OUSD Board Highlights

Underlined items are of special concern to teachers and parents. Please comment/check the comments for opinions.

Summary:
1. Complaint filed by a district employee will not be heard by the board.
2. Resignation speech by Kristen Nielsen, Core teacher at OIS
3. Bylaw to elect Board president by vote instead of rotating trustees through the post.

Public Comment for Closed Session video (attended by about 30 people for standing-room only)

Dr. Neil Gilbert PhD. UC Berkeley, spoke against the unprofessional behavior of Mrs. Janis Arnerich as principal at Wagner Ranch School and the perceived pattern of ignoring said behavior by Dr. Jaconette, her supervisor.

A parent also spoke in support of a teacher who has filed a complaint at WR and included the parent’s negative opinion of Mrs. Arnerich as a school leader.

Charles Shannon, OEA President encouraged the board to carefully review the above-mentioned complaint filed by the WR teacher.

Former WR parent who left WR 3 years ago and moved/transferred to another OUSD school. The parent objected to the unprofessional leadership of Mrs. Janis Arenrich and the parent’s appreciation for her new experience at Sleepy Hollow.

An additional WR parent requested the board to hear/read the above-mentioned complaint by the WR teacher. The parent noted that many parents have requested district office support via letters, phone calls and discussions and that those requests for help have been ignored.

Mrs. Cimon Starr encouraged the board to connect the Supt.’s evaluation to the leadership concerns at WR including the parents’ perceived protection of that principal by the Supt.

A student spoke to her negative experience with the principal at WR and that she had “hated” school because of the principal. The student transferred to another school where she has been happy. The student talked about how badly she feels for students who have to attend school under Mrs. Arnerich’s leadership. The student began to cry.

Closed session: Vote on whether to hear the staff member complaint and the superintendent's evaluation. 

Severson, Rossiter and Moran voted to uphold the Superintendent's findings against the WR teacher who filed a complaint. The complaint was not heard by the Superintendent and will not be heard by the board either.

Public Comment: Video of rest of the evenings' board meeting

Kristen Nielson's resignation speech: 15 year OIS Core teacher; organized and implemented the OIS award winning Green Team. Reason for leaving exhaustion: superintendent who does not put teachers 1^st, an unmanageable work load, administrators who do not seek input from teachers before making decisions. Teachers have to fight for over-assessed students and the right to have our children attend the OUSD schools. Ms Nielsen received Teacher of Month re Green Team, then later asked by the superintendent “why bother” with the green team. (The full text of this speech is here.)

Parent from Lafayette: concern about low funding for the Lamorinda schools.

Accounting parent followed the money from property taxes to Sacramento.

Request school financing on the agenda for a future discussion. Focus: equal access for education for all children

Charles Shannon: Teacher Appreciation May 14: complimented teachers and staff for their work in OUSD.

Employees of the Month: teacher = Jennifer Dodd

Maintenance = Mark Mortenson

Cooperation is a powerful tool. OUSD is very special. Kids excited about learning, wonderful teachers who make a difference. Glad to be a part of the team.

Bryan Inglesby complimented OUSD teachers and recognized that May 14, 2014 is the Ca Day of the Teacher. Trustee Butler asked if the district does anything for teachers on this day. Dr. Jaconette said that the district tells parent's clubs so they can put together some kind of teacher appreciation event.

May 19^th, Classified Employee Day

Charles Shannon thanked classified employees for their constant contributions to our school system.

Lengthy discussion about a variety of facilities improvements at WR.

Retaining wall, reroofing, hillside repair, and shade area approved.

Glorietta: hillside repair approved

Approved 2014-2015 Budget Guidelines. Trustee Severson would not allow questions from OEA President, Charles Shannon.

Board Bylaw BB9100: Refers to how the president of the board is appointed.

Background: The existing bylaw suggests that new board members be appointed vice president and then rotated into the presidency. This was ignored when Trustee Krumholtz was not appointed, in favor of Trustee Moran (who has served for much longer). The president of the board sets the agenda with the superintendent and as such, this is a powerful position.

Trustees Butler and Kromholz not in favor of changing bylaw; deters teamwork and would remove opportunity for a Trustee who has not served as an officer to be considered to serve.  The new bylaw language makes the appointing of the president a straight vote, potentially allowing one board member to serve for a long time. 

Approved by Severson, Moran and Rossitor

2014-15 Budget Assumptions

Projected OIS current: 903, projected: 882

TK-8 current = 2503 projected: 2456 (-47)

Staffing for upcoming year appears static except at Glorietta

Rossitor supported maintaining 20:1 ratio in primary grades even though state is now recommending 24:1. Trustee Krumholz concurred however concerned that state will not be funding 20:1 in OUSD at previous rate.  Previously, $1071 per student for 20 students in a class. Funding has dropped to $718 and OUSD only receives 28% of $718 = $517 per student.

Director of Technology: shared position with Moraga School District. Individual hired would be paid 40-60 by Moraga and Orinda. Lengthy discussion by Board.

3/10/2014 School Board Meeting Highlights from OEA

3/10/2014 School Board Meeting Highlights

Notes from OEA

Video of the meeting

Public Comment: a large contingent of parents/community members spoke against the math changes occurring at OIS under Common Core. Their concern is that advanced students will not be able to achieve to their fullest under the new Common Core math program.

