Although Gov. Jerry Brown added some extra money for schools in his revised budget released Tuesday, some are still questioning whether his education funding proposal goes far enough to provide adequate funding for all districts.

Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan said Thursday that she is concerned about Brown’s plan to eliminate “categorical” funding that now pays for textbooks and programs such as summer school and career technical education. The governor wants to take the money previously set aside for categorical programs and instead use it to provide additional funding to districts based on their percentages of English learners, foster youth and low-income students. This would make it difficult for districts that don’t have many of these students to continue to provide programs and materials previously paid for with categorical funding, Buchanan said.

H.D. Palmer, spokesman for the state Department of Finance, stressed that all districts would get more base grant funding under the governor’s plan than they currently receive, which should help those without large populations of disadvantaged students continue to provide programs now funded with categorical money.

The May revise includes an additional $240 million for K-12 education next year, which will mean a higher level of per student funding for all districts than projected in January. Palmer said his department hopes to get new district per student estimates posted online within the next week.

To help answer questions about how this new funding formula would affect local districts, both the Contra Costa and Alameda County offices of education are participating in public workshops.

Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Joe Ovick will team up with Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord, to host an Education Finance Forum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Pleasant Hill City Council Chamber at 100 Gregory Lane in Pleasant Hill. More information is at 925-521-151 or www.asmdc.org/members/a14.

A free workshop on recent developments in state education finance and other topics will also be presented at 2 p.m. May 28 at the Alameda County Office of Education, 313 W. Winton Avenue in Hayward. Budget perspectives will be provided by Capitol Advisors Group, a Sacramento-based education advocacy firm. The workshops is open to anyone who wants to learn about issues including the governor’s proposed Local Control Funding Formula, or LCFF, Proposition 98, school accountability and school energy funding. More information is available by calling 916-847-9454.

According to the governor’s plan, districts with English language learners, low-income students and foster youth would receive supplemental grants for each student in one of those categories. Students in more than one category would only be counted once. Those school districts in which more than half of students are disadvantaged would receive additional “concentration grants,” which Brown said would amount to 4 cents for every dollar spent on education.

Senate Democrats recently unveiled their own proposal, which would eliminate the concentration grants and spread them to all districts to increase the base and supplemental grants. They want to wait a year before implementing it in 2014-15.

State lawmakers will almost certainly come back with another proposal in response to the governor’s May revise, said Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord, who heads the budget subcommittee on education finance.

Still, she said Tuesday, “I believe it will be an alternative that will reflect the spirit and the principles the governor has put forward.”

Next week, lawmakers expect to hear from school officials from around the state about the governor’s plan and what it would mean to implement it in the coming school year, as he proposes.

“This is the critical week,” Bonilla said, “when we need to find out: Is the governor’s time line a possibility or not?”

Brown’s budget summary is available by visiting www.ebudget.ca.gov/FullBudgetSummary.pdf.

Do you support the governor’s education funding plan?

Mt. Diablo school board President Cheryl Hansen sent me the following email this morning outlining the plan for selecting an interim superintendent:

“As you have seen, at our Board meeting that begins at 5:00 PM today, the Board will meet with two candidates for MDUSD Interim Superintendent: Dr. John Bernard and Dr. Johanna Vandermolen.

Prior to the Board meeting convening, the candidates will also participate in separate conversations with several stakeholder groups, including representatives from our community advisory groups, union/labor groups, and district staff. These are not part of our Board meeting and therefore are not public meetings.

Both Dr. Bernard and Dr. Vandermolen are highly qualified, well-respected former superintendents who are active and current contributors to education and school districts. We are excited that they are interested in providing leadership to our district.”

Hansen also left me a voice mail message clarifying that she does not intend to report out the name of the interim superintendent because the contract will still need to be finalized.

She elaborated on this in a the following subsequent email:

“While the Board will have selected an Interim Superintendent tonight during Closed Session, I may not have had the chance to confirm this selection with the candidate prior to reconvening Open Session as the decision will occur after the candidates have left.

The Board will consider possible contracts for the Interim Superintendent, but that contract can’t be finalized tonight. It will naturally require a separate meeting with the candidate to finalize the contract terms which will not take place until tomorrow.

If all goes as planned tonight and tomorrow, the Interim Superintendent’s name and contract for ratification will both be posted on Monday’s agenda for Board action.”

