | 24% | 58 | 64% |
| MCHS | 309 | 45 | 15% | 29 | 64% |
| PHS | 319 | 105 | 33% | 43 | 41% |
| RHS | 184 | 99 | 54% | 42 | 42% |
| SRHS | 390 | 113 | 29% | 71 | 63% |
| District Total: | 1811 | 506 | 28% | 282 | 56% |
G. CONSENT ITEMS
G.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 81 current postings for 148 job vacancies for SRCS. There are 5 certificated openings (eleven less than the last meeting), with the removal of all teaching positions postings except SDC/ESN. There are two certificated management openings (one more than the last meeting.) There are 72 current classified postings (seven less than the last meeting), and no classified management positions (the same as the last meeting.)
SRTA welcomes one new certificated hire: Lana Kriner (CCLA.) This brings this year’s certificated hires to 139. That is nearly 15% of our certificated workforce. The proposed positions being eliminated are nearly 10% of our certificated staff.
SRTA bids farewell to six folks who are resigning at the end of this year: Nightsnow Vogt (SRHS), Asher (ABES), Nathan Holz (MCHS), Holly Aviles (CCLA), Kathleen Rivers (RHS), and Simran Jorgensen (SPSV) who leave us with a combined twenty years of service. Thank you for all you did for our students, and know you will be missed.
SRTA congratulates Annie Scully (MLServices), Art Horner (SRHS) and Ledlie Allen (JMES) who have announced their retirements at the end of this year. They have a combined seventy-three years of service to our students. We wish you a splendid time in retirement!
Of note: SRTA is appreciative of two partial unpaid LOAs that have been approved for next year.
Summer School Positions are open.
District Administrators on Special Assignment Patty Turner and Laura Hendrickson are retiring at the end of the year, leaving us after a combined forty-six and a half years of service.
This month’s changes to classified staff include six new hires and one resignation.
G.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
This months contracts total $16,285.
Total value of contracts = $16,285.00
G.6. Notice and Approval of the Removal/Recycle of Unusable, Outdated, and/or Damaged Instructional Materials and Textbooks
This is for the removal/recycle of approximately 18,750 unusable, outdated and/or damaged instructional materials and textbooks that have been removed from sites. The cost of pickup is about $250 per load.
G.7. Approval of Code Rev Kids Contract
Code Rev Kids will offer an in-person enrichment program during Spring Break for up to 130 SRFACS students per day for five days, focusing on fundamental coding concepts and their application to math, particularly geometry, arithmetic, and number sense. Students will engage in coding activities involving input and output changes, as well as robotics projects such as creating circuits and programming mini-bots. The program will maintain a 20:1 student-to-instructor ratio for 1st through 8th graders and a 10:1 ratio for TK and Kindergarten students. Each instructional block will have two teachers for coding and one for robotics. While targeting 130 students, the program aims to serve at least 60.The $10,000 covered by ELOP funds
G.8. Approval of Greystone West Company Proposal for Construction Management Services for the Montgomery High School New Classroom Building
$1,494,907.02- Fund 21 (Project assignment #4)
Greystone West Master Agreement
G.9. Approval of the Professional Service Agreement with Ninyo & Moore for Geotechnical Services
his is a proposal from Ninyo & Moore to perform a geotechnical evaluation to aid in the design of the District Office Central Receiving Warehouse project. The geotechnical evaluation and geological hazards assessment will be to evaluate the subsurface conditions at the site, assess geologic hazards that may impact the proposed project, and to provide geotechnical recommendations for the design and construction of the proposed improvements prior to the project initiation.
$17,200 – Fund 21
G.10. Approval of the Proposal for Architectural Services with AXIA for the Proctor Terrace ES Roofing and HVAC Project
$437,500- Fund 21
AXIA Project Assignment Roofing HVAC PTES
G.11. Approval of the FRC, Inc. Phase II GMP for Helen Lehman Elementary School
Approval of Amendment #2 to Exhibit A of the Approved Facilities Lease for the Helen Lehman Elementary School (HLES) Roofing & HVAC Replacement Project.
$6,456,094.03- Fund 21
FRC 2nd Amendment Facilities Lease
G.12. Approval of the FRC, Inc. Phase II GMP for Luther Burbank Elementary School
The Board will consider approval of Amendment #2 to Exhibit A of the Approved Facilities Lease for the Luther Burbank ES (LBES) Roofing and HVAC Project including the addition of a 5% contingency for the procurement of equipment.
