Public comment regarding closed session items will be received before the Board goes into closed session.

Information concerning the consent items listed below has been forwarded to each Board member prior to this meeting for study and is on file at the Modesto-Stanislaus Library Reference Room, 1500 I Street; Modesto City Schools Superintendent’s Office and Receptionist’s Desk, 426 Locust Street, Modesto.

The complete agenda is available at www.mcs4kids.com . Unless some member of the audience or Board member has a question concerning an item and asks that it be withdrawn from the consent list, the items are approved at one time by the Board.  The action taken by the Board in approving consent items is set forth in the explanation of the individual items.

Board Bylaw 9322 (b):

Members of the public may address the Board of Education on matters not on the agenda.

Complaints against specific District employees should be resolved through the District’s Personnel Complaint Procedure. The right to address the Board does not exempt the speaker from any potential liability for defamation. The proceedings of the Board are recorded and are a part of the public record.

The Period for Public Presentation is limited to 30 minutes. Time will be allotted equally to individuals based on the number of request cards submitted.  The maximum for any one speaker is three minutes.

The law limits the response of Board members and prohibits the Board from taking any formal action.

In order to receive funding for the Pupil Textbook and Instructional Materials Incentive Program (Education Code, Section 60252) and/or funding for instructional materials from any State source in a fiscal year, the District must meet the requirements of the Education Code, Section 60119.

1. Goal One: Increase academic achievement and ensure equitable access to enable all students to attain college and career readiness.

Education Code 60119 requires that the Board of Education shall hold a public hearing and shall make a determination, through a Resolution, as to whether each pupil in each school in the District has sufficient textbooks or instructional materials, or both, in each subject area that is consistent with the content and cycles of the curriculum framework adopted by the State Board.

The local governing board of Modesto City Schools hereby certifies that as of this date, each pupil in the District at a TK-12 traditional site has been provided with a standards-aligned textbook or basic instructional materials in each of the following areas:

• History/Social Science
• Mathematics
• Reading/Language Arts
• Science
• Foreign Language 7-12
• Health 7-12
• Laboratory Science Equipment 9-12

For students in TK-8 traditional education, the instructional materials were purchased from an approved, standards-aligned state adoption list as required by CCR, Title 5, Section 9531.

For students in grades 9-12, the instructional materials were adopted by the local governing board following District review of the materials and their alignment with State Content Standards as required by CCR, Title 5, Section 9531.

The local governing board of Modesto City Schools has provided TK-12 pupils with a one-to-one device to accommodate distance learning during the 2020-2021 school year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the local governing board of Modesto City Schools has provided TK-6 pupils with a standards-aligned textbook/basic instructional materials for the new math curriculum from Board-approved materials. At the secondary level, students enrolled in an Algebra, Geometry, or Algebra 2 course were provided with a new textbook, including online access, for the newly adopted math curriculum from Board-approved materials. Students enrolled in Biology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, and AP Environmental Science at the 9-12 level were also provided newly adopted Board-approved curriculum.

Funds to purchase textbooks and instructional materials are budgeted from a variety of sources, primarily Restricted Lottery and Curriculum Delivery Reserve funds.

It is recommended that the Board of Education conduct a Public Hearing and approve Resolution No. 20/21-06 that Modesto City Schools provides each pupil at TK-12 traditional sites sufficient textbooks and/or instructional materials.

The Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan is designed to describe how the school district will provide continuity of learning and address the impact of COVID-19 on pupils, staff, and the community and the specific actions and expenditures the school district anticipates taking to support its ability to address the impacts of COVID-19.

Goal 1: Increase academic achievement and ensure equitable access to enable all students to attain college and career readiness.
Goal 2: Ensure all employees have access to high quality professional development.
Goal 3: Provide a safe, welcoming, and respectful learning environment for every member of the school community while ensuring effective district-wide communication for students, staff, families, and community partners.
Goal 4.3: Invest in school facilities and infrastructure for safe and clean facilities. 

The Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan describes how the district will offer and address: 

(A) In-person instructional offerings to offer classroom-based instruction whenever possible, particularly for pupils who have experienced significant learning loss due to school closures in the 2019–20 school year or are at greater risk of experiencing learning loss due to future school closures. 

(B) Plans for a distance learning program.
(C) Pupil learning loss that results from COVID-19 during the 2019–20 and 2020–21 school years.
(D) Monitor and support the mental health and social and emotional well-being of pupils and staff during the school year.
(E) What professional development will be provided to staff, and what resources will be provided to pupils and staff to address trauma and other impacts of COVID-19 on the school community.
(F) Pupil engagement and outreach when the school district determines the pupil is not engaging in instruction and is at risk of learning loss.
(G) School nutrition, including how the school district will provide meals for pupils who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

The Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan shall describe how federal and state funding included in the original or revised budget adopted by the governing board is used to support the efforts described in the learning continuity and attendance plan, including federal and state funds provided for learning loss mitigation.

The Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan shall include a description of how the school district is increasing or improving services in proportion to funds generated on the basis of the number and concentration of unduplicated pupils under the local control funding formula. 

Modesto City Schools’ staff has completed the requirements necessary to compose a Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan and has presented it in a public hearing on September 8, 2020. Input was received and agreed-upon revisions have been made. The Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan is now being submitted for approval by the Modesto City Schools Board of Education.

The Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan final draft can be accessed at www.mcs4kids.com.

This resolution is put forth in support of the steadfast commitment by the Modesto City Schools Board of Education and District staff to foster an inclusive educational environment where every student, teacher, support professional, parent, and community member is treated with dignity and respect. This resolution also reinforces our commitment to continue fighting for equity, racial justice and human and civil rights for all.

Goal One: Increase academic achievement and ensure equitable access to enable all students to attain college and career readiness.

Goal Three: Provide a safe, welcoming, and respectful learning environment for every member of the school community while ensuring effective district-wide communication for students, staff, families, and community partners.

Modesto City Schools provides a number of social emotional supports for students. Examples include School Counselors, School Psychologists, Student Assistance Specialists and Mental Health Clinicians from the Center for Human Services and Stanislaus County Behavioral Health, and a Social Emotional Support Hotline.

A Social Emotional Support Survey will be administered three times per year to students in grades 4-12. The purpose of the survey is to determine students’ awareness of the various supports as well as determine if they know how to access the supports.

Goal One:  Increase academic achievement and ensure equitable access to enable all students to attain college and career readiness.

1.4: Develop a Multi-Tiered System of Supports for all students.

Goal Three:  Provide a safe, welcoming, and respectful learning environment for every member of the school community while ensuring effective district-wide communication for students, staff, families, and community partners.

3.3: Increase regular two-way communication with stakeholders regarding student progress and other important issues.

Student Support Services will provide the Board of Education an update on results from the beginning of year Social Emotional Support Survey. Next steps will outline strategies to increase student awareness of the various social emotional supports available.

Modesto City Schools' ongoing effort is to ensure our Board Policies (BP), Administrative Regulations (AR), and Board Bylaws (BB) are up to date.

Goal Three:  Provide a safe, welcoming, and respectful learning environment for every member of the school community while ensuring effective district-wide communication for students, staff, families, and community partners.

It was found that the following Board Policy needs to be created or revised: BP 5141.52, Suicide Prevention.  The above noted BP was approved at the March 30, 2020 Board meeting, but due to FPM review, is being revised and resubmitted for approval. 

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve first reading of proposed draft of Board Policy (BP) BP 5141.52, Suicide Prevention.

The Board adopted the 2020/21 budget on June 22, 2020.  Adjustments to the budget are made regularly based on known changes to revenue or the level/category of expenditures.

4.1 Implement sustainable plan for the budget under the Local Control Funding Formula.

The Education Code requires that the Board approve major changes to the adopted budget.

