Okay, I called the meeting to order it's 501 and we will adjourn to closed session
Any public comments on police session talking no public comments, okay, so we'll recess to closed session at this time
Okay, the time is 605 and all the open sessions order
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I will call that our writer is at this year.
Wayne Lake Johnson, I'm here.
5.3, report out from closed session.
We have one item regarding GC number 54957B1.
In closed session, the board took action
to approve a resignation agreement for employee
number 1755.
The roll call vote was as follows.
five point four approval of agenda as presented I'm gonna pull there's one
amendment to the agenda and that is that we're gonna pull I am 11.1 the
discussion item is for Gen B it's not here this evening and so we're gonna
pull that item until she returns okay I move approval of the agenda as amended
I'll second.
I have a motion and a second to approve the agenda as amended.
All those in favor?
Aye.
Okay.
Opposed?
Abstention motion carries.
Item 6, consent calendar.
I'll move approval of the consent calendar.
I'll second.
I have a motion and a second to approve all items on the consent calendar.
All those in favor?
Aye.
Opposed?
Opposed?
Opposed?
Opposed?
motion 7.1 CSEA public hearing CSEA presentation of negotiation proposals to
You're opening the public hearing and then you.
Sorry, I am opening the hearing.
Is there any comment on this item only?
And I am closing the hearing.
All right now item 8 public comments any public comments? No public comments.
Very good. Item 9 9.1 WCTA McDale is not here so we don't have any
report correct he did not give you one. Okay so 9.2 now Carlos you can come up.
good evening this is just oh okay so that we're like the three emo use that
that we ratified after the 610 one of them was the reclassification for fall
2025, that was our mistake. We own it and skip a step like you know and so we
have to basically like you know just go back and reinsert that step. So nothing
has changed it's just we needed to like you know do that per CSAA protocols and
policies. Thank you. Item 10 reports from Superintendent. I just have a couple of
things to report this evening. First of all I could stand here and list the
thank-yous from last board meeting to this board meeting but when I think
about it it really is to thank our community for being so engaged in what's
happening across our district right now. There's been I think a lot of
opportunities from strategic planning to engagement sessions for a new
superintendent to WCEF events that have happened across the district and
And our community, once again, has just come out in droves.
So huge thank you to our entire community for that.
We are in the middle or embarking
on the beginning of negotiations with both of our bargaining
labor partners, and so looking forward
to that collaborative relationship continuing.
And then, honestly, this afternoon,
had the first glimpse at WCI's drama program.
The Beetlejuice is what they are performing right now.
Oh, my goodness.
I mean, I was just sitting there taking pictures.
Our kids are so talented.
Our students are amazing.
And our WCI teachers were there just beaming.
And it was a packed house.
So if you have the opportunity to stop by WCI tomorrow
or the next night to see their performance,
I highly recommend it.
Amazing, amazing students.
We're very fortunate.
That's how I'll end tonight.
Item 11, we are not proceeding with.
Right.
So item 12, we will now take 12.1, CSCA 202 presentation.
All right.
So we're members of the board, Superintendent Marie Bennett.
CSCA would like to sunshine the articles
for the 2026 school year.
They are actually listed on the document that was presented to you and we are,
we would like to thank the board, I know, for our collaborative relationship and
we are looking forward to negotiating in the incoming weeks.
This is not an action item for the board.
This is the board will take action to accept them now and engage in discussion.
As the longest tenured governing board member, I've seen a lot of these over the years and
I was a little bit surprised at the number of articles that were opened because this
is not a full contract year, this is a re-opener year. So typically our process is of course
compensation and benefits are always open and then there's two or three, three articles
in addition to that. And this is quite a few more. You know, I certainly look forward to
discussions that CSEA wants to bring forward, but I'm a little bit concerned about not sticking
to our process that we usually stick to, and what, you know, with our WCTA partners that
we're already negotiating with, they did only reopen a few articles, and so I'm not
sure how I'm a little bit concerned about doing something different for one
bargaining partner than we did for the other bargaining partner. So just to give
some kind of like you know I guess context historical context our local
chapter that you know has been properly ran for a few years. There's been a lot
of things that were either for lack of commitment of people or whatever else, you know, turnover
of people who retired, you know, who were there for a long time.
So basically, we have established a new eboard, a full eboard, full negotiation team.
And CSEA itself is working with us on addressing some of these things.
So it is their interpretation that this is a full relougalator year.
I mean, like I say, we've been sitting down with them and trying to somehow come to certain
compromises, getting to understand that we, especially people that have been in the district
for a long time, we have a historical way that we've been doing negotiations.
that said I mean they are our union body so it's been you know quite a bit of a
process some of the stuff like you said you know it's like you know the regular
like you know salary compensation benefits all that stuff some of the
other items are language that we want to put in place to sort of like you know
safeguard past practices in view of incoming leadership
at the district level.
We want to make sure that those past practices are honored
by having language of the contract.
Some others are just kind of the terms, the fine clearly,
then those big clarity in terms of the effect of the term
basically.
