Board Highlights
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June 8, 2020
Public Hearing on the 2020-21 District Budget/Reserve
Assistant Superintendent Rita Sohal presented the 2020-21 Proposed District Budget. Following the presentation, Board President Thomas E. Rossmeissl held a public hearing.
Dartmouth Middle School parents Gary Brown and Michelle Wagner, Union Middle School parent Murphy Rowan, and community member and former Dartmouth parent Suzanne Oehler expressed their support for music and arts programs. Dartmouth Middle School parents Darren and Rebecca Seitz also provided comments regarding the importance of the band program at Dartmouth. Citing the invaluable experience that the band programs and the arts give students socially and academically, speakers asked that the importance of these programs be considered as budget decisions are made.
Action Items
The Board of Trustees adopted/approved the following:
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- Adoption of Resolution No. 19-20-26, Biennial District Election
- Adoption of Resolution No. 19-20-27 Reduction or Elimination of Services (Classified)
- Adoption of the 2020-21 District Budget/Reserve
- Approval of COVID-19 Operations Written Report
- Adoption of Revised Board Policy 6143, Courses of Study
- Adoption of Resolution No. 19-20-28, Designation of Applicant's Agent for Non-State Agencies
Please join us for our next Board of Trustees Meeting on July 13, 2020.
Visit our Virtual Board Meeting page for information and links to view upcoming remote meetings.
May 28, 2020 - Board Study Session
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May 28, 2020
Three weeks ago, Governor Gavin Newsom shared his May Revision to the education budget that was given to districts in January for the 2020-2021 school year. He is proposing a $15.1 billion reduction in K-12 funding as part of his overall state budget that estimates a $54 billion deficit over the next three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual Budget Study Session
The USD Board of Trustees held a virtual study session regarding the budget via Zoom which was streamed live on YouTube.
Matt Phillips of School Services of California presented information about the May Revision of the state budget as it relates to school district funding. In his presentation, he reviewed the current realities of revenue losses and unemployment in California, as well as reductions currently proposed to the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and how this affects funding to school districts.
School Services of California Budget Study Session Presentation
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Rita Sohal presented an overview of the Union School District 2020-21 Proposed Budget. She shared information about how LCFF funding reductions affect the district, the effects of COVID-19 on revenues and expenditures, and the district’s current and future possible efforts to reduce the budget deficit.
USD Budget Study Session Presentation
For updates on our discussions of the impact of the funding reductions, please join us for our next Board of Trustees Meeting on June 8, 2020 at 6:00 PM.
Visit our Virtual Board Meeting page for information and links to view upcoming remote meetings.
May 11, 2020 - Board Meeting
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May 11, 2020 Virtual Board Meeting The USD Board of Trustees held a virtual meeting via Zoom which was streamed live on YouTube. Board members praised the district and school site staff and community for rising to the many challenges faced during this time. During the public comment period, three sixth grade students from Union Middle School shared statements about their experiences during at-home learning and their ideas for how a return to school in the fall could look. We commend our students for sharing their perspectives with the Board. CSEA/UDEA Reports Jennifer Torres, CSEA (California School Employees Association) Chapter Secretary, spoke positively regarding the district’s response to the pandemic—a response focused on humanity and maintaining the important connections between students and staff, families and community. Kathy Hudson, UDEA (Union District Educators Association) President, thanked the Board and Cabinet members for the open communication, preparedness, and ongoing support during this time. General Fund Revenue/Expenditure Assumptions Assistant Superintendent Rita Sohal reported on the 2020-21 General Fund Revenue and Expenditure Assumptions. Next steps will be to present the May Revise update and the 2020-21 proposed budget on May 28, 2020, followed by approval of the proposed budget on June 8, 2020. Action Items The Board of Trustees adopted/approved the following board policies and declarations.
