The Presiding Officer will call the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. before the Board Recesses to Closed Session.  The Regular Meeting will convene by 7:00 p.m. 

Persons wishing to address the Board should fill out a green speaker card.  Cards turned in by 5:xx [15 min before closed session] 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.

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 2, 2022
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:     Samantha Tobias-Espinosa, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources
DATE:       February 2, 2022
SUBJECT:     Approval of Position Control Update Report

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

On a regular basis, staff presents a Position Control Report listing actions that increase, decrease, or change the funding of positions in the District for the Board to approve officially. The first report was brought to the Board for approval on November 4, 2020 to establish a common understanding of the positions that were established as of October 30, 2020. An update report will be presented to the Board for approval whenever changes occur.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 

TO:         Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent
FROM:       Samantha Tobias-Espinosa, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources
DATE:         February 2, 2022
SUBJECT:      School Year Calendar 2022-2023

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The District Staff is recommending approval of the calendar for the 2022-2023 school year. Bargaining groups have been consulted to mitigate any foreseen impact. This calendar has no fiscal impact on the District.

     BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:            Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent

FROM:     Rubén Aurelio, Associate Superintendent, Educational Services

DATE:         February 2, 2022

SUBJECT: Approval of Overnight & International Field Trip Requests

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The following international overnight field trip is being requested. The district is closely monitoring health-specific categories and is asking the board to approve this trip with the full understanding that if any of these categories are not cleared, the trip would be canceled.  The five areas monitored are:

• The Board's vaccination policy will restrict this trip to only vaccinated and boosted students and chaperones.

• All travelers must receive a negative PCR test X days prior to departure, follow guidelines as the date approaches.

• Travel restrictions that may be imposed by public health agencies on schools

• Monitor Cuba's travel restrictions related to COVID, including advisories about shortages in medical equipment.

• Monitor the State Department's current advisory about Cuba.

Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble Proposed Tour of Cuba, April 16 - 24, 2022

Approve participation of seventy-two Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble students, at least two teachers, and thirteen other adults on a nine-day, eight-night trip to Cuba. The group will depart on Saturday, April 16th, and return on Sunday, April 24, 2022.

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.  This will be their 6th Cuba tour with Berkeley High School Jazz.  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 Copacabana. All room assignments will be gender-specific and supervised.  Families are asked to pay two-thirds of the cost of the trip, with the other third being paid with funds provided by the Berkeley High Jazz Parents Association.  The Association is prepared to offer 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 five days of instruction.  Requested by: Juan Raygoza, BHS Principal. (Teacher: S. Cline)

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: BUSD Board of Education

From: Brent Stephens, Superintendent

Re: Request to Extend the Timeline for the Renaming of Washington Elementary School

Date: February 2, 2022

This request from the Superintendent to the Board of Education would extend the timeline for the renaming of Washington School beyond the six month time period described by the District's Administrative Regulation on Facilities Renaming, AR  7310, Facilities, Naming Of Facility.  The Administrative Regulation reads, "The advisory committee shall bring forward any name recommendations within six months of its creation."

This request is made to the Board due to the ongoing and unforeseeable challenges associated with COVID-19 during the renaming timeframe. The Washington School Community will continue its work to complete the renaming process, the Naming Advisory Committee will continue to guide this process and winnow down the current list of finalist names to make a final recommendation, and the Superintendent will make a recommendation to the Board based on this process.

Staff anticipate that this recommendation to the Board will take place prior to the close of the 21-22 school year.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO: Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent  

FROM: John Calise, Executive Director of Facilities 

DATE:       February 2, 2022    

SUBJECT: Approval of a Contract with HY Architects for the District Security Design Standards Project

BACKGROUND INFORMATION  

BUSD Facilities has identified several areas of improvement for the District Design Standards that we use for all Capital Improvement projects.  This information will be used by our selected design consultant, HY Architects for a new contract to develop an updated set of security standards for BUSD.  The fee for these services will be $49,330.

