BOARD MEETING: April 8,
2008
ATTENDANCE: Board:
Administrative Staff: Superintendent
Student Representatives: Brandon
Bratcher, Ygnacio Valley (voting); Kyle Thomson, Clayton Valley; Samantha
Dimetriou and Jennifer Smitherin, College Park; Brittany Sofa, Mt. Diablo
1.
CALL TO ORDER: President Treece 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 at the
Request for Extension
Mayo moved, Strange
seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 (Eberhart not yet present) to grant a
second 30-day extension to a middle school student because he is undergoing
comprehensive testing.
Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release/Complaint
Strange moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 (Eberhart not yet
present) to dismiss classified employee #24254, effectively April 8, 2008.
2.
RECONVENE OPEN SESSION: The Board returned to Open Session
in the in the Board Room at the
Expulsions
Student 40-08:
Eberhart moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 that Student 40-08 be
expelled from all schools programs of the
Student 41-08: Mayo moved, Strange seconded, and the Board
voted 5-0-0 that Student 41-08 be expelled from all schools programs of the
Student 42-08: Allen moved, Mayo seconded, and the Board
voted 5-0-0 that Student 42-08 be expelled from all schools programs of the
Student 43-08: Strange moved, Allen seconded, and the Board
voted 5-0-0 that Student 43-08 be expelled from all schools programs of the
Student 44-08: Allen moved, Mayo seconded, and the Board
voted 5-0-0 that Student 44-08 be expelled from all schools programs of the
Student 45-08: Mayo moved, Strange seconded, and the Board
voted 5-0-0 that Student 45-08 be expelled from all schools programs of the
Student 46-08: Strange moved, Eberhart seconded, and the
Board voted 5-0-0 that Student 46-08 be expelled from all schools programs of
the
Student 47-08: Allen moved, Mayo seconded, and the Board
voted 5-0-0 that Student 47-08 be expelled from all schools programs of the
Student 48-08: Mayo moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board
voted 5-0-0 that Student 48-08 be expelled from all schools programs of the
Student 49-08: Strange moved, Eberhart seconded, and the
Board voted 5-0-0 that Student 49-08 be expelled from all schools programs of
the
3.
CONSENT AGENDA
Eberhart moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to
adopt the Consent Agenda, thereby approving the following items:
3.1 Minutes of
the meeting of March 4, 2008.
3.2 Certificated
Personnel
3.2.1 Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements,
Employment
3.3 Classified
Personnel
3.3.1 Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements,
Employment
3.4 Award of Bids
3.4.1 Award of Bid 1502 to B & B Grading & Paving,
Inc. in the amount
of $54,041 to provide paving improvements at
3.4.2 Award of Bid 1504 to Harry L. Murphy, Inc. in the amount of $160,000 to provide
the flooring improvements in 2008 at Cambridge, Gregory Gardens, Hidden Valley,
Meadow Homes, Mountain View, Strandwood, Sun Terrace and Westwood elementary
schools; Shadelands Center, El Dorado Middle School; Pleasant Hill Education
Center; and Clayton Valley, Mt. Diablo, and Ygnacio Valley high schools. Funding
Source: Deferred Maintenance
3.4.3 Award of Bid 1505 to Galedrige Construction, Inc. in the amount of $114,778 to provide
the fire access at
3.5 Award of
Contracts
3.5.1 Award of Contract to Kleinfelder West, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of
$11,000 for geotechnical engineering services for the repair/renovation of the
damaged bleacher systems at
3.5.2. Award of Contract to Consolidated Engineering
Laboratories in the
not to exceed amount of $4,991 for testing, inspection, and geotechnical
engineering services related to the development of a fire lane access road at
3.5.3 Award of Contract to Consolidated Engineering
Laboratories in the
not to exceed amount of $7,254.52 for material testing and inspection services
related to the construction of
3.6 Contract
Amendment to Charles Ham Associates
Deductive contract amendment to Charles Ham Associates in
the amount of ($24,138) because architectural services for the Measure C construction
program at Ayers, Monte Gardens, Sunrise, and Westwood elementary schools; and