Hansen also sent me the schedule for stakeholder interviews to be held with the two candidates, which began at 3 p.m.: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3cLD5zizbLta2xaM0o5aU9mS0U/edit?usp=sharing

Here is the agenda for the meeting, which will take place at 5 p.m. in the district office at 1936 Carlotta Drive in concord::

“1.0 Call to Order
1.1 President will call the meeting to order Info
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call Info

2.0 Public Comment
2.1 The public may address the Board concerning items that are scheduled for discussion during closed session only. These presentations are limited to two minutes each, or a total of twenty minutes for all speakers or the two minute limit may be shortened. Speakers are not allowed to yield their time. Info

3.0 Adjourn to Closed Session

3.1 Public employee appointment: To consider the appointment of Interim Superintendent Action

3.2 Conference with Labor Negotiators Action
4.0 Report of Closed Session

4.1 Report out on Closed Session Info

5.0 Adjournment
5.1 Adjourn meeting Info”

Joe Estrada has assured me that he will both livestream and audio record the meeting.

Which candidate do you think the board should choose?

5:30 p.m. UPDATE: Three members of the public spoke during public comment.All three complimented the board for its inclusive decision-making process, said both candidates were strong and declined to recommend one over the other.

Ernie De Trinidad of DELAC also complimented the board on the new direction it is seeking, saying trustees are role models for the leadership they want to put in place. The interim supt will have a lot to do, he said.

Willie Mims, who is a member of the Equity Advisory Team, said he came in peace to address the board. He stressed that the interim supt should bring stability to the district and asked trustees to provide the support needed to accomplish that goal. “If you do not,” he warned, “then, next time, I will not be coming in peace.”

Dorothy Weissenberger, who is a member of the CAC, said this is the beginning of a new era in the district and she hoped everyone could come together to work toward better things in the future.

Hansen thanked everyone who participated in the stakeholder discussions and said that she believes the board also wants to bring the district together.

The first portion of the meeting was livestreamed at
http://www.livestream.com/mtdiablounifiedschooldistrict. Although the report out should also be livestreamed, Hansen said she did not anticipate wrapping up the contract for 24 hours, so it is unlikely she will name the interim tonight.

9:50 PM UPDATE: According to the video of the report out, the board voted 5-0 to approve an interim superintendent who will be named Monday: http://www.livestream.com/mtdiablounifiedschooldistrict/video?clipId=flv_862f0ec8-bb3e-439f-ba07-4e078ff5d689

Mt. Diablo school district trustees Brian Lawrence and Barbara Oaks — who were both elected in November — will pair up to explain “Changes and Challenges” in the district during a Diablo Valley Democratic Club meeting later this month. They will also touch on statewide education issues.

Here are additional details, reposted from a Walnut Creek Journal news brief:

“The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek.

Lawrence and Oaks are part of a new board majority pledging more openness and transparency. Lawrence is a school district parent, a mentor for at-risk youth and a volunteer for school sports. Oaks retired from the district in 2011 after serving a total of 25 years as teacher, vice principal and principal at College Park High School. Her grandchild attends kindergarten in the district.

For more information, call 925-946-0469 or go to www.dvdems.org.”

Which challenges and changes in the district would you like Lawrence and Oaks to address?

After the Mt. Diablo school board voted 3-2 to terminate Superintendent Steven Lawrence’s contract early and voted 4-1 to let General Counsel Greg Rolen go before his contract expired, I asked all five trustees to explain their votes. Board President Cheryl Hansen, Vice President Barbara Oaks and Trustee Brian Lawrence voted in the majority on both decisions, saying the district needs new leadership to overcome low morale and lack of community trust.

Trustee Linda Mayo voted against terminating the superintendent’s contract, but sided with the majority in the decision to oust Rolen. Trustee Lynne Dennler voted against terminating both contracts, which were set to expire in June, 2014.

Mayo told me Monday she did not want to comment on her votes because she had previously made comments during board meetings that would explain them. When I said I did not recall those comments, she did not elaborate on what they were or when she made them.

Dennler, on the other hand, sent me an e-mail explaining her votes, which she asked me to quote “with fidelity.” Here is her complete statement:

“I ran for the MDUSD Board of Education, because as a teacher in Mt. Diablo, I felt disrespected and undervalued. I didn’t trust ‘the administration.’ I ran to be a ‘voice’ the classroom and the teacher.

These two years have been eye opening. I gained an understanding of the incredible challenges facing our district by being observant, listening to many differing opinions, and asking questions. I’ve been careful to not be ‘managed,’ avoided blogs, as I appreciate and prefer direct input from the public.

The superintendent answers to and advises the Board of Education. The board has the final direction, which this superintendent has always followed. For the most part, I’ve experienced administrators who would listen. They didn’t necessarily ‘change their thinking.’ It did, however, give me hope, that with multiple like voices on the board, change was possible.

