REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Santa Rosa City Schools
October 22, 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. Student Readmissions (Case Nos: 2025/26-03)
B.2. Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
B.3. 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.4. Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Case Name: OAH Case No. 2025090837)
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.)
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.
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
SRTA members are concerned that the federal shut down is preventing the processing of VISAs for our international hires. Where can this information be verified by SRCS? What is the current plan around these open positions?
EdJoin shows a total of 74 current postings for 207 jobs in SRCS. There are thirteen certificated opening postings for thirteen positions (six less than the last meeting.) There are sixty-one current classified postings for one-hundred eighty-eight job openings (the same as the last meeting.) There are no certificated and no classified management positions posted.
SRTA heartily welcomes Matthew DePackh (SLES), Shannon Creighton (SRHS), and Alicia Hicks (LBES.)
SRTA bids farewell to Alison Peoples (HLES.)
Changes to classified staff includes six new hires, two rehires and one resignation. They leave taking with them 9.5 years of knowledge and service to our staff and students.
Welcome to Robin Whittaker, new Program Manager/Behavior Specialist.
F.5. Ratification of Contracts Under $15,000
Summary
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| District | |||
| 8 | KBA | Cost Neutral | Replace 4 duplicating copiers with 5 in18 month contract |
| Charter | |||
| 1 | Curriculum Associates | $2,300.00 | 6 Hours of PD for CCLA on iReady |
| Secondary | |||
| 2 | IXL Learning | $559.00 | 1 year license for 40 PHS students |
| 4 | Liftforward | $380.29 | Minecraft Cloud Services for media tech students at RVMS. |
| Elementary | |||
| 3 | Paws for Healing | No Direct Cost | Volunteer Paws for Reading for HVES |
| 5 | Mobile Ed | $3,590.00 | Production about air and our atmosphere for SLES students |
| 6 | BMX Freestylers | $2,144.00 | BMX Pro Athlete assembly on safety and anti-bullying. |
| 7 | Teachers’ Curriculum Institute | $1,390.00 | Resources for one teacher and their 5th grade class. |
Total value of contracts = $10,363.29.
F.6. Approval of Contracts over $15,000
| # | Provider | Cost | Description |
| District | |||
| 1 | Development Group, Inc. | $792,384 | software licenses and technical support agreements required to maintain uninterrupted operation of the district’s voice and emergency communication systems for five years |
Total value of contracts = $792.384.00
F.7. Approval of Contracts – Bond
| # | Contractor | Site | Service | Cost |
| Elementary | ||||
| 4 | Greystone West Company | JMES | Construction Management TK | $793,206 |
| 6 | Stonewater Specialists, Inc. | JMES | Stormwater Monitor and report | $17,685 |
| Secondary | ||||
| 2 | BT Mancini Co, Inc | PHS | Gym Divider Curtain | $74,643 |
| 3 | Greystone West Company | SRMS | Construction Management TK | $1,077,362 |
| 5 | Greystone West Company | PHS | Construction Management Theater Lighting | $80,139 |
| District | ||||
| 1 | Golden State Electric | DO | Cabling for Data | $17,163 |
Measure C = $1,245,187.03
Measure G = $815,011.00
Total = $2,060,198.03
Measure C and G Implementation Plan
F.8. New Citizens Oversight Committee (COC) Member
The Board will consider approving and appointing Donna Gomes as a new member to Measures I, L, C, and G bond Citizen’s Oversight Committee representing the Senior Citizen’s Organization.
F.9. Solar Power Purchase Agreement
Approval of the 2nd Amendment to the Solar Power Purchase Agreement with Ridgway Ave DG Solar LLC (Jua Capital). The amendment “Removes Facilities” from the Original Agreement for 20 systems, apparently by mutual agreement as listed below;
1. SRCS District Office, System Size: 291.6 KW
2. Santa Rosa Charter for the Arts, System Size: 96.8 KW
3. Santa Rosa Middle School, System Size: 145.8 KW
4. Cesar Chavez Learning Academy, System Size: 364.5 KW
5. Piner High School, System Size: 607.5 KW
6. Steele Lane Elementary School, System Size: 72.9 KW
7. Helen Lehman Elementary School, System Size: 72.9 KW
8. Brook Hill Elementary School, System Size: 72.9 KW
F.10. Approval of Santa Rosa French-American Charter School’s Chess Students to travel to Cambridge, MA
For ten students to the annual Chess Tournament for the North American Zone in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from November 9 to November 12, 2025. The tournament brings together chess players from accredited French schools throughout the U.S.A. and Canada to compete in chess. Nov. 9–12, 2025. Cost of &7.900 is funded by the Parents Association Foundation.
