Feb 8 2015

School Board: Bonds, Common Core, Social Psych Course, and Contract Openers on Feb. 11

The School Board meeting of February 11 is packed with items for consideration.  After acting on the profile for the new superintendent, the Board will take up the following matters.

*Presentation by Blake Boehm, Director of KNN Public Finance, the Financial Advisors to the District, Regarding Options for the Refunding of 2006 Series A (CIB) and B (CAB) General Obligation Bonds as Current Interest Bonds for the Purpose of Realizing Savings to Taxpayers in Piedmont (Song Chin-Benib, Chief Business Official) This evening, the District’s public financial advisor Blake Boehm of KNN will provide the Board with information regarding the restructuring and refinancing (called “refunding”) of existing General Obligation (GO) bonds, which could relieve potential debt service to the District and save taxpayers as much as $4.3M in present value savings through 2032.  Report can be found on page 13 of the Board packet.

*Common Core State Standards – Middle and High School Mathematics Pathways (Randall Booker, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services) The Board will review the recommended proposal from the PUSD Math Task Force (MTF). Given a specific framework and charged with researching, reviewing, and recommending math pathways at the secondary level, the MTF is recommending a proposal that includes compression opportunities at PMS and PHS/MHS and a pathway to AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC for implementation in 2015-16.  Staff report can be found on page 24 of the Board packet.

*First Reading of Revised High School Course: Social Psychology (Assistant Superintendent Booker, Principal Brent Daniels) Piedmont High School proposes the redesign of the scope and sequence of Social Psychology to ensure that all Piedmont High School graduates experience curriculum to promote and foster their social and emotional learning and development. This redesign provides compliance with the California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Act and aligns with the Shaping our Future 2.0 vision. The Staff report can be found on page 38 of the Board packet.

 *Conduct Public Hearing for 2015-16 Contract Openers Between the District and the Association of Piedmont Teachers (APT) (Superintendent Hubbard) Tonight will be the first public hearing. Contract openers between the District and APT are being “sunshined” for public inspection and comment over the next four weeks. The Board will hold a final public hearing and take action on the reopeners at the March 11, 2015 meeting, after which time negotiations will begin. The negotiation meetings are confidential. The staff report can be found on page 49 of the Board packet.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue.  The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed live on KCOM Channel 27 or via the Piedmont website.

To view Board agenda packets and background material online, go to: www.piedmont.k12.ca.us.  Go to “Board of Education” link, scroll down to “Agendas & Minutes.” Video streaming of Board Meetings can be accessed at the same web site. Go to “Board of Education” link, and scroll down to “Video Streaming”. Click on meeting of your choice.

Leave a Comment