REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
September 10, 2025
Hybrid: Santa Rosa City Hall Council Chambers (100 Santa Rosa Ave.)
4:00 p.m. – Closed Session
6:00 p.m. – Open Session
Hybrid: Zoom / Santa Rosa City Hall
*** streamed ***
Video Board Meetings through this link.
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.
Members attending online are encouraged to add SRTA to the front of their Zoom client name.
Closed Session Items:
A.1. Public Comment On Closed Session Agenda Items To comment, email Melanie Martin at mmartinsrcs.k12.ca.us.
This is an opportunity for members of the public to speak to the board on Closed Session items only.
Without specifics on closed session agenda items, it is impossible for the public to know when to provide insights for items being reviewed.
B.1. Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
B.2. Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Case name: OAH Case No. 2025070109, No.: 24CV00520/ No.: 23CV00397)
B.3. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Litigation (Number of potential cases: 2)
B.4. Student Expulsions (Case Nos: 2025/26-01)
B.5. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Title of employee being reviewed: Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Vice Principals, Assistant Principals, Directors, Coordinators)
RECONVENE TO REGULAR OPEN SESSION (6:00 p.m.)
D. Reports
SRTA welcomes Teamsters Local 665!
E. Public Comment on Non Agenda and Consent Items
SRTA Members are invited to complete ‘blue cards’ at the board meeting in order to make public comments. 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 reduction in the time limit. Comments have been limited to as little as 60 seconds, with a limit on the total time spent on public comments. Only items NOT on the agenda are addressed at this time, with the exception of consent items (See section F.)
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 on students and staff.
Speakers are limited to just those in person
Comments are most impactful when they are well spoken, composed and reasonable.
F. CONSENT ITEMS
All consent items are enacted by the Board in one motion, unless a Board member requests that an item be removed and discussed separately.
F.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 84 current postings for 201 jobs in SRCS. There are twenty-two certificated opening postings for twenty-two positions (two less than the last meeting.) There are sixty-one current classified postings for one-hundred eighty-seven job openings (fourteen fewer than the last meeting.) There is one certificated and no classified management positions posted.
SRTA members wonder about HR decisions. Three weeks into school and staff is being involuntarily transferred. This is traumatic for students, and not in keeping with putting students first.
This attachment lists changes effective in June and July. It lists additional assignments that have been reneged.
SRTA heartily welcomes
Marcus Dunseth (MHS), Ana-Karen Lopez (CCLA), Carlos Castaneda (PHS), Julie Montgomery (SRHS), Alyssa August (PTES), Andrew Kempiak (SRCAS), Kawai Navares (EAHS) and Alexandra Evans (JMES).
SRTA welcomes back the returning Sarah Legesse (MHS), Yosan Zeweldi (HVES) and Lori Lapham (LBES).
SRTA bids farewell to Sharon Stevens (SLP) who has resigned after nearly 1 year of service to our students.
Changes to classified staff includes three new hires, seven rehires, and five resignations. They leave taking with them ten years of knowledge and service to our staff and students.
There are two administrative promotions, and a School Based Therapist resigned.
