PLEASE NOTE . . . Technical difficulties prevented publication of highlights immediately following the October 2016 Board Meeting. Therefore, highlights from both the October and November Board Meetings are provided here.
EXCERPTS FROM THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON OCTOBER 13, 2016
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

Flag Ceremony
Cub Scouts Aiden Gonzalez, Eric Hsieh, and Jaden Kwak from Pack 673 led the Pledge of Allegiance. 
 
Luther School Presentation
Third grade students from Mrs. Dale Krehbiel's class at Luther School shared how excited they are with the new STEM lab and described what they learned during their first STEM activity - the Toy Design Challenge.  Students participating were Bryana Bennett, Audrey Robledo, Keira Hseih, Brennan Gulmatico, Samer-Sam Itani, Noah Armond, and Alex Martinez.
BOARD ACTIONS
Biennial GASB 45 Actuarial Valuation Services
Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 45 (GASB 45) requires that an actuarial valuation be performed every two years for financial reporting of "other postemployment benefits," which include health insurance benefits provided to retirees. The Board approved renewal of a contract with Total Compensation Systems for the district's biennial actuarial valuation at a cost of $5,000. 
 
2017 Employee Health Insurance
Cypress School District has contracted with the California Schools Voluntary Employee Benefits Association (VEBA) for employee health insurance since 2011. The Board approved a renewal contract with VEBA for 2017 reflecting rate changes as follows:   Kaiser HMO +6.81%, United Healthcare HMO +2.5%, United Healthcare PPO +7.78%. 
 
New "Instructional Assistant" Positions for State Funded Preschool Program
A new "Instructional Assistant" job description for the District's State Preschool Program was approved.  Two Instructional Assistants will be hired, one working full-time for 12 months per year in the year-round program and one working 186 duty days per year in the traditional academic year program.
 
Professional Development - Differentiating Instruction:  Guidelines for Implementation
The Board authorized staff to schedule a two-day training by Vicki Gibson, Ph.D. on implementing differentiated instruction in the classroom. Differentiated instruction is a research-based strategy for targeting instruction to support the unique academic needs of students.  This training, which took place on October 21-22, was provided to transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade teachers at King and Luther Schools and the Instructional Learning Coaches and Principals at all six schools.   Dr. Gibson waived her regular fee and was reimbursed for travel expenses only.

TransTraks Transportation Data Management System
Safely and effectively transporting students is the primary focus of the district's Transportation department. To that end, the Board approved an agreement for use of an online transportation data management system called TransTraks. This system will assist staff in developing efficient bus routes as well as tracking student transportation data, driver training requirements, and vehicle maintenance.  The annual agreement will automatically renew under the same terms for up to five years at a cost of $6,275 per year, with the first year discounted to $3,200.
 
Digital Imaging of Records
To ensure compliance with government records retention requirements, the Board approved contracting with the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) for development of a digital records retention system specific to the district's needs. The first year start-up cost is estimated to be $8,181, and includes all hardware, licenses, and implementation fees. The agreement is renewable under the same terms for up to five years at an annual cost of $2,262 for support, licensing, and equipment fees.
 
District Mission, Vision, and Core Values
The Board adopted the following Mission, Vision, and Core Value statements:

Mission We inspire and empower . . .
Every student,
Every moment, for
Every opportunity!
Vision Engaging in dynamic learning for success in an ever-changing world.
Core Values In the Cypress School District, 
We work with respect and integrity;
We embrace innovation and diversity; and
We model compassion, resilience, and perseverance.

