Prior to the meeting, Superintendent McLaughlin and the Board of Education held a reception for outgoing Trustees Corina Lopez and Mike Katz-Lacabe at the City Hall. Trustee Lopez, who is a San Leandro Councilmember-elect will remain on the Board until December 9, when the newly elected Trustees Evelyn Gonzalez and Leo Sheridan take office.  

At the conclusion of the reception, the meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m. by President James.  It was noted that all Board members were present.

There was no Public Testimony on Closed Session items.

The Board recessed into Closed Session at 6:15 p.m.

The Board reconvened into Open Session at 7:00 p.m.

President James led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Board approved the agenda for the Regular Meeting held on December 2, 2014.

Approve the agenda for the Regular Meeting held on December 2, 2014.

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)).

Jessica Bartholow, as an advocate for anti-poverty and anti hunger in Alameda County, addressed the Board regarding how detrimental food scarcity is on children. Instead of spending money on school resource officers at the middle schools and high school, she urged the Board to think about what they could do in San Leandro to prevent hunger among children. 

Oscar Ivy, a Washington Elementary School student, spoke about the ASES after school program, which he has been attending since he was in kindergarten. He shared that ASES allows him to stay until his parents get home from work, helps him to get his homework done, and provides fun activities, adding that on Saturday there will be a football tournament and he invited the Board members to attend. 

None

Board of Education

The Board approved to accept the Certification of the November 4, 2014, Election results as provided by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

The Board will approve to accept the Certification of the November 4, 2014, Election results as provided by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

Non Applicable

Non Applicable

The Alameda County Registrar's Office has provided the "Certificate of Election Results" and a copy of the Official Canvass for the San Leandro Unified School District at the General Election held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014. The results are attached as back-up material for this item. 

Staff is recommending that the Board approve to accept the Certification of Election Results and the Official Canvass of Votes form the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. 

Mike McLaughin, Ed.D., Superintendent

As required, following the General Election on November 4, 2014, new and re-elected Board members take their official Oath of Office. Each Board member selects the individual whom they wish to administer their oath. 

Newly-elected Trustee Evelyn Gonzalez, and re-elected Board Trustees Lance James, and Ron Carey were sworn in by San Leandro Councilmember and Mayor-Elect Pauline Cutter; and newly-elected Trustee Leo Sheridan was sworn in by San Leandro Board Trustee and San Leandro Councilmember-Elect Corina Lopez.

As required, following the General Election on November 4, 2014, new and re-elected Board members take their official Oath of Office. Each Board member selects the individual whom they wish to administer their oath. The four Board members to take the oath of office are: 

• Evelyn Gonzalez - San Leandro USD Governing Board Member, At Large  
• Lance James - San Leandro USD Governing Board Member, Area 2
• Leo Sheridan - San Leandro USD Governing Board Member, Area 4 
• Ron Carey, San Leandro USD Governing Board Member, Area 6

Dale Scott & Company (DS&C) presented a plan to restructure and reduce the number of Capital Appreciation Bonds (CABs) held by the District.  The plan outlined taxpayer savings over the  life of the bonds. By restructuring the CABs, the savings to taxpayers will be almost $13 million. Next steps include: 

District Responsibilities

• Approve resolution authorizing acquisition of CABs
• Authorize sale of GO refunding bonds in order to take-out CABs
• Provide guidance as to amount of CABs to be refunded

CABs Restructuring Bonds Financing: Next Steps

• Passage of resolution authorizing CAB repurchase and refunding (January 2015)
• CAB Restructuring (February 2015)
• Convertible CAB Restructuring (March 2015)

The Board asked clarifying questions that included how the District get the money to buy back the CABs, how the investors get paid and the time frame in generating investors, which was addressed by staff.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Juan Gonzalez addressed the Board regarding the CABs.  He urged the Board to consider other options, including that the selection of the advisor be competitively bid.  

Dale Scott & Company (DS&C) will present a plan to restructure and reduce the number of Capital Appreciation Bonds (CABs) held by the District.  The plan will show taxpayer savings over the the life of the bonds.