F.4. Approval of Contracts
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| Elementary | |||
| 4 | Made iN Santa Rosa – ELITE Early Literacy Program | No Direct Cost | HLES 3rd grade students will participate in an afterschool literacy support program, paid by MiNSR |
| 6 | Play Marimba! | $5,000.00 | Rent 44 marimbas for HLES |
| 7 | Science if for All | $17,000.00 | two PD sessions on design workshop process, including specific strategies to support multilingual students |
| District | |||
| 2 | Imagine Learning | $2,500.00 | These courses are specifically tailored to serve students who are below grade level and need greater support. |
| 5 | Everyday Speech | $13,439.72 | online curriculum used by speech language pathologists and school psychologists |
| 11 | Paws As Loving Support Assistance Dogs | No Direct Cost | therapy dogs and trained 1:1 handlers to attend SRCS community events and trauma or crisis support |
| 12 | Adobe | $4,920.00 | 500 user licenses plus 100 device licenses to a single pool of 1,000 user licenses. |
| 14 | School Services of California, Inc. | $20,000.00 | gather data and provide an initial fiscal analysis of current SELPA funding, projected SRCS funding if leave the county program |
| 15 | CDW Amplified | $48,807.20 | Google Workspace for Education Plus (formally G Suite Enterprise for Education) |
| 16 | DGI | $116,678.85 | Cohesity Data Management and Backup Renewal – 3-Year CMAS Contract |
| Secondary | |||
| 1 | Raizes | No Direct Cost | art, cultural, and environmental focused workshops to support secondary students |
| 3 | Poppy Bank Epicenter | No Direct Cost | community based paid and volunteer work for students in transition Program |
| 8 | Santa Rosa Sports Medicine | $2,500.00 | medical consultations, injury management, and collaborative efforts with schools and athletic programs |
| 9 | Panaptic | No Direct Cost | marijuana, alcohol, and opioids prevention program for SRHS |
| 10 | Humanidad Therapy & Education Services | No Direct Cost | mental health services for Latinx youth combining traditional Latino practices with group therapy in 8-week bilingual support groups |
| 13 | IXL Learning | $10,518.75 | online platform for Math, Science, History and English for HCMS |
Total value of contracts = $241,364.57.
SRTA members support researching before committing to leaving the county to run SRCS’s own SELPA. This research is more expensive than Gillespie’s advice for all Special Education Services.
F.5. Approval of Contracts – Bond
| # | Contractor | Site | Service | Cost |
| District | ||||
| 2 | Terraphase Engineering Inc. | DO | CEQA testing or clearance | $161,740 |
| Secondary | ||||
| 7 | Quattrocchi Kwok Architects | SRHS | supplemental design services | $19,000 |
| 8 | Brelje & Race | ABES | Topographic Map | $4,000 |
| 9 | NorBay Consulting | SRHS | Haz Mat Testing | $1,702 |
| 10 | Redwood Moving and Storage | MHS | Return books to Slater | $1,920 |
| Elementary | ||||
| 1 | Adobe Assoc, Inc | HLES | Boundary line survey | $3,250 |
| 3 | Crawford and Associates, Inc | HLES | materials inspection and testing | $80,000 |
| 4 | Crawford and Associates, Inc | JMES | materials inspection and testing | $80,000 |
| 6 | Quattrocchi Kwok Architects | ABES | services for modernization | $126,300 |
| 11 | National Construction Rentals | ABES | Temporary Fencing | $13,184 |
| 12 | National Construction Rentals | BHES | Temporary Fencing | $13,372 |
| Charter | ||||
| 5 | Crawford and Associates, Inc | SRMS/FACS | materials inspection and testing | $80,000 |
Measure C = $225,544.40
Measure G = $358,923.28
Total = $584,467.68
Measure C and G Implementation Plan
F.6. Approval of Resolution No. 2025/26-06 Approving the 2024-25 Appropriations Limitation Recalculation and 2025-26 Estimated Appropriations Limitation Calculation (Gann Limit)
Annually the board requests the State of California allow SRCS proceeds above the adjusted 1978-79 rates.
F.7. Approval of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the SRHS Parking Lot Improvements and Fencing Project
This is a Lease-Leaseback Agreement Amendment with Wright Contracting LLC for the Santa Rosa High School Parking Lot Improvements and Fencing project.
Cost from Measure C funds: $3,682,898.00
F.8. School Consolidation California Environmental Quality (CEQA) Notice of Exemption
The Santa Rosa Middle School TK project and the Piner High School New 2-Story Classroom Building project qualify for a statutory exemption from the CEQA analysis.
Cost from Measure C funds: $100.00
F.9. Update on Current Prop 28 and Approval of the Annual Report
Prop 28 funds are to increase funding by securing additional funds for arts and music education. 80 percent of the funds are to be expended to employ certificated or classified staff to provide instruction, and the remaining 20 percent of funds are to be expended on training, supplies and materials, and educational partner programs. No more than 1 percent of the LEA’s allocation can be used for administrative costs, including indirect costs. Each site is allocated funds.
Some elementary sites are working to add an art teacher, and purchase instruments. Secondary sites are adding additional and new sections.
Local stakeholder feedback is expected to be crucial to this decision making process.