The superintendent’s character and trustworthiness is of greater value to me than policy agreement. I have discovered the reality of the District operation is vastly different than it is perceived through the outside lens. Half-truths and distorted views are often disseminated as fact. Had the present Board chosen to work with Dr. Lawrence, I believe MDUSD would have moved forward.

I met Greg Rolen after my election. He ‘seemed’ to be cocky and supremely confident. After months of working with and observing his work, I realized he was a competent, effective attorney. I grew to appreciate his legal skills, the fairness with which he negotiated settlements, and the money he saved MDUSD.

The facts and timelines of Mr. Rolen’s activities haven’t been presented accurately. A combination of an individual’s interpretation, perspective, and understanding of facts have been blended into actions deemed ‘illegal’ in print. In hindsight some of Mr. Rolen’s actions may have been ill advised but were well meaning, not illegal as have been reported. He has provided the district excellent legal direction.

Historically, newspapers have been bastions that disseminated truth. Today, blogs and newspaper have begun to intermingle in ways that give a perception of fact, to a combination of half-truth and opinion. This ‘blend’ then morphs into ‘fact’ that is shared, commented on, over and over again. Hence the reason I chose to avoid them.

I saw no reason to incur the costs for this change of leadership. Extensive legal expenses, and buyout costs for MDUSD seemed unnecessary. I think first working with these two men, then perhaps acting in a year would have been more prudent.

This superintendent would have changed policy, followed negotiation objectives, or made changes as directed by this board. MDUSD wouldn’t have been static. This board chose instead to make this move. That will appease a small, vocal minority with special interests. Our system allows for that.

I look forward to working together with my fellow board members to bring the important changes we feel are necessary to MDUSD. We will now move ahead to continue to work to provide a quality 21st century education to the students in MDUSD, staffed by employees who are respected and valued.”

Do think the board should have allowed the superintendent and general counsel to finish out their contracts?

MAY 11 UPDATE: When I sent this blog post to my editor to be published on Sunday, she pointed out that the Times never reported that Rolen’s activities were illegal. An editor’s note to that effect will accompany Dennler’s statement in print.

Also, I question how Dennler can make judgments about news reports and blogs that she claims she does not read.

The Mt. Diablo school district’s special education Community Advisory Committee will meet tonight to discuss working collaboratively with the district and hear a report about changes in 2013-14, among other items. Here is the agenda for the meeting, which will take place in the district office at 1936 Carlotta Drive in Concord:

“COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
DATE: May 7, 2013
TIME: 7:00 – 9:15 p.m.
PLACE: Dent Center – Board Room

1. Call to Order 7:00

2. Introductions (7:02 – 7:05)
Please notify the audience during introductions if you are recording the meeting. Please let us know if this is your first time attending a CAC meeting.

3. Adoption of Minutes – April 9, 2013 (ACTION ITEM) (7:05 – 7:10)

4. Presentation – “District and Parents Working Collaboratively: Part III” – Bryan Cassin (7:10 – 7:35)

5. Chairperson’s Report – Lorrie Davis (7:35 – 7:45)

5.1 Election of 2013-2014 Officers (ACTION ITEM)

5.2 2013-2014 CAC Meeting Dates (ACTION ITEM 5.3 CAC Membership Renewals (ACTION ITEM)

5.4 CAC Annual Report (Discussion)

5.5 CAC Summer Planning Session

6. Old Business (7:45 – 8:20)

6.1 Interim Assistant Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Kerri Mills
• Annual Budget and Annual Service Plan
• 2013-2014 Anticipated Program Changes

6.2 Board of Education Report – Lynne Dennler and Barbara Oaks

6.3 Board of Education Comments – Lorrie Davis

6.4 Budget Advisory Committee Report – Tricia Tamura-Li

6.5 Equity Advisory Team – Dorothy Weisenberger and Dr. Kerri Mills

NETWORKING BREAK

7. New Business (8:30– 9:00)

7.1 ATAAC – Christian Patz

7.2 Extended School Year – Samantha Espinosa

7.3 Autism Task Force – Vi Ibarra

7.4 DELAC Committee – Denise Lambert

7.5 Advisory Commission on Special Education – Morena Grimaldi

7.6 Parent Liaison – Hilary Shen

7.7 Sub-Committee Updates: NEXT UPDATE IN MAY 2013
Parent & Community Education Committee – Julie Nibblett
Membership & Publicity Committee – Vi Ibarra
Legislative Committee – Denise Lambert
Blog Committee – Autumn Green

8. Public Comment (9:00 – 9:10)
Public comment is an opportunity to share concerns and comments with the CAC. In the interest of time, speakers are limited to three (3) minutes each with a total of fifteen (15) minutes for all speakers. Please respect student and personnel privacy. CAC members and district staff might not be able to respond to individual concerns in this forum, but will take your contact information and follow-up with you.

