The Presiding Officer will call the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. before the Board Recesses to Closed Session.  The Regular Meeting will convene by 7:30 p.m. 

Persons wishing to address the Board should fill out a green speaker card.  Cards turned in by 5:45 p.m. will be given priority. Speakers will be randomly selected based on topic and position, with BUSD students generally given priority. Public Testimony is limited to 15 minutes with a 3-minute limit per speaker per topic although the time allotted per speaker may be reduced to 2 minutes at the discretion of the President. 

The Board may recess into Closed Session before or after the public meeting under the authority of the Brown Act (including but not limited to Government Code section 54954.5, 54956.8, 54956.9, 54957, 54957.6, as well as Education Code section 35146).  Under Government Code section 54954.3, members of the public may address the board on an item on the Closed Session agenda, before Closed Session.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO: Dr. Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent

FROM:              Baje Thiara, Associate Superintendent 

PRESENTERS: Katia Hazen, Principal

Jamal Williams, Consultant

Students

DATE: February 5, 2020

SUBJECT:  Washington Elementary in the Spotlight

PURPOSE:

In this presentation, Washington staff members and students will highlight our Restorative Justice program.  Washington's part time Restorative Justice coordinator will talk about the effects of this program on the opportunity gap that is too often defined by exclusionary and punitive school discipline practices that start at the elementary school level. Students who can learn to solve interpersonal conflicts and stay connected to their school community will be better equipped for careers than those who lack these skills. We want all students to have the opportunity to feel they are valued members of the community.  This presentation will give the Board and members of the public a small sampling of the Washington program.

Persons wishing to address the Board should fill out a green speaker card.  Cards turned in by 7:15 p.m. will be given priority.        

Speakers will be randomly selected based on topic and position, with BUSD students generally given priority.  Public Testimony is limited to 30 minutes with a 3-minute limit per speaker per topic although the time allotted per speaker may be reduced to 2 minutes at the discretion of the President. 

Board members and the Superintendent are given the opportunity to address any issue.  

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 

TO:       Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent
FROM:     Samantha Tobias-Espinosa, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources
DATE:       February 5, 2020
SUBJECT:    Approval of Human Resources Reports

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On a regular basis, staff presents Human Resources Reports listing employment actions for the Board to approve officially. Please refer to attached reports for details.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:               Brent Stephens, Ed.D, Superintendent
FROM:         Pauline Follansbee, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services
DATE:          February 5, 2020
SUBJECT:   Acceptance of Gifts/Donations

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Board may accept and utilize on behalf of the District gifts of money or property for a purpose deemed to be suited by the Board. The following donations have been presented to the District:

1. AT&T Your Cause donated $550 to John Muir Principal’s Discretionary Account.
2. Dorian Photography donated $25.19 to Sylvia Mendez Principal’s Discretionary Account
3. Dorian Photography donated $640.53 to Berkeley Arts Magnet for materials/office.
4. Child Care Award of America donated $597.89 to Berkeley Arts Magnet for materials/office.
5. Berkeley Public Schools Fund donated $900 to pay for hourly school meetings for the Universal 9^th Grade Teachers.
6. Berkeley Public Schools Fund donated $136 toward 19-20 Classroom Grant 5-309 to “Melanie Ford” Digital Resources for Science Fair Research.
7. Silk Source LLC donated $100 to Washington Library.
8. Berkeley Public Schools Fund donated $913.38 to pay for Berkeley Educator Cohort PD, Schools Fund 19-20 Strategic Impact Grant 18-735.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Accept the donations to the District and request staff to extend letters of appreciation. 

POLICY/CODE:
BP 3290

FISCAL IMPACT: 
The District received a total of $3,862.99 in donations

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:          Brent Stephens, Ed. D., Superintendent

FROM:      Pauline Follansbee, Asst. Superintendent of Business Services

DATE:        February 5, 2020

SUBJECT: Approval of Contracts/Purchase Orders for Services Contracts

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The District contracts with consultants or independent contractors who can provide valuable and necessary specialized services not normally required on a continuing basis. The following contract services are requested. Expenditures are within budget.

1. Mills Teacher Scholars to provide professional development consultation for Visual & Performing Arts Department for the period from 8/1/19 - 5/30/20. The cost will not exceed $10,900. To be paid from BSEP Fund. Requested by Peter Gidlund.
2. Increase to PO 200164 for One Source Engineering, to provide boiler services for the Maintenance Department for the period 7/1/19-6/30/20.  The Board originally approved $80,000 on 06/12/19.  The additional amount needed is $30,000, for a total amount of $110,000. To be paid from Measure H.  Requested by Steve Collins. 
3. Berkeley Symphony Orchestra to provide Music in the Schools program to BUSD elementary schools for the period from 10/1/19 - 6/14/20. The cost will not exceed $10,000. To be paid from BSEP Music, Visual & Performing Arts Fund. Requested by Peter Gidlund.
   
