Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Peter Daniels, Chief Public Affairs Officer
Background
The Santa Clara County Board of Education (SCCBOE) recognizes ten employees each year for outstanding service to students, parents, coworkers, and customers. Scott Benson, a teacher at Hester School, is being honored as the Employee of the Month for outstanding skills and accomplishments on the job, dedication to exceptional service, and commitment to excellence.
At this time, members of the public may address the Board on any issue within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board that is not listed on this agenda. Members of the public may also address the Board on an agenda item before or during the Board's consideration of the item. No action can be taken on an item not on the agenda at this time, but may be referred to the administration or put on a future agenda. In accordance with Board Bylaw 9323, individual remarks will be limited to 3 minutes each, unless otherwise stipulated.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Background
The County Board will hold a hearing and take action on an interdistrict attendance appeal filed on behalf of a student; Resident District: San Jose Unified School District, Desired District: Santa Clara Unified School District.
Report of Actions Taken in Closed Session
The superintendent may give a report on any activities related to her duties.
The members of the Board may give reports on any activities related to their duties as members of the Santa Clara County Board of Education.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Khristel Johnson, Director, Charter Schools
Background
The charter for Discovery II Charter School (Discovery II or Discovery or DII) expires on June 30, 2018. On January 2, 2018, Discovery II delivered to the Charter Schools Office of the Santa Clara County Office of Education a renewal petition for a Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) authorized independent, district appeal charter school for the Discovery II Charter School. On January 11, 2018, Discovery II withdrew its renewal petition to revise its petition to be clearly in compliance with the new sections of the 47605 which came into effect on January 1, 2018. Discovery II resubmitted its renewal Petition on February 14, 2018. Discovery II is seeking approval for renewal of a public charter elementary school, serving students in grades TK-8 for a renewal charter term of five years beginning in July 2018. Discovery II currently serves 556 students and is located in San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD). Discovery II was initially approved on March 6, 2013, and opened in August of 2013.
On March 7, 2018, the Santa Clara County Board of Education (SCCBOE) held a public hearing on the Discovery II Charter Renewal Petition. On March 8, 2018, SCCOE Charter School staff conducted a comprehensive site visit and interviewed, parents, teachers, and staff.
The Education Code requires that the County Board of Education “shall either grant or deny the charter renewal within 60 days of receipt of the petition (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, §11966.4). However, this date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension.”
As per Board Policy 0420.4, Discovery II and SCCOE developed a "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) which addresses SCCOE’s Standards of Excellence and best practices regarding the respective fiscal, operational, and administrative responsibilities, and legal relationships. Any other matters not otherwise addressed or resolved by the terms of the Charter, deficiencies in the Charter, or any conditions which may be imposed by SCCBOE will need to be addressed in an addendum to the MOU after the SCCBOE has taken action. This MOU was signed by the petitioner on March 22, 2018.
A copy of the renewal petition can be found at: https://www.sccoe.org/supoffice/charter-schools-office/Pending/Discovery%20II%20Charter%20Renewal.pdf
CRITERIA FOR RENEWAL OF A CHARTER PETITION
A petition submitted for renewal per Education Code § 47607 shall be considered by the governing board upon receipt with all of the following requirements (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, §11966.4)
CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL OF A CHARTER PETITION
Education Code § 47605 (b) makes clear that governing boards are to be aware “of the intent of the Legislature that charter schools are and should become an integral part of the California educational system and that establishment of charter schools should be encouraged. The [County Board of Education] shall grant a charter for the operation of a school under this part if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice. The [County Board of Education] shall not deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school unless it makes written factual findings to support one or more of the following findings”:
REVIEW OF THE PETITION
Staff reviewed the Petition using the criteria established in California Education Code 47605 (b), 47607, and County Board Policy 0420.4 (c) and found:
1. Determination of Academic Performance
Staff finds that Discovery II meets the criteria for renewal.
2. Review of the Charter Petition
3. Increases in pupil academic achievement for all groups of pupils served by the charter school
Discovery II’s academic performance is comparable to its neighborhood schools.
4. Past performance of the school’s academics, finances, and operation in evaluating the likelihood of future success, along with future plans for improvement if any
Staff finds that Discovery II does meet the criteria for renewal.
REQUESTED ACTION
Staff reviewed the renewal Petition for Discovery II Charter School utilizing the criteria for charter approval set forth in Education Code Sections 47605 and 47607 and California Code of Regulations, Title 5 Section 11966.5.
It is the recommendation of the Charter Staff to approve the Renewal Petition subject to the conditions agreed to in the MOU and specified in the Staff Analysis and Proposed Findings of Fact, and adopt the Board Resolution for renewal of Discovery II Charter School, including and subject to each of the conditions set forth therein, for the period of July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2023.
Student Impact
The Charter School office provides oversight and monitoring for 23 County Board of Education authorized charter schools. Discovery II was authorized in 2013 and currently serves 556 students.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Khristel Johnson, Director, Charter Schools Department
Background
On March 7, 2018, the Charter Schools Office of the Santa Clara County Office of Education received a Petition for the Eureka! Inclusive Charter School, a district appeal TK-8th grade charter school which is proposed to serve 160 students in year 1 and grow to 239 students by year 4 and will be located in San Jose Unified School District. Eureka! Inclusive was denied by San Jose Unified School District on February 7, 2018. It submitted its petition to the SCCOE and plans to open its doors during the fall of 2018.
