Board President Rachel Kertz, Vice President Greg Knell, Trustee Linda M. Jackson, Trustee Maika Llorens Gulati, Trustee Natu Tuatagaloa

The Board will hear a proposal for a sustainability plan for the District. 

SRHS teacher Steve Temple and students will present a proposal for a sustainability plan to the Board: 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dBugQae0ZLsm8qj3JvNPk-q6IHBIgncV4eV1h4VAt2A/edit?usp=sharing

Kevin Kerr, Director of Teaching and Learning 9-12 will update the Board on planning for the August Professional Development day in the HSD. 

An update related to bonds and Capital Facilities Program  will be provided.

The Board will receive any updates since the last Board meeting on facilities.

Approval of the minutes for the March 16, 2016 Special Workshop; March 21, 2016 Regular Meeting; March 30, 2016 Special Meeting/Workshop; April 7, 2016 Special Meeting; April 18, 2016 Regular Meeting; April 25, 2016 Joint Annual Meeting.

This agenda item presents for Board approval the Administration's recommended personnel transactions for the Elementary School District.

This agenda item presents for Board approval the Administration's recommended personnel transactions for the Elementary School District, as shown on Exhibit A (Certificated) and Exhibit B (Classified).

All changes to personnel since the previous board meeting including resignations, leaves of absence, retirements, reassignments, new hires, changes of contract, returns from leave, releases and short term assignments are included for Board approval.

Approval of all hiring, terminations, transfers, and retirements of employees in the Elementary School District.

This agenda item presents for Board approval the Administration's recommended personnel transactions for the High School District.

This agenda item presents for Board approval the Administration's recommended personnel transactions for the High School district, as shown on Exhibit A (Certificated) and Exhibit B (Classified).

All changes to personnel since the previous board meeting including resignations, leaves of absence, retirements, reassignments, new hires, changes of contract, returns from leave, releases and short term assignments are included for Board approval.  

Approval of all hiring, terminations, transfers, and retirements of employees in the High School District.

This agenda item presents for Board approval the Administration's recommended personnel transactions for the Joint School District.

This agenda item presents for Board approval the Administration's recommended personnel transactions for the Joint School District, as shown on Exhibit A (Certificated) and Exhibit B (Classified).

All changes to personnel since the previous board meeting including resignations, leaves of absence, retirements, reassignments, new hires, changes of contract, returns from leave, releases and short term assignments are included for Board approval.  

Approval of all hiring, terminations, transfers, and retirements of employees in the Joint School District.

This agenda item presents for Board approval the Administration's recommendation to enter into a Student Teaching Agreement with Sonoma State University. 

Providing high quality learning environments for intern teachers both assists the professional in teaching and enables the District to have a first look at up-and-coming talented professionals.

Approval of this agreement.

Presentation of the new job description for Teacher on Special Assignment ELD Instructional Coach (Certificated). 

This ELD Instructional Coach position is a categorically funded one-year assignment to provide hands-on support to the teaching staff in the implementation of research-based, high-leverage strategies that address the unique and diverse needs of English Learners.

Approval of the new job description for Teacher on Special Assignment ELD Instructional Coach (Certificated). 

This items presents for Board approval a revision to the job description for the former Executive Director of Student Support Services to a Director of Student Support Services at range G in the Elementary District and range F in the High School District.

BACKGROUND:

This items presents for Board approval a revision to the job description for the former Executive Director of Student Support Services.  This position has been at the Executive Director level for the past 6 years and is being redesigned as a Director of Student Support Services due to the transition of the current Executive Director and will create a savings that will offset some of the other transitions in administrative staff.  Staff proposes changing the title and placement to Director of Student Support Services and moving the position from range H in both Districts to range G in the Elementary District and range F in the High School District.

The Board will review and consider approval to dispose of the obsolete equipment and textbooks.

BACKGROUND:
Board Policy 3270 states:
“Sale and Disposal of Instructional Materials, Equipment, and Supplies, if the value of the property is insufficient to defray the costs of arranging a public sale, the property may be donated or disposed of in an appropriate manner."  

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS: Sun Valley and the Business Services department have determined that the following equipment/textbooks are obsolete.

COST/FUNDING SOURCE:
The equipment will be disposed of or recycled at no cost to the district.

The Board will review the ESD warrants for April 2016 for ratification.