   

POLICY/CODE

Public Contract Code: 20111

Board Policy 3310

STAFF RECOMMENDATION Approve the contracts with Consultants or Independent Contractors as submitted.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

To:                  Brent Stephens, Ed. D., Superintendent

From:             Bajé Thiara, Associate Superintendent, Educational Services 

Date:               February 5, 2020

Subject:          Approval of Master Contracts Amendment for Nonpublic School for 2019-2020 School Year

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

 The District contracts with nonpublic schools, when necessary to provide an appropriate placement, special education and/or related services if no appropriate public education program is available.  For students requiring nonpublic school day programs, the cost is for tuition for the educational program and services.  An individual service agreement (ISA) is developed for each student to whom the service provider is to provide special education or related services.

Transportation costs are included in the special education transportation budget.  All nonpublic schools must be approved by the California Department of Education. Services are provided pursuant to Ed. Code Section 56034 and 56366. Students enrolled in nonpublic schools are deemed enrolled in public schools.

Contract for two special education students was approved on 8/21/2019 Board meeting, item 12.22. We are adding one student who stepped down from residential treatment center to NPS, which will bring the new total to $128,616.00.

POLICY/CODE

Education Code 56034,56366

FISCAL IMPACT

Not to exceed $30,756.00 funded from the Special Education Budget which may require an additional contribution from the General Fund.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Approve the Master Contracts Amendment for the Nonpublic School listed above.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:              Brent Stephens, Ed. D., Superintendent

FROM:      Bajé Thiara, Associate Superintendent, Educational Services  

DATE:        February 5, 2020

SUBJECT:   Approval of Master Contract Amendment for Residential Nonpublic School for 2019-20 School Year

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The District contracts with residential nonpublic schools, when necessary to provide an appropriate placement, special education, residential treatment and/or related services if no appropriate public education program is available.  For students requiring residential treatment, the cost is for tuition for the educational program and services, room and board, mental health treatment.  An individual service agreement (ISA) is developed for each student to whom the service provider is to provide special education or related services. 

A Residential Treatment Center (RTC) provides students with a high-quality of care to support students’ mental health needs that require a full continuum of care. A student may require residential treatment when available school and community-based resources have been exhausted and have not successfully addressed the student's needs.

Services are provided pursuant to Ed. Code Section 56034 and 56366. Students enrolled in residential nonpublic schools are deemed enrolled in public schools.

$132,941.70 was approved on 10/23/2019 Board meeting for Residential NPS services till 12/31/2019 for one Sp. Ed. student, item 11.7. The services need to extend to 6/30/2020 based on IEP requirement. We are increasing $78,132.30, which will bring the new total to $ 211,074.00.

POLICY/CODE

Education Code 56034, 56366

FISCAL IMPACT

Not to exceed $78,132.30 from the Special Education Budget which may require an additional contribution from the General Fund.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Approve the Master Contract Amendment for the Residential Nonpublic School listed above.

     BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:           Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent
FROM:      Bajé Thiara, Associate Superintendent, Educational Services
DATE:         February 5, 2020
SUBJECT: Approval of Overnight & International Field Trip Requests

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The following overnight and international field trips are being requested:

Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble Proposed Tour of Cuba, February 14-22, 2020
Approve participation of twenty-eight Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble students, at least two teachers and eight other adults on a nine day, eight-night trip to Cuba. The group will depart on Friday, February 14^th, and return on Saturday, February 22, 2020.

PlazaCuba is a humanitarian-based arts organization that fosters the investigation and preservation of Cuban music and culture throughout the Americas.  In the twelve years since its inception, PlazaCUBA has organized over 25 different trips to Cuba, including music and dance workshops, humanitarian aid missions and artistic exchanges.  Actual classes and events will be jointly developed based on the needs and desires of the group, under the direction of music teacher Sarah Cline from the Berkeley High Jazz Program.  The tour will include a variety of classes with four to five hours of instruction per day, including lectures, classes on individual instruments, rhythm workshops and ensembles.  Master teachers will include internationally known musicians and professors from various music schools.  Classes will take place at the National School of Music or other music schools in Havana. Students will have opportunities to play with Cuban music students and also perform.

