The meeting was called to order by Vice President Hermy Almonte at 6:00 p.m.  All Board members were present with the exception of Trustees Carey and Mack-Rose.

This is an opportunity for the public to comment prior to the Board's consideration of any closed session agenda items. 

The Board recessed into closed session at 6:03 p.m.

The Board reconvened into open session at 7:04 p.m. 

Vice President Almonte led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Approve the Regular Board meeting agenda for April 17, 2012.

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)).

The report was rescheduled for the May 15, 2012, Board meeting.

Thomas Morse, Bancroft Middle School teacher and San Leandro Teachers' Association member, addressed the Board regarding what he called "a School Board achievement gap." He spoke of his frustrations such as making less money in each of the last five years while the reserves have grown in each of the last five years, noting that neighboring districts such as San Lorenzo, Fremont, Hayward and Oakland have lower reserves and yet they have not issued any RIFs (layoffs).  He urged the Board to please use our reserves to get us get through the next year, take the RIFs off the table, call back the RIFed teachers, and make a deal with our bargaining units to make them feel proud that they work for San Leandro Unified.

The Board of Education and Superintendent presented Lincoln High School student Doriana Smith with a Certificate of Commendation recognizing her for receiving an America's Promise Alliance scholarship to attend the 2012 Grad Nation Summit in Washington D.C. from March 17-20, 2012.   The annual Grad Nation Summit brings together community groups, educators, local and state leaders, nonprofit organizations, businesses and  youth to discuss the progress begin made and remaining challenges in the nation's efforts to increase high school graduation rates. 

Doriana provided the Board with a brief overview of her experience at the Grad Nation Summit. The presentation included such topics as the drop-out rate, alternatives in education, and where California stands in the battle against student drop-outs.  Upon learning that California is categorized as among the worst in the nation to address drop-out rates, she asked America's Promise Chair Alma Powell what she could do as a youth to bring awareness of the drop-out crisis and support the Alliance. Mrs. Powell simply said, "Speak out, get a team of people like you and commune, organize and speak out." 

It is Doriana's objective to bring awareness of the drop-out rate and share the student's perspective on why it has become such a major issue and what we can do to combat it.

Goal #1:  Educate the Whole Student: Ensure the academic, physical, social and emotional well being of every student

The Board of Education and Superintendent will present Lincoln High School student Doriana Smith with a Certificate of Commendation recognizing her for receiving an America's Promise Alliance scholarship to attend the 2012 Grad Nation Summit in Washington D.C. from March 17-20, 2012.   The annual Grad Nation Summit brings together community groups, educators, local and state leaders, nonprofit organizations, businesses and  youth to discuss the progress begin made and remaining challenges in the nation's efforts to increase high school graduation rates. 
 

Doriana will provide the Board with a brief overview of her experience at the Grad Nation Summit. The presentation will include such topics as the drop-out rate, alternatives in education, and where California stands in the battle against student drop-outs.  In addition she will share her discussion with Alma Powell, wife of Colin Powell.  It is Doriana's objective to bring awareness of the drop-pout rate and share the student's perspective on why it has become such a major issue and what we can do to combat it. 

Debbie Wong, Assistant Superintendent, Heather Payne (Lincoln), Elisa Alvarez (SLHS), Jaliza Eagles (SLHS GEAR UP) and Ben Wanzo (TeachBar) provided information on the value-added services by TeachBar that were designed based on our students' needs, a description of each of the three programs, and student participation and achievement data from participating students. 

TeachBar Tutorial Services provide trained tutors to work with our students in our Lincoln Alternative High School and San Leandro High School ASSETS after school programs and for our San Leandro High School GEAR UP program.  Tutoring and test preparation support is a requirement of both the ASSETS and GEAR UP grants. Elisa Alvarez noted that TeachBar is working with the District to find other funding sources to continue the work when the ASSETS funding ends. 

Assistant  Superintendent Wong concluded that

• TeachBar provides value-added academic support services for students
• Aligns with the implementation of Professional Learning Community and four critical questions:
  1. 1. What do we want our students to learn?
     2. How will we know when they have learned it?
     3. How will we respond when some students don't learn?
     4. How will we respond when students already know it?

• Is part of the District's systematic plan of intervention (during the school day and extended day support)
• The District is developing and implementing a plan for Intervention Program Tagging, with 35 programs to be tagged

The Board thanked staff for the presentation and commended TeachBar for their role in the process by providing this very helpful academic support service. Additionally it was suggested, if possible, to provide tutoring for students enrolled in the Environmental Science course who are struggling. 