Sites must use the yearly allocation within a three-year time period. Allocations must be used for additional or new arts programs and may not be used to supplant existing staff funding. Funds may be pooled between sites.
2024-2025 school year
- More Instruments: Schools were able to purchase more marimbas, including practice instruments for students.
- New Programs: Several schools introduced Ballet Folklorico programs and funded costumes for student performances.
- Number of full-time equivalent teachers (certificated) providing arts education programs with AMS funds 1.15 FTE
- Number of full-time equivalent personnel (classified) providing arts education programs with AMS funds. 2.5 FTE
- Number of full-time equivalent teaching aides providing arts education programs with AMS funds. 2.5 FTE
- Number of students served with AMS funds. 1,955 6.
- Number of school sites providing arts education programs with AMS funds. 7
- Funds were used to purchase new ceramics wheels, kilns, and sculpting tools for the art classrooms. Classes were expanded offering advanced ceramics courses, guitar classes, mariachi band, graphic design and photography.
- Sites also used funds to purchase updated software licenses and equipment to support these new programs. Sites used funds for theatre courses, after hour practices focusing on acting, stagecraft, and costume design. One site was able to perform a musical which had not occurred in over ten years.
- Number of full-time equivalent teachers (certificated) providing arts education programs with AMS funds 4.15 FTE
- Number of full-time equivalent personnel (classified) providing arts education programs with AMS funds. 0
- Number of full-time equivalent teaching aides providing arts education programs with AMS funds. 0
- Number of students served with AMS funds. 592
- Number of school sites providing arts education programs with AMS funds. 10
SRTA is appreciative of extending arts education for our students.
SRCS has many initiatives that are intended to be locally controlled. Creating a transparent and inclusive process as well as communicating a timeline for decision making and implementation for these initiatives has proven to be challenging.
The process for making these Prop 28 decisions did not include discussions at staff meetings at all sites.
Where can the plans for each site be accessed?
What controls are in place to ensure this funding is utilized for supplemental not replacement programs, as SRCS functions with such a tight budget?
F.10. Approval of Job Description for Community School Coordinator
SRCS contends that the Community School Coordinator is a proven best-practice for implementing the community school model. The CCSPP grant was for
Funding Source:
Grant funding comes from the California Community Schools Partnership Program, totaling $4,750,000 over a five-year period (2025–2030). That is $950,000 per year.
Job Description Coordinating afterschool and summer programs seems to overlap with the Director of Extended Learning.
Jan 24, 2024 Community School Grant Update was the last SRCS board agenda for CCSPP.
Over 8 percent of this grant will be used for this coordinator.
G. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
G.1. (Discussion) West County Transportation Agency Update
WCTA will provide an update on current ridership, as well as progress related to driver shortages, route changes, driver training, and planning for more environmentally conscious practices as this collaboration begins its tenth year.
• Ridership to schools from the newly implemented elementary boundaries has been low
• Ridership to/from Montgomery Jr/High School has been high and required additional buses to relieve overloading
• Ridership to/from Santa Rosa Jr/High School has been steady, but lower than anticipated. Most students are Jr High riders.
• Ridership to/from Piner High School has been low ( Jr High expected to increase ridership)
* numbers provided are from WCTA Updates.
What communication system is being utilized to inform riders and their families when issues arise?
If six routes are ‘uncovered’, how are those students getting to school?
Has there been any changes to support student field trips?
How does the JPA determine member district financial contributions? What is the rate paid by SRCS? How much of that is recuperated from restricted funding?
How is this contract evaluated?
G.2. (Action) 2024-25 Unaudited Actuals
Additionally, a 2024-25 Unaudited Actuals Report Narrative will be added to this item. The Narrative will provide informative details as well as additional information on the Current Expense Formula/Minimum Classroom Compensation Form CEA deficiency.
Revenues were $5.2 million more (2.3%) than budgeted.
Expenses were $18.7 million more (7.8%) than budgeted.
Current Expense Formula/Minimum Classroom Compensation requires 55%, while SRCS only spent 52.3% of the budget on direct expenses for classrooms.
SRTA members are concerned with the district spending more than budgeted. Making severe cuts negatively impacts the student experience and creates hardships for many. When the savings from these cuts are offset with more spending, is it not clear how the financial picture can ever improve.
