BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
November 13, 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.
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. Student Expulsions (Case Nos: 2024/25-05, 2024/25-09)
B. 2. Conference With Labor Negotiator (Name of designated rep attending: Dr. Vicki Zands (SRCS): name of organization: Teamsters Local 665)
B.3. Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Case name: OAH Case No. 2024081056)
OAH Cases are related to Special Education. CV references Civil Cases.
B.4. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Number of potential cases: 1)
B.5. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Title of employee being reviewed: Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Vice Principals, Assistant Principals, Directors, Coordinators)
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 (James Monroe Elementary School and Piner High School)
James Monroe Elementary School
- Natalie Garcia Medel, Student of the Month
- Jennifer Wan Nash, Classified Employee of the Month
- Jamie Martinez, Certificated Employee of the Month
Piner High School
- Bianca Valdivia Hernandez, Student of the Month
- Antonio Chavez, Classified Employee of the Month
- Maureen McCabe, Certificated Employee of the Month
SRTA extends a special invitation to the JMES and PHS staff to attend this meeting to celebrate your own.
D. REPORTS
D.7. Safety Report
- Having something available and having a comprehensive implementation plan that actually utilizes it are very different metrics. (Panorama Playbook, Toolkit)
- Complete is checked while also stating that things are not functioning at all sites. (Safe School Ambassadors, staff training on Restorative Practices and de-escalation. )
- Establishing equitable staffing ratios is marked complete while the description states the work is in progress.
- The need continues for an implementation plan to support the ability of each site staff to dive into their data.
SRTA wonders about data that shows the impact these efforts have made on campuses to address safety concerns.
D.8 Consolidation/Closing Committee Report
School Consolidation Advisory Committee webpage
E. Public Comment on Non Agenda Items
SRTA Members are invited to complete ‘blue cards.’ Online comments have been suspended unless a board member is attending remotely. Please be prepared to observe the three minute time limit or the imposition of a possible last minute two or even one minute limit. Only items NOT on the agenda are addressed at this time, with the exception of consent items, which may be commented on.
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 agenda items that impact 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) Kid Street Charter School Charter Renewal
- The Board originally approved the charter for the operation of Kid Street Charter School on April 14, 1999. The Charter School has been in operation in Santa Rosa for nearly 25 years.
- Staff recommends the board grant renewal of Kid Street charter school for a term of five (5) years (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2020)
SRTA has no issue with the renewal of this charter. Transparency would be appreciated around the financial implications of this agreement, specifically in regards to the Special Services provided by SRCS to the students of Kid Street.
F.2 (Action) Resolution Recognizing November 14, 2024 as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
To commemorate this day, our community, along with school districts across the nation, participate in the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. Our community partner, Safe Routes to School – Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, provides resources for schools and community groups to support this effort. More information can be found on their website HERE.
“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.3. (Action) Final Board Strategic Priorities – Engage, Empower, Embrace
In order to accomplish the vision and mission of our district, we need a strategic plan that guides the district and the decisions of the Superintendent, staff, and the Board of Education. At Santa Rosa City Schools, we are committed to embracing, empowering, and engaging every student to reach their fullest potential. By fostering a school environment centered on acceptance, belonging, and safety, we ensure that all students experience high levels of academic achievement in an equitable and inclusive setting. Our strategic priorities embrace the diversity and individuality of each student by integrating culturally relevant content, anti-racist practices, and meaningful relationships into our curriculum. Through these actions, we empower our students and staff to actively shape an innovative, supportive, and thriving school community. A community where every student is valued, seen, heard, understood, and equipped to be their best and achieve their goals.
At SRCS we’re cultivating a community. The final Board Strategic Priorities that align with the District’s values of Engage, Empower and Embrace are attached for the Board’s consideration.
Presentation Revisit/Review/Re-Do for Next FIVE Years: 1. R … 2. E … 3. S … 4. P … 5. E … 6. C … 7. T … appear to need to be flushed out. Similarly, thinning the 7 strategic Goals to the three values is suggested. For each of the Es, we Gave a Description/Provided Objectives/Suggested Actions for Next FIVE Years, which CENTER our: 1. S … 2. T … 3. U … 4. D … 5. E … 6. N … 7. T … 8. S …
FINAL Priorities This document centers on Engage, Empower, and Embrace.
