The Board shall set the agenda by establishing it as posted. Changes to the posted agenda may only occur as permitted by Education and Government Code including the Brown Act or as described in Board Bylaws. Permitted revisions to the posted agenda include the movement of items from consent to action or reordering the sequence of agenda items.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Background
The Santa Clara County Board of Education (SCCBOE) recognizes ten employees each year for outstanding service to students, parents, coworkers, and customers. Denise Elliot, an Administrative Assistant at Ridder Park, 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.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Gary Waddell, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Equity & Educational Progress Division
Background
As part of its commitment to Civic Engagement and Education, the Santa Clara County Office of Education recognizes the student winners of the Santa Clara County Mock Trial competition held on February 13, 2019.
This year, Mock Trial participants covered People v. Klein, the trial of Reagan Klein, a fictional young adult charged with two felony counts of making a false report of an emergency and making a criminal threat. Teams conduct legal research and receive individual coaching by their school coach and a volunteer attorney in trial preparation, courtroom protocol and procedure, analysis, and communication.
Student Impact
Civic education teaches important life and leadership skills. Mock Trial provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities to apply learned information through authentic assessment in student-outcome products and can easily be integrated into the everyday classroom curriculum.
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 Closed Session to consider the following item:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -- ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9: 3 Cases
Report of Actions Taken in Closed Session
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Requested Action
Request approval of minutes of Regular Board Meeting of March 20, 2019 (#2239).
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Background
Census data is used to distribute billions of dollars in federal funding to local communities and also used to determine the number of seats California has in the U.S. House of Representatives, both of which are critical to state and local governments. The Santa Clara County Office of Education will focus its efforts on reaching the historically hard-to-count populations. Notably, many Title I schools are in areas that have hard-to-count populations and many Title III students live in locations with hard-to-count populations and their representation in the census is highly consequential. The Santa Clara County Office of Education will engage youth in classroom curriculum, host competitions, and provide information via parent centers, parent-teacher associations, and school site councils.
This resolution is required for the SCCOE to be eligible to receive state Census 2020 funds that will be restricted to support outreach to Title 1 schools.
Requested Action
Adopt the Resolution to Promote Outreach Activities and Participation in the Decennial Census.
Student Impact
Students and families receive services funded through Census counts. Accurate counts will impact programs that receive federal funding including Head Start, Special Education, Title I, Foster Care, and School Lunch Programs.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Background
On March 6, 2019 the Policy Subcommittee met and approved the revisions for Board Policy 0410 - Nondiscrimination in SCCOE Programs and Activities. This policy was presented to the Board on March 20, 2019 for first reading.
BP 0410 Nondiscrimination in SCCOE Programs and Activities
Policy updated to align with County process and not district process. Additional revisions made to include Americans with Disabilities Act information.
Requested Action
Adopt Board Policy 0410 Nondiscrimination in SCCOE Programs and Activities
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Background
The following donation was made to the Santa Clara County Office of Education:
| Program: | Special Education, Students Services & Support Division |
| Donor: | Janet McAlpine |
| Donation: | Donation valued at $3,200 for a special education bicycle |
Fiscal Implications
The above donation will be accepted in the Parkway classroom.
Requested Action
Request acceptance of donation to the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Student Impact
The above donation will provide support to students in Special Education at the Parkway classroom.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Khristel Johnson, Director, Charter Schools Department
Background
The charter for Discovery I Charter School ("Discovery I" or "Charter School") expires on June 30, 2019. This charter was initially denied by Moreland School District and was approved on appeal to the Santa Clara County Board of Education (County Board) on February 1, 2016. Discovery I serves 563 students K-8 and is seeking an additional five years for a term of July 2019 to June 2024.
On February 8, 2019, the Charter Schools Department of the Santa Clara County Office of Education ("SCCOE" or "County Office of Education") received a petition from Discovery I Charter School seeking renewal of the charter. California Education Code Section 47607(a) (1) requires that “each renewal shall be for a period of five years.” If the charter was to be renewed by the County Board, the new term of the charter would begin on July 1, 2019, and end on June 30, 2024.
On March 6, 2019, the County Board held a Public Hearing on the charter school’s petition for renewal.
California Education Code Sections 47605 and 47607, and section 11966.4 of the California Code of Regulations, Title 5 requires that “no later than 30 days after receiving a petition” the County Board of Education “shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the renewal charter, at which time the county board of education shall consider the level of support for the petition by district teachers, other district employees, and parents or guardians.”
The Education Code further stipulates that the County Board of Education “shall either grant or deny the renewal 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.”
As per Board Policy 0420.4, Discovery and SCCOE developed a "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) which addresses SCCOE’s 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 21, 2019.
A copy of the renewal petition can be found by selecting here
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 reviewed Discovery I’s academic data and determined that Discovery I has met the criteria “the authority that granted a charter is required to consider increases in pupil academic achievement for all numerically significant pupil subgroups as the most important factor in deciding whether to renew the Charter. (Education Code Section 47607(a)(3)).”