The cost per student is currently projected to be approximately $4,000 including airfare and incidentals. PlazaCUBA’s service includes:

• accommodations with breakfast and dinner
• travel license for the group to engage in educational activities in Cuba
• travel assistance – PC offers assistance arranging travel to Cuba, but is not responsible for reserving or booking the actual flights
• airport transfer from/to Havana airport
• ground transportation with an English-speaking guide for planned activities
• daily program leadership
• ·other activities (for example: City Tour, Music and Dance performances, Excursion outside of Havana)
• On the ground assistance with a PlazaCUBA logistical coordinator; the group may also be accompanied by a representative of the Cuban government.

PlazaCUBA offers three and four-star hotel accommodations at Hotel Kohly, Hotel Riviera, or Hotel Palco. All room assignments will be gender specific and supervised.  Families are asked to pay one-half of the cost of the trip, with the other half being paid with funds provided by the Berkeley High Jazz Parents Association.  The Association is prepared to provide need-based scholarships to students in appropriate cases, so that no student is denied access based on inability to pay.  The trip will require teachers and students to miss six days of instruction.  Requested by: Erin Schweng, BHS Principal. (Teacher: S. Cline)

FIRST Robotics Competition, Fresno, CA, March 11-14, 2020
Approve participation of 28 students, 1 teacher and 2 other adults on a four-day, three-night field trip to the Fresno Convention Center.  The group will depart Amtrak-Emeryville on Wednesday, March 11^th at 5:47 p.m. and return Saturday, March 14, 2020 (arriving at 12:00 a.m. March 15^th.) FIRST Robotics Competition is the ultimate Sport for the Mind. High-school student participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.” Under strict rules, limited time and resources, teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team. Each season ends with an exciting FIRST Championship. Students will stay in supervised, gender specific rooms at the La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Fresno. The cost of $90 per student will be paid by the Robotics Team fundraising. No student will be denied access based on inability to pay. Requested by: Erin Schweng, Berkeley High School Principal. (Teacher: D. Wright)

Cal-HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) State Leadership Conference, Long Beach, CA, April 2-5, 2020
Approve participation of 12 students and 2 teachers from AMPS on a four-day, three-night field trip to Long Beach.  The group will depart Oakland International Airport Thursday, April 2^nd at 8:00 a.m. and return Sunday April 5, 2020 at 5:40 p.m.  Students will learn about medical terminology, health careers, and leadership skills.  Students will also have the opportunity to showcase their talents and accomplishments in the areas of health and science.  Attending the Cal-HOSA state leadership conference is a requirement of the health pathway grant.  Students will stay in supervised, gender specific rooms at the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel. The cost of $400 per student will be paid by CPA grant, fundraising and parent donations. No student will be denied access based on inability to pay.  Requested by: Erin Schweng, Berkeley High School Principal. (Teacher: C. Gonzalez)

Mosaic Project Camp, Felton, CA, May 4-8, 2020
Approve participation of 24 fourth-grade students from Rosa Parks Elementary, 1 teacher and Mosaic staff on a five-day, four-night field trip to Mosaic Project Camp, which provides a staff of trained adults to work with student groups.  The students will depart Rosa Parks Elementary at 9:15 a.m. on Monday, May 4^th and return at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2020. This field trip enables students to learn social and conflict resolution skills.  Students sleep in supervised, gender specific cabins on the grounds. District buses will provide transportation. The cost of $325.00 per student will be paid by a PTA funds and parent donations. No student will be denied access based on inability to pay. Requested by: Paco Furlan, Rosa Parks Principal. (Teacher: B. Lum)

Mosaic Project Camp, Felton, CA, May 11-15, 2020
Approve participation of 24 fourth-grade students from Rosa Parks Elementary, 1 teacher and Mosaic staff on a five-day, four-night field trip to Mosaic Project Camp, which provides a staff of trained adults to work with student groups.  The students will depart Rosa Parks Elementary at 9:15 a.m. on Monday, May 11^th and return at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2020. This field trip enables students to learn social and conflict resolution skills.  Students sleep in supervised, gender specific cabins on the grounds. District buses will provide transportation. The cost of $325.00 per student will be paid by a PTA funds and parent donations. No student will be denied access based on inability to pay. Requested by: Paco Furlan, Rosa Parks Principal. (Teacher: A. Lara)