This does not appear to be a final draft ready for approval.
SRTA supports the board setting a specific focus of the district that includes metrics, for both the long and short term. A timeline for future revisions would wisely take into account the three year LCAP cycle so that it can be built and annually revised in unison with the priorities set by the board. Originally the board spent several sessions over a summer for the adoption. This more recent work has had only one meeting.
SRTA is unaware of the board officially adopting “Engage, Empower, Embrace” as the “values” of SRCS.
The prior Strategic Plan was all things for all students. Therefore everything qualifies as a priority. Unfortunately, funding is not available to meet all the goals. As SRCS goes through the process of permanently diminishing expenses, guidance from the board establishing the essential core mission of the district would be helpful.
It is hoped that concise clarity in communication takes precedence over any acronyms.
F.4. (Discussion) Restorative Framework
SRCS cultivates an inclusive environment through restorative practices that emphasize growth and healing. We prioritize creating safe spaces where all voices matter, strengthening meaningful connections, empathy and accountability. Incidents of harm and conflict are shifted into opportunities for learning, enhancing academic achievement, decision-making, and community relationships. The need for a unified approach to restoration, and a system of metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of our services have been identified.
This framework under construction will reflect the unified program of restorative services, content, essential components and metrics implemented across our district by grade bands.
Presentation SEL Competencies are listed by grade band. Data on individual and group restorative events are included.
Framework Calls out the California Community Schools model. Three goals are (1) Build Sustainable Restorative Infrastructure, (2) Reduce Disciplinary Disparities Through Equitable Practices, and (3) Foster Positive School Climate and Culture. There appears to be a first draft of a table that includes space for Competencies, Content/Skills, Learning Objectives and Assessments for each grade band.
SRTA members attended Restorative training and were told that actions have consequences. It was explained that restorative practices were to come after consequences had begun. If requested by the student, consequences would be paused for restorative work. If the work was not successfully completed, it is expected that the consequences would resume. Is this still an expectation of SRCS?
This framework and the review of essential metrics seem like an integral part of both the site and district Safety Plan.
- How are the CASEL Competencies incorporated into the student experience?
- What resources can be expected to be available to support these efforts?
- Is implementation of this framework intended for initial implementation for the elementary sites that have been identified as eligible for the Community Schools grant?
F.5. (Discussion/Action) Child Care Fees
The fiscal stabilization plan approved in June included necessary rate adjustments for the district provided child care program, an integral part of our continuum of after-school services supporting students and families. The committee was informed that rates had not been changed in years, and the program was running at a deficit. There was no specific information provided.
This update highlights key areas of the program:
- Rate Increase for Sustainability: Starting November 1, 2024, new rates were established to support a self-sustaining program while maintaining high-quality care for students. Rates for under 12 hours per week were raised 15%, while those using over 12 hours per week were increased 8.6%.
- Parent Communication and Feedback: Messaging about proposed rate changes was distributed to families in early August. After reviewing parent input and analyzing costs, the final rates reflect a balanced approach to sustain the program effectively.
- Comprehensive Child Care Services: The program includes after-school care for TK-6 students, as well as winter, spring, and summer camps, with a dedicated staff team across six school sites.
Implementation was delayed from October 1st to November 1st to provide families more time to make adjustments.
Free Infant & Toddler program at Ridgway Child Care (3) and After school programs at CCLA (69), PTES (79), HVES (117), SRCArts (73), FACS (88). Total of 30 staff at six sites serving 429 students. This is an increase of 94 students with a decrease of 7.9 FTE positions.
Summative data is not included, to make the projected financial situation of the program transparent after these changes.
SRCS employees who utilize the pretax deduction to cover this expense are frustrated with the multiple week delay in receiving their funds, every month, far after the due date to pay their childcare fees.
F.6. and 7. Public Hearing and Acceptance of Santa Rosa Teachers Associations (SRTA) Contract Reopeners (Sunshine) for 25-27
The articles below were previously agreed upon in Article 18 of the 2024-2027 CBA approved in June 2024. The initial proposal reopeners includes the following articles to negotiate:
- Article 16–Salary
- Article 14.6.1(e) Definitions of RSP and SDC students as they pertain to the caseload caps.
- Article 11: If proposed language around maternity and paternity leave does not pass, language around additional days and support for new parents.
