order a minute before. Hopefully that's okay. We'll start with the Pledge of Allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for
which it stands one nation under God is...
A 5.3 report out from closed session.
Two items regarding GC number 54956.9, special education
final settlement and release agreement, case number one.
In closed session, the board took action
to approve the compromise and release agreement
for case number one.
The roll call vote was unanimous.
regarding GC number 54956.9, special education final settlement and release agreement.
Case number two, in closed session the board took action to approve the compromise agreement
and general release for case number two, the roll call vote was unanimous.
OK, 5.4, approval of agenda.
No changes to the agenda.
I move approval of the agenda as presented.
I'll second.
I have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
Opposed?
Abstention?
Motion carries.
6.1, approval of contract appointment
of new superintendent, leadership associates.
Mr. Donald Evans is going to present the selected candidate, John Campagana.
Yes. So good evening board.
It's an honor and privilege to be back here again.
I just want to thank you on behalf of leadership associates for the opportunity
to be a part of this entire search.
I've got some notes here, so I wouldn't forget what you have to say.
And I want to thank the community because you guys were special.
You were thoughtful, very active.
But I want to thank you.
We had 19 community session meetings
with about 68 people representing
all the entire community.
Staff, everyone.
In addition, we received 300 responses
from the community and parents from our surveys, which
is an overwhelming response for a community that is this size.
And so I want to thank you for that.
And so that input shaped the leadership profile,
and it informed the direction of the search.
We also posted the position in a variety of media platforms
so that we can get a broad and diverse candidate poll.
And as a result, we received 40 applications.
And following the thorough review of the process,
the board interviewed seven candidates
and finally selected finalists.
And that is John Campo Piano.
So on behalf of leadership associates,
we'd like to congratulate Q as being the finalist
for Walnut Creek School District.
Thank you, Donald.
I wanted to say a few things.
First of all, Mr. Evans.
Brendan and Evans.
Is it Dr. Evans?
Yes.
Don't.
Yes, relax.
You and Sarah, I know who's traveling today
and couldn't be here.
You were wonderful to work with.
I know from all of us, we appreciated your guidance.
For most of us, it was a new process
and absolutely appreciated you going through the process
and helping us.
The other thing I wanted to say, it's a testament to outgoing
Superintendent Marie Morgan and to the board and cabinet
that we received so many applications.
You've done such an amazing job at Walnut Creek School District.
We have such an amazing district full of wonderful people here
who are happy to attend the school and wonderful candidates
who wanted to apply.
So, thank you to you all for doing what you do every day.
And then finally, I want to say thank you to the board.
We are all working parents.
We took on this additional, it felt like full-time job
to do the search.
So, thank you all for doing this process.
And I think we selected the best remaining candidates.
Thank you, Sandra, that very well.
I would like to move to approve the superintendent contract
for, and straight up.
Yes, OK.
I need to read this first, so bear with me.
It's up very well.
Government code section 54953C3 of the Brown Act
requires that this board make an oral report in open session
before taking final action on an employment agreement
for a local agency executive.
The oral report must summarize any recommended compensation,
including salary and or French benefits.
Consistent with this requirement,
the district provides the following oral summary
of the salary and French benefits,
as set forth in the proposed employment agreement
between the Walnut Creek School District
and John Canva Piano.
One, contract term effective July 1, 2026
through June 30, 2029.
Two, an annual base salary of $263,000.
Salary shall be increased annually
by not less than the highest percentage increase
granted to the bargaining units
and the administrative group for the same school year.
Three, superintendent shall be entitled
to receive all of the same French benefits of employment,
which are granted to other
certificated management employees in the district.
Four, superintendent shall be entitled to contract
with a professional coach of superintendents choice
during the first 12 months of the agreement.
The cost shall not exceed $500 per month.
Five, paid vacation of 24 days per year
with the accrual of vacation days not to exceed 48 days.
