SRCS Board Meeting Agenda Analysis – 9/23/2026.

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Santa Rosa City Schools

September 23, 2026

Hybrid: Santa Rosa City Hall Council Chambers

4:00 p.m. – Closed Session

6:00 p.m. – Open Session

Hybrid: Zoom / Santa Rosa City Hall

*** streamed ***

Video Board Meetings through a link on this district webpage. (It is often changed right before the meeting.)

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. 

B.1. Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release [Gov. Code § 54957]

B.2. Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Case Nos.: 2024-130 / 24CV05494, 2025-074 / 25CV05030 )

B.3. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Number of potential cases: 2) 

B.4. Conference With Property Negotiator [Gov. Code § 54956.8]

B.5. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Title of employee being reviewed: Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Vice Principals, Directors, Coordinators)

C. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION (6:00 P.M.)

D. REPORTS (Bargaining Units, Sup, and Board)

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. Comments will often be limited to 60 seconds. Only items NOT on the agenda are addressed at this time, with the exception of consent items.

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 (unless a board member attends online without prior notice.)

Comments are most impactful when they are well spoken, composed and reasonable.

Dear Board,

Please do not interpret a lack of communication or attendance at Board meetings as evidence that all is well.

The implementation of cuts has created significant changes to working conditions for staff, with unsustainable demands and unacceptable consequences for students. Staff are ending each day with nothing left in the tank—managing packed classes while trying to adequately support students with disabilities and other students with significant needs.

There is also growing concern for our site administrators, who are carrying increased responsibilities without sufficient capacity or support. We fear many will leave the District at their first opportunity unless meaningful changes are made. Continued staff turnover disrupts stability and makes it difficult to build the forward momentum our district needs.

Our School-Based Therapists are in a particularly precarious position, facing unrealistic job expectations while the needs of the students they serve remain intense.

There is simply little capacity right now for staff to engage with the Board or District committees because people are overwhelmed—and we are only in week five. Staff are currently seeking information on accessing mental health support. This does not bode well for the remainder of the school year, when demands and stress typically increase.

Please recognize that silence is not a sign that things are working. For many staff, it is a sign that they are stretched beyond capacity.

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.1. Approval of Absent Board Members, If Necessary

Excusing Omar Medina’s absence from the regular meeting held on September 9, 2026 due to personal illness.

F.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions

Personnel Transactions 9-23-26

EdJoin shows a total of one hundred fifteen current postings for two hundred fifty-four jobs in SRCS. There are thirty-two certificated opening postings (six less than the last meeting). There are eighty-four current classified postings for two hundred nineteen job openings (eight less than the last meeting.) There are two certificated and one classified management positions posted. 

Welcome to these 5 new FTE: Nicolas Guihaire (FACS), Noble Amani (PHS), Maegan Webster (PHS), Elena Ingram (CCLA), and  Perla Espinoza Farias (SPSV).

Good bye to the resigning Taryn Reynolds (SPSV) after 6 years and happy retirement to Dana Gordon (LELA) after 23 years of service to students. SRTA wishes you both all the best in your future endeavours. 

Classified has two new hires and one rehire, and three resignations. 

There are two supervisory resignations. 

F.3. Approval of Vendor Warrants

Warrant Register September 5, 2026

F.4. Approval of Contracts

September 23, 2026 Contract Summary List September 23, 2026 Contracts

The total cost of contracts is $579,750.00.

#	Provider	Cost	Description
District
1	Every Special Child	$333,000,000	Contract for Sped. Teachers, Aides, SLP, RN plus. This contract is for 2 Sped. Teachers at $165,000 each for unfilled positions at CCLA and MCHS.
2	Paradigm	$228,000	Renew 3 year contract for platform and services to assist with Medical billing. The prior contract for $200,000 actually cost $175,000 over three years. They charge $2.25 per student per year, with a 7% cap for their fees based on billed claims.
Secondary
3	EdPuzzle	$15,400	Interactive video platform for PJ/HS, SRJ/HS, EAJ/HS and MCHS.
Charter
3	EdPuzzle	$3,350	Interactive video platform for CCLA.

SRTA members are concerned with the inability of SRCS to hire Special Education teachers. How can plans move forward for SRCS becoming its own SELPA when basic operations are beyond current ability?  What does this additional contract do to the budget for Sped?