2. Review of the Charter Petition
a. Unsound Educational Program
Staff concluded that Discovery I does provide sufficient information in the Petition to substantiate all of the required elements for a sound educational program.
b. Demonstrably Unlikely to Implement the Program
Staff found facts that demonstrate that the Petitioners are likely to successfully implement the program.
c. Affirmations of each of the conditions required by statute 47605(b)(4)
Staff found that the Petition does contain the required affirmations.
d. Reasonably comprehensive description of the required elements
Staff found that the petition for renewal does contain a reasonably comprehensive description of all the required elements as set forth in the Staff Analysis and Proposed Findings of Fact and set forth in the Proposed Resolution.
e. Exclusive Employer
The petition contains a statement specifying that Discovery I shall be the exclusive employer of employees of the charter school for purposes of the Educational Employment Relations Act.
f. Requirements for Grade-Levels Served, Facility Location and Students Served
Staff found the renewal petition meets the requirements set forth in statute.
g. Other Criteria in Statute
Staff found the renewal petition meets the requirements set forth in statute.
3. Increases in pupil academic achievement for all groups of pupils served by the Charter School
Staff reviewed Discovery I’s academic data and determined that Discovery I has met the criteria “the authority that granted a charter is required to consider increases in pupil academic achievement for all numerically significant pupil subgroups as the most important factor in deciding whether to renew the Charter. (Education Code Section 47607(a)(3)).”
4. Past performance of the school’s academics, finances, and operations in evaluating the likelihood of future success, along with future plans for improvement if any
Staff finds that Discovery I Charter School meets the criteria for renewal.
REQUESTED ACTION
It is the recommendation of the Charter staff to approve the Renewal Petition as reviewed in the Staff Analysis and Proposed Findings of Fact and adopt the Board Resolution for approval of renewal of Discovery I Charter School, for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2024.
Student Impact
The Charter Schools Department provides oversight and monitoring for 21 County Board of Education authorized charter schools. Discovery I was authorized in 2006 and currently serves 563 students.
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.
Health and Safety
Information on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health services are being provided to our charter schools in collaboration with the Safe and Healthy Schools team.
Student Impact
The Charter Schools Department provides monitoring and oversight for 21 County Board of Education authorized charter schools serving approximately 10,000 students.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Edith Mourtos, Assistant Superintendent, Professional Learning & Instructional Support Division
Background
As mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the United States (U.S.) Constitution, our nation gets just one chance each decade to count its population. The U.S. Census, conducted every 10 years, counts every resident in the United States. The data collected by the census determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities.
The U.S. Census Bureau's goal is to "Count Everyone Once, Only Once and in the Right Place". The count impacts housing, education, transportation, employment, health care and public policy totaling $675 billion in federal funds annually to support states, counties and communities.
The California Census 2020 Statewide Funders' Initiative was established in 2017 in order to achieve two overarching goals: 1) to ensure that hard-to-count populations in California are accurately counted and; 2) to build a stronger movement infrastructure across the state that can improve opportunities and conditions for Californians who have been politically, economically, and socially marginalized.
The California Legislature appropriated $90.3 million to fund activities related to the 2020 census, with $1.75 million dedicated to California Counties of Education to conduct research and assistance targeting Title I schools, located in areas with hard-to-count populations, and Title III students who live in locations with hard-to-count populations. Reaching hard-to-count populations is crucial to ensure federal programs such as Title I, School Lunches, and Title III are funded in a way that accurately reflects the student population in each county.
Santa Clara County's Census 2020 Initiative has a steering committee in place that includes the following organizations:
Olivia Santillan, Coordinator History-Social Science/Civic Engagement and Monica Tong, Santa Clara County Office of the Census, will offer an update on the preparation in Santa Clara County for Census 2020 in general, as well as specifics in regard to the education stakeholder group and the role of the Santa Clara County Office of Education. You can access the Santa Clara County Census 2020 website by clicking on this link: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/ceo/census/Pages/home.aspx.
Student Impact
The census impacts all people in the U.S. By participating in Census 2020 Santa Clara County residents will receive accurate federal funding, including programs that benefit Santa Clara County youth.
Administrator
Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools
Board President Kamei will lead a discussion about scheduling a mid-year retreat/special meeting.
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.
Permanent Standing Committees of the Board
Joint, Partner and Membership Committees and Activities
Liaison Committees, Workgroups, and Community Activities
Refer to Board Bylaw 9322 Agenda/Meeting Materials for specific information related to the preparation of County Board of Education agendas. Excepting agenda items otherwise permissible by Education Code, Brown Act or other rules, regulations, or policies for the Board to place on the agenda, a County Board member may request an item within the jurisdiction of the County Board be placed on the agenda. A process for reviewing requested agenda items is described in the board bylaw. In summary, the process includes a review to determine if the item is within the Board's jurisdiction, where it could be placed on the agenda and an assessment of the resource impact of preparing the item.
The next Santa Clara County Board of Education regular meeting is scheduled for April 17, 2019.