The Board of Education held another Special Board meeting on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, for approximately five hours to receive updates on the reopening of schools and to take related actions in order to prepare for the new and unusual circumstances relating to school reopening during a pandemic.  A brief summary of significant matters addressed is below, but please click here to access a recording of the entire meeting and click here to view the agenda and referenced presentations.

 

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, 2020.

 

Information Items

 

School Reopening Strategic Plans Update

 

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Wilson combined forces with former San Marino Teachers' Association (SMTA) President Jessica Bulgin, Director of Special Education Abigail Cabrera and San Marino High School Principal Jason Kurtenbach to update the Board on latest developments and preparations regarding school reopening.  Click here to view the presentation. 

 

Dr. Wilson reminded the Board that just a week earlier, the School Reopening Task Force (SRTF) and the Board were considering both hybrid learning and full distance learning options, but that Governor Newsom's July 17, 2020 announcement changed everything and made it clear that public and private schools in our area would not be reopening physically but virtually.  However, the SRTF and the District will continue to monitor state and local information and prepare for an eventual return to in-person instruction as allowed.

 

Dr. Wilson discussed the various mandates that govern online instruction and made it clear that both the District and the State have significantly increased expectations for the delivery of a robust education from last Spring, including both synchronous and asynchronous instruction (with live instruction constituting a majority of the day depending on grade level and course content), daily virtual interaction between teachers and students, mandatory attendance, and normal grading policies.  The District has been working collaboratively with SMTA and CSEA to develop Memorandums of Understanding regarding duties and expectations during this pandemic. 

 

Ms. Bulgin and Mr. Kurtenbach provided detailed information about the virtual learning schedules at both the elementary and secondary levels.  The schedules will incorporate academic instruction, enrichment programs (such as library, music, and PE), "office hours" with teachers, and mindfulness and wellness.  Unlike some other school districts, San Marino's virtual academies will exceed the mandated minimum number of instructional minutes in order to provide the best educational experience possible under the circumstances.

 

While all students are affected by this new learning reality, students with exceptional needs are especially impacted.  Ms. Cabrera, Director of Special Education, stressed the importance of teacher-student engagement and how the District will address the needs of students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs).  The District will be reviewing the IEPs of every one of the approximately 200 students in order to ensure an optimal learning experience under the circumstances.

 

Dr. Wilson discussed next steps, which include providing ongoing professional development and training resources for District teachers and staff.  In addition to training on implicit bias, teachers will receive training on virtual instruction technology, curriculum and techniques.  From August 12 to August 14, parents and students will also be asked to attend a special virtual academy to review processes, procedures and programs for distance learning.

 

45-day Budget Revision

 

The California State Budget was delayed this year due to COVID-19, and when the District was required to submit its budget at the end of June 2020, the budget was based on data contained in the Governor's "May Revise."  Because the data contained in the May Revise was different than the data contained in the final Budget Act, the District was required to make available for public review any revisions in revenues and expenditures to reflect funding data from the Budget Act, otherwise known as the "45-day Budget Revision" presented to the Board.

 

Distance Learning Board Policy

 

The Board conducted a first reading of a new Board Policy created by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) that will allow for distance learning in light of the current pandemic.  The second reading will incorporate changes suggested by Board members.

 

COVID-19 Mitigation Plan Board Policy

 

The Board conducted a second reading of a proposed new Board Policy created by CSBA to address and reconcile anomalies and changed circumstances in Board Policies caused by COVID-19.  Board members continued to have questions and suggested revisions to accurately align the language with District practices and procedures, and the Board Policy will be brought back for a third reading.

 

PTAffiliates 2020 Online Summer School Update

 

PTAffiliates President Stephanie Duncan, PTAffiliates Summer School Principal Kelly Duncan, and Summer School teachers Gail Denham (history), Summer Cervantez (mock trial), and Chelsea Javier (art) spoke about the new online summer school.  All speakers spoke highly of the experience and were impressed with the ability of SMUSD students to adapt to and flourish under the new online format.  The teachers shared a description of their classes and highlighted the different ways that they engaged their students under new circumstances.  Many thanks to PTAffiliates for providing this enriching experience and to Summer School Principal Kelly Duncan and Director Eve Estrada, as well as to all teachers and students who participated.  

 

SMHS Athletics and CIF Plan for Fall 2020-21

 

The day before the July 21, 2020 Board meeting, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced its 2020-21 sports calendar and bylaw modifications that govern high school sports, including San Marino High School.  "Pivoting" is rapidly becoming the norm, and SMHS Principal Jason Kurtenbach quickly adapted his presentation to inform the Board of important changes. One significant change is that students will be temporarily allowed to participate in both club and high school sports during the sports season.

 

While each CIF section will release its own calendar regarding starting and ending dates for each season and playoffs, competitive sports are not expected to begin until December or January.  Until that time and/or until schools are physically reopened, SMUSD student athletes will begin their sports seasons with workouts and drills via distance coaching and aligned with state guidelines. 

 

Action Taken by the Board

 

The Board Approved a Contract with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) to Provide Training

 

In a continuing effort to support the social-emotional needs of students and to provide professional development to District employees on a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS), the Board approved a contract with LACOE that will provide training on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Trauma Informed Practices.  In addition, District employees and the Board of Education will receive Implicit Bias training in order to provide tools to understand and adjust unconscious bias and eliminate discriminatory behaviors, both conscious and unconscious. 

 

The Board Approved an Agreement with Right at School, LLC to Provide Childcare Services

 

Upon learning about Governor Newsom's July 17, 2020, mandate that schools begin with 100% distance learning until certain conditions are met, District teachers and staff expressed concerns about their ability to find childcare for their school-aged children who also will be engaged in virtual learning.  Under existing laws, childcare is considered an essential service, and school districts and/or outside providers are allowed to provide childcare services on campus, even if school district campuses are "closed."  In order to assist the District's essential workers and ensure that they will be able to fully focus on their jobs while engaging in virtual instruction of SMUSD students, the Board approved an agreement with Right at School, LLC to provide childcare services at District facilities.  This approved agreement is currently under a legal review before Right at School starts to provide its childcare services at the school campus.   The childcare services must follow public health protocols to ensure the health and safety of all participants.