Casey Denning

The collected documents detail multiple meetings of the AI Tech Task Force focusing on Artificial Intelligence within the district. Key discussion topics across the meetings included revisiting the group's role, establishing norms, clarifying district FAQs regarding AI use, and developing core principles for responsible AI use. Specific activities involved demos of current AI programs (MagicAI, Brisk/TurnitIn, Google Suite, Gemini, Notebook LM), reviewing current AI developments and legislation, conducting an AI Card Sort, and gathering input via surveys, including parent/guardian AI survey data.

This recorded webinar from Santa Cruz City Schools provides an overview of how schools are funded, detailing state, federal, and local revenue sources, and how the district's approximate $115 million budget is allocated, primarily for staff and benefits. The presentation identifies key variables impacting the budget, including rising special education and health insurance costs, the conclusion of COVID-related funding, enrollment trends, and potential liabilities from Senate Bill 218. It emphasizes the importance of community input for budget prioritization and outlines various channels for stakeholders to provide feedback.

This document is a High School Preview Q&A session for prospective parents, hosted by Santa Cruz City Schools. It provides an overview of the comprehensive high school programs, encompassing college preparatory academics, career technical education (CTE) programs with hands-on skills training, and various academic support systems. The session highlights extensive enrichment opportunities through extracurriculars, sports, and arts, alongside diverse leadership development programs. Emphasis is also placed on social-emotional and mental health supports available on campus, a commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment, and measures for school safety. The presentation also informs parents about avenues for involvement within the district.

The meeting agenda included both Closed Session and Open Session items. Closed Session topics covered employee leaves, retirements, appointments, potential disciplinary actions, liability claims (including claimants Lowery and Bauen), settlement agreements, and labor negotiations updates with SCCCE and GSCFT. The Superintendent's evaluation draft goals for 2025-26 were also discussed in Closed Session. Open Session discussions included the Superintendent's Report, Board Members' Reports, and significant General Public Business. Key business items involved staff reports on annual suspensions/expulsions and summer school performance. Major actions concerned business services, including Bond Project updates and recommendations to approve lease/leaseback agreements with XL Construction for Branciforte Middle School Modernization Phase 2 and with Blach Construction for Westlake Elementary School Modernization preconstruction services. Governance items included approving resolutions for proclaiming 2025-26 Heritage Months and raising the Rainbow Flag, as well as approving CSBA Board Policies. Numerous items were listed under Consent Agendas covering educational services, business services (purchase orders, budget revisions), human resources actions, and ratifications/approvals for various contracts, proposals, and change orders related to facility modernization projects at multiple schools including Branciforte Middle School, Soquel High School, Harbor High School, and others.

The meeting agenda included conducting closed and open sessions. Closed session items involved personnel matters such as leaves, retirements, resignations, appointments, discipline/dismissal/release/complaint discussions, and two student expulsion matters. The open session agenda included reports from the Superintendent and Board Members, followed by general public business. Key general business involved reporting on closed session actions, including votes on the two student expulsions. Discussion items included an update on the CA School Dashboard, reports on the Governor's Budget Proposal and Preliminary Enrollment Projections, a Resolution for Land Declaration with Santa Cruz County Office of Education (SCCOE), and approval of a Lease Agreement with SCCOE. Human Resources addressed a Tentative Agreement with GSCFT. Numerous items were scheduled for the Consent Agenda, covering educational services (field trip, travel, MOU, purchase orders, budget transfers, investment report, account opening), and business services (contracts for compliance analysis, developer fees, purchase of portables, and ratification of facility use agreements). Personnel actions and MOUs were also listed under Human Resources consent items.