San Leandro Unified School DistrictTradition and Innovation

Study session

Special Board Meeting - Study Session / Community Engagement Meeting

· 7:00 PM

San Leandro City Council Chambers · 835 E. 14th Street · San Leandro, CA 94577

Agenda 12 items

  1. A CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
    Minutes
    Meeting was called to order by President Prola at 7:00 p.m. President Prola announced that Item E. Approval of Agenda was moved before Item B. Legal Statement.

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  2. B LEGAL STATEMENT
    Quick Summary / Abstract
    Members of the audience who wish to address the Board are asked to complete the yellow card available at the entrance and submit it to the Board's Administrative Assistant. Speakers who have completed the card will be called when the item is reached on the agenda or, for non-agenda items, during the Public Testimony. Cards are to be turned in before the item is reached on the agenda. Please note that the meeting is being recorded. State law prohibits the Board of Education from taking any action on or discussing items that are not on the posted agenda except to A) briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by the public in attendance; B) ask questions for clarification; C) provide a reference to a staff member or other resource for factual information in response to the inquiry; or D) ask a staff member to report back on the matter at the next meeting and/or put it on a future agenda. (Government Code 54954.2(a)).

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  3. C PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
    Minutes
    There was no public testimony on non-agenda items.

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  4. D OPEN SESSION
  5. D.1 Pledge of Allegiance
    Minutes
    President Prola led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

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  6. E APPROVAL OF AGENDA Passed
    Actions
    Motion Passed with a motion by Lance James and a second by Victor Aguilar, Jr.. | Vote: Yes Victor Aguilar, Jr. .; Yes Evelyn Gonzalez .; Yes Lance James .; Yes Peter Oshinski .; Yes Diana Prola .; Yes Leo Sheridan .; Yes Monique Tate .

    Outcome

    Motion Passed

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  7. F PRESENTATION
  8. F.1 Current Parcel Tax and District Budget Overview 📎 3
    Speaker
    Dr. Kevin Collins
    Rationale
    Dr. Collins will present information regarding the district's current parcel tax and district budget, and will discuss what would be needed for a resolution for a new parcel tax election.
    Minutes
    Dr. Kevin Collins began his presentation with an overview on Measure L, the district's budget, what is needed for a resolution for a parcel tax election and discussed the difference between a parcel tax vs bond. Dr. Collins stated that bonds are primarily used for buildings and are repaid by property owners. Measure J1 parcel tax was passed by the voters in November and is used primarily for people and programs. He presented information on the District's parcel tax history and what is needed to pass the parcel tax. In 2006, Measure A received 60.8% votes and did not pass. In 2012, Measure L received 66.8% votes and passed. Measure L was originally designed to bring in 2.25 million annually over five years. It was challenged in court and we only received $725,000 in annual revenue, about one third of what was expected. Measure L was approved for six years and sunsets in June 2018. Dr. Collins summarized the district's budget; small increases in state funding, large increases in pension costs, uncertain federal funding, expiration of parcel tax, budget cuts and layoffs. He discussed the items that the trustees must consider prior to developing a resolution and asked for direction on the following six items: * Does the Board wish to place the parcel tax on the ballot? * When does the Board wish to hold the election? * What amount does the Board want to ask for? * What will be the term of the parcel tax? * Will the parcel tax have a senior exemption? * What will be the purpose of the parcel tax? A list of programs was given to consider: * TK-3 class size reduction (grade span adjustment) * Library multi-media centers * Athletics * Counseling * Elementary Music * Secondary electives * Technology services Dr. Collins announced that Larry Tramutola, consultant, will review the parcel tax survey results, discuss campaign considerations and answer questions. The community will have an opportunity to ask questions and give input. He is asking the Board to provide direction to help him develop a resolution to be brought to the May 9 Board meeting.

