Regular Meeting

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Meeting Resources

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Introduction

  • Regular Board Meeting held in 2024 at Newark Unified School District (NUSD).
  • Key Themes: Budget deficits ($11 million structural gap), staffing reductions, transparency concerns, technology/facility upgrades, special education equity, and community distrust. Discussions emphasized fiscal responsibility, stakeholder engagement, and addressing leadership stability.

Agenda Items

Closed Session Actions

  • Decisions Made:
    • Approved settlement for claim #628143 (personal injury) and denied liability for claim #633795 (workers’ compensation).
    • Voting: Unanimous (4-0; Member Plancarte absent).

Student Reports

  • Bridgepoint Leadership:
    • Highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month activities, substance abuse support, and workplace readiness programs. Graduation set for May 31.
  • Newark Memorial High School:
    • Raised concerns about administrative turnover, outdated technology (Wi-Fi/Chromebooks), and unprofessional board conduct.

Resolutions & Recognitions

  • Day of the Teacher & Classified School Employees Week:
    • Adopted resolutions honoring certificated and classified staff. Voting: Unanimous (4-0; Member Plancarte absent).

Employee Organizations

  • Newark Teachers Association (NTA):
    • Urged expedited contract negotiations to retain staff amid competitive Bay Area salaries.
  • CSEA Chapter 208:
    • Issued a vote of no confidence against Board Members Hill, Jones, Plancarte, and Thomas, citing mismanagement, lack of transparency, and destabilizing leadership decisions.

Budget Reduction Plan

  • Structural Deficit: $11 million overspending vs. revenue.
  • Proposed Cuts:
    • Certificated staff reductions (16 FTE), classified restructuring, outsourced services review ($1M savings), and procurement reforms ($500K savings).
  • Future Considerations:
    • Explore revenue streams (e.g., property leases, Medi-Cal billing) and a potential bond measure.
  • Public Feedback: Calls for detailed line-item transparency and revenue strategies.
  • Decisions: No formal action; plan to return with detailed cuts for board review.

STEAM Initiatives

  • Progress & Plans:
    • Celebrated 3-year milestones, including maker spaces in elementary schools, expanded K-12 computational thinking programs, family coding events, and efforts to engage girls/women in STEM fields.
    • Environmental literacy partnerships and plans to sustain momentum through program development.

Special Education Update

  • Key Data:
    • 803 students (14.5% of district) receive services; top eligibilities: specific learning disability (SLD), autism, and speech.
    • Disproportionality: Hispanic/Latino students represent 61% of special education vs. 53% district-wide.
  • Initiatives:
    • Revised SST processes to reduce over-referrals.
    • Partnership with Diagnostic Center of Northern California for case reviews.
    • Launched Inclusion Task Force to address diversity and equity in services.

Facilities & Bond Exploration

  • Kennedy Elementary Fencing Project:
    • Approved cost-saving revisions ($100k savings via value engineering). Voting: Unanimous (4-0).
  • Potential Bond Measure:
    • Exploring a no-tax-rate-increase extension of existing bonds for aging infrastructure, ADA compliance, and technology upgrades.
    • Subcommittee (Members Nguyen/Plancarte) to lead community polling and engagement for a November ballot.

Public Comments

  • Key Themes:
    • Transparency: Spanish-speaking parents criticized closed-session hiring and financial opacity; broader frustration over historical fiscal mismanagement.
    • Staffing: Concerns over interim principals at 4+ schools, retention challenges due to non-competitive benefits.
    • Program Cuts: Opposition to reductions in ELD resources, SEAL program, and STEAM TOSA positions.
    • Revenue Strategies: Support for repurposing unused properties.
    • Board Conduct: Accusations of unprofessionalism, retaliation, and dismissiveness toward input.

Follow-Up and Commitments

  1. Budget Workshops: Detailed line-item cuts (e.g., vacant positions, contracted services) to be reviewed in June study sessions.
  2. Bond Development: Subcommittee to refine facility needs messaging via polling and stakeholder meetings.
  3. Staffing Stability: Goal to fill principal vacancies by July 2024; report on HR leadership due next meeting.
  4. Technology Upgrades: Address Wi-Fi/device issues; explore grant funding.
  5. Board Governance: Retreat planned with CSBA consultant to evaluate governance norms and goals.

Conclusion

  • Outcomes:
    • Approved layoffs for 16 certificated and 2 classified positions; ratified assistant superintendent contract.
    • Limited progress on budget resolution amid heightened community frustration over transparency and leadership.
  • Next Steps:
    • June study sessions on budget cuts and bond strategy.
    • Prioritize LCAP adjustments, urgent facility repairs (e.g., NMHS turf field), and trust-building via stakeholder engagement.
    • Finalize staffing for 2024-25 and address disproportionality in special education.

Target Audience Notes:

  • Parents/Guardians: Layoffs and program changes may impact student services.
  • Staff: Budget cuts and health benefits remain critical concerns.
  • Community: Bond outreach will shape facility investment priorities.