In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20, which temporarily suspends provisions of the Brown Act relating to public meetings. As such, Elk Grove Unified School District Board members will be conducting this open session board meeting via Zoom video/teleconferencing.

Zoom Online Meeting Platform

Zoom is an online meeting platform that will be used by the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Education during the current State social distancing and shelter at home order. Those who wish to view the meeting will need an internet connection and device. Zoom is compatible with Windows and Apple computers, along with iPhones, iPads, Chromebooks and Android devices. The device must have working speakers to hear the meeting.

Please note:  If Zoom is not currently installed on a computer or device, Zoom will ask to download a small app to the computer or device. Please accept the install to continue to the Zoom meeting. Zoom will only need to install the app the first time a computer or device is used with Zoom. Mobile device users can install the Zoom app prior to a meeting by visiting their app store. ZOOM Cloud Meetings is the name of the app.

Join the meeting via the Zoom link below:  

 https://egusd-net.zoom.us/j/86598412504

Agency designated representatives: Christopher R. Hoffman,
David Reilly, Robert Pierce, Karen Rezendes

Employee Organizations: All Elk Grove Unified School District
Bargaining Units and Unrepresented Employees 

The Board is asked to recognize Lynda Bettencourt for being named one of two Sacramento County Teachers of the Year for 2021.

A selection committee, comprised of educational professionals from Sacramento County, interviewed twelve local district Teachers of the Year and selected two winners.  James Rutter Middle School teacher, Lynda Bettencourt, was one of two named as Sacramento County Teachers of the Year for 2021.

Lynda’s career began in 1990 at Joseph Kerr Middle School where she served as a Physical Education and Science teacher for five years. She continued working in Middle Schools for the next fourteen years at both Harriet Eddy and Toby Johnson before venturing into High School beginning in 2008 at Cosumnes Oaks High School. After eleven years at COHS, Lynda felt the call to return to Middle School but wanted to push herself by taking on a new position overseeing Intervention at James Rutter Middle School in 2019 where she continues to teach, build community, and inspire youth. In her thirty plus years, Lynda has worn many hats in addition to classroom teacher such as: AVID coordinator, Teacher-In- Charge, PBIS Coordinator, PLC Leader, Department Chair and various district committees.

Lynda is being presented with the Elinor Lincoln Hickey Award of Merit which is the highest honor bestowed by the Sacramento County Board of Education.  In addition, Lynda will receive a perpetual trophy from the Scottish Rite Bodies of Free Masonry, which can be displayed at the District Office or her school site.

The Board is asked to recognize and commend Lynda Bettencourt for her passion in serving students and families and her dedication to education.

The Board of Education is requested to adopt Resolution No. 11, 2020-21 that designates September 17, 2020 as Constitution Day.

September 17, 2020 will be the 233^rd anniversary of the formation and signing of the Constitution of the United States of America.  The finalizing of the Constitution had taken place after months of deliberation and discussion.  It would be many more months before the Constitution was ratified by the states.  In March 1789, the Constitution was declared to be in effect by the First U.S. Congress.

The Constitution that still governs and guides our country today has had significant political influence around the world.  The values and beliefs that are represented in this document are ones with which citizens of our country should be familiar.

In 2004, Congress created a federal holiday, "Constitution Day," designated to be September 17.  In May 2005, the U.S. Department of Education stipulated that all schools that receive federal monies must hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on September 17 of each year.

The Board of Education has been a strong advocate of diversity within our school district.  Given that interest, members of the Board of Education have an opportunity to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month.

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week.  The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month-long celebration (September 15 – October 15).  America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.  September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.  In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

The Board of Education is requested to approve Resolution No.15, 2020-2021, which proclaims the period from September 14-25, 2020, as High School Voter Education Weeks.

The California Education Code designates the last two weeks of September as High School Voter Education Weeks.  

