BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
October 13, 2021
4:30 p.m. – Closed Session
6:00 p.m. – Open Session
*** streamed ***
A live link will be posted on the SRCS website (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 comments.
Closed Session Items:
A.1. Public Comment On Closed Session Agenda Items. To comment, email Adina Flores at ayflores@srcs.k12.ca.us.
B.1 Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Title of employee being reviewed: Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Vice Principals, Assistant Principals, Directors, Coordinators)
B.2 Conference With Labor Negotiator (SRTA)
B.3 Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Case Name: OAH#2021080463)
B.4 Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Number of Potential Cases: 1)
B.5 Student Expulsions (Case Number: 2021/22-02, 2021/22-04, 2021/22-06)
C. RECONVENE TO REGULAR OPEN SESSION (6:00 p.m.)
C.7. Public Comment on Non Agenda Items
SRTA members are invited to raise their hands and provide voice only comments during the meeting. Please observe the standard three minute time limit (and be prepared for a last minute change to a two 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 to the messages contained in this analysis and share real experiences of the impact of district policies and practices. Please commit to watching at least one board meeting this year, and speaking to an agenda item that impacts you or your students. Speakers are most impactful when they are well spoken, composed and reasonable.
E. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
E.1. (Action) Public Board Meetings Via Teleconference per AB 361
Summary
Newly signed Assembly Bill (AB) 361 allows remote meetings during a proclaimed state of emergency to promote social distancing.
The irony of eliminating social distancing for students in classrooms but maintaining social distancing for adults via Zoom is not lost on SRTA members.
E.2. (Action) Approval of Resolution Recognizing October 2021 as Filipino American History Month
SRTA supports pausing this month to recognize the valuable contribution Filipinos have made.
Filipino American History Month has lesson ideas.
E.3. (Action) Resolution Proclaiming October 12, 2021 as Indigenous People’s Day
SRTA supports engaging with multiple sources to update the story of early America.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Resources has lesson ideas.
E.4. (Discussion) COVID-19 Updates
Purpose:
Since the SRCS COVID Safety Plan (CSP) was last approved, there have been updates from the county and State that reflect the ever-changing information about COVID-19 and the Delta Variant.
Considerations:
- Vaccinations All California students and school staff will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19, once the vaccine is fully approved by the FDA. Implementation for Grades 7-12 will be first. Grades K-6 will follow. Pediatric vaccines for ages 5 – 11 are expected to rollout beginning in November.
- Vaccinated Students Don’t Need Regular Surveillance Testing Schools that verify proof of vaccination and record it in a secure student health database do not need to include these students in any regular surveillance testing. These students only need to be tested when they have direct contact exposure.
- Current Testing: We have teams of staff that provide testing at school sites and at Lewis. We are currently tracking 88 staff members for weekly testing requirements.
- Athletics We are waiting for new guidelines for athletes that will address: Transition to winter sports, cleaning and shared gym equipment and sports transportation.
| SRCS Confirmed COVID Reporting Data 8/12-10/08 | |||||
| Location | Elem.* | Middle | High School | Student Totals | Staff |
| Total Since August 12 | 51 | 10 | 50 | 139 | 15 |
| Week Ending 10/08 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Week Ending 10/01 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| SRCS Employee Vaccination Data as of 10/08/21 | |||||||
| Job Category | Fully Vaccinated | Partially Completed | No Response | Declined to State | Unvaccinated | Total Employees In This Group | % Fully Vaccinated |
| Certificated | 841 | 4 | 9 | 20 | 15 | 889 | 94.60% |
| Classified | 487 | 17 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 581 | 83.82% |
| Admin | 76 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 79 | 96.20% |
| Category Total | 1404 | 21 | 36 | 45 | 43 | 1549 | 90.64% |
| Substitutes | 139 | 5 | 34 | 5 | 4 | 187 | 74.33% |
It is refreshing to see the numbers of cases dropping both locally and on this dashboard. Understanding that the confirmed cases require a positive test while testing is not mandated; SRTA members view these results with a grain of salt.
After the last board meeting, it was expected that student surveillance testing funded by the state would begin promptly. The system for parents to opt in for their students to be tested has been via Parent Square which has not proven to be an effective way to communicate with all our families. SRTA wonders on the results from this effort and on other outreach efforts to inform parents of their option to have their students participate in surveillance testing.
