Regular Meeting

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[17] SPEAKER_29: Okay, President John, you can begin.

[21] Bowen Zhang: Okay, so we're live?

[26] SPEAKER_29: Yes, that is correct. We're ready.

[27] Bowen Zhang: Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the January 7th regular meeting of Newark Unified Board of Education. This is our first meeting of the year and also the first meeting of the decade. Ms. Gutierrez, actually before that, obviously due to COVID-19, every one of our meetings has to be virtual. No physical meeting is allowed and you can participate in our meeting two ways, whether on our YouTube channel and also on the Zoom meeting. our YouTube, our meeting is live streamed on the NUSD YouTube channel on the internet. And there are the comments, you can also participate in the meeting by providing public comments and the instruction for providing public comment can be accessed on our website. Roll call, Ms. Gutierrez, please.

[79] SPEAKER_29: Member Martinez? Here. Member Nguyen? Here. Member Grindle?

[86] Aiden Hill: Here.

[87] SPEAKER_29: Member Hill?

[88] Aiden Hill: Here.

[89] SPEAKER_29: And President Zhang?

[90] Bowen Zhang: Here. Okay, moving on to our 2.1 approval of agenda. May I get a motion to approve the agenda as it is?

[101] Phuong Nguyen: I move to approve the agenda as is.

[105] Elisa Martinez: I'll second.

[107] Bowen Zhang: Member Nguyen moved. Member Martinez second. Do I open up the, do we open up the board up vote? Or this is just a voice vote? Okay, I guess.

[117] SPEAKER_29: So we do both. Board up is going.

[122] Bowen Zhang: Okay, can I get a voice call? Member Martinez, how do you vote?

[127] Julienne Sumodobila: Yes.

[129] Bowen Zhang: Member Hill? Yes. Member Grindel? Yes. Member Nguyen?

[135] Phuong Nguyen: Yes.

[136] Bowen Zhang: And my vote is yes as well. Motion carries unanimously. Now we're going to be recessing to closed session. Before we recess to closed session, any public comment on closed session items? Ms. Gutierrez, any public comment on closed session? Okay, good. We will be recessing to closed session. We'll see you at around 7 p.m. Okay. Oh, I see, I see. In closed session, we'll be discussing item 3.2, public employee discipline dismissal and release. 3.3, conference with labor negotiation and employee organizations, NTA and CSCA. 3.4, conference with labor negotiator, NEWMA, unrepresented supervisor and contracting management. 3.5, conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation. 3.6, conference with legal, conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation, and we'll come back to open session. Okay, see you at around seven. I guess everyone is back. Hello, student member Salemi. Happy New Year.

[3461] SPEAKER_17: Same to you.

[3464] Bowen Zhang: Okay. We're waiting for a couple of other folks.

[3472] Mark Triplett: Hello, member Salemi.

[3475] SPEAKER_17: Hello, guys. How's everyone?

[3477] Toni Stone: Good. How are you?

[3477] SPEAKER_17: Happy New Year. Good to see you.

[3478] Toni Stone: Happy New Year.

[3480] SPEAKER_17: Thank you.

[3484] Mark Triplett: You haven't met our new board members yet, have you? Wait, have you? I didn't think- No, I haven't. I don't think so.

[3490] SPEAKER_25: Wow.

[3491] Mark Triplett: Member Hill and Member Grindle. This is our- Nice to meet you. Our outstanding student leader.

[3502] SPEAKER_17: Nice to meet you both.

[3504] Aiden Hill: Likewise. We've seen you in action. You're amazing.

[3513] Bowen Zhang: So, Ms. Gutierrez, can we start a meeting?

[3516] SPEAKER_29: Most definitely. We have been live, so we can start at any time when you're ready.

[3519] Bowen Zhang: Okay. So, welcome back, everyone. We're back to open session. I do want to mention that at the beginning of the meeting, roughly an hour ago, I forgot to mention that a meeting was called to order at 6.03 p.m. Okay, moving on to Pledge of Allegiance. I will be leading the Pledge of Allegiance since this is the first meeting of the year. Ms. Gutierrez, can we turn on the banner at the national flag. Everybody else, please stand up. Ready, begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, everyone. Moving on to the next item, report of closed session actions. No reportable actions has been taken in a closed session. Next one, student report from Newark Junior High School, McGregor, and Newark Memorial High School. I'll yield the floor to Superintendent Dr. Triplett.

[3587] Mark Triplett: Thank you very much, President Jun. Good evening, respected board members, staff, and community. So welcome to 2021. Happy New Year to everyone. So we're going to start with our student speakers. And starting with Newark Junior High School, I believe we have Ms. Torres and Ms. Ristow here to share news about the goings on in the junior high.

[3622] SPEAKER_33: Good evening. Hi. Hello, staff, board members, and parents. My name is Alyssa Torres, and I am NGHS ASB president. I will be letting you guys know what happened this December. We continued with our weekly quiz games, which is still going really well. We also continued with the food drive and added a toy drive to support Biola Life. We took the right precautions and had students drop off cans at the front of the school with the masks on. Finally, we hosted a holiday movie noon. For students who were interested, we showed the movie Home Alone and asked trivia questions to go with it. Students who were the first to answer the question correctly won a gift card or a choice of apparel from our student store. This event went really well and students that were there were really engaged and excited to win prizes. We also offered opportunities for students to send holiday messages to their friends. These were a sort of holiday grams that was sent by the leadership on behalf of anyone who wanted to send an uplifting message to another student or staff member. And here's Rachel with her report.

[3695] SPEAKER_35: Hi, my name is Rachel Restu and I am Newark Junior High School's Vice President this year. Today I'm going to tell you all about the things our Leadership in Your Book class has for January and the beginning of February. Our Celebrations Committee will be sending out a Google Form to students next week where they can list their New Year's resolutions. Then each month, our people in our committee are going to ask if they've completed or are working on their resolution as the year progresses. We hope that everyone will reach their goals as they set for themselves at the beginning of the year. And starting on February 1st, the Newark Junior High will be participating in the annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraiser, formerly known as Pennies for Patients. The fundraiser will be done completely online. More information will be provided as we get closer to February. And that concludes the Newark Junior High School's January report. Happy New Year.

[3748] Mark Triplett: Thank you very much. You all are fantastic. Um, we, uh, should we move on president to the report from a Bridgepoint? Sure. Okay. Um, so next it's my honor to, um, to welcome a Bridgepoint student leader, Alexis Blanco Baron. Good evening, welcome.

[3780] SPEAKER_31: Good evening, Superintendent, Dr. Triplett, board members, and cabinet members. I'm Alexis Blanco-Barron, and I'm in ninth grade at Crossroads. I serve on the school's site council. Last month, we celebrated our first quarter awards. We honor the students of the quarter nominated by each teacher at Bridgepoint and Crossroads. We also honor those with perfect attendance, honor roll, and highest credits earned. On Monday, 38 Bridgepoint and Crossroad took part in our fourth annual student wellness retreat. The virtual event included team building games and workshop on trauma awareness, and self-care, and breakout sessions including cooking, healthy snacks, mindfulness, and a chill with your pet lounge. Overall, the feedback has been positive. We hope to host another event next year. Our third quarter has begun, and we have welcomed many new students from Newark Memorial, but several join us next week. Thank you.

[3837] Bowen Zhang: Thank you for your wonderful report, Ms. Barron. I guess next is our high school, right?

[3845] Mark Triplett: That's right, yes. Thank you, Ms. Barron. So next up is our very own student board member, Mr. Salemi.

[3854] SPEAKER_17: Thank you, Dr. Triplett. Good evening, members of the board, executive cabinet, students, and community members. I'm happy to be here and share with you all what's happening at Newark Memorial. The Athletics Committee will be rolling out their social media campaign for this month, which is Start Your Year Right. They will be posting workouts, among other things. On January 27th, we'll be having a wellness Wednesday. PTSA will be meeting on the 12th at 630. There will be a coffee with the principal on January 26th with Ms. Rangel. NMHS is encouraging students to utilize our very own peer tutoring club for help, and you can do so by going to the school website and finding more information there. I'd like to honor NMHS's Teacher of the Week for the month of December. They were Mrs. Batia and Mrs. Ochoa. Each class has begun planning our annual skits, and it was pushed back this year because of COVID-19, and now it will be held virtually later in the year. Seniors can now make an appointment to have their senior portraits taken. This will take place on Thursday, February 4th, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., or Friday, February 5th, from 11.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more detailed information, I would refer to Ms. Rangel's weekly site. There's still a little space left for senior ads and you could submit an ad until the end of January or until space sells out. Senior quotes are due on the 29th of this month. Also a reminder that yearbooks are on sale at yearbookordercenter.com. Marketing is continuing to work on our new website. Currently they're working on the club's part of our website. And in terms of more information for future of athletics at Newark Memorial, from what I know is that there will be some meetings and more information planned out, and that will be shared with the community in the future. Thank you, and that's all I have for today.

[3973] Bowen Zhang: Thank you, Student Member Salemi, for the wonderful report. And next item will be 7.1, Employee Organizations. Ms. Gutierrez, do we have any speakers on this item?

[3986] SPEAKER_29: Yes, we have Ms. Sue Eustace from CSCA. She's going to be our only speaker for this item.

[3993] Bowen Zhang: OK. Yes, Ms. Eustace, you can begin. I think you are on mute. I think.

[4008] SPEAKER_14: I'll never get used to this. Good evening, everybody. My name is Sue Eustace, and I'm president of the California School Employees Association, the Newark Chapter 208. I would like to wish everyone a happy new year and welcome our new board members. CSCA 208 will be having its first chapter meeting of the year on January 11th. We will be installing our new officers that same evening. We will be having an executive board meeting on the 25th. And then I have been invited to CSCA Health and Welfare Symposium on January 26th through the 28th. Not everybody gets to go to that. You have to be selected. So I've been really excited that I was selected to go this year. I believe that this year hopefully is going to be better than the last year. At least I'm looking forward to it. And hopefully we can get many things done this year working together. And it is, we really do wish everyone a very happy new year again. So that's my report for this evening. Thank you very much.

[4091] Bowen Zhang: Thank you for the report Ms. Eustace. I believe that's the only speaker for this item. So we'll be moving on to the next section, section eight, recognition and celebrations, 8.1 staff spotlight. Dr. Triplett.

[4107] Mark Triplett: Thank you, President Zheng. So this evening we have a special spotlight and that is, well, let me put up my screen here and we can begin. One moment. As you know, we every month we celebrate different what I call school heroes and that is principals, teachers, classified, both classified and certificated staff that are just doing outstanding things. This month we wanted to do a special celebration and that is if you recall, in November, the board approved a routine personnel activity form that included some change in the status of some of our credential credentialed employees, and that is some of our employees from the prior year were moved from probationary status to permanent status or tenured status. Now most times in most districts this goes just unnoticed. It's something that just happens and nobody seems to talk about it, but this is a really big deal. For a teacher to get tenure and to become permanent is something that we all need to really celebrate and acknowledge because it represents an incredible amount of work on the part of our staff. So with that in mind, we did not do it in November because there was a lot of other things happening. And I wanted to make sure we did it in a time where we could really take the time to acknowledge these folks. We have 15 teachers that moved into permanent or tenured status for this year. Includes teachers, counselors, and school psychologists. And the reason this is significant is because not only do teachers and credentialed staff, they do college training to become teachers and such. They have to pass exams from the state. But then in their first two years, they're probationary and they're evaluated every year by their administrator. And then if everything works out well, then they are recommended for tenure and the board votes and makes that decision. So it's a rigorous process. And so if you will indulge me, I'm just gonna go through and name each of our 15 credentialed folks who moved into permanent this year. We have some photos, some we don't have the photo, but we have their names and where they are working. So I'm just gonna go straight through them all. First is, oh, I'm sorry, let me move my screen here. First is Brianna Hsu. She's a teacher at Newark Junior High School. I've had the honor of visiting her in her class. The next is Brian Foster, a teacher at Newark Memorial High School. I've also been in his class, really tremendous. The next is our counselor at Newark Memorial High School, one of our counselors, Yesenia Hernandez. Mr. Tristan Sheving of the Sheving family. He is one, his parents also are teachers in our schools, and he's at Newark Junior High. Ms. Patricia Mostafa, she's a teacher at Music Elementary. Kiran Permal, who I actually visited in his classroom today. He was discussing recent events with the students and it was a very provocative, engaging class. He's at Newark Memorial High School. We have Carissa Rubinette at Newark Memorial High School, visited her earlier this year. Marissa Munoz at Newark Junior High School. We have Christina Chan, who's at Kennedy Elementary. Raquel Fay, who's at Newark Memorial High School. Michelle Maggia, who's at Music Elementary. Shelley Nagel, who's at Kennedy Elementary. Paige Plotko, who's at the Newark Junior High School, and she has other family that are also part of our Newark Unified community. Rachel Silva, who's at the Memorial. Tiffany Liu, who's a psychologist with the Special Education Department, and so she works at a number of different schools. And that is our group. So just please join me in just appreciating them, all of their amazing work. And we're so delighted that they are now permanent members of the Newark Unified Community.

[4402] Bowen Zhang: Congratulations to all the newly tenured teachers in our district. OK, is that all there for 8.1? Yes, thank you. Okay, moving on to the next item, School Spotlight, Lincoln. Dr. Triplett.

[4420] Mark Triplett: Thank you. Yes, so I am honored tonight to introduce our outstanding principal at Lincoln Elementary, Ms. Rancap-Perez. If you all recall, every month we do a spotlight of a different school and it's an opportunity for the principal to come and share all of the amazing things happening at the school. So I'm happy to turn it over to Ms. Serinka Perez, who's doing such amazing work with her team over there at Lincoln. So I'll turn it over to you.

[4454] SPEAKER_27: Great. Thank you all. I'll go ahead and present my screen. Give me a second, please.

[4459] SPEAKER_25: Okay.