We want to ensure that our students are learning to become active and engaged participants in our democracy. We strongly encourage EGUSD high schools to participate in High School Voter Education Weeks, September 14 through 25, 2020. Let's help get our students on the path to a lifetime of civic engagement and voting.

Public Comment on Items on the Agenda or Not on the Agenda

NOTICE:   If you wish to address the Board, an electronic speaker card must be submitted with written comments prior to 4:30 p.m. on September 1, 2020.  Comments submitted on the designated speaker cards in the Google Document application through the following Link will be read to the Board by a staff member during the September 1, 2020 Board meeting.  Public Comment Form

Please be sure to complete the Google electronic speaker card indicating whether the matter you wish to address is on the agenda or not on the agenda. The total amount of time allocated to present electronic speaker cards to the Board will be limited to a maximum of three (3) minutes, with a total of thirty (30) minutes designated for public comment on an item. Time limitations are at the discretion of the President of the Board of Trustees.  The meeting is recorded on video and audio. 

Virtual EGUSD Board participants are limited to 3000 people due to capacity constraints within Zoom. The Zoom meeting will be recorded (video and audio) and will be made available on the Elk Grove Unified School District’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/elkgroveunified

All items listed on the consent agenda will be acted upon by one motion, without discussion. Should any item need to be considered separately, that item will be pulled for discussion/action.

The Board is requested to approve the attached list of personnel changes as indicated in the actions below.

CERTIFICATED:

New Hire(s) [82]

Rehire(s)

Leave(s) of Absence

Resignation(s)

Retirement(s)

Returning from Leave(s) of Absence

CLASSIFIED:

New Hire(s) [1]

Promotion(s)

Resignation(s)

Retirement(s)

The Board is asked to approve the recommended Tier II Funding Priorities.

On March 17, 2020 the Board approved $3.2 million in one-time 2020-21 fiscal year Funding Priorities that were associated with positions and/or programs that involved positions.  The remainder of the approximately $4 million in funding priorities were placed on hold until the State adopted their budget. Upon approval of the State's adopted budget Administration is recommending the approval of approximately $4 million in 2019-20 one-time funding proprieties to carry over to the 2020-21 fiscal year.

On August 19, 2020 the remaining priorities were reviewed with the Board and recommendations were presented to fund $2.9 million of the priorities from CARES Act funds and the remaining priorities funded one-time from the Unrestricted General Fund.  The Board recommended moving the the Visual and Preforming Arts Director to ongoing.

Attached is the recommended list of priorities for the Board's approval in accordance with the discussion from August 19, 2020 board meeting.

Approve Warrant Register No. 1 – Warrant Numbers 073088-073950, 409009-409529.  All Funds:  July 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020

Education Code 42632 requires that all payments from the funds of a school district shall be made by written order of the governing board of the district.

It is also required that district orders (warrants) must be numbered and include the following per Education Code 42634:

• The particular fund or funds of the district against which it is drawn
• The amount of payment to be made
• An itemized bill showing separate items and the price of each item (this information is retained in Fiscal Services)
• The rate of salary and the period of service of any employee of the district for whom an order is issued for payment of salary or wages (this information is retained in the Payroll office)

The Board is asked to approve Warrant Register No. 1 – Warrant Numbers 073088-073950, 409009-409529.

See attached report for Warrant Register No. 1 expenditures.

Total expenditures for all funds from July 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020 are $55,562,574.11.

Under current Board Policy 3312 “contracts under the bid limits can be approved by the Designated Personnel, subject to Board ratification.  Amendments to contracts, including construction contract change orders both under and over bid limits, may be approved by the Designated Personnel, subject to Board ratification.”  Staff recommends that the Board ratify the contracts on the attached sheet, which are under the bid limit of $95,200 and have been approved by authorized district staff.

Copies of the contracts are on file with Finance & School Support should you wish to review them in detail.

