BACKGROUND:
To provide the required Public Disclosure of the proposed settlement between San Rafael City Elementary School District and the California Schools Employees Association (CSEA) in order to be in compliance with AB 1200, Government Code 35547.5, CCR, Title V, Section 15449 for the 2014-15 fiscal years.

In addition, the disclosure document must be signed by the District Superintendent and Chief Business Officer at the time of public disclosure, who must certify that the District can meet the costs incurred under the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the current year and two (2) subsequent years.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS:
The information provided in the Disclosure of Collective Bargaining Agreement document summarizes the financial implications of the proposed agreement and is submitted to the Board of Education for "Public Disclosure" of the major provisions of the agreement. This is in accordance with the requirements of AB 1200 (Statutes of 1991, Chapter 1213, Government Code 3547.5, and CCR, Title V, Section 15449.

Once it has been reviewed and approved by the Board of Education, it will be submitted to the Marin County Office of Education for review and comment.

COST/FUNDING SOURCE:
The total annual (ongoing) cost of the 2014-15 Tentative Agreement between the San Rafael City Elementary School District and the CSEA for increasing the Salary Schedule by 5% retroactive to July 1, 2014 and increasing the Caps for Medical insurance equal to .26% 1/1/14 is $254,850.  This represents an amount equivalent to a approximately a 5.26% increase. (See AB 1200-Disclosure Documents attached):

These increases will be funded by the General Fund 01 and the Cafeteria Fund 13. Although the annual ongoing cost is $261,350 the total cost for 2014-15 is $254,850.

BACKGROUND:
To provide the required Public Disclosure of the proposed settlement between San Rafael City Elementary School District and the California Schools Employees Association (CSEA) in order to be in compliance with AB 1200, Government Code 35547.5, CCR, Title V, Section 15449 for the 2014-15 fiscal year.

In addition, the disclosure document must be signed by the District Superintendent and Chief Business Officer at the time of public disclosure, who must certify that the District can meet the costs incurred under the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the current year and two (2) subsequent years.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS:
The information provided in the Disclosure of Collective Bargaining Agreement document summarizes the financial implications of the proposed agreement and is submitted to the Board of Education for "Public Disclosure" of the major provisions of the agreement. This is in accordance with the requirements of AB 1200 (Statutes of 1991, Chapter 1213, Government Code 3547.5, and CCR, Title V, Section 15449.

Once it has been reviewed and approved by the Board of Education, it will be submitted to the Marin County Office of Education for review and comment.

COST/FUNDING SOURCE:

The total annual (ongoing) cost of the 2014-15 Tentative Agreement between the San Rafael City High School District and the CSEA for increasing the Salary Schedule by 2.15% retroactive to July 1, 2014 and increasing the Caps for Medical insurance equal to .26% 1/1/14 is $85,319. This represents an annual ongoing amount of $90,419 and is equivalent to a approximately a 2.41% increase. (See AB 1200-Disclosure Documents attached):

These increases will be funded by the General Fund 01 and the Cafeteria Fund 13. Although the annual ongoing cost is $90,419, the total cost for 2014-15 is $85,319.

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BACKGROUND:  Board Policy BP  6111  Instruction states:

The Superintendent or designee shall recommend to the Board of Education a calendar for each school that will meet the requirements of law as well as the needs of the community, students and the work year as negotiated for represented personnel.

Each school calendar shall show the beginning and ending school dates, legal and local holidays, orientation meeting days, minimum days, vacation periods and other pertinent dates.

The district shall offer 180 days of instruction per school year.

Staff development days shall not be counted as instructional days.

At the final meeting of the Calendar Committee in March 2015, the committee members unanimously recommended approval of the attached 2016-2017 school calendar. All three bargaining units ratified this calendar. The approved calendar will be translated and made available in Spanish. 

Due to attendance accounting updates, we are providing a revision to the originally approved 2015-2016 Attendance Calendar.

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 March 1, 2015 – March 31, 2015, is attached. 

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 March 1, 2015 – March 31, 2015 is attached.

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 School, Glenwood Elementary,  and the Business Services department have determined that the following equipment/textbooks are obsolete.

