MT. DIABLO UNIFIED
BOARD
MEETING – July 17, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Board: Gary Eberhart, April Treece,
Administrative Staff: Superintendent
The meeting was called to order by President Eberhart at
6:30 p.m. in the Little Theater at
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
CLOSED SESSION: The Board adjourned
to Closed Session at 6:31 p.m. in room 19 at
Public
employee discipline/dismissal/release/complaint
Allen moved, Treece seconded and
the Board voted 5-0-0 to terminate classified employee ID 13696 effective May
25, 2007.
2. RECONVENE OPEN SESSION: The Board returned
to Open Session at 7:07 p.m. Eberhart led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
and reported the action taken in Closed Session.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
Treece moved, Mayo seconded and the Board voted 5-0-0 to
adopt the Consent Agenda, thereby approving the following:
3.1 Minutes of the meetings of May 8, May 22, and June
5, 2007.
3.2 Certificated Personnel
3.2.1 Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements,
Employment
3.2.2 Resolution 07/08-1 Education Code 44258.2 – Board
Authorization
Under Ed. Code 44258.2, holders of single subject or
secondary credentials who have 12 lower division or 6 upper division units in a
subject can be authorized, by Board authorization, to teach that subject(s) in
a middle school for the 2007-2008 school year.
3.2.3 Resolution 07/08-2 Education Code 44263 – Board Authorization
Under Ed. Code 44263, holders of any
3.2.4 Resolution 07/08-3 - Variable Term Waiver Requests
Variable term waivers provide applicants with additional
time to complete certain requirements for the credential that authorizes the
service. The waiver request is made when there is not a properly credentialed
person available for the position.
3.2.5 Recommendation for Preliminary or Professional Clear
Teaching Credential
Upon completion of a two-year District Intern Program, the
holder of a District Intern Certificate must have the formal recommendation of
the Governing School Board to apply for their Preliminary or Professional Clear
Teaching Credential pursuant to California Ed. Code 44328.
3.2.6 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
The purpose of this MOU is to engage
3.2.7 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
The Mt. Diablo Unified School District Cohort will be an
in-district Multiple Subject Credentialing program in partnership with
3.2.8 Application and Plan for Teacher Recruitment and
Retention Program (TRRP) funds
The District is eligible for state
funding of $25.45 per student to support teacher recruitment and student
learning at Deciles 1-3 schools. The Board is being asked to approve the
Tentative Plan for Expenditures, which must be submitted with the application
for funding. Fiscal Impact: Approximately $200,000 in restricted funding.
Funding Source: State Budget Act of 2006
3.3 Classified Personnel
3.3.1 Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements,
Employment
3.4 Intermediate
Change Order, Bid No. 1429, Contract C-842 – Facilities at Olympic High
Intermediate
change order in the amount of $320,953.76 to Taber Construction for additional
tasks associated with new classrooms, softball field, and parking facilities at
Olympic High. Funding Source:
Proposition 55 and Measure A funds
3.5 Intermediate
Change Order, Bid No. 1467, Contract C-858 – Relocation of Bridge Program to
Loma Vista
Intermediate change order in the amount of $356,302 to
Kel-Tec Builders, Inc., for additional tasks associated with the relocation of
the Bridge Program to the
3.6 Final
Change Order, Bid 1397, Contract C-822 – Arntz Builders, Inc.
Final change order to Bid 1397, Contract C-822 to Arntz
Builders, Inc., in the amount of $666,333 for various utilities projects at
3.7 Notice
of Completion to Contract C-822, Bid 1397
Notice of completion to Contract C-822, Bid 1397 to Arntz
Builders, Inc., in the amount of $17,126,262. for new classrooms and
modernization at
3.8 Purchase
Order for new modular classrooms
Currently there is a need for the District to procure and
install two (2) 30’x32’ pre-fabricated restroom buildings, one at College Park
High and the other at Mt. Diablo Elementary. Unit prices for these buildings
are included in Bid 1459, which the Board approved on March 13, 2007. Staff requests
approval to execute a purchase order for the restroom buildings. Fiscal impact:
$820,268. Funding Source: Measure A
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 - None
5.2 Board Reports
Linda Mayo advised community members of the
Federal House of Representatives July 18, 2007 legislative calendar which will
include consideration on the 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services and
Education Appropriations Bill. Although we would wish for more funding, the
House bill provides higher funding levels than the President's January proposal
and the Senate's version adopted on June 28, 2007. Following the approval of
the House version, a joint Conference Committee will be convened to determine
legislation to forward to the President. To view the House proposal visit www.House.gov,
Appropriations Committee and then contact your Representative regarding your
position by phone or fax tonight.
5.3 Issues of Concern – None voiced
6. PUBLIC COMMENT -
None
7. COMMUNICATIONS
- None
8. REPORTS/INFORMATION
– None
9. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
McHenry announced that should the special Board meeting of
July 24 be cancelled tonight, the next regular Board meeting will take place on
August 14, 2007, at
10. BUSINESS
10.1 Appointment of Coordinator, Student/Community Services 9-12
Allen moved, Treece seconded, and the
Board voted 5-0-0 to appoint Felicia Bridges as Coordinator, Student/Community
Services 9-12. She will be assigned to Olympic High.
10.2 Appointment of Elementary School Vice Principal(s)
Strange moved, Mayo seconded, and the
Board voted 5-0-0 to appoint Charmion Brown as Elementary School Vice Principal.
She will be assigned to Bel Air Elementary.