At $165,000 per special education teacher this contract is paying $48,000 MORE than the highest salary schedule cell paid to any teacher employed by SRCS (25+ years of service and 75+ graduate units). Even when driven costs are considered, it is hard to defend the statement that this is SAVING SRCS money.

F.5. Approval of the contract for the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Perimeter Fencing and Gates project

This work includes the rest of the fencing at Lincoln ES as well as the Division of State Architects (DSA) mandated path of travel (ADA) upgrades.

ALES Perimeter Fencing and Gates Project_CWS_Agreement

Notice of Intent to Award_ALES Perimeter Fencing and Gates

Fund 22 Measure G: $247,500.00

SRTA members are confused about what ‘rest of the fencing’ means. There are no maps or plans included in the attached documents.

G. SECOND READ: BOARD POLICY UPDATES

1. (Action) Second Read: Updated Mandated and Conditionally Mandated Board Policies

New/updated CSBA BP language: Red

Previous/current BP language that is changing: Blue

No changes to BP language: Grey

Policy 3551: Food Service Operations/Cafeteria Fund BP 3551_Comparison BP 3551_Clean

Policy 4033: Lactation Accommodation BP 4033_Comparison BP 4033_Clean

Policy 4119.24, 4219.24, 4319.24: Maintaining Appropriate Adult-Student Interactions BP4119.24_Comparison BP 4219.24_Comparison BP 4319.24_Comparison

BP 4119.24_Clean BP 4219.24_Clean BP 4319.24_Clean

* These CLEAN drafts were attached on Sunday, September 20, 2026.

Policy 4216: Probationary/Permanent Status BP 4216_Comparison BP 4216_Clean

Policy 4218: Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action BP 4218_Comparison BP 4218_Clean

Policy 5111: Admission BP 5111_Comparison BP 5111_Clean

Policy 5126: Awards For Achievement BP 5126_Comparison BP 5126_Clean

Policy 5131.7: Weapons And Dangerous Instruments BP 5131.7_Comparison BP 5131.7_Clean

Policy 5132: Dress And Grooming BP 5132_Comparison BP 5132_Clean

Policy 5141.21: Administering Medication And Monitoring Health Conditions BP 5141.21_Comparison BP 5141.21_Clean Option 1 was chosen allowing a parent to medicate a student on campus with cannabis products.

Policy 5141.52: Suicide Prevention BP 5141.52_Comparison BP 5141.52_Clean

Staff has been encouraged to build healthy relationships with our students.  SRTA members are concerned with BP4119.24, 4219.24 and 4319.24.  Specifically, wanting to ensure using terms of endearment, like having a general practice of referring to students as ‘Sweetie’ will not be disallowed. Similarly, thanking Peer Tutors with gifts at the end of a term, or acknowledging graduating students with a gift should not defy board policy. Reassurance of this would be helpful.

According to BP 5126 the Board shall establish a budget for student recognitions. Is this truly the intent? The district budget currently covers Extra Duty work to coordinate these academic awards, but the awards are not funded by the district, but by parent organizations. Similarly, the coordination of athletic awards are part of the district paid Athletic Director’s duties, but are the actual awards currently funded by site athletic boosters?  

 BP 5126 further states that “The Board shall establish and maintain a scholarship and loan fund which shall be used to provide interest-free loans for educational advancement, scholarship, and/or grants-in-aid to bona fide organizations, students, or graduates of district schools.” What is the timeline for this implementation?  Are leftover funds from Made in Santa Rosa available for this purpose? 

H. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS

H.1. Educational Services Calendar

1. Public Comment on the Educational Services Calendar

With the changes to positions and personnel at the district office, there have been hiccups with student allocations of textbooks and instructional materials this year. Added to that is the issue of publishers being currently out of print with new textbooks. The efforts to resolve these issues are duly noted.  Assurance that systems are improving would be appreciated.