Goal #1: Educate the Whole Student: Ensure the academic, physical, social and emotional well being of every student

TeachBar Tutorial Services provide trained tutors to work with our students in our Lincoln Alternative High School and San Leandro High School ASSETS after school programs and for our San Leandro High School GEAR UP program.  Tutoring and test preparation support is a requirement of both the ASSETS and GEAR UP grants. Debbie Wong, Assistant Superintendent, Heather Payne (Lincoln), Elisa Alvarez (SLHS), Jaliza Eagles (SLHS GEAR UP) and Ben Wanzo (TeachBar) will provide information on the value added services by TeachBar that were designed based on our students' needs, a description of each of the three programs, and student participation and achievement data from participating students.  

Bradley Frazier, Principal of the San Leandro Adult School, provided a presentation to the Board regarding the San Leandro Adult School. The presentation included information related to: who is served by the Adult School, programs and service options, enrollment, locations where classes are held, hours of operation, partnerships, staffing, student outcomes, state requirements and funding (sweepable and not sweepable), new programs, and goals for the program. Bradley also highlighted several programs serving preschool through senior adults. Highlights included:

• The Adult School has served San Leandro families since 1928 and offers classes for the entire family
• The Average Daily Attendance (ADA) last year was 465.11, and is projected to be 540 (not including the new Certificated Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, or Cosmetology & Barbering programs)
• The Adult School served approximately 4,000 students in 2011-2012 including over 100 preschoolers and students in Credit Recovery from San Leandro and Lincoln High Schools and Lighthouse Independent Study
• Over 77% of the students are English Language Learners with over 18 languages spoken
• The Adult School has many locations: the Bancroft office, the Education Center, and 17 off-site locations and operates year-round
• The Adult School has developed partnerships with more than twenty community-based organizations, faith communities, governmental agencies, and unions to benefit students and their families

Assistant Superintendent Song Chin-Bendib briefly reviewed the Adult School Funding chart that shows how various Adult School programs are funded, how much money is generated by leveraging the categorical funding the Adult School receives for various programs and how the District has swept a total of $1.8 million since Tier III (the flexibility to sweep, that went into effect in response to the state's current budget crisis). It was important for the Assistant Superintendent to note that every Adult School program is making money and providing services for our students and community.

Following the presentation the Board thanked the Adult School staff for their efforts and hard work by providing education to those who will be part of the economic recovery, and were grateful for their ability to generate revenue to help fund other programs within the District, and their vision and foresight to look ahead to future generations.

Goal #1: Educate the whole student: Ensure the academic, physical, social and emotional well being of every student.  

Bradley Frazier, Principal of the San Leandro Adult School, will provide a presentation to the Board regarding the SL Adult School. The presentation will include information related to: who is served by the Adult School, programs and service options, enrollment, locations where classes are held, hours of operation, partnerships, staffing, student outcomes, state requirements and funding (sweepable and not sweepable), new programs, and goals for the program. Bradley will also highlight several programs serving preschool through senior adults.

Trustee Sullivan reported receipt of the following emails from April 4, 2012, to April 17, 2012: From Julie de Bourbon, and Jessica Bartholow regarding "School Cuts"; from Ebado Ismail regarding "Bancroft Middle School News/Spanish"; from Donna McBride regarding "Wilson Dolphin News" from Robin Michel regarding "News Release: former California  Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin to Speak at the San Leandro Forum on  Saturday, April 21, 2012," and "News Release: Community Invited to the 2012 SLHS AP and Studio Art Show and Reception on Thursday, April 19"; from Joy Chua regarding "BTSA Colloquium Invitation May 3, 2012"; from Maria Carvalho regarding "Lincoln Newsletter"; from Ling King regarding "Pat  Doohan Retirement Party"; from Baudelia Garcia de Alba regarding "Please do not take away PE, Art, and Music"; from Hermy Almonte regarding "NY Times, At Texas Schools, Making do on a Shoestring"; from Hendy Wijaya regarding "SLHS Students Stealing Goods from Local Food Market"; from Jonas Mok regarding "Letter from Roosevelt 5th Grader"; from Lycette Kintanar regarding "ACSBA Thursday April 19, 2012, Last meeting of the school year - Discussion on Fair Political Practice," and "Private vs Public in regards to NCS Rep"; from Senator Ellen Corbett regarding "Holds Local Hearing on School Seismic Safety"; and from JoMarie Holt regarding "Officer Lou's Bikes for Tykes Fundraiser, Please Call for Tickets."

