Initiation of litigation pursuant to subdivision (c) of section 54956.9: (Number of Cases: Three)

(Government Code 54956.95) Number of Cases: One (1)

Case Name: Tillman

(Education Code 54957.6) District Negotiator: Debra M. Hendricks and Sharon Roddick
 Employee Organizations: All Groups (Sylvan Educators Association (SEA); California School Employees Association, Chapter 73 (CSEA); and Unrepresented) 

(Education Code 54957, Education Code 44951)

Title: Administrative Assignments

Governor Jerry Brown released his May Revise Budget on May 11^th, 2018.  The May Revise paints a bright, but cautious, fiscal picture.  Governor Brown is proposing a final May Revision that combines both long-term and one-time investments while setting aside funds for a rainy day.

Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF)

The Governor’s 2018-19 May Revision continues the Governor’s intent of fully funding the LCFF in the budget year with an increase of approximately $3.2 billion, up almost $300 million from the January State Budget proposal. The additional funding includes the increased COLA as well as provides a modest augmentation to the formula.

The statutory COLA is calculated to be 2.71% for the 2018-19 fiscal year, a slight increase from the 2.51% estimated in January.

For the LCFF, the Governor proposes a modest augmentation above the statutory COLA, bringing the total to a 3.00% increase to the LCFF base grant target rates.

The 2018-19 TK-3 grade span adjustment (GSA) for class-size reduction (CSR) is also 3.00% higher at $771 per ADA from $748 in 2017-18.

The table below shows the impact to Sylvan’s LCFF with the new May Revise assumptions.

One-Time Discretionary Funds

The Governor’s May Revision proposes more than $2 billion in one-time discretionary funds, which equates to approximately $344 per ADA. This is an increase of $286 million to the $1.8 billion proposed in January.

A percentage of the increase in one-time discretionary funding will be used to support Embedded Coaching due to an unexpected cut to Title I funding. 

Title I Federal Funding

The District was notified last week by Stanislaus County Office of Education based on information provided by the California Department of Education of a 16% or $290,569 cut to 2018-19 Title I funding. A portion of Title I funding was reserved for Embedded Coaching, but with this cut, there will not be enough Title I funds to cover the cost.  Embedded Coaching has provided rigorous support to administrators, site leadership teams, and collaborative teacher teams, resulting in positive outcomes in implementing the highly effective practices associated with PLC/RTI.  In order to continue this valuable program, the increase in one-time discretionary funding will provide financial aid to support the program.

Special Education

The Governor’s May Revision continues to provide only modest funding for Special Education programs. In addition to increasing Special Education funding by the statutory COLA of 2.71%, the Governor proposes the following:

• $100 million in one-time funding for Teacher Workforce Development targeted to Special Education teacher preparation and increase and retain Special Education teachers

• $50 million to support locally sponsored Special Education teacher preparation programs

• $50 million in competitive grants to develop or expand locally identified solutions to the Special Education teacher shortage

 The financial impact to Sylvan for the Special Education proposal is unknown at this time.

Next Steps

• Tuesday, May 22, 2018: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee will release their overview of the Senate Budget Plan

• Wednesday, May 23, 2018: The Assembly Subcommittee on Education Finance will vote on their Proposition 98 plan

• The Legislature has until June 15, 2018, to adopt a budget and send to Governor Brown

• Tuesday, June 12, 2018: Public Hearing for the Sylvan Union School District 2018-19 Proposed Budget and Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)

• Tuesday, June 26, 2018:  Adoption of the SUSD 2018-19 Budget and LCAP

Selected management positions have been studied to compare Sylvan compensation rankings to other districts.  Due to significant challenges in recruitment in recent years this information and proposed recommendations are presented to the Board of Trustees.

It is recommended the Board of Trustees consider action to acknowledge the Superintendent's evaluation for 2017/2018 as satisfactory as listed in the Employment Agreement with Debra M. Hendricks:

"DISTRICT, in consideration of the promises by SUPERINTENDENT herein contained agrees to employ, and SUPERINTENDENT hereby accepts employment as DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT of the SYLVAN UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT for a term commencing July 1, 2017, and ending June 30, 2018.  If the BOARD collectively evaluates the performance of duties as being overall satisfactory in the SUPERINTENDENT’S evaluation for school year 2017/2018, and the BOARD collectively determines the Superintendent has made satisfactory progress towards annual goals, the BOARD will take action to extend the CONTRACT for an additional year.  This procedure will be followed annually."