POLICY/CODE  

Public Contract Code 10510.4 – 10510.9

FISCAL IMPACT  

$49,330. To be funded via Measure G.

RECOMMENDATION

Approve a Contract with HY Architects for design services for the District Security Design Standards Project.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:             Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent
FROM:       John Calise, Executive Director of Facilities    
DATE:        February 2, 2022
SUBJECT:  Approval of a Contract with Alten Construction for Lease-Leaseback Pre-Construction Services at the Longfellow MS Modernization Project

BACKGROUND
The Board approved a project budget for Longfellow on June 23, 2021 in the amount of $30,195,203.   

Gould Evans has been selected as the Architect and was approved by the Board on June 23, 2021.

The Longfellow Modernization Project Pre-construction Lease-Leaseback contractor selection has undergone a competitive bidding process.  A Mandatory pre-bid site walk occurred on September 29, 2021, where 9 construction firms were represented.  Seven firms submitted proposals which were reviewed by the selection committee.  Of the seven firms who submitted proposals, three were selected to participate in interviews which were held on November 18, 2021.

The intent is to select Lease-Leaseback contractor to provide pre-construction services in a collaborative process with the Architect, and the District.  Once the drawings have been approved by the applicable state agencies, the Contractor will develop a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the construction.  The GMP will be brought to the Board for approval prior to the start of construction.

The three Contractors selected to participate in interviews were BHM Construction, Alten Construction and Overaa Construction.  Of the three firms interviewed, the committee selected Alten Construction as the best value.

The Alten proposal for pre-construction services is $54,000.

RECOMMENDATION
Approve resolution 22-031, contract with Alten Construction as the Pre-Construction Lease-Leaseback contractor for the Longfellow Middle School Modernization.

FISCAL IMPACT 
Cost award by this action: $54,000.00 to be paid from Measure G bond funds.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO: Board of Education  

FROM: Brent Stephens Ed. D., Superintendent 

John Calise, Executive Director of Facilities 

DATE: February 2, 2022

SUBJECT: Facilities Plan Modifications:  Measure G Program Budget Adjustments

PURPOSE  

To ensure that the Measure G Program Budgets are updated and reflect current project funding requirements and current program revenue projections.  

BACKGROUND  

The Board approved the last Measure G Allocation Plan budget on October 20, 2021.  At this time, it is appropriate to consider the following additions to the Measure G program budget.  Below is a high level overview of the projects that are  proposed by staff and have been vetted by the Board.   The budgets reflected on the attached worksheet represent the construction rough order of magnitude (ROM) budget approved by the Facilities Subcommittee and the soft costs associated with each project.  The budget implications can be seen on the attached Measure G Program Budget worksheet.   

1. Create a project budget for Temporary Relocation of Plant Operations.  This budget includes all costs associated with leases, relocation services, procurement of Fixtures, Furniture, & Equipment (FF&E) and other ancillary needs such as technology infrastructure equipment.

RECOMMENDATION 

Approve the adjustments as published on the Measure G Program Budget Summary Worksheet  

FISCAL IMPACT

The total cost of this project is $3,800,000. to be paid for by measure G.  All costs are in alignment with the Bond Measure language.

RELATED PAST BOARD ITEMS  

None

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:             Brent Stephens, Ed. D., Superintendent

FROM:        Pauline Follansbee, Asst. Superintendent of Business Services

DATE:         February 2, 2022

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.Contract with McMillan Security Systems, to provide installation services of a dashboard phone system security access for the Plant Operations Interim Housing Project. The cost will not exceed $15,000. To be paid from Measure G. Requested by John Calise.
• 2.Contract with Allison Leshefsky, to provide individual evaluations and assessments for adapted physical education to Special Education Department. The cost will not exceed $10,000. To be paid from Special Ed Funds. Requested by Shawn Mansager.
• 3.Contract with Hearing Conservation Association, to provide hearing screening for BUSD students. The cost will not exceed $21,224. TO be paid from the General Funds. Requested by Shawn Mansager.
• 4.Ratification of a contract with Parker Associates to provide parking for the Plant Operations Interim Housing Project for FY 21-22. The cost will not exceed $10,000. To be paid from Measure G. Requested by John Calise.
• 5.Amendment for Daniel Johnston, to provide project management services for the Escape implementation rollout for the 2021/22SY. The cost will not exceed $30,000. To be paid from Escape Implementation Funds. Requested by Max Eissler.