[4472] SPEAKER_27: All right. So first of all, I do like to say congratulations to those teachers who received tenure. It's a big deal, definitely a big deal. Good evening, board members, Martinez, Young, Nguyen, Brindle, Hill, Superintendent Triplett, and executive cabinet members. My name's Lizaday Rancap-Perez, and I am honored this evening to represent the teachers, staff, students, and families of Lincoln Elementary as a second-year principal. Thank you again for this opportunity to share with you all. Lincoln's mission states, in the quest for excellence, we promote the love of learning to create a caring, nurturing environment where everyone is empowered to develop intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and emotionally in a challenging child-centered environment. Our student body is made up of a little bit over 380 students from TK to the sixth grade. Currently, we have one transitional kindergarten class. We have two classes in each grade from kindergarten through sixth grade, and two special day classes. In our primary class, we have grades TK to second, and in our secondary, we have grades three to six. So here I'd like to begin with highlighting Lincoln's California dashboard performance data from 2019. You see here in English language arts, our students performed overall in the yellow, which was a decrease of approximately two points from the prior year. However, in math, our third through sixth grade scores increased three. And I also see here our English learners scored a little over 56% and which shows that they definitely were making progress towards English language proficiency. And so behind these numbers and stats are the hardworking teachers and staff that help in supporting our students academically in their achievements. And so tonight we celebrate them and appreciate them. So Lincoln's instructional priorities for this year are also aligned with the district. They include student engagement through rigorous standards-based instruction, assessment for learning, and social-emotional learning and mental health wellness for our school community. And so in the next couple of slides, you will see how our school community is working towards these priorities within the distance learning environment. And so our teachers and support staff use district curriculum, such as Big Ideas Math, units of study for English language arts and studies weekly for social studies. For science, our teachers are using FOSS and ocean science sequence curriculum in the sixth grade. Several of our teachers are also working with the elementary science partnership, which focuses on science teaching and learning. Our teachers are also working with different programs such as Flipgrid and Nearpod to create challenging and engaging lessons. And another platform that they use to keep in touch with their students and communicate with them as well as distribute their assignments is Google Classroom. It also helps them stay organized as well. The distance learning schedule that we have this year allows our teachers to focus on that small group instruction, which lends itself to that personalized learning based on an individual student's academic needs. But today, what I do have here for you is a video that I'd like to share of one of our third grade students. His name is Rainier Miranda. He's in Mrs. Kennison's class. And here you'll see how he uses Flipgrid to record his narrative about an inanimate object?

[4752] Bowen Zhang: I think the volume, I mean the sound setting is not turned on.

[4758] Aiden Hill: Yeah, so what you have to do is when you go to share, before you go to share, there are buttons at the bottom that say enable computer sound. So you wanna click those before you share it.

[4776] Bowen Zhang: I think it's on the... I think when you share a screen, right? I guess the right way to do this is first unshare a screen, then share a screen again.

[4786] Aiden Hill: Is that right? Right, so you have to stop sharing and now go share again. And before you click the button, there's some buttons down at the bottom that say enable computer audio.

[4800] SPEAKER_27: OK. I'm taking your advice, and I'm doing exactly what you tell me. I'm sorry, but I can't find that specific icon. Oh.

[4817] Bowen Zhang: So, so Ms. Perez, so when you click on share screen on the, on the left bottom of the pop-up, you see there's a share zone.

[4827] SPEAKER_27: Yes, sir. Yes. I see that. Yes. Okay. All right. I'm on. Hopefully this time it'll work.

[4835] Aiden Hill: Okay.

[4835] SPEAKER_27: Let's try it again. Can you, are you able to see my screen?

[4839] Bowen Zhang: Yes. Yes.

[4839] SPEAKER_27: Yes. Thank you all so much for your help. Let's try it again. Take two.

[4846] SPEAKER_36: The story that I'm going to be reading is called The Rivals of Cookie and Milk. In a world that cookies and milk lived in called Dipped Cookies. They all lived in peace until they started a fight. Some say that the cookies were too crummy for the milk, but that wasn't it. It started when a cookie bumped into a glass of milk and started a fight. A few weeks later, they forgave each other and worked together.

[4881] SPEAKER_27: And there you go. And yes, working together. Thank you all so much for helping me out with that. Yes. Again, Mr. Rainier Miranda was showing us how he's using Flipgrid and also just another example of how students are engaged in the virtual classroom. All right. So, are teachers consistent use of data driven assessments such as iReady, allows them not only to identify what a student's specific need is, academic need, but also helps them determine the appropriate interventions to help support the student. And so our teachers are, you know, definitely implementing those assessments as well as providing timely feedback. So our students are aware of the changes that they, and modifications they may need to make in their thinking to understand a certain concept. And then maybe even after learning these specific topics, some teachers will ask students to give them a self-assessment or a self-reflection. And so this helps them think about what they've learned and also what areas of improvement they might need to work on. I've already mentioned a couple of those digital educational programs that our teachers are using, but one in particular, especially our lower grades. they are using Seesaw. And so now I'd like to share a clip of how Noemi Ibarra uses her mathematical thinking and reasoning to show us how she is able to find the difference of two numbers.

[4986] SPEAKER_36: Hi, today I'm going to tell you how I got Um, how I got 34 and 17. Um, first of all, I noticed that I can't do 3 minus, um, 9, so I X that out. And the 7, because that made it 6, because we give a 10 to the 3, that made it 13. And then 13 minus 9, 4, 6 minus 3, 3, 34.

[5032] SPEAKER_27: All right, Noemi. Let me just go back to my presentation. So again, this is just another display of how teachers are gathering information to assess their students to support their learning. So the social emotional learning and wellness of all of our students is a top priority at Lincoln. And so we have, for instance, our positive behavior intervention support team, who recently has been working on creating a remote learning matrix that includes expectations in the virtual classroom. So for instance, expectations around, you know, what happens during whole group instruction or small group instruction as well as homework time. And so this month we look forward to a virtual PBIS reset assembly that we have scheduled. We also have teachers who are integrating community building activities in the classroom as well as digital daily check-ins just to see how and get an idea of how students are feeling on a particular day. Some teachers also include growth mindset lessons in their weekly instruction as well. Our coordination of services team, COST, which is composed of myself, parent partners, our health and wellness consultant, as well as an on-site clinician from East Bay Agency for Children. We meet twice a month to discuss how we can support students academically and just in their healthy development overall. So in this virtual setting, there are still ways and opportunities for our parents to get involved with school matters. So we do have our school site council, as well as our English Language Acquisition Committee. And these two committees meet once a month. I also hold a pancakes with Perez instead of a coffee with the principal every second Friday of the month. And here I get an opportunity to connect with families and parents and talk about how we can work together to support our kids, not just at home, but also in the virtual classroom. And then we also have PALS, which stands for Parents and Leaders in the School. And this is our parent committee and virtually they have created fun activities and fundraisers for our school. So for instance, in October, We had a virtual spirit week and a virtual pumpkin decorating contest as well. So I'd like to end this presentation by just sharing a couple of quotes from some of our community members who've expressed what makes Lincoln a great learning community. And so you see here words like essential and family and work together and huge impact. This year especially, I feel like our community has worked together as a team to provide that academic and emotional support to get through this past year and these trying times. And so with that, I appreciate each and every one of our teachers, our support staff, our students and parents who make up this wonderful and unique community. And on behalf of, again, our teaching staff and everyone at Lincoln, thank you all for this opportunity to present and Happy New Year.

[5270] Bowen Zhang: Thank you. Thank you, Principal Van Cap for us for the report. And any comments from the other board members?

[5279] Aiden Hill: Great job. Thank you.

[5283] Terrence Grindall: Wonderful. Thank you for your help.

[5287] Phuong Nguyen: Thank you for all the hard work you and your staff have been doing for all the students and families over at Lincoln. It shows. Thank you.

[5297] Elisa Martinez: Thank you and Happy New Year to you as well. And thank you for sharing all of the wonderful accomplishments and You know, I always hear a lot of good things about just the community involvement and parent involvement with Lincoln. So thank you for sharing the results, the fruits of all of your labor. Thank you.

[5319] SPEAKER_27: Great, thank you. And thanks to the board members and this team right here for helping me with my presentation. I appreciate it.

[5328] Bowen Zhang: Yeah, you're welcome. I just want to say Lincoln Elementary is really one of the truly destination schools in our district. It's been drawing students from every corner of our community. And not only that, Lincoln does an exceptional job when it comes to educating our most underserved students and English learners. I believe as much as 40% of the students' enrollment at Lincoln Elementary is our underserved and English learner students. And just a couple years ago, actually, Lincoln won a countywide award when it comes to educating our most underserved students. And we're definitely going through some pretty difficult period of time. But I do hope, I do expect that after this pandemic is over, Lincoln will continue the tradition and culture of excellence. And thank you for all you do for our school and our kids.

[5377] SPEAKER_27: Thank you. Thank you, everybody.

[5379] Bowen Zhang: Thank you. Okay, moving on to our next agenda item will be public comment on non-agenda items. Ms. Gutierrez, do we have any public comments?

[5392] SPEAKER_29: We have one request from Cindy Parks. Okay, she's there and I will start the timer as soon as she begins to speak.

[5401] Cindy Parks: Good evening. Let me start off by wishing every one of you a happy new year. I realized this time that there's a lot of concern about social and emotional well-being of our adults and especially the children. In previous board presentations, there's been an acknowledgement of the need to provide support to the students. However, I was surprised to hear a new curriculum has been purchased and instruction is to begin in the next month. I know it was mentioned in the LCAP documents on December 3rd, that there was a need to identify curriculum, but I don't recall the board previewing or approving any curriculum. What was the selection process? How many were evaluated? Will the teachers receive any professional development prior to being expected to implement the curriculum? What is the cost and funding source? Is it being paid for with one-time money? What measures have been put into place to evaluate the success of the curriculum? While it is great that Newark Unified has identified a need, it seems once again procedural steps have been circumvented. Without all of those procedural steps being followed, will it go away like Kevin Clark Janelle Cameron, Springboard Math, Naviance, SVMI, and all the other curriculums, programs, and instructional philosophies this district has funded for three to five years and then shifts to a new flashy and shiny program. If I read your policies correct, there is a distinction between curriculum and supplemental curriculum. Although they share many of the same steps prior to implementing, a standalone curriculum requires board approval. I respectfully request the board ask for a presentation to be given at the next board meeting. This presentation needs to address all of the questions necessary for the board to be part of the process and approve the curriculum to ensure its success. At this time, I would like to also remind the board that there are five sets of meeting minutes outstanding. The October 15 minutes were presented at the November 5th meeting. However, they were pulled because they were lacking some of the study session information. Yet they are listed on the agenda page as though they were approved. Plus the November 5th and 19th and December 3rd and 17th meeting minutes need to come to you for approval. With those newly revised bylaws, which has significantly reduced the quality of the minutes, I don't understand the delay. Thank you for your time this evening.

[5547] Bowen Zhang: Thank you, Mrs. Parks, for your comment. Is that it? Do we have other comments? No, okay. Moving on to the next item, superintendent report. I will yield the floor to Superintendent Dr. Triplett.

[5565] Mark Triplett: Thank you, President Zheng. Give me one moment here and I will bring up my deck. Let's see. There we go. So thank you. So this is the superintendent's report for this evening. I'm going to discuss four things, relatively brief. As always, I'm gonna give an update on enrollment. As you recall, we discussed the more than a meal campaign before the break. And so I wanted to loop back and give you an update on that. give you an update on the work around the merger since we last met just before the break. And then also, although we are going to discuss in a different agenda item the reopening plan, I wanted to give you a brief update around COVID-19 and some of the things that are happening with regard to the pandemic. So first is the enrollment numbers. And this month I made a decision to, I think this might've been a request of a board member to actually add the previous times numbers, keep the previous times numbers and add the most recent enrollment numbers. So you see here that you can see the projections on the left, that is the projections as of, The beginning of the year or really the the spring of last year, and then you can see the, the 15th of December, when we were the numbers that I presented at our last board meeting. So we were at 5,524 students, as opposed to the projection of 5,600. So there hasn't actually been much school time that has passed since we last had a meeting. So the number is actually the same, although at certain schools, the number has gone up one or two students, and in other schools, it has gone down one or two students. But essentially, we're holding steady at this point. And so I just wanted to, as usual, share that with you. The next thing I wanted to discuss is the more than a meal update or more than a meal campaign. So as you recall, just before the break, we had an opportunity from the state to make an attempt to increase our percentage of unduplicated pupils, which then would result in a significant increase in funding if we can hit the threshold that would enable us to receive that funding. It was very last minute from the state that we received this notification and all districts that were notified of this really had to scramble. We had essentially three days, more or less, to make as many phone calls as we could from all different schools in order to try to see if we could increase the number of unduplicated students, the percentage, in order to qualify for these additional fundings. And so I wanted to share some I want to share some data with you about this. So the number of calls that needed to be made was 2,477. Our target was to try to complete applications for 90% of those students, or families, 2,229. So we didn't quite meet the 90% application target. But there is good news to come here. The number of calls that were made between December 14 and 16 and we had an all hands on deck every school office staff district central office staff, everybody was working to try to make these phone calls and and we sent out a lot of communication to families of please help us because it could result in significant additional funding. So of calls made during that time, 1,986 calls, which was 80% of what we needed to do. And the number of application forms that were completed based on those calls was 1,317. Really impressive, I think, given the very short timeline. There were some families who did not want to

[5861] Bowen Zhang: Are you being cut off or?

[5867] Mark Triplett: No one answered and so left voicemails but didn't get a response. So that was about 560 of the calls. Can you all hear me still? It looks like my internet is a little unstable. Can you hear me okay?

[5879] Bowen Zhang: You've been cut off for five seconds, I believe. I think, yeah, I think, superintendents, you are frozen for another two seconds, but I think right now you should be fine.

[5897] Mark Triplett: Okay, fortunately I didn't say anything during those two seconds, so you didn't miss anything. All right, so where was I? So the number of families

[5915] Bowen Zhang: students was 248 attendance. So I think you're frozen when you first started say the number of families. So So after that, we didn't hear you, which we're saying, okay, let me I think maybe, maybe you can turn off your video first. And we just want to hear your voice. That might that might help. You don't need to have your camera on to share your screen. Yeah, you can share your screen without your camera. So that's fine.

