Regular Meeting

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Meeting Resources

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Introduction

  • Date/Location: October 3, 2023, Newark Unified School District Board Meeting.
  • Key Themes: Teacher shortages, budget challenges, academic initiatives, and equity concerns.

Agenda Items

Newark Middle School Spotlight

  • Description:
    • Principal Richelle Piechowski presented updates on academic programs, climate improvements, and extracurricular activities.
    • Key initiatives: Expanded iReady diagnostics for grades 6–8, reduced suspensions by 70%, and robust athletics/electives offerings.
    • Climate efforts: Lunchtime activities, PBIS assemblies, and community partnerships (e.g., bike repairs, hydration stations).
  • Decisions/Actions:
    • No formal action taken.

Superintendent’s State of the District Report

  • Description:
    • Urgent Challenges:
      • Teacher/substitute shortages impacting instruction (19 vacancies, daily subs covering classes).
      • Declining enrollment (59 students below projections) contributing to a $14.9M structural deficit.
    • Goals:
      1. Student Achievement: PD on data tools, ELA curriculum adoption, and CTE pathway expansion.
      2. Safety/Wellness: Attendance campaigns, mental health partnerships.
      3. Community Engagement: ParentSquare rollout, budget/stakeholder task forces.
      4. Fiscal Health: Real estate advisory for surplus properties, RFP for auditors.
  • Decisions/Actions:
    • No formal action taken.

Budget & LCAP Updates

  • Description:
    • Alameda County Office of Education accepted unaudited actuals but flagged concerns over multi-year deficits.
    • FY 2022-23 surplus noted, but cuts needed to address future shortfalls.
  • Decisions/Actions:
    • Budget Task Force to propose solutions by February 2024.

Policy Updates

  • Description:
    • Approval of routine CSBA policy updates (BP/AR 14.11), excluding BP 7310 (facility naming) due to discrepancies.
  • Decisions/Actions:
    • Approved all policies except BP 7310.

Public Comments

  • Key Themes:
    • TOSA Reallocations: Staff/parents criticized pulling SEAL (Sobrato Early Academic Language) coaches from Title I schools (Schilling/Coyote Hills) to fill classroom vacancies. Concerns included contract non-compliance and equity impacts.
    • Teacher Shortages: Advocacy for long-term solutions (competitive pay, workforce housing) and interim fixes (sub recruitment).
    • Support for Leadership: Community praise for Superintendent DeLeon’s reforms.

Follow-Up and Commitments

  • Recruitment Plan: HR Director Steve Burrell to present teacher recruitment strategies at the next meeting.
  • Budget Task Force: Recommendations for deficit reduction due by February 2024.
  • Facilities Review: Real estate advisor to guide surplus property process.
  • Substitute Recruitment: Community urged to assist in recruiting short-term subs.

Conclusion

  • Outcomes:
    • Recognized administrators during “Week of the School Administrator.”
    • Addressed urgent teacher vacancies and budget pressures through task forces.
  • Next Steps:
    • Focus on recruitment, budget adjustments, and stakeholder collaboration.
    • Upcoming meetings: Audit Committee (October 10), Induction Committee (October 5).

Target Audience Notes:

  • Parents/Guardians: Teacher shortages and curriculum changes directly impact student learning.
  • Staff: PD opportunities and TOSA reallocations clarified.
  • Community: Budget transparency and facilities updates emphasized.