Trustee Rosato reported receipt of the following emails from November 19, 2014, through November 22, 2014:  From Maureen Forney regarding "Deadline Approaching - Please Take Action Now"; from Laura Aguayo-Guevara regarding "Certificated Job Vacancy"; from Mark Hamilton regarding "Counseling Caseload Progress Report," and, "Michelle Obama's Address on School Counselors"; from Rais Abbasi regarding "November Payroll"; from Ebado Ismail regarding "December 2014 Bancroft Banner Newsletter"; and from Dan Martin regarding "Upcoming CSBA Conference in SF," and "Phillips 66 Rails Terminal Expansion Project in Santa Maria."

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

• Culture Day was two week ago,  where students enjoyed different performances and and food
• Senior Skate Night will be this Friday, December 5
• Winter Ball will be on December 19
• Open Mic and the Student Achievement Recognition Assembly will be December 12

There were no Union Representative Reports.

Superintendent McLaughlin welcomed everyone back from the Thanksgiving Break and again congratulated Evelyn Gonzalez and Leo Sheridan.

He invited the Board to attend the Teaching and Learning Expo tomorrow, December 3, 3:30-6:00 p.m. at the Arts Education Center and gym. 

The Superintendent said that the District and the City were still in discussion about the COPS grant, and a recommendation would be brought back to the December 9, 2014, Board meeting.

He also was very pleased to report that the District will receive $2 million in Proposition 39 funding, which will be disbursed to the District in four installments of $500,000.

He acknowledged the public comments made earlier about how devastating food scarcity is on children, and reassured the Board and audience that the District offers free breakfast and lunch programs, and that fee an reduce meal application are available online. He said that staff would look into any other opportunities that might be available to help students receive valuable nutrition services.

Superintendent McLaughlin thanked Mr. Paul Disario for serving as Interim Chief Business Official and welcome Mr. Mark Martinelli as the District's new Assistant Superintendent, Business and Operations.

Trustee James said that the Finance Committee met on December 1, 2014, and discussed and reviewed the 2014-2015 First Interim Report including fiscal year 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, along with other relalvant fiscal information.  He thanked Interim CBO Paul Disario for his time in preparing the First Interim and welcomed Mark Martinelli as the the new Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations. 

The Board approved the Consent Calendar.

These items are considered routine and may be enacted by a single motion. At the request of any member of the Board, any item on the consent agenda shall be removed and given individual consideration for action as a regular agenda item.

Approve September Bill Warrants #88-50455138-#88-50458400 in the amount of $6,385,160.30.

Approve October Bill Warrants #88-5045867-#88-50475825 in the amount of $5,455,410.68.

At the November 18, 2014, Board meeting, Trustee Prola asked and the Board approved tabling the Bill Warrants to the December 2 Board meeting so that staff could address some questions that Trustee Prola had regarding a few of the items. 

The costs of issuance will be funded as part of issuance costs of the new bonds as has been done in the past for our bond issues.  The costs will be in accordance with the sliding scale (See attached Appendix A). The more bonds we restructure, the lower the price of issuance per bond.

Board of Education

Prior to taking action, the Board raised concerns with regards to how many organizations did the District consider for restructuring the CABs, the contract fee structure, and consider taking a look at other firms.   

Following comments made, the Board approved the Agreement with Dale Scott and Company for CAB Restructuring and Bond Services.

Staff recommends approval of the agreement between San Leandro Unified School District and Dale Scott & Company for Capital Appreciation Bond Services.

Non Applicable

Non Applicable

At the November 18, 2014, Regular Board meeting, staff provided a presentation on the amount of the outstanding Capital Appreciation Bonds (CABs) used in the District's capital improvement program, and included a plan to reduce the number of outstanding CABs. 

At the direction of the Board, staff is bringing back a recommendation to enter into a contract agreement with Dale Scott & Company for CAB Restructuring Bond Services which will enable the District to move forward with the restructuring and reduction of CABs.  The agreement is attached. 

Mike McLaughin, Ed.D., Superintendent

The Board approved the Purchase of Supplemental English Language Arts K-8 
Curricular Materials, Engage NY, for Common Core State Standards Implementation.

