BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
March 27, 2024
4:00 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. Conference with Labor Negotiator (Dr. Vicki Zands ; SRTA/CSEA)
B.3. Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Case: 24CV-00397; 23CV-00520)
B.4. Student Expulsions (Case No.: 2023/24-18)
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 (Ridgway and Maria Carrillo High Schools)
Ridgway High School:
- David Trejo, Student of the Month
- Berenice Flores Camacho, Classified Employee of the Month
- Heidi Pedrazzetti, Certificated Employee of the Month
Maria Carrillo High School
- Justin Sullivan, Student of the Month
- Ann Janes, Classified Employee of the Month
- Jordan Henry, Certificated Employee of the Month
A special invite goes out to the staff of RHS and MCHS to attend this meeting to honor your own.
D.6. Safety Report
Recently, public comments have been welcome during this item.
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. (Action) Resolution Designating April as School Library Month
School Library Month celebrates the pivotal role of school libraries in fostering growth, knowledge, and lifelong learning within our communities. They provide diverse resources catering to individual needs, interests, and abilities, encouraging collaboration and access to both print and digital materials. Serving as hubs for community building, school libraries are integral to campus life. Ongoing efforts to enhance library services, outlined in a yet to be shared strategic plan, underscore their significance. Recognizing the dedication of library staff honors their positive influence on students and underscores the commitment to nurturing thriving library spaces within schools.
If we truly value our libraries…
They would be staffed with highly qualified teacher librarians, and sufficient support positions.
The Library Strategic Plan, begun in 2020 would be complete, published, and implementation would be underway. (It does not show in a search of board minutes or on the district website.)
Secure and sufficient funding for campus libraries would be equitably established.
F.2. (Action) Resolution Supporting a Ceasefire in Gaza and Promoting Inclusive Education
The resolution highlights the commitment to fostering a safe and respectful learning environment, addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, protecting students’ rights to express views on international issues, supporting diverse perspectives, and communicating this commitment to relevant stakeholders.
SRTA members appreciate the board’s support for making space in our classrooms for balanced and informative discussions on international conflicts, respecting diverse perspectives, and fostering critical thinking.
It is hoped that the communication of this resolution will be the first task within the new communication efforts of the district.
F.3. (Discussion) Communications Strategic Plan
This District Communications Strategic Plan includes a three-year integrated district communication strategy that identifies areas of immediate need and areas of growth. A full work plan of the goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics outlined in the District Communications Strategic Plan will include timelines, resources, and evaluation measures associated with each tactic.
The board approved a $37,250 contract with Sounding Board Marketing & Communications in August.
Objective 1: Increase Representation of Student and Staff Voices (Hearts and Minds Campaign)
Objective 2: Expand Communication Accessibility for Families without Electronic Means (targeted outreach)
Objective 3: Implement Consistent and Proactive Communication Practices Across School Sites (develop best practices and protocols)
Objective 4: Strengthen Crisis Communication Protocols
Objective 5: Improve Communication Channels and Customer Service for All Audiences (tailor messages for target audiences, Consider email policies and practices to reduce the volume and reliance of email as a communication method)
Objective 6: AddressInformation Gaps for Employees (ongoing committee)
Objective 7: Improve Transparency and Communication of Committees and Student Group Activities
Objective 8: Increase Communication Office’s Capacity to Provide Proactive District Communications and Increased Media Engagement and Coverage of Positive District Stories
Three Year Plan SRCS District’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) are analyzed from a communications and public relations perspective, based on stakeholder feedback.
Challenges noted include:
School Safety and Lack of Information
Negative Perceptions and Misconceptions about Schools
Diversity in Hiring
Educational Programs and Equity
Communication Challenges
Employee Compensation and Retention
Cumbersome Administrative Processes and Implementation Gaps
Safety Concerns
Financial and Enrollment Concerns
Detailed results from surveys are included.
The full workplan of these goals, objectives, strategies and tactics includes timelines, resources and evaluation measures associated with each tactic is not included.
Communication has been a long time concern. SRTA members appreciate the district addressing this, and facilitating a three year plan. The SWOT is refreshingly reality based. There is an up hill climb to address these challenges.
Training on protocols is not the only necessity for site level implantation. There is a need to go beyond clear expectations that are monitored with appropriate personnel and time. This is an opportunity for SRCS to establish a narrower, clear focus. For best results, something else needs to be removed from the list of expectations to make room for this valuable effort.