- All appendices, job descriptions and stipends.
SRTA looks forward to productive negotiations with the district.
F.8. (Action) Approval of Additional Meeting for the 2024 Board Meeting Calendar
During a regular election year, the governing board of each school district shall hold an annual organizational meeting within a 15-day period that commences with the second Friday in December following the election, therefore requiring the Board of Education to hold an additional meeting on December 18, 2024.
This has become an annual event. Perhaps these requirements can be taken into consideration when the next board calendar is created.
G.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 87 current postings for 101 jobs in SRCS. There are twenty certificated openings (the same as the last meeting.) There is one certificated management openings posted. There are sixty-nine current classified postings for eighty job openings (sixty-seven less than last meeting). There are no classified management positions open.
SRTA welcomes Colette Scafani (SRHS), Erika De La Rosa-Smith (HCMS), Emma Burgess (SRHS), Patrick Madison (MCHS) and Mikayla Bell (LELA). One more certificated staff added additional FTE. Welcome back to Samuel Prohoroff (LBES) and Jennifer Van Loben Sels (SPSV).
SRTA bids farewell to Edward Benbow who has retired from HSMS after nine years of service.
Administrative movements include new hire Justin Tomola as AP at MCHS, Taryn Reynolds’ promotion to Program Manager, Roseanne Muldoon as Interim Principal of Biella and Simona Hoyos was promoted to District Accountant. Michael Jablonski was transferred to Principal at SLES.
Changes to classified staff include seven new hires, two probationary releases, three resignations and one retirement. They leave taking with them twenty-two years of knowledge and service to our staff and students.
There is one supervisory resignation.
G.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| District | |||
| 8 | Redwood Empire Food Bank | $15,000.00 | REFB will provide meal counting training, summer meal service site procedures for volunteers, and site monitoring in alignment with summer meal program monitoring at community feeding sites. |
| 9 | Deal Real Foods | $150,000.00 | For direct purchase of food (cooked marinated meats, tamales, and pupusas) to realize greater savings for CNS. |
| 10 | Daylight Foods | $150,000.00 | Fresh produce for CNS. |
| 11 | Amarosa Academy Meal Service Interagency | Cost Neutral | CNS will provide reimbursable meals to the Amarosa Academy students each day. Amarosa Academy site staff will collect meal counts, and SRCS will claim the meals. |
| Elementary | |||
| 6 | Explore Learning | $3,836.00 | Two apps: Reflex, which is a gamified basic math fact fluency and Frax, which develops conceptual understanding of fractions for PTES. |
| 7 | Deaf Ninja / Kyle Schulze | $3,500.00 | Kyle is a deaf motivational speaker for HVES. |
| 14 | School Garden Network | No Direct Cost | Development of a site plan, and materials and supplies to support the garden at SLES, and instructional resources to support staff with connecting the garden to classroom instruction and activities. |
| 15 | Westminster Woods | $25,000.00 | Outdoor Ed for SLES, $15,000 funded by the Parent Organization and $10,000 from SPSA. |
| 17 | Paws for Healing, Inc. | No Direct Cost | To make reading an enjoyable experience and to enhance children’s literacy skills through reading buddies, one-on-one attention, opportunity and bonus programs for HVES. |
| Secondary | |||
| 1 | Chris Alexander | $2,000.00 | Piano Accompaniment for MHS. |
| 2 | Amanda McFadden | $600.00 | Piano Accompaniment for MHS. |
| 3 | Janet Kay Bertoli | $2,400.00 | Piano Accompaniment for MHS. |
| 4 | Sonoma State University (University Center) | No Direct Cost | Academic and support services offered by EAHS and SSU to carry out the development and implementation of the University Center |
| 5 | Magic Mirror | $1,365.63 | Photo Booth For Homecoming Dance MHS |
| 13 | LifeTouch | No Direct Cost | Providing ID and Yearbook photos for all students and staff for SRHS. |
| 16 | Paxton Patterson | $3,800.00 | Online learning management system for SRMS students enrolled in the Exploring College and Careers course funded by CTE Incentive Grant |
| Charter | |||
| 12 | Sonoma Land Trust | No Direct Cost | Transportation cost for a field trip to the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge for FACS. |
Total value of contracts = $353,701.63
SRTA learned that CNS is operating at such a profit that they need to create a plan to spend the excess money.
