• Board Bulletin for January 19, 2023 Meeting

                                                                                                                                                        Board Meeting on January 19, 2023 The Solana Beach School District (SBSD) Board of Education convened in the Solana Vista School Theater to introduce, discuss, and took action on topics relating to: Pacific Highlands Ranch transportation, Solana Ranch School HVAC Replacement and Kindergarten Playground Expansion Project, and a revision to the 2023 Board meeting schedule, among other topics.  Highlights from the Meeting: Update on Student Promotion Profile Poster Contest  Solana Beach School District hosted the “Sharing Our Gifts,” Artist Exhibition, showcasing over 400 student promotion profile descriptors-inspired student artwork. The SBSD Board of Education, staff, and families perused the art installations, taking inspiration from students’ artwork that illustrated our six promotion profile descriptors: Acting Resourcefully, Leading Boldly, Thinking Interdependently, Practicing Civic Minde dness, Learning Endlessly, and Living Adventurously. The Promotion Profile descriptors emerged following the work to reimagine the District’s mission and vision. Utilizing student focus groups to gather student voice, all district staff aim to prepare students with skills for college, career, and life. Families of our student poster contestants cheered and celebrated SBSD students, holding special recognition for our finalists with the Board of Education. An incredible night of showcasing 424 student submissions, honoring our promotion profile poster contest winners, and amplifying student voice, sharing the many gifts and talents that exist in our district.  Click the link below to see all the student artwork submissions: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFVhRlzoy4/hbkGj5A9TD64kRoJpmLl2A/watch?utm_content=DAFVhRlzoy4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton Board Appreciation Month - Recognition of our Board of Education  Our January Board Meeting was a night of celebration and an honoring of our own. Superintendent Jodee Brentlinger initiated our January Board Meeting by expressing appreciation of our Board of Education. SBSD recognizes and values the unwavering commitment to students, staff, and community members that our Board of Education generously supports and governs. The Board of Education was honored with a SBSD-made video, where students and staff thanked them for their time, energy, and efforts representing all students. Report on Pacific Highlands Ranch Transportation  The Board revisited a January 2022 decision of temporarily providing transportation to students assigned to schools outside of Pacific Highlands Ranch. A presentation, updating information from 2020, was shared with the Board. District staff shared transportation services were difficult to secure pre-covid and have only become more challenging since. With the Board interested in further exploration, district staff was asked to return in February or March with more information.  Solana Ranch School HVAC Replacement Project and Kindergarten Playground Expansion    District staff updated the Board of Education on the revised scope of work, project timeline, and estimated project budget for the Solana Ranch School HVAC Replacement and Kindergarten Playground Expansion Project. A revised timeline, reducing the eighteen months to a seven-month schedule, and moving from five phases for the project, to now only three phases was a welcomed change. With these updates, the Board approved the revised scope, timeline, and budget to begin the pre-construction activities for the project.  Adoption of the Revised 2023 Board Meeting Schedule  In order to participate in the 2023 California Distinguished School Recognition Awards Ceremony, it was necessary to move the February Regular Board Meeting date to Wednesday, February 15, 2023. All meetings will begin at 6:30 pm and will be held in the Skyline School Theater unless otherwise noted. The Board of Education approved the following schedule:  Wednesday, February 15 (revised date) Thursday, March 9 Thursday, April 20 Thursday, May 18 Thursday, June 15 Thursday, June 22 Thursday, July 20 - Optional Meeting Wednesday, August 16 Thursday, September 14 Thursday, October 12 Thursday, November 9 Thursday, December 14 - Organizational Meeting Upcoming Board Meeting  Join Us Again!  Next Regular Board Meeting  February 15, 2023, @ 6:30 p.m.  - Skyline School