Sunrise Center did not need to include interim housing at those sites. Fiscal
Impact: ($24,138) Funding Source: Measure C
3.7 Final Deductive
Change Orders
3.7.1 Final Deduction Change Order to Bid 1445, Contract
C-852 to BRCO
contractors in the amount of ($241,037.09) for removal of existing mechanical
systems and provision of new heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems
at Meadow Homes Elementary; and Glenbrook and Riverview middle schools. Funding
Source: Proposition 55 funds
3.7.2 Final Deductive Change Order to Bid 1446, Contract
C-855 in the amount
of ($43,073.69) for removal of existing mechanical systems and provision of new
heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems at
3.8 Final Change
Orders
3.8.1 Final Change Order to Bid 1441, Contract C-848 to BRCO Construction, Inc. in the
amount of $286,347, for the modernization and new classrooms at Silverwood and
Westwood elementary schools. Funding Source:
Measure C
3.8.2 Final Change Order to Bid 1442, Contract C-850 to Taber Construction, Inc. in the
amount of $25,705, for the modernization and new classrooms at
3.8.3 Final Change Order to Bid 1493 to Sabah International, Inc. in the
amount of $1,155 for the removal and replacement of fire alarm devices and
reprogramming of fire alarm central panels at Bancroft, Holbrook, and
3.9 Notices of
Completion
3.9.1 Notice of Completion to Contract C-848, Bid 1441 to BRCO Constructors, Inc., in the
amount of $6,668,747, who provided the modernization and new classrooms at
Silverwood and Westwood elementary schools. Funding Source: Measure C
3.9.2 Notice of Completion to Contract C-850, Bid 1442 to Taber Construction, Inc., in the
amount of $10,038,163.08, who provided the modernization and new classrooms at
Strandwood Elementary, Diablo View Middle, Loma Vista Adult Center, and Willow
Creek Center. Funding Source: Measure C
3.9.3 Notice of Completion to Contract C-852, Bid 1445 to BRCO Constructors, Inc., in the
amount of $5,058,962.91, for removal of existing mechanical systems and installation
of new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems at Meadow Homes
Elementary School; and Glenbrook and Riverview middle schools. Funding
Source: Proposition 55
3.9.4 Notice of Completion to Contract C-855, Bid 1446 to Bell Products, Inc., in the
amount of $8,290,229.57, who provided the removal of existing mechanical
systems and provided heating, ventilating, and air conditioning at Ygnacio
Valley Elementary; and Clayton Valley and Ygnacio Valley high schools. Funding
Source: Proposition 55
3.9.5 Notice of Completion to Contract C-859, Bid 1471 to River Electric, Inc., in the
amount of $122,095 for electrical upgrades, group 5, at
3.9.6 Notice of Completion to Bid 1493 to Sabah International, Inc. in the
amount of $51,392, who provided the removal and replacement of fire alarm
devices and reprogramming of fire alarm control panels at Bancroft, Holbrook
and
3.10 Independent
Service Contract with Augmentative Communication and Technological Services for
an Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) Specialist
The District has contracted with an AAC Specialist to
collaborate with classroom staff and build internal capacity by training a
District Speech Pathologist in the specialty area of AAC. The AAC Specialist
will work through the 2007-2008-school year. Fiscal Impact: $35,000
Funding Source: Related Services
Other Specialized Operation (1219)
3.11 First
5 Contra Costa School-Readiness Grant Contract
Granted Mt. Diablo Adult Education approval to accept a $253,313.52
grant from First 5 Contra Costa to implement a school-readiness program.
Funding Source: First Five Contra Costa
4.
RECOGNITIONS: None
5.
BOARD FORUM
This item is here for the Board of Education to discuss any
issues of concern.
5.1 Committee
Minutes
5.2 Board Reports
(time limit – 3 minutes)
Eberhart said he appreciates hearing from the public in the
community meetings and hopes to see more attending the upcoming ones. He would
like the Board and staff to meet and discuss the district budget from adoption
last June through the upcoming May Revise. He announced that he and Board
member Strange have created an Internet blog site and invited the public to
participate.