Under state law, the District’s surplus funds are deposited in the County Treasury (unless the District takes special measures to become fiscally independent) with the exception of legally authorized commercial bank accounts (such as Revolving Fund) and proceeds of debt issuances, which may be placed with a trustee.  All of the funds of the Elk Grove Unified School District are invested with the Treasury of the County of Sacramento.  These funds are in the commingled Treasurer’s Pool with that of other public agencies.  This includes all of the school districts within Sacramento County.

As of June 30, 2020, the District has $250,043,788 from all funds, in addition Mello-Roos Investment proceeds of $16,167,042 and General Obligation Bond Investment proceeds of $21,521,808 for a total of $287,732,638 cash in the County Treasurer’s pool.  This is 6.40% of the total county pooled assets of $4,493,782,290.

The surplus funds of the District are conservatively managed by the County Treasury.  We are confident that the funds are now and will continue to be available upon demand to satisfy District needs.

The Joint Health Care Coalition (JHCC) has met over the last several months regarding the 2021 medical benefit offerings.  With assistance from Keenan and Associates, Sutter Health Plus and Kaiser Permanente submitted rate proposals.  The JHCC voted and provides the following recommendation to the Board of Education:

Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health Plus have been recommended to continue as providers.

The proposals included the following cost changes from 2020:

The 2021 rates for these plans will be:

Based on the rates above, Sutter Health Plus will continue to be the low-cost plan for 2021.  A summary of the impact of the rates to employees will be as follows:

Open Enrollment will occur October 5 – October 30, 2020, for a coverage period of January 1 – December 31, 2021.  Employees will be informed of this information as part of the Open Enrollment communications. 

Staff recommends that the Board of Education accept the recommendations of the JHCC and authorize the Chief Financial Officer, Shannon Hayes, to execute all related contracts.  Executed contracts will be included on a future Approval of Contracts Board agenda item for ratification.

Costs are included in the 2020-21 budget.

The Board is asked to approve a contract with College Board in the amount of $115,569 to fund the PSAT Early Participation Program (PSAT for All) for students in grades 8 and 10.

It is a primary goal of the District to prepare students for a robust college and career profile for both in and out of the state of California.  One objective of this work is to identify students with potential for success in Honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate courses and to encourage their early enrollment into these programs and classes.  A related objective is to provide all students in grades 8 and 10 an opportunity to experience the format, content, and rigor of a college-entrance examination prior to their formal PSAT/NMSQT assessment in 11^th grade.

The PSAT Early Participation Program meets both objectives.  For a number of years, the District has offered the opportunity for all 10^th graders to take the PSAT free of charge through the PSAT for All program.  Not only did this allow students a chance to better understand the types of questions and levels of difficulty of the PSAT in preparation for taking the actual SAT or ACT in their junior or senior year, but the results of the test were used by College Board to generate a district-specific report entitled AP Potential.  This report identified students from each of our nine comprehensive high schools who, based on their PSAT performance, demonstrated the potential for success in one or more Advanced Placement courses.  These AP Potential reports were used by the District and individual schools to recruit students into these classes, particularly those students who otherwise may not have considered enrolling in these rigorous courses.

Beginning in the 2015-16 school year, the PSAT for All opportunity was extended to 8^th graders.  Offered free of charge to all 8^th grade students, the test serves as an access point into a formal online Khan Academy student account and digital tutoring opportunities with Khan Academy. The test serves as a foundational element in students’ college and career preparation and contributes to a strong college application profile. The results will be used as one means of recruitment into high school Honors/AP/IB classes.

The total 2020-2021 cost for both the 8^th and 10^th grade programs, $115,569, is being funded from Title IV-Student Support and Academic Enrichment.

A copy of the College Board contract is attached for review.

$115,569 from Title IV-Student Support and Academic Enrichment

The Board of Education is asked to (1) Open a public hearing and receive comments on the granting of a permanent water pipeline easement; (2) Close the public hearing; and if no comments are received, (3) Adopt Resolution No. 6, 2020-21 Granting Water Pipeline Easement to the Florin Resource Conservation District for the Joseph Kerr Middle School Project.