It also recommended the Board of Trustees approve the Employment Agreement with Debra M. Hendricks, to serve as the District's Superintendent for the period commencing July 1, 2018, and ending June 30, 2019.

1. $22,920 from Child Care (Fund 63) to Special Reserve Fund for Capital Outlay Projects (Fund 40).

The total cost of the Somerset Child Care facilities improvement project for the playground equipment and shade structure was $172,920 and was paid out of the Special Reserve Fund for Capital Outlay Projects to be reimbursed by the Child Care Program. The initial transfer of $150,000 was board approved in June 2017 and transferred in March 2018 from the Child Care Program to the Special Reserve Fund. The project is now complete and the final amount of $22,920 is required to fully fund the cost of the Child Care improvement project with Child Care funds. 

At the March 7, 2017, Board Meeting, a contract with Williams & Associates, LLC (Contractor) was approved for an hourly rate of $164.00 per hour with $5,000 not to exceed estimate for the 2017-18 fiscal year. 

Williams & Associates, LLC has assisted the District with various Office of Public School Construction programs and general facilities-related matters since 2004.  Over the past five (5) years, we have had very little need for their services due to the depletion of state school facility program match to build and modernize school facilities.

With the sale of state bonds and to facilitate our applications, Williams & Associates, LLC has provided services in excess of the original estimate.  From October 2017 to date, Williams has billed and been paid $20,992 for their services.  Their work has resulted in an award from the State Allocation Board in the amount of $2,698,814 which has been received for the Sherwood Modernization.  An award in the amount of $3,070,426 for Woodrow Elementary is expected in the 18-19 fiscal year.

Staff is requesting approval to increase the projected amount for services for fiscal year 17-18 from $5,000 to $25,000.

Staff is requesting approval to ratify increase the projected amount for School Facilities Consultant Agreement Services for fiscal year 17-18 from $5,000 to $25,000.

Staff is requesting approval to ratify increase the projected amount for School Facilities Consultant Agreement Services for fiscal year 17-18 from $5,000 to $25,000 with Williams & Associates, LLC.

Developer Fees:  $25,000

Staff presented the Board of Trustees with the draft 2018-2021 Technology Plan.  The Technology Plan was created to provide a comprehensive description of all aspects of technology throughout the Sylvan Union School District.  

Staff is recommending the Board of Trustees approve the 2018-2021 Technology Plan.

Information with recommended action has been provided to the Board of Trustees.  After review of the Management Salary Study, the amended salary schedules are presented for approval.

Staff recommends the approval of the amended salary schedules as presented.

$62,000 for salary increases of identified classifications.

As part of our District’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that all students learn at high levels, we have actively engaged in the Professional Learning Community (PLC) process for several years. During this time, we have continued to allocate resources to further develop the process and build the capacity of both our administrative, certificated, and classified staff in meeting our moral obligation to provide a quality education to every Sylvan Union School District student.

On May 9, 2017, the Sylvan Board of Trustees approved a contract with Solution Tree to provide each of the thirteen (13) sites with four (4) days of onsite embedded coaching during the 2017-2018 school year as one component of a comprehensive District plan for providing the necessary professional learning to support the deepening of the PLC process and the implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI). While much of the work with a Solution Tree associate was conducted at the collaborative teacher team level, some of the greatest progress made at the site level occurred as a result of the targeted support provided from the embedded coach to the site administrator(s) and the site leadership teams.

With the end goal of developing high-functioning collaborative teacher teams at the site level and creating long-term sustainability of the PLC/RTI at Work process, it is requested that the contract with Solution Tree for embedded coaching be extended for an additional year. This continued work will include a total of twenty-five (25) days during the 2018-2019 school year, distributed to each school site by identified need.  

Given our District PLC initiative and corresponding goals as outlined in the 2020 Plan, ongoing professional learning and support is a priority. Consultant fees as outlined in the Solution Tree contract will be paid for with a combination of Title I and one-time discretionary funds.

Staff recommends the Board of Trustees approve the purchase agreement with Solution Tree for twenty-five (25) days of on-site professional development services during the 2018-2019 school year.

Total Title I: $83,535.

One-Time Discretionary Funds: $78,965.

As noted in previous Friday updates, the purpose of the set-aside professional learning days for the 2018-2019 school year, which include August 2-3 along with the District Inservice day on August 6, 2018, is to provide certificated teachers with training and support for ensuring that all Sylvan Union School District students are achieving at high levels.