BACKGROUND:
On November 26, 2007 the Board approved the agreement between San Rafael City Schools and Infinity Communications and Consulting, Inc. for Erate consulting services. Infinity also provides planning services and funding solutions to schools requiring new data, voice, video and security systems, as well as telecom and ISP services.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS:
Infinity Communications and Consulting shall perform the following tasks for their Priority One Erate Consulting services which include consulting services, E-rate application, Request for Proposal (RFP) management services and audit assistance.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Infinity’s fee will be an annual flat rate of $17,200 for consulting services. The Compensation and Reimbursable Expense Schedule (Attachment B) will be applied to any work outside the scope of services.

Reimbursable expense rates are subject to annual review and adjustments.

Background Information: AVID Secondary: AVID is a college readiness system designed to increase the number of students who enroll in, and are successful, in four-year colleges. The AVID College Readiness System (ACRS) incorporates three distinct components:  AVID Elementary, AVID Secondary (Academic Elective) and AVID for Higher Education. Each component addresses the specific needs of students to help bridge the path from elementary school through higher education completion.  AVID ensures that it is on the cutting edge relative to instructional strategies, support and training, and all curriculum is common core aligned.

The AVID secondary, grades 6-12 model, is an approved elective course(s) taken during the school day. Students in these classes learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking probing questions, get academic help from peers and college tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities in helping the students to successfully complete high school and make college seem attainable. Students in the AVID program are required to enroll in at least one or more of their school’s most rigorous courses such as honors and/or AP classes. Students are also encouraged to remain in the AVID program throughout the four years in high school as the program design helps to ensure ongoing academic success, promote improve self-image, and develop the skills to be leaders and positive role models for other students.  While there are specific criteria for students who are enrolled in the AVID electives, and they must choose to participate, it is also a goal of AVID to enhance and support a schoolwide culture of college-bound students, with a focus on high expectations and high levels of achievement for all students. 

There are eleven AVID essentials that guide the schoolwide system in striving to ensure all students are college-ready and successful upon graduation. The schoolwide AVID essentials address school climate and culture, professional development and the student component known as WICOR (writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading).

AVID Elementary: AVID elementary is based on the same learning foundation that underlies the AVID secondary elective. Instead of the focus on an AVID elective class and core content area classes the elementary focus is embedded into the daily instruction of elementary classrooms across entire grade levels to impact schoolwide programs.  AVID elementary spans K-8 in three stages: Beginnings, Foundations and Bridges.  Promotion of WICOR strategies are embedded in all three levels throughout the academic day.  There are four AVID elementary essentials that are standard across all grade levels: Instruction, culture, leadership and systems.

AVID Model:  The AVID model requires that each district have a District Director at the secondary and elementary levels. At the secondary level, each site is also required to have a Site Coordinator (Designated teacher/coordinator).  The District Director oversees the program, certification and data process, and submissions along with providing support to the schools and their teams.  This position requires a two-year training program through AVID for each district. Whether there are one or two different people serving in these roles, the AVID required training is the same. Two-years for each position. These two positions are required and essential to the success and integrity of the program. 

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS:  The AVID secondary model has been in place for over 15 years while expanding to now include electives at all grade levels at both San Rafael and Terra Linda High Schools. The high schools continue to expand each year and will again increase AVID enrollment for next year to include more sections at the high schools. Both schools continue to work toward expanding AVID to a schoolwide system in collaboration with the core academic program. 

There are currently two Site Coordinators (Teacher/coordinator) in the secondary program, one at each high school.  There is currently one District Director (DD) serving to support both districts. However, this director is not trained by AVID in the elementary model. Therefore, the district must identify an elementary director to be trained by AVID.

AVID elementary began this past year at Venetia Valley K-8 school, starting in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades with a goal of expanding schoolwide in the coming years. 

Objectives:  To continue to recognize AVID as a program that supports the outcome that all students are college ready upon graduation, and have the skills to be successful throughout college. The AVID College Readiness System begins with kindergarten and to that end, we want to expand the program to next year include grades 4-8 at Venetia Valley K-8 school, and the return of Davidson Middle School, grades 6-8, with the AVID elective class model. While part of the elementary district, DMS AVID model is the same as the secondary with the elective(s). Mandates and costs are the same as those of the high schools.

To include the addition of at least one District Director at the elementary level and one at the secondary level.