[5946] Mark Triplett: Yeah, sorry, it looks like I'm having internet connectivity issues, but. okay can you hear me okay now yes yes yes okay great so 248 additional applications were completed and qualified for free and reduced eligible students and so that means a change of from 55 to 60 of our of our families qualifying for for this and so we're very excited extremely appreciative of all of the staff and families that contributed in making this happen. It's pending certification in June, but the potential is for us to receive an additional $400,000 of supplemental and concentration funds that would go specifically to our students who have the greatest needs. So I think this is a great example of what happens when we all come together and really work for a common purpose. And we're really happy that we were able to complete this. In different news, so in terms of COVID-19 and report there, we continue to partner with BACH in terms of free COVID testing. So they'll be testing at the McGregor campus. that's free for anyone on January 29th and 30th. They are also doing additional free testing in January, at January 6th through the 8th, right now. They're at the Family Bible Fellowship on Filbert Street. And then January 21st through 22nd, they will be at Cedar Church. So it's an opportunity for our community to get free COVID testing. Many of you have heard about the governor's new plan that he has rolled out, the Safe Schools for All, which came out, I believe, the last days of December. So I wanted to just give you a little bit of an update there. I spoke with the county officials today. Number one, just some people have gotten the impression that it's already a plan that's already about to be implemented. It is still a proposal. So it has not been approved by the legislature yet. But if approved, it's a program that specifically for bringing back when it's safe to do so, a TK to sixth grade students. It includes funding for comprehensive testing, COVID testing for both staff and students. It also includes additional funding for in-person learning. Right now they're talking about a possible $450 per student for all students who would be returning to in-person and then additional $250 for students who qualify for LCFF funds. And then the other part of it is that part of the requirement in this plan is that districts, their eligibility is based on if the county that they're in has a case rate that falls below 28 cases per 100,000 people. As of January, just as a little litmus test, as of January 1st, only 11 counties in California of the 58 counties would actually qualify that for that based on the number of cases. So as you all know, right now, we're experiencing an increase in cases. And so and which is why we're in the purple tier. But the governor is putting forth this proposal, and we'll see what happens. And I'll keep you informed about that in the future. Shifting gears a little bit, give you an update around the school consolidation merger process. So I shared this graphic last time that we would be in January starting working on enrollment projections and staffing for all of our schools, including our merger with Snow and Graham schools, that we would be forming the design team and beginning the design team work, and that we'd also continue to do facilities assessments. So just to share what we've been doing since the last time we met. Oops, sorry, I'm moving my video there. So one, the design team applications for the Snow and Graham communities were sent to staff and families in December. And then the school communities are gonna be voting to select their team representatives for the design team. The deadline for that vote is January 11th, Monday. after which time we will form the design teams based on the selection of those school communities. We've also begun the enrollment projections and the staffing process. We started that this week. So our next steps here, one is that we committed to meeting with the staffs at Snow and Graham in January regarding the staffing process that will be applied. We're going to convene the design team the week of January 25th and then there'll be ongoing design team meetings from there on out. And then we're also intending to meet with the special education teams at both schools. That's something that those teams have requested and we've been in conversations with them to begin the process of identifying program placement and that'll be within this month as well. And that is my superintendent's report for this session.

[6288] Bowen Zhang: Thank you very much for the report. With that, I will open up for questions and comments from the board.

[6298] Phuong Nguyen: I have one question. So I do have some concerns with the governor's proposal. I mean, I think it's a great idea that he wants to put that in place for in-person learning to get, you know, families and and people in the community motivated to get students back in school. But how is that equitable? I mean, for counties that have higher numbers of essential workers or lower socioeconomic families that are in those situations where it's going to be harder for students to get back into in-person learning. Why aren't there additional funding for distance learning for those counties if they're not able to go back into in-person learning?

[6350] Mark Triplett: Yeah, thank you, Member Nguyen. Do you mean that you're wondering about if the governor's proposal includes funding for families who are for for districts where the families are need to stay in distance learning? Is that correct?

[6364] Phuong Nguyen: Yes, that's correct. I mean, because I mean, like you said, there's only 11 counties that would qualify if the proposal is approved by if it's approved by legislation. And that means that there is some financial advantages for those counties and those districts to for in-person learning. So my question is, you know, is there any discussion or any set from the governor's office, if they're thinking of funding, having additional funding for distance learning in counties where we're not able to get back into in-person learning because there are higher numbers of cases and because there are more essential workers or more people that are affected by COVID.

[6416] Mark Triplett: got it yeah um it might have i might have been a little confusing in my in my presentation there because i was just using the january 1st 11 counties just as like a here's the current status but my understanding is that if approved this proposal would um would not just be for those current 11 counties but would be ongoing as um as counties moved into a different uh tier like moved into the red for example that um that then they would be eligible for the funding as well I think it's really just he's just saying that he doesn't want any districts to feel pressured to return to in-person learning before it's safe to do so.

[6461] Phuong Nguyen: No, I totally understand. I understand that. I'm just saying that, well, basically, my question is, there's this proposal for additional funding so that kids can go back into in-person learning. And it just depends on when the counties get into the stage where we are approved to go back in, and then we'll get that funding if it's approved. But my point is that there's going to be counties that are never going to be able to get into or I'm not going to say never, but it's going to be delayed. So for the counties that are delayed, is there any information on whether or not there's going to be any additional funding to improve distance learning for those counties?

[6508] Mark Triplett: Yeah, thank you. Not to my knowledge, although we are hearing mutterings about possible federal funding, but we don't have any details about it yet. And to my understanding, the governor's proposal is strictly talking about funding for in-person learning. So that's something that has been left out of the proposal, to my understanding.

[6531] Phuong Nguyen: OK, thank you.

[6534] Terrence Grindall: And Dr. Triplett, is there additional cost to the in-person learning? Is that the reason behind the governor adding additional cost? Or is this just a sort of an incentive? Or is this covering the additional cost for the in-person learning?

[6555] Mark Triplett: It's a good question, Member Grindel. I think there are potentially additional costs that could be incurred for bringing back certain populations. And possibly it requires additional equipment, things like that. And so I'm not positive, but I imagine that it's a little bit of both. a little bit of incentive, but a little bit of also recognition of here's additional support and funding to really do this in a way that ensures safety and the attention that's needed for those students. Thank you. So I will say this proposal came out at the end of December, but it is still sort of being analyzed and evaluated. And so it's starting to be interpreted right now. And then again, it's still a proposal because it would have to pass the legislature.

[6619] Bowen Zhang: So I do have several questions. Obviously, it's pretty rich information in your report. First, I want to ask about the 55% threshold for unduplicated accounts. I remember last summer when we were talking about the budget of 2020-2021, we were saying we have an internal goal of, since we're below 55%, but we have an internal goal of shooting to, I believe, 57% or 58%. Based on the campaign that you and your team did, does that mean that when you say you're already up to 60%, does that mean that we successfully increase the threshold to back to around 60%, which might result in 5% of the unduplicated student receiving concentration grant.

[6664] Mark Triplett: I'll let Ms. Delacruz answer more, but yes, that is the exciting news. It's really wonderful.

[6669] Bowen Zhang: I think this is a big news, actually. It's not just exciting. This is probably the biggest news embedded in that report.

[6675] Mark Triplett: Yeah, it's true. It's really phenomenal. I mean, and you saw the potential dollars there. It's a tremendous opportunity to support our students who have the greatest needs. We will have to do, you know, this is a yearly thing. So it's good that we think about and reflect on what did we do in order to get to that number. in terms of our team, engaging with families, and the all hands on deck. And we really want to make sure we apply the same strategies and more for this upcoming year when we will need to certify again. Ms. Delacruz, did you want to add anything there?

[6711] Marie dela Cruz: Yeah, so the 55% threshold, we did meet that because anything above 55% is what we get funded for. But remember, as that number goes up, it not only affects the concentration funds, but it also impacts the supplemental funds, because the supplemental funds are also based on the UPP percentage. So by reaching 60% this year, it increased our three-year rolling average enough for us to get additional funding. And it was really, when you look at it, it was additional 1% to our three year rolling average. So significant impact even for that small of an increase.

[6755] Bowen Zhang: Would that impact our current year ongoing funding for the year 2020 to 2021?

[6761] Marie dela Cruz: So it does, however, it won't be part of our expenditure budget because it won't be certified until June. So we will calculate it into our revenue projections for this year. However, we won't know exactly how much will be certified until June, 2021. So what we'll do is plan and put that in our designated reserves for next year.

[6790] Bowen Zhang: Okay, so that means we'll be paid back if we meet the threshold in June. Does that mean we'll be getting some back pay for the additional revenue that we deserve for the current fiscal year once we certify that in June, 2021?

[6806] Marie dela Cruz: It's not back pay because it's not in our revenue now.

[6809] Mark Triplett: Okay. Yeah. Sorry, we will be able to use that in 21, 22.

[6817] Bowen Zhang: Yeah, so I guess my question is, if in the year 2021, we realize we're meeting 60% of the UPP percentage, then by definition, in the year 2020 to 2021, the current fiscal year, we should be receiving concentration grant about the 55% for those students, right, or not?

[6839] Marie dela Cruz: Yes, it will be counted as part of our 2021 revenue. However, I see. Yeah.

[6847] Bowen Zhang: Another question, since you just mentioned, I think this is for my education. So my current understanding is for UPP count, for any, for the percentage of students above 55%, in addition to the roughly 9,500 base grant, you're going to get 50% on top of the 9,500, which we call concentration grant for these students. roughly 50% of the base grant, that's the concentration grant. But I thought for the supplemental grant, this has always been 20% of each base grant, doesn't matter the percentage of the students. That's my understanding.

[6880] Marie dela Cruz: No, it's it's the base plus the grade span, times 20%, and then times the UPP. So it's not just 20% of the base, the formula is

[6894] Bowen Zhang: 20% of the base. The higher the UPP you have, the bigger percentage of your, after the multiplication, the supplemental grant is. Okay. Then I see why it even increased the average supplemental grant per student gets. Okay.

[6914] Marie dela Cruz: Yes, exactly.

[6916] Bowen Zhang: Okay.

[6917] Marie dela Cruz: It impacts both funding.

[6921] Bowen Zhang: Another clarifying question for superintending your reports. I want to follow up on what member Wayne asked about $450 or whatever per student. So there are two items. The $450 per student comes from LCFF, but that only applies to students who are actually attending in-person learning. Is that right?

[6941] Mark Triplett: That's our current understanding of the proposal, yes.

[6944] Bowen Zhang: So that felt like there is indeed an incentive for county or for school district to open up in-person learning as quickly as possible, it looks like, this funding mechanism?

[6955] Mark Triplett: Only when it's safe, but it is definitely support, recognizing that support will be needed to, funding will be, additional funding is greatly beneficial in order to support the reopening of, to in-person learning.

[6972] Bowen Zhang: Yeah, I do want to make a comment following up where, remember when I asked about equity, so just like what I mentioned about all the base grant 9,500 students. When it comes to educational funding equity, in a certain way, there is a problem here because the 9,500 base grant process I mentioned, that applies to all the students. It doesn't matter the cost of living of the district you're living in. So a student in Lake County, in Alpine County, which is the rural county, has very low cost of living, get the same 9,500, based grant per student, just like we here in Newark or I'm in Newark or Los Angeles County or probably the most expensive area in the state so in that way there is lack of equity when it comes to the base grant amount because you can't really give everybody the same amount of money. It doesn't matter where he lives in Alameda County or Lake County or Alpine County. And given this 11 county that's probably right now, you know, category that are ready to return to school, I would guess these 11 county are probably all the rural county in California, which by definition has a much lower cost of living and still get the same amount of money per student that we got. So that's definitely a structural problem within our education funding formula.

[7047] Mark Triplett: So that's... Yeah, I mean, I think that's true of just all our funding in general, right? We don't get additional funding based on a higher cost of living in the Bay Area, for example, than a district that is in an area with a lower cost of living. So yeah, that is a challenge.

[7069] Bowen Zhang: Any other questions and comments from the board?

[7073] Aiden Hill: So Dr. Triplett, yeah, a couple of questions, a couple areas. So one, you were talking about the meal program, which I think is great and the $400,000, and I'm not sure the exact terminology we're using, whether it's like matching or what, but I guess my question is, is this 400,000 that we get, how much do we have to spend to get that 400,000?

[7093] Mark Triplett: You're saying how much did we have to spend?

[7097] Aiden Hill: So, I mean, how much, so in order, you know, in order for us to realize that 400,000, how much out of our own budget do we have to spend in order to get that money?

[7109] Mark Triplett: We don't have to spend any additional funds in order to receive that money. We just have to have a percentage of unduplicated pupils. In other words, students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch. And districts who have a, a certain threshold of students that are eligible then receive additional funding with the theory that the students need more resources from an equity standpoint.

[7137] Aiden Hill: So that's a budget neutral for us then. Yeah. Okay. Okay, great. So that was the first question. So thank you. And then the second question is regarding the school merger. So thank you for the update. When can we, as a board, see a little bit more of the detail around who's going to be the project manager for this effort, the budget for the effort, and the project plan and the key milestones?

[7164] Mark Triplett: Yeah, we're intending to share out some, well, obviously ongoing share out information, but we can share a more comprehensive plan in the upcoming meetings, either on the 21st or in the first meeting in February.

[7179] Aiden Hill: Okay, great. Okay, thank you. Sure.

[7185] Mark Triplett: Can I make one more clarification, just because I think maybe it's a little confusion. So in terms of the stating that the 11 counties will be eligible. They're not receiving this funding right now, just to be clear. They're not, because nobody's receiving it. It's still just a proposal. That was just a hypothetical.

[7205] Bowen Zhang: Yeah. But without even looking at the map, we probably know these 11 counties are probably the rural counties in California.

[7214] Mark Triplett: Possible.

[7216] Bowen Zhang: Any other comments and questions from the board? Okay, thank you. I guess I want to ask student members. So let me do you have any questions, comments? No, I don't. Okay, moving on to the next item, reopening plan. I will yield the floor back to you, Superintendent Dr. Triplett.

