Thread by @PPSSFBoardWatch

Hi there, joining the SFUSD Board of Education meeting. Superintendent report now. Highlighting one recipient of the Superintendent's award each week. A really nice video was shared, look forward to seeing each of this year's winners in upcoming videos! #BoardWatch

We won't be live-tweeting the whole meeting tonight, but will bring you some updates as they happen. #BoardWatch

Reminder from Student Advisory Council! Students can vote for student delegates until 12PM tomorrow. bit.ly/SFUSDStudentVo… (only students can access this) #BoardWatch @SFUSD_SAC

A special commendation of SFUSD's student nutrition dining staff who have "used their superpowers to serve more than 6 million meals during the COVID-19 Pandemic." These workers truly deserve recognition and thanks! #BoardWatch

Moving on to a presentation from the Charter School Oversight Committee. Michael Davis, Director of Charter Schools introduces committee chair Michelle Parker @michdparker. This is a relatively new committee formed by board resolution. Student seats and some others are unfilled.

Here is a link to the presentation go.boarddocs.com/ca/sfusd/Board… #BoardWatch

Some thoughtful recommendations presented by the committee, including having committee meetings at schools where charters and traditional SFUSD schools are “co-located” (two schools in one building or site), putting info about committee on charter school web sites. #Boardwatch

Interesting issue being discussed about the fact that while some SF charters are in SFUSD Special Education Local Plan Area, several are in El Dorado’s SELPA. Does this impact special ed students/families? Are there opportunities to bring all schools into SFUSD SELPA? #Boardwatch

Slight segue into discussion of Brown Act, need to make sure all committees are trained in how to comply. This was also one of Committee’s recommendations—realized training needed while determining if whistleblower complaint could be discussed in closed session #Boardwatch

Now onto update on in person learning. #Boardwatch

Matthews: trying to be more efficient by asking for feedback from board on one particular area (staffing prioritization) #Boardwatch

Yellow tier update. #Boardwatch

Covid dashboard is on SFUSD site. Few cases, most self reported. City is doing well with vaccinations! By Thursday 12 and up may be eligible, working to open vaccination sites #Boardwatch

Data indicates that focal students who returned to in person are more engaged, much better attendance - 91% for in-person students. Committed to full return in the fall. Data proves necessity says Deputy Supe Ford-Morthel #Boardwatch

Staffing: many accommodations requested and approved, many strategies for filling vacancies/covering classrooms #Boardwatch

Sub hiring updates. #Boardwatch

Secondary single grade return: have staggered reopening to learn in process, next phase is for seniors who have expressed interest in returning—begins May 14. State funding plays a role in the process #Boardwatch

About 8 schools will serve as home school sites with overflow classes at Balboa and Lowell says Ford-Morthel #Boardwatch

Anticipate being able to offer more than just one day-many will offer up to 3 days #BoardWatch

1150 families responded to survey, about half indicated interest in return #Boardwatch

Assignment information should be received on Thursday. Some students will return Friday! #Boardwatch

Need to make some staffing decisions, there are capacity issues. How do we open grade 12 w/out impacting other in person programs if limited subs? #Boardwatch

Labor MOU: connected to prior MOUs on health and safety. UESF surveyed educators, found at least 156 educators willing to return for grade 12 #BoardWatch

Public comment time for this item. Raise hand on zoom to speak. #Boardwatch

Some student insights in public comment: home isn’t conducive to academic focus, subs not a great solution (some discriminate), way more wellness and counseling staff and training will be needed next fall #Boardwatch

Suggestion for another DPH presentation—help people understand that one reason for no full reopening is continued restrictions. Would help to have someone share how these may change now, give hope for fall #BoardWatch

Commissioner Boggess: concerned about question being asked of commissioners—can’t put students against each other? Is it really a trade off? A: we have teacher volunteers, situation proposed is hypothetical, what if illness and we need coverage? #Boardwatch

Commissioner Lam: Board has unanimously adopted a resolution to return to 5 full days in fall, looking to hear guidance from the state later this week that will help in moving plans forward #Boardwatch

Delegate Hines-Foster: will seniors have Zoom in a room? A: logistically can’t have every student with own teacher, but trying to match with staff from home school #Boardwatch

Superintendent: have learned that just being back in classrooms feels good to teachers a students - a “socializing aspect” #Boardwatch

Hines-Foster: can we have breakdown of seniors per school planning to return? A:yes, Q:can students participate in other senior in-person events like senior sunrise? A: will try to get an answer #BoardWatch

Student Delegate Correa Almanza concerned that so few students at her school (June Jordan) want to return in person, also some still have missed the deadline. Can it be extended again? A: no plans now to reopen, need to lock in those who did respond, should not just show up!