Mosaic Project Camp, Felton, CA, May 18-22, 2020
Approve participation of 26 fourth-grade students from Rosa Parks Elementary, 1 teacher and Mosaic staff on a five-day, four-night field trip to Mosaic Project Camp, which provides a staff of trained adults to work with student groups.  The students will depart Rosa Parks Elementary at 9:15 a.m. on Monday, May 18^th and return at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2020. This field trip enables students to learn social and conflict resolution skills.  Students sleep in supervised, gender specific cabins on the grounds. District buses will provide transportation. The cost of $325.00 per student will be paid by a PTA funds and parent donations. No student will be denied access based on inability to pay. Requested by: Paco Furlan, Rosa Parks Principal. (Teacher: S. Gatt)

POLICY/CODE
Education Code 35330
Board Policy 6153

FISCAL IMPACT
As indicated above.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approve the out of state travel trip consistent with the District policies and instructional programs.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:     Dr. Brent Stephens, Superintendent

FROM:       Baje Thiara, Associate Superintendent

Juan Raygoza, Vice-Principal BHS

DATE: February 5, 2020

SUBJECT: New Course: World Mythologies

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

 Berkeley High School is requesting Board approval for a year-long course titled World Mythologies. This course will be submitted to UCOP as a English (b) credit course offering in February 2020 for all Academic Choice (AC) juniors and seniors.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to approach academic English from a global perspective. Using AC’s world history and the Universal 9th Grade’s ethnic studies courses as roots of their understanding of other cultures, juniors and seniors both can develop college level literature skills while learning more about the cultures that make up the world we live in today and how ancient myth persists in our modern, globalized world.

Using various theoretical lenses (psychological, feminist, colonialist, formalist - to name a few) students will examine mythological literature from various cultures and time periods as they work through the cycle of the hero/heroine. Students will connect motifs from myth to their modern day context in art, film, literature, and current events. Students will develop an appreciation for other cultures' spiritual history, customs and art.

A sample of some course units include: Archetypes in Myth and Life, The Cycle of the Hero (including all stages for example: “The Call”, “Road of Trials” as they manifest in different religious texts), Breaking from the Cycle of the Hero Myth, World Building Myths, flood/catastrophe myths, creating a class myth final project, etc. The compounding nature of these units will allow students to develop critical thinking and writing skills, and connect the history of these different cultural myths with their present day culture and how much these cultures share in common. 

POLICY/CODE:

Ed Code 51054

Board Policy 6141

FISCAL IMPACT:

None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Approve World Mythologies to be offered as a course for 2020-2021. It was offered in the course catalog as pending for the 2020-21 school year.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:     Dr. Brent Stephens, Superintendent

FROM:       Baje Thiara, Associate Superintendent

Juan Raygoza, Vice-Principal BHS

DATE: February 5, 2020

SUBJECT: New Course: Latin American Film

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Berkeley High School is requesting Board approval for a year-long course titled Latin American Film. This course will be submitted to UCOP as a English (b) credit course offering in February 2020.

Latin American Film is a course that explores the diversity of experiences and struggles in Latin America, using films, film analysis and readings. Critical to the course is the analysis of power relations within film, and the diversity and truths of Latin America, particularly in regard to race, gender, class, sexuality and nation.  The class will also focus attention on the politics of filmmaking, asking: Who made the film? Under what circumstances was the film made? What does the filmmaker want to convey? How is that done? We will also pay attention to filmmaking as an art form. Thus, questions of narrative, plot and character development as well as use of the camera and the role of music will be examined to uncover the nuanced way film communicates culture and experiences.

This course is an important addition to the academic offerings at Berkeley High School because it allows students to apply critical thinking skills to the media of film. As students live in a media saturated world, engaging critically with these forms of media becomes more important.  Additionally, this course would allow for more varied and expanded Chicanx/Latinx courses to be offered at BHS, and would cover more of the Latin American diaspora. 

Lastly, because the films from the course cover a large part of the Latin American diaspora, more Latinx students at BHS will have the opportunity to see their experiences and backgrounds reflected in the curriculum, as well as to expand the understanding of the Latin American identity as rich and diverse.

Currently, films from the following countries are part of the curriculum: Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru. 

POLICY/CODE:

Ed Code 51054

Board Policy 6141

FISCAL IMPACT:

None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Approve Latin American Film to be offered as a course for 2020-2021. It was offered in the course catalog as pending for the 2020-21 school year.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:     Dr. Brent Stephens, Superintendent

FROM:       Baje Thiara, Associate Superintendent

Juan Raygoza, Vice-Principal BHS

DATE: February 5, 2020

SUBJECT: New Course: Sports Leadership

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Berkeley High School is requesting Board approval for a year-long course titled Sports Leadership. This course will be submitted to UCOP as an Elective (g) credit course offering in February 2020.