9. Information Items/Announcements/Adjournment (9:10 – 9:15)

DON’T FORGET – - BRING A FRIEND TO THE MEETING!!”

I notice that there has been no mention of the special education FCMAT report since it was presented March 11. It had been my impression that the recommendations would come back for a board vote on March 25.

Do you think the committee should discuss the FCMAT recommendations?

MDHS JROTC color guard presents flags for pledge of allegiance.

Tonight’s May 6, 2013 Mt. Diablo school board meeting has begun. Here is the agenda:

“1.0 Call to Order
1.1 President will call the meeting to order Info
1.2 Board Member Lynne Dennler will participate from: Paseo de la Marina Norte 585, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, JAL, Mexico Info
2.0 Announcements
2.1 In closed session, the Board will consider the items listed on the closed session agenda. Info
3.0 Public Comment
3.1 The public may address the Board concerning items that are scheduled for discussion during closed session only. These presentations are limited to three minutes each, or a total of thirty minutes for all speakers or the three minute limit may be shortened. Speakers are not allowed to yield their time. Info
4.0 Adjourn to Closed Session at 6:00 p.m.
4.1 Negotiations – The Board may discuss negotiations or provide direction to its representatives regarding represented employees, pursuant to EERA (Govt. Code Section 3549.1) Agency negotiators: Julie Braun Martin and Deborah Cooksey. Agencies: MDEA, CSEA, Local One M&O, Local One CST, MDSPA, and Supervisory. Action
4.2 Conference with Labor Negotiators Action
4.3 Admission Action
4.4 Readmission Action
4.5 Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release/Complaint Action
4.6 Anticipated Litigation Info
5.0 Reconvene Open Session
5.1 Reconvene Open Session at 7:30 p.m. Info
6.0 Preliminary Business
6.1 Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call Info
7.0 Report Out Action Taken in Closed Session
7.1 Negotiations Info
7.2 Conference with Labor Negotiators Info
7.3 Admission Info
7.4 Readmission Info
7.5 Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release/Complaint Info
7.6 Anticipated Litigation Info
8.0 Consent Agenda
Action
8.1 (Item #1) Items listed under Consent Agenda are considered routine and will be approved/adopted by a single motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items; however, any item may be removed from the consent agenda upon the request of any member of the Board and acted upon separately. Action
8.2 (Item #2) Recommended Action for Certificated Personnel Action
8.3 (Item #3) Approval of Provisional Internship Permit (PIP) request Action
8.4 (Item #4) Request to increase Full Time Equivalent (FTE) for the 2013-2014 school year Action
8.5 (Item #5) Recommended Action for Classified Personnel Action
8.6 (Item #6) Classified Personnel: Request to Increase and Decrease Positions Action
8.7 (Item #7) Creation of a New Job Description for Administrator of Equity and Disproportionality Action
8.8 (Item #8) Award of Request for Quotations for RFQ #1646: Schlage Lock Hardware Action
8.9 (Item #9) RFQ/RFP 1641 Approval of Preliminary Services Agreement for the Management, Coordination, Constructability Review, Value Engineering and Recommendations related to Remodel of the Science Center at Ygnacio Valley High School Action
8.10 (Item #13) Final Change Order: Hazardous Materials Testing and Field Observation Services Related to HVAC installation at Various Sites: Enviro-Safety, Training And Resources, Inc. Action
8.11 (Item #14) Notice of Completion for LLB #1604 Action
8.12 (Item #15) Approval of contract with MusicTrip.com and Mt. Diablo Unified School District for services provided for College Park High School band trip. Action
8.13 (Item #16) Professional Services Contract for Provision of Comprehensive Architectural/Engineering Services associated with Sports Medicine and Air Conditioning Modifications at Mt. Diablo High School Action
8.14 (Item #17) Increase total for Independent Services Contract for The Event Group Action
8.15 (Item #18) Approval of additional contract with Resource Development Associates, Inc. (RDA) to revise and administer the Title I Parent/Family Involvement Survey for the 13 Title I schools. Action
8.16 (Item #19) Resolution 12/13-43 Classified Employees’ Week Action
9.0 Consent Items Pulled for Discussion
9.1 (Item #10) RFQ/RFP 1632 Award of Lease-Leaseback Agreement to Taber Construction, Inc. for HVAC Modernization at Bancroft, Mountain View, Silverwood and Valle Verde Elementary Schools. Action
9.2 (Item #11) RFQ/RFP 1634 Award of Lease-Leaseback Agreement to Bell Products, Inc. for HVAC Modernization at Monte Gardens ES, El Monte ES, Shadelands, Sunrise and Westwood ES. Action
9.3 (Item #12) RFQ/RFP 1633 Award of Lease-Leaseback Agreement to Taber Construction, Inc. for HVAC Modernization at Gregory Gardens, Hidden Valley and Strandwood Elementary Schools. Action
10.0 Public Comment
10.1 The public may address the Board regarding any item within the jurisdiction of the Board of Education of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District that is not on this agenda. These presentation are limited to three minutes each, or a total of thirty minutes for all speakers, or the three minute limit may be shortened. If there are multiple speakers on any one subject, the public comment period may be moved to the end of the meeting. Speakers are not allowed to yield their time. Info
11.0 Communications
11.1 District Organizations – At regular Board meetings, a single spokesperson of each recognized district organization may make a brief presentation following the Consent Agenda. Items are limited to those which are informational. Info
12.0 Business/Action Items
12.1 Appointment of Administrator, School Support Action
12.2 Opportunity for public response to the Initial Successor Agreement Proposals for Public Employees Union Local #1 Clerical, Secretarial and Technical Units (CST) and Mt. Diablo Unified School District Action
12.3 Opportunity for public response to the Initial Successor Agreement Proposals for Public Employees Union Local #1 Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities/Transportation/Landscape/Warehouse/Food and Nutrition Services/Technology and Information Services/Substitute Custodian and School Bus Driver Units (M&O) and Mt. Diablo Unified School District Action
12.4 Opportunity for public response to the District’s Initial Successor Agreement Proposal for California School Employees Association (CSEA) Action
12.5 Request to approve the proposed decision of the Administrative Law Judge and implement the certificated layoff. Action
12.6 Boundary Modification for Bay Point Elementary Schools Action
12.7 Approve Separation Agreement of Superintendent Action
12.8 Approve Separation Agreement of General Counsel Action
12.9 Ratify the appointment of Jayne Williams, of Meyers Nave, as Interim General Counsel from May 7, 2013- September 9, 2013 Action
12.10 Approve the Legal Services Contract of Jayne Williams, of Meyers Nave, as Interim General Counsel Action
12.11 Approve the Legal Services Contract of Latisha McCray, Contract Attorney Action
12.12 Meeting Extension Action
13.0 Future Agenda Items
13.1 Graduation Requirements Info
13.2 Board Goals 2013-2014 Info
13.3 Mt. Diablo High School Academies Info
14.0 Board Member Reports
14.1 Board reports Info
15.0 Closed Session
15.1 Items not completed during the first Closed Session will be carried over to this closed session. Action
16.0 Adjournment
16.1 Adjourn Meeting Info”