G.6. Approval of Contracts – Bond
| # | Contractor | Site | Service | Cost |
| District | ||||
| 1 | Van Pelt Construction Services | DO | Construction Management for DO/Ed Center and Warehouse | $287,760 |
| 5 | Quattrocchi Kwok Architects | 11 sites | Architectural Services for Summer Exterior Paint Projects | $191,770 |
| Elementary | ||||
| 4 | Jacobsen Fence | LELA | Additional security fencing | $9,246 |
| Secondary | ||||
| 2 | One Workplace | SRHS | Additional Storage for SRHS Pilot Classroom | $18,503 |
| 3 | Ross + Luthin Creative | 4 sites | Gym Floor Design (HSMS, RVMS, MHS and SRHS) | $29,500 |
| Charter | ||||
| 6 | FRC Inc | SRCArts | Emergency Soffit Repairs at SRCArts | $22,359 |
Measure C = $421,691.49
Measure G = $137,446.45
Total = $559,137.94
G.7. Approval of CivicPlus NextRequest Agreement
The California Public Records Act (CPRA) mandates that public records be open for inspection and that public agencies provide copies of records upon request, with a few exceptions. The volume and complexity of records requests for our district has grown significantly, requiring a solution that can improve both the efficiency and transparency of our response process. Implementing NextRequest, a cloud-based public records request management platform, will provide our district with the tools to streamline, track, and respond to CPRA requests more effectively.
Unrestricted General Fund
Total Proposal $31,167.00
Term Dates: 12/1/2024 – 11/30/2027
Year 1 = $9,591.00
Year 2 = $10,788.00
Year 3 = $10,788.00
SRTA wonders how many CPRA requests the district gets and the expected cost of meeting those requests.
G.8.and 9 Declaration of Obsolete Equipment and Authorization to Sell
The Board will consider approval of Resolution 2024/25-21 to declare two (2) portables at Santa Rosa High School as surplus and further authorize staff to sell the portables for $1 each.
G.10. Approval of Santa Rosa High School’s FFA Students to travel to Phoenix, Arizona Dec 27 – 31, 2024
Cost of Trip: $1,890 funded through CTE grants and student fundraisers.
G.11. 11. Authorizing Certificated Teachers to Teach Outside Their Major or Minor Fields
This annual approval is required for teachers to teach courses for which they are not credentialed. There are 52 teachers on this list this year.
SRTA is aware of the difficulty to attract and retain teachers, and the impact this has on SRCS’s ability to offer a full range of courses taught by appropriately credentialed teachers.
G.12. Approval of Master Agreement for Special Education Services for Students from Out of District
This Master Agreement will be used when other districts agree to place students in SRCS programs, in a fee for service and delineates the responsibilities of each party. The Program Cost that the neighboring districts will pay varies depending upon the SRCS Program.
H.1. Approval of Minutes
Oct 23, 2024 Minutes and Supporting Documents
Nov 6 Minutes and Supporting Documents
J.1. Future Board Discussion Items (not included in this agenda)
SRTA Members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
- First Interim Report
- Superintendent Morales’ Listening and Learning Tour Update
- Approval of Instructional and Classified Calendars
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Public Hearing and Approval of Teamsters Union 665 “Sunshine” Proposal (delayed from Oct 2024)
- First Draft of the District Safety Plan (delayed from September 2024)
- Board Revision of Strategic Goals (begun June 2024)
- Sharing the support plans for PIP and Variable Term Waiver hires. (Board request 8/14/24)
- Sharing the updated EL Master Plan with implementation expectations
- Sharing the Library Master Plan with implementation expectation
- Officially Closing Learning House
- SRACS Accelerated Charter Material Revision Request (delayed)
- Unification/Redistricting Decision
- Renaming of Sites Update/Decision
- Plan for Staff Housing support program from the proceeds of Fir Ridge
Until the district makes a decision, the proceeds from the sale of the Fir Ridge property are just sitting and losing value as the cost of housing continues to rise. Getting a program started could help SRCS attract and retain CSEA staff. The potential impact of the funds diminishes as time passes.
- Student Voice Policy
- BEST Plus Update
- Does SRCS still self identify as a BEST Plus district?
J.4. School Site Reports
- JMES
- PHS