There's a new article that has been pushed
by the union about technology, specifically AI.
It's been a process that I was trying to,
I guess, address our deficiencies in me personally.
I feel like we, the local chapter,
we're all in one way or another responsible for that,
whether for lack of involvement,
or which I was probably a part of that.
I mean, there used to be people that used to take care of these things and as they age
and retire, nobody really stepped off to it.
It took a year of turmoil to try to engage our membership.
And I feel like at this time we're actually at an all time high with getting people to
I understand that these things are important for our labor conditions.
Carlos, I think building a little bit on what Amy is saying, could not appreciate you and
your leadership more with CSCA.
Really appreciate that it is a generational shift and it happens in lots of different
ways with parent leadership with staff leadership you know our community evolves as well but
I think that as a board that has been rooted in equity and equitable practice part of it
feels wildly inequitable to WCTA to allow CSEA to go against past practice and open
fully eight articles on top of the compensation and benefits I think is one of the things
that really rings for me, and I do think that the contract language is pretty specific about
what a re-opener year looks like, and this is unlikely. And I think given that we are due to
reopen the totality of the contract next year, I guess I'm curious about why this feels so urgent
right now. And maybe you can't answer that because it's part of a wider shift in practice,
but just to say that I think one of the places
that I want us to stay rooted is in the notion of equity
and how it is that we comport ourselves
with our community, our labor partners and others.
And I wanted to, I will stop there, my colleagues.
Yeah, I think I echo Amy and Heidi's sentiments,
primarily because it's really important
that we have certain expectations
and certain protocols in place.
And I'm very new, so I had to be educated as well
on what's expected.
So my understanding is that in a re-opener year,
three maximum would be.
So I think it would be ensure that we stick to protocol.
Everyone's on the same page.
And I think it's nine articles.
Oh, is it nine more?
It's nine plus the new technology.
Yeah, salary is one.
Benefits is one.
Salary and benefits, I think, are always open.
Oh, but what's presented?
But what's presented is 10.
10 total.
And so two of, if you took out salary and benefits, which are always...
Oh, they're very...
Which come up with every one.
You're right.
Then it's eight new articles.
Rather than two to three, which I think is my right collection as well.
Yeah, I just like me and Linland said already, I really appreciate and value your leadership
from us.
The way you've stepped up, I have a lot of admiration for our CSEA team.
Here are our members in Walnut Creek School District, and it's been very heartening to
see the way people have come forward this year to work on the half of their colleagues.
And people have taken on responsibilities that maybe at first they were reluctant to
take on.
But then now they see, like, I can really make a difference for my colleagues.
And that that's important and it's well worth your time and I definitely, I don't want to
say that my hesitation is anyway reflective of your leadership.
I think I have a proposal of a way to move forward today, given that this is an action
item.
And that's to request that the superintendent work with you and your leadership team to
maintain the past practice of reopening just two articles or whatever the
contract language will allow as well as compensation and benefits for this
cycle and with that I move that the board acknowledge receipt of CSEA 202
sunshine proposal. I have a motion and a second to acknowledge receipt of CSEA
chapter 202 sunshine proposal to Walnut Creek School District. All those in
favor I post abstention motion carries thank you very much for your time
appreciate it. Well point to the DCSD presentation and negotiations proposals
well I'm thinking that in light of that discussion I might want to suspend 12.2
until I have the opportunity to meet with Carlos and the negotiation team and
CSA leadership and then if the district is going to open something I could bring
it back at that point in time and I think I'd like to I'd like to suspend to
12.2 until we have an opportunity to have that conversation. Okay, so no action.
No, I'm not asking for any action.
So let's move on to 12.3, then.
So 12.3, however, we have worked in collaboration
with CSCA leadership team to bargain
the effects of the 2026 custodial hour adjustment.
You'll see that MOU move forward.
We also, as Carlos just shared in his update,
the reclassification committee got together
for those employees who had submitted
their reclassification in the fall,
and so we reached an MOU for that reclassification process,
and we also have reached agreement
for the 26-27 start-stop work calendars for CSEA
and want to, again, appreciate my partnership
the district's partnership with Carlos and the entire CSEA leadership team who
have done really a great job of helping us bargain and come to these MOUs and so
I bring those forward for the board to approve this evening as much. And you can
approve all three MOUs at the same time. Okay, I'd like to move approval of the
CSEA chapter 202 MOUs as presented. I'll second. I have a motion and a second to
approve the CSEA chapter 202 MOU for 2026 custodial hours adjustment, fall
2025 reclassification, and 2026-2027 start-stop work calendars. All those in
favor opposed abstention motion carries twelve point four classified management
job description business services manager so this evening I'm bringing
forward a new job description for a business services manager position in
the district the fiscal analyst position has really grown in scope and
responsibility over the past several years and we anticipate that the impact
of both our bond our measure J with three additional projects coming on
board this year and the scope of those projects growing we have been able to
or our hope is that we'll pull back on some contracted services that we have
been using in this area to support this work if we were able to have a business
Services Manager in place and so this evening I bring forward a new job
description for a Business Services Manager classified management position
for your approval. I'm always excited to see the district respond to the needs
and the growing complexity in smart ways so I would like to move to approve the
description for business services manager. I have a motion and a second to
approve the job description for business services manager. All those in favor.