Employees of the Month: Marshall Sachs (certificated) and Carolyn Lyons (classified)

Financial Update presented by Lorene Farrell:

$1,757,157 undesignated balance 2014-15

Governor considering eliminating deferrals in upcoming year; should receive  monthly “paychecks.” This did not occur under deferrals during crisis years. OUSD owed 30%. 30% to be paid to OUSD and deferral practice to end this summer.

The LCFF target extends over an 8 year period and there is an annual COLA. At the end of 8 years, all schools in CA should be receiving the same ADA.

State Statuatory COLA:

2014-15 .86%

2015-16 1.12%

81% of expenses are salaries and benefits, just as before LCFF

 Trustee Moran asked about the post retiree pensions lifetime benefits through CALPERS

all employees receive lifetime supplemental medical benfits

certificated = $ 119.00 per month

classified =  “uncapped”

Charles Shannon spoke to the increased workload experienced by OUSD teachers and the challenge of “extra time” needed to maintain a quality program.

Trustee Severson was thanked for attending the Distinguished School audit at Glorietta School 3/7/14.

Trustee Krumholz: under LCFF/LCAP districts need to establish 8 goals for the accountability plan. Attended a CSBA workshop providing guidance for the new structure.

Trustte Butler suggested that the School Board needs to hold public meetings to gather community comment and supports community input

Positive certification authorized for 2014-16, 5:0

Lorene Farrell suggested increase in developers’ fees

$3.36 residential

$0.378 commercial/industrial

$0.245 hotel/motel

OUSD has an agreement with AUHSD to split developers’ fees 70% (OUSD) – 30% (AUHSD). Previously the HS district did not collect fees from the Lamorinda/WC communities ergo new agreement

Increased fees approved: 5-0

Brian Inglesby addressed: non-reemployment of temporary certificated employees.

OUSD has 7 temporary teachers. Brian recommended that this practice continue.

Discussion about leaves of absence (can be granted up to 2 years) and teachers on special assignment (literacy and tech specialist)

Charles Shannon pointed out that temporary teachers are evaluated every year; creates extra work for the teacher and administrator(s)

Trustee Rossitor moved to approve: 5-0

2014-2015 calendar adopted: 5-0

Request for OUSD support for AUHSD Parcel Tax (will be permanent): 5-0

** Board Bylaw 9100- Organization (discussion item)

Trustee Krumholz pointed out that policies are typically reviewed before making a change. 

Trustee Rossiter wishes to select a bylaw that will remove equal opportunity for trustees to serve as officers.

Bob Kadie and Colleen Sullivan spoke to the irregularities of the previous board election and the failure to provide equity and opportunity for each board member.

Trustee Kromholz spoke against Trustee Rossiter’s recommendation with the interest of maintaining trust and teamwork within the board.

** Budget Guidelines:

Dr. Jaconette: operational guidelines; not meant to be part of LCFF piece; first step for next year’s budget. Budget needs to be built and presented to the Board for approval.

Trustee Rossitor pointed out that Budget Guidelines used to be reviewed by the now cancelled Fiscal Advisory Committee and questioned if the Board is giving enough time to these guidelines. Trustee Butler suggested that the budget guidelines need alignment with LCAP.

3% reserve recommended by the CDE

OUSD policy = 9%

OUSD reserve currently at 22%

Discussion item

Mrs. Marshall: Tech Plan:

“Living document; look at each year as technology changes”

E-rate funding discounts to schools for affordable telecommunications and internet access. E-rate plans = 3 years; focus on ethical use and internet safety

Needs to have a strong staff development component

Smarter Balance Assessment Guidelines

Digital media skills outlined in Common Core standards

Internet and cyber safety

Preparation for online testing

School Loop

Student portfolios

International Standards Tech Ed standards for students and teachers

Upgrade paging systems

Establish a baseline for assessments

Annual bandwidth upgrades

Replace outdates devices

Ensure infrastructure and network will be maintained

“Missing component is a tech director.” KM

Plan will be reviewed by County and State to qualify for E-Rate funds

Trustees Moran and Butler thanked those who served on OTAC

Trustee Butler: expressed concern that pg 14 states upgrades will be funded from general fund and facilities. Trustee Butler surprised that general funds would be used since the reference is to equipment. KM: no other source of funding identified (what about Common Core tech money?). 

Tech Director: indicated a need to clarify value of this position and asked if the OTAC teacher representatives confer with teachers at their sites. She also asked for Board updates re: monitoring the tech plan

Trustee Rossitor raised question about how extensive list of harware on pg 13 of report would be funded. 

Trustee Krumholz estimated the value of purchase at half a million dollars. Dr. Jaconette indicated that a bill is being introduced for additional Common Core money. 

Mrs. Marshall indicated a need to prioritize purchases over a three-year period. 

Trustee Butler raised question about current tech techs in terms of full 12-month employment rather than 10 month contracts. She also asked if we have a tech director, do we have to continue our reliance on Marin IT.

Charles Shannon asked if the school Parents’ Clubs’ tech purchases are equitable throughout the district.

Board member activity reports:

Trustee Severson: Bus Committee: more $ available as funding is tied to sales tax; attended meeting at Glorietta during Distinguished School visit

Trustee Butler: attended music program at OIS; complimented program 

Dr. Jaconette: district choral program at OIS; complimented program

Trustee Butler requested Common Core math for OIS as agenda item due to parent expression at opening at meeting; and school discipline policies (different policies at each school site)

Trustee Butler requested that the Board look at how Board Meeting agendas are posted online.