$4,655,641.76- Fund 21
Second Amendment Facilities Lease
G.13. Approval of the Arntz Builders, Inc. Phase II GMP for Rincon Valley Middle School
This project (phase 2) includes exterior painting of the entire campus and needed infrastructure repairs to the quad areas. Part of the approved 2023 facilities master plan included repairs to infrastructure issues. This project includes an owner contingency to make the needed repairs of the drains in the quad areas to allow the rooftops to properly drain and not flood the quad.
$17,695,948.41 – Fund 21
ARNTZ 2nd Amendment Facilities Lease
G.14. Approval to Award Contract to FRC, Inc. for Construction of Santa Rosa HS Softball Field Scoreboard Project
he contract includes an owner-controlled contingency as well as an allowance to replace damaged sod. The total cost for this project to date is $172,261.
$93, 834.00- Fund 21
$70,000 – site funds (donations, fundraisers, athletics, Schools Plus)
G.15. Approval of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for the Santa Rosa HS (SRHS) Softball Scoreboard project
Filing and posting of the CEQA documents shortens the time period for claims to 180 days and preserves the District’s eligibility for state funding now or in the future. Pursuant to CEQA, Grassetti determined that the project met the CEQA guidance for a categorical exemption from further CEQA analysis. The attached NOE Discussion documents provide a more detailed analysis of the recommended CEQA Notices of Exemption.
SRHS Scoreboard CEQA Notice of Exemption
G.16. Approval of the Proposal from TLCD for Design Changes to the New Classroom Building at Montgomery HS
The proposal includes incorporating design changes in the following areas.
- Changing the two science-only classrooms to regular student classrooms
- Change the roofing system to comply with the District standard
- Change the security/video design to comply with the proffered vendor requirements
- Change the classroom AV to comply with the District standard
- Change the door hardware to comply with new electronic locks/access control
- Landscape and irrigation changes
- Low voltage cabling changes
Not to exceed- $75,000- Fund 21
G.17. Approval of the Proposal for Architectural Services for Quad Improvements at Helen Lehman ES
The project would include the perimeter of the center courtyard at Helen Lehman, removing existing courtyard materials, removing landscaping and stage, replacing storm water & sewer piping, new flatwork, new landscaping, and designing the courtyard layout to accommodate a future lunch shelter (approx. 40ft x 60ft). The district shall provide a geotechnical report, a utility survey, and a topographical survey.
$52,500.00- Fund 21
Axia Project Assignment-HLES Quad
G.18. Approval of Revised 23-24 Extra Duty Hourly Miscellaneous Salary Schedule
Due to the current remodeling of the facilities that we regularly use for the Swim team practice and meets, we now need to provide our own lifeguards at the temporary facility. The job description is pending.
$20 per hour
Revised 23-24 Extra Duty Hourly Misc Salary Schedule 3-13-24
H.1. Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – February 28, 2024 Minutes
J1. Future Board Discussion Items
SRTA Members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
- Communications Strategic Plan (3/27/24)
- Resolution Designating April as School Library Month (3/27/24)
- Expanded and Extracurricular Interventions Report (3/27/24)
- Developer Fee Justification Study (3/27/24)
- 22/23 Audit Report (
3/13/243/27/24)
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Schools Plus Report (
10/11/23) - 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
When will the board officially make a public decision about a Parcel Tax?
- A-G Program Decision
- SRACS Accelerated Charter Material Revision Request (delayed)
- Unification/Redistricting Decision
- 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.
- Student Voice Policy
- BEST Plus Update
- Many staff members have not been trained, and are not aware of what this looks like in practice.
J.4. School Site Reports
To provide the Board and the community with an update on the school site’s goals, key data points, and progress.
- Helen Lehman Elementary School
- Hidden Valley Elementary School
J.5. Information on Resolution Reaffirming Support for LGBTQIA+ Community
On June 28, 2023, the Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Education reaffirmed its support for the LGBTQIA+ community, aiming to create safe and inclusive environments for all members. This includes implementing policies and practices that respect and honor LGBTQIA+ individuals. In line with this, the district will observe Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31st and the Day of Silence on April 12th, with more information provided in the March and April district newsletters.
J.6. Draft of the SRCS Communications Strategic Plan
This is intended to be an agendized item on March 27.
Santa Rosa City Schools District Three Year Communication Strategic Plan
Santa Rosa City Schools District Three Year Communication Strategic Plan (Spanish)