Board of Education Special Meeting Board Study Session: Stege Elementary School
West Contra Costa USD
February 26, 2019 6:30PM
LOVONYA DEJEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL 3400 MACDONALD AVENUE RICHMOND, CA 94805

A. OPENING PROCEDURES

A.1. WELCOME AND MEETING PROCEDURES Minutes: President Tom Panas called the meeting to order at 6:38 PM.

A.2. ROLL CALL Minutes: Board Members Present: Stephanie Hernandez-Jarvis, Consuelo Lara, Tom Panas, Mister Phillips Board Members Absent: Valerie Cuevas Staff Present: Ruben Aurelo, K-12 Executive Director; Nick Berger, SELPA Director; Matthew Duffy, Superintendent; Gracie Guerrero, Associate Superintendent; Lisa LeBlanc, Associate Superintendent; Nicole Ruiz, Stege Principal; Stephanie Sanchez, Vice Principal; Marcus Walton, Communications Director; Ken Whittemore, Associate Superintendent

B. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS Minutes: There were no comments for items not on the agenda.

C. STEGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OVERVIEW Speaker: Matthew Duffy, Superintendent Comments: Tonight, the Board will study the situation at Stege Elementary.  With significantly declining enrollment and persistent low performance, district staff plans to partner with community to support a school redesign over the coming years at Stege.  Tonight, the Board will look at current Stege data and explore a few initial ideas moving forward.  The Board is asked to listen and ask questions. Financial Impact: None at this time.  Attachments: Imagining Stege Elementary

C.1. Current State: Trends & Patterns

C.2. Outlook for the 2019-20 School Year

C.3. Future Design Thinking for Stege in 2020-21 Minutes: Superintendent Matthew Duffy shared information about the current state of Stege Elementary, its size and concerns for the future. He introduced Executive Director Ruben Aurelio who presented information about the school, teaching staff, students, and a vision to revitalize the school for academic success, and parent and community engagement. Superintendent Duffy and Associate Superintendent Lisa LeBlanc presented information about the school’s facilities. Board President Panas inquired about clarification between truancy and chronic absenteeism and facilities plans. Mr. Aurelio provided clarification regarding truancy and chronic absenteeism. Superintendent Duffy addressed staff’s recommendation for planning related to aligning facilities money to a programmatic change for the school. Public Comment: Michael Beers, Zulan Harrison, Lenore Gillesie, Rev. Donnell Jones, Michele Jackson, Richie Cook, Eric Swaback, Ebony Blake, Tanise Smith, Mike Parker, Alisha Hughes, Joanna Pace, Stephanie Sanchez, Thelma Randles, Patricia Durham, Hannah Geitner, Audrey Shields, Kianga Robinson, Theresa Griffin, Ivy Winston, Andre Shumake, Ana Lepez Board Comment: Mr. Phillips asked about plans for 2019-20. Superintendent Duffy identified adding a Full Service Community Schools coordinator, and working with staff and community to determine next best steps. At this time, the school is budgeted for TK-6th grade for 2019-20 with a projected enrollment of about 240 students. Mr. Phillips continued with remarks about trauma experienced by the black community, and that it cannot be a barrier for students’ ability to learning. Mr. Phillips had suggestions about staffing and everyone who worked at Stege re-applying for jobs. Mr. Phillips spoke about how money raised at schools was distributed. He expressed concern about equitable distribution of those resources. He continued with comments about staff communicating with Ms. Durham and Ms. Pace to solidify officers of assistance and recommendations. Mr. Phillips further suggested that an advisory committee of community members be formed with the Board informed of those members are. He spoke about black parents expressing their feelings and the opportunity for staff to listen and the need for staff to take notes in order to drive the changes for Stege. He suggested that board members share their notes with staff. Superintendent Duffy responded that the meeting was being recorded in the effort to capture all comments. Ms. Lara said that neighborhood schools need support in order to thrive. She addressed short term plans to support teachers and students as well as improve attendance. Ms. Hernandez-Jarvis thanked the community for their participation. Ms. Hernandez-Jarvis suggested implicit bias training was necessary. Ms. Hernandez-Jarvis also supported an advisory committee to meet once or twice a month, and explore staff hiring with growth for leadership. She suggested marketing with neighborhood canvassing and use of technology throughout the community, as well as look at which programs families in the Stege community want. She was enthusiastic about the ambitious project ahead for the school. President Panas acknowledged a crisis at Stege and the need to include the community in everything that the District does to address. He did not want to rush into solutions by imposing a solution. The District needs to do everything it can to involve the community, support students and employees.

D. NEXT STEPS AND ADJOURNMENT Minutes: Superintendent Duffy spoke about the issues and solutions around supply problems. He closed by saying there was great opportunity to point the school in a successful direction. Short term and long-term plans are required in order to grow and thrive. He concluded by thanking the teachers and staff who spoke. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:45 PM.

Disability Information:
Special Accommodations: Upon written request to the District, disability-related modifications or accommodations, including auxiliary aids or services, will be provided. Please contact the Superintendent’s Office at 510-231-1101 at least 48 hours in advance of meetings.