Correa Almanza: how can we use these days to create community? A: have asked sites to prioritize connection and academic support #Boardwatch

Commissioner Collins wonders about bringing more students back for clubs etc. A: guidance has gone to sites authorizing clubs to meet at outdoor sites. #Boardwatch

Collins also would like an update on how readiness for fall is looking at McAteer campus (Ruth Asawa SOTA and The Academy are located here). Especially filtration and ventilation. A: Chief Kamalanathan says an update will come in about 2.5 weeks. #BoardWatch

Commissioner Alexander appreciates updates on clubs, still confused about staffing for secondary grade. If we have so many teacher volunteers (150) and only 500 seniors who want to come back, seems like we could have them back every day. Am I missing something? #BoardWatch

Alysse Castro (HS LEAD): to be clear, all volunteers teachers are teaching a full load of classes, so if we take them out of those classes, have to fill those gaps, it is very complex. #BoardWatch

This item (in-person learning update) is over. Now it is time for general public comment, starting with time for students to give comments. This is for remarks on items that are not elsewhere on the agenda. #BoardWatch

Comment: a student notes her disappointment with the language used by adults in public comment. Doesn't always agree with the board, but not OK to call people "disgusting" #BoardWatch

Comment: a student advocates for renewal of contract for Assistant Supe Bill Sanderson who oversees high schools. This is an item on the consent calendar (I think) #BoardWatch

Comment: student asks for another chance to answer the survey for seniors to return to school. Delegate Hines-Foster also strongly advocated for this. #BoardWatch

Comment: please don't forget about the issues at Lowell HS, the demands that have been brought by the BSU. #BoardWatch

Comment: HS teacher gives feedback on communication, need to use multiple methods, multiple times. Many students didn't know about survey. #BoardWatch

Comment: concerned about how MS students have been completely left out. Son hasn't even been able to be in a club. Understand message was given to administrators, would urge you to make that message clearer and encourage sites to do it. #Boardwatch

Comment: problems with summer program for students with disabilities: ESY and covid recovery programs directly conflict with summer camps - can't do session one or session two of 3 week mandatory camps. Also know nothing about covid recovery program and nobody at site does.

Comment on consent calendar. Several people call in with concern about an item on the agenda spending over $1M on backpacks to send home with some students over the summer "to address learning loss." #BoardWatch

Three items severed for separate consideration, 9 (certificated staff actions) 14 (MOU with a community based orientation), 43 (family summer school backpacks) #BoardWatch

Item 9, Commissioner Collins wants to move discussion to closed session to understand some personnel decisions. #BoardWatch

Superintendent Matthews notes that part of the agreement in his contract renewal agreement was that these decisions would not be made in closed session. Directors were to reach out to discuss decisions about contract renewal with commissioners. #BoardWatch

Commissioner Collins wants to be able to talk about these things with other commissioners. Commissioner Alexander is OK with talking about it in closed session on Thursday. Superintendent Matthews reiterates that this is part of "what we talked about a few weeks ago" #BoardWatch

Collins: thinks public should be aware that when it comes to personnel decisions, staff makes proposals, we also hear from community members and public, and from each other. Staff decisions will be made in the dark as to colleagues input. #BoardWatch

Item 9 passes unanimously #Boardwatch

Item 14 was just an issue of Commissioner Boggess recusing himself from the vote b/c it involved contracts with an organization he works for. Item was approved. #Boardwatch

Item 44 is the backpack purchase. Clarification was given, this is for all students pk-5 and will include about 10 grade-level books and other educational materials for students. Funded with summer learning loss funds. About $1.7M #BoardWatch

Commissioner Moliga concerned about supporting because of large cost. Chief Priestly notes that these are similar to materials that have been going home during the school year, parents have expressed they are helpful, advisories and city supports. In the end it is approved.

Now moving to adoption of a substitute resolution on prioritizing classroom instructional spending: go.boarddocs.com/ca/sfusd/Board… #BoardWatch

Public comment: concerned about the need for oversight that might be needed centrally for certain programs at sites. Appreciate the changes that have been made to resolution in response to prior concerns. #BoardWatch

Public comment:need to focus on salaries and other things that draw and retain staff. We had shortages before the pandemic. Would like to know how funding will next year to support physical and emotional health. #Boardwatch

Deputy Supe Leigh agrees with most of what is in this, have already had meeting with FCMAT. It is hard work but important. #Boardwatch

Resolution passes. If anyone wants to read a little about the history behind why SF schools get a smaller share of property taxes than other cities. This is a good history lesson (and explains what the mysterious "ERAF" is all about too) #Boardwatch educateourstate.org/what_we_mean_b…

Next up, a special order of business on a tentative agreement with United Administrators union. Here it is go.boarddocs.com/ca/sfusd/Board… #Boardwatch

Some provisions of the agreement include some additional personal holidays (in recognition of the many additional hours they have worked), and an agreement to not schedule mandatory meetings before 8AM or after 5PM. Unanimously approved. #BoardWatch

Two proposals are introduced for discussion in committees and return for vote at a future meeting. Short public comment period. One would allow alternates to meeting a-g grad requirements, the other on district's compliance responsibilities relating to Nutrition Services Programs

Superintendent Matthews notes that if the graduation policy requirement change (which would apply only to this year's seniors) gets discussed at the next rules committee meeting, that will be after graduation. Supports moving it to Thursday. #Boardwatch

Commissioner Boggess wants to make sure this change is not about the failure of the district and schools to offer needed A-G requirements to all students. Response: this would impact about 459 students- could graduate AND stay enrolled if they want to try to meet A-G. #BoardWatch

Upcoming meeting: Budget and Business services tomorrow at 4PM, Special Meeting Thursday at 3PM (will vote on the graduation policy just discussed, closed session and maybe some other stuff? ) Rules Committee June 4. #BoardWatch

Memorial adjournment/ moment of silence in honor of those we have lost to COVID this past year. #BoardWatch

OMG, we are done! Less than 5 hours. Thanks for joining the fun :)

@threadreaderapp unroll