[7241] Mark Triplett: Okay, thank you, President Zhang. So I actually don't have a slide deck for this time because I figured that we would really, you were able to review the plan itself. And I know that many of our meetings have been running a little late. And so I figured I'd really privileged this time to answer any questions that you may have about the reopening plan. But I will just say a few words in advance of that. And so it's a couple of things just to reiterate about this plan. So the county and the state, require are requiring all districts to present a reopening plan before even being deemed eligible for reopening at any time. Currently, we are not eligible because we're in the purple tier. But what the county has done is said, submit your reopening plan now so that it when it comes time to see that it is safe to reopen. As long as there's been labor agreements finalized, then there won't be a delay because the plan will have already been approved. So the intention is for us to submit this reopening plan. And it's based on, you probably noticed in there, there's what the county is calling a checklist. that is required of any plan for reopening. So what we did is we took the county's specific checklist, and then we made that into the basically the table of contents or the sections of the reopening plan. So we wanted to make sure that we covered all the different areas that the county was requiring. And so what we'll do is tonight we wanted to share with you based on your request last time that you really wanted to see it before we submitted it to the county. The county is the one that's gonna review it with not just the county department, sorry, the county office of education, but also the county public health department. Together they review each plan. They give feedback, if there's anything missing, And then they are the ones that actually either approve or don't approve a plan. To date, we've, at this point, there's, I can't remember the exact number, but there's a fair amount of districts in Alameda that have submitted a reopening plan, but no district, to my knowledge, is currently open for in-person learning. I could have that, that could have changed in this last week, but to my knowledge, no district is currently opening in Alameda. And so also just a little reminder, if you recall, the board earlier at the beginning of the school year authorized me as the superintendent and the district to move forward with agreements with labor partners and also with any reopening plans. And I believe the board made that decision to direct me in that way, understanding that the things are changing so fast and were changing so fast and continue to change that it would possibly be detrimental to require multiple reviews of something in front of the board. But having said that, throughout this fall, been sharing with you all of the steps that we've been trying to take to prepare for an eventual reopening. And like I said, we do not have a date right now. We do not yet have a final agreement with our teachers association, but wanted to share this with you and then get your feedback so that we could make any adjustments before submitting it to the calendar. The last thing I did want to share is you'll notice on there that we made a decision to add in the appendix the hybrid schedules and some different phases in possible reopening. That is not actually required in our reopening plans of the county. So we just decided to just include those because of the amount of engagements we've done with students, with teachers, with labor partners, with families in town halls. We spent a lot of time, and with you, we spent a lot of time getting feedback on those schedules. And so that is currently our best thinking, but things are changing fast. And so those are basically drafts, and I know that there'll be some good conversation about those, but that's not the crux of this reopening plan. the safety protocols and guidelines. And with that, I'll open it up to any questions or comments.

[7542] Bowen Zhang: I have a question. Yeah, go ahead. Thank you. Member Martinez.

[7546] Elisa Martinez: Yes. Thank you. Um, I just it was as I was going through the document superintendent. There's references to the court, the quarantine period of 14 days, and in some cases, it's 10 days because I know that there's been some changes obviously out there. Not sure what our guidance is for. California and for the school districts, but we do have a reference to different references in the document. I don't know if that's or if it's meant to be one or the other, or it's condition-driven, you know?

[7581] Mark Triplett: Thank you for that, Member Martinez. Yes, it is all based on county guidelines. So there are some situations where it's a 10-day period, and some of that is based on whether it's been an exposure versus whether it's actually been a positive case. And then there's some times where it's a 10-day period. Also in that is factored in positive tests or no test at all. So yeah, I think those two just depend on certain scenarios. But what we've done with those guidelines is those are not our guidelines. We've lifted them directly from the county and inserted them into our opening plan.

[7631] Bowen Zhang: Okay, yes. Member Hill, was that you or, oh, student member Salemi?

[7638] SPEAKER_17: I'll let member Grindle go first, I think. Okay, member Grindle.

[7645] Bowen Zhang: You are on mute, you are on mute. I think you are still on mute.

[7661] Terrence Grindall: Sorry about that. Okay, a couple questions. One, When it comes to, I agree with including the appendices that show the schedules. It is great to see, have that fleshed out a bit. And although there is some confusion because in the appendices, you're calling them phases and there's also phases in the plan. So might encourage you to call them options or something like that instead. On the section one and the table under phase two. I think that they, there's a, there's an element that talks about registration of the hybrid model for the hybrid model. I think that depending on how much support, how much interest there is in coming back to in-person instruction, you may make different choices going forward. So I'd recommend that you, and again, I'm not encouraging you to have the board involved in this decision. but I would encourage you to have sort of a check-in for your staff for, you know, if only 10% want to join hybrid, you might do one thing, and if 90% want to join hybrid, you might do another. So I'd encourage you to do that. In addition, on that same table, Phase two is listed as January and maybe the state, maybe the county's requiring that, but it might make sense to make it more like two weeks after red level or something like that, rather than giving dates. But that's just a concern I have there. So those are my main points.

[7777] Mark Triplett: Thank you, Member Grindle. Yeah, I appreciate those. And that is something that's some feedback that we've heard to clarify the phases. The phases refer to, we got too many phases. Phases on page seven versus the phases in the appendix and people may be getting confused about those. So we will definitely make that change. And then I appreciate what you're saying about the threshold number, like having an articulation of what's the threshold of number of families who want to return at any given moment versus number of families who want to stay in distance learning and for us to articulate in that plan. So that's something that we could definitely do. As well as the phase two in January, it looks like it's going to be outdated very quickly. So we're going to need to change that.

[7831] Terrence Grindall: It'd be great to have it tied to the actual, we know we're not gonna be allowed to reopen until we're in red for two weeks, so maybe we just say that. Yeah, thank you.

[7844] Bowen Zhang: Okay, student member Salemi.

[7847] SPEAKER_17: Thank you, so I read through the report and I thought it was very thorough, but on page 24, when you talk about the triggers which lead to us going back into distance learning, And maybe I skipped over this, but I asked this just to get a sense of if that is part of the overall part of that plan. If the situation outside of school gets bad, or if there's a surge or spike in the numbers as we monitor, is there a specific number of cases per capita that the county starts experiencing, or the district will decide to move back into distance learning, even if the 5% numbers aren't reached within our school sites as a precautionary measure?

[7885] Mark Triplett: Yeah, thank you, Member Salemi. That's correct. First, I will say that those trigger numbers are not ours, but those are the county numbers. But but in addition, you're absolutely right. The county and state have their own like tiered threshold numbers, like for the county, not just for the schools. And so we we don't we wouldn't be going to in person if the county's like total numbers across the county are indicating that it's not safe to return. I don't have those numbers off the top of my head, but I think it's closer to what we were saying earlier from the governor's proposal around like the 38 cases per 100 people or something like that, but I don't have that exact numbers. I can provide that at a future meeting.

[7935] SPEAKER_17: Maybe just to clarify, I think what I was trying to ask is if, because I know that there's some school districts where in case, or when they see that the, you know, the ones that have opened up or have been planning to open up, and then they decide not to, or they're currently in, and then they decide to close even if the tier, they haven't reached that tier. So I'm saying, is that something that we're also going to do just before we even reach those 5% numbers within our classroom as a precautionary measure?

[7965] Mark Triplett: Hmm, okay. There is, on those trigger numbers, there is like percentages based on classrooms, and then there's percentages based on schools, and then percentages based on the total district. So we're gonna follow, and like I said, those are from the county, so we will follow those. So if like, for example, a certain classroom hits that trigger number, that's when we would make a decision. We wouldn't, Those are like the articulated numbers. So we wouldn't do something different than those numbers. Does that answer your question?

[8007] SPEAKER_17: Yeah. Thank you.

[8010] Bowen Zhang: Yeah. OK. I also have some follow-up regarding the triggering. So the 5% per classroom, the first rule, that is assuming that we have stable cohort in the classroom. That's the assumption. Otherwise, okay.

[8029] Mark Triplett: Right. Yeah. So for example, like currently, I believe the classroom max is, I think, 15. And so 5% of 15 is actually only 7 people. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no,

[8071] Bowen Zhang: I do want to make a comment on the BGs. I mean, on paper, obviously, if one of the BGs got that 5%, you close one school. But I think in practice, it may not be a smart idea to keep open the other BG. Because BG, they have most likely the students in BG are shared across the same family. I mean, one family will have kids going to both BGs. If one BG is closed, there might be some reasonable inference that given the same household, you probably don't want to keep the other BG open. That's just my comment. You can look deeper when it comes to the two BGs.

[8112] Mark Triplett: Yeah, I mean, that's a general issue because we have families who have students in an elementary school and another child in the high school and another child in the junior high. So that is an issue in general, I would say. In those cases, if a student is quarantined and test positive at one grade level, then for sure their siblings should be remaining at home as well and get tested, really.

[8141] Bowen Zhang: OK. Any other questions and comments on the board?

[8145] Phuong Nguyen: So I would agree with Dr. Triplett's comments, Superintendent Triplett's comment on that. Because my kids are in gymnastics still right now. And we had recently, a couple of their coaches were exposed to COVID. And because my daughters are in different levels, when it was one of her coaches that were directly exposed, they pulled both my kids. So both my kids had to stay out of practice, even though they were in different cohorts.

[8186] Bowen Zhang: Any other comments and questions? Okay, moving on to the next item, old business 12.1 set regular meeting days for 2021 and 2022. May I get a motion to open up discussion?

[8206] Aiden Hill: I move.

[8208] Phuong Nguyen: I second.

[8211] Bowen Zhang: Motion made by Member Grundahl and seconded by Member Nguyen.

[8215] Phuong Nguyen: Did you ask if there's a public comment?

[8219] SPEAKER_29: Sorry if I may interrupt. I believe the motion was made by Member Hill. Oh, my bad. Okay, thank you. And seconded by Member Nguyen.

[8228] Bowen Zhang: I believe there's no more public comment for the rest of the meeting. Is that right? And with that, we'll yield the floor back to you, Dr. Triplett.

[8242] Mark Triplett: Thank you, President Chun. And I might defer some of this to Ms. Gutierrez. But as you recall, we had this agenda item prior to the break. And I think I got confused during that. And it appeared that the dates were incorrect. But I apologize for my confusion. The dates actually were correct. It's just that the dates that you see on that agenda item are not for the remainder of this year, but are for next year, 2021-2022. And so what it is, is it's an attempt to schedule out meetings, not just for this year, but for next year as well. So I don't know if you all remember, but we started talking about spring break and all that. And then in my own mind, I was like, wait a minute, that's not the date of spring break this year. But in fact, it's because this is the calendar for not just this year, but for next year. Did you wanna add anything, Ms. Gutierrez?

[8306] SPEAKER_29: No, I think you covered it, thank you.

[8307] Mark Triplett: Okay. Any questions about this, the calendar?

[8320] Bowen Zhang: Yeah, so I guess the tentative set calendars, we will still have a board meeting in the week of spring break. That's right. Is that right?

[8332] Mark Triplett: Yeah, feel free to chime in, but I believe that last time. I'm sorry, oh yeah. Yeah, so last time there was a discussion about not having a meeting, saying right now that the board didn't wish to have a meeting during spring break, which seems quite reasonable to me. I believe that's where we left off the conversation. Is that right, Ms. Gutierrez?

[8355] SPEAKER_29: Yeah, so in order for us to have a meeting on the first and the third week of the month, the second meeting would be in spring break. So the question right now to the board is, we wanted to change the second meeting, and it would be either to the second or fourth week, or do we only have one meeting in April?

[8383] Elisa Martinez: Did we discuss the idea of just, if needed, we would schedule a special meeting?

[8390] SPEAKER_29: That was a possibility, and that is always a possibility. The only thing is, when it comes to special meetings, usually we try to reserve it for, special items that we have some urgency instead of just a regular meeting, but that is also an option.

[8406] Elisa Martinez: How does the rest of the board feel if we just not schedule one for that week of the holiday, and then as we're nearing, depending on superintendent, maybe kind of what things are looking like, then we can go ahead and schedule a special meeting?

[8423] Bowen Zhang: Yeah, that was actually my original intent is no second meeting for no regular second meeting for the month of April and see we need a special meeting and then we'll add a special because I believe the past two years I've been on the board that was we only have one regular meeting in the month of April. Okay, and I guess I agree with that. Any other comments on the modification of our schedule? Then I guess, Member Hill, you will need to withdraw your motion and then make another motion with the modified schedule where there's no regular meeting for the second week of April. I mean, for the third week of April. No second regular meeting for the month of April.

[8480] SPEAKER_29: If I may? I could just suggest the motion. And if member Hill agrees with that, we can keep it as is. And it says, I only added some verbiage to the end, which is the recommendation is that the board approve the dates of the regular meetings for 2021, for the school year 2021, 2022, with only one meeting in April.

[8504] Bowen Zhang: Member Hill, would you agree with the new motion? I agree with that. Okay, Ms. Gutierrez, can you repeat the motion and the second?

[8514] SPEAKER_29: Motion was made by Member Hill and second by Member Nguyen.

[8517] Bowen Zhang: I will open up the voting on board and I will also do a voice call. Student Member Salami, how do you vote?

[8527] SPEAKER_17: Yes.

[8529] Bowen Zhang: Member Martinez?

[8533] Elisa Martinez: Yes.

[8534] Bowen Zhang: Member Grindel? Yes. Member Hill? Yes. Member Nguyen?

[8542] Jodi Croce: Yes.

[8544] Bowen Zhang: And my vote is also yes. Motion carries unanimously. OK, moving on to the next business item, new business 13.1, SESACO HVAC Management System Multi-Year Service Agreement. May I get a motion to open up discussion?

[8566] Elisa Martinez: I move. to open discussion on 13.1?

[8569] Terrence Grindall: I'll second. I defer.

[8575] Bowen Zhang: Motion made by Member Martinez and seconded by Member Wayne. Thank you. I guess, Superintendent, is this going to be Mrs.dela Cruz?

[8584] Mark Triplett: Yes, I'll turn this one over to Ms.dela Cruz, who can explain a little bit more about this agreement or contract.

[8592] Marie dela Cruz: Thank you, Dr. Triplett. And Ms. Gutierrez, We have a guest this evening to help with this item. And if you would.

[8602] SPEAKER_29: Yes. Oh, there. Oh, no. Mr. Paul, Mr. Rose, if you could please. Oh, there she's there. Okay. Ms.

[8611] Marie dela Cruz: Ash is there. All right. Thank you. Okay. So thank you, Dr. Triplett. This contract proposal here is related to our HVAC management system. We currently have a five-year agreement that expired last month. So this is a proposal for the remainder of this year, and then five additional years subsequent to that. And I'm gonna let Ms. Ilana, oh, where, oh, Ilana Ashe, she's here from Sizerco, to give us a brief overview of the proposal, and then she'll be available to answer any questions that you might have.