BACKGROUND:      

The warrant register reflects the vendor name, date paid, amount of warrant, and budgetary account charged.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS:    

A copy of the summary of the warrant register of all funds for warrants issued from April 1, 2016 through April 30, 2016  is attached. 

COST/FUNDING SOURCE:

Warrants are paid in accordance with the Board-adopted budget and generally accepted accounting methods.
  
A detailed listing of the monthly warrants are available for viewing in the Business Office, Room 505.

Ratify the ESD warrants for April 2016.

The Board will review the HSD warrants for April 2016 for ratification.

BACKGROUND:      

The warrant register reflects the vendor name, date paid, amount of warrant, and budgetary account charged.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS:    

A copy of the summary of the warrant register of all funds for warrants issued from April 1, 2016 through April 30, 2016 is attached. 

COST/FUNDING SOURCE:

Warrants are paid in accordance with the Board-adopted budget and generally accepted accounting methods.
  
A detailed listing of the monthly warrants are available for viewing in the Business Office, Room 505.

Ratify the HSD warrants for April 2016.

This item presents the contract for software from Apex Learning for 2016-2017, for recommended approval.

BACKGROUND: In March, 2010, the Secondary Curriculum Advisory Council discussed the need for a credit recovery program at the three high schools. The Curriculum Council researched and teachers piloted several programs and Apex Learning was identified as the preferred option for students who needed specific courses for graduation as well as for students who needed credit recovery. 

As part of the program, Apex Learning will train teachers and provide unlimited phone support during the program implementation.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS: This agenda item presents for Board approval the contract with Apex Learning for software licensing and training. The 2016-17 license will be for 150 student users and comprehensive courses professional development. (Exhibit A)

The cost implications for these services are $22,400. Funding is within the high school district funds:

General Fund  01-0000-0-4307.00-1511-1110-700-240-000

Approval of the Apex contract for 2016-2017.

The Board is presented with a second reading and recommended approval of revisions to Administrative Regulation 6173.1 Education for Foster Youth.

Background: Regulation updated to reflect NEW LAW (AB 854) establishing the Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program to facilitate ongoing collaboration among local educational agencies, county child welfare agencies, and county probation departments. Section on "Applicability of Graduation Requirements" revised to reflect NEW LAW (SB 172) which suspends through the 2017-18 school year the requirement to pass the high school exit exam and NEW LAW (AB 1166) which provides that a foster youth who transfers between schools or into the district after the second year of high school must be exempted from local graduation requirements under certain conditions even after he/she ceases to be a foster youth and even if the district fails to provide the required notification.  New section on "Notification and Complaints" reflects NEW LAW (AB 379) which provides that complaints of noncompliance with specified laws regarding the education of foster youth may be filed using uniform complaint procedures.

Exhibit A - Administrative Regulation 6173.1 Education for Foster Youth

There is no financial impact to the district.

Approval of the revisions to Administrative Regulation 6173.1 Education for Foster Youth. 

The Board will consider approval of out-of-state travel for a district team to attend the Harvard Graduate School of Education National Institute of Urban School Leaders in Cambridge, MA, June 20-25, 2016.

BACKGROUND

In 2015-2016, San Rafael City Schools was selected through a competitive process to send a team to the Executive Leadership Program at Stanford University, providing our team the opportunity to collaborate with select California public school districts while working with professors in the Graduate School of Business and the Graduate School of Education. Through our nine-month participation we had access to researchers and practitioners who are deeply involved in creating an educational environment that supports each student.

It was at Stanford that staff was introduced to the National Institute for Urban School Leaders at Harvard.  Making application to attend this institute was a clear next step.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS  

In the fall of 2015, the district made application to the National Institute for Urban School Leaders at Harvard.  The selection process is competitive.  We learned in December that SRCS had been selected for the 2016 Summer Institute.

National Institute for Urban School Leaders brings educators from urban contexts together with Harvard faculty and top experts in the field to examine best practices and research-based techniques that support student achievement. It provides an in-depth exploration of the leadership skills necessary to enhance and sustain learning outcomes.

The SRCS team will examine schools in relation to the broader community contexts—exploring race, culture, equity, socioeconomic status and social justice in today's diverse urban classrooms.  There will be a focus on strategies for improving teaching and learning and building community support for the work of schools.