Sports Leadership is designed to give students practical skills to work in the field of athletics. This course may interest those who have an interest in sports participation and is designed to train individuals to work in high school, college, and professional athletic departments in ways that promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. In so doing, students will develop skills including (but not limited to):

•       Design and set up facilities to ensure safety of athletic participants and spectators

•       Learn how to maintain equipment and how to manage budgets for such equipment

•       Understand the proper ways to maintain athletic facilities

•       Develop effective press releases as well as digital and paper programs for community members

•       Learn the foundations of high school athletics and the general history of high school sports

•       Incorporate use of technology to produce radio play by play and videos for webcast

•       Coordinate website design and maintenance

•       Prepare public address documents for announcers and deliver announcements when appropriate

•   Journalistic post game recaps, reports and articles

•   Review basic sports medicine techniques

•   Analyze national trends in student athletics, secondary and post-secondary

Completion of this course will lead to a better understanding of the athletic industry and prepare students for work in the event management field.

A sample of some of the course units are as follows;  Current Issues in Athletics, Game Management & Event Production, Game Marketing, Middle School Outreach, Facility Management, Sports Medicine, Legal Issues, Sports Reporting, and Website Management. Together, these units allow the students to learn real-life, post-graduation skills as well as support themselves and their classmates in athletics participation at BHS.

POLICY/CODE:

Ed Code 51054

Board Policy 6141

FISCAL IMPACT:

None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Approve Sports Leadership to be offered as a course for 2020-2021. It was offered in the course catalog as pending for the 2020-21 school year.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:     Dr. Brent Stephens, Superintendent

FROM:       Baje Thiara, Associate Superintendent

Juan Raygoza, Vice-Principal BHS

DATE: February 5, 2020

SUBJECT: New Course: IB Film HL

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Berkeley High School is requesting Board approval for a year-long course titled IB Film HL. This course will be submitted to UCOP as a Visual and Performing Arts (f) credit course offering in February 2020.

The purpose of this course is to offer an advanced, rigorous, and detailed study of both how films are created and understood by the world at large. This Higher Level course requires students to have already taken IB Film SL, and has students build on the initial concepts in film theory and production. This course would open to all 12th grade students at BHS, including those outside of Berkeley International High School. Additionally, this course would also provide access to the IB Diploma as it would be the only Higher Level elective course available to students on campus with no pre-requisite other than taking IB Film SL.

This course is essential for students to both create and critique non-traditional texts, and it can lead to more advanced study in either film production or critique. This course would be taught by an instructor trained in film techniques and would require students to understand the ways in which film creates meaning in addition to the technical skills necessary to produce these films. Students in this course gain the ability to critically understand film in a wide variety of contexts as well, and a significant amount of time is spent understanding historical, theoretical, socio cultural, economic and institutional contexts of film.

Students in this course focus on four major syllabus components: reading film, contextualizing film, exploring film production roles, and collaborative film production. Film screenings allow for units as wide ranging as “The Western”, “Film Noir”, “Bollywood”, and others allow for case studies to be used to study each of these syllabus components. In addition, this course would require all students enrolled in it to collaborate to produce a short film wherein each student reflects and analyzes their role in the filmmaking process and the nature of film collaboration. In this way the class prepares students for the realities of rigorous team work and film design beyond high school.

POLICY/CODE:

Ed Code 51054

Board Policy 6141

FISCAL IMPACT:

None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Approve IB Film HL to be offered as a course for 2020-2021. It was offered in the course catalog as pending for the 2020-21 school year.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:     Dr. Brent Stephens, Superintendent

FROM:       Baje Thiara, Associate Superintendent

Juan Raygoza, Vice-Principal BHS

DATE: February 5, 2020

SUBJECT: New Course: IB Film SL

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Berkeley High School is requesting Board approval for a year-long course titled IB Film SL. This course will be submitted to UCOP as a Visual and Performing Arts (f) credit course offering in February 2020.

The purpose of this course is to offer a rigorous and broad study of both how films are created and understood by the world at large. This Standard Level course would be open to all 11th and 12th grade students at Berkeley High, allowing for students to complete the IB Diploma with an arts course as all other IB arts course have course pre-requisites that not all students can meet. The course could be followed by taking Higher Level IB Film or another arts course in 12th grade, such as video production or studio art.

This course is essential for students to both create and critique non-traditional texts, and it can lead to more advanced study in either film production or critique. This course would be taught by an instructor trained in film techniques and would require students to understand the ways in which film creates meaning in addition to the technical skills necessary to produce these films. Students in this course gain the ability to critically understand film in a wide variety of contexts as well, and a significant amount of time is spent understanding historical, theoretical, socio cultural, economic and institutional contexts of film.