Six, superintendents shall accrue sick leave
at the rate of one day per month.
Five, oh, excuse me, seven,
district shall pay superintendents
annual membership charges and travel expenses for professional training or
meetings with professional association organizations and communities such as
Association of California School Administrators, AXA, California School
Boards Association, CSBA, and or American Association of School
Administrators, ASAA not to exceed $5,000 per year. That concludes the board's
report. Let me try this again, I moved to approve the superintendent contract for an appointment of
John Compo Piano to be effective July 1st, 2026. I would like to enthusiastically second this motion.
John really stood out during the interview process as someone with a very student-centered
equity lens. I'm going to focus on achievement but also supporting the broad spectrum of student needs
thrilled to second this motion. All right I have a motion and a second to approve the superintendent
contract for an appointment of Mr. John Ciano effective July 1st, 2026. All those in favor?
All right, opposed, abstention, the motion carries.
Congratulations.
WAG.
So you had here on behalf of the entire administrative team.
Just a little something for me, from the district, and we, someone said earlier, oh, he's not
going to need any clothes for the next month.
Well, thank you, and thank you, this is incredible.
I love this and just thank you, Murray, 10 years doing an amazing job, and the trustees,
and thank you so much for the selection. And Donald pulled me aside after the last interview
and he said it's a really special place. And I said I probably, I know that. That's one reason
why I'm so thrilled to be able to be here, but he went out of his way to say how special this group
is. And so thank you for your engagement. I know we have a great team at the district and at the
sites, so I'm just thrilled to learn and I'm very excited and thank you so much
trustees and looking forward to get to know all of you and you have a beautiful
school district and I'm so blessed to be able to support it so thank you for
being here tonight.
My wife, Corinna.
As principal of Tice Creek, as part of this search process we gathered input from
staff, families and community members to understand what qualities were most
important in their next leader. While stakeholders identified many important
characteristics, one theme rose above the other,
and that was their desire for stability.
The Ties Creek community expressed a strong need
for a leader who could provide consistency, build trust,
strengthen relationships, and continue moving the school
forward with confidence.
As part of our search process, we
conducted a comprehensive recruitment and interview
process that included a stakeholder interview panel that
represented the Ties Creek community.
Following that search process, we
had an internal candidate move forward with interest
in leading this community.
Pam Davis not only meets the qualifications identified
by our stakeholders, but also brings
this civility that emerged as this community's highest
priority.
As a respected district leader with deep knowledge
of our school, students, staff, and families,
Pam has established strong relationships
across the district and is uniquely
positioned to provide seamless continuity and leadership
for the Tice Creek family.
Pam brings a wealth of educational experience to this role.
She served students in a classroom in second grade,
kindergarten, and sixth grade, giving her a strong
understanding of elementary and middle school learners
and child development across many grade levels.
Throughout her career, she's also demonstrated
a deep commitment to supporting both academic excellence
and also students' social emotional growth.
Pam has also served as a teacher on special assignment
and later as the assistant director of educational services.
and also as the Director of Technology.
Pam facilitated professional learning,
supported assessment and data analysis,
partners with teachers and administrations
to improve instruction,
and led the implementation
of innovative educational programs.
She's worked closely with our existing school leaders
and teachers to design learning environments
that met the diverse needs of students.
We're confident that Pam will provide
the study student centered leadership
that the Tice Creek community is asking for.
and it's my pleasure to recommend Pam Davis
as the next principal of Tice Creek.
Thank you.
I wanted to say that we have received
a plethora of emails from the community.
We thank you for your engagement and we hear you.
That said, I cannot think of a better person
for this position than Pam.
I did not receive one email that said
anything negative about Miss Davis.
I know that we both have a love of languages and
learning, the parents who worked with you all love you.
And so I'm confident that the correct and best choice.
I agree with everything that Lindley just said.
I know that this has been tumultuous for the Tice Creek community.