(Treece clarified that
the blog is not an official MDUSD site. Mayo noted that not all members may
participate on the blog as having a quorum participating would violate the
Brown Act.)
Mayo reported on attending several events and activities: “Every
15 Minutes” at College Park High; California Distinguished School visits at Bancroft
and Walnut Acres elementary schools; the 32nd District PTA meeting,
which featured a panel of legislators, educators, and county officials in a
discussion on how state budget affects California’s children; Wren Avenue
Elementary, where she was excited to see all the instructional practices being
implemented; the monthly Parent Advisory Council meeting, which featured a report
on requirements for highly qualified teachers and parent assessments of their
schools; the Intel-Affiliated Science and Engineering Fair, where students
provided in-depth science and engineering projects and noting that mentors are
needed to work with students as they progress through their projects; and the
monthly Community Advisory Committee meeting, where she heard a report on
autism, which will be presented to Board on April 22, and participated in
letter-writing to state legislators on education funding. She said the CAC is looking
for parents of special needs students who wish to serve on the committee. She
announced the upcoming “You Make A Difference” award ceremony, which will be
held on April 16 at Mountain View Elementary.
Strange encouraged the public to attend the community
meetings, noting that three more are scheduled. He participated in
Allen reported that he’d received a letter from Lauren
Fickett, an employee who helped initiate the Mobile Maintenance Team in the
District; encouraged the public to attend the community meetings; judged candidates
for the Kennedy-King scholarships, awarded to minority community college
students transferring to a four-year school; attended a dinner of the Concord Rotary,
which donated the profits to Mt. Diablo High’s Serendipity program; attended a
meeting of the Concord City Council, which adopted a resolution opposing the
petition to transfer Walnut Creek schools out of the District and where council
members made very positive comments about the District. He also visited Summit
High and the
Treece reported that she and
5.3 Issues of
Concern
6.
PUBLIC COMMENT
7.
COMMUNICATIONS
Student Representatives
Kyle Thomson of
8.
REPORTS/INFORMATION
8.1 Measure C Oversight Committee
AJ Fardella, past chair of the Measure C Oversight Committee, and John
Ferrante, first and current chair, reported on the Measure C program on the completion
of its fifth year. Ferrante expressed high praise for everyone involved,
including Vanir construction management firm and particularly MDUSD Maintenance
and Operations Director
8.2
Worker’s Compensation
Barbara Corrick, who
joined the District in the new position of Workers Compensation Manager last
December, provided a report covering the number, type, and cost of claims by
employee unit over the past four years. She noted that the top five causes of
injury (e.g. slips, trips, and falls) are all behavioral, pointing out the need
for safety training. Since December 1, 2007, the following have been put into
practice at MDSUD:
•
District
input of claims and re-organization of claim files
•
Proper
claims management and focus
•
Claims
reviews held quarterly with both insurance carriers.
•
Ongoing
partnership with Claims Adjusters on efficient claim handling and settlement
strategies.
•
Partnership
with Occupational Medicine Groups: Met
with Muir Diablo Occupational Medicine and Kaiser Occupational Medicine, to
reduce employee wait time at initial visit and improve communication.
•
Claim
Prevention Strategies: Performed ergonomic workstation evaluations by providing
minor, low cost adjustments to prevent future claims.
Next steps to be implemented:
•
Injury
& Illness Accident Investigation program
•
Workers’
compensation claims reporting procedure manual for District sites and
departments
•
Begin
monthly reporting of workers’ compensation frequency and costs
•
Conduct
Workers’ Compensation Basic Training
•
Implement
an early Return-to-Work program
•
National
statistics show that employees who remain at work following an on-the-job
injury, heal at a much faster rate than those who stay at home.
•
Claim
costs due to lost time would be dramatically reduced.
She recommends the district adopt a
“Focus on Safety” approach, which would result in:
•
A
significant reductions in workers’ compensation costs, perhaps by 1/3 with an
action plan implementation.
