Rena Gibbs, Coordinator, Curriculum and Instruction, presented data collected from the 2021 spring and fall administrations of Star assessments and reviewed how the data was used to inform development of the summer school and intervention programs.

The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law on March 11, 2021, provides a third round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding (ESSER III) to address the impacts of COVID-19. All districts receiving ESSER III funds are required to create an expenditure plan for how they will use the funds to, at a minimum, address students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs, as well as the opportunity gaps that existed before, and were exacerbated by, the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board adopted the district’s ESSER III Expenditure Plan for funding in the amount of $2,388,815.

In order to attract and retain qualified certificated (teacher) substitutes, the Board approved increasing the daily pay rate to $170 for day-to-day substitute assignments and $180 for extended assignments. These increases will align the district’s pay rates with similar school districts in Orange County. 

The district contracts with the California Schools Voluntary Employees Benefits Association (VEBA) for its employee health insurance. The Board approved renewing a contract with VEBA for the upcoming 2022 plan year. The renewal rates reflect the following increases from 2021: Kaiser HMO +1.34%, United Healthcare HMO +3.78%, UMR PPO +3.47%. In addition to the three fully insured health insurance options, the district is introducing four new alternative plans with lower premiums and reduced out-of-pocket costs for members. 

The Board approved an agreement with LunchAssist for consulting services during the 2021/22 school year related to the significant legislative changes that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual fee of $10,000 will be paid from the Cafeteria Special Revenue Fund. 

In support of the district’s 1:1 technology device program, the Board approved contracting with Amplified IT for the GoGuardian classroom management program to monitor student activity on devices during classroom instruction. The cost for a one-year subscription is $13,500.

On February 11, 2021, the Board approved contracting with ICS Services Company for the 2021 Corporate Avenue Electrical and Low Voltage Improvements Project, which included data cabling, fire alarms, etc., in the amount of $1,170,039.94. 

Changes to the original scope of work requested by the district led to an increased cost and extension of the timeline for the project. The Board approved an additive change order in the amount of $56,998.64 and extension of the project completion date to October 14, 2021. 

The Board also approved filing a Notice of Completion for the project at a total cost of $1,227,038.58. 

A Notice of Completion was approved for the 2021 Swain MOTT Demolition and Abatement Project by M.P. South, Inc. at a cost of $2,191,498.15.

The Board received a report indicating the district received no complaints during the first quarter of the 2021/22 school year regarding deficiencies related to instructional materials, emergency or urgent facilities conditions that pose a threat to the health and safety of pupils or staff, and teacher vacancy or misassignment. 

The Board reviewed its process for annually electing Board officers, which takes place during the organizational meeting in December.

Additional information from the Board Meeting is available here.

Regular Meeting: Thursday, November 18, 2021

Anne Silavs