MT. DIABLO UNIFIED
BOARD
MEETING – April 25, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Board: Linda Mayo,
Administrative Staff: Superintendent
Student Representatives: Sheila Rezaei, College Park (voting); Alexander
Bendoyro, Clayton Valley; Avani Mody, Concord; Brian Herrity, Northgate; Erika
Moore, Mt. Diablo High; David Cranmer, Ygnacio Valley
President Mayo called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in
the Board Room at the
PUBLIC COMMENT: none
CLOSED SESSION: The Board adjourned
to Closed Session at 6:01 p.m. in Room 6 of the
Readmission
Allen moved, Treece
seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to readmit Student 28-04.
Anticipated Litigation
Allen moved, Treece
seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve up to $65,000 in attorney’s fees
in a Special Education case.
Conference With Real Property Negotiator: Alves Ranch
Eberhart moved, Strange seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to accept the
$10.85 million offer for property for a school site at Alves Ranch.
2. RECONVENE OPEN SESSION: The Board returned to Open Session
at 7:30 p.m. President Mayo led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Expulsion
Student 63-06: Eberhart moved, Allen seconded, and the Board
voted 5-0-0 that Student 63-06 be expelled from all schools and programs of the
Student 64-06: Allen moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board
voted 5-0-0 that Student 64-06 be expelled from all schools and programs of the
Student 65-06: Treece moved, Allen seconded, and the Board
voted 5-0-0 that Student 65-06 be expelled from all schools and programs of the
Student 66-06: Strange moved, Eberhart seconded, and the
Board voted 5-0-0 that Student 66-06 be expelled from all schools and programs
of the
Following these actions, Mayo
reported the action taken and topics discussed in Closed Session.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
Allen moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to
adopt the Consent Agenda, thereby approving the following:
3.1 Minutes
of the meeting of March 28, 2006.
3.2 Certificated
Personnel
3.2.1 Leaves of Absence,
Resignations, Retirements, Employment
3.2.2 Resolution 05/06-71 Education
Code 44258.3 Board Authorization
Under Ed. Code 44258.3, the Board can authorize holders of
any
3.2.3 Resolution 05/06-70 Education
Code 44263 Board Authorization
Under Ed. Code 44263, the Board can authorize holders of any
California teaching credential who have 18 lower division units or 9 upper
division units in a subject to teach the subject(s), full or part time.
3.2.4 Extension of District
Internship, Single Subject Teaching Credential
Approved an extension of Damian G. Scott’s Intern
Certificate for one calendar year to give him additional time to complete the
Professional Development Plan and the experience requirements for the
Preliminary or Professional Clear Teaching Credential pursuant to California
Education Code Section 44325.
3.2.5 Student Teaching Experience Agreement with California
State University, East Bay, for the Term of July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009
Approved an agreement with
3.3 Classified
Personnel
3.3.1 Leaves of Absence,
Resignations, Retirements, Employment
3.3.2 Increase in Work Year for a
Senior Secretary Position at the
Increased the work year for an existing full-time Senior
Secretary position in the Alternative Education Program from 10 to 12 months.
There is no impact to the General Fund. The $10,221 difference in cost for
fiscal year 2006-07 will be funded by the Intervention Program.
3.4 Monthly
Budget Transfers and/or Budget Increases/Decreases for the Month of March 2006
3.5 Grant
Application Requests
3.5.1 Thomas J. Long Foundation Funds
Approved submission of an application to the Thomas J. Long
Foundation for a three-year $178,500 grant. There is no impact to the General
Fund.
3.5.2 Families and Children’s Trust
(FACT)
Approved submission of an application to the Families and
Children’s Trust for a $35,000 grant for
3.5.3 Workforce Investment Act, Title
II: Adult Education and Family Literacy Act
Authorized the Mt. Diablo Adult Education Program to reapply
for a one-year extension of its grant under Section 231 and EL Civics
Education. The grant would bring approximately $500,000 to $600,000 in revenue.