    Attachments

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  9. F.2 Parcel Renewal Overview 📎 1
    Speaker
    Larry Tramutola
    Rationale
    Larry Tramutola will present the results from the recent parcel tax survey and discuss campaign options. Attached is a copy of the survey results from True North Research.
    Minutes
    Mr. Larry Tramutola presented information on the parcel tax research he conducted. Parcel tax elections are difficult and decisions made will have an outcome on the campaign. True North Research conducted an extensive research poll of a proposed parcel tax for the district. True North Research is one of the best in the state and their polling is statistically accurate and very clear. The purpose of the study was to produce an unbiased, statistically reliable evaluation of voter's interest in supporting a parcel tax. 577 San Leandro voters were polled with a maximum margin of error +/-4% error. Mr. Tramutola stated that the initial ballot test was a challenge trying to determine what questions to ask. The initial ballot test was written in a way to summarize what you would want to put on the ballot. Such as: * Protect the quality of education in our local schools * Attract and retain highly qualified teachers * Maintain smaller class sizes * And fund core programs in math, science, technology and the arts that enhance student achievement and prepare our students for success in college and careers The language will be determined by the district as to what will be placed on the ballot. The district will also determine the amount of parcel tax to be placed on the ballot. Mr. Tramutola went over the following polling results: * Increase the expiring school parcel tax by $81 per year, with an exemption for seniors, no money for administrator salaries, and all money staying local to benefit our schools? * If you heard that property owners would pay an additional amount per year, would you vote yes or no on the measure? * A list of importance of community issues. * A list of programs and priorities for the District. * A list of measure structure of programs and services for the District. Larry Tramutola discussed the following items regarding the parcel tax campaign: * Total registered voters 35,931 * Estimated turnout for special vote-by mail 30% or 11,000 voters * 66.7% voter support required * Tax amount recommended in addition to $39 existing: $48 * Duration - 7 years, 12 years or no sunset * Exemption for seniors (65+) He also discussed in detail the three elements of success.

    Attachments

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  10. G COMMUNITY INPUT ON PARCEL TAX
    Minutes
    Mr. Steve Parker a resident of San Leandro stated that he was there in opposition to the parcel tax or at least some modifications of it. He was in favor of the propositions previously passed by the district and believes strongly in education in San Leandro. Mr. Parker is an architect that designs schools and stated that a lot has been asked of the tax payers. He served on the Citizen's Bond Oversight Committee for this district and was pleased with the previous bonds that were passed until he realized that the funds were being misused and later corrected. Mr. Parker had questions regarding the polling that Mr. Tramutola conducted. He is asking the Board to consider what has already been asked of the taxpayers. Mr. Jon Sherr, president of SLTA thanked the community for their support to our schools. He worked very hard on Measure L as well as many of his students who believed in Measure L. Mr. Sherr has been in education for over 30 years and is aware that other districts do not solely rely on state and federal dollars they also support their schools. He has seen many changes in San Leandro over the past 10 years and he now sees that there is much support for our schools. Jon Sherr stated that he and his teachers are in support of a parcel tax. Mr. Stephen Cassidy announced that he was on the school board in 2006, when the Measure A parcel tax did not pass. He spoke about the special election in 2006, and the polling results. Mr. Cassidy supports a parcel tax but stated that the Board should look closely at the polling results and not ask for the maximum amount but to ask for the amount that the polls predict would pass.

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  11. H BOARD DISCUSSION
    Minutes
    Board members thanked Dr. Collins and Mr. Tramutola for their presentations. All members were in support of a parcel tax and expressed their thoughts on what was important to them and the dollar amount they would like to recommend based on the polling information. A resolution for a new parcel tax election will be presented at the next Board meeting on May 9, 2017.

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  12. I ADJOURNMENT Passed
    Minutes
    The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
    Actions
    Motion Passed with a motion by Lance James and a second by Leo Sheridan. | Vote: Yes Victor Aguilar, Jr. .; Yes Evelyn Gonzalez .; Yes Lance James .; Yes Peter Oshinski .; Yes Diana Prola .; Yes Leo Sheridan .; Yes Monique Tate .

    Outcome

    Motion Passed

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Contracts and agreements on this agenda 1

Extracted automatically from the agenda items and attachments; amounts appear only when printed in the documents.

ItemVendor / partyDescriptionAmount
F.2 ParcelLarry Tramutola will present the results from the recent parcel tax survey and discuss campaign options. Attached is a copy of the survey results from True North Research.$39

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