The cuts seem majorly focused on classroom level spending. Already this year, the impacts of decisions creating larger class sizes are creating unsustainable conditions. If SRCS is already underfunding classrooms by 2.7% of the budget, cuts need to come from elsewhere.
G.3. (Discussion/Action) Second Read and Consideration of BP 4119.24, BP 4119.21, BP 1114
The Board will consider approval of Board Policy updates for 4119.24, 4119.21, 1114.
BP 4119.24 This policy addresses a range of behaviors that include not only obviously unlawful or improper interactions with students, but also behaviors that undermine the professional adult/student relationship and can lead to either misconduct or the appearance of impropriety.
BP 4119.21 Employee personal use of Social Media and Social Media Guidelines.
BP 1114 School employees may use only district-controlled social media or district approved platforms to communicate directly with current students about school-related matters. Examples of district approved platforms include district gmail, google classroom, parentsquare, minga, etc
While SRTA members appreciate the updates to these policies, they still inhibit healthy connection with students.
Teachers use Class DoJo, Remind, and other platforms for communicating with students, sometimes at their own expense. How can these communication platforms be incorporated into these policies?
G.4. (Discussion) Enrollment and Capacity Discussion
- Elementary. Overall, elementary enrollment is slightly higher than projected with the distribution of students over expectations at some sites and under enrolled at others. With the planned closure of Steele Lane at the end of this school year, additional discussions are needed to adjust boundaries for the 2026/27 year.
- Secondary. Overall, enrollment in the junior high programs at reconfigured schools is in line with projections. In preparation for the conversion of Elsie Allen High School in 2026/27, a discussion of considerations of boundaries for traditional secondary schools is needed.
10-Day Student Count Current attendance rates meet the numbers projected.
Room Use By Site (Aug 2025) An example of the data by site: FACS has 20 classrooms and 31 classrooms in use, requiring the use of other non-classroom spaces for instruction and educational support needs.
Before plans are made for moving full steam ahead, the financial motivation for this discussion must be made transparent, if the support of the community is desired. Is the district saving the anticipated $6 million dollars this year from the closing of 4 sites? How is this achieved? If this is playing out as planned, then discussing next steps is reasonable. If the savings are not actually being accessed, then proceeding with more consolidation seems unwarranted.
G.5. (Action) Appointment of Vacant Committee Position: Board Finance Subcommittee
President McNally has indicated that she wishes to step down from this role and provide an opportunity for another trustee to serve. A new member may be appointed to serve.
H.1. Approval of Minutes
August 27, 2025 Minutes and Supporting Documents and Resolutions (Regular Meeting)
J.1. Future Board Discussion Items (not included in this agenda)
SRTA members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
- Summer School Update
- SCOE/SRCS AdHoc Presentation
- Sufficiency of Textbooks and Instructional Materials (Elementary / Secondary)
- Updated Board Policy: Mobile Devices
Recently Requested Agenda Items from the Board
Medina- AP instruction data with number of years of experience of
teachers
Caston- Site funding finance report with various amounts and sources
-strategy of athletics program across the district,
-update 3510 policy around reducing waste as a discussion item
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Panorama and Youth Truth Survey Data (August 2025)
- Discussion and update on Reconfiguration and Ad Hoc Committee with SCOE (August 2025)
- Restorative Practices Data (March 2025)
- Alternate Education Update (December 2024, Feb 2025)
- There is a strong need for Alternative placements for secondary students who need more services than our comprehensive schools are able to provide. How can SRCS meet the needs of these students during these tough financial times? Is there data that the ISP program is sufficient to meet this need?
- VAPA Program Highlights (Feb 2025)
- Plan and timeline for implementation of Dr. Gillespie’s recommendations around Special Services (January 2025)
- First Draft of the District Safety Plan (delayed from September 2024)
- Board Update of Strategic Goals with input from sites and equity assessment (begun June 2024)
- Sharing the Library Master Plan with implementation expectation
- Officially Closing Learning House, and other sites
- SRACS Accelerated Charter Material Revision Request (delayed)
- 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 continues to diminish as time passes.
- Student Voice Policy