Initiation of litigation pursuant to subdivision (c) of section 54956.9: (Number of Cases: One (1))

Title: Administrative Assignments

(Education Code 54957.6) District Negotiator: Debra M. Hendricks and Didi Peterson
Employee Organizations: All Groups

(Education Code 54957) 

Title: Assistant Superintendents' Contracts

Speaker: Debra M. Hendricks, Superintendent

At this time, the district will be recognizing 2019-20 Classified staff members who make a difference every day.

The California School Dashboard contains reports that display the performance of local educational agencies (LEAs), schools, and student groups on a set of state and local measures to assist in identifying strengths, challenges, and areas in need of improvement.

Based on the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which was passed in 2013, California has a new accountability system that is based on multiple measures. These measures are used to determine local educational agency (LEA) and school progress toward meeting the needs of their students. The measures are based on factors that contribute to a quality education, including high school graduation rates, college/career readiness, student test scores, chronic absenteeism, English learner (EL) progress, suspension rates, and parent engagement.

The Fall 2019 CA School Dashboard was released in December 2019.

Speaker: George Rawe, Board President

The Board of Trustees to receive information regarding the Superintendent interview process with Leadership Associates.

Speaker: Debra Hendricks, Superintendent and Lizett Aguilar, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services

Staff will provide the Board of Trustees with a safety and facility update.

Speaker: Lisa Sandoval, Director of Fiscal Services 

A contracted accounting firm must perform an audit of the District’s financial statements annually. Christy White Associates conducted the audit of the 2018-2019 fiscal year financial statements. Their report was finalized in December and copies were filed with the State Controller’s Office, the California Department of Education, and Stanislaus County Office of Education.

Ms. Monique Manzo from Christy White Associates will present a summary of the report and accept questions from the Board of Trustees. 

Attached is the Audit Report dated June 30, 2019.  Hard copies will also be provided to the Board of Trustees.

It is recommended the Board of Trustees approve the Audit Report for the year ending June 30, 2019.

Each School Site Council is required to review data and revise the School Plan for Student Achievement annually.  The School Site Council evaluates the effectiveness of the actions pertaining to each goal based on student performance. Goals and actions ensure the school conducts a high-quality program that is effectively managed and operated within appropriate legal parameters.  The plan is tied directly to the school site budget.

None

Staff recommends the Board of Trustees approve the agreement between the Sylvan Union School District and the California School Employees Association, Chapter 73 (CSEA).

The financial impact includes the salary increase of 3.26% based on the 2018-2019 budget for the 2019-2020 school year, retroactive to July 1, 2019, as well as the two (2) additional workdays for classified members on Calendar 8 for the 2020-2021 school year. 

The Sylvan District Sexual Health Education and HIV Prevention Textbook Adoption Committee, comprised of grade 7/8 science teachers and a district nurse, was assembled in the fall of 2018 and charged with the task of identifying and evaluating sexual health and HIV prevention instructional materials for use in grade 7 science. Instructional materials were evaluated for compliance according to the mandates established in the California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA). Positive Prevention Plus was selected for pilot which was completed in the spring 2019. In the fall of 2019, the committee reconvened to make a final recommendation for adoption. It is the recommendation of the adoption committee to adopt Positive Prevention Plus as the recommended text.

Annual costs associated with the textbook adoption will vary depending upon the number of consumable student workbooks required. Costs for teacher and student instructional material will be paid for with general fund monies set aside for instructional materials. As part of the textbook adoption, teacher training in the use of Positive Prevention Plus instructional materials is required. Teacher training costs will also vary each year depending upon the number of teachers to be trained with all grade 7 general education science teachers and grade 7 special education teachers participating in a multi-day onsite training module for the first year of implementation. Training costs will be paid for with general fund monies earmarked for professional learning purposes.

Staff recommends the Board of Trustees approve the recommendation to adopt Positive Prevention Plus instructional materials for grade 7 sexual health education and HIV prevention.

General Fund: 

$229 per 30-pack of student consumable workbooks (as needed)

$350 per teacher kit (as needed)

$3500 for initial training for all grade 7 general education science teachers and special education teachers

Speaker: Carrie Albert, Director of Student Services 

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees adopt Resolution 2019/2020- #19, recognizing February 3-7, 2020, as "National School Counseling Week."

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees adopt Resolution 2019/2020- #19, recognizing February 3-7, 2020, as "National School Counseling Week."

None

This change order is for the Ustach Middle School Modernization Project.  This is change order No. 4 for the project and primarily consists of a large cost for an unforeseen condition of dry rot that was found when the carpet was being replaced.  The dry rot was found to be mold that required abatement and remediation with extensive structural work as well, all the way to the stucco.  The cause of the dry rot was found to be the gutter which was removed and replaced, with scheduled future maintenance to prevent future incidents from recurring.

Change order No.4 consists of the following: 

PCO #14 – Mold Remediation / Dry Rot Repair Phase I - $43,103.78

PCO #20 – Credit for door hinges – ($1,125.00)

Attached is a summary of the revenues and expenses of the project with the changes of this change order listed.

