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

NOTICE - COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY: 

BOARD MEMBERS TO ATTEND VIRTUALLY 

Pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order N-25-20, all members of the Board of Education as well as the Superintendent and District Staff, will join the meeting via phone/video conference and no teleconference locations need be posted. 

• To observe the March 25 meeting by video conference, please click here at the noticed meeting time. It may help to download the Zoom app before the meeting if you don’t have it already. Instructions on how to join a meeting by video conference are available at: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193 -Joining-a-Meeting. 

• To listen to the meeting by phone, please call at the noticed meeting time (669) 900-9128, then enter Webinar ID 723-164-138, then press “#”. If asked for a participant id or code, press #. Instructions on how to join a meeting by phone are available at: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362663 -Joining-a-meeting-by-phone. 

• To view the meeting after it has been recorded, please go to https://www.berkeleyschools.net/schoolboard/board-meeting-information/

There are two ways to make public comment at the prescribed time near the beginning of the meeting, or in extended public comment near the end of the meeting. The Board President will introduce the allotted period of time for Public comments, organize the comments, and indicate who will be speaking next. 

• To comment by video conference, click on the Participants button at the bottom of your screen and select the “Raise Your Hand” button to request to speak when Public Comment is being taken on the eligible Agenda item. When called upon, you will be unmuted. After the allotted time, you will then be re-muted. 

• To comment by phone, you will be prompted to “Raise Your Hand” by pressing “*9” to request to speak when Public Comment is being taken on the eligible Agenda Item. When called upon, you will be unmuted. After the allotted time, you will then be re-muted. Instructions of how to raise your hand by phone are available at: 

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362663 -Joining-a-meeting-by-phone.

Public Testimony related to closed session items 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. For instructions on how to make public comment during a Zoom meeting, please refer to item #1 of this agenda.

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.

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. For instructions on how to make public comment during a Zoom meeting, please refer to item #1 of this agenda.

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:       March 25, 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 E. Follansbee, Assistant Superintendent Business Services

DATE:         March 25, 2020

SUBJECT: Approve Listing of Warrants issued in February 2020.

BACKGROUND:

Each month the District writes several checks to vendors for services provided and goods received.  The checks are written against both the Restricted and Unrestricted General Fund.  The summaries of warrants for the month of February is attached for the Board’s review.

POLICY/CODE:

Educational Code Section 41010 et seq.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Approve the monthly bill warrant list for the month of February 2020.

FISCAL IMPACT:

$4,048,426.99 for the month of February 2020 from various funds.  

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:              Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent

FROM:        Pauline Follansbee, Assistant Superintendent

DATE:         March 25, 2020

SUBJECT: Approval of Payroll Warrants Issued in February 2020

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

On a regular basis, the Board receives information on the total amount paid employees during a month.  The attached represents a summary of pay warrants from various funds for the month of February 2020.

POLICY/CODE

Educational Code 41010 et seq.

FISCAL IMPACT

$8,623,382.23, for February 2020 from various funds.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Approve payroll payments made in February 2020.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:              Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent

FROM:         Bajé Thiara, Associate Superintendent, Educational Services 

DATE:          March 25, 2020

SUBJECT:   Approval of Contract for Nonpublic Agency Services for the 2019-2020 School Year

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The District contracts with nonpublic agencies, when necessary, to provide related services to students with Individualized Education Programs (IEP). The following nonpublic agencies provide related services as defined in Section 1401 of Title 20 of the U.S. Code and section 300.34 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and California Ed. Code 56363 to enable students with IEPs to benefit from their special education. An individual service agreement (ISA) is developed for each student to whom the service provider is to provide special education or related services.

POLICY/CODE

Education Code 56363         

FISCAL IMPACT

Not to exceed $98,820.00 funded from the Special Education Budget which may require an additional contribution from the General Fund.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Approve the Master Contract for the Nonpublic Agency listed above.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:                Brent Stephens, Ed. D., Superintendent

FROM:          Bajé Thiara, Associate Superintendent, Educational Services 

DATE:            March 25, 2020

SUBJECT:     Approval of Contract Amendment for Residential Nonpublic School for 2019-2020 SY

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.

$69,850 was approved on October 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 $69,850, which will bring the new total to $ 139,700.00.