And I know that watching decisions like this being made
feels very frustrating and can feel very disempowering.
So I do want to acknowledge that.
We wish there were ways in which we could assuage
some of those feelings, but we hope, I think,
that showing you what a solid, consistent leader is
that we have seen certainly in Pam over the years
and watched her leadership grow and develop,
She has taken on every challenge that's been asked of her
and has such a deep passion for the Tice community.
I am so excited that you will continue
to be a leader in this district.
And I will add, as a Tice parent, since 2017,
I knew Pam when my, now freshman in high school,
my kinder, I knew we were very fortunate
to have you in this role as a parent
and your understanding of project-based learning,
you're one of the founding teachers.
You understand what it's about,
and I think your leadership experience
is making a great leader to serve the TICE community,
what they're looking for in a leader.
Yeah, I will add my comments.
I echo what has already been said,
which is that it's been,
that we've received a plethora of emails
and different messages and you're not going to do anything about it and I've read them all
and there were negative emails also. Excuse me you're gonna have to leave if you this is not
the time for public comments please wait for that and if you cannot keep to the structure
of the meeting we will ask you to leave. Please go ahead. Yeah so as a board member it can be
hard to figure out what the right course of action
is when there is a flurry around you.
So what I did this weekend was what I usually do,
which is to read a lot and reflect.
And what I realized was that the most important thing
is what is best for the students at Tice Creek.
And it was actually, I went back and reread
Mr. Campo-Piano's application and the references
that came with that.
And it was something in one of those
that talked about being student-centered
and putting that at the forefront of every decision.
That made me realize that is the most important factor
for me tonight, and that is the reason
that I support Pam Davis as the next principal of Tice Creek.
Because I think Pam will be a huge benefit
to the students at Terrace Creek.
I guess I'll add, I just want to echo what my fellow trustees have shared.
We all see Pam's qualities and look forward to supporting her.
It can be very frustrating for parents that are not involved
in the administration of a school district and the way things operate.
It has been unfortunate that we've had two principals leave TICE.
It's unfortunate because so much of the rest of the district is very steady.
We've had very long standing principals in our district.
We're looking forward to John coming and being here for some time.
People tend to want to come and stay for a long time.
So, it's been bumpy, and we acknowledge that.
And we understand it's hard to understand the process
sometimes without knowing all of the details.
And so we hear you, but unfortunately sometimes it's,
we do know that there are those
that feel good about Pam and Will.
I have move approval of the appointment
of Pam Davis as Tice Creek principal.
I'll second.
I have a motion and a second to approve
appointment of Pam Davis as Tice Creek principal.
All those in favor?
I oppose.
An abstention.
Motion carries.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
The recess now.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I mean, you can take a recess.
I'll keep talking.
I'm sorry.
I just wanted to say thank you so much.
I love seeing all the familiar faces here.
I appreciate you all.
Really from the bottom of my heart,
I am honored and so incredibly thrilled
to accept this position.
Can I have you hold this, don't hold this.
That's Tyce Creek's principle, you look amazing with that.
Thank you to the families.
I've gotten your emails of support, and I feel them.
Thank you for showing up.
It shows the strength of the Tyce Creek community,
and I appreciate it.
I appreciate you taking your time out of your evening.
As a founding teacher of Tyce,
I pulled the school really close to my heart.
I have since day one, after spending 12 hours
for the first three years of my years here in Tice
and in Walnut Creek, and I'm just excited to come back
to what I've explained really feels at some level
to a place of home for me.
Marie and members of the governing board,
district leadership, I want to thank you guys
for your dedication to Tice Creek.
Since Tice opened 11 years ago,
which is crazy to think about,
I have really seen firsthand the dedication and all the hours
and hard work that goes into maintaining an opt-in PK-8 PBL
school.
It is not simple, and it is because of your vision
and the commitment to this program
that this school has been able to thrive.
And that does not go unseen.
So thank you for your continued support.