Opposed? Abstention. Motion carries. 12.5. 12.5 I have the pleasure of making the
recommendation to appoint Christina Gavacci for the position that you just
approved as the new Business Services Manager. Christina is an absolute shining
star in our business department. She came to us as just this natural born leader
who walked in the door of Walnut Creek School District and assumed so many
roles. There's a book called Quiet Leadership that is something that
someone gave to me many many years ago about what it's like to be a quiet
leader who is listening, who is in touch with the reality of what's happening
across the district in both culture and responsibility and Christina marries all
of those attributes that one would talk about when they talk about this strong
and I could go on and on that Christina for a long time she has also been a huge
proponent in helping our CSEA members to really find that collaborative spirit
again and I have no doubt that she will continue that in her role as as a leader
a manager in this district and so I would just love to recommend Christina
to go back to you for this new position
as business services manager.
It's just an absolute honor and privilege
to put her name forward this evening for you to consider.
Well, I love it when we can promote from within
and we identify talented people and are
able to offer them new opportunities to grow and stay
here so that the district can benefit from their talents.
So I would be thrilled to approve the appointment of Christina Golcovacchi as our business services
manager.
I'll second.
All right.
All right, I have a motion and a second to approve the appointment of Christina Gogobachi
for Business Services Manager.
All those in favor?
Aye.
Opposed?
Did you raise your hand?
Opposed?
All those in favor?
All right, motion carries.
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
That's going to be the highlight of the district office.
Moving on to 12.6 resolution 252619 in support of increasing base funding for
public schools. So I bring forward this resolution for the board to consider
this evening. There is you know we've had considerable conversations over the
past several years about base funding in districts and if you even look at the
data of where our district stands in terms of base funding on a state level.
We are one of the lowest in Contra Costa County, you know, and so there is a
rising call for us to continue to unite and advocate for the state to take a
look at funding for schools and to fund us the way we need to be funded. Public
education needs to be funded and so instead of me reading this resolution to
you this evening I really endorse and request that the board approve and pass
this resolution of you also stating the importance of raising the base there's
much information that's out there about raising the base grants and funding for
public schools but this is the first step in that process and then we if you
if you approve the resolution tonight then I also on behalf of the district
tomorrow will sign on to the advocacy group for proper funding of public
education in California so bring forward this for your consideration this evening.
Well, it's certainly past time that we address the LCFF base amounts.
Certainly it does not keep up with anything that is required as we see ourselves and other
local districts continuing to have to scramble through bonds and parcel taxes and other mechanisms
that can frankly sometimes increase the inequity in our funding systems rather than control
for them even even while it is imperative that we do what we can as a
community but looking at more systemic opportunities like raising the base and
and if I can pitch for you know funding on enrollment rather than attendance
would be welcome but I will take what is in front of me. I move approval of
resolution 25-26-19 in support of increasing base funding for public
schools. I'll second. I have a motion and a second to approve resolution 25-26-19
in support of increasing base funding for public schools. All those in favor?
Opposed? Abstention? Motion carries. Okay, last item 12.7 recommended updates in
addition to board policy. Well you are going to be thrilled to know that this is
a third of that big, huge batch that we got of new policies.
A few months ago, we brought them to you in batches
as we've sifted through each one of these policies
to ensure that our practices align
to new laws and new policies.
And so this is, as soon as I say it,
when she's going to go, oh, no, we're
going to get a new batch tomorrow because they come to us
every several months.
but this is the final stack of that last fairly significant batch of new policies that we have received in the past few months.
So I'm bringing forward these recommended updates and additions to board policies in alignment with CSBA's recommendations.
I would like to you to approve the CSBA recommended updates and additions to governing board policy
administrative regulations and board bylaws as indicated.
I'll second.
I have a motion and a second to approve CSBA recommended updates in addition to governing board policy administrative
regulations and board bylaws and all those in favor.
Opposed?
Abstention. Motion carries.
item 13 reports from governing board well wearing two hats I guess but as a
parent I attended WCI's new family family yes because my older son did not
attend there so I thought I should go and learn so I did that last week that's
good I have nothing to report I do you plan to go to eat old juice
I assume that we will just have a youth survey to another we'll it's great
dinner we will definitely do it and the California Healthy Kids Survey yeah
excited to hear that from Jan and then item 15 pertinent dates I'm assuming for
open houses you'll all go to your buddy schools that will your end and we'll
figure out any others which I have one question which may mean because like our
big celebration the next one the first one at the fourth okay we we do have
right now the superintendent interviews on the same night as open house yes I
I realized that too, on Tuesday.
Yeah, which is what it is.
Yeah, it's you.
Yeah.
No.
Closed session.
So meeting is adjourned at 6.36.
Thank you.