Full implementation must include a transparent process for utilizing and communicating impact from information collected during meetings and committees to help overcome the opting out of stakeholders due to not feeling any impact from their efforts.
Bargaining Units will maintain their rights to choose representation for meetings and on committees. Rotating members can lead to a lack of historical knowledge and failure to establish voices that are comfortable broaching difficult conversations.
The need to establish clear protocols for when meetings and committees are paid and when they are volunteer remains.
The district website presence is called out as a place for potential improvement. Implementation of new site websites with the switch of providers has not been smooth, with a need for an agreement about remuneration being required before folks invest any more time into this.
F.4. (Discussion) Expanded and Extracurricular Interventions Report
Credit Recovery and Summer 2024 programming (utilizing monies from the following resources: SPED, ELOG, ELOP and Title I):
- High School Credit Recovery* ($533,509)
- K-6 Academy/Boys & Girls Club* ($1,340,112)
- Migrant Education Summer Program ($24,350)
- EXCEL for Youth* ($181,393)
- Mike Hauser Academy ($61,175)
- Extended School Year (ESY) ($540,780)
- Mariachi and Art Camp ($61,000)
- LandPaths* ($114,032)
- MathLab & Middle Grades STEM Camps* ($98,440)
- SR City Rec & Parks (Recreation Sensation)* ($32,203)
- Newcomer High School Summer Program* ($13,729)
- Central Budget ($193,149)
Projected Cost: $3,193,872
The after school care is stated to have more than doubled since last year. Can this exceptional growth be elaborated on? What has allowed this program to grow at such a rate?
The high school Credit Recovery program is benefitting 363 students. School Site Copy of Extended Day Credit Recovery FTE states the program is to assist seniors graduating in June of 2024, but the program was extended to all high school students. How was that communicated to relevant stakeholders? What proportion of qualifying students are being served by the programs?
The offering of extensive summer programs by SRCS have been underway for several years. Where are the results of the metrics that are utilized to evaluate the various offerings?
What efforts are expected to get the message out about all the offerings for this summer? How will efforts be made for our families that are not tech connected?
F.5. (Action) Acceptance of the 2022-2023 Independent Audit Report
It is noteworthy that again, like in 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22, the 2022-23 Audit had zero findings, exceptions, or other corrective actions.
SRTA members strongly support improvements to our classified siblings working conditions and compensation. Their work is absolutely essential to our schools and district.
F.6. (Action) Approval of MOU 2024/25 #2 reached with SRCS and CSEA 75 Regarding the Student Safety Advisor Job Description
This memorandum allows the members of the Student Advisor and Campus Supervisor classifications to reclassify to the Student Safety Advisor classification effective July 1, 2024.
The Student Safety Advisor will be placed on Range 24 of the CSEA 75 Salary Schedule. Currently Campus Supervisors are listed on EdJoin as a school year employee (9 month) at Range 14 ($18.79 per hour.) This change results in a starting salary of $24.66 as a ten month employee.
New Student Safety Advisor Job Description
Old Student Advisor Job Description
Old Campus Supervisor Job Description
SRTA appreciates the impact this almost $6 per hour will make in the ability to attract and retain additional adults to help supervise our campuses. The care to the current employees in these positions’ choices is also appreciated, with a guarantee of at least a 10% raise if they choose reclassification.
F.7. (Discussion) Potential Renaming of James Monroe Elementary School and Rincon Valley Middle School
Per the request of the Santa Rosa City Schools’ Board President, the names of James Monroe Elementary School and Rincon Valley Middle School are being brought forward to the Board for possible renaming.
SRTA recalls a lively response from the Monroe community in opposition to renaming, and wonders why this is being brought up again.
One commenter honored Carole Ellis upon her passing and suggested potentially naming a site after her. Not all comments are so taken to heart to merit a board discussion.
Where do Facilities Naming Community Advisory Committees fit into this discussion?
G. CONSENT ITEMS
G.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 103 current postings for job vacancies for SRCS. There is an issue with the Santa Rosa Catholic Diocese openings showing within the SRCS certificated search this month. There are 16 certificated openings (eleven more than the last meeting.) There are three certificated management openings (one more than the last meeting.) There are 81 current classified postings (nine more than the last meeting), and no classified management positions (the same as the last meeting.)