We believe that when we leave Harvard, we will be better prepared to transform our learning landscape to support higher student achievement and successful outcomes for all students, and Identify leadership roles and styles required to improve teaching and learning in the instructional core with tools to:

• Examine the beliefs, cultural changes and teaching and learning strategies required to promote high student achievement
• Consider the effects of race, class and culture on the learning community
• Learn effective approaches for ensuring the inclusion of all students
• Explore practice-based techniques for closing the achievement gap.

Staff recommends approval of this out-of-state travel. 

Travel and registration costs will be paid from the superintendent and public relations accounts. 

SACS codes:

01-0000-0-5200-00-0000-7150-700-280-000

01-0000-0-5200-00-0000-7180-700-280-000

Approval of the out-of-state travel. 

The Board will consider whether to expel or not expel student Case #15/16-5 (ESD).

Uphold the panel's recommendation to expel (ESD) student case #15/16-5  for the remainder of the 2015-16 school year. 

The Board will consider whether to expel or not expel student Case #15/16-6 (HSD).

Uphold the panel's recommendation to expel (HSD) student case #15/16-6  for the remainder of the 2015-16 school year, and the first semester of the 2016-17 school year. 

Review and approval of the Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators for 2016-2017. 

Summary

As a requirement of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, San Rafael City Schools is required to have a Declaration of Need submitted. The Declaration of Need predicts our need for temporary, emergency, and/or provisional credentials. In the event that we are not able to recruit, interview, or hire teachers with appropriate credentials, we will have to fill our open position(s) with teachers who will require a temporary or provisional credential. This will be particularly true for specific subject areas like special education, math and science, and with certifications such as CLAD and BCLAD.

This process requires that the District make a good faith recruitment effort, that the District asserts that other certificated persons did not meet specific employment criteria, and that the Board took action to support the Declaration of Need. By law, this action may not be part of a Consent (Routine Business) agenda.

The attached documents, Exhibit A (San Rafael Elementary District) and Exhibit B (San Rafael High School District), are the Declaration of Need forms for the 2016-2017 school year.

The District's objective is to employ highly trained individuals for specific positions while they complete the credential requirements.

None

Approval of the Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators for 2016-2017.

The Board is presented with the 2016-17 salary schedule for psychologists and speech and language pathologists and the related Memorandum of Understanding between SRCS and SRTA for recommended approval.

In an effort to improve the District’s ability to recruit and retain Psychologists and Speech & Language Pathologists, to provide a greater level of support to students, and enhance services for student success, the parties agree to implement the attached salary schedule effective July 1, 2016, specifically for Psychologists and Speech and Language Pathologists.

Approval of the 2016-17 Salary Schedule for Psychologists and Speech and Language Pathologists and the Related Memorandum of Understanding Between San Rafael City Schools Elementary School District (SRCS) and The San Rafael Teachers Association (SRTA)  attached Memorandum of Understanding.

The Board is presented with a Memorandum of Understanding between SRCS and SRFT for recommended approval.

In an effort to improve staffing language in the San Rafael Federation of Teachers (SRFT) Collective Bargaining Agreement to ensure greater equity and consistency for students and teachers in the master schedule, San Rafael City Schools (SRCS) and SRFT agreed upon the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  The intent of the MOU is to create a “pilot” process for 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 that will temporarily modify existing contract language in Article X Staffing.

Approval of the attached Memorandum of Understanding

The Board is presented with Resolution 1677 for approval, in recognition of May 11, 2016 as "California Day of the Teacher"

This resolution is presented in celebration and honor of the contributions of teachers in the San Rafael City Schools Elementary and High School Districts.

SRCS teachers continue to provide our students with the knowledge and skills essential for life-long learning, responsible citizenship, and fulfillment of their greatest potential, and the Board and District Administration values and recognizes their commitment and excellence.

Approval of Resolution #1677

The Board is presented with Resolution # 1678 for approval, in recognition of Classified School Employees Week May (15^th-21^st). 

The third full week of May (15th – 21st) has been designated as Classified School Employee Week in California by the California School Employees Association and the California State Legislature.

To recognize the event locally and to celebrate and honor the contributions of Classified school support staff in the San Rafael City Schools Elementary and High School Districts, this week is celebrated annually in San Rafael to recognize the consistently high level of work performed by Classified employees in our Districts. Our classified employees continue to display unswerving commitment to our students, schools and communities, and the Board and District Administration are pleased to recognize all of our highly professional classified personnel this week.

District staff and CSEA Local Chapter 341 requests the adoption of the attached Resolution #1678.

Small tokens of appreciation will be purchased from the Human Resources Department budget.

