REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
November 12, 2025
Hybrid: Santa Rosa High School Auditorium 1235 Mendocino 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. Student Expulsions (Case Nos: 2025/26-03, 2025/26-05)
B.2. Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Case No.s: 24CV00520, 23CV00397)
B.3. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (One potential case)
B.4. Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
B.5. Conference With Labor Negotiator – Name of designated rep attending: Dr. Vicki Zands (SRCS); name of organizations: SRTA, CSEA Santa Rosa 75, Teamsters Union 665
B.6 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.)
D. Reports
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.
G-1 is about the fiscal health of the district, so all commenters on this topic should wait until then.
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 67 current postings for 171 jobs in SRCS. There are fourteen certificated opening postings for fourteen positions (one more than the last meeting.) There are fifty-three current classified postings for one-hundred seventy-one job openings (seventeen less than the last meeting.) There are no certificated and no classified management positions posted.
SRTA heartily welcomes Jhon Everth Ortiz Cubidez (MHS), Devyn Gilman (LBES), Elizabeth Brooks (PHS), Alfred Frimpong (MHS/HSMS) and Stephen Drapkin (JMES).
Changes to classified staff includes three new hires and three resignations. They leave taking with them 3 years, 10 months and 8 days of knowledge and service to our staff and students.
F.4. Ratification of Contracts Under $15,000
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| Charter | |||
| 4 | Common Ground Society | $500.00 | diversity and equity presentation for SRACS |
| Secondary | |||
| 1 | Bryan Price | $9,109.50 | CPR for SRCS Coaches |
| 2 | Career Technical Education Foundation of Sonoma County | No Direct Cost | provide HS student internships through the Path to Purpose Program |
| 3 | California Agricultural Teachers’ Induction Program | $8,100.00 | Induction support, mentoring, coaching and technical assistance to agricultural teachers in their first or second year of teaching |
Total value of contracts = $17,709.50.
F.5. Approval of Contracts over $15,000
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| Secondary | |||
| 1 | Illuminated Collective, LLC | $28,000.00 | facilitate the development of integrated grade level teams and pathways at EAHS |
| 3 | Imagine Learning | $60,330.00 | Teachers for remote online instruction of Chem at MHS and Spanish at EAHS. |
| District | |||
| 2 | Adroit Advanced Technologies | $206,000.00 | Transportation services for students with disabilities |
The contract for EAHS raises questions about the focus of the site. There has been tremendous energy put into centering the site on CTE. Then last year there was a decision to concentrate on Project Based Learning. This current contract is to support Integrated Pathways. Are these intentions coming from the staff?
How does an additional contract for transportation impact our agreement with West County?
Total value of contracts = $294.330.00
F.6. Approval of Contracts – Bond
| # | Contractor | Site | Service | Cost |
| Elementary | ||||
| 4 | Brelje & Race | LBES | Portables Underground Survey | $30,900 |
| Charter | ||||
| 1 | Stockdale Inspection Services | CCLA | Baseball Scoreboard inspection | $2,940 |
| 2 | RGH Consultants | CCLA | Baseball Scoreboard inspection | $11,775 |
| 3 | Grassetti Environmental Consulting | CCLA | Baseball Scoreboard exemption | $1,000 |
Measure C = $15,715.00
Measure G = $30,900.00
Total = $46,615.00
Measure C and G Implementation Plan
SRTA members are still awaiting dates on site meetings for updating the Facilities Master Plan.
F.7. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notice of Exemption for the Cesar Chavez Language Academy Baseball Field Scoreboard
F.8. Approval of Resolution 2025/26-43 Notice of Intent to Convey Easements to the City of Santa Rosa
The City of Santa Rosa is replacing water mains that run underground at MHS. This agreement will sell two strips of land above new water mains to the city for $190,157.00
MHS Easement Deed (One) (Two) (Three)
F.9. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025/26-44 Supporting Award and Approval of Lease-Leaseback Agreement with Core Construction for the SRHS DeSoto Hall Modernization & Theater Roofing Project
F.10. Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Alternate Design-Build Agreement with Wright Contracting for the Helen Lehman Elementary School TK Classroom Buildings Project
F.11. Approval of Maria Carrillo High School’s Cheerleading Program to travel to Orlando, FL
Participate in The ONE Cheer & Dance Finals
Orlando, FL, February 3-9, 2026.
