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.

Copies of the complete agenda are available at the Board meeting, 425 Locust Street. Unless some member of the audience or Board member has a question concerning an item and asks that it be withdrawn from the consent list, the items are approved at one time by the Board.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.

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.

The Board of Education will hear and discuss the 7-12 DRAFT Safe Schools Reopening Plan.

3.2:  Promote outstanding students, families, staff, programs, schools, and community partners.

1. Twelve Consulting Group, $1,000.00 to Enslen Elementary STEAM Program

2. Valerie Miller, Books for the school Library at John Muir Elementary.Estimated Value: $714.00.

3. Modesto Rotary Club Foundation, $1,500.00 to Shackelford Elementary for Student and Teacher Incentives.
   
   
4. Donna Flanders, Cello to La Loma Junior High, for student use.Estimated Value: $500.00.
   
   
5. Maze Animal Hospital/Beckwith Veterinary, $500.00 to Beyer High School for Beyer Aquatics.
   
   
6. Lori Norris, $5,000.00 to Davis High School, for The Miller/Norris Ag Scholarships.
   
   
7. Claudia Hughes, $500.00 to Downey High School for the Daniel Hyde Scholarship.
   
   
8. Kevin McGill, $250.00 to Downey High School for ASB/Football Club.
   
   
9. William McGill, $500.00 to Downey High School for ASB/Football Club.
   
   
10. Modesto Quarterback Club, $750.00 to Downey High School for ASB/Football Club.
    
    
11. Merval & Sharon Morris:
    • $1,000.00 to Downey High School for ASB/FFA & Scholarships
    • $1,000.00 to Downey High School for ASB/FFA Club
      
      
12. Celise Krick, 2 guitars with cases to Elliott Education Center for Haley Franca’s class.
    
    
13. Larry and Dawn Boss, $100.00 to Enochs High School for Girls Golf.
    
    
14. Direct Appliance Service, $1,000.00 to Enochs High School for Baseball Team.
    
    
15. Shadow Chase, $500.00 to Gregori High School.
    
    
16. Dutch Hollow Farms, $200.00 to Johansen High School for Challenged Athletics.
    
    
17. John C. Berry, $3,300.00 to Modesto High School for J.W. Berry Scholarship.
    
    
18. Ellen Jane Wisnom, $7,500.00 to Modesto High School for G. Ray Wisnom Scholarship.
    
    
19. Montessori School of Modesto, new clothing, shoes, jackets, hats, gloves, blankets, toys to Student Support Services for MCS homeless students.Estimated Value: $3,000.00.
    
    
20. Dbproject4u – David Boyatt, new shoes and clothing to Student Support Services for MCS homeless students.

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the acceptance of gifts with appreciation as listed above.

The Modesto City Schools Transportation Department desires to purchase five (5) new school buses to add capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Due to social distancing requirements, student capacities will be limited to 24-26 students.  More buses will be needed to provide transportation services.

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

The COVID-19 pandemic requires the District to transport fewer students on a bus for social distancing guidelines.  Purchasing five buses will increase the existing fleet of sixty (60) buses, and provide more resources for transporting students.  A-Z Bus Sales will provide a 10 year extended engine warranty, and 7 year extended transmission warranty.  The Buses will come equipped with district standard camera equipment.

On November 14, 2019, the Waterford Unified School District Governing Board approved extending a Public Bid Award (Waterford USD Bid No: 01/17) to A-Z Bus sales for school buses meeting the same specifications Modesto City Schools requires.  Waterford USD’s bid contains cooperative purchase language that allows other districts to purchase from this bid, as required by provisions 20118 and 20656 of the Public Contract Code.  Based on past practice and analysis, it has been determined that the District would derive a greater financial benefit by utilizing this cooperative bid contract than to seek separate bids for the purchase of five (5) school buses.

The total cost for five (5) school buses will be approximately $1,000,000 and will be funded from CARES funding.

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the authorization to utilize Waterford Unified School District’s public bid award (Bid No: 01/17) to purchase five (5) Blue Bird school buses from A-Z Bus Sales.

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.