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding Source:
3.6 Award
of Bids
3.6.1 Bid 1412 to B & B Grading and Paving in the amount of $106,667 to provide
paving improvements at
3.6.2 Bid 1415 to Nema Construction in the amount of $384,500 to provide
electrical upgrades at
3.6.3 Bid 1416 to Biland Construction in the amount of $461,050 to provide
electrical upgrades at Bancroft Elementary,
3.6.4 Bid 1417 to Biland Construction Company in the amount of $566,850 to provide
electrical upgrades at Ayers,
3.6.5 Bid 1418 to Biland Construction Company in the amount of $347,000 to provide
electrical upgrades at Valle Verde, Walnut Acres, and Woodside elementary
schools. Funding Source: Measure C
3.6.6 Bid 1420 to Taber Construction in the amount of $787,000 to provide
site utilities, group 1 at
3.7 Notice
of Completion to Contract C-815
Approved notice of completion to Contract C-815, Bid 1381 in
the amount of $321,465 to Robert A. Bothman, Inc. for athletic facility
improvements, package A—landscaping and irrigation at
3.8 Approve
Purchase Order for Metal and Wood Doors at
Approved purchase order in the amount of $44,541.37 to
Pacific Door and Hardwood for labor and material to replace metal and wood
doors with fiber reinforced panel (FRP) doors at
4. RECOGNITIONS –Teacher of the Year Nominees
The
Board of Education recognized the District’s nominees for 2006 Teacher of the
Year: Sandy Codington of
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Anne Kracke, parent, spoke in support
of continuing “A” period jazz band at
Alice Bonner, Olympic High librarian, and
6. COMMUNICATIONS
6.1 Student Representatives
Reporting on events, activities, and issues at their
respective high schools were Sheila Rezaei,
6.2 Organizations: None
7. REPORTS/INFORMATION
- None
8.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
McHenry reported on several topics:
•
He
and Board members have been receiving lots of e-mails in support of “A” period
jazz band, which has been offered at a few of the middle schools. He explained
that last year, as part of budget reductions, the Board voted to restrict
students at middle schools with 7 periods a day to 7 classes and those at
Sequoia, which has a 4x4 block schedule, to 8 classes. He emphasized that the
Board did not eliminate “A” period but did restrict the number of classes a
middle school student could take. Middle school principals could offer an “A”
period as long as students did not take more than the maximum number of classes
stipulated. Because students at some schools were allowed to take jazz band in
an “A” period as an additional class, the District administration told middle
school principals to remove “A” period from next year’s master schedule.
•
Earlier
today the District received news that Ayers,
•
The
governor will present his May Revise to the state budget soon. It looks as if
schools will be receiving more money. Although the contracts have all been
settled, District administrators are meeting with employee bargaining unit
leaders to discuss additional compensation.
•
It’s
time to turn our attention to continuous improvement. The Board and District
administration have been focusing on the budget, budget reductions, and labor
negotiations for more than a year. With the Distinguished Schools announcement
it is clear that there are many high-performing schools in MDUSD. Now we must
focus on supporting those schools that need to improve.
•
A
reception to honor certificated staff will be held at Centre Concord on the Day
of the Teacher, May 10, from 4-5:30 p.m.
A reception to honor classified employees will be held at
9. BUSINESS
9.1 Resolution 05/06-69 Day of the Teacher – May 10, 2006
Treece moved, Eberhart seconded, and
the Board voted 5-0-0 (Student Rep, yes) to adopt Resolution 05/06-69,
declaring May 10, 2006, as Day of the Teacher, acknowledging the lifelong
influence that teachers can have on the lives of our children, and expressing
appreciation for the creativity, dedication, and talent of teachers in the Mt.
Diablo Unified School District.
9.2 Resolution 05/06-68 Asian Pacific Heritage Month – May 2006
Strange moved, Treece seconded, and
the Board voted 5-0-0 (Student Rep, yes) to adopt Resolution 05/06-68,
supporting the California Department of Education’s designation of May as Asian
Pacific Heritage Month and recognizing the many contributions people from Asian
Pacific lands have made to the growth and development of California’s heritage.
9.3 School
Assistance and Intervention Monitoring Report for Mt. Diablo High School
Allen moved, Strange seconded, and
the Board voted 5-0-0 (Student Rep, yes) to accept the first progress report
for Mt. Diablo High School prepared by the School Assistance and Intervention
Team (SAIT) from WestEd. Mt. Diablo High has been designated as a
state-monitored school based on its Academic Performance Index (API) growth data.
Fiscal Impact: Local district match may
include dedication of General and/or Categorical funds.
Board comment
Treece asked how items noted as not yet having been met will be
addressed. Curriculum and Instruction Director Vivian Boyd said much of the
plan hinges on the school’s master schedule, which is still being developed for
2006-07. The SAIT understands that decisions cannot be made until the schedule
is complete.