F.12. Approval of Authorized Signatory for California Department of Education, Early Childhood Education Contract
This resolution authorizes the Director of Expanded Learning and State & Federal Programs to be a signatory for the California State Preschool Program (CSPP).
F.13. Approval of Updated Reclassification Assessment i-Ready
The Board approved i-Ready as a local assessment to determine reclassification eligibility for multilingual learners in grades K-6 on 5/14/25. The Board will consider adding iReady for grades 7 and 8 to determine reclassification, allowing us the ability to include sites currently using iReady for Grades 7 and 8. Approval will allow for Grade 7 and 8 i-Ready language arts benchmark scores to be added, consistent with the K-6 sites currently using iReady, as evidence for meeting the basic skills requirement for reclassification to Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) status.
Reclassification Criteria (Current)
Reclassification Criteria (Proposed)
F.14. Authorizing Certificated Teachers to Teach Outside Their Major or Minor Fields
No document is yet attached. This has become a regular occurrence on board agendas.
F.15. Approval of the Student Placement and Intern Teacher Preparation MOUs between University of San Francisco and SRCS
F.16. Approval of the Student Internship MOU between Pacific Union College and SRCS
G. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
G.1. (Discussion) High Level Fiscal Solutions – Pre First Interim
Potential Cash and Budget Solutions (only shared as bullet points)
● Maximize use of restricted resources
● Reduce supplemental pay
● Reduce and restructure district office
● Reduce school site staffing
● Manage special education costs increases
● Reduce discretionary contracts
● Explore intermediate to long-term budget solutions
● Plan for unbudgeted needs
SRCS expects to receive the FCMAT Fiscal Health Risk Analysis Mid January 2026
Pre-First Interim Budget Update (restricted, unrestricted, and combined versions)
There is no change from the approved budget numbers to the projected numbers.
25-26 expenses are budgeted at $14M more than income.
This year Services and Other Operating Expenses are 25% of the budget.
Cash Flow Projections (Oct Version as sent to SCOE)
This is updated with current year numbers and projections through the end of next year.
SRCS predicts deficit cash on hand of $40.5M in December ‘25 and $22M in March ‘26. Those can be covered by loans from Sonoma County for expected property taxes. The ending balance is negative $2.8M, so if SRCS can cut $2.8M this year, they will end with a zero balance. Next year SRCS predicts deficit cash on hand for the entire year (except April), with deficits of $62.1M in December ‘26 and $34.3M in March ‘27, with an ending balance of -$16.2M.
Multi-Year Projection- by budget lines
The multi-year projection shows an ending balance of $1M this year, -$11.9M next year, and -$25.4 M the following year.
Requires the following corrective action by SRCS
December 8, 2025 Preliminary Solvency and Fiscal Stabilization Plan due to SCOE
February 16, 2026 submit a board-approved Fiscal Stabilization Plan to SCOE
i. The plan shall include multiyear financial projections for restricted, unrestricted, and combined funds, with detailed assumptions supporting the projections.
ii. The plan shall address implementation of ongoing expenditure reductions sufficient to eliminate the structural deficit and restore fiscal stability.
SCOE will
- Assign a fiscal advisor with stay and rescind authority, paid for by the county superintendent, to advise the district on its financial condition by December 15, 2025
- Assist in developing a financial plan that will enable the district to meet its future obligations
- Contract with the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team to perform a Fiscal Health Risk Analysis.
The entire community wants to avoid state takeover. SRTA members want immediate identification of substantial specific budget solutions to put SRCS on solid financial ground. This seems a nearly insurmountable task, so inviting knowledgeable people to the table to help seems prudent.
The last board agenda listed Updates from the Fiscal Stabilization Advisory Committee as a future agenda item. The committee has met twice this fall and was informed their focus is shifting to increasing revenue. They have reviewed district policy on sponsorships.