Approval of Resolution #1678

This agenda item presents for Board approval the proposed reduction in force (RIF) for particular classifications of services provided by Classified employees.

The Board is presented with Resolution #1680 and the 2015-2016 Classified Seniority List for recommended approval. 

This agenda item presents for Board approval Resolution #1680 - Resolution Reviewing and Approving the Joint District Classified Seniority List.

The Classified Seniority List is compiled and updated each year to include any new hires, changes in classification, etc. as well as to remove those employees who have left employment with San Rafael City Schools. The 2015-2016 Classified Seniority List was distributed to all classified staff for review prior to its submission for board approval.

The 2015-2016 Classified Seniority List is attached.

None

Approval of Resolution #1680 and attached Classified Seniority List

The Board will review the donations for approval.

BACKGROUND:            

Board Policy 3290 Section 1.1 states:

“The Board of Education may accept on behalf of, and in the name of the District, such gifts, donations, bequests and devices as are offered. Such gifts, cash contributions, donations, bequests and devices may be made subject to conditions or restrictions as the Board of Education may prescribe and/or accept.” (Education Code 41030-41032)

The following donations were received for the San Rafael City Schools District, as follows:

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS: 

This agenda item presents the donations from the sources listed above, for recommended Board acceptance.            

COST/FUNDING SOURCE: Total of donations: $6,735.68         

Acceptance of the donations.

This item presents to the Board and public the opportunity to review the Educator Effectiveness One-Time Funding spending plan for the Elementary District for Fiscal Years 2015-2018. Approval will be brought forward at a subsequent meeting.

Background:The 2015 Budget Act included $490 million in one-time money called the “Educator Effectiveness Block Grant” (EEBG).

Educator Effectiveness funds may be used to support the professional development of certificated teachers, administrators, and paraprofessional educators. Funds can be expended in any of the following areas:

• Area 1: Beginning Teacher and Administrator Support: Support and mentoring, including, but not limited to programs to meet new teacher and administrator ability to teach or lead effectively and to meet induction requirements adopted by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. 
  
  
• Area 2: Professional Improvement: Professional development, coaching, and support for teachers identified as needing improvement or additional support by local educational agencies.
  
  
• Area 3: Content Standards: Professional Development for teachers, para-educators, and administrators aligned to state adopted content standards.
  
  
• Area 4: Coaching and Training: To promote educator quality and success, including, but not limited to, professional development for administrators on mentoring and coaching certificated staff to support effective teaching and learning.

  The funding is required to be allocated in an equal amount based on the certificated staff in the 2014-15 fiscal year. The 2015-16 calculated funding rate is approximately $1,466 per full-time equivalent (FTE). School districts and county offices may expend the funds over three (3) fiscal years.

   As a condition of receiving Educator Effectiveness funds, San Rafael City Schools is required to do the following:

• Develop and adopt a plan delineating how the Educator Effectiveness funds will be spent. The plan must be explained in a public meeting of the governing board before its adoption in a subsequent public meeting.
  
  
• On or before July 1, 2018, submit a detailed expenditure report of information to the California Department of Education.

Education Services, SRTA, CCIT and Site Principals worked collaboratively to determine effective future professional development for administrative, certificated, and other instructional staff. 

Current Consideration: This item presents to the Board and public the opportunity to review the Educator Effectiveness One-Time Funding spending plan for the Elementary District for Fiscal Years 2015-2018. Elementary School District Educator Effectiveness funding is for $370,946.

Attached is the proposed spending plan for the Educator Effectiveness funding. (Exhibit A)

In 2015-16, San Rafael City Schools Elementary School District received a total of $370,946.00  in Educator Effectiveness Funding. 

This item presents to the Board and public the opportunity to review the Educator Effectiveness One-Time Funding spending plan for the High School District for Fiscal Years 2015-2018. Approval will be brought forward at a subsequent meeting.

Background:The 2015 Budget Act included $490 million in one-time money called the “Educator Effectiveness Block Grant” (EEBG).

Educator Effectiveness funds may be used to support the professional development of certificated teachers, administrators, and paraprofessional educators. Funds can be expended in any of the following areas: 

• Area 1: Beginning Teacher and Administrator Support: Support and mentoring, including, but not limited to programs to meet new teacher and administrator ability to teach or lead effectively and to meet induction requirements adopted by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. 
  