It is recommended the board approve Change order No. 4 with Boyer Construction for the Ustach Middle School Modernization project.

The board will consider approval of Change order No. 4 with Boyer Construction for the Ustach Middle School Modernization project.

$41,978.78 from the project contingency funds ($189,308 remaining after deducting value engineering not yet realized)

It is recommended that Board of Trustees approve the minutes of the December 10, 2019 Regular Board Meeting and the December 19, 2019 Special Board Meeting.

Districts that provide Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) are required to have an actuarial valuation study completed every two (2) years.  OPEB is defined as post-employment medical, dental, vision, hearing, and other health-related benefits; other forms of post-employment benefits include death benefits, life insurance, disability, and long-term care when provided separately from a pension plan.

GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) 74 and 75:

The purpose of GASB 74 and 75 is to make OPEB accounting and financial reporting consistent with the pension (STRS and PERS) standards in GASB 67 and 68.  The preceding will result in the following:

           -Consistent set of standards for all post-employment benefits.
           -Provide a transparent reporting of the OPEB liability.
           -More useful information about liability and cost of benefits.

GASB No. 74, Financial Reporting for Post-employment Benefit Plans Other Than Pension Plans. GASB 74 is not required for the Sylvan Union School District since the District is on pay-as-you go basis; we do not fund OPEB in an irrevocable trust.

GASB No. 75, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Post-employment Benefits Other Than Pensions; is required reporting.

Scope of Services:

Actuarial Report as of July 1, 2019: $5,000

GASB Footnote Disclosure for Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2020 & June 30, 2021: $2,000

Total Cost of Contract: $7,000

Previous experience with SUSD: Completed last actuarial report dated May 18, 2018.

Staff recommends the Board of Trustees approve the contract agreement for actuarial valuation services with Demsey, Filliger & Associates for the amount of $7,000.

General Fund Cost: $7,000.

Staff recommends the Board's approval of the Classified Salary Schedule for 2019-2020. 

The financial impact is the 3.26% salary increase over the 2018-2019 salary schedule for all classified employees.

Staff recommends approval of the presented salary schedules for 2019-2020.

The financial impact reflects the 3.26% salary increase over the 2018-2019 salary schedule for the presented salary schedules. 

Staff recommends approval of the presented salary schedules for 2019-2020.

The financial impact reflects the 3.26% salary increase over the 2018-2019 salary schedule for the presented salary schedules. 

Presented for the Board's approval, staff presents an updated and revised job description for the position of Resource Specialist. The current job description was last updated in 1986. The updated job description reflects the current job responsibilities and duties for this position. Both the original job description as well as the updated description are attached for the Board's review and information. 

There is no financial impact for this item.

N/A

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorized as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) includes Participation by Private School Children and Teachers as defined under Section 1117 and Section 8501, Participation by Private School Children and Teachers (under Uniform Provisions Subpart 1, Private Schools).  To ensure timely and meaningful consultation, a local educational agency (LEA) shall consult with appropriate private school officials during the design and development of such agency’s programs under this part. Such agency and private school officials shall both have the goal of reaching agreement on how to provide equitable and effective programs for eligible private school children, the results of which agreement shall be transmitted to the ombudsman designated under subsection (a)(3)(B) pursuant to the ESSA Section 1117(b)(1). Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) State and Federal Program staff presented to their SCOE executive cabinet that they be the “contractor” for this service, at no cost to local educational agencies (LEA). For both LEAs and private schools, this process is much more efficient for all parties.

Staff recommends ratification of the 2019-2020 Memorandum of Understanding with Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) for Title I Equitable Services.

It is recommended the Board of Trustees ratify the 2019-2020 Memorandum of Understanding with Stanislaus County Office of Education for Title I Equitable Services. 

None

Staff recommends the Board of Trustees approve the Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding for Student Teacher and Teacher Intern Placements with the credentialing programs of California State University, Stanislaus.

There is no financial impact.

Our district works closely with university programs to support programs and teacher credential candidates, including teacher interns. The attached document outlines the Internship Contract Agreement between SUSD and Brandman University for the Internship Credential Programs for Multiple Subject, Single Subject and Education Specialist Credentials.

Staff recommends the Board of Trustees approve the Internship Contract Agreement with Brandman University. 

There is no financial impact.

Our district works closely with local university programs to support programs and college students who are connected to or would like to explore careers in education and schools, including nursing programs.  The attached document outlines an agreement for placement of students who are working to earn a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, Masters of Science in Nursing with a Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, Gerontological and Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration as well as Health Science Program who are currently enrolled in the nursing programs at California State University, Stanislaus. This agreement allows placement of nursing candidates, to earn field experience, with school sites in Sylvan Union School District, This agreement outlines the expectations and requirements for the district, the university and the nursing student.

Staff recommends the approval of the renewal of the Clinical Internship agreement between SUSD and California State University, Stanislaus, for the nursing program. 