[8657] SPEAKER_20: Miss Ash. Hello, everyone. My name is Ilana Ash. I'm with Sizer Co. I want to say hello to the executive cabinet, board members, staff and students. I thank you for allowing me to join today. I'm always working with the maintenance team and working on the back end. So it's been really fun to watch what's going on in the schools and interacting with the students. So thank you for having me. I'll do a little bit of history lesson just very quickly. We started working with the district in 2000 installing our Allerton building controls base. This continued over the span of the past 20 years and we're in 11 of the schools. Five years ago in 2015, We put together a service contract for the first time, which would allow us to help support the maintenance team so we've been working with. at the time was Susan and Francisco. We came up to this past renewal, and I've been working with Susan, where we decided that it might be time where we reevaluate the needs of the district and the maintenance team for support on the Allerton building control system. And so that's just what we did. This contract includes various items. And as you can see, they change year over year. And then that's a result of what the needs are on each basis. So in year one, we're really looking at all of the firmware. So there's hardware in all of your sites. And so we go ahead and we update the firmware within the hardware at those sites to make sure that they're communicating properly. That's done on an annual basis. In addition, on an annual basis, we'll be doing a preventative maintenance. We've done this for the past five years. During this routine, we go through and identify deficiencies within the system so that we can go ahead and come up with a plan on how to remediate these issues. These issues are then addressed through action implementation days, as well as owner directed days. So these are really just on site days for our technician to come on and support your team. In addition, we have in year two training. So there's two different types of training support. The first is a three-day operator course that this just allows the user, and this is going to be for Susan, Maria, and Ivan, will there learn how to use the system. And then a more in-depth training seminar was going to be for Ivan, which was really learning how to troubleshoot. Aside from that, there is technical support, which would give Susan, Maria, and Ivan the ability to call into our support center and have received support either over the phone or we can log into the system ourselves. And then in addition is an emergency response. So if there's an emergency on site, we have a way of responding in a timely manner. And then in addition, just wanted to hit the last point is that by being a service agreement customer, your district receives a 20% discount on labor as well as material. That's a synopsis of the agreement. If there's any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

[8877] Bowen Zhang: Okay, with that, we'll open up for questions and comments from the board. Student member Salemi, do you have, I guess, do you have any questions?

[8888] SPEAKER_17: No, not at the moment.

[8889] Bowen Zhang: Okay, and I'll open up to the rest of the board.

[8893] Phuong Nguyen: I have a couple of questions. Absolutely. So in terms of preventative maintenance, is it just preventative maintenance on the software system itself or on actual HV system units?

[8908] SPEAKER_20: So there's two portions of it. One portion is looking at the software itself, looking at the health of the software. But then you're digging down into the controls. And it's not to be confused with the actual HVAC equipment itself, but more so the controls that control the HVAC systems. From there, we are digging into the control systems of each of the units. So we're identifying, are they communicating properly? Are there any faults? Are there any issues with your trending or the alarming? So we do dig down into the field level devices as well.

[8950] Phuong Nguyen: Okay, so then that leads to my next question is how many units are at per site that is being monitored by these systems?

[8961] SPEAKER_20: I don't have the per site number off the top of my head. I can get you that information. What I will tell you is that on our system we have 559 devices that we communicate with.

[8974] Phuong Nguyen: Okay. That's it. You don't have to give me per site. I think that's sufficient. Thank you.

[8987] Bowen Zhang: Any comments, questions for other board members?

[8992] Aiden Hill: So this is budgeted, correct?

[8997] Marie dela Cruz: Yes, it is in our budget.

[8999] Aiden Hill: OK. And so we're looking at basically like a half a year and then another five years. And what was the price tag for the last five-year contract?

[9015] SPEAKER_20: I know that the last annual, the 2020 year was $22,277. I can pull up quickly if you'd like what the total five-year was. Could you? Yes, just one moment. Sorry about that. All right, I'll do some quick math here really quickly. I apologize. So that total for the five year, let me just make sure that that looks about right and it doesn't. One moment. Okay, so the five-year total amount was $106,425. Can you repeat that number again? $106,425. That's for the total year 2015 to 2020, right? Yes.

[9113] Bowen Zhang: So how come it's doubled? How come this number is doubled?

[9134] SPEAKER_20: So, like I said, we went through Susan and I went through and reevaluated the contract. I did a quick. I wanted a way to evaluate to show you guys why Susan and I felt that the additional amount of time where we spent on site was necessary. Prior to Ivan being the maintenance lead, there was Francisco. Francisco was extremely familiar with the district as he had been the maintenance lead for years and years and was extremely familiar with the Allerton system. So while Francisco was the maintenance lead, We would receive calls in year one we received 14 calls for support in year two we received nine and in year three we received 14. At that point, Francisco left, and we started to see a spike in the calls. For example, in year four, we received 45 calls. In year five, we received 38 calls. And then so far in the past two and a half months, we've received seven calls. So this is in no way to say that the maintenance team is not capable, but they do require additional support as they begin to get more familiar with the Allerton system. and get trained up. And so that's why we have all of the training in year two for Ivan to sit in on. And then we have all of the additional support days. In addition, during this time of COVID, as you can see, I took a brief look through the reopening. The HVAC and ventilation aspect of the reopening is vital. And so we're a major part of making sure that ventilation and outside air coming into the classrooms is happening. And so we wanna make sure that that deficiencies list gets smaller through the preventative maintenance to make sure that when the kids are returning back to the classroom, it's safe for them.

[9258] Aiden Hill: So Ms.dela Cruz, do we have the option to put this out to bid just to make sure we're getting the best competitive price?

[9270] Marie dela Cruz: Yeah, so Ilana can explain a little bit about that. This particular system is not something that we would be going out to bid for. Ilana, could you explain the reason and the justification?

[9284] SPEAKER_20: Absolutely. So Allerton is the company that we represent. They are the manufacturer of the product. And the way that they set up their system is that they have distributors in different parts. And so we are the Bay Area distributor, and we are the ones to sell, install, and service all of these parts. So from that point of view, there wouldn't be a way to go out to bid for this system for service.

[9314] Phuong Nguyen: Because you guys are sole source. Because it's a sole source product.

[9319] SPEAKER_20: In this area, yes.

[9322] Aiden Hill: So can we hire Francisco back?

[9326] Elisa Martinez: I have a question. So, you know, I think, thanks for explaining, Miss Ash, that, you know, there's clearly a training and a skill gap that you all are covering, hence that higher cost. Interesting, though, is our assumption that it's going to take four or five years to bring our technician up to speed. Or would we anticipate that after year two, the calls to you for support would go down? Because in that case, we would expect, yep, the next two years a spike, but then we would expect a decrease in the cost, right? Or is there something else besides that skill building that has to happen?

[9371] SPEAKER_20: It is the skill building. And I think that's the main part of it. If we down the line say, you know what? Ivan has got this, he only needs five days of onsite support. I'd be happy to work with Susan and make sure that we make those adjustments within the contract.

[9391] Mark Triplett: As of now, we're... If you don't mind just referring to just positions and not individuals' first names.

[9400] SPEAKER_20: I am so sorry. I apologize. Thank you. Okay. Excuse me. Um, I, I apologize. Um, the maintenance lead, uh, I expect that he will, um, I expect that he will cover that gap. Um, but we, there's no way of knowing. And so, uh, but as I said, if we decide that we're not using the days that are put within that contract, Susan and I can go ahead and readjust the contract and downsize it. No problem.

[9435] Bowen Zhang: Pengfei Xue, Jr. : And I guess I think before this meeting when I see other board and myself included. Well, we're submitting questions. I think one common area of interest is the fact that the first year, which was only six months is quite expensive and that is due to the software upgrades. All right.

[9452] SPEAKER_20: No. So the first year, so what you'll see is there are some deliverables such as the firmware updates, the preventative maintenance, and both of those that take the same amount of time, no matter if it's a six-month time period or a 12-month time period. The activity takes the same amount of time. From there, we adjusted the amount of on-site days, and so we took it from that six to the excuse me, from the 12th to the 6th. And then we also adjusted the amount of time for emergency response tech support time. There is no upgrade in year one. I think that there was a note that was put in an email that might have kind of confused that, but not an upgrade to the software.

[9504] Bowen Zhang: Yeah, so when you say firmware upgrade, I guess the reason this era attracts that much interest is because it sounded like this is a setup, upfront setup cost, but we're not really a new customer. We're renewing existing customers. So I guess my question is, these kind of upfront costs, does that happen every five years? Every time when we try to renew a contract, we have the upfront costs, or why this time we sort of have the firmware upgrade and then these under maintenance?

[9533] SPEAKER_20: Yeah, absolutely. So, um, I want to differentiate between the the two updates that we're talking about. There are the software updates which is part of the software obsolescence, and that is referring to the software itself. Allerton on an annual basis will release updates similar to your Windows computer. They'll release updates. And so this is ensuring communication of the controllers, and it's ensuring that actually it's staying up to date with the Windows updates that are occurring. So those happen on an annual basis. And so that's what we're doing for that. The second part, so that's the software updates. The second portion are the firmware updates. And so the way that the architecture works is that there's the software that communicates down to global controllers, and there's usually one per building, and then those communicate down to field level devices, and so that would be one controller per unit, whether it's a heat pump or furnace or whatever it might be. The global controllers have firmware that need to be updated also on an annual basis. That's how often Allerton will release those updates. So that's doing the same type of thing where we're addressing any of the bugs and fixes and we're addressing any of the communication updates that occur. These are not up... Upfront costs, the upfront costs would be anything that are actual upgrades that occur, which is not part of this contract.

[9635] Phuong Nguyen: So, and I think that's where I got confused because in the summary of services on the agenda, it says additional services year two, where you guys have the upgraded from the Envision for Backtalk software, which has been obsolete for five years to Compass software. And you said that, and when you read the scope of work, that really isn't in there.

[9664] SPEAKER_20: Okay, yes, and that is correct.

[9668] Phuong Nguyen: So this is going to be a potential additional cost?

[9673] SPEAKER_20: An upgrade, yes. An upgrade would be a separate additional cost for the software itself. And I think that that note was in an email, and so it got within the summary itself, so I do understand why that might have led to confusion. But That is not part of the contract. OK. This is for the service support services.

[9705] Bowen Zhang: OK. OK, I guess. Unfortunately, my internet is a little unstable, so I temporarily turned off my video. So I guess, in summary, what do we expect in five years when we, let's say, we try to extend this for five more years in 2025? What do we expect in 2025? Will we have another software upgrade or certain things? Or will we experience again that the first year cost is higher than the rest of the four years or that's not going to happen?

[9742] Phuong Nguyen: Sorry, I am a little bit concerned because If the scope of work is only for the upgraded firmware and service updates, then we should only have it for one year. And then in year two, after you guys have done, when you guys come back and propose for the additional upgrade to the new software, then the training can be in place. Otherwise, we're paying for a maintenance contract that is including training for the existing software. And for the next five years. But in between that, in year two, there is a possibility for an upgrade. So because we haven't paid for that, because it's not part of the scope. But yet we're paying maintenance for five years of service, which potentially talks about an upgrade.

[9796] SPEAKER_20: So to clarify, the reason why the prices differentiate and there's not a specific escalation of 3.5% year over year, is that I haven't charged the software updates in years, the first six months. So we'll call it year one. I didn't charge for that in year one and year two. And the training does not occur until year two. The director of maintenance and operations and I decided that we would not upgrade the software until year two. And then that's when the training would occur. So that would be in line with that. And then starting in year three, we would begin to do the software updates. So I've excluded that in the first two years with the assumption that I wouldn't want to charge you for something that we wouldn't be doing.

[9849] Phuong Nguyen: Yes, but then you're making the assumption that we're going to approve money for the upgrade. And what happened if we don't?

[9861] SPEAKER_20: Frankly, that's a great question. I think that the Director of Maintenance and Operations and I did make an assumption. If the district decides not to go forward with it, like I said, these contracts are able to get adjusted throughout the year. With that being said, the Envision for Backtalk software is obsolete and it has been for a couple years so it would be in the best interest of the district to look at putting together a project in order to get that upgraded.

[9897] Phuong Nguyen: Exactly and that should be in place first prior to having a new maintenance contract so I don't understand why we're doing it backwards here.

[9907] SPEAKER_20: doing the upgrade prior to the service contract, because we still want to continue the services.

[9915] Phuong Nguyen: Yes, but it should be on one year, an annual basis until you upgrade the system. Okay. Yeah, so it shouldn't be over five years, including a possibility with an upgrade that's not included in the scope of work. It should be already included in the scope of work.

[9936] SPEAKER_20: What I could do is as part of the contract, let's say we wanted to do it in year two, I can add that scope of work of doing the upgrade. I think that this took a higher priority between the Director of Maintenance and Operations and I, because there was a lapse in the service. So you continue to see an escalation in the number of calls where she required support. and in addition, we haven't been able to do the preventative maintenance in over eight months. So we wanted to ensure that we were gonna be able to do the preventative maintenance, identify the deficiencies, so we can continue to support you guys. Because the contract covers more than just the software itself. It's covering all of the controllers in the district, which as I mentioned is around 560.

[9986] Phuong Nguyen: Which I totally understand, but again, I think I think it wasn't well thought out and that's the part that I'm kind of in disagreement with the current scope of work, sorry.

[10002] Elisa Martinez: Yeah, if I may, at the end of the day, I think that's where I was going to come back to the this is the, you know, you you work directly with our director of maintenance of MOT. But I think I think this this last conversation you walked us through, there was definitely confusion around the whole software. So it's, I think it's a big assumption, it may be that we absolutely need it. But then there should be a, you know, here, here's the why we need to do it. And it should be an assumption absolutely get the whole thing around. I think Miss Dela Cruz, you'd mentioned that there was, you know, we need to have continuity and support. So that absolutely makes sense. But to member Wynn's point, then yeah, then let's let's get this going in the short term. Right. But if but if this software update is a must just because the, you know, because of the previous system being obsolete, right, then it needs to be built in there. And that's the basis for the plan going forward and how we training and develop capability, therefore the price. And therefore, I think, again, get it that we need to be building skill, but therefore, we should have, we should see that escalation and de-escalation of cost. So my thought is, I think it needs to be brought back with just the, you know, just the one year continuity of service. I'm not sure where we are. Ms. Dela Cruz, our superintendent, in terms of a risk, you know, for this could be delayed for two weeks, but I absolutely agree. I think this is something that we, it needs to be thought through a bit better so that the whole package is brought to us for consideration. That's my opinion.

[10109] Bowen Zhang: Coming back to my question, I understand our software is obsolete, so we need to upgrade. So remember the question I asked for looking at 2025. So can I assume after this upgrade, we wouldn't need another round of software upgrade from 2025 to 2030, or there will be probably another round of upgrade?

[10129] SPEAKER_20: Um, I cannot speak to Allerton specifically, but our expectation is, uh, this this software has been put in place for the past 20 years. Um, so we expected the same type of life cycle for this upcoming software. So we would install it. We would install it, you know, in next year or so. Um, and then await, let's say a 20 year life cycle. That's the expectation.