Financial Implications:  The AVID College Readiness System (ACRS) requires a financial commitment from each district as follows:

High School District: (Exhibit A)

Current AVID District Director: Judy Colton (Districts may use any trained AVID District Director as long as a district chooses to recognize this person as their director. No additional AVID fees are charged for this person.)

HSD District Director:    Year 1 -  $6,300

Annual Membership of     $3,485.00 for each high school:

San Rafael High:                                                 $3,485

Terra Linda High:                                                $3,485

Summer Institute Training: $669 per registration (Earlybird)

San Rafael High:    Team of 8                                  $5,592

Terra Linda High:    Team of 5                                 $3,495

AVID Weekly Subscriptions per school:                  $509

SR and TL Subscriptions:                                          $1018

Total High School District Costs:                             $23,575    

Elementary District:  (Exhibit B)

ESD District Director:        N/C

(Year 1 was paid in 2014-15, $6,300.00, no one identified. Funds carried over by AVID for year 1 training. Must pay year 2 in 2015-16, as ED is moving into year 2 of implementation. New person still trains for 2 years. Director training fee covers all registrations and trainings plus AVID support)

Annual Membership:

Venetia Valley                                                         $2,610

Davidson Middle                                                      $3585

AVID Curriculum Package (First Year Only DMS):   $4370

AVID Weekly Subscriptions VV:                                 $509

Summer Institute Training:  $669.00 per registration (Earlybird)
Venetia Valley:           Team of 10 -                        $6990

DMS:                         Team of 8 -                           $5,592

Freight Cost                                                               $150                         

Total:                                                                          $23,297

Elementary and High School District Totals:              $46,872

Funding to be from General Funds (LCFF)
01-0000-0-5860.00-1511-2110-700-240-000

Elementary School District                                   $23,297
High School District                                              $23,575

Elementary and High School District Totals:        $46,872

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 2014-2015 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 program funds:

Title I - Teacher Professional Development       $4,400
01-3010-0-5849.75-1110-2140-700-240-000

General Fund - Other Contract Services         $18,000
01-0000-0-5840.00-1110-2490-700-240-000

Background: CollegeSpring is the largest nonprofit organization in California offering SAT preparation and college-readiness services specifically designed for students from low-income backgrounds. Since 2008, CollegeSpring has helped more than 5,000 students in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County boost SAT scores, navigate the college admissions and financial aid processes, and confidently pursue college degrees.

CollegeSpring’s 80-hour programs are based on a five-pillar model that is specifically designed to meet the needs of students from low-income backgrounds, many of whom will be the first in their families to attend college: 

• SAT Test Preparation
• College-Readiness Instruction
• Progress Evaluation - Four Diagnostic SAT Tests
• Professional Instruction
• Mentorship

BACKGROUND: Board Policy requires approval of all school sponsored overnight field trips as follows: Administrative Regulation 6153-Study Trips, Excursions and Travel to Activities states:

"All school-sponsored study trips, excursions, and activity travel must have school-level written administrative approval."

"Overnight and out-of-state study school-sponsored trips must be approved by the Board of Education."

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS: This agenda item presents for Board consideration a request for two Terra Linda High School students to attend the Northern California State Finals of the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition under the supervision of Terra Linda teacher, Dan Silin.  Students will travel to the competition by car. Students will be staying at the Doubletree in Pleasanton. Each student will have their own bed and no water activities will be allowed. The competition is from April 30 - May 1, 2015.

Objective: Terra Linda High School's Automotive Technology program has qualified to participate in the Northern California State Finals of the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition. This makes it possible for students to receive recognition for outstanding ability and performance in the field of automotive technology and diagnostics.

The students first take an on-line test that challenges them to apply their knowledge of automotive technology to problem solving. By scoring high enough, our two top students qualify to proceed to the State finals were they compete with nine other teams from high school automotive programs in troubleshooting and repairing current model year vehicles. 

In order to fix these vehicles, our students must utilize 21st century tools and technology, interpret data from scan tools and research information from on-line service manuals.

They also get a chance to meet and talk to high level technical professionals from the Ford Motor Company, get a guided tour of a world class automotive museum and network with students and instructors from other high schools.