• 6.Contract with the Rosa Parks Collaborative (currently a program of Lifelong Medical Care) to support the implementation of two programs: The Family Resource Center (FRC) and the Extended Day program Kids Village (KV). These programs provide instruction and supervision for K-5 grades at Rosa Parks Elementary, primarily a Play2Be and Afterschool Reading program after school hours for students as well as planning for math and reading support. The cost will not exceed $37,150. Paid for by Rosa Parks PTA donations and funds.

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, Superintendent
FROM:           Pauline Follansbee, Assistant Superintendent Business Services
DATE:           February 2, 2022

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. Donation from Life Touch for the amount of $467.88 for John Muir Principles Discretionary Fund.
2. Berkeley Public School Fund grant in the amount $334.00 to teacher Rosa Lee for Grading for Equity – 6-8 Math Pilot Team. Funds to used for teacher time devoted to this work.
3. Berkeley Public School Fund grant for “Preschool Family Engagement Newsletter & Kindergarten Readiness Activities”. Funds to used for teacher time devoted to this work.
4. Berkeley Public School Fund grant to teacher Lori Ransdell for “Transforming Math Education Toward Liberatory Student Knowledge & Performance”. Funds to be used for teacher time devoted to this work.
5. Berkeley Public School Fund grant to Math teacher leader Tracey Iglehart for “Silicon Valley Math Initiative Meetings for SpEd & Rtl Teachers”. Funds to be used for teacher time devoted to this work in Sept-Oct.
6. Dorian Photography donated $398.34 to Sylvia Mendez Principal’s Discretionary Fund.

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 $5,402.03 in donations.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:             Brent Stephens, Superintendent

FROM:        Ruben Aurelio, Associate Superintendent, Educational Services

DATE:        February 2, 2022

SUBJECT:  Alameda County Office of Education Memorandum of Understanding for K12 SWP Fly Consortium Round 3 Grant Implementation, Berkeley Technology Academy

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) received the K12 SWP Fly Consortium Round 3 Grant in the amount of $50,000. ACOE will provide financial oversight and distribute funds to BUSD upon invoice.  The funds are being used to contract Inter-City Services for a Career Advisory counselor at Berkeley Technology Academy for the 21-22SY. The primary role of the Career Advisory position is to be a crucial link between the student population and internship/job opportunities in Berkeley and the greater Bay Area.  Expand opportunities for students to explore their CTE pathway fields through Work Based Learning experiences and plans for post-secondary options including career and community college programs. Requested by Heidi Weber, Principal, Berkeley Technology Academy.

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve the Memorandum of Understanding from Alameda County Office of Education.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Payment of $50,000 will be paid by Alameda County Office of Education to BUSD from the K12 SWP Fly Consortium Round 3 Grant.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:             Brent Stephens, Superintendent

FROM:        Ruben Aurelio, Associate Superintendent, Educational Services

DATE:        February 2, 2022

SUBJECT:  Informed 2 Inspire Memorandum of Understanding for LCAP Planning and Support

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Informed 2 Inspire (i2i) is being contracted to support and advise BUSD to fulfill LCAP planning services for the February 16^th board meeting as per state requirements as part of Assembly Bill 130. i2i will prepare mid-year metrics and actions for the 2021-2022 as well as constructing supplemental items necessary for board review. The initial agreement is being amended to add an additional $10,000 to its cost. New total cost not to exceed $18,000. To be paid from Educational Services General Fund.

FISCAL IMPACT:

See above.

