October 16, 2020

Board of Education Update
The Board of Education met on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. Below are summarized highlights of the meeting, but for detailed information about all agenda items addressed during the meeting, please click here access the agenda and referenced documents, and click here to access a digital recording of the Open Session meeting. The next regularly scheduled meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 7 p.m.
 
Information Items
  • Financial Strategist Update:  Financial strategist Larry Tramutola advised the Board of his two long-term objectives for the District -- financial stability and ways to provide that financial stability in light of the lack of sufficient governmental funding.  He stressed the importance of the passage of the Measure E parcel tax to the continued success of the District and identified some factors unique to San Marino that may impact Measure E's success, such as the small percentage of San Marino voters who have school-age children and the incorrect perception that our highly successful school district does not need the community's financial support.   Mr. Tramutola encouraged community members who are interested in supporting the District's curriculum needs through the Measure E parcel tax to volunteer now to serve on a campaign committee in the event the Board approves the parcel tax election.

    To determine the community's support of Measure E, polling company True North is currently conducting an online and phone poll to representative constituents in both English and Mandarin.  The polling is about half-way done with encouraging results this far, but constituents are encouraged to respond to the poll and provide their opinions if and when contacted so that their voices may be heard before the Board makes decisions regarding the parcel tax renewal. 
  • SMHS Titan Athletics Reopening Plan:  San Marino High School Principal Jason Kurtenbach and SMHS Director of Student Experiences David Irie updated the Board on the reopening of in-person high school athletics for conditioning.  Following the Los Angeles Department of Public Health's strict safety guidelines, athletes will wear face coverings, screen and perform a temperature check prior to entry, social distance a minimum of 8 feet among all attendees, sanitize, and participate in cohorts of 10 students or less per coach.  Surrounding school districts are also in the process or have opened athletics for in-person conditioning.  After substantial preparation, SMHS is ready to meet all safety protocols with a staggered return by sport.  Athletes who choose to participate in person will be engaging in conditioning and non-contact activities relating to their sport, and athletes who choose to remain home will be engaged virtually.  Click here to view the detailed presentation.
  • COVID-19 Compliance Team Update: Chief Technology Officer Dr. Stephen Choi provided another update about work performed by the District's COVID-19 Compliance Team, which consists of about 30 administrators, teachers, staff, counselors and parents and represents all aspects of the SMUSD community.  Dr. Choi discussed the current status of the reopening possibilities under the tier system.  He also discussed the TK-2 application process for waivers to conduct in-person education, which is limited to 30 schools per week with priority given to those schools with the highest free and reduced lunch populations.  In order to prepare for eventual in-person instruction, the District has been reformatting classroom spaces to meet physical distancing requirements, and Dr. Choi presented pictures of various classroom configurations.  Please click here to view the presentation and visit www.smusd.us/covid19complianceteam/ to access the latest data, reopening protocols, plans, schedules, training, and communications.
          
  • First-Day Packet Report: Dr. Stephen Choi reminded the Board that in 2015 the District transitioned from a paper-only first-day packet system to an online system that made it easier for parents to provide important information and support various school-related groups.  This past year, a subcommittee of FiRST (Fiscal Resources Strategic Team), an advisory group created by Superintendent Dr. Jeff Wilson, analyzed the first-day packet and made recommendations to streamline the process and reduce and/or consolidate the number of items presented to parents on the forms.  Dr. Choi reported that the overall first-day packet collections and San Marino Schools Foundation donations received this school year were substantially lower than prior years, which will impact the District's budget.  He will analyze the data in the coming weeks.
  • Revision of Elementary Report Cards:  Carver Principal Dr. Michael Lin and Valentine Principal Alana Faure were pleased to report to the Board that a joint elementary report card committee had reached agreement on ways to improve and simplify elementary report cards.  Parents had complained that the report cards were confusing and at times resulted in grades that were not representative of student success.  The report cards were modified so they are helpful and instructive to parents and reduce the clerical time that had been required of teachers to produce and explain the report cards.  Dr. Lin and Mrs. Faure thanked the report card committee that has been working on this issue the past two years, with special thanks to Carver's Nickie Oh-Saxon and Data Analyst Erik Negroe. 
Action Items
  • Resolution No. 10 in Support of Red Ribbon Week:  Upon the recommendation of Executive Director of Educational Services Dr. Lena Richter, the Board approved a resolution in support of Red Ribbon Week (October 26-30), which encourages all San Marino citizens and students to commit to a drug-free and healthy lifestyle.  This year's Red Ribbon Week theme is "Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free."  Krishna Rao of Partnership for Awareness, the nonprofit organization that sponsors Red Ribbon Week in the District, discussed the various age-appropriate Red Ribbon Week activities at each school site, including the traditional red ribbon decorations.
     
  • Community Service and CPR Exemption for the Class of 2021:  Upon the recommendation of Mr. Kurtenbach, the Board approved permanently exempting the Class of 2021 from two graduation requirements - the completion of 40 hours of community service and CPR coursework - due to school closure and COVID-19 restrictions.  While not required for current seniors this year, students are still encouraged to engage in community service, and Student Board member Vahini Garimella confirmed that many SMHS student organizations are still providing community service opportunities during the pandemic.
     
  • Board Policy 9240- Board Professional Development: Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Mrs. Linda de la Torre presented a revision to this existing policy that would require both newly elected and current Board members to complete the California School Boards Association (CSBA)'s Masters in Governance training.  Mrs. de la Torre will incorporate the Board's suggested revisions and bring the policy back to the Board on the consent agenda on October 27.
     
  • Amendment to Certification of Signatures:  Upon the recommendation of Mrs. de la Torre, the Board approved the amendment to the Certification of Signatures to allow newly hired employees SMHS Assistant Principal Carlos Kassam-Clay and Executive Director of Educational Services Lena Richter to sign contracts (not to exceed $5,000 and $15,000 respectively).
San Marino Unified School District Board of Education

C. Joseph Chang
President
Shelley Ryan
Vice President
Corey Barberie
Clerk
Lisa Link 
Member
Chris Norgaard
Member