  
• Area 2: Professional Improvement: Professional development, coaching, and support for teachers identified as needing improvement or additional support by local educational agencies.
  
  
• Area 3: Content Standards: Professional Development for teachers, para-educators, and administrators aligned to state adopted content standards.
  
  
• Area 4: Coaching and Training: To promote educator quality and success, including, but not limited to, professional development for administrators on mentoring and coaching certificated staff to support effective teaching and learning.

  The funding is required to be allocated in an equal amount based on the certificated staff in the 2014-15 fiscal year. The 2015-16 calculated funding rate is approximately $1,466 per full-time equivalent (FTE). School districts and county offices may expend the funds over three (3) fiscal years.

   As a condition of receiving Educator Effectiveness funds, San Rafael City Schools is required to do the following:

• Develop and adopt a plan delineating how the Educator Effectiveness funds will be spent. The plan must be explained in a public meeting of the governing board before its adoption in a subsequent public meeting.
  
  
• On or before July 1, 2018, submit a detailed expenditure report of information to the California Department of Education.

Education Services, SRFT, CCIT and Site Principals worked collaboratively to determine effective future professional development for certificated staff. 

Current Consideration: This item presents to the Board and public the opportunity to review the Educator Effectiveness One-Time Funding spending plan for the High School District for Fiscal Years 2015-2018. High School District Educator Effectiveness funding is for $201,576.

Attached is the proposed spending plan for the Educator Effectiveness funding. (Exhibit A)

In 2015-16, San Rafael City Schools High School District received a total of $201,576.00 in Educator Effectiveness Funding. 

This item presents to the Board and the public the opportunity to review the first reading of new Board Policy 6152.1  Placement in Mathematics Courses. The second reading and recommended board adoption will be brought to the next meeting.

Background: Policy updated to reflect NEW LAW (SB 359) which mandates any district which is serving 9th grade students and has not adopted a mathematics placement policy prior to January 1, 2016 to adopt a math placement policy with specific components before the beginning of the 2016-17 school year. Policy reflects other requirements of SB 359 including, but not limited to, the use of multiple objective academic measures for student placement, provision of at least one checkpoint within the first month of the school year to ensure accurate placement, and annual board examination of student placement data.

Exhibit A - Board Policy 6152.1 Placement in Mathematics Courses

There is no financial impact to the district.

This item presents to the Board and the public the opportunity to review the first reading of revisions to board policy and administrative regulation 1312.3, Uniform Complaint Procedures. The second reading and recommended board adoption will be brought to the next meeting.

Due to changes in education code and updated guidelines from the California Department of Education (CDE) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), significant changes to the Uniform Complaint Procedures are required.  The proposed revisions are necessary to ensure that the district's policy and regulations are compliant with state and federal law.

None

Staff will present the response to the 2015-16 Marin Civil Grand Jury Report: Head Injuries and Concussions: Are Our High Schools Keeping Our Children Safe?, for recommended approval.

BACKGROUND: 

The San Rafael City Schools Board of Education is requested to respond in writing to the findings and recommendations of the 2015-2016 Marin Civil Grand Jury Report in accordance with Penal Code Section 933.05(f).

Governing bodies should be aware that the comment or response from the governing body must be conducted in accordance with Penal Code Section 933 (c) and is subject to the notice, agenda, and open meeting requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act. The Brown Act requires that any action of a public entity governing body occur only at a noticed and agendized meeting. Our response is therefore being brought before the Board for action. Responses are public record.

The response to the 2015-16 Marin Civil Grand Jury Report: Head Injuries and Concussions: Are Our High Schools Keeping Our Children Safe? will be presented to the Board at this regular meeting, for recommended approval.

Approval of the District Response to the 2015-2016 Grand Jury Report: Head Injuries and Concussions.

The Board will discuss participation in 2016 graduations and 8th grade promotions. 

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS: This agenda item presents a request to confirm participation in the 2016 graduation and 8th grade promotion ceremonies for Madrone, San Rafael and Terra Linda high schools, Davidson Middle and Venetia Valley schools. The schedule of these ceremonies is attached. 

Also attached is 2015 graduation/promotion participation for reference. 

The Board is presented with a Master Regular Board Meeting Calendar for the 2016-2017 school year for review and recommended approval. 

Approval of the 2016-17 Regular Board Meeting Calendar, Board Bylaw E 9320. 

The Board will have an opportunity, as needed, to review the status of trustee goals as they relate to operational items that may require a study session.