This experience connects to the following content standards:

• Select and use appropriate technology
• Formulate explanations using logic and inference
• Analyze situations and solve problems
• Discuss the impact of new technologies
• Know the personal qualifications necessary to succeed in a career
• Use critical thinking skills to make informed decisions and solve problems
• Understand qualities and behaviors that constitute a positive professional work demeanor
• Understand the characteristics and benefits of teamwork
• Understand the ways in which preprofessional associations and competitive career development activities enhance academic skills, promote career choices and contribute to employability

Students to attend: Matt Carvalho and Jeremy Retornaz 

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS: This agenda item presents for Board consideration a request for the Terra Linda High School (TLHS) teachers, Christina Stroeh and Amy Henken with seven leadership students (Elena Cavender, Marsha  Lotosh, Lilli Diaz, Diana Ochoa, Arielle Miranda, Jesseca Chung, Jeffrey Weiner) to attend the Student Body President's Workshop in San Ramon, California from May 17-18, 2015.

On May 17, students will arrive at the San Ramon Marriott along with ASB staff members and will stay one night at the conference and leave in the afternoon of May 18, 2015. Students will travel by private car accompanied by the leadership teacher. Each student will have their own bed and no water activities will be allowed.

Objective: This trip provides opportunities for leadership students and the advisor to learn the fundamentals of leadership skills and events planning strategies for the upcoming year. Topics to be discussed include how to lead effectively, how to motivate others, how to work with advisors and how to effectively set goals.

Current Consideration: That the Board approves the overnight field trip for Terra Linda High School Leadership Class trip to attend the Student Body President's Conference in San Ramon, California on May 17-18, 2015.

BACKGROUND: Since November 1988, state law has required all public schools receiving state funding to prepare and distribute a SARC. A similar requirement is also contained in the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. The purpose of the report card is to provide parents and the community with important information about each public school. A SARC can be an effective way for a school to report on its progress in achieving goals. The public may also use a SARC to evaluate and compare schools on a variety of indicators.

All public schools with enrollment reported in the California Basic Educational Data System (CBEDS) are required to prepare and disseminate a SARC. Pursuant to Proposition 98 and NCLB, all charter schools are also required to prepare and disseminate a SARC.

Although there is great variation in the design of school report cards, they generally begin with a profile that provides background information about the school and its students. The profile usually summarizes the school's mission, goals, and accomplishments. State law requires that the SARC contain all of the following:

• Demographic data
• School safety and climate for learning information
• Academic data
• School completion rates
• Class sizes
• Teacher and staff information
• Curriculum and instruction descriptions
• Postsecondary preparation information
• Fiscal and expenditure data

 Education Code, Section 35256, requires Boards to approve the publication of the SARC:

"The governing board of each school district maintaining an elementary or secondary school shall by September 30, 1989, or the beginning of the school year develop and cause to be implemented for each school in the school district a School Accountability Report Card.

(a) The School Accountability Report Card shall include, but is not limited to, the conditions listed in Education Code Section 33126.

(b) Not less than triennially, the governing board of each school district shall compare the content of the school district's School Accountability Report Card to the model School Accountability Report Card adopted by the State Board of Education. Variances among school districts shall be permitted where necessary to account for local needs.

(c) The Governing Board of each school district shall annually issue a School Accountability Report Card for each school in the school district, publicize such reports, and notify parents or guardians of students that a copy will be provided upon request."

The District worked with Academia Publishing in completing the SARC’s for each school. Last year Academia Publishing changed the format to reflect an easier to read format without having to process both a full and summary SARC. Translation services are arranged with District staff member, Marta Biton.

On May 6, 2013 the Board approved the official re-opening of Old Galinas Elementary School as an active school effective August 2013. Because of the re-opening of Gallinas Elementary School, California Department of Education is requiring that we submit a 2013-2014 Gallinas Elementary School Accountability Report Card. 

Current Consideration: That the Board reviews and approve the 2013-2014 Gallinas Elementary School Accountability Report Card. (Exhibit A)

BACKGROUND:

The district has been experiencing significant growth over the past eight(8) years. Current enrollment projections show that this growth will continue over the next several years with an additional number of students projected in 2015-16. The addition of these portables will continue to provide flexibility to address incoming new students and enable Short Elementary School to matriculate the current third grade student population into fourth grade in 2015-16. Short Elementary School currently has eight classrooms that house 8 classes (2 each K-3rd) and does not have the classroom space to add the 2 classes necessary for the program to accommodate fourth grade.  