Student Board members Jack Martin provided an update to the Board regarding activities at the San Leandro High School campus and the Fred T. Korematsu campus.  Highlights included:

• Spring Break was last week
• It looks like a good year for college acceptances, reporting that he believes more than ten students have been accepted to CAL and UCLA, at least one student to Stanford, and one student has been accepted to Harvard
• ASB elections are being held
• Friday, April 20 is the Kick-Off Show for the spring Musical "Crazy For You" at the Arts Education Center. He encouraged the Board to come and see it
• STAR testing begins next week, noting that with the changes to the schedule there has been some confusion on what the schedule is for the seniors during this time. Superintendent Cathey noted that she would be meeting with Principal Granger tomorrow and she would get the answer to his question, so that it can be communicated to the staff and seniors

There were no reports.

Superintendent Cindy Cathey provided the following report:

• The Parcel Tax Committee, comprised of about 11 members, including union representatives, community members and Board members, met before the Spring Break and will be meeting again on Thursday, April 19. The focus of the last meeting was to refine our community outreach plan (internal and external groups) so that they understand school funding, adding that she will be sending out an interactive letter to District teachers, staff, and parents explaining the parcel tax and asking for their feedback regarding their priorities, individual programs and school needs.   The letter will also be posted on the website.  She will keep the Board updated.
• Thursday, April 19, is the San Leandro Scholarship Foundation Dinner.  Trustee Prola will be representing the Board, and Cabinet will also be attending.
• Saturday, April 21, from 8:30-12:30, is the "Spring Forum on Children and Teens" at the San Leandro Library.  Delaine Eastin, former State Superintendent of Public Education, will be the keynote speaker.  There will be breakout sessions covering topics such as preschool readiness, teens and social media, healthy living options, etc.
• Sunday, April 22, from 3:00-5:00 p.m., will be the Southern Alameda County Cultural Pursuits Awards Ceremony at Chabot College.  All but one of our schools will be participating with well over eighty of our African American students being honored.
• Monday, April 23, STAR testing begins. Wearing "star" sunglasses, the Superintendent said that these glasses were distributed to all teachers at Wilson Elementary School because their students are so "bright" that you have to wear sunglasses to talk to them. She also stated that breakfast will be served, free of charge, at the elementary schools during this testing period.  

Trustee Prola reported that the committee met on April 4, 2012, and discussed soil investigation for John Muir Middle School Measure M site athletic improvements, which is on the agenda tonight for consideration.  They also received an update on the San Leandro High School Pirates logo for Burrell Field.  Following a survey conducted by the high school of students, teachers, parents and coaches, a skull with cross swords was selected. The next meeting will be April 18, 2012. 

Trustee Almonte reported that the Eden Area Regional Occupational Program met on April 12, 2012, and approved the following:

• Minutes of the Regular Board meeting of March 1, 2012
• Bill Warrants
• Personnel Action Items
• Quarterly Report on Williams Act Complaints and Resolutions
• Contract with the Alameda County Office of Education for Internet Services for the 2012-2013 school year
• MOU with the Construction Craft Training Center (CCTC) for the 2011-2012 school year
• Contract with the DSP Training Proctor for the 2012-2013 school year
• Contract with Hayward Unified School District for the Lease Agreement for the 2012-2013 school year
• Subaward Agreement with California State University East Bay for Hayward Promise Neighborhood Program for the 2012-2013 school year
• Adopted Resolution 411: Public Schools Month; and Resolution 412: Oppose Inclusion of ROP/CTE Funding Restructuring in School Finance Reform Proposal

The following students were selected as "ROP Students of the Month" for March:

• Hayward High School
  • Erendira Garcia, Marketing Occupations
• San Leandro High School
  • Cinthya Barba, Graphics
  • Elizabeth Connell, Retail Floral
• San Lorenzo High School
  • Edgar Paramo, Business Ownership

This is a change order to follow the Exchange Upgrade Contract approved by the Board on February 28, 2012.

Historically, the District backs up the data in the Exchange mail server using a tape backup device located in the server room at the District Office.  The District also has a duplicate Exchange Mail Server located at San Leandro High that allows for faster recovery times when needed.  As data changes on our production mail server, that data is instantly updated on the backup mail server.  Additionally, the full database is backed up on tape nightly. The backup at the District Office is only for the exchange mail server data while the backup at the high school is for the whole server.