[10155] Marie dela Cruz: Um, Miss Ash, I'm wondering if we could look at, you know, a couple of options, because I think there's a lot of questions here, and in order to move forward, maybe what we can do, what I'm thinking is we do a contract for the remainder of this year. Okay. So that we have continuity since the last contract expired. So we cover January through June, and then look at, you know, specifically what the concerns and what the needs are in the next five years, you know, where we're looking at possibly upgrading the software, making it current because we have something that's obsolete, what that looks like, including the separate project that you're talking about, because it's not included in here. So maybe we just need to reassess it based on the potential replacement of the software that's obsolete as well.

[10214] Phuong Nguyen: Yes, and I apologize if I'm coming off a little strong. I just want to see the full picture of the cost associated to the upgrade and how it ties into the maintenance support and preventative maintenance schedules for these units. So that's my main concern. But I do understand the urgency for the support and maintenance that needs to be done on those systems. So it's not a misunderstanding. And I just wanted to let you know that, Ms. Ashe. Thank you.

[10248] SPEAKER_20: Thank you very much. My goal here is really, I want to make sure that your district is taken care of, especially in this time where ventilation and outside air is the most important thing that we can do for our students. So I just want to make sure that we're working our very hardest for you guys. And I definitely understand the feedback that you have all provided. That was definitely an oversight on my part. I've been working on the project separately. in our world, they work separately. But for you guys, it makes sense where it would be. Yes, we see this as a full package. So I can go ahead and start working with the team on a six month contract to make sure that your district is supported over the next six months. During that time, I can put together a project proposal to upgrade from the existing Envision for Backtalk to Compass, which is the current platform. This will be ran separately, but as the next five year contract, but can be proposed and we can discuss this at a future meeting as a single package. And I think that might help put everyone at ease on what this all looks like together.

[10331] Bowen Zhang: So, Mrs. Dela Cruz, should we bring this back in two weeks or should we modify that and vote for today?

[10340] Marie dela Cruz: Well, um, Miss Ash is the six month contract. Would that change?

[10348] SPEAKER_20: No, I don't see. I don't see why it would. We would just not do years two through two through six.

[10356] Marie dela Cruz: Yes. So then what I might suggest is that we approve the six months, the January through June portion, which is the rest of this year. That's the modification that I would suggest, President Zhang.

[10370] Bowen Zhang: And the interesting thing is we're only talking about a continuing old maintenance contract. Then this six months, $27,000, I think that's probably on the upper end of the cost, right?

[10385] SPEAKER_20: For the, for the support that the director of maintenance and operation and I decided upon, we agree that this was in line with what her expectations were, as you know they've they've increased from previous years. The reason why it seems like a higher number is that it's disproportionately higher in the amount of deliverables and the types of deliverables. So preventative maintenance is a different type of deliverable than a single onsite day. So that's why it feels more front loaded because you have the preventative maintenance and the firmware updates.

[10424] Bowen Zhang: Okay. So you are saying the $27,000 is actually more than the traditional six-month period will do, right? Because even though we're approving a six-month period, it's actually the work of roughly a year, right?

[10440] SPEAKER_20: You're nearly taking the old contract and condensing it into six months. That's the type of delivery we've done.

[10449] Marie dela Cruz: Ms. Ash, can I just get clarification? Does that include the training for the HVAC tech for the next six months? Or was that supposed to happen next year?

[10460] SPEAKER_20: Oh, OK. Because the training is specifically on the newer software.

[10466] Bowen Zhang: OK. So with that, I guess, Member Martinez, you made the motion. So we want to modify or withdraw your motion and make the new motion as we're approving a six-month contract worth of $27,024.

[10489] Elisa Martinez: Okay, and we have to withdraw the motion and the second, right?

[10495] Bowen Zhang: So... Member Nguyen made a second.

[10498] Phuong Nguyen: I withdraw my second. Okay.

[10501] Elisa Martinez: All right, I withdraw my initial motion. And so I move that we approve the CICERCO motion. service agreement for the period of January 1st, 21 through June 30th of 21, only year one.

[10525] Bowen Zhang: Oh, before that, I want to hear other board member, member Hill and member Grindel. Are you in favor of approving the six months contract inside of the whole package? I think you're on mute.

[10544] Aiden Hill: It sounds good to me, President Hsiang.

[10548] Bowen Zhang: Member Grundahl, I also agree. Okay, Member Martinez, can you repeat your motion?

[10555] Elisa Martinez: Yes, I move that the board approve the service agreement with Cisco for the period of January 1 through June 30, 2021.

[10573] Bowen Zhang: Can I get a second?

[10575] Phuong Nguyen: I second.

[10577] Bowen Zhang: And I guess, Ms. Gutierrez, do you need to repeat the motion, or we can go straight to voting?

[10586] SPEAKER_29: You want me to repeat the motion?

[10588] Bowen Zhang: Yes, you can repeat the motion.

[10592] SPEAKER_29: Motion is to approve the- Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy.

[10608] Elisa Martinez: Would you like me to repeat it, Member Zhang?

[10611] Bowen Zhang: Okay.

[10611] Elisa Martinez: Yeah. So I move that the board approve the CICERCLE service agreement for the period January 1 through June 30th of 21. Okay, in the amount of $27,024?

[10628] Bowen Zhang: Yes, in the amount, sorry, in the amount of $27,024. I'm seconded by Member Nguyen, and I'll do a voice call. Student Member Salemi, how do you vote? Yes. Member Martinez?

[10649] Elisa Martinez: Yes.

[10650] Bowen Zhang: Member Guendou? I think you're on mute. Yes. Member Hill? Yes. Member Nguyen?

[10662] Phuong Nguyen: Yes.

[10663] Bowen Zhang: My vote is also yes. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Ash. Moving on to the next item, 13.2, increasing minimum wage. I will yield the floor back to Mrs.dela Cruz.

[10683] Mark Triplett: Thank you, President Jun. Yeah, so this next one is related to the minimum wage that was passed statewide. And so Ms.dela Cruz will explain a little bit more about it. But essentially, this is us implementing in our own salary schedules the appropriate increase in the minimum wage. I'll turn it over to Ms.dela Cruz.

[10709] Bowen Zhang: Oh, actually, before that, I should ask for a motion first. Can I get a motion to open up discussion?

[10717] Jodi Croce: I move. Second.

[10721] Bowen Zhang: Member Nguyen moved. Member Guendou second. And with that, Mrs.dela Cruz.

[10730] Marie dela Cruz: OK. Thank you, President Zhang. Yeah, the state is moving towards a minimum wage of $15 per hour. So every year it's gone up about a dollar. So last year it went from 12 to 13, and then this year it's 13 to 14. And then next January, it'll go from 14 to 15. So what we're asking for is to be in compliance with the minimum wage throughout the state, which is now $14 per hour. And it impacts positions that are what we call unrepresented. They're non-CSCA, positions. For example, we have an elementary campus monitor that's currently at $13.16. We will be increasing that to $14 per hour. We have a couple of classified substitute positions that are below $14 per hour. The food service assistant and the child care attendant substitutes, those will be going up to $14 an hour, and student assistants. So those are the positions that are impacted by this minimum wage increase.

[10808] Bowen Zhang: Any questions and discussions?

[10812] Aiden Hill: Isn't this mandated by law?

[10815] Marie dela Cruz: Yes, it's a statewide increase.

[10821] Aiden Hill: So we don't really have a choice, right?

[10824] Marie dela Cruz: It's a formality. OK.

[10828] Aiden Hill: I vote yes.

[10834] Bowen Zhang: And I guess, any other questions, comments? So just one small question. I believe the fiscal impact is actually rather minimum, right?

[10847] Marie dela Cruz: Yes. So these positions are normally on what we call a time card basis. They're hourly time carded and they're on an as needed. So the impact would be very minimal. So it depends if there are any changes for the budget will make those changes.

[10866] Bowen Zhang: Okay. Yes. If there's no more questions, Miss Gutierrez, can you repeat the motion?

[10877] SPEAKER_29: Approval of the revised rates for the classified non-management, unrepresented employees as presented to comply with the increase in minimum wage effective January 1st, 2021. Motion made by member Nguyen and second by member

[10897] Bowen Zhang: I'll do the voice call. Student members, Salemi, how do you vote?

[10901] SPEAKER_17: Yes.

[10903] Bowen Zhang: Member Martinez?

[10905] Julienne Sumodobila: Yes.

[10906] Bowen Zhang: Member Gundal? Yes. Yes. Member Hill? Yes. Member Nguyen?

[10915] Phuong Nguyen: Yes.

[10916] Bowen Zhang: My vote is also yes. Motion carries with five ayes. Thank you. Moving on to the next item, consent agenda, personnel items 14.1. motion. May I get a motion.

[10934] Elisa Martinez: I move that to approve. Um, 14.1.

[10937] Bowen Zhang: I got a second. I'll second. Motion Ms. Gutierrez, can you repeat the motion?

[10959] SPEAKER_29: Yes. Staff recommends the board approve the personnel report as presented. Motion made by member Martinez and second by Member Grindel.

[10967] Bowen Zhang: Due to this personnel item, student member doesn't vote. How do you vote? Member Martinez?

[10973] Elisa Martinez: Yes.

[10975] Bowen Zhang: Member Grindel? Yes. Member Hill? Yes. Member Nguyen?

[10984] Phuong Nguyen: Yes.

[10986] Bowen Zhang: My vote is also yes. Motion carries with five ayes. Next item is 15.1, monthly financial reports, October 2020 and November 2020. May I get a motion?

[11002] Elisa Martinez: I move to approve 15.1. I'll second.

[11007] Bowen Zhang: Motion made by Member Martinez, seconded by Member Nguyen. Any questions, discussions? Ms. Gutierrez, can you repeat the motion?

[11018] SPEAKER_29: Recommendation is that the board approve the monthly financial reports as presented.

[11023] Aiden Hill: Motion made by member Martinez and second by member Nguyen. Can I have a chance to just ask a question here? So I did have a chance to look at them, but going forward would it be possible to explore a different format? because it's just kind of hard to see whether, you know, your, you know, what your Delta is like budget to actual and like, you know, are you in trouble or are you not in trouble? Because kind of the way I read it was that, you know, you've got your month, you've got budget to actual, and then you've got the remaining amount of the total year. but it's just sort of hard to see are we on track or are we not on track so you know maybe this isn't the topic to explore it with but that would be very helpful you know from for me as I look at these things so just a comment.

[11077] Bowen Zhang: Superintendent Triplett can you chime in?

[11082] Mark Triplett: We are planning a study session where we'll talk and look more globally at sort of where things stand in terms of the budget, like on track or not on track. But I'll defer to Ms. Dela Cruz in terms of what types of modifications we would be able to make to the general report.

[11106] Marie dela Cruz: Yeah, so maybe this is something that we could talk about at our next study session, since the next study session is about the budget. So what kinds of things you might be interested in looking at on a month-to-month basis, keeping in mind that I do present interim reports in December and March. So what type of information would be helpful to you on a monthly basis or during the times when we present these monthly financial reports?

[11135] Aiden Hill: Sure, that'd be great.

[11138] Bowen Zhang: OK. Ms. Gutierrez, can you repeat the motion?

[11144] SPEAKER_29: Yes. The recommendation is that the board approve the monthly financial reports as presented. Motion made by member Martinez and second by member Nguyen.

[11156] Bowen Zhang: I'll do the voice call. Student member Salemi, how do you vote?

[11160] SPEAKER_17: Yes.

[11162] Bowen Zhang: Member Martinez? Member Grindel? Yes. Member Hill? Yes. Member Nguyen?

[11172] Jodi Croce: Yes.

[11174] Bowen Zhang: My vote is also yes. Do we have the board open up? I actually don't see the voting in board open up for me.

[11185] SPEAKER_29: It came up and you voted yes. Oh, I see. And then I closed. Yeah, so you had already voted yes, so I just closed voting.

[11190] Bowen Zhang: OK, motion carries with five ayes. Thank you. Next item will be 16.1 Board of Education Committee reports. Do we get any update from Mission Valley ROP?

[11207] Elisa Martinez: What about SELPA? Nope, there's a meeting coming up, but nothing yet, sorry.

[11211] Bowen Zhang: Okay, what about SELPA?

[11213] Elisa Martinez: Nope, no activity.

[11215] Bowen Zhang: City Liaison Committee?

[11217] Terrence Grindall: There's a meeting coming up on the 25th, that's all.

[11221] Bowen Zhang: And East Bay Induction? I guess no. So we did have an audit committee meeting just two days ago. And we went over the audit for the fiscal year budget 2019-2020. And the good thing is the three findings we have for the fiscal year 2018 to 2019, we did remedy and there was no repeat finding for the same thing that we had in 2019-2020. However, in the new fiscal year 2019-2020, we have new finding when it comes to the ASB body. It's actually one umbrella, but two issues. One happens in the junior high, the other finding is in the New World Memorial High. The junior high finding has more to do with some duplicated entry in our internal financial control system. And the finding in New World Memorial High has to do with our fundraising. The number that we raised from our fundraising activities versus data entry, there are some discrepancies. So both of them fall under internal financial control and I believe Mrs. Dela Cruz has agreed that they will come out with a corrective action and present a plan in our next audit meeting, possibly tentatively scheduled at the end of March. And that's the summary of the last audit meeting. And another thing that we did obtain a charter for the audit committee for the school board. And the charter in the audit committee states that the board president doesn't get to be on the audit committee. So I will be stepping down from my position as the chair of the audit committee and also as a member of the committee. So next, I mean, two weeks later, the board meeting will need to vote for another member, a new member for the audit committee. So that's the summary for the audit committee. And I guess we don't really have the bond parcel tax committee anymore. Any other committee report that's not mentioned here? Okay, moving on to the next item, Board of Education Request. And I will start with, I guess I'll start with you, Student Member Salimi.

[11350] SPEAKER_17: I have no request at this time.

[11354] Bowen Zhang: Okay, Member Martinez.

[11358] Elisa Martinez: Thank you, President Chung. Yes, I just wanted to, Um, I just want to, uh, echo member Hills earlier questions. Superintendent Rick with regards to the, um the merger plan. I know that there is you know you all are working to a timeline. If it'd be great to just start to see kind of what that that timeline looks like. We don't not necessarily in level of detail initially, but just kind of see what that looks like. Maybe with some key milestones. Um that you all are working I just, again, I think just, you know, really glad to have all of us together and I'm really looking forward to this year. I know we've got some training as a group coming up, so really looking forward to kind of getting some of our guidelines and protocols in place. So I look forward to it.

[11413] Bowen Zhang: Okay. Member Grundahl.

[11417] Terrence Grindall: Yes, no new requests, just Happy New Year to everybody and echo member Martinez's comments about happy to be here and looking forward to a great year.