F.11. Approval of the Clinical Student Placement MOU between San Jose State University and Santa Rosa City Schools
F.12. Approval of the Clinical Student Placement MOU between California State University, Sacramento and Santa Rosa City Schools
F.13. Approval of Newcomer English 1: Literacy for English Learners Course Proposal
The Board will consider approval of the following new course for the 2026-27 school year: Newcomer English 1: Literacy for English Learners which is different from the Foundational course which is appropriate for students with formal education in their first language.
F.14. Approval of Resolution 2025/26-07 for the Declaration of Obsolete & Surplus M&O Vehicles and Authorization to Sell, Dispose, and/or Donate
The Board will consider the approval of Resolution 2025/26-07 to declare five M&O vehicles as obsolete and of insufficient value and authorize staff to sell, dispose, and/or donate the equipment.
Obsolete/Surplus Vehicles List
F.15. Notice and Approval of the Removal/Recycling of Unusable, Outdated, and/or Damaged Instructional Materials and Textbooks
The Board will consider approval of the removal/recycling of approximately 17,600 unusable, outdated and/or damaged instructional materials and textbooks that have been removed from sites and stored in the Warehouse in accordance with District policy and State law.
G. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
G1 and G2
SRTA members are concerned that the current efforts to trim expenses are limited to staff give backs. The total amount expected from these actions is minimal when compared to the sum required to hold off a state takeover.
It is expected that site staff will be asked to make financial concessions, on top of the extraordinary changes to working conditions resulting from the previous $19 million in staffing reductions. Maximized class sizes and severe reductions to student supports on campus have negatively impacted student learning and teaching. Teachers are picking up the tab for increased costs associated with supplies and materials for our classrooms. We are giving away time outside the work day to tend to our students’ educational and emotional needs. Staff morale is at a record low.
Sustainable changes must be sought to change the financial trajectory of the district. Staff concessions are not sustainable.
G.1. (Action) Assistant Superintendent Contracts and Compensation Concessions
Administrators are proposing voluntary compensation and/or benefit concessions to assist in addressing the fiscal shortfall.
More information on the proposed voluntary Administrative Compensation Concessions will be uploaded prior to the October 22, 2025 Board Meeting. (Nothing uploaded yet.)
G.2. (Discussion/Possible Action) Scheduled Management Compensation Concessions
Scheduled Management is proposing voluntary compensation and/or benefit concessions to assist in addressing the fiscal shortfall.
Information on the proposed voluntary Scheduled Management Compensation Concessions will be uploaded. (Nothing uploaded yet.)
G3 and G4
SRTA members are concerned that the district’s precarious situation will cause further hardship in recruiting and retaining students and staff, increasing the need to hire individuals that are not fully credentialed.
G.3. (Action) Approval of Variable Term Waiver for Administrative Services Credential for Taryn Reynolds
This Variable Term Waiver will allow the district to fill a Program Manager position in Special Services for the 2025-2026 school year. Taryn Reynolds has passed the written portion of the administrative Credential exam, and is awaiting the outcome of the performance portion, which was completed on Thursday, September 26.
G.4. (Action) Correction to Approved Provisional Internship Permit Application (PIP) Kailani Marie Gomez-Alcala
The Board will consider corrections to the previously Board approved Provisional Internship Application (PIP). The Preliminary Internship Permit (PIP) will allow the district to fill an Elementary Teacher position at Proctor Terrace Elementary (1.00 FTE) for the 2025-2026 school year.
G.5. Public Hearing: Pivot Charter School North Bay Renewal
Pivot Charter School – North Bay, currently authorized by Oak Grove Union Elementary School District, is a nonclassroom-based K–12 program serving about 430 students, offering flexible attendance options including online learning. Pivot seeks to continue operating under authorization from Santa Rosa City Schools (SRCS).
No decision will be made at the hearing; staff findings and recommendations will be posted by December 2, 2025, and the Board will vote on the renewal on December 17, 2025.
The actual charter renewal is not attached to the agenda for review.
SRCS does not have enough alternative setting choices for students, which is why so many former SRCS students turn to Pivot.
G.6. (Action) Approval of Contract with Leadership and Associates
The Board will consider approval of the contract with Leadership and Associates. SCOE will cover the costs for this service.
Agreement and Summary of Services
While appreciative of movement toward locating a new Superintendent, this agency has not provided successful candidates in the last few hiring rounds for this position. It is a rare person with the necessary skills and passion that would choose to join SRCS at this precarious time.
G.7. (Action) Second Read and Consideration of BP 5131.9, BP 6154, BP 6162.5
The Board will consider approval of Board Policy updates for 5131.9, 6154, 6162.5.