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve the Memorandum of Understanding from Informed 2 Inspire.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:             Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent

FROM:        Pauline Follansbee, Assistant Superintendent 

DATE:        February 2, 2022

SUBJECT: Approve Updated Budget for Already Approved COVID Funds from Fund 20

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

On September 8, the board approved a transfer not to exceed $2.3 million from Fund 20 to the Unrestricted General Fund, and to use $832,500 in remaining COVID Funds to pay for $3.1 million in projected expenses through June 2022.

The transfer was requested to cover specific costs projected at the time as a result of the pandemic and increased need for services. 

As of January 28, 2022, staff is finalizing the unspent balance, which is estimated to be approximately $300,000 and requesting the balance be spend for recently incurrent COVID expenses for contracted services and supplies.

FISCAL IMPACT

Approximately $300,000 will be spent on COVID expenses for contracted services and supplies

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

To: BUSD Board of Education

From: Brent Stephens, Superintendent

Re: Update on Omicron SUrge

Date: February 2, 2022

In this presentation to the Board of Education, staff will present an overview of the month of January in BUSD schools, including data on the number cases by week, which reflect a gradual downward trend in the number of confirmed on-campus cases after a peak in cases during the week of January 9, 2022.

This presentation will look ahead to the post-Omicron mitigation practices that the district is likely to adopt. For discussion this evening are the following topics:

1. The overall timing of a reduction in Omicron-related mitigation strategies.

2. Easing of outdoor masking for students and staff

3. Change in the cadence of on-campus testing for students from 2x/week to 1x/week.

4. Continued use of school-wide notifications of on-campus cases and close contact.

5. Ongoing access to vaccination/booster opportunities for eligible students and staff.

6. Easing of restrictions on indoor and overnight field trips.

7. Access to home testing kits for Pre-K families

8. Return of Teacher on Special Assignment and Central Office Administrators to regular duties on February 7, 2022.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend. Materials for the presentation will be attached to this agenda item prior to the start of the Board meeting at 7:00.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

To: BUSD Board of Education

From: Brent Stephens, Superintendent

Re: Proposed Board Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for BUSD Employees

Date: February 2, 2022

In this presentation to the Board of Education, staff will present an overview of the proposed Board Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for BUSD employees. The draft policy was reviewed by the policy committee on January 27, 2022. It is presented to the Board for discussion at this time. 

Attached are the Draft Policy and the Presentation Slides.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:                      Brent Stephens ED.d, Superintendent
FROM:                 Pauline Follansbee, Assistant Superintendent
DATE:                 February 2, 2022
SUBJECT:           Governor’s January Budget Proposal

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The State Budget is a document of policy, priorities, and competition for resources.  The release of the Governor’s State Budget proposal begins the process for legislative consideration of the State Budget, but it also provides critical information for development of school agency budgets.

On January 10, 2022, the Governor released the 2022-23 state budget proposal that projects a surplus of $45.7 billion, and proposes an unprecedented Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 5.33%.  The budget also proposes changes to the average daily attendance (ADA) component of the LCFF to assist local education agencies (LEAs) in managing declining enrollment by allowing LEAs to be funded on the greater of the current year, prior year, or an average of three prior year’s ADA.  

Staff presented a preliminary summary of the Governor’s January budget proposal at the January 19, 2022 board meeting.  Staff will present a comprehensive review of the Governor’s budget at tonight’s board meeting.

FISCAL IMPACT:
At the prior board meeting, staff indicated the increase based on the COLA only was $2.4 million. The fiscal impact on the District’s unrestricted general fund, is an increase of $6.4 million, as a result of the increase in COLA and the change to the ADA component of the LCFF. 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: 
The Board receives this report as information.

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO:                Board of Education,
FROM:          Brent Stephens, Ed.D., Superintendent
DATE:           February 2, 2022
SUBJECT:    Williams Quarterly Report                 

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. 

There were 2 complaints filed between October and December 2021. 

POLICY/CODE:
Ed Code 35186
Board Policy 1312 

FISCAL IMPACT:
None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Receive the first Williams Quarterly Report as 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.