How does one access the California Department of Education Safe Return to In-Person Instruction Local Educational Agency Plan that was completed by SRCS on September 23, 2021? Is that the same as the Covid Handbook, of which a draft was shared at the Sept 22 board meeting? Is an updated version of the Covid Handbook available which incorporates the revisions mentioned during the board meeting? The most recent Handbook on the SRCS Website is dated April 15, 2021.
E5. (Discussion) ESSER III Expenditure Plan Introduction and DRAFT
Summary
The ESSER III Expenditure Plan must be adopted by our governing board at a public meeting by October 29, 2021 for the budgeting of $22,273,750 to be spent by September 30, 2024. There is no prohibition on a District using ESSER III funds to pay expenses formerly funded by another source. Not less than 20% of the funds must be used to address the academic impact of lost instructional time through the implementation of evidence-based interventions. The Board will be adopting the ESSER III Expenditure Plan at the October 27, 2021 Regular Board meeting.
Section 4: Community Engagement
❏ Engage in consultation with: Students, Families, administrators, Teachers, school leaders, other educators, school staff, and local bargaining units, Tribes, civil rights groups, and disability rights groups ❏ A Google Form will be distributed to the SRCS Community to provide feedback on the Action Items as part of the ESSER III Expenditure Plan.
Section 5: Actions and Expenditures to Address Continuous and Safe In-Person Learning
❏ Recruit, attract, hire, and retain certificated and classified personnel to ensure staff is on hand to provide instruction and supports during these vital times for student instruction under a teacher and labor shortage environment. Agreements with bargaining units that result in a fiscal impact and provide for safe and continuous in-person learning $8,000,000
❏ Create and maintain the District COVID-19 Safety Plan Student & Family Handbook $250,000 ❏ Replenish and maintain PPE supply for students, staff, and visitors $500,000
❏ Resources necessary to meet any regulation requirements for coronavirus testing and vaccinations the District will need to operate $500,000
❏ Purchase new, maintain, replace, and repair educational technology for student learning and student and teacher interaction $1,000,000
❏ School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission $1,500,000
Section 6: Actions and Expenditures to Addressing the Impact of Lost Instructional Time
❏ Develop and implement programs that meet the social, emotional, mental health and academic needs of students by providing before school, during school, after school, and summer school programs.
$10,123,750
❏ Provide staff professional development on the developed plans that meet the social, emotional, mental health and academic needs of students $1,000,000
The district has stated their intentions to provide a transparent and inclusive process to include stakeholders in creating plans like the LCAP and the spending of these ESSER funds.
The Budget Advisory Committee was said to be a place for input on these plans, but this has not been on their agenda. There was a promise of a Public Forum on October 15, but that does not appear to be in the offing. The weekly collaboration meeting with SRTA has not included any discussion of these plans. It now appears that a Google Form will be the sole vehicle for input on this plan. In our quest for equity and inclusion, SRCS must be aware at this point that this is not an effective way to communicate with many of our stakeholders. It is time to create a district process for inclusive decision making.
SRTA Members have provided an extensive list of ideas for the spending of these funds to positively impact our students. Some of the highlights are:
- Classroom needs for supplies, field trips (including bussing), gardens and technology software
- Site Family Night events to better engage families
- Measures to allow students to be protected outdoors during inclement weather
- After school tutoring/drop in study centers for students
- Teachers assistants
- Additional effective EL supports
- More counselors (this appears to be included)
- Reduce class size, eliminate combos (especially for KA-3)
- Additional custodial staff
- Math Coaches
- CO2 monitors
E6. (Discussion) Discussion Regarding Proposed Project Stabilization Agreement with the North Bay Building and Construction Trades Council and Local Unions
It appears that this will support the awarding of contracts to local contractors utilizing unionized workers. SRTA is in support of this.
E7. (Discussion) The Board of Education will Discuss a Self Evaluation Protocol
As the board prepares to review their work over this difficult year, SRTA extends our appreciation for the often thankless task of serving our staff and students.
F. CONSENT ITEMS
F.2. Approval of Personnel Transactions
EdJoin shows a total of 149 current postings for 266 job vacancies for SRCS which is seventy-three more than last month. 37 of these are coaching positions. There are 62 certificated openings (forty-one more than last month), and two certificated management openings (one less than last month). There are 202 current classified openings (thirty-three more than last month), and no classified management positions (the same as last month.)
Welcome to SRTA new hires: Ludovic Pallanca (FACS) and Lea Poisson SRHS.
Welcome back Thomas Meade (SRHS) and Michael Milbrath(SRCArts).