Budget adjustments which have been processed for the period between August 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 are presented in the following reports.  Explanations are provided for adjustments over $25,000 for revenue and expenditure groups by fund.  This report reflects adjustments to the budget only, not a complete financial statement.  Copies of the full report are available for review in the Budget Department.

The adjusted budget retains all State and Board designated reserves.

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the August revisions to the adopted 2020/21 budget.

4.3 Invest in school facilities and infrastructure for safe and clean facilities.

Staff has identified the need for a fitness center at Johansen High School to be utilized by athletes for sports conditioning and students during physical education class.

Education Code 17406 permits a school district’s governing board to lease real property for a nominal amount to an entity that is obligated to construct or improve a district owned facility.  This project delivery method is known as lease/leaseback. 

Goal 4.3 Invest in school facilities and infrastructure for safe and clean facilities

It is proposed that the Purchasing Department send out a Request for Proposal/Qualifications (RFP/Q) for pre-construction and construction services to potential developers for this project.  Interested builders would indicate their qualifications for this project.

Purchases are required for various furniture, supplies, commodities or services during the course of each year.  Due to COVID-19, additional student desks and desk shields are needed in order to maintain social distancing and provide additional protection for students and staff in the classrooms.

Goal Four: Ensure the District is fiscally and operationally sound.
Goal 4.3: Invest in school facilities and infrastructure for safe and clean facilities.

The cost to purchase various furniture, supplies, commodities or services each year exceeds the current bid threshold and competitive bids must be sought or identified to meet formal bid requirements per Public Contract Code Section 20111(a).

On May 1, 2020, Omnia Partners Region 4 awarded public bid contracts for Furniture, Installation and Related Services to Meteor Education (# R191810) and to Office Depot, Inc. (R191812).   The contracts are valid until April 30, 2023 with an option to renew two (2) additional years, through April 30, 2025.

Sourcewell awarded a public bid contract to Pasco Brokerage, Inc. (#091918-PAS) for Food Service Supplies and Equipment.  The contract is effective November 8, 2018 through November 8, 2022. 

The bids were competitively solicited consistent with procurement laws and publicly awarded to allow for multiple public agency use as required by provision 20118 of the Public Contract Code.

Upon review, it is staff’s determination that the District would derive more benefit by utilizing these cooperative bid contracts to purchase and install student desks and desk shields, rather than seeking separate bids.

The purchase of additional student desks and desk shields in response to COVID-19 is anticipated at approximately $1.2 million.  The funding source that will be utilized for this purchase is the CARES Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Goal Four: Ensure the District is fiscally and operationally sound.

The United States economy continues to see a historic economic contraction as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  The U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) drop in the first quarter of 2020 was nearly 4 times worse than the steepest quarterly decline during the Great Recession.  Furthermore, the recent surge in California Coronavirus cases has forced the state economy to shutter once again.

Cabinet met on May 14, 2020 to begin the discussion for potential budget reductions, and drafted Budget Priorities.

The Budget Advisory Committee met on September 8, 2020, to review the Unaudited Actuals and MYP, discuss the Budget Alignment Process, and review budget priorities.

While we were fortunate to receive flat funding in the 2020-21 State Budget Act, we are dealing with the impact of apportionment cash deferrals from the State that could lead to future budgetary issues for Modesto City Schools, in addition to anticipated reductions for the 2021-22 school year.

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Budget Priorities that will lead the work of the Budget Advisory Committee and staff for the 2021-22 budget development. 

BACKGROUND

Modesto City Schools’ Nutrition Services plays a vital role in the education process by providing nutritious meals each school day to District students.  For many students this is their only meal of the day.  In this way, the Nutrition Services staff contributes to the students’ learning capacity and overall health.

3.4 Improve customer service for students, families, staff, and community to support welcoming school environments.

PROPOSAL

Proclaiming the week of October 12-16, 2020 as National School Lunch Week, Modesto City Schools expresses the appreciation of the Board members and District staff in recognizing the contribution made by Nutrition Services staff and food service workers to Modesto City Schools.