It was noted by Trustee Carey that Action Items 13c-13h course revisions are waiting UC a-g approval.  Trustee Prola made a suggested changing the course title, "Character Design", which she felt gave the impression that the course addressed "moral issues" rather than fostering creativity, self-direction and innovation for 21st century Visual Arts students. Deputy Superintendent Mucetti said that she would be bring it back to the Curriculum Committee after UC approval.

With that, the Board approved the Revision to Current Course for High School: Machine Technology for Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.

The Board approved the Revision to Current Course for High School: CAD Solid Modeling with Solid Works for Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.

The Board approved the Revision to Current Course for High School: Machine Technology for Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12.

The Board approved the Revision to Current Course for High School: Environmental Science Honors, for Grades 11 and 12.

Prior to the vote, and in response to Trustee Proala, Deputy Superintendent Mucetti said that she would look into what supplemental resources being used in the class. 

With that the Board approved the Revision to Current Course for High School: Social Justice Activism, for Grades 10, 11 and 12.

The Board approved the Revision to Current Course for High School: CSU Expository Reading and Writing Course for Grade 12.

Non Applicable

Board of Education

There were no consensus item requests.

The Board will discuss, review, and consider the items on the San Leandro Board Consensus Report. 

Board Bylaws 

At the February 25, 2014, at the request of Trustee Rosato, it was the consensus of the Board to include an on-going list of items that the needed additional information or action on the agenda so that follow-up would be completed in a timely manner.  The Consensus Request Summary spreadsheet is attached for your information. The spreadsheet will be provided to the Board at every Board meeting for continued review and consideration.  Detailed information regarding items on the spreadsheet will be attached as it becomes available.   

Mike McLaughlin, Ed.D., Superintendent

Trustee James commented that he had a wonderful Thanksgiving vacation and is looking forward to the winter concert performances. He also said that he will be attending the Eden ROP meeting on Thursday, December 4.

Trustee Carey thanked Trustee Katz-Lacabe for his service on the Board, and congratulated newly-elected Trustess Evelyn Gonzalez and Leo Sheridan, adding that he is looking forward to another four years as a Board Trustee.

Trustee Rosato said that he attended the "Closing House" gathering for State Senator Ellen Corbett on November 19 at her San Leandro office. He also attended the San Leandro Multi Cultural Mixer hosted by the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, where the African American Business Council announced that the Career Day will be January 23.

Trustee Prola attended a historical artifacts activity led by Bancroft Middle School teacher Phil Smothermon, held at the San Leandro Museum. A representative from the Oakland Museum was also in attendance. She thanked Trustee Katz-Lacabe and Trustee Lopez for their service and wished them luck in their future endeavors.

Trustee Lopez congratulated Evelyn Gonzalez and Leo Sheridan to the Board, commenting that it took her some time to get comfortable with the title granted public officials, "Honorable," however, after a while she understood that, "It is truly an honor to serve."  She promised to continue working for better educational outcomes for San Leandro Youth in her new capacity. She thanked Trustee Katz-Lacabe for all his fine work that he has done over the years for the community. 

Trustee Katz-Lacabe acknowleged that "he was a small part of a large team."  He was grateful that he had a voice in making decisions, and felt that the organization is in good shape for the future.  He thanked Superintendent McLaughlin and the District staff, saying, "He will continue to be an active voice on behalf of students and families, even if standing on the other side of the podium."

• Regular Board Meeting - December 9, 2014
• Regular Board Meeting - January 13, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - January 27, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - February 10, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - March 10, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - April 7, 2015 Cancelled
• Regular Board Meeting - April 21, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - May 5, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - May 19, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - June 2, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - June 23, 2015

• Regular Board Meeting - December 9, 2014
• Regular Board Meeting - January 13, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - January 27, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - February 10, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - March 10, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - April 7, 2015 Cancelled
• Regular Board Meeting - April 21, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - May 5, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - May 19, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - June 2, 2015
• Regular Board Meeting - June 23, 2015

The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.