2. Public Hearing Regarding Sufficiency of Textbooks or Instructional Materials for 2026-27, Grades K-6

NOTICE TO POST- Elementary Public Hearing Item 2026-27

NOTICE TO POST- Elementary Public Hearing Item 2026-27 ESP

3. (Action) Sufficiency of Textbooks or Instructional Materials for 2026-27, Grades K-6

SR Elementary School District Resolution 2026-27

4. Public Hearing Regarding Sufficiency of Textbooks or Instructional Materials for 2026-27, Grades 7-12

NOTICE TO POST – Secondary Public Hearing Item 2026-27 ESP

NOTICE TO POST- Secondary Public Hearing Item 2026-27

5. (Action) Sufficiency of Textbooks or Instructional Materials for 2026-27, Grades 7-12

SR High School District Resolution 2026-27

H.2. Business Services Calendar

1. Public Comment on the Business Services Calendar

Special education busing was a huge mess at the start of the year, now that all the busing request seem to be in we have students pick up times being missed leaving kids waiting outside for 15-20 minutes, arriving to school after 9 am at secondary, and buses showing up late for pick up at the end of the day. 

There are issues with students consistently being delivered late to school which is interrupting their educational opportunities. 

There is a school that is repeatedly requiring staff to stay after school because buses are not on site when class is dismissed. This is costing the district extended day pay for several teachers every day. 

Parents have reported students being on the bus for two hours or more on their way home. This may be improving, but should never happen. Bus staff seem untrained on basic bus safety like helping kids on and off buses or dealing with medical issues. The new buses are designed with huge steps that have been really difficult for kids with mobility issues to navigate. Parents are asking why no thought was put into accessibility when these buses were chosen. 

2. (Discussion) West County Transportation Agency Update

West County Transportation Agency Update 9-23-26

WC Transportation	2026 – 2027		2025 – 2026		2024 – 2025		2023 – 2024		2022 – 2023
RT Type	# Routes	Uncovered	# Routes	Uncovered	# Routes	Uncovered	# Routes	Uncovered	# Routes	Uncovered
SPED Ambulatory	55	2	55	0	49	3	47	10	46	12
SPED W/C	15	3	14	0	13	3	12	4	13	2
SPED Van	19	6 – trainees	20	5 – trainees	22	2	20	0	18	0
Gen Ed	34	2	35	6	35	4	33	2	33	5
Total RT	123	7	124	6	119	12	112	16	110	19
Standby Driver	20	1	20	0	20	0	20	3	20	7
Trans. Bus Aide	32	1	24	0	20	0
Total Et al.	175	9	168	6	159	12	132	19	130	26
Number of SRCS Sped Students	589		554/613Sept/June		580		535		485
Number of SRCS Gen Ed Routes	18		17		17
Gen Ed Budget	$3.2		$2.9		$2.3		$2.2		$1.8
% of WC Use	41.70%		42.6 %		42.1 %		42.5 %		42 %
SPED Budget	$8.4		$7.7		$7.3		$6.9		$5.9
% of WC Use	58.30%		58.8 %		59.6%*		57.8 %		58 %
Total Budget	$11.60		$10.6		$9.6		$9.1		$7.6
					* The prior numbers changed from what was provided.
WCTA & SRCS Bus Routes & SPED Students Comparison
	2026-7			2025-6			2024-5
Route Type	WCTA Total	SRCS	Current% of Use	WCTA Total	SRCS	Current% of Use	WCTA Total	SRCS	Current% of Use
Gen Ed Routes	34	18	41.7%	35	17	42.6%	35	17	42.1%
SPEDStudents	1057	613	57.9%	960	554	57.7%	965	562	58.3%

Where is the transition to electric vehicles at? How will the rate changes for fuel impact the cost of bussing? 

H.3. Human Resources Calendar

1. Public Comment on the Human Resources Calendar

Being unable to fill positions is a concern for SRCS. Students are being taught by folks who are not highly qualified to be teaching. These staff require significant resources to be able to fulfill their positions. Other staff are not volunteering their services to help, when they themselves are overextended in meeting their own position expectations. There is not a support system in place to provide this support, and site admin do not have the bandwidth to provide the necessary coaching. 

It is impossible to prepare for this item without the pertinent job description.

2. (Action) Approval of Provisional Internship Permit Application (PIP) Elizabeth Mensch

This is to fill a SDC-ESN Teacher position at James Monroe Elementary with someone who promises to do what they need to so that they can become an intern next year.

PIP Application E. Mensch 9-23-26

3. (Action) Approval of Provisional Internship Permit Application (PIP) Liliana Ramirez

This is to fill a 5th Grade Elementary Teacher position at Helen Lehman Elementary with someone who promises to do what they need to so that they can become an intern next year.

