Gay Buckland-Murray

The Closed Session included conferences with labor negotiators concerning the Sequoia Union High School District Teachers' Association (SDTA) and AFSCME, as well as a session regarding one case of public employee discipline/dismissal/release. In the Public Session, the Board provided special recognition to the Menlo-Atherton High School's Student Journalism Program and its advisor. The Board reported out on the Closed Session action, which involved the five-workday suspension without pay of an employee. Key action items included the approval of Resolution No. 002 (2025-26) affirming the sufficiency of textbooks and instructional materials following a public hearing. The Board also approved the Unaudited Actuals Financial Report for 2024-25, noting a reduced deficit and strong ending fund balance. The Consent Agenda included approvals for various personnel recommendations, a new job description for the Executive Director of Human Resources, ratification of multiple field trips for the current and upcoming school years, renewal of the College and Career Pathways (CCAP) agreement, approval of two Proposition 28 Annual Reports, renewal of MOUs for student programs, approval of an agreement for a School Liaison Officer, approval of warrants for August 2025, and several contract amendments/renewals for seismic evaluation services, electrical upgrades, security monitoring, pest control, landscaping, elevator maintenance, fire protection services, and special needs student transportation. Information items included updates from school principals on the opening of the 2025-26 school year and the presentation of initial contract proposals ("Sunshine" proposals) for negotiations with AFSCME Local 829 Supervisors Bargaining Unit and AFSCME OTP/M&O. The Board also reviewed revised Board Policies and Administrative Regulations related to student services.

This community meeting, designated as Part Two, continued the sharing of data related to fiscal solvency and budget reduction options, following a previous meeting on January 13th. Key discussion points included the fiduciary duty of the board to ensure fiscal health under AB1200, and a review of the multi-year budget projection showing projected deficits for 2025-26 and 2026-27, which worsen when accounting for recent negotiated salary increases. The presentation emphasized that responsible expenditure review, including strategic administrative reductions over the past three years, is ongoing. A significant portion of the meeting detailed marketing and recruitment efforts for Tide Academy since its opening in 2019, highlighting increased open enrollment requests following program overhauls in 2023-24. The discussion also covered facility underutilization and staffing levels relative to enrollment, noting that per-pupil expenditure is driven by class size, which is below standard ratios at Tide.

The community meeting, designated as Part One, focused on presenting high-level financial information and initial data concerning enrollment, demographics, and the TIDE academic program. Key discussion points included the complexities of school budgeting, adherence to Assembly Bill 1200 regarding fiscal solvency, and a multi-year budget projection showing projected operating deficits, especially after accounting for a recent negotiated salary increase. Enrollment data analysis showed that TIDE's enrollment peaked in 2022-2023 and has since declined, with historical cohort data indicating attrition across most grades. Furthermore, presentation covered the decrease in K-8 enrollment within the feeder district and declining transition rates into the Sequoia Union High School District, noting reduced student representation from major feeder schools over time.

The board approved a 3% salary increase for supervisors, effective July 1, 2025, along with a one-time payment of $1,000 for the 2025-26 school year, prorated per FTE.

The meeting included a report on site visits to schools, where members expressed gratitude to staff for the tours and discussed planning documents related to time-sensitive items and supply chain issues. There was also a discussion about website information search and training resources available to CBOC members, including courses and documentation on the Brown Act. The committee discussed moving the March meeting to the 4th and requested a year-round calendar for audit reports. Members also inquired about the terms and appointment structure.