Students in this course focus on three major syllabus components: reading film, contextualizing film, and exploring film production roles. Film screenings allow for units as wide ranging as “The Western”, “Film Noir”, “Bollywood”, and others allow for case studies to be used to study each of these syllabus components. All students in this course will be required to complete an independent film study based on the ideas presented in the course and a recorded oral presentation analyzing a film from a prescribed list. In these ways, students are expected to actively engage in the film critique process.

POLICY/CODE:

Ed Code 51054

Board Policy 6141

FISCAL IMPACT:

None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Approve IB Film SL to be offered as a course for 2020-2021. It was offered in the course catalog as pending for the 2020-21 school year.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:             Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent

FROM:        John Calise, Executive Director of Facilities

DATE:          February 5, 2020 

SUBJECT:   Approval of Final Designs for West Campus Parking Lot  

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Facilities Department is requesting Board approval of a revised and final schematic design to improve the parking lot at West Campus.  The goal of the project is to ensure parking is provided to Berkeley Unified School District staff, tenants located on the same property, and to maximize the public spaces available for seniors and people with disabilities who use the lot because of its proximity to the West Campus pool. 

 The designs for the parking lot have a number of adjustments made after engagement by BUSD staff with members of the West Campus community. These include:

1. The addition of five general purpose, two-hour parking spots

2. The additional of four public ADA accessible parking spaces

3. Eleven public spaces that will be signed to accommodate (a) 15-minute morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up parking by parents at the CEC program, and (b) two-hour parking during the work/school day for additional members of the public. In total, public parking will total four ADA accessible spots and nineteen spaces for the general public.

4. The parking lot gates will be raised between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am for use by neighbors; the gates will be raised at 3:00 on evenings in which City of Berkeley Council or Commission meetings are taking place.

The Board of Education heard a preliminary proposal from BUSD staff on the design of the West Campus parking lot at its public meeting on January 22, 2020. Community engagement for this process included the delivery of more than 300 flyers to West Campus neighbors; a community meeting on January 15, 2020; review of email feedback from members of the public to BUSD staff; and public deliberations on revisions to the plans at the Board of Education meeting on January 22, 2020.

The construction project is estimated to cost $225,000.  The project budget is $355,000.

POLICY/CODE

California Public Resources Code 21000 et seq.

FISCAL IMPACT

The recommended project is within budget.  The project is funded in Measure I. 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Approve the revised schematic design of the Bonar Parking Lot Improvement Project.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:          Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent
FROM:    Bajé Thiara, Associate Superintendent
DATE:     February 5, 2020 
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding with LifeLong Medical for Rosa Parks Afterschool Program 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
LifeLong Medical Care has been the contracted fiscal agent for the Rosa Parks Collaborative, including the Rosa Parks Kids’ Village Afterschool Program since 2001.  LifeLong Medical manages all finances for the program, including all costs for the staff, supplies, equipment, and independent contractors. 

The Rosa Parks School Collaborative oversees the Afterschool Program as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the District and the Collaborative. 

Funding for Rosa Parks Kids’ Village Afterschool Program comes from two sources: After School Education and Safety (ASES) grant and parent fees. The grant amount is based on meeting student attendance figures.

Rosa Parks Kids’ Village Afterschool Program will generate a total of $211,588.18 from grant allocations this school year.  Board approval is needed to pay LifeLong Medical/Rosa Parks Collaborative up to this amount of $211,588.18 for the 2019-2020 school year.

POLICY/CODE:
None

FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no impact on the General Fund. The proceeds of $211,588.18 will be generated through the ASES grant. 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  
Approve payment to Rosa Parks Collaborative/LifeLong Medical Center for the Rosa Parks After-School Program for school year 2019-2020.  

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:          Board of Education

FROM:       Natasha Beery, Director of BSEP and Community Relations;

DATE:        February 5, 2020

SUBJECT: Annual Report of Revenue and Expenditures in FY 2018-19 of the Berkeley Public Schools Educational Excellence Act of 2016 (BSEP/Measure E1)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In compliance with The Berkeley Public Schools Educational Excellence Act of 2016 (BSEP/Measure E1), the District makes available to the Planning and Oversight (P & O) Committee an Annual Report of the revenues generated by the BSEP Measure, and the expenditures of the revenues for each Fiscal Year.

All BSEP revenue from Measure E1 of 2016 is deposited, monitored and expended through the BUSD accounting system (QSS) in Fund 4 which is accounted for separately from the District’s General Fund (Fund 1).

