Board Highlights from 1/13/14 Meeting: OEA reports

 Video link to Board Meeting 1.13.2014
Charles Shannon, OEA President invited the School Board Members to the 2/8/14 CTA breakfast.

Employees of the Month: Mike Agers (OIS), Pam Chang IA (SH)

Minutes:  Trustee Butler requested that committee assignments be included in the minutes for the purpose of public transparency. Approved 3-2 (Trustees Krumholz, Butler and Severson approved).

This item was presented as the last item of the evening, however I have chosen to move it to the front of the minutes as it concerns OEA membership. (CS)

Under the PERS benefits “umbrella,” OUSD pays a lifetime $50.00 per month medical supplement to its retirees. About half the Contra Costa districts have these benefits. Loreen Farrell presented this information to the Board with the interest of ending the ongoing supplemen optiont via restructuring the districts benefits with PERS or a new provider. At this point it is unclear whether current retirees would be “grandfathered” and continue receiving the medical supplement. Trustee Moran expressed concern that lifetime benefits will eventually encroach on general fund.

A committee will be formed with OEA and management representation to study the issue. OEA has requested the option of selecting an outside expert who may assist all involved in making a sound decision. To be continued.

Annual Financial Audit Report by Cichella and Tokunaga

The accountants found that OUSD is compliant in its financial accounting as of the close of June, 2013. Available reserve should be at 3%. The auditor found that the school district has reserves of 20%. Report approved 5-0

Interdistrict Transfer Policies

Strustee Butler asked how many transfers accepted from 2012-2014

Employee requests:

2009 – 2010:  23 applied, 21 approved

2010 - 2011:  17 applied, all accepted

2011 – 2012: same as above

2012  - 2013: 15 applied, all accepted

2013 – 2014:  15 applied, all acceptd

Lottery process if more applicants than spaces available, however the lottery includes all requests (employee, locally employed, out-of-district)

Trustee Butler and Trustee Krumholz suggested that “random” (lottery) in ed code could be after a priority. Trustee Butler extensively researched districts in our county in terms of acceptance of employees’ children. Found many other districts to be more conducive.

OEA President pointed out that Pulte Homes has stated in its public documentation that priority will be given to those working in Orinda for a minimum of one year for consideration of below market rate homes. Why may that agency publicize its priority w/o concern for legal action?

An OIS teacher requested priority for teachers.

An OIS employee: out of district students who attend Miramonte are notified of acceptance in April and May and questioned why OUSD waits until the end of August to notify applicants of admittance or denial

Local citizen: asked about fiscal impact

Former student spoke in favor of priority

OIS teacher reminded the district that positive news reports about OUSD are preferable. Private schools recruit teachers at 5-year increments. Employees’ children attending school in OUSD is a strong incentive to remain.

Trustee Severson stated that the OUSD policy was legally challenged and that legal counsel for the district has recommended against any change in policy.

Trustee Butler pointed out that the legal challenge was about the Allen Act, not interdistrict transfer of employees’ children. Trustee Krumholz stated that because the interdistrict transfer has not previously been challenged he is less concerned about that possibility. He sees the opportunity as an amenity that will attract teachers to the district. Trustee Rossiter spoke in favor of the AcalanesUHSD policy where employees’ children are given priority. Trustee Severson, as Board President requested that more legal detail be provided and recognized the Board consensus is for employee support if possible. Dr Jaconette spoke to his concern about possible liability for the district. He also noted that the CCCOE often finds in favor of the child during a transfer appeal.

Common Core Funds designations:

Instructional materials increased from 9% to 19% ($94,345.00)

Staff Development increased from 32% to 49% ($245,860.00)

Technnology reduced from 59% to 32%  ($159,750.00)

CCF is a one-time funds and the allocation is based on enrollment. The aportionment is for two years and must be spent by July 2015.

Technology $ reduction will be supported via Pulte facities funds.

Bandwidth will be a general fund expense; $34,000.00 per year

The OEA Prsident and VP thanked Mrs. Marshall for revisiting and adjusting the percentages for expenditures and emphasized the significant efforts of the district teachers who are creating their own CC transition materials.

Board approved 5-0

 Mr Silvas recommended that the district bandwidth be increased from 100MB to 200MB for the district office at the cost of $22,228.56. Bandwidth is equally available to all school sites, where bandwidth is currently 50MB and will increase to 100MB. Board approved 5-0

Energy planning for the district: use Prop 39, solar and energy efficiency funds

Newcomb, Anderson and McCormick Company

Energy planning, energy efficiency, and solar = $69,970.00

W/o solar = $41,775.00.  Approved total contract 5-0

RGM  Assoc. Project Management

Mr. Silvas recommended RGM, a company that has provided past positive service to OUSD. The purpose is to use the company to manage the Facilities Priority List.

$523,500.  –  close to $700,000. Projects are expected to take more than one year to complete.  Trustees expressed concern about cost although consider $130.00 per hour for a project manager as a fair rate. Trustee Krumholz pointed out that the amertization equals a full time employee for two years. Approved rate structure 5-0.

Will later approve contract.

Corovan Moving

This company moved the DO to the current location. Mr. Silvas is recommending the same company to move to new district office location: $8,060.38

Approved 4-1 abstention

Mr. Inglesby recommended Goldbook, an online tool that enables a teacher to view student profiles for IEP students and create a differentiated goal with tools and resources to achieve that goal. Goals are measured 3-4 times per year. The program correlates to elec. IEP docs. Goldbook was piloted this fall. Mr. Inglesby reported a positive response from teachers who used the program. Common Core funds can support the adoption purchase.

Approved 5-0

Portables (discussion item): the Board reuested information about costs to buy out the current 14 leased portables and also the cost to replace 31 portables throughout district.

American Modular Gen 7 portables are highly sustainable, energy efficient and meet CHPS and LEED standards for Green Schools. Installed on a 5” slab foundation with steel frame and meet CA seismic regulation. 14 leased = $4,081,200.00.

17 owned = $6,156,000. Solar may be an option on rooftops. There is interest by the Board to improve the portables’ quality in the district. Cost is a significant factor. Discussion to be continued.

Board reports:

Trustee Butler: Advocacy Day meetings

Trustee Severson: bus report

Superintendent Report: complimented business office re: audit, 1/22 state budet meeting at CCCOE

Trustee Butler suggested reviewing school climate/discipline at school sites and requested information about principal’s evaluations

Respectfully submitted by,

Colleen Sullivan

OEA VP