SEQUOIA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR AGENDA ITEMS FOR 3/26/14, BOARD MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER
Anyone wishing to address the Board on closed session matters may do so at this time.
2. CLOSED SESSION a. CONSIDERATION OF STUDENT DISCIPLINE/EXPULSION b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS, Agency Designated Representative: James Lianides; Employee Organizations: Sequoia District Teachers Association (SDTA) c. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE—GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6 d. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT—ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
3. ROLL CALL 4. WELCOME AND EXPLANATION TO AUDIENCE 5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 7. REPORT OUT ON CLOSED SESSION 8. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR Board action to approve the following items is taken simultaneously with one motion which is not debatable and requires an unanimous roll call vote for passage. The action indicated on each item is deemed to have been considered in full and action taken as worded therein. If a member of this Board, the Superintendent, or the Public so requests, any item shall be removed from this section and placed on the regular order of business. MOTION: waive reading of the Consent Calendar, accept the reports, adopt the resolutions, and approve other items .
a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MARCH 5 and 12, 2014, BOARD MEETINGS (consent)
SITUATION
Enclosed with the background materials are the minutes for the March 5 and 12, 2014, Board meetings.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
RECOMMENDATION
That the Board of Trustees approves the minutes for the March 5 and 12, 2014, Board meetings.
b. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS (consent)
SITUATION
Enclosed with the background materials are the Personnel Recommendations for certificated and classified employees.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
RECOMMENDATION
That the Board of Trustees approves the Personnel Recommendations as indicated.
Background March 26, 2014 Page 2 c. APPROVAL/DENIAL OF SABBATICAL LEAVE REQUESTS FOR 2014-15 (consent)
SITUATION
The contract between the district and the Sequoia District Teachers Association (SDTA) allows for teachers to take Sabbatical Leaves provided the teacher has worked seven years or more in the district with the latest evaluation being satisfactory. This year, the district received one application for Sabbatical Leave. The application was reviewed by the District Sabbatical Leave Committee. The committee confirmed that the application met the requirements for sabbatical leaves and forwarded the application to the Superintendent for consideration. The District Sabbatical Leave Committee was comprised of the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, the SDTA President, and one SDTA Representative from each site, as well as one district administrator and one site principal.
The collective bargaining agreement states that the Superintendent will “make his/her own analysis of the quality of the applications.” Given the cost of sabbatical leaves, the Superintendent gave careful consideration to the application from Mr. Steven Wong in which he proposes to observe, meet, and co-teach Algebra II courses throughout the district in order to assist with the transition to the Common Core Standards in Mathematics. He also proposes a plan to pursue his Master’s degree in Educational Administration from California State University, East Bay.
After careful consideration, the Superintendent recommends that the Board denies Mr. Wong’s request. Whereas there is agreement that much work is necessary to transition to the Common Core Standards in Mathematics, the district is currently engaged in a collaborative effort with its partner districts through a grant from the Silicon Valley Education Foundation. Additionally, the District’s Department of Professional Development will also focus on the facilitation of such work, and integrating and coordinating the work of Mr. Wong into these efforts will present another facet to an already complex and ambitious initiative. The Department of Professional Development was not consulted in the formation of Mr. Wong’s proposal.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sabbatical leaves have a substantial cost to the district. If approved, the district must pay 60 percent of Mr. Wong’s compensation (salary and benefits) and the district must hire a teacher to replace him in the classroom.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Board of Trustees denies the Sabbatical Leave request for Steven Wong for the 2014-15 school year.
d. APPROVAL OF FIELD TRIPS (consent)
SITUATION
Carlmont High School
15 Junior Statesmen of America (JSA) club members will travel to conference in Santa Clara on April 4-6, 2014. The conference theme is: Model Congress Experience for JSA Members.
10 Track and Field team members will compete in Los Angeles on April 11-12, 2014. Athletes will be able to challenge themselves against the best competition.
2 Business Academy/Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) students will travel and compete in the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta, Georgia on May 2-7, 2014. In addition to the competitive events, many students and advisors participate in a variety of leadership and career advancing academies.
250-300 members of the senior class will travel to the Aqua Adventures Water Park in Fremont on June 2, 2014, for their senior class picnic.
Background March 26, 2014 Page 3
Menlo Atherton High School
17 Home Economics students will attend the Future Homemakers of America-Home Economics Related Occupations (FHA-HERO) to compete and participate in the leadership meeting in Riverside on April 12-15, 2014.
Redwood High School
20 of the Redwood Environmental Academy & Leadership (REAL) members will travel to Moss Beach on April 8, 2014. Students will examine the adaptations and species differentiation of the different dwellers in tide pools.
Sequoia High School
2 Distributive Education Club of America (DECA) members will travel to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta, GA on May 2-7, 2014. The competition will give valuable experience in the Business field and an understanding on how the stock market works.