SRTA welcomes one new certificated hire: Olyvia-Jill Schaefer (ALES.) This brings this year’s certificated hires to 140. That is nearly 15% of our certificated workforce.
SRTA bids farewell to six folks who are resigning at the end of this year: Susan LaMacchia (CCLA), Amanda Steele (SRCAS), Russell Fletcher (T&L), Mary Philo (SRCAS), Brenda Smith (LBES) and Samuel Wolffe (ALES) who leave us with a combined nine years of service. Thank you for all you did for our students, and know you will be missed.
SRTA congratulates Susan Fries (ABES), Julie Segura (HLES), Cynthia Spigarelli (LBES) and Patricia Campbell (HSMS) who have announced their retirements at the end of this year. They have a combined one hundred two years of service to our students. We wish you a splendid time in retirement!
Summer School Positions are open.
This month’s changes to classified staff include three new hires, two rehires, one resignation and one retirement. Kathleen Putnam is retiring as a Payroll tech after fourteen years with the district.
G.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
SS = Summer School program
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| Charter | |||
| 7 | Joe Culpepper | $20,625 | Magic and Juggling classes for students at FACS |
| District | |||
| 4 | Maxim Health Services | $480,000 | additional contract to cover unfilled classified SPED assistants, bringing contract to $1,300,000. |
| 5 | Inspire Behavioral Services | $460,000 | additional contract to cover unfilled classified moderate/severe SPED assistants, bringing contract to $4,260,000. |
| 6 | Western Governors University | No Direct Cost | for teacher candidates |
| 9 | North Coast School of Education (Sonoma County Office of Education) | $15,000 | additional 272 hours of mentoring for 16 new teachers candidates/interns at $55/hour |
| 12 | Boys & Girls Club – Sonoma-Marin | $635,200 | SS for a total of 1150 students: K-6 Summer Academy at ALES and BHES (200 students x 2 sites = 400 students); EXCEL for Youth at Arts Charter (300 students); Middle Grades STEM Camp at PHS (210 students); Boost at CCLA (140 students); Arts Charter Boost (100 students). |
| 14 | Sonoma State University (SSU) School of Extended Education | $168,000 | SS EXCEL for 300 3rd-7th grade students |
| 15 | Luther Burbank Center for the Arts | $58,000 | SS Mariachi Camp for 300 K-12th graders |
| 16 | Baylor University | No Direct Cost | for teacher interns/student teachers |
| 18 | Santa Rosa Violence Prevention Partnership | No Direct Cost | Support services for at risk students and families |
| 19 | City of Santa Rosa / Guiding People Successfully Program | No Direct Cost | proactive and responsive support to families and students of promise |
| Elementary | |||
| 2 | UCSF Children’s Communication Center | No Direct Cost | Free hearing screenings for LELA students |
| 13 | LandPaths | $100,800 | SS six week long outdoor camps for 240 6-13 year olds |
| 17 | Sonoma County Office Of Education | No Direct Cost | UDL PD for ABES Staff |
| 20 | Springboard Collaborative | $264,000 | SS Early Literacy program for 400 K-4th grade students |
| Secondary | |||
| 3 | Planned Parenthood Mar Monte (PPMM) | No Direct Cost | 3.5 hours of sex ed curriculum for 3,600 seniors |
| 8 | North Bay Trades Introduction Program | No Direct Cost | (3) 5 hour Sat sessions of Trades Women Inc construction camp for 15 students in 11th or 12th grade |
| 10 | North Coast School of Education (Sonoma County Office of Education) | $2,300 | 20 hours of admin coaching/mentoring at $115/hour |
| 11 | Santa Rosa Metro Chamber / Mike Hauser Academy | No Direct Cost | SS for up to 100 rising 9th graders |
Total value of contracts = $2,213,925
SRCS is under contract for $5,360,000 to provide aides for unfilled positions to serve our students with disabilities.
Is EXCEL provided by SSU or by the Boys and Girls Club?
Will the sex ed program be provided to all high school seniors? How will that be implemented?