I also want to recognize, as we have heard,
the times of transition.
They bring questions for families,
for staff, for leadership.
And I want you to all know that I
am committed to listening to learning and working
in partnership with our community.
As in all my leadership roles over the last 20 years
in education, every decision of mine
will continue to be guided by what
is best for our students, their academic growth,
their sense of belonging, their social emotional well-being.
And I also really strongly believe in shared leadership.
And so I feel so fortunate to know
that I'm walking in with an exceptional staff
that I know very, very well dedicated families that
are here today, and really the strong foundation that
already exists at TICE.
So I very much value the unique strengths of TICE
and look forward to continuing the strong relationships
that I have and building new ones with the students,
as I often call them, my kiddos.
I can't say that to middle schoolers because that's not
cool, but as well as families and staff
as we look to creating a supportive, student-centered
environment where every student thrives.
John, congratulations.
I look forward to welcoming you on campus this fall
and bragging all about our amazing school.
And if you guys will excuse me now,
I have to take my kid out to ice cream
and go home and look for my OG type swab that's
got me somewhere in my closet.
So to my board, thank you for entrusting me in this position.
I know that it is a big thing, and I don't carry it lightly.
So thank you very much.
Well, recess for a brief discussion.
I am very welcome to stand.
But there are seats up here, if you'd like to know.
Want to make yourself comfortable?
OK.
We're back to item number nine, consent calendar.
I move approval of the consent calendar as presented.
I'll second.
Okay, okay, the other one.
I have a motion and a second to approve all items
on the consent calendar.
All those in favor?
I oppose.
Abstention, motion carries.
Item 10, public comments.
Just as a reminder, this is an opportunity
for you all to address the governing board
on matters within the jurisdiction of the board.
Please make sure you build out a public comment card.
And comments are restricted to three minutes per speaker.
Emily Moffitt, Agenda 13.1.
Thanks.
Good evening, my name's Emily Moffitt,
and I'm a parent at Walnut Heights Elementary.
I want to begin on a positive note.
Thank you so much for including names with tonight's
superintendent and certificate of management appointments
on the agenda.
Transparency like that builds trust,
and it should be the standard.
I also came to speak honestly about Measure L.
Not reaching 67% is a painful result.
It would be easy to conclude that our community doesn't
care about investing in public education,
but I refuse to accept that narrative,
and I don't think the data supports it either.
I anticipate the response that this board doesn't run
the campaign and can't advocate for a measure
once it's on the ballot and that's true but leadership isn't advocacy. You can
hire the right people, you can build the right coalition, you can ensure that
before a measure ever reaches voters there is a clear strategy and someone
empowered to execute it. That work happens before the ballot and that's
exactly where this district fell short. Compare that to our neighbors in
Moraga and Lafayette. They met the mark. They weren't working with a different
community, they were working with a different approach. They had leadership
and a strategy and we didn't. The voters of Walnut Creek didn't reject public
education, they rejected a campaign that gave them no reason to say yes and this
board and this administration are responsible for that. I'm not here to
pile on, I'm here because I believe in these schools and this community, but
real empowerment requires an honest reckoning with what went wrong. I hope
this board is willing to have that conversation. Thank you.
I'm Maryam Shalitmare. I'm a mother of first grader in Tice Creek School. Thank you for the
opportunity to speak. I want to congratulate both Mr. Campbell Piano and
Ms. Davis for the new journey they are embarking upon. As a new member of
the Walnut Creek School District, I am still learning the politics of the
district office, but the events I have witnessed since last year when Mr. Scott
inexplicably resigned from his role of principal at Tice Creek School have been
astonishing and certainly eye-opening for me. The last of these events happened
this past Friday when Mr. Vector, a beloved person and highly respected
principal, was escorted out of the school in front of his path. I hold a master's
degree from the UC Berkeley School of Education, the same school from which Mr.
Vector received his bachelor's degree.