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve Resolution No. 20/21-09 Declaring the Week of October 12-16, 2020 as National School Lunch Week.

Purchase orders and VISA payments are tracked each month. 

Goal Four: Ensure the District is fiscally and operationally sound.

Board Policy 3300 requires Board review of all individual purchase orders issued in excess of $1,000 and all purchase orders less than $1,000 by fund total.  All purchases are done in accordance with Board Policy, Education Code, Public Contract Code, and/or other applicable regulatory requirements.

Board of Education approval will allow the District to meet Board Policy 3300 requirements.  A copy of the report is available for review in the Purchasing Department.

Goal Four:  Ensure the District is fiscally and operationally sound.

The Business Services Division draws warrants on a weekly basis to pay the bills of the District.  Payroll warrants are drawn on the 15^th of the month for claims, and on the last working day of the month for monthly employees.

The California Education Code section 42631 requires the Board of Education to approve all expenditures of the District.

Board of Education approval will allow the District to meet Education Code and Annual Audit requirements.

The expenditures are included in the District’s budget for fiscal year 2020/21.

It is recommended that the Board of Education ratify warrants drawn for the month of
August 2020.

Course outlines are developed for each junior high and high school class by a committee of representative teachers and administrators.  The outlines include instructional texts and materials, expectations for student learning, units of study, unit credit, grading, and other course elements.  The course outlines and texts are then submitted to Associate Principals, Principals, and the Senior Director(s), Curriculum & Instruction, Professional Development, for review and recommendation.

1.1 Ensure Great Instruction First Time.
1.2 Increase students being identified as “prepared” in the college/career indicators.

The following new course outlines, including texts, have been approved by representative teachers, the Junior High School Associate Principals, Principals, and the Senior Director(s), Curriculum & Instruction, Professional Development.

New Courses:

7 Language Arts Parallel
8 Language Arts Parallel

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the new junior high school course outlines:  Special Education.

Modesto City Schools' ongoing effort is to ensure our Board Policies (BP), Administrative Regulations (AR), and Board Bylaws (BB) are up to date.

Goal Three:  Provide a safe, welcoming, and respectful learning environment for every member of the school community while ensuring effective district-wide communication for students, staff, families, and community partners.

It was found that the following Administrative Regulation needed to be revised or adopted:  AR 5141.52, Suicide Prevention.  The above noted AR was approved at the March 9, 2020 Board meeting, but due to FPM review, is being revised and resubmitted for approval. 

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the proposed draft of Administrative Regulation (AR): AR 5141.52, Suicide Prevention.

Modesto City Schools contracts annually with the Stanislaus County Office of Education for Federal Head Start funding, providing services to 500 preschool age children. Based on past and current findings in our Head Start Monitoring Reviews and program quality issues, the program structure must be modified to provide a safe, enriching Head Start program, as well as adequate support to the sites.

A reduction of 80 Regional Head Start slots, from 500 to 420, will allow funds to be reallocated to address the structural and quality findings, and allow MCS to offer a sustainable, high quality Head Start program.

1.1 Ensure Great Instruction First Time.
3.2 Promote outstanding students, families, staff, programs, schools, and community partners

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve a reduction of 80 Regional Head Start slots beginning with the 2020-21 school year.

The Brilliance Project, LLC, led by Kristin Anderson, is an educational consultant group to school districts on the design and delivery of effective instruction.  She has taught in high school and has held various instructional and administrative roles.  Mrs. Anderson studied Visible Learning and the Science of How We Learn research under John Hattie and has presented at a variety of conferences, symposiums, and institutes around the world.  She delivers professional development on various topics in teaching, learning, and leadership.  Mrs. Anderson has authored many books and has developed learning programs for schools to build capacity within their organizations.