POLICY/CODE

Education Code 56034, 56366           

FISCAL IMPACT

Not to exceed $69,850.00 from the Special Education Budget which may require an additional contribution from the General Fund.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

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

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:               Brent Stephens, Ed.D, Superintendent
FROM:         Pauline Follansbee, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services
DATE:          March 25, 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. Berkeley Public Schools Fund donated $264.74 to 19-20 Classroom Grant 1-002 to Mariah Castle “Peer Learning Community for BUSD Theater Teachers”.
2. Berkeley Public School Fund donated $1025. to pay for hourly after school meetings for the Universal 9^th Grade Teachers.
3. Berkeley Public Schools Fund donated $753.54 to pay for Berkeley Certified Educator Cohort PD, School Fund 19-20 Strategic Impact Grant 18-735.
4. Your Cause Accenture donated $25. to Sylvia Mendez Principal’s Discretionary Fund.
5. First Presbyterian Berkeley donated $1,000. to Sylvia Mendez Principal’s Discretionary Fund.
6. Berkeley High Development Group donated $1,447.92 for stipends to 8 AC Teachers.
7. Berkeley Public Schools Fund donated $114.17 to pay music teacher Shannon Houston for giving private music lessons to 2 students at Longfellow.
8. Berkeley Public Schools Fund donated $907.43 to pay for Schools Fund 19-20 Strategic Impact Grant 18-737, “Silicon Valley Match Initiative Coaching Institute PS” awarded to Sumeyye Cardakli.
9. Berkeley Public Schools Fund donated $1,221.80 pay for 19-20 Strategic Impact Grant 2-783, “King CDC PECS Training”, awarded to Deborah Thies. This payment is for subs for teachers and 2 SPED IAs for the 2-day training on March 23 & 24.
10. Berkeley Public Schools Fund donated $87.80 to 19-20 Classroom Grant 9-162 to Regina Maradiegue for “Let’s Dance 1^st Grade!Payment to Instructional Specialist Betty Ladzekpo for extra duty.
11. Your cause Chevron donated $300. to Thousand Oaks Principal’s discretionary account.
12. Bright Funds donated $392.50 to Thousand Oaks Principal’s discretionary account.
13. Your cause PG&E donated $120 to Thousand Oaks Principal’s discretionary account.
14. The Albertson’s Companies Foundation donated $2,500 to Thousand Oaks Principal’s Discretionary Account
15. LifeTouch donated $19.10 to Thousand Oaks Principal’s Discretionary Account
16. Berkeley High Development Group donated $1,593.07 grant for Berkeley Independent Study Machine .
17. Berkeley Public Schools Fund donated $736.33 to pay for Silicon Valley Match Initiative Professional Development Meetings.

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 $12,508.40 in donations

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:             Brent Stephens, Ed. D., Superintendent

FROM:        Pauline Follansbee, Asst. Superintendent of Business Services

DATE:         March 25, 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. Ratification of contract with Frontline Education to provide management, training and consulting for implementation of Time and Attendance Services for Fiscal Services for the 2019/20 SY. The cost will not exceed $39,208.13. To be paid from Hillside Sales Proceeds Funds. Requested by Pauline Follansbee.

 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: Board of Education

From: Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent

Date:  March 25, 2020

Re: District Plans Related to COVID-19 and Distance Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced three new conditions on all schools in California:

• A high level of anxiety about infection from COVID-19

• Statewide Shelter-in-Place orders that impact employee and family mobility

• Mass school closures and direction from the state to shift instruction for all students to a distance learning model

On Monday, March 16, county health officers declared a Shelter-in-Place order for six Bay Area counties, and this news was followed on Tuesday, March 17 a statement from California Governor Gavin Newsom that school closures could extend for months. That same day, SB117 provided additional funding for coronavirus prevention, and announced the state’s intention  to apply for a waiver for state testing. Today, county health officials, working in concert with County Superintendents have extended the school period to May 1.

This presentation by staff provides an update to the Board of Education on current district efforts to mitigate against student learning loss by providing Distance Learning experiences to all students in BUSD, PK-12. (Additional plans for Adult Education are pending.)

The BUSD Distance Learning Plan describes several elements of the district’s efforts to shift all learning on remote and online media. These elements include:

1. Feedback from Educators

2. Technology Access for Students and Families

3. Elements of BUSD’s Distance Learning Supports

4. Monitoring Student Participation in Distance Learning

5. Grading, Course Credit, and Graduation

6. Professional Development for Teachers

7. Roles for Teachers, Teacher Leaders, School Administrators and Central Office

Berkeley Unified School District

To: Board of Education

From: Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent

Date:  March 25, 2020

Re: Updated Budget Development Calendar

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced three new conditions on all schools in California:

• A high level of anxiety about infection from COVID-19

• Statewide Shelter-in-Place orders that impact employee and family mobility

• Mass school closures and direction from the state to shift instruction for all students to a distance learning model

Prior to the national crisis, BUSD planned to follow a budget development calendar published in January 2020, with active engagement of a variety of community committees:

• SBAC

• BSEP P&O

• EAC

• PAC

• DELAC

• PTA Council

This evening, the Superintendent will present to the Board of Education a modified schedule for the development of the BUSD budget. This proposal accounts for delays to the previously scheduled process due to the COVID-19 health crisis and subsequent mass school closure.

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. For instructions on how to make public comment during a Zoom meeting, please refer to item #1 of this agenda.