If the production mail server failed and the District had to recover from the tape backup, the recovery process would take several days to obtain a server, install the software and restore the data.    Since we have the backup exchange server at the high school with the current data, it would only take a few setting changes and we could have email operational again within about a day.

In upgrading our production email server from Exchange 2007 to Exchange 2010, we also have to upgrade the backup server at San Leandro High.  We initially did not include this scope of work in the Exchange Upgrade Contract because we were considering implementing a virtualization solution as a disaster recovery plan.

Virtualizing our servers basically means being able to clone our servers using specialized software and being able to store those servers as digital images.  So whenever a server fails, the digital image can be used to recover the whole server and the process would only take a few hours at most.

As the budget situation changes and implementing a virtualization solution would be more costly than just setting up a backup mail server, we decided for now to go with the least expensive solution until either our budget situation improves or virtualization prices become more affordable.

This change order request would include the following scope of work by AMS.net:

Professional services to provide additional configuration outside of the original Exchange 2010 migration scope of work including:

1. AMS.NET will install Exchange 2010 Enterprise on customer provided hardware and software at the High School. This server will act as a secondary mailbox database server.  This will be using the Microsoft Exchange 2010 DAG technology.
2. AMS will be responsible for adding a new VLAN/Subnet to their core switch as a heartbeat connection to the secondary server located at the high school.

This change order is for the amount of $4,500.

The Board of Education previously approved Fugro Consultants Inc., through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for geotechnical engineering and soils investigations.  The original contract in the amount of $72,500 was approved by the Board on April 5, 2011, between Fugro Consultants Inc. and San Leandro Unified School District to provide geotechnical engineering and soils investigation services for the Pacific Sports Complex and for the SLHS Swim Center. 

This amendment #1 adds services needed to provide geotechnical data for the design the John Muir Middle School artificial turf field, all-weather track, and associated bio-swale to mitigate storm water runoff.

Contract/Fee Summary

The Board acknowledged receipt of the California School Employees' Association's initial proposal to the San Leandro Unified School District

The Board received for information the San Leandro Teachers' Association's (SLTA) initial proposal to the San Leandro Unified School District. 

The Board received for information the Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures (including Valenzuela Settlement Requirement) Quarterly Report: January -March 2012. There were no complaints filed.

Miscellaneous receipts in the amount of $16,922,650.12 have been deposited in the Treasury of Alameda County.

Trustee James commented that he attended a second Common Core Workshop with Hayward Unified. He will share information received with the Superintendent.  He reported that he will be unable to attend the San Leandro Scholarship Foundation dinner as his son was accepted to SLAM and he will be attending a SLAM information night that same evening. In addition, the BTSA Colloquium will be Thursday, May 3 with Drakes on Friday the 4th.

Trustee Prola reminded the members that the downtown San Leandro Farmers' Market begins tomorrow at 4 p.m. and will be every Wednesday until mid October, and reiterated the following upcoming events, the Scholarship Foundation Dinner is Thursday, April 19, as well as the San Leandro High School AP & Studio Arts Show & Reception at the  Arts Education Center.  It was noted for clarification that the Open House for Bancroft Middle School would be May 10 and John Muir Middle School Open House would be May 31.  Both dates will be posted on the website.

Trustee Sullivan commented that Associate Principal Lori Watson is now "Dr. Lori Watson," having earned her Ed.D.  She asked that we recognize Dr. Watson in some way for her hard work and accomplishment, saying that would be something nice to do.

Trustee Almonte commented that he will provide Superintendent Cathey with a copy of a letter from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, dated March 6, 2012, regarding Assembly Bill 1330.  Existing state law requires all graduating high school students to complete one course in visual or performing arts or foreign language.  Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year (Class of 2013), AB 1330 authorized local educational agencies to accept a Career Technical Education (CTE) course as an optional high school graduation requirement in lieu of one course in visual or performing arts or foreign language, noting that AB 1300 does not require a district to start new CTE programs.

• Regular Board Meeting ? May 1, 2012 
• Tentative Board Work Session - May 8, 2012 
• Regular Board Meeting ? May 15, 2012 
• Regular Board Meeting ? June 5, 2012 
• Regular Board Meeting ? June 19, 2012 
• Special Board Meeting ? June 26, 2012

• Regular Board Meeting ? May 1, 2012 
• Tentative Board Work Session - May 8, 2012 
• Regular Board Meeting ? May 15, 2012 
• Regular Board Meeting ? June 5, 2012 
• Regular Board Meeting ? June 19, 2012 
• Special Board Meeting ? June 26, 2012

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.