Updating Board Policy and Formatting Guidelines
- BP 5131.9 Redline – Academic Honesty: Promotes integrity by setting standards for ethical student conduct for dishonest practices: cheating/collusion and plagiarism are defined. “Students must know that their teachers will not ignore or condone cheating, collusion, or plagiarism and that anyone discovered cheating, colluding, or plagiarizing will be penalized.” Penalties are not specified.
- BP6162.5 Redline – Student Assessment: Guides the use of varied assessments to measure learning, inform instruction, and support continuous improvement. The only substantial change to the prior policy is the specification that records will only be shared with staff directly involved with the student, and that release of records requires the student or parents’ authorization.
- BP 6154 Clean (new policy)- Homework/Makeup Work: Establishes expectations for meaningful, manageable homework and ensures students have opportunities to complete missed work for excused absences.
G.8. (Action) Second Read and Consideration of Updated BP 5116.1 and BP 5117
The Board will consider approval of Board Policy updates for 5116.1 and 5117.
Updating Board Policy and Formatting Guidelines
BP 5116.1 (Redline) Intradistrict Open Enrollment includes specifying that acceptance shall not be based on a student’s academic or athletic performance and transportation will not be provided. Students can be transferred if they are victims of bullying, the school or area is dangerous for them, they have a sibling attending, or their parent works at the site. Enrolling students in specialized schools or programs seems to be a separate issue not flushed out in this policy as it is referred to only in that academic records can be used to choose students in that case.
BP 5117(2) (Redline) Interdistrict Attendance transfers require permission of their home district and shall be denied if the student was suspended or expelled the prior year for a list of reasons provided.
For information purposes:
AR 5116.1 – Intradistrict Open Enrollment Priorities – 1) Continuing student, 2) Sibling attends, 3) lives in a priority neighborhood, 4) child of site based employee, 5) displaced from natural disaster, 6) specialized program (this needs definition), 7) other
The current Wellness and Engagement webpage needs some reorganization.
G.9. (Action) Resolution 2025/26-42 Authorizing the Formation of a 7-11 Advisory Committee for Surplus Property
The 7-11 Committee will ensure that the District proceeds in a transparent, community-informed, and legally compliant manner as it evaluates the best use of the closed school property. Specifically, they will consider “Doyle Park”, “Lewis Early Learning Academy”, and “Brook Hill Elementary”.
Persons with expertise in environmental impact, legal contracts, building codes, land use planning, zoning, or related fields are particularly desired for this committee.
G.10. (Action) Secondary Boundary Discussion
The modifications also more accurately reflect housing developments since their last update in the 1990s and to better align with current traffic patterns.
Proposal 10-22 A reverts the secondary attendance boundaries to the 2024-2025 boundaries with three significant updates: (1) all communities located west of Highway 101 and north of W College Avenue are assigned to Piner High School, (2) all communities situated east of Highway 101 and west of Cross Creek Road are assigned to Santa Rosa High School, and (3) all communities south of W College Avenue and north of Highway 12 are assigned to Santa Rosa High School. This proposal primarily aims to distribute residential students evenly across the five secondary school sites, and to align attendance boundaries with bussing zones and the fastest routes to school. This proposal has been developed and recommended by staff as it most closely aligns with development and current traffic patterns.
Proposal 10-22 B expands upon Proposal 10-22 A by further assigning the Alta Vista unincorporated area (behind the Flamingo) from MCHS to MHS. This adjustment impacts approximately 100 students and would facilitate the optimal utilization of the larger facility at Montgomery High School.
Proposal 10-22 C Move the Lincoln Heights and Larkfield Manors neighborhoods from SRHS to MCHS. Staff states this will increase travel time and require an additional bus for 48 residents and 5 students.
No data is provided for enrollment changes from these boundary proposals, and there is no financial impact included except for the statement that each additional bus route is slightly over $100,000 annually.
The goal of changing boundaries looks to be to equalize high school campus enrollments, informed by traditional boundaries and traffic patterns.
G.11. (Discussion) Parcel Tax Consideration and Next Steps
With an uncertain outlook on future education funding due to declining enrollment and lack of adequate state and federal funding, SRCS is exploring additional methods to provide financial resources to increasing safety and security measures on school campuses; attracting and retaining excellent teachers; enhancing science, technology, engineering, and math programs and instruction; providing student counseling for mental health support.
In 2023/24, the district explored the possibility of a parcel tax. Both flat rate and per square foot options were explored. At the time, it was determined that, given the climate, it was not likely worth the cost to further explore feasibility. The Board chose to leave the option open for future discussion. The Board Finance Subcommittee recommends exploration of a parcel tax.
Potential Elections: June or November 2026.