Funds have been budgeted to cover all expenses for the month of September 2020.

It is recommended that the Board of Education ratify the purchase orders and VISA payments for the month of September 2020.

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.

Funds have been budgeted to cover all expenses for the months of July – September 2020.

It is recommended that the Board of Education ratify the purchase orders for Wille Electric Supply Company only for the months of July – September 2020.

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
September 2020.

The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) is the ruling body for high school competitive athletics.  All Modesto City Schools’ high schools are member schools in the CIF and compete athletically in the WAC (Western Athletic Conference) OR the CCAL (Central California Athletic Conference).  Each local school district must designate school representatives to the athletic league in which it participates to maintain all voting privileges.

1.2 Increase students being identified as “prepared” in the college/career indicators
1.5 Ensure students have access to enrichment activities at all school sites.
2.2 Ensure all staff has professional development in the area of building their capacities as professionals.

Article 2, Section 25, of the California Interscholastic Federation Constitution requires that each local school district Board of Education ratify to the appropriate CIF section office the appointment of individuals who will be school representatives to the athletic league for the following year.

 Modesto City School's representative to the CIF will be as follows:

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the appointment of representatives to the CIF League.

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 material, 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 and the Senior Director, Educational Options 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 course outlines, including texts, have been approved by representative teachers, the High School Associate Principals and the Senior Director, Educational Options.

New Course:
Exploring Computer Science: this course is being used for general education - teachers without a Career Technical Education credential.

Revised Courses:
Introduction to Computer Science: renamed from Exploring Computer Science, revised to include a Career education/exploration component to differentiate from the general education's Exploring Computer Science course.

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 Swun Math cost proposal for the 2020-2021 school year was presented to the Board and approved April 20, 2020. The service agreement reflects a reduction in the K-6 services by $89,134.04, accounting for the lack of travel expenses. It also includes a reduction of $40,000 from the original proposal to use a coach with a 9^th grade team. We will reevaluate this need after distance learning concludes. Grades 7-8 are continuing to pilot the curriculum this year, and as such, was not included in the April 20, 2020 adoption.  

The services agreement now reflects the actual cost of site support coaching for K-6 and 7-8. 

K-6            $1,075,865.96        
7-8            $   180,000

Total          $1,255,865.96

1.1     Ensure Great Instruction First Time.
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.

Modesto City Schools Early Childhood Education Family Child Care program serves 145 children with 22 contracted family child care providers.  Modesto City Schools is seeking to contract with Transforming Early Learning to provide Indoor and Outdoor Environment Transformations for a new Family Child Care Provider.  

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

Modesto City Schools (MCS) contracts annually with the Stanislaus County Office of Education for federal Head Start funding, providing services for 500 preschool age children for 2020/2021. Each annual funding cycle requires an approved budget.

1. Goal One: Increase academic achievement and ensure equitable access to enable all students to attain college and career readiness.
3.2 Promote outstanding students, families, staff, programs, schools, and community partners.

The Stanislaus County Office of Education requires ratification by the Board of Education.

The Board of Education will ratify the agreement with the Stanislaus County Office of Education to ensure continued federal Head Start funding. A copy of the agreement is available in the Business Services office.

This is an amendment to the 2020-2021 Agreement for Delegation of Activities under Head Start Grant # 09-CH-011214/02 during the period of September 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.  This amendment reflects the awarding of Regional Head Start COLA and Quality funding.

Goal One: Increase academic achievement and ensure equitable access to enable all students to attain college and career readiness.
3.2 Promote outstanding students, families, staff, programs, schools, and community partners.

The maximum contract sum to be paid shall be amended from $3,385,734 to $3,568,332.

Head Start Basic funds shall be amended from $3,373,234 to $3,555,832.

Head Start T&TA funds shall not change, remaining at $12,500.

The minimum nonfederal share amount shall not change, remaining at $846,434.

The Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) entered into a partnership with Modesto City Schools (MCS) to provide Early Head Start services to 46 children ages birth through 3 years in the Family Child Care Program. This partnership agreement is for the period beginning September 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.