California Education Code Sections 47605 requires that “no later than 30 days after receiving a petition” the County Board of Education “shall hold a public hearing on provisions of the charter petition and the level of support for the petition by teachers, parents or guardians, and the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to place school facilities.”
The Education Code further stipulates that the County Board of Education “shall either grant or deny the charter within 60 days of receipt of the petition. However, this date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension.” This item will be placed on the May 2, 2018, board agenda for decision on the petition.
The complete petition is available for review at: https://www.sccoe.org/supoffice/charter-schools-office/Pending/Eureka!%20Inclusive%20Charter%20Petition.pdf
Student Impact
The Charter School office provides oversight and monitoring for 23 County Board of Education authorized charter schools. Eureka! Inclusive Charter School proposes to serve 239 students.
Request Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of March 21, 2018.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Peter Daniels, Chief Public Affairs Officer
Background
Assemblymember O’Donnell’s bill addresses the critical need to reform the funding mechanism for Special Education. The Coalition for Adequate Funding for Special Education has worked for several years to develop and propose concepts to address the inadequacy of funding to pay for the real cost of providing services to our children with disabilities. AB 3136 would provide critical support to California’s students with special needs by establishing state support for special education preschool services, providing funding to equalize long-standing special education funding inequities, and provide support for students requiring higher cost services.
Student Impact
AB 3136 will establish a funding mechanism to support special education preschool programs, by adding preschoolers to the AB 602 funding formula. It will also address long-standing inequities by equalizing special education funding rates to the 95th percentile. A supplemental grant to support students with greater needs, including students on the autism spectrum, and students who are blind, visually impaired, and intellectually disabled would also be created. Finally, school districts would calculate a declining enrollment adjustment based on district, rather than SELPA, average daily attendance.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Peter Daniels, Chief Public Affairs Officer
Background
As the statewide primary and general elections approach in June and November, it is important to ensure our students are learning to become active and engaged participants in our democracy. California Education Code designates the last two weeks of April and September as "High School Voter Education Weeks" and authorizes schools to designate students as "voter outreach coordinators." With county election officials as partners, voter registration resources are made available to schools to easily pre-register eligible students for voting.
Student Impact
High School Voter Education Weeks from April 16-27 helps put students on the path of a lifetime of civic engagement and voting. With pre-registration available for sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds, it is easier than ever to get students prepared to cast their own ballots. Once pre-registered, they will automatically become registered voters on their 18th birthday.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Background
On March 7, 2018 the Policy Development Subcommittee met and approved the revision to Board Policy 3101 - Budget Study Committee, Board Bylaw 9130.1 - Standing Committees, and Exhibit 9130 Board Committees. These policies were presented to the Board for first reading on March 21, 2018.
BP 3101 Budget Study Committee/Board Bylaw 9130.1 Standing Committees/Exhibit 9130 County Board Committee
Update policy, exhibit, and bylaw to reflect the new structure of the Budget Study Committee and the responsibilities of the standing committees.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Khristel Johnson, Director, Charter Schools Department
Background
A Charter Schools Update is provided as a standing agenda item at each regular board meeting.
Charter Authorizers Regional Support Network (CARSNet)
The Charter Schools Department Director, Khristel Johnson, attended the CARSNet Board Meeting and staff development in Sacramento on March 28-29. Discussions centered around the evaluation of initial three year program and services. A proposal to extend CARSNet services from the 2019-2023 fiscal years was reviewed.
Board Meetings and Site Check-ins
As part of the department's continued support and outreach, Khristel Johnson attended the Bullis Charter School Board Meeting on Monday, April 2, 2018. She also met with the Director of Voices College-Bound Language Academies on Friday, March 30, 2018 and attended the closing event for the Sunrise Middle School Challenge on Tuesday, April 3, 2018.
Spark Charter School
Spark Charter School has appealed its renewal denial to the State Board of Education. They will present before the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools on April 10, 2018.
Student Impact
The Charter Schools Update provides information to the Board related to the charter schools authorized by the Santa Clara Board of Education (SCCBOE) and items related to the Santa Clara County Office of Education's (SCCOE) role in oversight and monitoring. The County Board of Education has twenty-three (23) authorized charter schools which serve approximately 10,000 students.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Steve Olmos, Ed.D., Chief Student Services
Background
As per the Head Start Act, all Head Start agencies are required to provide program information to the Board of Education. Attached are the following reports:
Program Information Report 2017-18 (PIR) –February 2018
Provides information on progress of services provided to children and families to meet required timelines as per specific indicators and thresholds
Financial Report – HS Basic/EHS Basic Total Grant Award –February 2018
Provides the status of program budget and financial oversight
In-Kind Contribution Required –February 2018
Indicates the progress of required matching contribution required by grant ($6,676,866)
Administration Cost Limitation –February 2018
Limits the amounts of funds charged as development and administrative costs to 15%
Purchase Card Summary –February 2018
Serves as an oversight check of program expenses
California Child Food Program Summary Reports (USDA) –February 2018
Serves as an oversight check of program expense
Enrollment Report –February 2018
Summarizes the year to date enrollment activity in the Head Start Program to comply with enrollment requirements
Student Impact
The Head Start/Early Head Start Program is federally funded to serve 1,946 children, ages 0-5, from very low-income families to promote their school readiness by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. These services are provided in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties.
Branch Reports (Trustee Mah)
Pending Items:
The next Santa Clara County Board of Education meeting is scheduled for April 18, 2018. For Board agendas and meeting minutes, please see our website at www.sccoe.org under the County Board of Education page.