•
A
reduction in the number of sick days used.
•
An
improvement in employee safety awareness.
•
A
better trained staff.
Specific Recommendations:
•
Develop
a District Safety Committee that would meet quarterly
•
Superintendent/or
designee would appoint committee members and would attend meetings to “Focus on
Safety” within the District.
•
Review
and make recommendations on District Safety practices and procedures
•
Provide
guidelines, training recommendations, and oversight to District Safety
initiatives
•
Develop
a Safety Team that would meet monthly (or more/less often depending on claim
frequency)
•
Suggested
team members would be; Director of M&O, Workers’ Compensation Manager,
Personnel Directors, and Union/Association Leadership.
•
Review
reported injury/illness claims
•
Develop
recommendations for prevention
•
Develop
“pro-active, pre-claim” ergonomic injury prevention program
•
Plan
an annual Employee “Focus on Health and Safety” Health Fair
•
Partner
with District health plan providers and Occupational Medicine Clinics; No cost
to the District
•
Design
and implement “Focus on Safety” newsletter for all employees
9.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
McHenry announced that the next community meeting will be
held for the Ygnacio Valley High attendance area on April 17 at Oak Grove
Middle. He said staff will hold a second meeting in
10.
BUSINESS
10.1 Request
to Rescind March 15 Notices of Possible Layoff for School Psychologists
Strange moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to
rescind March 15 Notices of Possible Layoff that were sent to MDUSD school
psychologists. Three (3.0) full-time equivalent (FTE) psychologists have
submitted paperwork for their retirement/resignation. These retirements/resignations
will be used to decrease the number of certificated employees (specifically 3.0
FTE School Psychologists) who will be laid off.
10.2 Resolution
07/08-71 Relative to Elimination and Reduction of Classified Positions
Allen moved, Mayo seconded, and the
Board voted 5-0-0 (Student Rep, yes) to adopt Resolution 07/08-71, eliminating
and reducing positions in the DMA, CSEA, Local One, CST, and Local One, M&O
units as listed in the resolution. Program modifications and budgetary
limitations make it necessary to eliminate and reduce these classified positions.
The reduction will result in a savings to the (unrestricted) General Fund of
$866,755 and (restricted) $180,449. In response to McHenry, Classified
Personnel Director Dorothy Epps reported that jobs are being found in other
parts of the District for most classified employees whose positions have been
eliminated. In response to Eberhart, McHenry said the positions listed are
those approved to be cut during the recent budget reduction process
10.3 Research
and Evaluation Budget
Allen moved, Mayo seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0
(Student Rep, yes) to approve an additional allocation in the amount of
$52,527.43 to provide mandated testing services. Funding Source: Unrestricted General Fund
Board comment Eberhart said this
item is an example of why he wants the Board to look at changes in the budget
from its adoption in June 2007 to now. Strange asked for more detailed reports
on the budget from now on.
10.4 Board
Policy and Administrative Rule 5121 Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement
Mayo moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 3-2-0
(Eberhart, Strange, no; Student Rep, yes) to adopt revised BP/AR 5121, adding “Pass
(P)” to grade marking. Presented as information at the March 18 meeting, this
item was returned for action at this time.
Board comment In response to
Eberhart, McHenry explained that the statement about a student’s needing to
earn at least a 2.0 GPA was erroneously included in this policy. It will be
included in a policy on participation in athletics and co-curricular
activities. Eberhart reiterated his continuing opposition to the statement that
a student’s “behavior, effort, and attendance shall be reported in separate
evaluations, not in the student’s academic grade/rubric scores.” He does not
believe those criteria should be excluded from academic grades. Mayo pointed
out that the policy applies to students in grades K-12, and younger children
are learning behavior and effort. She also believes some student attendance is
a result of family transportation issues and not the fault of the student.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayo announced that the District would be holding an Free
E-Waste Recycling Event on April 18, 19, 20 at the MDUSD Maintenance and
Operations yard. Treece adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m.