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 from 5:00 - 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.

Mrs. Stephanie Rice, Director of Education Services and Mrs. Lisa Golsan, Teacher on Special Assignment will report on the preliminary findings from the recent Districtwide ELA and Math assessment, NWEA-MAP. The NWEA-MAP assessment replaced the statewide assessment CAASPP for the 2020-21 school year. 

The purpose of this report is to inform the Board and public about the purpose and structure of the assessment, the initial analysis of the data, use of the early data to inform instruction and programming and curricular connection opportunities. 

PRESENTATION

Mrs. Stephanie Rice, Director of Education Services, will report on three curricula being presented for consideration and adoption. 

Using rigorous, standards-based materials is integral to providing 21st Century learning opportunities and preparing students for college and career. 

The curriculum review process is comprehensive and consists of several phases including:

• meeting with the team of teachers that is representative of the department or subject for materials being reviewed
• preview  and evaluate a variety of materials being considered
• determine materials to be piloted
• notify families of the piloted materials and have them available for review
• implement materials during pilot phase
• evaluate piloted materials using the District's evaluation tool
• make recommendation for adoption

California adopted new standards for science education K-12 in 2013. These new standards are known as the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). Approved curricula for NGSS science was not available at the time; however our amazing science teachers collaborated to create high quality units based on these standards.

During the course of this year, our middle school science department and high school Oceanography teacher piloted curricula and are bringing forth the following for your consideration and adoption:

BMS Science 6-8

Amplify Science

When reviewing the BUSD Materials and Evaluation Checklist and ranking (0-4) for Standards Alignment, Program Overview, Assessment, Universal Access and Inclusivity, the Amplify program scored mainly in the 3-4 range (mostly 4). When debriefing with the entire science team, they were excited about adopting Amplify, a unanimous decision. Statements were shared about the program being inclusive of genders and cultures in their video casts, pictures and names as well as the scientists themselves. They shared that the units are problem based, an effective strategy to promote critical thinking and problem solving. The materials are rigorous with appropriate scaffolds built in, such as the ability to modify the materials, reading levels, text to speech, glossary of academic language in multiple languages etc. The assessments are well aligned with the NGSS standards and CAST. Amplify science blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue as scientists and engineers. It is top-rated by EdReports.org, an independent nonprofit designed to improve education by providing reviews of K-12 instructional materials.

Recommendation:  Approval of the adoption of the Amplify Science Curriculum for grades 6-8.

BHS

Oceanography 11th-12th grade

Essentials of Oceanography-SAAVAAS-formerly Pearson

When reviewing the BUSD Materials and Evaluation Checklist and ranking (0-4) for Standards Alignment, Program Overview, Assessment, Universal Access and Inclusivity, the Essentials of Oceanography program scored mainly in the 3-4 range. Through the debrief, the materials address the standards rigorously through multiple science means such as a mix of geology, physics, chemistry, and biology. The materials build on concepts and make connections across the science fields and environmental topics. It creates opportunities for critical thinking and exploration. Even without the online text, there are QR codes built into the lessons throughout the hands-on text to provide an interactive experience. With the on-line text, the experience is enhanced with learning tools to support the learning of academic language, interactive questioning, etc.

Recommendation:  Approval of the adoption of the Essentials of Oceanography, for the 11-12th grade Oceanography course.

BHS

10th grade AP World History

Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past (6th edition, 2020 AP Update) McGraw-Hill

All Advanced Placement (AP) courses and textbooks are aligned with the College Board and are college level classes.

When reviewing the BUSD Materials and Evaluation Checklist and ranking (0-4) for Standards Alignment, Program Overview, Assessment, Universal Access and Inclusivity, the Traditions and Encounters textbook scored mainly in the 3-4 range (mostly 4). Through the debrief, it was pointed out that the materials are well organized, with each chapter organized by region and/or culture, and aligned with the AP World History: Modern curriculum as outlined by the College Board. The materials are rigorous while providing scaffolding if needed. The online textbook provides an interactive textbook experience: students can search their textbook for key terms and information with an integrated search bar, use an audible option to assist with their reading, and/or practice with the review questions at the end of the chapter while aligning with the AP exam. It provides a diverse look at World History across various cultures. Each chapter is sprinkled with a variety of primary and secondary source accounts representing a variety of perspectives, cultures, and media.

Recommendation: Approval of the adoption of the Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past  for the AP World History Course.

Approval of Curriculum Adoption as presented

 Dr. Leslie Beatson, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services will report on the 2021-2022 Strategic Plan-LCAP. This plan was brought to the Board for Public Hearing on May 27, 2021 and is being brought tonight for consideration and adoption.

Tonight's presentation will review the purpose and requirements of the Strategic Plan-LCAP, an overview of the goals and expenditures.