9.4 Installation
of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems
Treece moved, Allen seconded, and the
Board voted 4-1-0 (Eberhart, no; Student Rep, yes) to approve the installation
of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) improvements in classrooms
and office space at the following sites: Clayton Valley, College Park, Concord,
Mt. Diablo, and Ygnacio Valley high schools; Glenbrook, Oak Grove, and
Riverview middle schools; and Bel Air, Cambridge, Meadow Homes, Rio Vista, and
Ygnacio Valley elementary schools. Fiscal Impact: The initial cost of the entire plan is $56.83
million. The ongoing cost of the entire plan is estimated to be $417,579.
Funding Source: Initial costs –
Proposition 55 funds. Ongoing cost – General Fund
Staff report
In March 2002, the voters in MDUSD passed Measure C, a $250 million
general obligation bond, that included “Priority 1” projects that were promised
to be completed and “Priority 2” projects that would be done if there were
sufficient funds. It appears that the District may receive up to $100 million
in additional state money for facility improvements. On April 6, 2004, the
Board of Education directed that 80% of state matching funds would be used for
Priority 2 projects, and 20% for high-priority facility projects. The most
costly Priority 2 project is air conditioning. On May 11, 2004, the Board
awarded a contract to Capital Engineering to analyze the initial and ongoing
costs associated with air conditioning. Its report, presented to the Board on
October 12, 2004, recommended a rooftop gas/electric system as the most
cost-effective. On May 24, 2005, the Board reviewed several scenarios for
installing and operating air conditioning using funds from Proposition 55, the
state construction bond. On March 14, 2006, the Board studied updated scenarios
and on April 11, 2006, approved the renovation of Northgate High’s HVAC system
through an energy conservation agreement.
The cost of installing and operating
air conditioning at all District sites is quite high. Staff recommended
proceeding with a partial implementation of the plan, starting with schools
that generate state matching funding and those that are often used for the
summer program. Staff further recommended that as additional state funding
becomes available HVAC improvements be installed at Fair Oaks,
Public comment
John Ferrante, parent, asked what the District will do if future utility
costs make air conditioning too expensive, if conservation measures will be
built into the project, and if the equipment will be protected from vandalism.
Board comment
Treece noted that the Board has considered the concept and costs of air
conditioning over a long period of time as it has reviewed the Measure C
program. She thanked Ferrante for his questions. In response to Eberhart,
9.5 Job Description for Lead Buyer
Treece moved, Allen seconded, and the
Board voted 5-0-0 (Student Rep, abstain) to approve the job description for
Lead Buyer as recommended by the Director of Purchasing to fill a critical need
in the purchasing department. Presented as information only at the April 11
Board meeting, this item was returned for action at this time.
9.6 Request Approval to Eliminate One Buyer Position and
Creation of One Lead Buyer Position in the Purchasing Department
Allen moved, Treece seconded, and the
Board voted 5-0-0 (Student Rep, abstain) to eliminate one Buyer position and
create one Lead Buyer position to fill a critical need in the Purchasing
Department. The leadership of Local One (CST) was advised of the recommendation.
Fiscal impact: $6,839 increase to the General Fund (In response to Eberhart, McHenry said the funding would come out of the
80 percent allocation of additional funding in the category of competitive
salaries.)
9.7 Job
Description for Personnel Analyst, Credentials
Staff presented a job description for
Personnel Analyst-Credentials to meet a recommendation in the recent Fiscal
Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) report to provide a high level of
support and expertise in credentialing. (In
response to Eberhart,
9.8 Consider
Approval of Two Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Psychologist Positions
Allen moved, Strange seconded, and
the Board voted 5-0-0 (Student Rep, yes) to approve an agreement with Contra
Costa County Health Services, Mental Health Division, and to create two
additional school psychologist positions to provide additional counseling
services for students who require less intensive services. Fiscal Impact: $172,200
Funding Source: County Mental
Health Medi-Cal Reimbursement
Board comment
Eberhart, saying he sat through County budget hearings earlier in the
day, asked if the District will be impacted if the County makes cuts to social
services. Mildred Browne said the District will not be affected by cuts in the
County budget because the psychologists who are funded through the Medi-Cal
Reimbursement assist students at an early stage so they won’t need the more
intensive services the County provides.
