The School Board will meet in Closed Session:

CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR 
(Cal. Gov't Code § 54957.6) 
Agency designated representative: Maurice Ghysels 
Employee organization(s): All bargaining units (MPEA, CSEA, Unrepresented Employees)  

Assistant Superintendent, Erik Burmeister, and Spanish Immersion and World Language Coordinator, Tami Girsky, will deliver a report to the Board in honor of the first graduating cohort to go through six years of elementary Spanish Immersion and three years of middle school Spanish for Spanish Speakers. Students will share their insights on what they have learned throughout their bilingual experience in Menlo Park.

The attached report outlines key budgetary revisions planned in 2017-18 Budget. Included in the budget will be key reductions that were outlined during the fall and winter of 2016-17 as well as additional necessary revisions to meet the educational needs of the students and maintain the District's financial stability. The outlined plan with the modifications meets the goal of reducing expenditures by $1.2 million over a two year period. The $1.2 million is a true net reduction even with recommendations for reallocations of expenditures, which include additional ongoing expenditures. The report describes general information about each category, and more detailed line item information is available on the attached spreadsheet.

Superintendent Ghysels, Assistant Superintendent Erik Burmeister, and Chief Business and Operations Officer Ahmad Sheikholeslami, will present for discussion an overview and preliminary plan to address MPCSD's Strategic Direction on Vertical Experience tied to Early Learning Education. The discussion will include such key components as return on investment, ages 3-5 students served, facilities, financials, legal considerations, and startup organizational structure, planning and timelines.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Jennifer Kollmann, will provide information about the Big Ideas Math Algebra 2 for grades 6-8 pilot process and will discuss the rationale for the proposed adoption of this curriculum. Background information, pilot feedback, and fiscal impact are attached. Per Board policy, the community and parents will be given an opportunity to review the material, which will be available for viewing at the District office.

Math Adoption Background:

In 2012, AB 1246 was passed that allowed the California State Board of Education (SBE) to complete a full adoption of mathematics instructional materials for kindergarten through grade eight (K-8) aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

On January 15, 2014, The California State Board of Education released a list of recommended Common Core State Standards-Mathematics (CCSS-M) aligned instructional materials for grades K-8.

On September 9, 2014 the MPCSD School Board unanimously voted to adopt Big Ideas Math 6-8.

Big Ideas was recommended on the Common Core State Standards-Mathematics (CCSS-M) aligned instructional materials list for grades K-8. The most compelling reasons why Big Ideas far surpassed any other publisher the Hillview team reviewed during the adoption process in the spring of 2014 were:

• The books had appropriate and more rigorous problem sets compared to other publications. 
• The program was written after the adoption of the Common Core Standards, and as a result, demonstrates tight alignment to the standards.
• It emphasizes HOW and WHY to learn math.
• It explicitly teaches the habits of mind upon which the mathematical practices were built.
• Direct instruction plays a key role.
• There are hands-on learning opportunities providing exploration and practice.
• The textbook series has many supplementary resources.
• The student and teacher websites are engaging and easy to use.
• Key concepts throughout the series build toward mastery over time.
• The text and online materials provide visuals to support understanding.
• Strong examples are provided for homework and through online support tools.
• Differentiation resources are available.
• It is developed and published by a math-only company with leading mathematic professionals as contributing authors.
• The textbook series offers different programs (content and pacing) that meet the needs of our proposed math paths

Algebra 2 Pilot Input:

A teacher at Hillview Middle School, has been piloting the Big Ideas Algebra 2 textbook this year with six students, and provided evaluative input about the pilot and strongly endorses the proposal to adopt the Big Ideas Algebra 2 textbook. The teacher believes the textbook is more rigorous than the previous textbook (Pearson, transitional Common Core). Big Ideas has well-scaffolded lessons, and the last few problems in each section require students to extend their application of the new skills and concepts. The teacher reported that ease of use and student engagement is fine for the highly motivated students enrolled in the class. The technology component is not perfect, but there are online answer presentation tools and assessment pdf's. The assessments are also available online in Word format. Of great benefit is that this textbook is the same textbook Menlo Atherton (M-A) uses. Also, because Algebra 2 is from the same series as our adopted Algebra I book, students have familiarity with the approach. 

Fiscal Impact:

The cost for the print and on-line versions of the Algebra 2 curriculum this year was $585. The estimated on-going costs are anticipated to be minimal. The student edition textbook costs $79. Additional textbooks would only need to be purchased if the student enrollment in this class increases. In addition, the yearly online subscription will need to be purchased.

This item provides the public with an opportunity to address the Menlo Park Education Association's (MPEA) Initial Proposal and Response to the Menlo Park City School District (MPCSD) for the 2017-18 School Year.

This item provides the public with an opportunity to address the Menlo Park City School District’s (MPCSD) Initial Proposal and Response to the Menlo Park Teachers Association (MPEA) for the 2017-18 School Year.

The Educational Employment Relations Act (EERA) requires the District to negotiate in good faith with the Menlo Park Education Association (MPEA) regarding the terms and conditions of employment of employees in the bargaining unit. The current collective bargaining agreement between the District and MPEA expires on June 30, 2017. Initial proposals for successor contract negotiations with MPEA were posted on the District’s website on April 7, 2017 along with a notice of public hearing. The public hearing allowed public comment regarding the initial proposals presented by the District and MPEA. Government Code Section 3547 requires the District to adopt its initial proposals at a public meeting after the public has had the opportunity to express itself on the proposals.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Board adopts the District’s initial proposals for negotiations regarding a successor agreement with the Menlo Park Education Association (MPEA) as set forth in the attached MPCSD and MPEA Presentation of Initial Proposals and Responses for 2017-18 Negotiations.