The PIP application will be attached to this item prior to the September 23, 2026, Board meeting.

4. (Action) Approval of Vapa Coaching Job Descriptions

26-27 Extra Duty and Titles and Classes Appendix G Revised Pending Board Approval 9-23-26 (Vapa Coach)

The job descriptions and applicable salary schedule will be added as an attachment prior to the September 23, 2026, Board meeting.

This item was not negotiated with SRTA. While SRTA is not opposed to a stipend for a marching band/drumline coach, this position has not been negotiated. As Appendix G is part of the collective bargaining agreement, unilateral additions are unfair labor practices.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

September 9, 2026  Minutes and Supporting Documents

J. BOARD MEMBER REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION

K. INFORMATION ITEMS

K.1. Future Board Discussion Items

The following are future board update items:

• Goal Setting for the 5 Board Priorities (September 25, 2026)
• Charter Process Update (October 14 or October 28, 2026)
• Student and Staff Awards Recognition Ceremony (October 21, 2026)
• Resolution for District for Capacity of Interdistrict Transfers (September 9, 2026, September 23, 2026, October 28, 2026)
• Update and Plan for LCAP Outreach (November 4, 2026)

SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:

Savings from  closures and mergers vs projections.

Own SELPA projection at first interim  (October)

FCMAT follow up report at first interim (October)

Review of Graduation Committee Pathway Options (October)

Prop 28 plan for the year (26-27) with details by site

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

-update 3510 policy around reducing waste as a discussion item

– Communication plan. 

Prak – Info about a non voting teacher on the board. 

Kirby – add an assistant wrestling coach for women? 

– Copies of the panorama and youth truth survey questions. 

DeLaTorre- Info on how we identify College and Career readiness.

 Agendize MCHS and RVMS plan. Part of review of implementation of 7-12.

Jenkins – marketing plan update as committed to last year.

• SRCS Sunshine Openers for SRTA (Sept 9, 2026)
• Approval of Joint Use MOU’s for School Site Facility Use (pulled from June 22 agenda)
• Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Update (Dec 2025)
• Panorama and Youth Truth Survey Data (August 2025)
• Plan and timeline for implementation of Dr. Gillespie’s recommendations around Special Services (January 2025), Requesting of New FCMAT Study on SRCS SpEd Program
• First Draft of the District Safety Plan (delayed from September 2024)
• Sharing the Library Master Plan with implementation expectations and timeline
• Officially Closing Learning House, Herbert Slater Middle School, Santa Rosa Middle School, Brookhill Elementary, Biella Elementary, Steele Lane, and Herbert Comstock Middle School. 
• 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
• Long standing request for site budgets including all sources as well as enrollment and unduplicated numbers.

K.2. Educational Acronyms and Abbreviations

K.3. Information on AR 5131.8: Mobile Devices 

These are the Administrative Regulations for implementing the new board policy. 

AR 5131.8 Mobile Communication Devices

K.4. Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) Letters: Approval of 2026/27 Adopted Budget 

SRCS Adopted Budget Approval Letters

The County approved the budget and recognizes significant fiscal improvement, but the letter makes clear that SRCS remains under close fiscal scrutiny. Maintaining stability will require continued expenditure discipline, realistic multiyear assumptions, careful cash-flow management, and adjustments where current projections are inaccurate.

• The budget meets state financial stability requirements and allows the District to meet obligations for the current and two subsequent years.
• Ending fund balance: 2026–27 is projected at $18.8 million, including $8.0 million unrestricted and $10.8 million restricted reserves. The District meets the state’s 3% minimum reserve requirement.
• Fiscal recovery: SRCS previously faced a negative certification/lack of going concern due to structural deficits, unsustainable spending, and declining cash. The District implemented approximately $16.6 million in ongoing expenditure reductions for 2026–27 and about $19 million in one-time solutions for 2025–26.
• Improved position: The District entered 2025–26 with a $1.1 million negative unrestricted balance, but unaudited actuals now show approximately $5.6 million, substantially better than the $2.5 million previously projected.
• Still requires close monitoring: The County specifically identifies Special Education costs, federal revenue assumptions, cash flow, one-time state funding, the additional 1.44% COLA, and Pregnancy Disability Leave costs as areas requiring review and possible budget adjustments.
• Cash-flow concern: Despite improved year-end cash, SRCS remains dependent on the County Treasury line of credit through March.
• Special Education: The County says certain Special Education contract expenditures and related revenues appear materially understated and should be reassessed at First Interim.
• Title I: Projected Title I revenue and expenditures appear to be overstated by approximately $1 million annually and should be adjusted.
• Collective bargaining: Negotiations remain unsettled for 2025–26 and 2026–27. Any salary or benefit increases must be supported by ongoing revenues and accompanied by the required three-year financial analysis and public disclosure.
• Charters: Four dependent charters are reported outside the General Fund in Fund 09, which is projected to have a $6.38 million ending balance, an increase of $1.64 million.

