Proposed budget cuts for the 2018-19 school year and an education parcel tax measure targeting the November election are two connected items to be discussed at the May 15 Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting.
Closed session will begin at 4pm with public session to start shortly thereafter at about 6pm at the district’s 15600 Concord Circle headquarters.
After originally calling for $5.5 million in cuts due to a “structural budget deficit” and forming a Right-Sizing The Budget Committee to prioritize where to do so, district staff will discuss “Prioritization for Restoration” of programs and/or staff positions based on any additional revenues that come in from the May revise of the 2018-19 State Budget.
“Should the May Revise yield additional funding to schools, Staff seeks input and direction from the Board on priorities for budget restoration,” the May 15 staff report states.
District staff anticipates a $3.4 million structural deficit in 2018-19.
A final budget reductions list was presented to the board March 6.
“Since the parcel tax measure was moved from the June 2018 to November 2018 election, the District identified that approximately $1 million from one-time discretionary funds would be used in order to balance the budget,” according to the staff report.
At the May 15 meeting, district staff is requesting board approval on a five-year, $75 education parcel tax measure to be placed on the November 6 ballot. The seven-member board is expected to vote on the resolution at the meeting.
Board President Tom Arnett, as well as Trustees Donna Ruebusch and Gino Borgioli, are listed as participating in the proceedings via teleconference.
Changes to delayed Britton Middle School project
An amendment to the Britton Middle School design-build contract with Blach Construction and Quatrocchi Kwok Architects is part of the May 15 consent calendar.
A December ground-breaking ceremony was postponed and the nearly $50 million project has yet to get under way. District staff originally pointed to delays in the state permit process for the holdup and now estimate a project start date some time in July.
“In order to expedite the delivery of this project and control cost, Staff recommends the amendment of the agreement with Blach-QKA to include only the two Folia buildings (twenty-four classrooms) with their associated balconies and elevators per the Increment two scope of work for the lump sum cost of $17,591,389,” according to the staff report.
In June 2017, MHUSD’s Board of Trustees approved the $39.5 million design-build contract with Blach Construction Company and Quattrocchi Kwok Architects. The entire “Britton Middle School Transformation Project” is estimated at $49,078,449.
“Staff also recommends to proceed with the procurement of Increment 1 in two separate phases; the first phase including the grading and site utilities associated with the new classrooms/student union buildings, and the second phase including any site demolition, parking lot modifications, site concrete, and landscaping,” the staff report reads.
“In addition, once Increment 3 and 4 (six science classrooms building, student union, and administration space) have been approved by the Division of State Architect, Staff will return to the Board with a recommended delivery method for those projects,” it continues.
Also listed in consent is the district’s request for board approval on a delegation of authority to award an estimated $6,941,548 contract for Increment one, Phase One of the Britton project.
“Should the lowest bids exceed the estimated budget amount by more than 10%, Staff will not award the contract and will re-bid and bring the actual low bid amount to the Board for review and approval at a later date,” the board report states. “Accordingly, if the low bid is below the estimated amount the District will award this contract.”
Consent items
Items listed under consent calendar are considered routine and the board groups them into one single vote unless otherwise requested by a board member. Those items include:
•$26,000 contract with Clear Consultants for additional services regarding the Borello School California Environmental Quality Act;
•$59,925 contract with County Office of Education for 2018-19 Community School Service for five expelled students;
•Approve job description and salary placement for Occupational Therapist, starting at $75,248;
Personnel order
Announced at the May 1 meeting and on the May 15 personnel list is the hiring of Lisa Martin as Principal of Alternative Programs at Central High School, effective July 1. Also included are three teacher resignations from Megan Bridge (Sobrato), Chris Hudnut (Britton); and Sarah Rodriguez (Los Paseos).
November Election
Expiring seats are those of Gino Borgioli (Trustee Area 3), David Gerard (TA4), Donna Ruebusch (TA1) and Ron Woolf (TA2), which will be part of the November 6 election for new four-year terms from 2018-2022. The district is asking for board approval to “Adopt resolution for Order of Election, Specifications of the Election Order and Consolidation Request for the November 6, 2018 election,” the report reads.
Candidate filing period is July 16 through August 10. If an incumbents does not file a Declaration of Candidacy by an Aug. 10 deadline, the nomination period for that office will be extended until 5pm Aug.15.
Recognitions
MHUSD will recognize its 2018 Teachers of the Year by school site as well as the District Teacher of the Year, Barrett Elementary School’s Debra Chappell. Other honorees are: Shawn McGinn (Britton); Gail Webb (Central); Gina Pickett (Community Adult School); Cheryl Seaton (El Toro): Kristiana Kammann (JAMM); Q.A. Nguyen (LIve Oak); Lynda Schultz (Los Paseos); Steve Fagar (Martin Murphy); Heather Anderson (Nordstrom); Sharon Doting (Paradise Valley); Chris Mink (PA Walsh); Shannon Rafat (San Martin/Gwinn); Terri Eves Knudsen (Sobrato); Joe Guinane (Teacher on Special Assignment); and Debra Chappell (Barrett).
Also to be recognized at the May 15 meeting are the District English Learner Advisory Committee members by site: Liliana Garcia (Sobrato); Nohemi Quintero (Barrett); Francisco Martinez (Central); Maria Santiz (El Toro); Erica Castillo (El Toro); Carmen Ochoa (JAMM); Magdalena Mendoza (JAMM); Claudia Gutierrez (Live Oak); Ofelia Olvera (Live Oak); Rosa Alvarez (Los Paseos); Roxana Paredes (Los Paseos); Rosa Lopez (Martin Murphy); Chris Taylor (Nordstrom); Samuel Barcenas (Paradise Valley); Liudmila Goncharova (Paradise Valley); Rocio Seabrook (Paradise Valley); Alma Herrera (PA Walsh); Adela Flores (PA Walsh); Francisco Perez (San Martin/Gwinn); and Araceli Martinez (San Martin/Gwinn).