We say farewell to Marie Horwitz (FACS), Derek Kiger (EAHS) and Monica Long (SLES) who each left us after just a month. We also send off Greg Houser who served our Migrant Students with dedication. We wish you well in your future endeavors.
There are two classified hires and two retirements taking 29 years of institutional knowledge with them. Thank you for your service to our students and staff.
F.5. Approval of Contracts
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| District Wide | |||
| 1 | Kathleen Farrell | $11,000 | Physical Therapy services |
| 2 | San Francisco State University | $0 | student clinician for an intern position |
| 5 | Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition/Safe Routes To School | $0 | Data sharing for creating GIS maps forsafe bike routes |
| 8 | Special Olympics | $0 | SRCS now shares the hosting duties with other school districts, this includes $10,000 from SONC to cover a stipend for organizing the events for 3000 participants. |
| Charter | |||
| 3 | Shadko Design and Construction | $116,025 | Install three last marquees at SRCSA, SRACS, and FACS. CONTRACT NOT ATTACHED. |
| Elementary | |||
| 9 | Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) | $6,600 | Amended contract for additional amount for online parenting classes and workshops for SLES and HLES for the same scope of services. |
| Secondary | |||
| 4 | The Northern California Center for Well-Being | $0 | This grant funded program will train students to be peer mentors at EAHS |
| 6 | Per Plan Per Specs (PPPS) Consultants | $103,400 | Inspection services for the new Agricultural Facility on Alba Lane, expected to cost $110 per hour for 940 hours. |
| 7 | Corrina Hui, LLC | $50,000 | Professional development and design sessions for diverse stakeholders that would meet the requirements for offering robust CTE Program (s) and a K-12 dual immersion “pipeline” at EAHS with CCLA. The CTE incentive grant will be utilized to help fund this. |
Total value of contracts = $287,025.00
SRTA is concerned that the Shadko Design contract is not attached.
While there is support for creating a dual-emersion pathway and providing a stronger CTE program for students, SRTA wonders about the process involved in choosing the facilitator for this work. There is also a concern about the difficulty in securing substitutes. When will these sessions be offered?
F6. Approval of New Job Description for District Data and Compliance Analyst
BA or BS in the field of computer science, mathematics, or information management systems, and/or 3 – 5 years related work experience required. Salary $41.21 to $52.60/hour for 12 month Supervisory employee. Works under the Director of Data and Assessment.
F7. Approval of Contract with Michele Zidonis, M.S.Ed (National Education Consultant)
12 hours of training via zoom for 24 EL teachers.
SRTA encourages improved services to our EL population. Are there only 24 providers of ALD and Newcomer services?
With the difficulty in securing substitutes, when will these sessions be offered? What time will be provided to incorporate the ideas from the PD into practice?
F8. Approve Summer of 2022 Roofing/HVAC Projects Architect’s Proposal
The Board will consider approval for the design proposal provided by QKA Architects for the Roofing and HVAC projects at the following campuses: Santa Rosa High School, Phase III and Brook Hill Elementary School.
Cost: $691,625
SRTA wonders when an update on the new building at Montgomery High School will be provided.
F9. Approval of Contract with North Bay Organizing Project (NBOP)
The NBOP will encourage student voice and establish three clubs at CCLA at no cost to the district.
F10. Approval of Proposal for CA AB 841 (“CalSHAPE”) Work Including Installation of CO2 Sensors
THis contract is for $3,282,900, with $1,994,810 covered by the grant. The final cost to the district will be $1,288,000.
SRTA Members are relieved to have CO2 Monitors in progress. HVES, PTES, FACS, CCLA, HSMS, MHS and PHS are not covered in this contract with grant funds. SRTA expects these sites will receive CO2 monitors financed through Covid funds.
G.1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
I.1. Future Board Discussion Items
SRTA Members are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming agenda items.
- Resolution: Week of School Psychologists
- Resolution: Peace Polls
- Update on EL Master Plan and Ellevate
- PLA (What is this?)
- ESSER III Expenditure Plan
- Recognition Awards & Principal Reports
- Board Policy for COVID-19
SRTA looks to the future scheduling of the following items:
- Naming of Cook/CCLA School
- Opening of School Report 2021-2022 School Year
- West County Transportation Update
- Open Enrollment Policy Update
- Granting a permanent easement to City of SR at MHS
- Youth Truth Data
- MiSR Educational Foundation Update
- Lease / Leaseback Montgomery High School
- Parcel Tax Update
- Student Voice Policy
- Dress Code Policy
- BEST Plus Update
- PE update