G.6. Approval of Contracts – Bond
Measure C = $811,647.76
Measure G = $15,832.12
Total = $827,479.88
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| 1 | Greystone West Co. | $9,830 | Construction management of SRHS softball scoreboard |
| 2 | Crawford and Assoc. | $188,949 | Testing and inspection services for new MHS building |
| 3 | Coordinated Project Installations Inc. | $12,700 | Installation of cubicles at Stony Point |
| 4 | T & R Communications | $20,000 | Install data fiber at Stony Point |
| 5 | Heavenly Greens | $482,734 | Landscape turf for curb appeal at MCHS |
| 6 | QKA | $50,000 | Schematic design for all access restroom at HSMS |
| 7 | QKA | $30,000 | Schematic design for all access restroom at MHS |
| 8 | South Bay Communications | $33,287 | 4 Point of Entry device installations at Stony Point |
The SRHS softball scoreboard is now at a cost of $182,091.
Is the landscape turf the first priority for the spending of half a million dollars at MCHS?
Is this another restroom at MHS, besides the restroom remodels of last summer, or a redo of those?
There is an agreement in an attached contract that reads:
Consultant’s employees will have no contact or interaction with District pupils outside of the immediate supervision and control of the pupil’s parent or guardian or a school employee. Accordingly, the fingerprinting and criminal background investigation requirements of Education Code section 45125.1 shall not apply to Consultant’s services under this Agreement.
If this is the case, why can we not allow volunteers who have no contact or interaction with students outside of the immediate supervision and control of school employees to forgo the cumbersome Be a Mentor process?
G.7. Approval of Annual Update to the HTS Transportation Plan in order to qualify for 60% reimbursement
The original transportation plans were approved on March 29, 2023. This is the first year that an annual update is required. The plans must be reviewed and updated each year prior to April 1st. There are no changes included in the plans, aside from the estimated costs for prior year, which determines the following year’s funding.
HS Transportation Plan ($1,770,226 expected)
ES Transportation Plan ($4,198,102 expected)
G.8. Approval of Contract for Science for All
Dr. Bryan Brown, Stanford professor of Science Education, to provide professional learning to 40 secondary middle school and high school science teachers and teacher residents.
$5,500
What is the process for deciding on PD for teachers? Did the Science steering committee ask for this PD, and this presenter?
How will the classroom observations measure discourse?
G.9. Approval of Proposed Job Description for Lifeguard
The proposed job description for the seasonal/hourly Lifeguard position is designed to create a position that provides safety and security to the swim teams of Santa Rosa City Schools when the facilities we use do not provide the service.
$20/hour
G.10. Approval of Resolution to Join School Project for Utility Rate Reduction (SPURR)
H.1. Approval of Minutes
Supporting Docs- Closed Session Release and possible reassignment of six certificated administrators
Doc shared during Public Comment
J1. Future Board Discussion Items
SRTA Members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
- Developer Fee Justification Study (
3/27/244/10/24) - Alternative Education Update (4/10/24)
- Resolution in Support of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (4/10/24)
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 and losing value as the cost of housing continues to rise. 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. Facilities Projects Update
- Facility advisory Committee 3/28 at 5:30 reach out to facilities@srcs.k12.ca.us if interested in attending.
- DO portable demolition begun, more movement to Stony Point campus, working on proposals for warehouse project.
- MHS ground breaking scheduled for April 10
- SRHS softball scoreboard progress
- SRHS, CCLA and BHES finishing HVAC
- Soal Array activity at HVES, LELA and RVMS and nearing completion at ABES, JMES and EAHS. Approval for HSMS to proceed.
- 2024 Roof/HVAC for RVMS, LBES and HLES set for this summer.
- Exterior painting will also occur during this summer’s roofing and HVAC projects at Luther Burbank ES, Helen Lehman ES, and Rincon Valley MS, as well as at Montgomery HS.
- Proposal pending for wells at RVMS and HSMS.
- MCHS turf project expected to be completed before June.
- All access restrooms at MHS and HSMS in planning stages.
J.5. SCOE School Visitation Quarterly Report
No visits or reviews were conducted this quarter.
J.6. School Site Reports
SCOE accepted the districts second interim report and has provided a strong recommendation to identify specific reductions to be able to afford negotiated increases in order to remain fiscally solvent.
J.7. School Site Reports
To provide the Board and the community with an update on the school site’s goals, key data points, and progress.
- Ridgway High School
- Hidden Valley Elementary School