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Next Virtual Meeting Board Study Session The Board Meeting Webpage will be updated with information regarding our upcoming Board Meetings. --- Board of Trustees Sheila Billings Vickie Brown Doug Evans Jennifer Petroff Thomas E. Rossmeissl --- Consent Items The Board of Trustees approved routine consent items. Please visit us at www.unionsd.org for detailed minutes once approved
Board Presentations General Fund Revenue/Expenditure Assumptions --- Union School District Foundation for Excellence |
April 13, 2020 - Board Meeting
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April 13, 2020
Virtual Board Meeting As part of the county Shelter-in-Place order and statewide social distancing efforts to help combat the spread of COVID-19, the Union School District Board of Trustees held a virtual meeting via Zoom which was streamed live on YouTube. Board Members expressed their gratitude to all staff and community members who have worked tirelessly to support students and families during this challenging time and throughout the transition to at-home learning. Quarterly Report on Williams Uniform Complaints The Board of Trustees received the District’s Williams Uniform Complaints report for the January 1 through March 31, 2020 quarter which indicated no complaints were filed with any school in the District. Action Items The Board of Trustees adopted the following resolutions.
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Next Virtual Meeting
May 11, 2020
at 6:00 PM The Board Meeting Webpage will be updated with information regarding our upcoming Board Meetings.
Board of Trustees Sheila Billings
Vickie Brown Doug Evans Jennifer Petroff Thomas E. Rossmeissl Consent Items The Board of Trustees approved routine consent items.
Union School District Foundation for Excellence |
February 10, 2020 - Board Meeting
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February 10, 2020
Lietz School Student Performance
Under the direction of drama teachers, Sue Malloy and Nancy Grochowski, ten (of 60) Lietz third, fourth and fifth graders superbly performed the song "All For You," from Seussical, Jr., the musical. The students belong to the Lietz after school Drama Club, practicing two to three hours per day. The production will take their stage for six shows from March 26-29.
Measure J Bond Oversight Committee Report
Measure J Bond Oversight Committee Chairman, Sam Acchione, reported on the work of the bond oversight committee. The committee meets four times per year to review the construction and technology expenditures of the Measure J Bond. In addition, the committee reviews the Measure J Bond Audit and completes an annual written report given to the Board of Trustees.
2019-20 Comprehensive School Safety Plans Approved
The Comprehensive School Safety Plans were reviewed and updated to evaluate progress towards implementing safety goals of the district. Each site's plan receives review from the School Site Council, Safety Planning Committee, Local Emergency Services Agencies and ICS4Schools, the district Safety Consultants.
Adoption of New Board Policy 6112, School Day
New Board Policy 6112, School Day, was adopted by the Board of Trustees in order to implement an extended day kindergarten program.
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Please Join Us For Our Next Board MeetingMarch 9, 2020
Board of Trustees Sheila Billings Consent ItemsThe Board of Trustees approved routine consent items. Below are links to the
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January 13, 2020 - Board Meeting
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January 13, 2020
Guadalupe Student Presentation
Fifth graders from Ms. Harmon’s class shared that they are seeking positive change to eliminate food waste at Guadalupe Elementary School. Some ideas students shared to eliminate food waste included composting for gardening, donating, creating a share table, and feeding the poor and homeless. The Guadalupe fifth graders believe the whole world needs to take action to stop wasting food.
Public Hearing
A public hearing was held regarding the fiscal impact of the negotiated 2019-22 Employment Agreement with the Union District Educators Association (UDEA). There were no community comments.
UDEA Employment Agreement Approved
Assistant Superintendent Steve Burrell thanked the labor negotiation groups for their part in ratifying the UDEA employment agreement. The UDEA Employment Agreement was approved by the Board of Trustees for 2019-2022.
Extended Kindergarten Presentation
Assistant Superintendent Steve Burrell and Coordinator of Learning and Extended Programs Larry Thomas gave a brief history of the Union School District Extended Kindergarten program and said the district plans to add the Extended Kindergarten program at all our elementary schools by the fall of 2020.