MDHS JROTC color guard presented the flags for pledge of allegiance.

Hansen reported out closed session.

Tim Cody pulled items 8.10-8.12 from consent calendar. Board unanimously approved rest of consent calendar.

He presented slides that have not yet been posted and said project is over budget.
John Ferrante and John Parker both questioned why bids were so high and Parker said more bids should be solicited.

8.10 passed in a 3-2 vote, with Hansen and Lawrence voting against.

8.11 John Ferrante and John Parker again spoke against.
Passed in a 4-1 vote, with Lawrence against.

8.12 John Ferrante and John Parker again spoke against.
Passed in a 4-1 vote, with Lawrence against.

Public Comments:

1. Mike Langley urged the board to keep academies small.

2. Willie Mims urged teachers to file Williams complaints if there are problems at their schools. He also questioned where the last three special board meetings were adequately noticed and said the board’s decision to pay people to terminate their contracts and to pay other people to do their jobs gives the appearance that the district has a lot of money. He also spoke against lease-leasebacks.

12.1 Board unanimously appointed Ygnacio Valley Elem. Principal Christine Richardson as a SASS administrator to replace Susan Hukkanen, who left last year.

MAY 7 UPDATE: Since I did not finish summarizing the board actions last night, I am pasting the district’s “Board Action Summary” for the meeting below:

“Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Board Action Summary
Meeting of May 6, 2013
Retirements:
Certificated
Mildred Browne
Judith Cubillo
Barbara Donovan
Elaine Green
Nancy Hanebury
Valerie Lyles
Nancy Martini
Hellena Postrk
Calla Van Buskirk
Shirley Weiner

Classified:
Carolina Gow
Sandra Michels
Cecelia Swanson

1. Approved all consent agenda items.

2. Approved the appointment of Christine Richardson as School Support Administrator effective 2013-2014 school year.

3. Provided opportunity for public response to the successor agreement proposals for CST and Mt. Diablo Unified School District and formally adopted the proposals for formal negotiations.