The district currently owns 2 classroom portables that were donated to the District from another District 2 years ago.  Therefore, the scope of this project is for the related site-work necessary to house the new portables and to make necessary electrical and low-voltage connections.  On April 21, 2015, a successful bid opening was held for the site work and related utility connections for the installation of Modular Buildings at the Short School to be used for multi-use space by the school.

CURRENT CONSIDERATIONS:

This agenda item presented for Board approval is to award the contract for the Relocation of Modular Buildings at the Short School to Wildcat, the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder. Five (5) bids were received and the results were as follows:

Bidders Base Bid

B. Bros. Construction Inc. $137,850

W.R. Forde Associates $194,000

Fieldstone Construction $95,985

Wildcat $89,800 - Apparent Lowest Bidder

GCCI, INC. $188,900.00

The engineers estimate was $110,000 for the project and the bid received was within acceptable limits.

COST/FUNDING SOURCE:

The total cost for this contract is $89,800 and is within budget for this project.This project will be funded by Special Reserve for Capital Outlay Fund 40.

SACS: 40-0000-0-0000.00-0000-8500-097-000-463

The Board approves the Award of Contract to Wildcat.

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 donation(s) was received for the San Rafael City Schools District, as follows:

The Board is presented with Resolution 1637 for approval, in recognition of May 4 - 8, 2015 as "Teacher Appreciation Week"

For the 2014-2015 school year, Davidson Middle School had multiple mathematics teacher vacancies that could not be filled with a math-credentialed teacher. Human Resources staff and Davidson administrators identified and hired candidates who do not currently possess the appropriate credential, but who are able to serve in the teaching position for a limited time under Education Code and Board Policy provisions.

This board item presents for Board approval Resolution #1639, which authorizes the assignment of a teacher holding a valid credential (other than an emergency permit), to teach any subjects in departmentalized classes in kindergarten or any grade 1 to 12, inclusive, provided the requirements of adequate knowledge have been verified under the provisions of Education Code 44258.3.

Mr. Shawn Barile currently holds a Multiple Subjects credential with English Learner Authorization and is in the process of completing the requirements to be authorized/credentialed in mathematics. He is serving on a temporary contract for the 2014-2015 school year.

David Tow is an exemplary SRCS teacher of Advanced Placement English.  He is the department chair at Terra Linda High School, where he has doubled the AP Literature enrollment over the past four years and written the curriculum for the college application seminar course. 

David was one of over 1,500 teachers who recently applied to the Fulbright Commission for a Fulbright Award in Distinguished Teaching. The Fulbright Award in Distinguished Teaching requires teachers to teach, research, attend classes, and become engaged with the community.  David’s interest is in civic education, the social dimension of public education, the development of community, and how it produces a national and regional sense of identity.

David was among the 47 teachers who qualified as a finalist.  The Fulbright Commission has very recently informed David that he has been selected to receive this prestigious award, which is intended to enable him to complete a research project, which is a requirement of the program.  David’s intention is to spend three months – January through March 2016 – in Finland where he will complete his project on “civic-ness,” the impact of civic mindedness in public education.

The product of David’s work in Finland will be an anthology of lessons and supplementary materials, including first-person narratives, analytical essays, source materials, and resources revolving around ideas of identity.  Upon his return, David will share his experience, work, impressions, and all that he learned in Finland with the Board of Education and the greater SRCS community.  

This is an enormous honor for David Tow, Terra Linda High School, and San Rafael City Schools. It is also a unique and rare opportunity, since Fullbright does not repeat awards in school districts. The Commission has already released David’s selection to the San Francisco Chronicle, local television stations, and the Marin Independent Journal, which has contacted David and expressed an interest in publishing an article about this achievement.  David is requesting an extended meritorious leave of absence from January 1 - March 30, 2016, less seven days of Personal Necessity leave, which would be treated as a sabbatical so as to grant him half pay and uninterrupted medical benefits.

SRFT and District staff jointly recommend this Memorandum of Understanding, which would make David's participation in the Fulbright program possible.