The Florin Resource Conservation District has requested that the District convey without cost a permanent water pipeline easement on the Joseph Kerr Middle School site at 8865 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove, CA as described in the attached description and diagram, Exhibits A & B.

The purpose of this easement is to construct and maintain the main water pipeline which will serve the property.

Staff recommends acceptance of the Florin Resource Conservation District’s request that the easement be conveyed since it will be of public benefit and cause no inconvenience to EGUSD.

The Board of Education adopted Resolution No. 1, 2020-2021, Resolution of Intention to Convey a Public Utility Easement on August 11, 2020, and notice was duly posted and published for this public hearing as noted below.

As required for the granting of such easements, the notice of this public hearing was published in the Sacramento Bee on Thursday, August 20, 2020, and posted for at least 5 days in three public locations: Joseph Kerr Middle School, Robert L. Trigg Education Center and the Elk Grove Post Office (8850 Williamson Drive).  

The Resolution Granting Permanent and Temporary Easements must be adopted by a 2/3 vote by the Board.

In accordance with state law, the Board of Education is requested to declare a public hearing and discuss the accompanying resolution that will certify the Elk Grove Unified School District is in compliance with Education Code Section (EC) 60119, ensuring that each pupil has sufficient instructional materials.

The attached Resolution No. 14, 2020-21, will be formally brought before the Board on September 15, 2020 to certify compliance with Williams' Sufficiency of Instructional Materials.

In accordance with Williams' legislation, EC 60119 requires that the governing board of a school district hold an annual instructional materials public hearing to determine whether the district has sufficient textbooks and instructional materials.  Under EC 60119 the Board of Education shall make a determination through a resolution as to whether each pupil, including each English learner, in each school in the district has sufficient textbooks or instructional materials in each subject (English/language arts, mathematics, history/social science, and science) that are aligned with the academic content standards and consistent with the cycles of the curriculum framework adopted by the California State Board of Education.

EC 60119 also requires that the Board of Education make a written determination as to whether each pupil enrolled in foreign language or health has sufficient textbooks or instructional materials.  Similarly, the Board of Education must determine the availability of laboratory science equipment as applicable to science laboratory courses offered in grades 9-12.

The attached resolution will certify that, in fact, each Elk Grove Unified School District student has textbooks and instructional materials consistent with these guidelines.

Pursuant to Education Code Section 17620 and Government Code Sections 65995 et seq., the District is required to adopt a School Facilities Needs Analysis ("SFNA") to justify the levy of alternative school fees ("Level 2 Fees” and “Level 3 Fees") on new residential development.  Prior to adopting the SFNA, the Board must conduct a public hearing and respond to any comments it receives.

On April 21, 2020, the Board of Education adopted a SFNA which placed the Level 2 fee at $6.34 per square foot of new residential construction.  The law stipulates that a SFNA approval is valid for no more than one year, but it is permissible to update it more often.  Because of the timing of Board of Education meetings and the expiration dates of the SFNA, the SFNA adoption dates have invariably been occurring earlier and earlier each year. This has been compounded with the fact that the State updates the construction cost allowances at the end of January each year, and they are an important factor in the SFNA calculation.  In future years, it would not be possible to incorporate the new construction cost allowances into the SFNA and still have it approved by the one-year expiration. Therefore, Staff is recommending that the Board adopt an updated SFNA to “reset the calendar.” Due to the timing of the aforementioned circumstance this calendar reset is necessary every 5-10 years.

The SFNA prepared by Odell Planning & Research, Inc. in July 2020, demonstrates that the District can impose Level 2 fees of $6.34 per square foot and Level 3 fees of $12.69 per square foot on new residential construction. Level 3 fees are only collected in the event that the State Allocation Board (SAB) is no longer apportioning funds for new construction, and the SAB has notified the Secretary of the Senate and Chief Clerk of the Assembly in writing of the determination that such funds are no longer being allocated. 