4. Provided opportunity for public response to the successor agreement proposals for M&O and Mt. Diablo Unified School District and formally adopted the proposals for formal negotiations.

5. Provided opportunity for public response to the District’s successor agreement proposals to CSEA and formally adopted the proposals for formal negotiations.

6. Approved the decision of the Administrative Law Judge to eliminate 87.22203 FTE from MDEA membership, 2.10 FTE from School Psychologists, and 5.60 FTE from DMA membership and authorize the Superintendent/Designee to give appropriate notice on or before May 14, 2013 to the individuals named in or affected by the decision.

7. Approved boundary modification for Bay Point elementary schools.

8. Ratified the appointment of Jayne Williams, of Meyers Nave, as
Interim General Counsel from May 7, 2013- September 9, 2013.

9. Approved the legal services contract of Jayne Williams, of Meyers Nave, as Interim General Counsel.

10. Approved the legal services contract of Latisha McCray, contract attorney.”

MAY 13 UPDATE: In response to an informal Public Records Act request, I received a copy of the superintendent’s departure email to management staff and the district’s engagement letter with Meyers Nave, which spells out the following hourly rates the district has agreed to pay: $270 for principal attorneys, $240 for associate attorneys and $135 for paralegals.

Here is a google docs link to the documents: https://docs.google.com/file/d/17SfR6y4HRPwbbxLypW9wtVEUZRi8WM6ZseFjrbIkoqRb7gFVLpagAv9HoUBJ/edit?usp=sharing

The Mt. Diablo school board will hold a special meeting tonight at 8 pm to discuss settlement agreements with the superintendent and general counsel in closed session and to review candidates for interim superintendent, also in closed session. In open session, the board plans to appoint an interim secretary to the board, designate CFO Bryan Richards to provide digital signatures on payroll warrants effective May 1 until an interim superintendent is in place, and to vote on a contract with a superintendent search firm.

Here is the agenda: http://esbpublic.mdusd.k12.ca.us/public_agendaview.aspx?mtgId=407.

As I have previously mentioned, I will not be able to attend tonight’s meeting and I’m not sure if any other CC Times reporter will attend. However, the public portions of the meeting should be live streamed at http://www.livestream.com/mtdiablounifiedschooldistrict/ And later archived at  http://www.mdusd.org/boe/Pages/boe-sam.aspx.

Do you think the board should hire a superintendent search firm tonight?

The Mt. Diablo school board is meeting in closed session tonight to discuss two separate personnel matters and continue discussions regarding a Public Records Act request submitted by Contra Costa Times columnist Dan Borenstein.

Here is the agenda for the meeting, which started at 7 p.m:

“1.0 Call to Order
1.1 President will call the meeting to order Info

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call Info

2.0 Public Comment
2.1 The public may address the Board concerning items that are scheduled for discussion during closed session only. These presentations are limited to three minutes each, or a total of thirty minutes for all speakers or the three minute limit may be shortened. Speakers are not allowed to yield their time. Info

3.0 Adjourn to Closed Session

3.1 Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release/Complaint Info
The Board received information relative to a personnel matter.

3.2 Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release/Complaint Action
Two Certificated Employees: #12428 and #13977
Two employees: #22936 and #28941

3.3 Board Response to the Public Records Act Request of the Contra Costa Times Action
In Closed Session, the Board will receive advice and counsel regarding documents submitted as responsive to the Public Records Act request of Dan Borenstein of the Contra Costa Times.

4.0 Reconvene Open Session
4.1 Report out on Closed Session Info

5.0 Adjournment
5.1 Adjourn meeting Info”

There was no public comment before trustees went into closed session. Here is the audio from the first portion of the meeting: http://www.mdusd.org/boe/Documents/audio/2013/04252013part1.mp3

First, Julie Braun-Martin, assistant superintendent for personnel, met with trustees, presumably to discuss the information received about a personnel matter under Item 3.1.

Next, a man whom Braun-Martin addressed as “Tom,” met with trustees. He brought a rolling cart of documents with him.

Since then, trustees have been behind closed doors. Although Board President Cheryl Hansen initially estimated she would report out around 9 p.m., there is no sign of trustees yet (at 9:10 p.m.)

10:45 p.m. The board voted 3-2 to release the superintendent from his contract by May 1 without cause and 4-1 to release the general counsel from his contract by May 1 without cause. Trustees Linda Mayo and Lynne Dennler voted against releasing the superintendent and Dennler voted against releasing the general counsel.