9.9 Adoption
of Middle School History/Social Science Materials
A curriculum specialist and a
committee representing all the grade levels at all the middle schools went
through a process to recommend Holt, Rinehart, Winston history/social science
materials for adoption. Presented as information only at this time, this item
will be returned for action at a subsequent meeting. (Eberhart thanked Curriculum staff and teachers for their thorough
report that lets Board members know the effort that went into the process.)
9.10 Board
Policy and Rule 6173.1 – Foster Youth Education
State Assembly Bill 490 added Education
Code 48850-48859, which created new obligations for districts regarding the
education of foster youth. Board Policy/Administrative Rule 6173.1, “Foster
Youth Education,” was presented as information only at this time and will be
returned for action at a subsequent meeting.
9.11 Approve Designation of Compliance Officer for Board Policy
4119.11 Sexual Harassment and Board Policy 4030 Non-Discrimination in
Employment
Strange moved, Eberhart seconded, and
the Board voted 5-0-0 (Student Rep, yes) to approve the designation of
Assistant Superintendent
9.12 Services
Agreement with Connect-Ed—POSTPONED
9.13 Review
and Discussion of Possible Additions to the Budget
During the 2004-2005 school year the Board took action to
reduce or eliminate many positions, programs, and/or services. The
superintendent has received individual requests to restore certain of these.
Before making further decisions about additions to the budget, the Board is
being asked to review the entire list of items that were reduced during the
2003-2004 and 2004-2005 budget reduction process and to set priorities as
needed. McHenry reviewed the positions identified as important by Board members
at the April 11, 2006, meeting. He noted that in recent meetings the Board has
approved $20 million in additional expenditures.
Public comment Several parents
spoke in support of maintaining an “A” period jazz band at the middle schools:
Barbara Schussman, Josephine Morley, Mats Wallin, Margaret Vercammen, Deborah
Waltmire, and Rick Ramacher.
Board comment In response to a
question from Eberhart about staffing, McHenry said the First Interim Report
listed 1,898 teaching positions. There are now 1,920. All but 23.9 have been
allocated to sites; 11 more may be needed. Staff will know more after the
Kindergarten registration is completed. He said more staff may be needed for 9th
grade, depending on the enrollment in the fall. Eberhart says those numbers
tell him there is enough additional staff to support an “A” period jazz band at
schools that are offering it. He implored the Board “to take a risk and
continue the program” because it has been successful. Strange said he is
willing to add back jazz band but not to fund an “A” period as it would allow
for students to take a third elective. McHenry said the staffing needed for
just jazz band is 0.7 FTE. The 3.0 FTE listed on the budget reduction list
reflects the number of students who were taking an extra elective at that time.
Eberhart moved that the District provide “A” period jazz
band with a minimum of 20 students per teacher. The motion failed for lack of a
second. Mayo said the item will remain on the list of positions, programs,
and/or services that the Board may consider restoring.
10. BOARD REPORTS
Treece reported that for the last several weeks she has been
engaged in a number of activities that have brought together industry partners,
higher education, and District students. She would like the Board to consider
recognizing the student winners at the first Intel-Affiliated Science Fair that
took place earlier this month. Students from Sequoia Middle and Horizons Home
Study swept the awards in the Junior Division. The fair featured project-based
learning in science, math, and computers. She also reported on attending this
month’s Superintendent’s K-Adult Principals’ meeting, where she was encouraged
by the camaraderie of the group, by the clear focus on student success, by
Strange reported that he attended the WASC review at Olympic
High and visited Walnut Acres and Ygnacio Valley High. He plans to visit more
schools next week. He enjoyed being an observer at Concord High and at the
Eberhart commented that he also was an observer at the
multi-casualty incident drill. He was impressed with staff’s handling of the
role-playing hysterical parents who arrived to pick up their children and also
with the representatives from the other agencies that participated. Observing
at the
Allen noted that he, too, observed at the multi-casualty
drill and was impressed with staff. He reported being at College Park High
earlier this morning for the “Every 15 Minutes” program that teaches the
dangers of drugs and alcohol. It, too, was impressive and well-done, he said.
He announced that the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program hosted a
golf tournament recently in which Paul Strange participated. He congratulated
Treece for her successful coordination of Intel-Affiliated Science Fair.
Mayo reported that she attended the three-day
Intel-Affiliated Science Fair, where Treece was acknowledged for her
leadership. She said at least 70 scientists representing business and industry
throughout
11. ADJOURNMENT Mayo adjourned the meeting at 9:56 p.m.