1.1 Ensure Great Instruction First Time.
1.2 Increase students being identified as “prepared” in the college/career indicators.
2.1 Increase targeted professional development in the areas of early literacy, mathematics, English Language Development (ELD), effective PLC teams, culturally responsive instruction, and leadership development.
2.2 Ensure all staff has professional development in the area of building their capacities as professionals.

James Marshall Elementary School data indicates the need to build teacher capacity in Teacher Clarity on State Standards.  Kristin Anderson and the Brilliance Project, LLC, will offer professional development opportunities to our K-6 teachers, administrators, and instructional coaches to support staff in meeting these goals.

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the services agreement with The Brilliance Project, LLC and James Marshall Elementary School for the 2020-2021 school year.

Per notification from the California Department of Education (CDE) on September 11, 2020, all Direct Service Early Learning and Care Division Programs are required to be opened by September 8, 2020, unless ordered to close or remain closed by Public Health or other similar written order. There is an exception for programs located on LEA campuses or for enrolled families choosing to shelter-in-place.

Distance Learning must be provided for enrolled students if programs remain closed. Early Childhood Education has outlined plans for all programs regarding Distance Learning and reopening which are available upon request.

1.1 Ensure Great Instruction First Time.

It is recommended that the Board of Education ratify the extended closure for all Direct Service Early Learning and Care Division Programs until the elementary campuses reopen.

The District has participated in agreements with colleges and universities to provide supervised clinical experience to college students enrolled in a nursing program.

5.2 Strengthen partnerships with local teaching, training, and employment programs.

The District is interested in entering into a Clinical Affiliation Agreement with California State University, Fresno to provide supervised clinical experience for students enrolled in their nursing programs, effective September 29, 2020, through June 30, 2023. A copy of the agreement will be available for review in the
Human Resources Office.

The Human Resources Department is responsible for proposing new job descriptions and maintaining up-to-date job descriptions through revisions, and placing employees appropriately on the respective salary schedules.  The proposed job description was approved by the Superintendent's Cabinet.

The Assistant Principal, 9-12, Alternative Education position will be responsible for providing leadership and assuming responsibility for assisting with the administration and supervision at an alternative education school at the assigned building site.

Goal 5.3:  Expand recruiting and hiring processes to provide support, maximize retention and increase diversity in the certificated, classified and management workforce.

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the proposed job description: JC 417 Assistant Principal, 9-12, Alternative Education.

The District has participated in agreements with colleges and universities to provide supervised field experience to college students enrolled in various programs.

5.2 Strengthen partnerships with local teaching, training, and employment programs.

The District would like to enter into a Field Practicum Agreement with California State University, Stanislaus, effective October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2025. A copy of the agreement will be available for review in the Human Resources Office.

3. Goal Three: Provide a safe, welcoming, and respectful learning environment for every member of the school community while ensuring effective district-wide communication for students, staff, families, and community partners.

In supporting September 15 through October 15, 2020 as National Hispanic Heritage Month, Modesto City Schools shows support in encouraging residents to celebrate the history, culture and contributions of the Hispanic/Latino community.

4.3 Invest in school facilities and infrastructure for safe and clean facilities.

REPORT

                           Previously Paid      Current Payment Balance Due

Anchor Singh Painting
Exterior Paint
Martone & Fairview
Contract Price: $115,000                       $61,750                  $47,500                      $5,750
Certificate No: 2

Haggerty Construction
Mark Twain Corridor &
Site Improvements
Contract Price: $533,812.75                   $461,229.51          $45,892.61                 $26,690.63
Certificate No: 3

HB Restoration
Exterior Painting
Bret Harte, Kirschen &
Elliott
Contract Price: $259,670                       ----------                 $209,683.53                 $49,986.47
Certificate No: 1

Sinclair General Engineering
Construction, Inc.
Repaving & Slurry 2020
Contract Price: $1,148,303                    $209,950               $870,937.98                $67,415.02
Certificate Nos. 2 & 3