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Board of Education Special Meeting
Petaluma City Schools
November 15, 2021 5:00PM
Petaluma City Schools Board Room 200 Douglas St. Petaluma, CA 94952 Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84321156631 Or One tap mobile: +16699006833,,84321156631# Or Telephone: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782 Webinar ID: 843 2115 6631

1. CALL TO ORDER AT 5:00 PM
Minutes:
The meeting was called to order at 5:00pm.
2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AB 361
2.1. Following all recommended state and county pandemic guidelines, this meeting will be conducted in-person for Petaluma City Schools Board members and designated staff, and limited seating available for the general public. Special recognitions, reports, presentations, and attendance for public participation will be conducted online. For so long as the public health recommendations remain in effect, the Petaluma City Schools Board will reconsider the circumstances of the pandemic conditions within 30 days and make appropriate findings to continue with virtual meetings as needed
Minutes:
The Board acknowledged AB 361.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1. Public Hearing: 2021-22 Sufficiency of Textbooks and Instructional Materials per E.C. 60119
Rationale:

Situation:  

Education Code Section (E.C.) 60119 requires that the governing board of a school district hold an annual instructional materials public hearing to determine whether the district has sufficient standards-aligned textbooks and instructional materials.  The governing board shall hold a public hearing and shall make a determination as to whether each pupil in each school in the district has sufficient textbooks or instructional materials or both to use in class and to take home.  The language does not require two sets of textbooks or instructional materials for each pupil regardless of whether homework is assigned.

In addition, the governing board determines whether or not each student in a foreign language or health course has sufficient textbooks or instructional materials, and also determines the availability of lab science equipment for science laboratory courses offered in grades 9-12.  

Adoption of a resolution stating whether textbooks and instructional materials are sufficient is also required.

Plan:

For the Board to approve the resolution to comply with the requirements of Educational Code 60119.

Submitted/Recommended by:

Tony Hua, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

 
Minutes:
The public hearing was opened.

There were no comments from the public; hearing was closed.
3.2. Public Hearing: Magnolia Global Academy for Leaders
Minutes:
The public hearing was opened.

Superintendent Matthew Harris provided information on the petition for the establishment for the Magnolia Global Academy for Leaders.

The following community members provided public comment in-person: Gianna Biaggi, Tegan Hoover, Yensi Jacobs, Jeanne Kearns, Paloma Apgar, Diana Ruiz, and Chad Zibelman.

The following community members provided public comment via Zoom: Zahyra Garcia, Sal Andropoulos, Patrick Mundy, Jenny Griffo, Sarah Seitchik, Julie Peterson, Sara Brooks Long, Kerri Izen, Karen McGahey, and Kane Lisker.

The following community members provided public comment ahead of the meeting. These comments were read by Ashley Collingwood, Petaluma City Schools' Communications Coordinator: Vicki Dufton, Mike Guernon, Joyce Galindo, Rob Riordan, Shannon Paras, Alishay Montufar, Jessica Demitro, Jennifer Gray Thompson, Colette Winkelmann, Rodney Harris, Julie Lannert, Tanya Bruno, Michelle Hart-Tinsley, Larissa Laska-Ruebusch, Cara Viripaeff, Megan Izen, Dave Andrus, and Dan Noble.

The public hearing was closed.
4. ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Minutes:
The agenda was approved.
4.1. Approval of the Agenda of November 15, 2021
Actions:
Motion
Passed with a motion by Ellen Webster and a second by Ms. Caitlin Quinn.
Vote:
Yes Mady Cloud.
Yes Dr. Sheldon Gen.
Yes Mrs. Joanna Paun.
Yes Ms. Caitlin Quinn.
Yes Ellen Webster.
5. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON NONAGENDIZED ITEMS
Minutes:
There were no comments from the public on nonagendized items.
6. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ACTION ITEMS
Minutes:
There were no comments from the public on action items.
7. ACTION ITEMS
7.1. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
7.1.1. Resolution 2122-09 of the Board of Education of the Petaluma City Elementary School District to fully comply with the Requirements of Education Section Codes 60119 through 60252 Regarding Sufficiency of Textbooks or Instructional Materials for the 2021-2022 School Year
Rationale:

Situation:

Education Code Section 60119, specifies that in order to receive funds available for Pupil Textbook and Instructional Materials, the governing board shall hold a public hearing and shall make a determination as to whether each pupil in each school in the district has sufficient textbooks or instructional materials that are consistent with the content and cycles of the curriculum framework adopted by the state board in math, science, history-social science, and English/language arts.  In addition, the governing board determines whether or not each student in a foreign language or health course has sufficient textbooks or instructional materials, and also determines the availability of lab science equipment for science laboratory courses offered in grades K-6.

Plan:

For the Board to approve this resolution to comply with the requirements of Educational Code 60119.

Submitted/Recommended by:

Tony Hua, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

 
Minutes:
Resolution 2122-09 was approved.
Recommended Motion:

For the Board to approve.

Actions:
Motion

For the Board to approve.