Educators in a district who function as a Professional Learning Community (PLC) benefit from clarity regarding their shared purpose, a common understanding of the school and district they are trying to create, and working collaboratively to help move all of the schools in the desired direction by focusing their efforts on answering the four critical questions of a PLC. The Response to Intervention (RTI) at Work model builds on the foundation of the PLC at Work process by using team structures and a focus on learning, collaboration, and results to drive successful outcomes.  

Assessment as an essential component of the learning process includes considerations for designing assessments, ensuring alignment to standards, and providing for assessment opportunities that shift assessment from a solely technical endeavor to one that supports students’ and teachers’ learning. Katie White, District Administrator in Sakatchewan, Canada, author, and Solution Tree consultant, is prepared to lead all Sylvan Union School District certificated staff in developing and utilizing strong assessment practices during two (2) days of on-site professional development.

Given our ongoing focus to ensure the successful implementation of the PLC/RTI at Work process at each of our thirteen (13) sites, professional learning in the role of collaborative assessment is a priority. Consultant fees as outlined in the Solution Tree contract will be paid for with General Fund monies that were earmarked for professional learning, outlined in the 2017-18 Budget, and approved by the Board on April 11, 2017. Ms. White’s travel and expenses in the amount of approximately $2,000 will be invoiced separately.

Staff recommends the Board of Trustees approve the purchase agreement with Solution Tree for on-site professional development services delivered on August 2-3, 2018.

It is recommended the Board of Trustees approve the purchase agreement with Solution Tree for on-site professional development services delivered on August 2-3, 2018.

Total General Fund: $11,000.

As noted in previous Friday updates, the purpose of the set-aside professional learning days for the 2018-2019 school year, which include August 2-3 along with the District Inservice day on August 6, is to provide certificated teachers with training and support for ensuring that all Sylvan Union School District students are achieving at high levels.

On December 5, 2017, the Board of Trustees approved a contract with Dr. Kimberly Tyson, Solution Tree author and consultant, for the purposes of providing classroom teachers in Grades K-3, Elementary Resource Teachers, Elementary Mild/Moderate teachers, Elementary ELD/Literacy Specialists, District Instructional Coaches, and Elementary Administrators with professional learning regarding the skills, practices, and creation of literacy-rich environments that are key to implementing effective literacy instruction. On March 20, 2018, the Board of Trustees approved a contract to extend Dr. Tyson’s work to include classroom teachers in Grades 4-5. While Dr. Tyson’s work with elementary teachers included vocabulary instruction as a key component for teaching reading, an analysis of site and District-wide academic performance data indicates that additional and more concentrated work in teaching students to use words to communicate effectively for listening, speaking, reading, and writing is needed.

To that end, we have scheduled a series of presenters to lead and facilitate the professional learning sessions to take place on the above mentioned days that will mark the launch of the 2018-2019 school year. The content for each session was developed by the Ed Services Department and in consultation with teachers who have provided feedback and requests for training to support the areas of curriculum, instruction, and/or assessment. All session content is aligned to current District initiatives or programs with the identified outcomes of deepening the learning of our teacher groups, providing for purposeful professional growth, and supporting the transfer or application to the classroom for the benefit of our students. One particular area of consideration in planning for professional learning are the goals set forth in our 2020 Plan. The scope of Dr. Tyson’s work on August 2-3, 2018, will focus on selecting, teaching, and assessing vocabulary with the unique needs of English Learners (ELs) and Special Education students in mind. Sessions will be tailored to meet the needs of specific grade-spans, but the emphasis on word learning as a building block of language, impacting fluency, comprehension, and achievement in all grades and content areas will be a constant.

Given our focus on ensuring grade level reading proficiency and closing achievement gaps, professional learning in the area of reading/literacy is a priority. Consultant fees as outlined in the Solution Tree contract will be paid for with General Fund monies that were earmarked for professional learning, outlined in the 2017-18 Budget, and approved by the Board on April 11, 2017.

Staff recommends the Board of Trustees approve the purchase agreement with Solution Tree for on-site professional development services delivered on August 2-3, 2018.

It is recommended the Board of Trustees approve the purchase agreement with Solution Tree for on-site professional development services delivered on August 2-3, 2018.

Total General Fund: $13,000.

As noted in previous Friday updates, the purpose of the set-aside professional learning days for the 2018-2019 school year, which include August 2-3 along with the District Inservice day on August 6, is to provide certificated teachers with training and support for ensuring that all Sylvan Union School District students are achieving at high levels.