BSEP Fund 4 revenue is allocated to each of the purposes delineated in the BSEP Measure in separate and distinctly coded Resources in accordance with the percentages specified by the Measure^[1].

Resource Code     Purpose                                                   Percentage

0754                    Public Information & Translation             2.00% of net

After 2% of net revenue is allocated to Resource 0854, 100% of the available revenues^[2] are allocated to the following purposes and deposited in restricted accounts.  

0741                    High Quality Instruction                      66.00%

0752                    School Site Programs                              10.25%

0761                    School Libraries                                 7.25%      

0753                    Music, Visual and Performing Arts      6.25%

0762                    Instructional Technology                    3.25%

0763                    Student Achievement Strategies          (7.00% shared

0764                    Counseling and Behavioral Health        by these three

0757                    Parent Outreach Services                        resources)

The attached Annual Report provides a brief description of the status of projects funded through BSEP in FY 2018-19, and a comparison report of revenue and expenditures for each Resource. The P&O Committee has reviewed the reports at its regularly scheduled meetings on December 17, 2019, January 14 and 28, 2020.

This is the second Annual Report for BSEP/Measure E1 of 2016, which replaced the prior BSEP/Measure A of 2006. The funds remaining in Measure A will be expended for the purposes authorized by the Measure, and in some instances are built into the budgets for the parallel purposes of Measure E1.

POLICY/CODE

Berkeley Public Schools Educational Excellence Act of 2016 (Measure E1)

FISCAL IMPACT

In FY 2018-19, BSEP Measure E1 of 2016 provided 18.9% of the District's combined General Fund revenue, in the amount of $31,381,929.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Review and accept the Annual Report of Revenue and Expenditures in FY 2018-19 of the Berkeley Public Schools Educational Excellence Act of 2016 (BSEP/Measure E1)

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:             Board of Education

FROM:       Natasha Beery, Director of BSEP and Community Relations

DATE:        February 5, 2020

SUBJECT: First Interim Report of Revenue and Expenditures in FY 2019-20 of the Berkeley Public Schools Educational Excellence Act of 2016 (BSEP Measure E1) and Berkeley Public Schools Educational Excellence Act of 2006 (BSEP Measure A)

A summary of the budget for the BSEP Measures (Fund 4) for the current fiscal year 2019-20 was provided to the Board as part of the December 11, 2019 First Interim Budget.

The BSEP First Interim report provides details for the budgeted revenues and expenditures based on the allocations to each of the restricted Resources within the Fund, organized according to the structure of BSEP Measure E1 of 2016 and BSEP Measure A of 2006. This report was provided to the BSEP Planning and Oversight Committee at its regularly scheduled meeting on January 14, 2020.

In addition to detailing the Revenue (for E1) and Expenditures (for both E1 and A), a summary of purposes is provided to briefly describe the permitted uses of each Resource, summarize the current uses for each budget, as well as note some of the potential uses of fund balance for each Resource in alignment with the specified purposes for the BSEP Measures.

Revenue and Expenditures

In FY 2019-20, BSEP revenue is projected to total $32,256,413 which represents 19.7% of the District’s General Fund budget. This is an increase of $1,369,498 over the prior year, primarily due to a 4.5% Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) as permitted by the Measure.

Projected expenditures of $18,362,049 and transfers to the General Fund of $14,619,833 bring the total BSEP budgeted expenditures for 2019-20 to $32,981,882, an increase of $3,454,426 over the prior year.

Indirect Costs

The Indirect Cost rate for 2019-20 is 5.31% and is calculated by a formula determined by the State. The rate is applied to BSEP expenses and transfers, and is projected to total $1,598,887. These funds are transferred to the General Fund to support the District’s common functions such as Payroll, Purchasing, Human Resources and Plant Operations.

Reserves and Fund Balances

BSEP maintains a 3% reserve as required by the State. During the budgeting process, each Resource carries an unallocated reserve as a contingency to allow for variances in personnel expenditures (salary and benefits). The fund balances remaining from BSEP Measure A of 2006 and the fund balances from the current BSEP Measure E1 of 2016 are both held in separate Resources in Fund 4, and are managed in accordance with the specific terms of the Measure through which the revenues were obtained.

Measure E1 Fund Balances are maintained in each Resource of Fund 4 to meet projected program needs through the life of the current Measure, which will expire in 2024-25. The Fund Balances in the Site Program Resource (0852/0752) remain with the budgets allocated to each BUSD Site Council for expenditure according to the School Plan for Student Achievement, with prior year carryover available for one-time needs in accordance with the plan.