Passed with a motion by Ms. Caitlin Quinn and a second by Mady Cloud.
Vote:
Yes Mady Cloud.
Yes Dr. Sheldon Gen.
Yes Mrs. Joanna Paun.
Yes Ms. Caitlin Quinn.
Yes Ellen Webster.
Attachments:
Sufficiency of Materials, PCS Elementary
7.1.2. Resolution 2122-10 of the Board of Education of the Petaluma Joint Union High School District to fully comply with the Requirements of Education Section Codes 60119 through 60252 Regarding Sufficiency of Textbooks or Instructional Materials for the 2021-2022 School Year
Rationale:

Situation:

Education Code Section 60119, specifies that in order to receive funds available for Pupil Textbook and Instructional Materials, the governing board shall hold a public hearing and shall make a determination as to whether each pupil in each school in the district has cycles of the curriculum framework adopted by the state board in math, science, history-social science, and English/language arts.  In addition, the governing board determines whether or not each student in a foreign language or health course has sufficient textbooks or instructional materials, and also determines the availability of lab science equipment for science laboratory courses offered in grades 7-12.

Plan:

For the Board to approve.

Submitted/Recommended by:

Tony Hua, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

 
Minutes:
Resolution 2122-10 was approved.
Recommended Motion:

For the Board to approve.

Actions:
Motion

For the Board to approve.

Passed with a motion by Ms. Caitlin Quinn and a second by Mady Cloud.
Vote:
Yes Mady Cloud.
Yes Dr. Sheldon Gen.
Yes Mrs. Joanna Paun.
Yes Ms. Caitlin Quinn.
Yes Ellen Webster.
Attachments:
Sufficiency of Materials, PJUHS
7.2. ADMINISTRATION/HUMAN RESOURCES
7.2.1. Consideration and Action Regarding the Petition for the Establishment of the Magnolia Global Academy for Leaders Charter School
Rationale:

Situation:

The Petition for the establishment of Magnolia Global Academy for Leaders Charter School (“Petition”) was submitted to the District on August 27, 2021.  Pursuant to Education Code section 47605, on October 12, 2021, the Petaluma City Schools Board of Education (“Board”) held a public hearing on the provisions of the Petition, at which time the Board considered the level of support for the Petition by teachers employed by the District, other employees of the District, and parents/guardians.  

Per Education Code section 47605 the Board shall either grant or deny the Petition within 90 days from receipt of the Petition.  The petitioners were informed that the Board’s decision whether to grant or deny the Petition would be agendized for action at this November 15, 2021, Special Board meeting, and were previously provided a copy of the Staff Report that was also posted in the District’s website on November 1, 2021.

Education Code section 47605 sets forth the legal requirements for the establishment of charter schools. The District’s staff, with assistance from legal counsel, conducted a comprehensive analysis of the Petition and documents submitted with the Petition.  Based on that comprehensive analysis, numerous deficiencies in, and concerns related to, the Petition and the proposed charter school’s operations have been identified, and it has been determined that more than one of the legal grounds for denial under Education Code section 47605 exist. 

Specifically, as outlined in the Staff Report, the petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the proposed education program, the Petition does not provide a reasonably comprehensive description of several essential charter elements, and the petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to serve the interests of the entire community in which the charter school is proposing to locate for reasons including the fiscal impact the proposed charter school will have on the District to the detriment of existing services, and the academic and programmatic offerings of the District. 

The specific factual and legal grounds supporting denial are set forth in the Findings in Support of Denial included in the attached Staff Report dated October 29, 2021.

Plan:

Staff recommends denial of the Petition for the establishment of the Magnolia Global Academy for Leaders Charter School.

Submitted/Recommended by:

Matthew Harris, Superintendent

 
Minutes:
The Petition for the Establishment of the Magnolia Global Academy for Leaders Charter School was denied.
Recommended Motion:

For the Board to deny the Petition for the establishment of the Magnolia Global Academy for Leaders Charter School and adopt the Findings in Support of Denial under Section V of the October 29, 2021 Staff Report as the Board’s written findings in support of the denial.

Actions:
Motion

For the Board to deny the Petition for the establishment of the Magnolia Global Academy for Leaders Charter School and adopt the Findings in Support of Denial under Section V of the October 29, 2021 Staff Report as the Board’s written findings in support of the denial.

Passed with a motion by Dr. Sheldon Gen and a second by Ms. Caitlin Quinn.
Vote:
Yes Mady Cloud.
Yes Dr. Sheldon Gen.
Yes Mrs. Joanna Paun.
Yes Ms. Caitlin Quinn.
Yes Ellen Webster.
Attachments:
PCS Staff Report MGAL Charter Petition
8. ADJOURNMENT
Minutes:
The meeting adjourned at 6:14pm.
11/15/2021 5:00:00 PM ( Original )
PresentMady Cloud
PresentDr. Sheldon Gen
PresentMrs. Joanna Paun
PresentMs. Caitlin Quinn
PresentEllen Webster

The resubmit was successful.