10.3 Create Position and Approve Job Description: Integrated
Systems Project Manager
Strange moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to
create position and approve the job description of Integrated Systems Project
Manager. This position and job description were developed in response to a
Fiscal Crisis Management and Assistance Team (FCMAT) recommendation for
improving the Districts’ Personnel/Payroll system. The position will be placed
at Range 36 ($97,793 -118,869) of the Management salary schedule and will be
temporary through June 30, 2010.
10.4 Appointment
of Integrated Systems Project Manager
Mayo moved, Treece seconded, and the
Board voted 5-0-0 to appoint Silvia Esteban as Integrated Systems Manager.
10.5 Job Description: Personnel Coordinator
Allen moved, Strange seconded, and
the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve the job description of Personnel Coordinator. At
its June 26, 2007, the Board approved the elimination of the Personnel Analyst
(Confidential) position and the creation of a Personnel Coordinator
(Management) position. A job description has been developed to support the
increased demands and provide additional oversight related to the recruitment
and hiring of classified personnel. The position will be at Range 4
($50,025-60,812) of the Management salary schedule. Fiscal impact: N/A
10.6 Resolution 07/08-5 in appreciation of Dale Peterson
Treece moved, Allen seconded, and the
Board voted 5-0-0 to adopt resolution 07/07-5 in appreciation of Dale
10.7 Consider Pursuing a Parcel Tax Election in the Spring of 2008
Report
Lori Ranieri of Government Financial
Strategies provided an overview of the process, requirements, and costs involved
in a parcel tax election.
Public Comment
Several parents spoke in support of a
parcel tax. Sandi Lotter expressed hope that a parcel tax will improve
facilities as well as increase teacher compensation. Faith Jansen Brewer said that
she will volunteer to work on a parcel tax committee. Although her children will
graduate from district schools soon, she believes in benefiting all children. John
Salazar urged the Board not to lose
sight of the children. He said that rushing to put the parcel tax on the
November ballot would be “setting ourselves up for failure,” and to take time
to prepare and get it done right. Parent and teacher Jane Enloe said she is
waiting to hear what the parcel tax revenue will be used for. If it is for
teacher salaries and medical benefits, she will support it “one thousand
percent.” Susan Williams said she had sign-up sheets for those interested in
participating in a parcel tax committee.
Board comment
In response to Eberhart, McHenry said
he is recommending that the Board place a parcel tax initiative on the ballot
in Spring 2008 rather than November 2007 because it allows more time for the
campaign. Also, though several consultants say parcel taxes are more successful
in special elections, the District would have to pay the entire cost of a
special election, which at $7 per voter is prohibitive. The cost of placing an
initiative on a regular election ballot is approximately $2.25 per voter. Eberhart
supported the recommendation for an election next spring, but suggested that
the actual election date not be set at this time so the Board and staff could
talk to some political consultants. Strange agreed, saying the Board needs to
collect a lot more information, such as the level and length of the tax, before
going forward. Noting that he had originally advocated for having the election
in November 2007, he said he is willing to wait until spring since he’s learned
that the collection date, should the parcel tax be approved, is the same
whether the election is this November or next spring. Allen pointed out that
the District covers several diverse communities, and it will take a lot of hard
work to reach the number of voters needed to pass a tax. In response to Allen,
McHenry explained the components necessary to a campaign: 1) a group of people
willing to serve on a campaign committee; 2) a campaign chair; 3) the committee
registering as a legal entity so it can raise funds; 4) leadership from each of
the high school feeder patterns and municipalities. He said staff will provide
monthly progress reports to the Board. Treece said she recently talked to individuals
in neighboring districts who had been involved in successful tax elections in
their districts and was reminded at how arduous a campaign is. She believes
sufficient time is needed to garner support from community leaders and employee
union leaders and to identify what a tax would finance. Hearings the Board held
last spring and the results of the community poll will provide information for
that decision. In response to Eberhart, Ranieri said most parcel taxes are set
for a four-year period, but there are many exceptions, so there is no hard and
fast rule. Though it seems counter-intuitive, she said, some studies show that
in many cases the higher the tax the more support went to schools. One
reasoning is that improving the schools increases property values. Much seems
to depend on what else is going on in the community politically and how
sensitive people are to the issues. She counseled the Board and staff to do some
political and generic research in preparation for a parcel tax election. She
cautioned that
Board Action
Allen moved, Mayo seconded, and the
Board voted 5-0-0 to approve pursuing a parcel tax election in the Spring of
2008
10.8 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
Mayo moved, Treece seconded and the Board voted 4-0-1
(Strange abstain) to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
California State Association of Counties (CSAC). On May 22, 2007, the Board
approved a contract with TriStar Risk Management for third-party administration
of the District’s workers’ compensation program. TriStar is one of five
third-party administrators pre-approved by the California State Association of
Counties (CSAC). By way of the CSAC pre-approval, the District is able to
realize additional savings. The May 22 contract with TriStar is not necessary
The Board is being asked to approve an MOU with CSAC for primary and excess
workers’ compensation coverage. Fiscal impact: $4.6 million Funding Source:
General Fund
10.9 Resolution 07/08-4 Certificate of Consent to Self-Insure
Workers’ Compensation Liabilities
Allen moved, Mayo seconded, and the
Board voted 4-0-1 (Strange abstain) to adopt resolution 07/08-4 Certificate of
Consent to Self-Insure Workers’ Compensation Liabilities. As a member of the
CSAC Excess Insurance Authority’s Primary and Excess Workers’ Compensation
program, the District must apply to the California Department of Industrial
Relations for a certificate of consent to self-insure workers’ compensation liabilities.
Fiscal Impact: None Funding Source: None
11. ADJOURNMENT Eberhart adjourned the meeting at 8.35 p.m.