K.5. Board Subcommittee Meeting Dates

SRTA and CSEA have collaborated to have Union Tuesday. As much as possible, union meetings are held on Tuesdays. It is appreciated that these announced trustee meetings are on Mondays when there are no union meeting conflicts for bargaining unit members.

Board Finance Subcommittee Meeting Dates (Brown Act Meeting):

• Monday, October 5, 2026 (3:30-5:30)
• Monday, November 2, 2026 (3:30-5:30) Tentative

Facilities Use Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Dates (not subject to the Brown Act):

• Monday, September 21, 2026 (3:30 – 5:00)

K.6. 2026/27 Board Meeting Schedule

2026/27 Board Meeting Schedule (Link not accessible on agenda.)

Special Joint Meeting: Santa Rosa City Schools and the City of Santa Rosa Council:

• Wednesday, October 7, 2026 

K.7. High School Voter Education Weeks (September 14-25, 2026) Letter                                   High School Voter Education Weeks (September 14–25, 2026)

SRTA honors our Social Studies teachers and their efforts to encourage our students to actively engage with our democracy. 

K.8. Non-Public School/Non-Public Agency Contract Update                                                        9-23-26 NPA updates 9-23-26 NPS updates

	June 26	Budget	Sept 26
NPS	$ 10,103,375	$ 9,923,497	$ 9,923,497
NPA	$ 13,766,887	$ 15,685,338	$ 16,068,341
Total	$ 23,870,262	$ 25,608,835	$ 25,991,838

SRTA is concerned that in the midst of trying to control costs, the cost for sped NPA and NPS services has risen by $2.1 million dollars. These new shared reports do not include numbers of staff and students.

K.9. Facilities Projects Update

2026-09-23 Facilities Project Updates

Most projects are progressing, with several nearing completion. The primary upcoming work includes fencing/security improvements, completion of TK facilities, and continued roofing/HVAC projects.

• Abraham Lincoln Elementary fencing: Bids received; Board approval is pending, with construction expected to begin in early October.
• Electronic access controls: Phase 2 installation is nearing completion at several schools. Programming of staff access cards and systems continues; work is underway at additional sites.
• Perimeter fencing: Maria Carrillo is complete; Piner is nearing completion; Luther Burbank is scheduled to begin September 21; Elsie Allen will begin in early October. Some additional materials remain on order.
• TK classrooms: James Monroe’s Phase 2 shade structure is complete, while Phase 1 awaits engineering review. Additional security fencing has been requested. At Helen Lehman, the field is expected to open after sod establishment and remaining fencing should be complete in early October.
• Santa Rosa High School: DeSoto Hall Phase I is nearing completion with remaining markerboards being installed. Theater roofing is complete. Phase II is planned for summer 2027 and includes restroom, fire-system, and staff-workroom improvements.
• Elsie Allen roofing/HVAC: Roofing and painting continue into October. The new 7/8-grade play area improvements are nearly complete.
• Luther Burbank portables: All five portables are complete; an ADA-compliant restroom door remains pending.
• High school turf: Turf replacement is complete at all high schools; remaining stadium accessibility work will be bid separately.
• District Office/Education Center: Project remains pending DSA approval; Maintenance Office improvements are nearly complete and demolition of unoccupied buildings is finished.
• Projects closing out: Piner High School 2-story classroom building, Santa Rosa French-American Charter TK classrooms, and SRCS Early Learning Academy are in closeout.

L. ADJOURNMENT