G.2. (Discussion) Alternative Education Update
The definition of Alternative school appears to be anything but a comprehensive school experience. It includes the following current list.
● Ridgway Continuation High School
● Independent Study Program (Short and Long Term)
● Grace Program at Piner HS
● University Prep Program at Elsie Allen HS
● Art Quest at Santa Rosa HS
● Early College Magnet Program at Piner HS
● IB Program at Montgomery HS
● Evening Credit Recovery (various HS’s)
● Concurrent Enrollment with SRJC and SSU
● Home and Hospital Program
SRCS had an Alternative Education Committee that met five times during the 23-24 school year. There was a board presentation on their recommendations on April 17, 2024. They identified the shift to Community Schools as meeting the alternative needs for elementary students and focused their efforts on secondary students with the following five prioritized recommendations.
- Expand ISP for secondary students, including expanding online credits. That has just been implemented.
- Middle School Opportunity Program.
- High School Onsite Intervention Programs – up to 85 students in a school within a school model
- Model Similar to Big Picture Learning Grades 7-12
- Grade 7-12 CTE Magnet Programs
The willingness to sit on a committee when the recommendations are not implemented is diminishing. There is a broad agreement that comprehensive education does not work for all students. It is understandable that families would seek programs outside of SRCS to better meet the needs of their students.
SRCS has not adopted a district vision for alternative settings for students with an implementation plan and timeline. Furthermore, no data is included in this presentation.
Three of the seven ISP teachers have been invited to the table for the board meeting to answer questions directly about the isp program. SRTA appreciates having members included in a presentation to the board.
G.3. (Action) Approval of Variable Term Waiver for Administrative Services Credential for Debra LaPrath
G.4. (Action) Establishment of the Annual Organizational Meeting of the Board of Education
The Board is asked to establish the annual organizational meeting of the Board of Education on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
H.1. Approval of Minutes
October 22, 2025 Minutes and Supporting Documents
J.1. Future Board Discussion Items (not included in this agenda)
Can the board accept the transparent practice of announcing future special board meetings at the prior regular board meeting, allowing stakeholders to plan accordingly?
SRTA members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
- Approval of First Interim
- Annual Organization of the Board
- Fiscal Stabilization Recommendations
- Elementary Consolidation Plan
Recently and Still Pending Information from the Board
Medina- AP instruction data with number of years of experience of Teachers
-Clarification about board policy adoption requiring a majority of board membership versus a majority of those present/voting
– consider E-sports clubs or teams
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
– how different sports programs are supported with rallies, announcing, etc.
Prak – Turf fields maintenance level report
– update on sports at MS level
Kirby – add an assistant wrestling coach for women?
DeLaTorre- facility fee, possible reductions?
Jenkins – transporting as needed for sports?
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Cell Phone Board Policy Presentation and Update (September 2025)
- Staff was recently given the opportunity to complete a survey about cell phones. All questions were required to be answered, while options for answering did not always allow for an accurate response. Valuable input will not be included in the results from this faulty survey..
- Appointment of Vacant Committee Position: Board Finance Subcommittee (September 2025)
- Panorama and Youth Truth Survey Data (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)
- 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
J.3. Non-Public School/Non-Public Agency Contract Update
The Special Services Department will provide regular updates to the Board of these contracts. The contracts are adjusted on a regular basis as special education needs change. This will also be discussed during a special services update to the Board.
Non-Public Agency Contracts $14,462,185.41 These contracts are for positions SRCS is unable to hire: Aides, SLP, ALs Interpreters, LVN, and Physical Therapists.
Non-Public School Placement Contracts $10,708,697.54 This is for placement of 152 students at an average cost of $70,451 each.
J.4. Board Finance Subcommittee Meeting Dates
- Monday, December 1, 2025
- Monday, January 5, 2026
- Monday, February 2, 2026
- Monday, March 2, 2026
- Monday, April 6, 2026
- Monday, May 4, 2026
- Monday, June 1, 2026
J.5. Updated AR 5117 and AR 5116.1
AR 5116.1 Intradistrict Open Enrollment
AR 5117 Interdistrict Attendance