The board unanimously approved two separation agreements, which trustees plan to sign during a special meeting at 8 p.m. Sunday. Also at that meeting, the board expects to appoint an interim superintendent and to begin its search for a new superintendent.

Do you agree with the board’s decision?

The Mt. Diablo school board will hold a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the board room at the district office, 1936 Carlotta Drive in Concord.

Here is the agenda:

1.0 Call to Order
1.1 President will call the meeting to order Info

2.0 Announcements

2.1 In closed session, the Board will consider the items listed on the closed session agenda. Info

3.0 Public Comment
3.1 The public may address the Board concerning items that are scheduled for discussion during closed session only. These presentations are limited to three minutes each, or a total of thirty minutes for all speakers or the three minute limit may be shortened. Speakers are not allowed to yield their time. Info

4.0 Adjourn to Closed Session at 6:00 p.m.
4.1 Negotiations – The Board may discuss negotiations or provide direction to its representatives regarding represented employees, pursuant to EERA (Govt. Code Section 3549.1) Agency negotiators: Julie Braun Martin and Deborah Cooksey. Agencies: MDEA, CSEA, Local One M&O, Local One CST, MDSPA, and Supervisory. Action
4.2 Existing Litigation – Brooktree Homeowners Associatoin v. MDUSD and Northgate Community Pride Foundation Action
4.3 Existing Litigation – Marilyn Jamerson v. MDUSD (EEOC Cases) Three Matters #555-2010-02583, #555-2011-00290, #555-2012-00158 Info
4.4 Anticipated Litigation Info
4.5 Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release/Complaint Action

5.0 Reconvene Open Session
5.1 Reconvene Open Session at 7:30 p.m. Info

6.0 Preliminary Business
6.1 Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call Info

7.0 Report Out Action Taken in Closed Session
7.1 Negotiations Info
7.2 Existing Litigation Info
7.3 Anticipated Litigation Info
7.4 Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release/Complaint Info

8.0 Student Representatives
8.1 Student representatives will report on activities at their schools. Info

9.0 Consent Agenda
Action
9.1 (Item #1) Items listed under Consent Agenda are considered routine and will be approved/adopted by a single motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items; however, any item may be removed from the consent agenda upon the request of any member of the Board and acted upon separately. Action
9.2 (Item #2) Minutes of the meetings of March 11 and March 25, 2013 Action
9.3 (Item #3) Recommended Action for Certificated Personnel Action
9.4 (Item #4) Request to increase and decrease Full Time Equivalent (FTE) for the 2013-2014 school year Action
9.5 (Item #5) Recommended Action for Classified Personnel Action
9.6 (Item #6) Classified Personnel: Request to Increase Positions Action
9.7 (Item #7) Fiscal Transactions for the Month of March 2013 Action
9.8 (Item #8) Award of Bid for RFP #1636 – Fire System Testing Action
9.9 (Item #9) Williams Quarterly Summary Report Action
9.10 (Item #10) Award Inspector of Record (Project Inspector) Contract Action
9.11 (Item #11) Agreement between Mt. Diablo Unified School District and Independent Contractor Dr. Mary Bacon Action
9.12 (Item #12) Award Inspector of Record (Project Inspector) Contract Action
9.13 (Item #13) Approval of Master Contract (PO#86799) with 1-on-1 Learning with Laptops, a State Approved Provider of Supplemental Educational Services (SES), to provide tutoring services to eligible students at the nine Title I schools, as follows: Bel Air, Cambridge, Fair Oaks, Meadow Homes, Rio Vista, Shore Acres, and Ygnacio Valley Elementary; and Oak Grove and Riverview View Middle Schools. Action
9.14 (Item #14) Approval of Master Contract (PO#86812) with Extreme Learning DBA Aavanza, a State Approved Provider of Supplemental Educational Services (SES), to the eligible students at the nine Title I schools, as follows: Bel Air, Cambridge, Fair Oaks, Meadow Homes, Rio Vista, Shore Acres, and Ygnacio Valley Elementary; and Oak Grove and Riverview Middle Schools. Action
9.15 (Item #15) Approval of Master Contract (PR#73278) with ! 1 A 1 ! TUTORIA !, a State Approved Provider of Supplemental Educational Services (SES), to provide tutoring services to the eligible students at the nine Title I schools, as follows: Bel Air, Cambridge, Fair Oaks, Meadow Homes, Rio Vista, Shore Acres and Ygnacio Valley Elementary; and Oak Grove and Riverview Middle Schools. Action
9.16 (Item #16) Authorization to submit a USDA Farm to School Planning Grant for Mt. Diablo Unified School District. Action
9.17 (Item #17) Authorization to submit a grant to Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Program for the CARES After School Program Action
9.18 (Item #18) Authorization to submit a grant to the Mt. Diablo Health Care District (MDHCD) for the CARES After School Program. Action
9.19 (Item #19) Workforce Investment Act, Title II: Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Section 231 and the English Literacy and Civics Education (EL Civics) supplemental funding Action
9.20 (Item #20) First 5 Contra Costa School-Readiness Grant Action
9.21 (Item #21) Increase Contract between Mt. Diablo School District (MSUSD) and Maxim Services, Non Public Agency (NPA) for the 2012-2013 school year Action
9.22 (Item #22) Resolution 12/13-41 Day of the Teacher Action
9.23 (Item #23) Asian Pacific Heritage Month Action