[11429] Bowen Zhang: Member Hill.

[11432] Aiden Hill: Yeah, so echoing member Grindel, so Happy New Year to everybody. And following up on an earlier comment that came from the public, I think it would be good also just to, like if there is a new program, that's being basically offered that that we have a presentation to kind of learn more in detail about that and and also see kind of how it's going to tie into our overall like California school dashboard and metrics and costs and what we're going to get, you know, a payback. So that's one. And then also, you know, I do think that minutes are important. And so want to make sure that we kind of have a plan in place. It seems to me that we can just it shouldn't be that hard to solve. So, but if, but I think it is an important kind of, you know, historical record. And, and so just be good to, you know, figure out what the challenges are and how we can put something in place that will solve it. And if, and I think if we, if we need to get more resources, I'm not going to, I would propose, and I'm, I'm hoping that other board members would feel the same way that if it's a little bit of extra costs, I mean, it's worth it just so that we can get it done, right. It's so important.

[11503] SPEAKER_25: Okay.

[11505] Bowen Zhang: Member Nguyen.

[11507] Phuong Nguyen: Yes, I would also like to echo member hills comment in regards to the curriculum and have an understanding of like there are certain new curriculum that come to the board for approval and then there and as a parent who have a child at the junior high and received an email from the principal there in regards to the new. The new social emotional learning curriculum that is at the junior high starting and with a with a. change in bell schedule also. I think, you know, us as a board, we didn't get notification on that. So I think I would like to know the differentiations between which curriculums that come to the board for approval and curriculums that are not mandated to come to the board for approval. And yes, I think it would be nice if we do roll out those kinds of programs that we have a preview of what to expect for the students and also for staff that have to administer the curriculum. So that's pretty much it and happy new year. I'm grateful to be a part of this group and I'm looking forward to working with you all this new year.

[11587] Bowen Zhang: Okay, thank you. So I do have a request. And this is maybe more like a take a bit of time might not be the top priority. I understand staff have pretty tight bandwidth. I do appreciate superintendent providing the enrollment update every month in the school board meeting and enrollment and also in related ADAs has been probably the most important challenges that we as a district faced, whether we consolidating schools, budget cut, planning for the ongoing off year. Enrollment probably plays a key role. Enrollment is probably, in the past year we spent, it's something we spent 70% of our time dealing with. It's due to enrollment. And we have some theory regarding why we have declining enrollment. like maybe cost of living or not enough program. So I really hope that at some point that we can have a more detailed, more precise data and reason if we can ask the parents who pull their kids out of the district as to why that our people are leaving the district. Because one thing I realized is that generally when we go to see a doctor, the doctor and us, we spend 70%, 80% of the time diagnose our problems. Half of them are trying to eliminate the possibility of other more serious disease. And once you reach, you spend the vast majority of your time during the clinic, once you diagnose your problem, the treatment just becomes protocol. It only takes 5%, 10% of the time we know the treatment. Sometimes it felt like when it comes to education, public institution, the opposite is true. We spend 1% of the time like discussing our diagnosable problem. And then we spend the rest of the time having multiple alternative as to see how do we deal with this problem without really spending a lot of time trying to see what the real root cause of the problem. I mean, we have some theoretical thoughts. Maybe it's because cost of living. Maybe it's because you have somebody have terrible customer service experience. Maybe some parents think we don't have the program that can challenge their kids. But those are still theoretical. We never really have concrete data to say, hey, last year we lost 100 kids. 30 of them say, because we can't pay rent, we moved to the cheaper rural county. 40 of them say, just registration experience is bad. The other 30 percent, I hope we can get dual immersion problem, but we don't. Our kids are not challenged. That's why we're moving out. So not sure that the the feasibility of asking or getting these data because I definitely feel like in our public institution we tend to have a tendency about diagnosing a problem really quickly and spend 90% of the time presenting four or five different paths or solutions rather than like what we're going to see our doctor. We spend 90% of the time eliminating other possibility of serious disease and figure out what your problem is and spend only 5% of the time to really say, hey, this is a treatment because it's really straightforward. We know exactly what's wrong with you. So that's my request.

[11779] SPEAKER_29: If I may, and this is just President Zhang and for the rest of the board, just a reminder that based on your governance handbook, any additional instructions or work given to staff members needs to be approved. or have consensus by the board. So just wanted to give that reminder.

[11799] Bowen Zhang: Yeah, but I understand this step down was pretty limited, but I think going forward, we got a time. I hope that I'll bring it back again and hope I can get the majority of the board to agree with me that that's how a thorough investigation about why we're losing kids 60 to 80 every single year.

[11818] Aiden Hill: And to echo President Zhang, and then I know that Member Martinez had brought this up last year as well, you know, I think, I mean, I think we're all talking about how we're just not spending enough time like on really important stuff. We're getting consumed with, you know, a lot of details and we want to try to flip that. And so I just want to offer my, you know, time as required if we need to do additional study sessions or whatever, you know, I'll carve out whatever we need to do so that we can, you know, have those kind of discussions. I think we all are kind of feeling that way, so I just wanted to echo both President Zhang and Member Martinez's comments.

[11862] Bowen Zhang: Okay, moving on to the next item, 16.3, Board of Education Recognition and Announcements. So I got, this is actually the time you should say happy new year. Student members, so let me, I'll let you go first.

[11879] SPEAKER_17: I'd just like to say, again, happy new year to everybody. And, you know, I can't wait to see what we do this new year. Hey,

[11900] Bowen Zhang: member Martinez.

[11904] Elisa Martinez: Um, I'd like to recognize all of our teachers and staff and all of our students. Um, you know, it was I think everyone was trying to relax over the break, knowing that we were coming on to this next phase of the challenge. Um, so just really want to recognize that this is a really hard time for everybody. Um, and that we just are, you know, you know, we're right there. We'll do whatever we can to support Superintendent. You and your team, I know, have continued to work pretty much throughout the break. So really appreciate, you know, everything that you all are doing to just, you know, support the whole. So thank you.

[11948] Bowen Zhang: Okay, thank you. Member Guendou.

[11952] Terrence Grindall: Yes, well, I just want to, again, say Happy New Year, but also really remind everyone to avoid contact, to really beat this virus. We're able to track increases in the virus directly correlated to holidays and events, so please, everybody, take care and wear masks and avoid contact.

[11982] Bowen Zhang: Thank you. Member Hill?

[11985] Aiden Hill: Yeah, and I do want to echo your comments just to thank everybody for all the hard work. I know it's very difficult, so just thank you.

[11994] Bowen Zhang: Thank you. Member Nguyen?

[11997] Phuong Nguyen: Same. I just wanted to thank staff, all the teachers and all of our all of our wonderful teachers and and staff and and all of the students for, you know, working really hard and persevering through. you know, these strange times and also Happy New Year. And hopefully, as the year progresses, it continues to get brighter. So and yes, please stay safe and continue to wear masks and social distance. Thank you.

[12031] Bowen Zhang: Thank you. First, Happy New Year. And I want to echo every board member's comment. And I want to thank the resilience and the hard work of our teachers, parents and students And in addition, I want to thank the superintendent and your team for your tireless effort when it comes to the campaigning to bring our threshold from UPP threshold from under 55% to 60%. That can mean a big difference when it comes to our budget outload. That's really when you first proposed this last summer, I was actually very skeptical about whether we can really achieve that. But apparently through concerted effort and and focused effort and resilience and persistence, we really just figured out, magically brought out half a million dollars for our off year, for our next year's budget. So that's truly remarkable. I want to thank you for your leadership and your team members' hard work. And everybody stay safe. Okay, moving on, Superintendent, concluding comments, updates, and remarks. Dr. Triplett?

[12096] Mark Triplett: Thank you President Jun. Thank you all for your sentiments and just want to say it is wonderful to be here with you all. I'm really delighted that we're embarking on this new year with so much potential. I do again want to welcome our newest member of our family, Mr. Martinez, our new Interim Assistant Superintendent of HR. He started this week and It's amazing. He just hit the ground, not just running. He hit the ground like speeding across things. So welcome. And I want to echo the appreciation of Ms. Dela Cruz and her team and the teams at the schools that did such a tremendous job in organizing all of the phone calls to families to really try to address this percentage that gave us the increase in funding. And then lastly, I know there's a little opportunity for some announcements. We are excited that our implicit bias training that we initiated with principals before the New Year, we're about to embark next week on the series of trainings with our staff. I'm really, really excited about that. And that's something that student member Salemi really initiated. So I want to appreciate him and the students for really asking for that, for our staff to begin that training. So that starts next week and it'll happen throughout the spring. And I'll keep updating you all. In addition, our graduate profile work. Next week is our next engagement with community to continue to define together as a community. What is it that we want to make sure that we are, that our graduates are leaving with when they leave Newark Unified. And so please, you're most welcome to engage with us in that. And then lastly, we're about to announce, it might've gone out today, A dual language committee made up of community stakeholders that will help. We are planning based on your feedback and your request to come back to you with a comprehensive dual language plan in early February. And so this dual language committee made up of different community stakeholders. We'll also give input into that plan before and after we share it with this board. So lots happening. And I'm really excited about all the amazing initiatives that we're really trying to push forward with and some others that I'll share with you in the upcoming months. But thank you. And then lastly, I just want to appreciate President Jeon. It looks like we are ending 30 minutes, 33 minutes early. That's quite remarkable. Maybe you somehow stopped me from talking as much as I normally do. I don't know. But thank you. That's an exciting news as well.

[12277] Bowen Zhang: OK. Thank you, Superintendent Dr. Triplett. Our last item is the adjournment.

[12282] SPEAKER_25: May I get a motion to adjourn?

[12289] Mark Triplett: Uh-oh. He's pausing at the last minute, meaning we never leave.

[12292] Terrence Grindall: We always leave. I'm sure he's asking for a motion to adjourn, and I'll make it.

[12298] Penny DeLeon: Okay, I'll second it.

[12301] Bowen Zhang: A motion made by member Hill, member Grindel, seconded by member Martinez. I'll do a, I guess it's voice call. Oh, there is a board, I got voice call, student member Salemi, how do you vote? Student members? Student member Salemi?

[12323] SPEAKER_29: He's having a little trouble with his internet, so if you wanna... Take the call, the vote from the rest of the members.

[12329] Bowen Zhang: Member Martinez, how do you vote?

[12332] Elisa Martinez: Yes.

[12333] Bowen Zhang: Member Grundahl? Yes. Member Hill? Yes. Member Nguyen?

[12339] SPEAKER_35: Yes.

[12340] Bowen Zhang: I vote yes as well. Motion carries unanimously. The meeting is adjourned at 9.28 PM. Thank you, everyone. Have a great rest of the night. Five ayes. Thank you. Bye.

1. Live Comments: Join with an Internet connected device (tablet, computer, phone, etc.)

Virtual Meeting Practices & Connection Information

Type Information, Procedural In accordance with the Governor's Executive Order N-29-20, Board meetings will be held "virtually" until further notice. These meetings will be accessible to the public by internet or telephone. No physical meeting place will be provided.

Meetings will live-streamed on the NUSD YouTube on the internet. Public comment opportunities will be available virtually. Public Comment access instructions are provided here.

Roll Call

Type Procedural Board Members: President Bowen Zhang Member Phuong Nguyen Member Elisa Martinez Member Terrence Grindall Member Aiden Hill

Student Board Member: Member Wahhab Salemi

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

2. Live Comments: Join with an Internet connected device (tablet, computer, phone, etc.)

Approval of Agenda

Type Action

Recommended Recommendation is that the Board of Education approve the agenda for this meeting. Action Purpose:

Members of the Board may request that the agenda be approved as presented or amended.

Motion & Voting Recommendation is that the Board of Education approve the agenda for this meeting.

Motion by Phuong Nguyen, second by Elisa Martinez.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Elisa Martinez, Bowen Zhang, Phuong Nguyen, Terrence Grindall, Aiden Hill

3. CLOSED SESSION

Public Comment on Closed Session Item

Type Procedural Purpose:

To provide a space for the community to make a comment on Closed Session Items.

Background:

Please see the link below for Public Comment information.

http://go.boarddocs.com/ca/nusd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BN8PNC6402C1

Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/ Release (GC54957)

Type Procedural Information will be provided by the Superintendent and Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.

Conference with Labor Negotiator Employee Organizations: NTA & CSEA (GC54957.6)

Type Procedural Information will be provided by the agency negotiator, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. Assistance from legal firm Dannis, Woliver, Kelley, Attorneys at Law may be provided.

The employee organizations include NTA & CSEA.

Conference with Labor Negotiator (GC 54957.6) NEWMA, Unrepresented Supervisors & Contracted Management

Type Procedural Information will be provided by the agency negotiator, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, and the Superintendent. Assistance from legal firm Dannis, Woliver, Kelley, Attorneys at Law may be provided.

The employee organizations include NEWMA, Unrepresented Supervisors, and Contracted Management

Conference with Legal Counsel regarding Existing Litigation (GC 54956.9(d) (1))

Type Procedural Cases to be discussed:

Bretz vs Newark Unified School District Keenan Claim # 569505

Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Anticipated Litigation (GC 54956.9(d)(2))

Type Procedural Information will be provided regarding:

Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: One case

Recess to Closed Session

Type Procedural Purpose:

The Board will recess to Closed Session, and reconvene to Open Session on or about 7pm.

4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION

Pledge of Allegiance

Type Procedural

5. REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS

Report of Closed Session Actions

Type Action, Procedural Purpose:

If available, a report of closed session will be provided by the Board President.

6. STUDENT REPORT

Student Report from Newark Junior High School, MacGregor and Newark Memorial High School

Type Information

Purpose:

At regular Board meetings, a spokesperson of each secondary school may make a brief presentation.

Discussion items may include updates, celebrations, and upcoming events.

1. Newark Junior High School - Alyssa Torres & Rachel Ristau

2. MacGregor - Marilyn Rollins

3. Newark Memorial High School - Wahhab Salemi

7. EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS

Employee Organizations

Type Information Purpose:

At regular Board meetings, a single spokesperson of each recognized employee organization (NTA, CSEA, NEWMA) may make a brief presentation.

Discussion items are limited to updates, celebrations, and upcoming events.

NTA: Sean Abruzzi CSEA: Sue Eustice NEWMA: Cathreene Ingham-Watters

8. RECOGNITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS

Staff Spotlight

Type Information Purpose:

To recognize the wonderful accomplishments from our NUSD Team .

Background:

Presentation will be provided by the Superintendent.

