PLEASE NOTE:  In an effort for our community’s voices to be heard,  BUSD has transitioned to accepting public comments via the “Public Comment” voicemail that will now be available.  Members of the public wishing to address specific items on the Board meeting agenda are requested to call 707-748-2787 (one comment per person, per item limited to 3 minutes) on the day of the meeting between 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.  If your comment is for “closed session” please be sure to state that so that it can be addressed prior to “closed session.” The  board clerk will play the recording of all the “open session” public comments to the specific items then being discussed by the Board (Board Bylaw 9323) during the public comment item.  The Governing Board allows speakers to speak at regular meetings on agendized and non-agendized matters under public comment. Comments are limited to no more than three minutes per speaker at which time the voicemail will be cut off. By law, no action may be taken on any item raised during the public comment periods and matters may be referred to staff for placement on a future agenda of the Governing Board.  Please be reminded to keep your comments respectful and that students may be watching the board meeting.

The Benicia Unified School District (BUSD), Benicia Teachers Association (BTA), and Classified School Employees Association #1096 (CSEA#1096) recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic necessitates significant modifications to the operation of schools to minimize the health risks associated with COVID-19 infection for students, staff, and their families while also providing equitable access to education for students. BUSD,  BTA, and CSEA #1096 had previously entered into the Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for the ‘Health and Safety MOUs with both BTA and CSEA#1096’ and 'In Person Learning Model' with BTA regarding issues related to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and the return to school during the 2020-2021 school year.

Due to the recent changes in recommendations from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and needs of staff and students, ‘Health and Safety MOUs’ for both BTA and CSEA#1096 and ‘In-Person Learning Model MOU’ for BTA have been amended. We greatly appreciate BTA and CSEA#1096 Association Leaders for collaborative work on revising these MOUs. Amendments in all three of the MOUs are underlined to make it easier for the readers to identify changes.

Following any applicable public comment, staff recommends that the Governing Board approve the amended Health and Safety MOUs for both BTA and CSEA#1096 and In-Person Learning Model MOU for BTA during the 2020-21 school year as presented.

Approval of the amended Health and Safety MOUs for both BTA and CSEA#1096 and In-Person Learning Model MOU for BTA during the 2020-21 school year as presented.

During the January 14th Board meeting, the Board Trustees voted to return to in-person instruction on March 22nd, state rules permitting.  Currently, schools in Solano county can return to in-person instruction in grades K-6 based on Covid-19 case rates and once in the red tier, can return to in-person instruction in grades 7-12.  As of March 8th, Solano County is at 8.2 cases per 100,000, with an adjusted rate of 7.7.  In order to be in the red tier, counties must be between 4 to 7 cases per 100,000. 

Since the January 14th Board meeting, Covid-19 vaccine supply has increased dramatically, especially during the week of March 1st through the 5th.  Every employee in BUSD who wishes to be vaccinated has an opportunity to do so.  The CDC, CDPH and the Governor’s office have not made the vaccine a prerequisite for in-person instruction, that being said, administration of the vaccine, along with the robust safety measures in place, will contribute significantly to further establishing staff confidence in returning to in-person instruction.