The public perception of SRCS’s fiscal management has declined since the last discussion of a Parcel Tax.
The consulting and surveying of the voting public around a parcel tax by Team CivX cost $168,845 two and a half years ago.
Staff support could be garnered from adding specific language guaranteeing the vast majority of the tax would be used to improve compensation for SRCS bargaining unit members.
G.12. (Discussion) Expanded Learning Update
This year’s summer programs focused on strengthening academic skills and offering enrichment across all grade levels. Elementary and middle school programs emphasized skill-building and academic challenges, while high school programs prioritized credit recovery and enrichment. All programs supported personal and academic growth, aligning with Board Strategic Priorities such as Whole Person Focus, Equity & Excellence, and Family Engagement.
Key highlights included expanded high school credit recovery, continued investment in early literacy, and strong community partnerships—such as those with Sonoma State University, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, and Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks. Data from Springboard Impact and Student & Family Reports reflected positive outcomes in literacy, academic progress, and overall satisfaction.
- Revised Expanded Learning Programs – Summer 2025
- Summer 2025 Launch & Support Trainings Spreadsheet of communications and meetings.
- Appendix Revised Expanded Learning Programs – Summer 2025 Details on programs.
- Luther Burbank Elementary Summer 2025 Impact Report Springboard data for 195 students (PK-4+)of whom 30% moved up a performance band. 86% unreported race/ethnicity.
- Student & Family Voice – Summer 2025 Includes survey results from 173/2827 or 6% or participants.
SRCS implemented experiential summer programs under the auspices that if students were more engaged over summer, it would increase their success during the regular school year. This has now been underway for several years. Where is the data to hold up this continued practice?
The choice and evaluation of programs is not transparent.
The A-G requirement for high school diplomas, without academic support systems in place, results in students needing credit recovery. A short summer class, or an online course through Cyber High gets students credits, but is in no way equivalent to the knowledge gained in the traditional classroom setting. Where is the data on follow up for these students? If a student recovers Math 1 credit, what is their probability of passing Math 2 the following year?
H.1. Approval of Minutes
October 8, 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.
- Updates from Fiscal Stabilization Advisory Committee
- Pivot Charter Renewal
- Update on Elementary Boundaries and 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 – Why MCHS not in district showcase?
– Shadow Program- Create new Permission Slips?
– 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. Facilities Projects Update
The Facilities Master Plan update process will begin this fall, to address needed changes due to school consolidations. The schedule for site visits is being developed.
Communication about these visits must commence more than a week before the events if there is a desire to have the community feel like they have a chance to attend. The process being utilized must be transparently communicated at the same time, so the community can decide if it is worth attending a meeting to share their input.
Upcoming Projects
District Office & Education Center Alternative Design-Build (end of design phase)
SRFACS @ SRMS TK Classrooms Alternative Design-Build (@ DSA)
James Monroe ES TK Classrooms Alternative Design-Build (Work beginning)
Helen Lehman ES TK Classrooms Alternative Design-Build (@ DSA)
Santa Rosa HS Parking Lot Improvements and Fencing (Work beginning)
Santa Rosa DeSoto Hall Modernization and Theater Roofing (bidding)
Current Construction Projects
Piner High School 2-Story Classroom Alternative Design-Build (grading)
District-Wide Electronic Access Controls
Phase 1 ongoing: SRHS, MCHS and RVMS
Phase 2 design: PHS, ALES, HLES, JMES and LBES
Phase 3 (Prelim): SRMS,RHS and SRCSA
Projects Closing Out
James Monroe ES Drainage Improvements
Montgomery HS 2-Story Classroom Building
Montgomery HS New Communication Wire for HVAC Controls
Rincon Valley MS Roofing & HVAC
Piner HS Ball Wall and Fencing
Central Receiving Warehouse
Projects
Facilities Master Plan Webpage
J.4. Sonoma County Office of Education Letter: 2025/26 Budget Approval Letter
SRCS Letter to SCOE Promising a pre-First Interim MYP by October 21,2025.
24-month cash flow projection There are two sets. The first one presumably was the initial cash flow projection. The worst month for cash flow is December prior to the influx of property taxes. The first version shows a $48 million deficit on cash on hand in December while the other, updated version, shows a $40,000,000 deficit in December, with income of $1.6 million less, and disbursements predicted to be $1.2 million more. There are updated values added to the balance sheet through October.
Year end cash is shown to be updated from -$5.2 million to -$0.1 million. Not meeting the required 3% reserve.
Email from Carter SCOE to SRCS
J5. Board Finance Subcommittee Meeting Dates
Board Finance Meeting Schedule for the Remainder of 2025:
- Monday, November 3, 2025
- Monday, December 1, 2025