Recommendation: Adopt the 2021-22 Strategic Plan-LCAP as presented. 

Presentation

For the BUSD Governing Board to adopt the 2021/22 Budget for the Benicia Unified School District (BUSD).

The District and the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Ch#1096, bargaining teams met at the bargaining table for two (2) negotiating sessions. These negotiations have produced the attached tentative agreement including a 5.3% total compensation package, comprised of a 4.7% salary schedule increase effective for the 2021-22 school year and a 0.6% increase applied to medical benefits, which is pending ratification by the CSEA Ch#1096 unit members.

In accordance with AB 1200, the District will publicly disclose the costs of the tentative agreement with the CSEA. 

Following any applicable public comment, staff recommends that the Governing Board approve the tentative agreement for the school years as presented. 

The Team submitted a proposal to the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for consideration. After consideration, the Assistant Superintendent is bringing forth this tentative agreement for approval including a 5.3% total compensation package, comprised of a 4.7% salary schedule increase effective for the 2021-22 school year and a 0.6% increase applied to medical benefits.

In accordance with AB 1200, the District will publicly disclose the costs of the tentative agreement with the Management Team. 

Following any applicable public comment, staff recommends that the Board approve the proposal for the school years as presented.

The request is that the Board approves the attached contract renewal amendment between Dr. Charles Young and the Benicia Unified School District to extend the contract to the 2024-25 school year, and move Dr. Young’s step increase to step 5 of the salary schedule plus receive 5.3% salary increase for the 2021-22 effective July 1, 2021.

Approval of the Contract Amendment as Presented

The Equity and Opportunity Job Description is for a new position in BUSD.  This position is part of the Strategic Plan-LCAP Goal 4 and supports the District's commitment to engaging in systemic equity work. 

The goal of the Equity and Opportunity Coordinator position is to lead, plan, and coordinate the District's equity services that support closing the opportunity gap for Benicia Unified School District students. The Coordinator will provide leadership through the design, development, and implementation of systems and professional development programs for the staff, facilitates communication between historically underserved or underrepresented students and their families encourages and empowers all families to become active participants in the educational activities and programs of their children, supports to ensure successful education for all underserved or underrepresented students and interacts with students and families to enhance and support the student’s educational experience and ensure success and helps improve the college and career readiness of underserved students through increased representation in Pre-K–12 college preparatory courses.

Job Description

The Department Office Technician Job Description is for a new position in BUSD.  This position is part of the Strategic Plan-LCAP Goal 1 and supports the District's commitment to supporting the social wellbeing of students.  Staff in these positions will serve in the Student Service Office and Wellness Centers. 

The goal of the department office technician will be to plan, organize, and perform highly complex, sensitive, and confidential services, obtain, maintain, and compile accurate and current data on students and staff and act as a liaison to the public and school personnel for the office to which the employee is assigned. 

Job Description

Recommendation: Approve the job description for Department Office Technician as presented. 

The Student Services Coordinator Job Description is for a new position in BUSD.  This position is part of the Strategic Plan-LCAP Goal 1 and supports the District's commitment to supporting the social wellbeing of students. 

The goal of the Student Services Coordinator position is to  plan and coordinate special services that support students with special needs, at-risk students, foster youth, and  homeless students. The Student Services Coordinator will be responsible for assisting in the effective coordination, delivery, evaluation and refinement of student services throughout the school division; ensure that all programs are in alignment with the outcomes for student success as identified in the District’s LCAP plan.

Recommendation: Approve the job description for Student Services Coordinator as presented.

The Child Development Unit (CDU) Program Specialist is a new position to BUSD. This program supports the workload of the Subsidized childcare program, which is designed to provide preschool and before and after school- childcare services to qualified students.

The Program Specialist position will recruit, screen, conduct intakes, enroll and recertify subsidized families, conduct file management, collects checks for subsidized banking, coordinate the mandatory parent orientations, education classes & parent advisory committee, prepare subsidized childcare State reports,  input subsidized student’s monthly attendance, enter subsidized preschoolers into the Student Information System.

 Job Description

Recommendation: Approve CDU Program Specialist job description as presented. 

The  School Nurse Job Description is an updated position in BUSD.  This position is part of the Strategic Plan-LCAP Goal 1 and supports the District's commitment to supporting students wellbeing. 

The goal of the School Nurse position is to advance well being, academic success and lifelong achievement and health of students. School nurses are often the first line of support for students, providing direct services on a daily basis, allowing for early assessment and interventions to appropriate resources in a timely manner.

Credentialed school nurses have an integral role in bridging health and education to improve each child's cognitive, physical, social and emotional development. The connection between physical and emotional health is substantial, students with unmanaged health needs often feel depressed and isolated. Early health interventions not only assist with empowering students with chronic health issues but play a major role in improved school attendance, achievement and support for all students.