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Please Join Us For Our Next Board MeetingFebruary 10, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Board of Trustees Sheila Billings Below are links to the
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December 9, 2019 - Board Meeting | December 16, 2019 - Special Board Meeting
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December 9, 2019
Alta Vista Student Performance
Under the direction of their music teacher, Jane Threet, 20 third, fourth and fifth grade students from Alta Vista School entertained the Board of Trustees and community with varied delightful musical selections.
First Interim Report
As required by the State and the County, a report of the budget projections and financial activities of the District as of October 31, 2019 was presented, reviewed, and approved by the Board of Trustees. The district can meet its financial obligations for the current fiscal year and the next two fiscal years and received a positive certification from the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
Budget Development Calendar Approved
The Budget Development Calendar, which informs the Board of Trustees, staff and the community of important dates for the budget development process, was approved as presented.
Public Hearing
A public hearing was held regarding a proposal to increase the developer fee rates. Following the public hearing, the Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to increase the developer fee rates.
December 16, 2019 Special Meeting
Annual Organizational Meeting
The following Board of Trustee members were elected to serve as officers for the 2020 school year: Thomas Rossmiessl was elected President; Doug Evans was elected Vice President; and Jennifer Petroff was elected Clerk. Sheila Billlings will represent the district on the County Committee for School District Organization and Vickie Brown is our representative for the Santa Clara County School Boards Association.
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Please Join Us For Our Next Board Meeting
Board of Trustees Sheila Billings Below are links to the
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November 18, 2019 - Board Meeting
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November 18, 2019
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Update
Associate Superintendent Andrew Schwab reported on the results of the CAASPP. For English Language Arts, 78.92% of Union School District students met or exceeded standards, compared to 63.03% in Santa Clara County and 50.87% at the state level. In Mathematics, 75.98% of USD students met or exceeded standards, compared to 56.56% in Santa Clara County and 39.73% at the state level. In addition, our subgroups outperformed Santa Clara County and the state in ELA and Math.
Community Comments
Teachers and parents expressed their appreciation for the exceptional teachers in Union School District and asked that they be compensated fairly. Board President Jennifer Petroff thanked everyone who attended the board meeting.
Public Hearings A public hearing was held regarding the financial impact of the negotiated 2019-22 Employment Agreement with the California School Employees Association.
A public hearing was held by the Board of Trustees to propose an Education Parcel Tax Measure.
Board Policies Adopted
The following four board policies were adopted:
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Please Join Us For Our Next Board MeetingDecember 9, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Board of Trustees Sheila Billings Below are links to the
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October 28, 2019 - Board Study Session
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October 28, 2019
Budget Study Session
John Gray, President and CEO of School Services of California, reviewed the state budget as it relates to school district funding. In his presentation, he shared that Local Educational Agencies are faced with challenges in the way that districts are funded and how they address the ever increasing costs for employee compensation, retirement costs and Special Education programs. Please see his Budget Study Session presentation.
Financial Overview
Assistant Superintendent Rita Sohal presented a financial overview of the Union School District budget. Ms. Sohal shared potential ways to protect our educational programs and improve funding to recruit and retain highly qualified certificated staff could include increasing lease revenue and placing a potential supplemental parcel tax and/or bond measure on the November 2020 ballot. For more information, please see her Financial Overview presentation.
Prior to Ms. Sohal's presentation, staff and community members presented questions. Most questions were answered in her presentation. Additional questions and answers can be found here.
Belmont Village Senior Living Project
One of the ways to increase revenue for the district is by leasing underutilized land. Please join us on November 5, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at a public hearing to speak in favor of the Union School District/Belmont Village Senior Living project at the San Jose City Council Chambers, City Hall Wing, 200 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, California.
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Please Join Us For Our Next Board MeetingNovember 18, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Board of Trustees Sheila Billings Below are links to the
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