The BSEP Measure E1 budget model forecast the need to provide fund balance reserves to meet the expectations of rising costs, particularly in the High Quality Instruction Resource, 0741 which provides for the costs of class size reduction by paying for 30% of BUSD classroom teachers. Due to increased revenues, the fund balance in that Resource has grown beyond initial projections, and may be available to meet additional program needs and costs, including some off-sets to the General Fund budget reductions being considered through the Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee (SBAC) process. Overall, the increased expenses in 2019-20 exceed current revenues and are beginning to draw down on fund balances in resources such as Music/VAPA, Technology, and Site Funds.

Measure A Fund Balances are available for expenditure in accordance with the terms of the 2006 Measure, and are being managed to support one-time expenditures and deferred needs. The  remaining fund balances in Measure A were drawn down significantly in 2019-20, with one-time funding provided for several positions at Berkeley High School, purchases made for instruments needed for the Music program, and Chromebook expenses, which eliminated the balance in the Technology Resource. It is expected that most Measure A funds will be fully expended by 2020-21.

POLICY/CODE

Berkeley Public Schools Educational Excellence Act of 2016 (Measure E1)

Berkeley Public Schools Educational Excellence Act of 2006 (Measure A)

FISCAL IMPACT

For FY 2019-20, BSEP budgeted expenditures are expected to total $32,981,882. 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Review and accept the First Interim Report for FY 2019-20 of the Berkeley Public Schools Educational Excellence Act of 2016 (BSEP Measure E1) and Berkeley Public Schools Educational Excellence Act of 2006 (BSEP Measure A)

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO: Dr. Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent

FROM: Baje Thiara, Associate Superintendent 

DATE: February 5, 2020 

SUBJECT: List of Schools Eligible for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

In conjunction with the California School Dashboard, the State Accountability System, which measures school and district level achievement over time was launched in the 18-19 School Year.  This accountability system is designed to coordinate with district LCAPs to establish priorities around student achievement. As a necessary component under ESSA, the State Accountability System must determine eligibility for differentiated assistance to districts and sites requiring support.

We have received the updated List of Schools Eligible for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI).  No BUSD schools were identified in the CSI category (wherein the whole school meets the criteria for the lowest-performing 5 percent of Title I schools).  Schools are eligible for ATSI if any student group at the school, on its own, meets the criteria for the lowest-performing 5 percent of Title I schools for CSI. 

Based on the new list, BUSD schools with new/former designations are as follows:

*General Assistance indicates the school has made sufficient gains to exit  the previous designation .

IMPACT:

Upon notification by the State, the LEA is required to:

• Provide notification to such school with respect to which student group or student groups in such school are consistently underperforming

• Approve and monitor implementation of each school plan
  Take additional action following unsuccessful implementation of such school plan after a number of years determined by the LEA

Upon notification by the LEA, the school is required to partner with stakeholders to:

• Develop and implement a school-level plan (SPSA) to improve student outcomes
  The school plan must:

• be based on indicators in the statewide accountability system and informed by all indicators, including student performance against long-term goals; and

• include evidence-based interventions.

NEXT STEPS:

Together with relevant department and stakeholders,  Ed Services will be working to take the actions required.   This includes a thoughtful writing of the school plans (SPSAs) to address the needs of the subgroups for which the schools received their designations and an analysis of actions and investments to develop an intentional plan for any related district-level changes or preventative measures that may occur as a result.  

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 

TO:               Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent
FROM:         Baje Thiara, Associate Superintendent
DATE:          February 5, 2020
SUBJECT:   Williams Quarterly Report Q4

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
As a result of the Williams Case Settlement, every district in California is publicly accountable to ensure that the following conditions are met.

1)      There should be sufficient textbooks and instructional materials for all students, including English learners.

2)      School facilities should be clean, safe and maintained in good repair.

3)      All classes should be taught by properly credentialed teachers.

Information about the standards is posted in every classroom along with the complaints procedure to follow if there is a concern that any one of them is not being met. 

Staff is now reporting that there were no Williams Complaints filed in quarter 4. We have corrected two typographical errors and are submitting for final approval. 

POLICY/CODE:
Ed Code 35186
Board Policy 1312

FISCAL IMPACT:
None 

Receive the corrected Williams Case Settlement Quarterly Report for information.

Persons wishing to address the Board should fill out a green speaker card.  Cards turned in for the earlier open session public testimony will be given priority.  Speakers will be randomly selected based on topic and position, with BUSD students generally given priority.  Public Testimony is limited to 15 minutes with a 3-minute limit per speaker per topic although the time allotted per speaker may be reduced to 2 minutes at the discretion of the President.