1. Goal One: Increase academic achievement and ensure equitable access to enable all students to attain college and career readiness.
3.2 Promote outstanding students, families, staff, programs, schools, and community partners.

Stanislaus County Office of Education requires ratification by the Board of Education.

The ratification of the partnership agreement will continue to provide services to the Early Head Start Program.

Board Policy 4315.1, Administrative Competence in Evaluation, and Education Code 35160.5, states that it is the intent of the Modesto City Schools’ Board of Education to certify that personnel assigned to evaluate teachers must demonstrate competency in instructional methodologies and evaluation of instruction.

5.0 Recruit, hire, train, and retain high quality staff.

To comply with Board Policy 4315.1, the following Modesto City Schools’ administrators have received training in instructional methodology and evaluation of instruction:

• Kendra Helsley, Principal, K-6
• Justin Nunn, Assistant Principal, 9-12

The services of teachers are required in subject areas other than those authorized by his or her credentials because of District need. The District may authorize staff who are holders of a General Elementary or Secondary Credential to teach outside of his or her college academic major or minor.  Individuals holding Standard Teaching, Single Subject or Multiple Subject Credentials may be authorized to teach courses in Grades 7-12 other than those authorized by subject areas designated on their credentials.

5.0 Recruit, hire, train, and retain high quality staff.

To qualify to teach certain classes, those teachers with the Standard Secondary or Single Subject credentials must have 18 semester hours of course work, or nine semester hours of upper division, or graduate course work in the subject area, or have completed at least 60 semester hours equally distributed among the four areas of diversified major for instruction in a self-contained classroom, as set forth in Education Code Section 44263. For those with the Multiple Subject and Standard Elementary Credentials, it is necessary that they have 12 semester units or 6 upper division or graduate units to teach subjects in departmentalized settings in grades nine and below, as set forth in Education Code Section 44256. The holder of a Single Subject teaching or a Standard Secondary teaching credential may be partially assigned to teach classes in grades 5 to 8, inclusive, in a middle school, provided that he or she has a minimum 12 semester units, or six upper division or graduate units, as set forth in Education Code Section 44258.2. A credential holder whose credential is in a subject other than physical education may be authorized, by action of the Governing Board, to coach one period per day in a competitive sport for which students receive physical education credit, as set forth in Education Code Section 44258.7.

Based on the aforementioned Education Code Sections, a Board Resolution must be approved to allow teachers to teach courses that are both necessary and desirable for the efficient operation of the junior and senior high schools.

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve Resolution No. 20/21-13 authorizing assignment of teachers outside of credentialed academic major or minor under the Licensing of Certificated Personnel Law for the 2020-21 school year.

The District has participated in a Speech-Language Pathology Agreement with the University of the Pacific.

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

The current agreement with University of the Pacific ended on September 1, 2020. The District is interested in entering into a new agreement for the University of the Pacific’s Speech-Language Pathology Program for another three-year term.

The District would like to enter into a Speech-Language Pathology Program agreement with University of the Pacific to provide student speech clinicians, effective October 20, 2020 through June 30, 2025. A copy of the agreement will be available for review in the Human Resources Office.

This proclamation by the Modesto City Schools Board of Education recognizes October 11-17, 2020, as Week of the Public School Administrator. The purpose of this proclamation is to recognize the many outstanding contributions and services provided by our Principals, Vice Principals and Site Administration staff. All school leaders are to be commended for the contributions they make every day to make progress toward successful student achievement.

Goal 5.1: Create a District culture of valuing all employees to facilitate hiring and maximize retention.

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.

Effective January 1, 2005, pursuant to the Williams vs. State of California litigation settlement and as defined in Education Code 35186, Modesto City Schools posted in every classroom a statement that students have the right to a qualified teacher, adequate and current instructional materials, and a facility that is free from conditions that pose a threat to the health and safety of students or staff. On February 7, 2005, the Board of Education approved Administrative Regulation 1312.4, which addresses procedures for the complaint process.

Summaries of complaints must be publicly reported to the Board on a quarterly basis at a regularly scheduled meeting and forwarded to the county Superintendent of Schools.

There were no complaints received for the first quarter of 2020/21.