There is no financial impact.

At the beginning of the school year, Susan Fitzell came and provided co-teaching training to all of our middle school math and resource teachers that are participating in the co-teaching model.  Teachers and Administrators were very impressed with what they learned and what was presented and asked if she could return for additional training.  We have been able to secure her for a second day of training on February 25, 2020.    

Staff recommends approval of the co-teaching training presented by Susan Fitzell.

Title I Professional Development: Not to exceed $9000.  

Originally, we brought to the board a contract for a full time Speech and Language Pathologist for the 2019-2020 school year with Gift of Speech.  Unfortunately, they had some staffing changes and were unable to fulfill that contract.  They were able to provide us a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLPA) for a day and a half a week.  At this time, they are also able to provide us some SLPA support four (4) days a week.  Using both the Speech and Language Pathologist time and SLPA time we will still be within the dollar amounts set forth in the original contract.  Our speech caseloads within the district still require additional support.    

Staff recommends approval of this revised contract with Gift of Speech for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.  

Staff recommends the acceptance of the Quarterly Report on Williams Complaints, Subject Area of Complaints, and Resolution of Complaints for quarter ending December 31, 2019. 

Effective January 1, 2005, pursuant to the Williams vs. State of California litigation settlement and as defined in Education Code 35186, Sylvan Union School District posted in every classroom a statement that students have the right to sufficient textbooks and instructional materials, that school facilities are clean, safe, and maintained in good repair and that there are no teacher vacancies or teacher misassignments.  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. 

As of December 31, 2019, Sylvan Union School District has not received any complaints.

It is recommended the Board of Trustees accept the Quarterly Report on Williams Complaints, Subject Area of Complaints, and Resolution of Complaints for the Quarter Ending December 31, 2019.

None

Speaker: Debra M. Hendricks, Superintendent 

Students and staff benefit from business partnerships within our community.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approve renewal of district membership with the Modesto Chamber of Commerce for the period covering February 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021.

$250.00 annually

1. The donation of $897.00 from Crossroads Parent Teacher Club to Crossroads Elementary for second grade class field trips and instructional materials.

2. The donation of $390.00 from Candace Briskey to Crossroads Elementary School for instructional materials for students.

3. The donation of $10.00 from YourCause Corporate Employee Giving Program to Freedom Elementary School for instructional materials, curriculum or interventions for students. 

4. The donation of $5,000.00 from Sanders Parent Teacher Association to Mary Ann Sanders Elementary School for the purchase of twenty-four (24) chromebooks.

5. The donation of $300.00 from Stanislaus Partners in Education to Mary Ann Sanders Elementary School for Mrs. Sarah Deaton's class as part of the Incentive Grant to purchase Mad Libs and books for students.

6. The donation of 97.08 from Sherwood Parent Teacher Club to Sherwood Elementary for the purchase of banners for school Fall Fair and Multi Cultural Night. 

7. The donation of $300.00 from Stanislaus Partners in Education to Sherwood Elementary School for Mrs. Trisha DeLos Santos' class as part of the Incentive Grant.

8. The donation of $300.00 from Stanislaus Partners in Education to Sherwood Elementary School for Mrs. Angelina Berger's class as part of the Incentive Grant.

9. The donation of $320.00 from Sherwood Parent Teacher Club to Sherwood Elementary School to purchase online science program for fifth grade Zingy learning.

10. The donation of $118.61 from Sherwood Parent Teacher Club to Sherwood Elementary School for the purchase of Learning A-Z for their ELD teacher.

11. The donation of $42.98 from Sherwood Parent Teacher Club to Sherwood Elementary School for the purchase of trophies for monthly PBIS classroom awards.

12. The donation of $127.50 from Gap Inc. Your Cause, LLC to Stockard Coffee Elementary School for student recognition and supplies. 

13. The donation of $300.00 from Stanislaus Partners in Education to Stockard Coffee Elementary School for items to be purchased in the star-bucks store for their student incentive program.

14. The donation of a wide variety of baking and holiday items and games from Shelter Cove Donations to Sylvan STEAM Academy for student recognition and supplies. 

15. The donation of $300.00 from Stanislaus Partners in Education to Sylvan STEAM Academy for Mrs. Andrea Fuentes class as part of the Incentive Grant.

16. The donation of the SJOE FabLab field trip grant valued at $500.00 from The North Central Valley STEM Center to Sylvan STEAM Academy for fifth graders to attend the FabLab field trip.

17. The donation of $300.00 from Stanislaus Partners in Education to Woodrow Elementary School for instructional materials, curriculum or interventions for students.

18. The donation of miscellaneous products such as hats, bracelets, rings, earrings, pouches, wooden snakes valued at $752.00 from Onna Dennis to Somerset Middle School for interventions for students.

19. The donation of $300.00 from Rickey Holcombe, Pacific Gas and Electric to Somerset Middle School for instructional materials, curriculum or interventions for students.