The Consolidated Application (ConApp) is a two-part application and reporting process used to distribute categorical funds from various federal programs to school districts. The Board approved the district’s spring submission of the ConApp to apply for approximately $480,642 in funding for the 2020/21 school year.

Cypress School District has partnered with the Children and Families Commission of Orange County to provide early childhood care and education opportunities since 2000. The Board approved a new three-year agreement with the commission and receipt of $262,600 in grant funding for the period July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2023.

The Board ratified an agreement with Orenda Education for professional development on their TLC Model for Educational Equity and Economic Recovery, a system for effectively delivering instruction through distance learning, hybrid, and modified regular school schedules. The total cost is $60,000, which will be paid from federal Learning Loss Mitigation Funding.

The Board ratified an agreement for Seesaw for Schools, an online learning management platform that serves as a portal for teachers to provide and track assignments, students to submit their work, and parents to monitor their child’s progress. The contract is for a three-year term from August 1, 2020, through July 31, 2023, at a total cost of $51,490.55, which will be paid from federal Learning Loss Mitigation Funding.

Agreements were approved for the following online programs to support students on the Full-Time Distance Learning and Hybrid school schedules during the 2020/21 school year: The Digital SLP (digital speech therapy resources), Everyday Speech (social communications curriculum); and Screencast-O-Matic (screencasting and video editing tool). The total cost for these subscriptions is $6,235.93 and will be paid from federal Learning Loss Mitigation Funding.

The Board approved an agreement with the Association of Cypress Teachers which includes a 2.0% salary increase effective July 1, 2019, and a 0.5% salary increase effective January 1, 2020.

The Board approved reorganization of the Instructional Services and Student Support Services departments into a single Educational Services department. Job descriptions were approved for Executive Director, Educational Services; Coordinator, Curriculum and Instruction; Coordinator, Special Education; and Administrative Secretary.

The district’s 45-day 2020/21 budget revision, reflecting numbers from the state’s final budget signed by the Governor on June 29, 2020, was adopted by the Board.

The Board approved an updated agreement for the district’s participation in the Orange County Operational Area for purposes of emergency management coordination across the county.

To ensure students can hear teacher instruction clearly while in the classroom, the Board ratified the purchase of 165 Lightspeed Redcat Access Amplifier systems from Alpha Solutions at a total cost of $257,966.85, which will be paid from federal Learning Loss Mitigation Funding.

To support students on the Hybrid and Distance Learning school schedules who do not have internet access, the Board ratified a contract with T-Mobile for hotspot devices and service at a total cost not to exceed $25,000, which will be paid from federal Learning Loss Mitigation Funding.

The Board approved submission of a waiver application to reopen the district’s six elementary schools for in-person instruction to serve those families who have chosen the Regular or Hybrid school schedule for the 2020/21 school year. Waiver requirements include completion of a waiver application; consultation with labor, parent, and community organizations; and development and publication of a reopening plan consistent with the health and safety guidelines established by the California Department of Public Health.

Per Board Bylaw 9250, the Board must take action to authorize full compensation for any Board Member who was absent from a meeting. Resolution 20/21-1 was adopted authorizing full compensation for the month of July for Trustee Brian Nakamura, who was unable to attend the July 9, 2020, Regular Board Meeting and July 16, 2020, Special Board Meeting.

The Board performed its annual review of the district’s Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Goals. It was recommended that Goal 5 be revised to broaden its scope to modernizing facilities and infrastructure districtwide in support of student achievement. The revised goals, along with strategies for meeting them, will be presented for Board approval at the September meeting.

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.

Goals:

1 - Provide a data-driven, evidence-based instructional program that effectively addresses the educational needs of all students and supports high levels of academic achievement and student success.

2 - Promote student innovation and creativity through the development of STEM and music programs that serve all students.

3 - Foster a safe and positive district climate by building strong internal and external relationships to support student success.

4 - Effectively manage resources to maximize student success while maintaining the financial health of the district.

5 - Pursue options for modernizing the district office facilities in order to maintain a strong district infrastructure to support student achievement.

Additional information from the Board Meeting is available here.

Regular Board Meeting: Thursday, September 17, 2020

Special Board Meeting: Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Anne Silavs