To that end, we have scheduled a series of presenters to lead and facilitate the professional learning sessions to take place on the above mentioned days that will mark the launch of the 2018-2019 school year. The content for each session was developed by the Ed Services Department and in consultation with teachers who have provided feedback and requests for training to support the areas of curriculum, instruction, and/or assessment. All session content is aligned to current District initiatives or programs with the identified outcomes of deepening the learning of our teacher groups, providing for purposeful professional growth, and supporting the transfer or application to the classroom for the benefit of our students. One particular area of consideration in planning for professional learning are the goals set forth in our 2020 Plan. In addition, content is designed for and intended to address the needs of English Learners (ELs) which has been clearly illuminated through an analysis of both site and District-wide academic performance data.

Several of the presenters we have secured for the August professional learning dates regularly present in the area and have worked with us in the past to provide professional learning services. District-wide training opportunities, such as these upcoming dates, provide us with the advantage of training large numbers of people without the added costs associated with sending teachers to training outside of the District. The MOU with the SJCOE Language and Literacy Department includes two (2) days of on-site professional development services designed to support and build the capacity of K-8 teachers, including all content areas and electives, to meet the needs of our English Learners (ELs) and our students at-risk of becoming long-term English Learners (LTELs).

Grade-span specific sessions will focus on providing K-8 teachers with more than a cursory knowledge of the ELD standards and will include specific strategies aligned to integrated and designated ELD instruction with the goal of ensuring that all core instruction is designed to increase EL access to core curriculum, accelerate their language acquisition, and increase their proficiency in grade level standards.

Staff recommends the Board of Trustees approve the MOU with San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) Language and Literacy Department for on-site professional development services on August 3 and 6, 2018.

It is recommended the Board of Trustees approve the MOU with San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) Language and Literacy Department for on-site professional development services on August 3 and 6, 2018.

Title III: $5,900.

As noted in previous Friday updates, the purpose of the set-aside professional learning days for the 2018-2019 school year, which include August 2-3 along with the District Inservice day on August 6, is to provide certificated teachers with training and support for ensuring that all Sylvan Union School District students are achieving at high levels.

To that end, we have scheduled a series of presenters to lead and facilitate the professional learning sessions to take place on the above mentioned days that will mark the launch of the 2018-2019 school year. The content for each session was developed by the Ed Services Department and in consultation with teachers who have provided feedback and requests for training to support the areas of curriculum, instruction, and/or assessment. All session content is aligned to current District initiatives or programs with the identified outcomes of deepening the learning of our teacher groups, providing for purposeful professional growth, and supporting the transfer or application to the classroom for the benefit of our students. One particular area of consideration in planning for professional learning are the goals set forth in our 2020 Plan. In addition, content is designed for and intended to address the needs of English Learners which has been clearly illuminated through an analysis of both site and District-wide academic performance data.

Several of the presenters we have secured for August 2-3 and 6, 2018 regularly present in the area, but instead of costs associated with sending teachers to trainings, we are looking forward to bringing the training to us. The MOU with SJCOE includes two (2) days of on-site professional development services designed to support and build the capacity of our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teachers in the area of vocabulary and social-emotional learning, including self-regulation, relationships, and social Interactions. TK-specific sessions will include “make and take” materials.

TK teaching and learning is important to the success of our students as they embark on their first formal educational experience with the Sylvan Union School District. We believe that the unique needs of TK teachers and students can best be addressed with a specific focus on age and developmentally appropriate approaches to teaching and learning. Thus, we propose to contract with the California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN). CPIN provides evidence-based resources and professional development based on CDE publications, including

• California Preschool Learning Foundations

• California Preschool Curriculum Frameworks

• Preschool English Learner Resource Guide

• Inclusion Works! Creating Child Care Programs That promote Belonging for Children

With both academic achievement and social-emotional learning as LCAP goals, professional learning in these areas is a priority. Fees as outlined in the MOU will be paid for with General Fund monies that were earmarked for professional learning, outlined in the 2017-18 Budget, and approved by the Board on April 11, 2017.

Staff recommends the Board of Trustees approve the MOU with San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) - CPIN for on-site professional development services on August 3 and 6, 2018.

It is recommended the Board of Trustees approve the MOU with San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) - CPIN for on-site professional development services on August 3 and 6, 2018.

General Fund: $1,050.

Provide Comp Ed for a student per their IEP.

Staff recommends the Board of Trustees approve the service agreement with Terriann Zeek Tutoring Services.

Staff recommends the Board of Trustees approve the service agreement with Terriann Zeek Tutoring Services.

