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