The District’s July 2020 SFNA is attached.  The study was sent to all four local Planning Departments on July 31, 2020, and was made available for public review beginning on August 14, 2020, as required by law.  In addition to the public noticing required by law, staff contacted a representative from the North State Building Industry Association (BIA) to discuss the fee study.

It is recommended that on September 15, 2020, the Board conduct a public hearing and review, consider, and adopt the findings contained in the proposed Resolutions approving the July 2020 School Facilities Needs Analysis and adopt the Level 2 and Level 3 Fees identified therein for residential development.

The Board of Education is asked to (1) adopt Resolution No. 7, 2020-21 of Intention to Convey Electrical Facilities Easements to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District for the Joseph Kerr Middle School project; and (2) to set a public hearing on September 15, 2020, at 9510 Elk Grove-Florin Road, in the Board Room at 6:00 p.m.

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District has requested that the District convey, without cost, an Electrical Facilities Easement on the Joseph Kerr Middle School site at 8865 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove, CA.

The final configuration of the easement will be determined, at SMUD’s expense, upon the completion of the installation of the electrical facilities, recording the easement accurately in relation to the facilities.

The purpose of the easements is to allow the Sacramento Municipal Utility District to access, construct and maintain electrical facilities serving the Joseph Kerr Middle School campus.

The Resolution of Intention must be adopted by a 2/3 vote by the Board. 

As prescribed, notice of this intention will be published in the Sacramento Bee, and posted at Joseph Kerr Middle School, the Robert L. Trigg Education Center, and the Elk Grove Post Office (8850 Williamson Drive).  

The Board of Education is asked to: 1) Receive a report on the Schematic Design plans for the proposed Laguna Ridge East Elementary School; 2) Approve the Schematic Design plans; 3) Authorize Administration to proceed with Design Development, agency approvals and Construction Documents; and 4) Authorize Administration to receive bids for the Laguna Ridge East Elementary School.

The District’s new elementary school will be located at the corner of Lousada Drive and Poppy Ridge Road, near Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School. The campus is  being referred to as Laguna Ridge East Elementary School as the school has not yet been formally named.

Enrollment projections, site utilization and planning efforts began in 2019. Lionakis, architects for the project, have worked with Administration to explore and analyze site utilization options, review various building configuration strategies and develop schematic design plans for the facilities to house Laguna Ridge East Elementary School.

Plans have been developed with input from 1) school design and planning professionals, engineers, and environmental consultants; 2) a District Design Committee consisting of teachers, principals and other administrators, who met virtually over the course of seven meetings facilitated by Lionakis; 3) the District’s 2019 Education Specifications; and 4) the California Department of Education.

Administration and the design team have collaborated with City of Elk Grove planning, traffic engineering, and other City staff regarding infrastructure required to serve the site. In addition, meetings with CSD Parks and Recreation were held to discuss adjacencies.

Preparation of documents and on-site investigations necessary for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) certification and actions to meet requirements of the Department of Toxic Substances Control are underway. Various requirements and factors from the latest building codes, including energy efficiencies, are being incorporated. Schematic plans are subject to modification as a result of further engineering, design development, and/or regulatory agency requirements.

Staff and the design team will make a presentation to share and receive input and approval of the Schematic Design in order to move the project forward. Final approval will be contingent upon California Environmental Quality Act certification. 

This project will be funded with State Bond funds, Developer Fees and/or Measure M funds.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and California Executive Order N-29-20, those requiring special assistance to access the Zoom Board meeting, access and complete the Google Electronic Public Comment Form, or to access written documents discussed at the Board meeting that are available on the District’s website, please contact Ludi Avalos at (916) 686-7700.  Notification of at least 24 hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the Zoom board meeting and to provide any required accommodation, auxiliary aids or services.

Documents provided to a majority of the Governing Board regarding an open session item on this agenda will be posted online attached to the board agenda for public inspection.