$35 an hour for four (4) hours a week for a maximum of 12 weeks = $1,680

NOT TO EXCEED:  $2,000

The district decided several years ago to begin standardizing security alarms systems through Sonitrol. Of our sixteen (16) district sites, fifteen (15) are monitored by Sonitrol, and one (1) is monitored by another company that only monitors by movement.  Our sites monitored by Sonitrol went from having vandalism or break-ins to being almost free of onsite crime. 

Freedom Elementary School is the final school on our list to upgrade their security system through Sonitrol.  The upgrade was identified on the 2016-17 Capital Outlay Plan and budgeted in the 2017-18 fiscal year.

Staff recommends approval to contract for Security Monitoring Services with Sonitrol at Freedom Elementary School.

The Board of Trustees to consider approval to contract for Security Monitoring Services with Sonitrol at Freedom Elementary School.

Routine Repair and Maintenance:  $42,655

It is recommended that Board of Trustees approve the minutes of the May 1, 2018, Regular Board Meeting and the May 8, 2018, Special Board Meeting.

Blackboard Connect currently provides a mass notification service for the district to reach parents and staff.  The system is used for announcements of upcoming events, emergency situations, attendance follow up, and important information for families.

It is recommended the Board of Trustees approve renewal of the Service Agreement with Blackboard Connect for the period of July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019.

Staff is requesting the Board of Trustees approve the Blackboard Connect renewal agreement for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

$11,480 (A decrease of $846.65 from the prior year)

State Testing Funding: $7,391.00 

Food Services: $3,089.00

Sylvan Educational Foundation: $1,000.00

The Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) School Attendance Review Board (SARB) Agreement for the 2018-2019 school year is attached.  The consulting services provided under the auspices of SCOE have been used for several years in addressing attendance and/or behavior issues.  SARB is one aspect of the District's efforts to address student attendance and behavior.

The SARB Committee meets with families who are referred by our schools, develops action plans, and follows up on SARB mandates.  

Over the last year, Sylvan Union School District has referred eight (8) cases to SARB.  This caseload is down from twenty-five (25) in the previous years.

There is an annual fee of $725 and a fee charged per each SARB referral of $1,000.  Staff is estimating a minimum of eight (8) referrals for the 2018-2019 school year. 

It is recommended the Board of Trustees approve the service agreement with Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) for 2018-2019 School Attendance Review Board (SARB) consulting services.

It is recommended the Board of Trustees approve the service agreement with Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) for 2018-2019 School Attendance Review Board (SARB) consulting services.

Funding Source: General Fund

Fiscal Impact: $8,725.00 (an increase of $1,200.00 from prior year)

The District requires the support of the Speech Language Pathology Assistant, supervised by a district Speech Language Pathologist in working with students with special needs to provide speech therapy.

Staff is recommending the Board of Trustees approve the contract with ARDOR Health for one (1) SLPA for the period of August 8, 2018, through May 24, 2019.

Speech Language Pathologist Assistant: Workdays will include up to five (5) days per week.

Not to exceed: $95,000.

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) allows school psychologist candidates enrolled in University Credential Programs to provide instructional services as interns while completing school psychologist credential program requirements.  This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes the terms of the collaboration between Sylvan Union School District and University of the Pacific for interns.

Staff recommends ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with University of the Pacific for intern collaboration.

None

The District requires the support of the Speech Language Pathology Assistant, supervised by a district Speech Language Pathologist, in working with students with speech needs to provide speech therapy.

Staff is recommending the Board of Trustees approve the contract with The Gift of Speech for one (1) SLPA for the period of August 8, 2018, through May 24, 2019.

Speech Language Pathologist Assistant: Workdays will include up to 3 days per week.

Not to exceed: $63,000.

1. The donation of a flute with case valued at $50.00 from Michelle Bloed to Crossroads Elementary School for the instrumental program.

2. The donation of $325.51 from Crossroads PTA to Crossroads Elementary School for the purchase of an IPad for Mrs. Williams' 4th grade classroom.

3. The donation of $10.00 from Your Cause Corporate Employee Giving Programs to Freedom Elementary School for student recognition and supplies.

4. The donation of $998.88 from Freedom PTA to Freedom Elementary School for Wednesday folders for students.

5. The donation of $100.00 from El Maguey Restaurant to Savage Middle School for cooking classes.

6. The donation of one (1) case of apples and one (1) case of bananas valued at $70.00 from Raley's #338 to Savage Middle School for healthy snacks for students performing at Disneyland.