10.0 Consent Items Pulled for Discussion

11.0 Public Comment
11.1 The public may address the Board regarding any item within the jurisdiction of the Board of Education of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District that is not on this agenda. These presentation are limited to three minutes each, or a total of thirty minutes for all speakers, or the three minute limit may be shortened. If there are multiple speakers on any one subject, the public comment period may be moved to the end of the meeting. Speakers are not allowed to yield their time. Info

12.0 Communications

12.1 Alternative Education Foundation – Carol Fidler Info

13.0 Superintendent’s Report
13.1 College Park Basketball Team Info
13.2 Distinguished Schools, College Park High, Diablo View Middle, Foothill Middle Info

14.0 Business/Action Items

14.1 Public presentation of the District’s Initial Successor Agreement Proposal to California School Employees Association (CSEA) Action

14.2 Public presentation of the Initial Successor Agreement Proposal for Public Employees Union Local #1 Clerical, Secretarial and Technical Units (CST) and Mt. Diablo Unified School District’s Initial Successor Agreement Proposal to CST Action

14.3 Public presentation of the Initial Successor Agreement Proposal for Public Employees Union Local #1 Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities/Transportation/Landscape/Warehouse/Food and Nutrition Services/Technology and Information Services/Substitute Custodian and School Bus Driver Units (M&O) and Mt. Diablo Unified School District’s Initial Successor Agreement Proposal to M&O. Action

14.4 Boundary Modification for Bay Point Elementary Schools Info

14.5 Proposed Membership Reconstitution of Budget Advisory Committee Action

14.6 New Members on Budget Advisory Committee Action

14.7 National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC) Action

14.8 Approval of Non-Public School Adjustments Action

14.9 Creation of a New Job Description for Administrator of Equity and Disproportionality Info

14.10 Healthy Schools Act Update – Pesticide Spraying Info

14.11 College Park High School Attendance Boundaries Update Info

14.12 Meeting Extension Action

15.0 Future Agenda Items
15.1 Graduation Requirements Info
15.2 Board Goals 2013-2014 Info
15.3 Mt. Diablo High School Academy Info

16.0 Board Member Reports
16.1 Board reports Info

17.0 Closed Session
17.1 Items not completed during the first Closed Session will be carried over to this closed session. Action

18.0 Adjournment
18.1 Adjourn Meeting Info”

What is the most interesting thing to you on tonight’s agenda?

11:57 pm UPDATE: Here’s a recap of what happened:

(I arrived after the report out of closed session and the student rep comments)

The Mt. Diablo school board will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. tonight to discuss the strategic plan, before going into closed session to consider and act on the dismissal of two contract employees and to act on union negotiations. The public is invited to speak before the board acts on these items. The board is expected to report out its actions after the closed session.

Here is the agenda for the meeting, which will take place in the district office at 1936 Carlotta Drive in Concord:

“1.0 Call to Order
1.1 President will call the meeting to order Info

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call Info

2.0 Public Comment
2.1 The public may address the Board regarding any item within the jurisdiction of the Board of Education of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. These presentations are limited to three minutes each, or a total of thirty minutes for all speakers, or the three minute limit may be shortened. Speakers are not allowed to yield their time. Info

3.0 Business/Action Items

3.1 Strategic Plan Action

4.0 Public Comment
4.1 The public may address the Board concerning items that are scheduled for discussion during closed session only. These presentations are limited to three minutes each, or a total of thirty minutes for all speakers or the three minute limit may be shortened. Speakers are not allowed to yield their time. Info

5.0 Adjourn to Closed Session

5.1 Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release Action

5.2 Negotiations Action

6.0 Reconvene Open Session

6.1 Report Out Action Taken in Closed Session Info

7.0 Adjournment
7.1 Adjourn meeting. Info”

Do you agree with the board’s decision to discuss the strategic plan before this closed session?