Administration Job Titles/Descriptions and Organizational Chart
The Board approved the following revised job titles and job descriptions to clarify administrative roles and responsibilities:
  • Director, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment is now Director, Instructional Services
  • Director, Special Education/Student Services is now Director, Student Support Services
  • Coordinator, Instructional Technology/Special Projects is now Coordinator, Assessment & Technology
In addition to the changes noted above, the district's organizational chart was also updated to reflect new positions that were added during the 2015/16 school year and reassignment of the Resource Center (print shop) to Business Services. Click here to view the organizational chart.
INFORMATION / DISCUSSION
Williams Complaints
The Board received a report indicating that the district received no complaints during the first quarter of the 2016/17 school year related to instructional materials, emergency or urgent facilities conditions that might pose a threat to the health and safety of pupils, or teacher vacancy or misassignment.
FULL MEETING AGENDA
Additional information from the October Board Meeting is available here. 
EXCERPTS FROM THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON NOVEMBER 10, 2016
BOARD ACTIONS
New "Education Specialist" Position
This year, Cypress School District began implementation of the Learning Center Model at King and Luther Schools. Learning Centers allow for increased flexibility for providing special education services and supporting struggling students.  To support this new program, the Board approved hiring one person for a newly created "Education Specialist" position to work at Luther School for the remainder of the 2016/17 school year. 
 
Portable Classroom Building at Cawthon School Site
The district currently leases the vacant Cawthon School site to Grace Christian School for their K-8 private school. Grace plans to add a daycare program, which will require additional classroom space.  The Board approved the purchase of a new 24' x 60' portable building from Elite Modular at an estimated cost of $86,500. The cost for the building, as well as all work associated with its installation, will be reimbursed by Grace Christian School.  Grace will own the building, but the District will retain ownership of any permanent upgrades made to the school site. 
 
Districtwide Energy Efficiency Consulting Services
The Clean Energy Jobs Act (Prop 39) provides funding to schools for energy efficiency projects.  In October 2015, the Board approved an agreement with Climate Resolve/Climate Smart Schools in the amount of $65,000 for consulting services to assist with preparation of the District's energy expenditure plan application.  At the November 10 meeting, the Board authorized amending the agreement to expand the district's energy expenditure plan. This amendment brings the total contract cost to $84,902, which will be fully reimbursed by Prop 39 funds.   
 
STEM and Arts Modular Classroom Installation and Luther Preschool SDC Relocation Project
The project to install new STEM and arts classrooms and relocate the district's preschool Special Day Class program from Landell to Luther was completed by M.P. South, Inc., at a total cost of $2,162,922. The Board accepted the project as of November 10, 2016, and authorized filing a Notice of Completion with the County of Orange.
 
Maintenance/Construction Unit Price Bid Master Agreement with M.P. South, Inc.
The Board awarded a unit price bid master agreement to M.P. South, Inc. for use on an as-needed basis for various maintenance/construction projects throughout the district.  The basis for establishing the low bidder was analysis of pricing based on a sample project. The agreement term is one year and may be renewed for up to five years under the same terms. Each project initiated under this master agreement will be presented for Board approval.
 
Data System Infrastructure Improvements at District Office
The Board authorized use of an E-rate unit price bid master agreement with ICS Services, Inc., initially awarded in March 2015 and subsequently renewed in March 2016, for data system infrastructure improvements at the District Office at a total cost not to exceed $18,890.33.
 
Annual Organizational Meeting
As required by Education Code, the Board designated December 8, 2016, at 7:00 p.m., as the date and time for its annual organizational meeting. At this meeting, the Board will elect its slate of officers and set the schedule of regular Board Meetings for the upcoming year. In addition, recently elected Board Member Donna McDougall will take the oath of office.   
 
District Goals
In September, the Board held a Study Session to identify four primary areas of focus for the development of district goals.  At the November 10 meeting, the Board formally adopted three- to five-year goals for the district in each identified focus area, as well as strategies for the 2016/17 school year to help accomplish these goals.  Click here to view the  2016/17 District Goals and Strategies.
FULL MEETING AGENDA
Additional information from the November Board Meeting is available here. 
NEXT MEETINGS
11/17/2016
Special Board Meeting
5:30 p.m., Board Room
12/7/2016 Special Board Meeting
Board Study Session Regarding Facilities Master Plan
5:30 p.m., Board Room
12/8/2016 Regular Board Meeting/Organizational Meeting
Open Session 7:00 p.m., Board Room
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Candi Kern   -   Sandra Lee   -   Brian Nakamura   -   Lydia Sondhi, Ph.D.

SUPERINTENDENT
Anne Silavs