Following the Board's approval to eliminate positions effective June 30, 2017, and as part of the ongoing financial planning, the following new positions will be added beginning the 2017-18 school year: English Language Learner Programs Coordinator (Certificated Management Position); General Education Preschool Teacher (Certificated Position); Business Office Assistant/Lunch Program Specialist (Classified Position); and Public Relations and Communications Officer (Un-represented/Confidential Position).

RECOMMENDED ACTION:  The Board approves the positions and job descriptions for an English Language Learner Programs Coordinator, General Education Preschool Teacher, Business Office Assistant/Lunch Program Specialist, and Public Relations and Communications Officer beginning the 2017-18 school year.

The District has reached an agreement with the Menlo Park Education Association (MPEA) regarding the non-student work day schedule for the 2017-18 school year. The revised calendar is attached.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Board adopts the 2017-18 revised District Calendar to specify the schedule for the non-student work days for MPEA unit employees.

Measure X Parcel Tax was certified by the County Election Office. Measure X called for the establishment of an Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee. Staff is recommending the oversight duties to be assigned to the existing Finance and Audit Committee.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Assign the Finance and Audit Committee as the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee for Measure X Parcel Tax.

“The Board shall provide for an independent citizens’ oversight committee to review the Annual Audit and other records of how monies raised under this Measure have been spent only for the purposes named in this Measure. The Board shall establish, and may revise, requirements regarding the composition, duties, funding, and other necessary information regarding the committee’s operation and shall have the option to assign these duties to the already existing Finance and Audit Committee of the Board. “

Staff is recommending the oversight duties to be assigned to the existing Finance and Audit Committee. The FA Committee is a standing committee that is well versed on the District’s finance. The committee meets on a regular basis.  The audit and report information can be submitted on a regular basis at regularly scheduled FA Committee meetings. By utilizing the existing independent committee, staff can be more effective and efficient in performing their accountability. In addition, it has become more challenging to attract and maintain volunteer committee members for additional responsibilities.

MPCSD is submitting to the State a request for funding eligibility for the Laurel School Upper Campus project. The District is eligible for “modernization” funds for that school site. The State is requiring the passage of the attached resolution regarding the State’s bonding authority. While the voters recently approved a new State Facility Bond, the bonds have not been sold or regulations finalized for the program.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Board approves Resolution No. 16.17.19 State Allocation Board and School Facility Program Beyond Bond Authority Acknowledgement.

Under the existing Master Agreement approved by the School Board April 23, 2014, additional construction management service would be provided in the following areas: Extension of Construction Management Services at Laurel School Upper Campus, Hillview Locker Room Reconfiguration, Hillview Photovoltaic Expansion Project, and District Wide Support as Needed. (Additional details attached)

RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Board approves additional services in the amount of $77,130 for RGM and Associates.

Under the existing Master Agreement approved by the School Board April 23, 2014, additional construction management service would be provided in the following area:

1. Extension of Construction Management Services at Laurel School Upper Campus

1. Additional fee amount: $30,000

2. Project completion extended beyond original contract and required additional oversight and services

3. Funding: Building Fund 21

2. Hillview Locker Room Reconfiguration

1. Fee amount: $25,000

2. Funding: Developer Fees

3. Hillview Photovoltaic Expansion Project

1. Fee amount: $12,130

2. Funding: Proposition 39

4. District Wide Support as Needed

1. Fee amount: $10,000

2. Submission of State Funding Application

3. Funding: Building Fund 21

Superintendent Ghysels will present for action (2nd reading) the following new and revised Board Policies and Administrative Regulations. These policies were submitted to the Board for a 1st reading on March 21, 2017.

The Chief Business and Operations Officer will provide a report on the follow items:

• Stanford University project at 500 El Camino Avenue
• Finance and Audit Committee Recommendation on Pension Reserve
• Facilities Update
• Transportation Update
• Technology Update

This agreement is for providing GASB 74/75 actuarial valuation services as required by law.  GAB 74/75 take the place of GASB 44/45.  Total Compensation Systems has performed MPCSD past actuarial valuation services and is familiar with MPCSD.

Funding: General Fund

Recommendation: Approval of Agreement with Total Compensation Systems, Inc not to exceed $8,370.

Work required to remove trees at Laurel School Lower Campus as identified in the arborist report.

Funding: General Fund Routine Restricted

Recommendation: Ratification of Agreement with P and J Tree Services in the amount of $17,500.

Service to provide rodent control at Encinal, Laurel, and Oak Knoll School for 2016-17 and 2017-18.

Funding: General Fund Routine Restricted

Recommendation: Approval of Agreement with Alert Pest Control Services, Inc. not to exceed $11,959.

Replacement of roof at Hillview Middle School dance room. Roofing has been leaking and is in need of replacement.

Funding: Deferred Maintenance Fund

Recommendation: Approval of Agreement with GoGreen Roofing in the amount of $8,724.

Service to provide the required NFPA annual and semi annual fire alarm testing at Encinal, Laurel School Lower Campus, Hillview Middle School, and Encinal School for 2017-18.

Funding: General Fund Routine Restricted

Recommendation: Approval of Agreement with Bay Cities Pyrotector in the amount of $20,450.

The Board received the following written communications:

• Certificate of the Chief Elections Officer for the Special Election held on Tuesday, March 7, 2017
• San Mateo County Treasurer - Monthly/Quarterly Investment Report, February 2017
• San Mateo County Investment Policy Statement for 2017

The next Regular meeting of the Board is Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. and will be held at the Menlo Park City School District Office, TERC Building, 181 Encinal Avenue, Atherton.