School Spotlight: Lincoln

Type Information Purpose:

The School Spotlight gives the Board of Education and the public and opportunity to hear from each school with highlights of their achievements and initiatives.

Background:

Presentation will be provided by: Lincoln Principal Lizaday Rancap-Perez

File Attachments Board Mtg_ 2020-21 School Spotlights.pdf (45 KB) 20-21 Lincoln Spotlight Presentation.pdf (2,094 KB)

9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items

Type Procedural Purpose:

To provide a space for the community to make a comment on non-agenda items.

Background:

Please see click the link below for Public Comment information on Non-Agenda Items and Agenda items.

http://go.boarddocs.com/ca/nusd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BN8PNC6402C1

10. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Superintendent Report

Type Information Purpose:

Information provided by the Superintendent

File Attachments Supt Report 1.7.21.pdf (3,425 KB)

11. STAFF REPORT

Reopening Plan 2020-21

Type Discussion, Information Purpose:

The Board is asked to review the Reopening Plan 2020-21 prior to its submission to the Alameda County Office of Education. The reopening plan is ready for submission, but the superintendent is bringing this plan forward to get feedback and input prior to submission with the county.

Background:

The Alameda County Office of Education requires a comprehensive opening plan to be submitted and approved before schools can reopen for in-person learning.

NUSD has a proposed reopening plan ready for submission, and as requested by the Board, it is being presented here to allow for revision and input by the Board. The Board of Education previously granted the superintendent, Dr. Triplett, authority to decide on reopening matters. This reopening plan has been reviewed by the labor partners, and is now ready for submission.

There is no reopening date schedule, and it is still to be determined, however Alameda County Office of Education and the County Public Health Department have requested that plans be submitted in advance in order to allow time for thorough vetting regardless if an opening date has been determined.

File Attachments NUSD REOPENING PLAN 12.11.20.docx.pdf (1,490 KB)

12. OLD BUSINESS

Set Regular Meeting Dates for 2021-2022

Type Action, Procedural

Fiscal Impact No

Recommended The recommendation is that the Board approve the dates of regular meetings for the 2021- Action 2022 school year.

Goals 1. To provide academic excellence via equity and opportunities for all students. 2. Establish financial stability and fiscal solvency in order to drive continuous improvement. 3. Newark Unified School District will increase our enrollment.

Purpose:

This is to select the dates of the regular board meetings for the 2021-2022 school year.

Background:

NUSD Board Bylaw 9100:

Organization

Annual Organizational Meeting

The Board shall hold an annual organizational meeting within the time limits prescribed by law. (Education Code 35143)

At this meeting the Board shall:

4. Develop a Board calendar for the year.

NUSD Board Bylaws 9320: "The Board shall hold regular meetings each month on Thursdays..."

Unless otherwise acted upon by the Board, regular Board of Education meetings are to be held the first and third Thursday of the month. The second meeting of each month will include a Study Session. The start time of each study session may be decided by the board.

The Board approved the calendar dates for 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022 on 06/19/2018.

APPROVED BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING DATES for the School Year 2020-2021 Jan 7 Jan 21 (Study Session) Feb 4 Feb 18 (Study Session) Mar 4 Mar 18 (Study Session) Apr 1 Apr 15 (Study Session) May 6 May 20 (Study Session) Jun 3 Jun 17 (Study Session)

RECOMMENDED BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING DATES for the School Year 2021-2022 Aug 5 Aug 19 (Study Session) Sep 2 Sep 16 (Study Session) Oct 7 Oct 21 (Study Session) Nov 4 Nov 18 (Study Session) Dec 2 Dec 16 (Study Session) Jan 6 Jan 20 (Study Session) Feb 3 Feb 17 (Study Session) Mar 3 Mar 17 (Study Session) Apr 7 April 21 (Study Session) Spring Break May 5 May 19 (Study Session)

    Jun 2
    Jun 16 (Study Session)

Motion & Voting The recommendation is that the Board approve the dates of regular meetings for the 2021-2022 school year, with only one meeting in April.

Motion by Aiden Hill, second by Phuong Nguyen.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Elisa Martinez, Bowen Zhang, Phuong Nguyen, Terrence Grindall, Aiden Hill, Wahhab Salemi

13. NEW BUSINESS

Syserco (HVAC Management System) Multi-Year Service Agreement

Type Action

Preferred Date Jan 07, 2021

Absolute Date Jan 07, 2021

Fiscal Impact Yes

Dollar Amount $265,791.00

Budgeted Yes

Budget Source Routine Restricted Maintenance Account

Recommended Staff recommends the Board approve the Syserco Multi-Year Service Agreement covering Action the period of January 1, 2021 thru June 30, 2026. Purpose: To renew the service agreement for the Alerton Building Automation System which monitors and controls the HVAC systems district-wide. The purpose of this agreement is to provide the short and long-term support needed to ensure the district operates at peak efficiency with minimum downtime.

Background: To control and monitor the complex mechanical systems that ensure occupant comfort and safety, Newark Unified School District installed the Alerton Building Automation System. Syserco Inc., located in Fremont, currently provides the energy management services to support the Alerton Building Automation System which remotely monitors and controls the HVAC systems district-wide. Alerton control systems are only available through approved Alerton dealers. Syserco is the Alerton dealer serving Newark, therefore, they are the only company authorized to sell, install, and service the Alerton system for the district. Syserco began installing the Alerton system at Newark USD in 2000, and began partnering with the district for service support in 2015. This long term relationship provides Syserco the experience and knowledge to best serve Newark USD.

The terms of the current Syserco service agreement expired on December 31, 2020. It covered a 5-year period from 2015 thru 2020. The proposed agreement covers the period from January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026. Year 1 of the proposal covers the remainder of this fiscal year (January 2021-June 2021). The annual increase from July 1, 2021-June 30, 2026 is about 3.5%.

             Year 1                Year 2              Year 3                  Year 4                 Year 5             Year 6

Scope Item 1/1/21-6/30/21 7/1/21-6/30/22 7/1/22-6/30/23 7/1/23-6/30/24 7/1/24-6/30/25 7/1/25-6/30/2

Base $27,024 $46,810 $45,542 $47,136 $48,786 $50,493

Summary of Services Services included for all years Global Controller Firmware Updates: This activity will update all Global Controller ROC files to ensure proper communication with Envision for BACtalk software. (Global controllers are the primary controller (`brain') for each campus). This activity will be completed by a technician on an annual basis. Preventative Maintenance Routine: A technician will do an in-depth analysis of the Envision for BACtalk system and identify any existing deficiencies. A report of the findings will be presented. This activity will be completed by a technician on an annual basis. Action Implementation Days: A technician will spend 2 days on site remediating issues found during the preventative maintenance routine. Owner-Directed Days: The district has 6 days of onsite support by a technician in year 1 and 12 days of onsite support by a technician in year 2-6. This time can be used for any controls related tasks, as directed by the district. Technical Support / Online support: The district has access to our technicians, who can remote into the Envision for BACtalk system and troubleshoot problems. This can help reduce the need for onsite visits by 80%. Preferred Emergency Coverage: This ensures a response by the Syserco team for all emergencies. Online/phone response within 4 hours. Emergency site visit within 2 days. 20% discount on labor rates. This applies to all T&M work. 60% discount on Alerton and Veris material. 55% discount on Belimo material. This applies to all T&M work. Access to our Eparts online store for direct purchase of material. Additional services Year 2: 7/1/2021-6/30/2022 Syserco will work together to get Newark USD upgraded from the Envision for BACtalk software, which has been obsolete for 5 years, to the Compass software. Training 1 Seat in the Troubleshooting Seminar to be used by Ivan 3 Seats in the Envision for BACtalk Operator Seminar to be used by Susan, Ivan, and Maria Additional services Year 3-6: 7/1/2022 � 6/30/2026 Software Obsolescence: This activity will update the Compass software to ensure it is keeping up with Windows updates and deploy fixes for system vulnerabilities and/or bugs. This activity will be completed by a technician on an annual basis. Software Obsolescence Training: A technician will provided up to 2 hours of training on any changes made during software obsolescence.

File Attachments Newark USD.Service Agreement.Proposal.rev.03_12-23-20.pdf (526 KB)

Motion & Voting Staff recommends the Board approve the Syserco Multi-Year Service Agreement covering the period of January 1, 2021 thru June 30, 2026.

NEW MOTION: Approve the Syserco service agreement for the period of Jan -June 30 2021 in the amount of $27,024.

Motion by Elisa Martinez, second by Phuong Nguyen.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Elisa Martinez, Bowen Zhang, Phuong Nguyen, Terrence Grindall, Aiden Hill, Wahhab Salemi

Increase in Minimum Wage

Type Action

Recommended Staff recommends approval of the revised rates for classified non-management, Action unrepresented employees as presented to comply with the increase in minimum wage

                       effective January 1, 2021.

Purpose: To update the rates for classified unrepresented employees to comply with the increase in the minimum wage from $13.00 to $14.00 per hour effective January 1, 2021.

POSITION CURRENT RATE NEW RATE Campus Monitor, Elementary $13.16 $14.00 Classified Substitute- Food Service Assistant $13.47 $14.00 Classified Substitute-Child Care Attendant $13.55 $14.00 Student Assistant $13.16 $14.00

Background: The State of California minimum wage will increase from $13.00 to $14.00 per hour effective January 1, 2021. The hourly rates for the Elementary School Campus Monitor, Student Assistant and classified substitute positions for the Food Service Assistant and Child Care Attendant are currently below the new minimum wage. All classified CSEA unit employees are currently paid above the minimum wage.

Motion & Voting Staff recommends approval of the revised rates for classified non-management, unrepresented employees as presented to comply with the increase in minimum wage effective January 1, 2021.

Motion by Phuong Nguyen, second by Terrence Grindall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Elisa Martinez, Bowen Zhang, Phuong Nguyen, Terrence Grindall, Aiden Hill, Wahhab Salemi

14. CONSENT AGENDA - PERSONNEL ITEMS

Personnel Report

Type Action

Preferred Date Jan 07, 2021

Absolute Date Jan 07, 2021

Recommended Staff recommends the Board approve the personnel report as presented. Action This report includes employment, retirements, reassignments and terminations for both certificated and classified employees. Specific actions can be made known at the conclusion of the meeting.

File Attachments HR PAL 01-07-21.pdf (367 KB)

Motion & Voting Staff recommends the Board approve the personnel report as presented.

Motion by Elisa Martinez, second by Terrence Grindall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Elisa Martinez, Bowen Zhang, Phuong Nguyen, Terrence Grindall, Aiden Hill
Abstain: Wahhab Salemi

15. CONSENT AGENDA - NON-PERSONNEL ITEMS

Monthly Financial Reports - October 2020 and November 2020

Type Action

Fiscal Impact No

Recommended Recommendation is that the Board approve the monthly financial reports, as presented. Action Purpose: The purpose is for the Board to review and approve the district's budget information as of October 2020 and November 2020.

Background: These reports show, by Fund, the year-to-date status of the district's budget including Revenues, Expenditures and Fund Balance.

For some months, these Monthly Financial Reports will be presented to the Board as a stand-alone agenda item. For other months, the budget information will be incorporated in the standard reports such as the First and Second Interim Financial Reports.

File Attachments Oct 2020 Monthly Financial Report_All Funds.pdf (89 KB) Nov 2020 Monthly Financial Report_All Funds.pdf (89 KB)

Motion & Voting Recommendation is that the Board approve the monthly financial reports, as presented.

Motion by Elisa Martinez, second by Phuong Nguyen.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Elisa Martinez, Bowen Zhang, Phuong Nguyen, Terrence Grindall, Aiden Hill, Wahhab Salemi

16. BOARD OF EDUCATION - COMMITTEE REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, REQUESTS, DEBRIEF AND DISCUSSION

Board of Education Committee Reports

                       DEBRIEF AND DISCUSSION

Type Information Purpose:

The board committee members will give any updates from the following committees:

Mission Valley ROP - SELPA - City/School Liaison - East Bay Induction -

Audit Committee - Bond/Parcel Tax-

Board of Education Requests

                       DEBRIEF AND DISCUSSION

Type Information Purpose:

This is an opportunity for Board members to suggest items for placement on future agendas, and to review requests.

Background:

Governance Team Handbook

Authority is collective, not individual: The only authority to direct action rests with the Board when seated at a regular or special Board meeting. Outside of this meeting, there is no authority. A majority vote of the Board provides direction to the Superintendent. Board members will not undermine the ability of staff to carry out Board direction.

Bring up new ideas/decide to move new ideas forward:

    The Board will be open to having "brainstorming" discussions around any idea that a Board member may feel merits
    exploratory consideration. "New Ideas" are defined as any proposal brought forward by a Board member, at his or her
    own initiative or at the request of a constituent, which has not previously been discussed during a Board meeting.
    Board members will first notify the Board President and/or the Superintendent of their interest in bringing forward a
    new idea. The preliminary discussion of a new idea will not require staff research time. Initially, staff will be expected to
    respond to new ideas based on current knowledge.
    Only a majority of the Board may direct the Superintendent to conduct research regarding exploration of a new idea.
    The Superintendent will decide on the delegation of assignments to other District staff.
    The new idea will be agendized for discussion only. The Board will decide if the new idea should be further developed
    and studied by staff. A Board majority will decide if staff time should be invested in the "fleshing out" of new ideas.
    Individual Board members, in the course of interactions with constituents will be careful not to make or imply
    commitment of the full Board to explore or proceed with implementing new ideas.

Board of Education Recognitions and Announcements

                       DEBRIEF AND DISCUSSION

Type Information Purpose:

This is an opportunity for Board members to acknowledge or recognize specific programs, activities, or personnel.

17. SUPERINTENDENT'S CONCLUDING COMMENTS, UPDATES FOR THE BOARD AND FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS

Superintendent's Concluding Comments, Updates for the Board, and Future Agenda Requests

                       FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS

Type Information Purpose:

This is an opportunity for the Superintendent to make any concluding comments, updates, agenda requests, or provide information of future meetings.

18. ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment

Type Action, Procedural

Recommended The recommendation is that this meeting be adjourned. Action Purpose:

No items will be considered after 10:00 p.m., unless it is determined by a majority of the Board to extend to a specific time.

This action will conclude the meeting.

Motion & Voting The recommendation is that this meeting be adjourned.

Motion by Terrence Grindall, second by Elisa Martinez.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Elisa Martinez, Bowen Zhang, Phuong Nguyen, Terrence Grindall, Aiden Hill, Wahhab Salemi

No minutes available.