30 Health Careers Academy students will travel to the Presidio (Rob Hill Campground) in San Francisco on April 8-9, 2014. This is a team-building and leadership development activity.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact on General Fund. No student will be denied the opportunity to participate in these field trips due to finances.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Board of Trustees approves the field trip requests for the Carlmont High School JSA club members to travel to Santa Clara on April 4-6, 2014; Track & Field team to Los Angeles on April 11-12, 2014; Business Academy/DECA students’ to Atlanta, GA on May 2-7, 2014; Members of the senior class to Fremont on June 2, 2014; Menlo Atherton High School Home Economics (FHA-HERO) students to Riverside, CA on April 12-15, 2014; Redwood High School REAL members to Moss Beach on April 8, 2014; Sequoia High School DECA members to Atlanta, GA on May 2-7, 2014, and Health Career Academy students to San Francisco on April 8-9, 2014.
e. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH PARTNERS IN COMMUNICATION (consent) SITUATION
A hearing impaired student, who resides in our district, was released from Capuchino High School due to mental health concerns. The student’s only mode of communication is sign language. The student was placed at his home school and requires language interpreter services to receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The original contract for services was for $35,000; because of additional time, expenses, and the fact that that the student will attend summer school, staff recommends amending the contract by $32,700.
FISCAL IMPACT
An extra $32,700 added to existing district contract for these services paid from Special Education funds.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Board of Trustees approves the amendment to the agreement with Partners in Communication LLC to provide language interpreter (sign language) services to a hearing impaired student for an additional amount of $32,700.
f. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS (consent)
Background March 26, 2014 Page 4 SITUATION
The Warrants for February 2014 are enclosed with the background materials.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
RECOMMENDATION
That the Board of Trustees approves the Warrants for February 2014, totaling $4,118,353.22
g. ACCEPTANCE OF MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORTS (consent)
SITUATION
The Monthly Financial Reports for February 2014 are enclosed with the background materials.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
RECOMMENDATION
That the Board of Trustees accepts the Monthly Financial Reports for February 2014.
h. AUTHORIZATION TO DECLARE PROPERTY SURPLUS (consent)
SITUATION
Enclosed with the background materials is a list of district surplus equipment, which has been declared either obsolete or beyond repair. Staff recommends that the Board declares these items as surplus/obsolete property per Education Code Sections 17545 - 17555.
FISCAL IMPACT
No impact on the General Fund
RECOMMENDATION
That the Board of Trustees declares the listed items as surplus property, obsolete and unsuitable for use, and authorizes the Superintendent to dispose of these surplus items in accordance with Education Code provisions.
i. APPROVAL OF CONTRACT FOR SERVICING HVAC EQUIPMENT (consent)
SITUATION
Degree HVAC, Inc. will be performing emergency repair services at Everest High School. During spring break, Degree will disassemble, remove and dispose of all old Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment; disconnect and reconnect water piping, and start-up and test all new equipment. Included with the background materials is the contract with Degree HVAC, Inc. and a proposal. The cost of services is not to exceed $46,650.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project will be funded by the Maintenance and Operations budget.
RECOMMENDATION
Background March 26, 2014 Page 5 That the Board of Trustees approves the contract with Degree HVAC, Inc., not to exceed $46,650.
j. APPROVAL OF CAHSEE WAIVERS (consent)
SITUATION
The State Board of Education adopted regulations that govern the administration of the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) to provide a waiver procedure that would allow certain disabled students to utilize test modifications. Senate Bill 1476 moved the waiver process for the CAHSEE to the local level by giving local governing boards the authority to grant such waivers. This waiver is required for disabled students who took one or both portions of the CAHSEE with a modification and attained the equivalent of a passing score on the test(s). On March 2, 2005, the Board of Trustees approved CAHSEE Waiver Procedures, including required documentation, that are based upon state-developed eligibility criteria.
The Board is asked to review the waiver requests of ten M-A students who attained the equivalent of a passing score on the Mathematics or English test with the use of modifications. For purposes of confidentiality the waiver application is provided to the Board under separate cover. The Director of Special Education has reviewed the waiver requests and required documentation and has certified that the ten students have met all state and board requirements and is eligible for waiver of the requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
RECOMMENDATION
That the Board of Trustees approves the CAHSEE waivers requested.
9. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
a. Superintendent’s Commendations
10. PUBLIC COMMENT
a. This period is for speakers whose items are not on the agenda. Speakers are customarily limited to two minutes. Speaker slips are available at the agenda table.
b. Correspondence
11. INFORMATION ITEMS
a. REPORT ON 2014-15 OPEN ENROLLMENT/SPECIAL TRANSFERS
SITUATION
Open Enrollment for the 2014-15 school year opened on October 1, 2013, and closed on January 17, 2014. A random drawing was held on January 23, 2014, to assign priority numbers to the families based on the school they wished to attend. There were several Board-approved “boundary exceptions” based on the future boundary map which affected both Carlmont and Menlo-Atherton high schools. This informational report shows the distribution of the Open Enrollment requests for each site.
b. PARENT COORDINATOR REPORT
Background March 26, 2014 Page 6 SITUATION
This report provides a summary of the services and activities of the District Parent Coordinator’s Office throughout the past year, and how these services are having a positive impact on parent engagement and student achievement.
12. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. None
13. PUBLIC HEARING
a. None
14. ACTION ITEMS
a. None
15. BOARD OF TRUSTEES’/SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
16. ADJOURNMENT
POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE APRIL 9, 2014, BOARD MEETING, AND CONSIDERATION OF ANY ITEM GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS WISH TO PLACE ON THE NEXT AGENDA
a. Quarterly Report on Williams Uniform Complaints b. Presentation and Consideration of Approval of the WASC/SPSA Site Plan for Redwood High School c. Report on Smarter Balanced Field Testing
POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE APRIL 30, 2014, BOARD MEETING, AND CONSIDERATION OF ANY ITEM GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS WISH TO PLACE ON THE NEXT AGENDA