    Tuesday, Jan 24 2023

  • December 15, 2022, Board Bulletin

    Board Bulletin - December 15, 2022 The Solana Beach School District Board of Education convened in the Skyline School Theater to introduce, discuss, and take action on topics relating to: the annual organizational meeting of the Board, Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELO-P), and the appointment of a New Assistant Superintendent, Business Services, Mark Pong, among other topics.  Highlights from the Meeting: Oath of Office: Newly installed Board members Debra Schade, Vicki King, and Gaylin Allbaugh were sworn into office, for the Solana Beach School District Board of Education. Superintendent Jodee Brentlinger administered the oath of office to the newly re-elected Board members, (Vicki King ran unopposed). Hiring New Assistant Superintendent, Business Services: Following a unanimous decision, Mark Pong will officially join Solana Beach School District as the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services beginning January 18, 2023. Mr. Pong brings over 18 years of experience working in an array of roles within public education, including having spent the past eleven years leading the finance department at the Del Mar Union School District. Mr. Pong will support finance and accounting, payroll, purchasing, nutrition, district wide budget development, and long-range budget planning; all of which will greatly benefit the Solana Beach School District.   New Organization: In accordance with Education Code 35143, the Governing Board held its annual organizational meeting to discuss and organize the leadership roles of the Board. The following decisions were made: Election of Officers Former Vice President Debra Schade elected Board President  Board member Dana King elected Board Vice President  Gaylin Allbaugh renewed position as Board Clerk Vicki King and Julie Union to represent the Board as members The Governing Board adopted a schedule of regular board meetings for 2023. All meetings are regularly scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at Skyline School, unless otherwise noted. After deliberation, the following dates were adopted for future meetings:  Thursday, January 19, 2023 - Solana Vista School Thursday, February 16, 2023 Thursday, March 9, 2023 Thursday, April 20, 2023 Thursday, May 18, 2023 Thursday, June 15, 2023 Thursday, June 22, 2023 Thursday, July 20, 2023 - Optional Meeting Wednesday, August 16, 2023  Thursday, September 14, 2023 Thursday, October 12, 2023 Thursday, November 9, 2023 Thursday, December 14, 2023 - Organizational Meeting    We look forward to connecting with our SBSD communities at our meetings, and as a courtesy, Board meetings are virtually accessible via a link, as an alternative to physical attendance.  Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELO-P): The Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELO-P), is a newly required, state funded program. Jennifer Orr, Child Development Center Director, and Dr. Jennifer Goldston, Director of Instruction and Educational Technology, introduced this plan at the November 10, 2022, Board meeting. After the second reading, December 15, 2022, the Board approved the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) Plan.  Continuing Authority to Hold Virtual Meetings Pursuant to AB 361: This agenda item will continue to appear on the Board agenda in the event there ever is a need to return to virtual meetings.  Upcoming Board Meeting : Join Us Again!  Next Regular Board Meeting  January 19, 2023, @ 6:30 p.m.  - Solana Vista School

    Wednesday, Dec 21 2022

  • Board Bulletin for November 10, 2022 Meeting

    Board Meeting on  November 10 , 2022 The Solana Beach School District Board of Education was excited to hold its first in-person Board meeting since March 2020. Guests and staff were welcomed in the Skyline School Theater for the November 10, 2022, meeting. Those not able to attend in person were and will continue to be given the opportunity to view the meeting remotely. Please read on for some of the meeting highlights. Highlights from the Meeting Teaching and Learning Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELO-P) Jennifer Orr, Child Development Center Director, and Dr. Jennifer Goldston, Director of Instruction and Educational Technology, provided the Board with information for the first reading of the Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELO-P) plan. The ELO-P is a new state-funded expanded learning requirement for school districts designed specifically to support families who meet particular eligibility criteria. The plan will be brought back for Board approval at the December 15, 2022, Regular Meeting of the Board. Please see the presentation below: Board Directions and Actions Donations The Board accepted a $310,873.20 donation from the Solana Beach Schools Foundation. Foundation President, Katie Suel, provided an update on 2022-23 fundraising efforts. A restricted grant fund of $5,000.00 was earmarked for the Skyline School Student Study Trip Fund and the remainder of the donation supports the District’s STREAM (science, technology, research, engineering, arts, and math), Technology, and Art Discovery Labs and physical education. Additional donations approved by the Board include: $8,000.00 from the Solana Beach Elementary PTA to support garden expenses at Skyline and Solana Vista schools $42,945.19 from the Solana Santa Fe PTO to support personnel, materials, and supplies at Solana Santa Fe School for the 2022-23 school year  Consent Calendar  The Consent Calendar was approved in its entirety. An item of note was the approval of a contract with Media Arts Center San Diego to produce videos demonstrating the learning and discovery journeys of students  who attend Solana Beach School District schools using student voices. Continuing Authority to Hold Virtual Meetings  This Board agenda item will continue to appear on the Board agenda in the event there ever is a need to revert back to virtual meetings. In order to comply with the additional requirements set forth in AB 361, the Board is required to place a resolution on its meeting agenda to make findings and vote on the circumstances of the emergency and/or other state or local health and safety measures which  continue authorize waiving the traditional Brown Act teleconferencing requirements. Upcoming Board Meeting Join Us Again! Next Regular Board Meeting December 15, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. Follow Us!  #SBSDEDU

    Tuesday, Nov 15 2022

  • Board Bulletin for October 13, 2022 Meeting

    Board Meeting on October 13, 2022 ANNOUNCEMENTS The Solana Beach School District Board of Education is looking forward to the return of in-person Board meetings beginning Thursday, November 10, 2022. While the District returns to in-person Board meetings, the public will still have the opportunity to listen and watch as we continue to provide live-streaming of Board meetings. New equipment has arrived along with increased IT support. This will allow the District to support our attendees to better hear the Board during discussions and staff presentations. Also beginning November 10, persons wishing to address the Board during Public Comment will be required to complete and submit a hardcopy Request to be Heard form prior to the commencement of the meeting (6:30 p.m.). These forms are available at the meeting location 30 minutes prior to the start of each meeting. RECOGNITIONS The Board officially welcomed the following new Certificated Staff: Carmel Creek/District Office Preschool: Scott Thompson (Psychologist)  District Office: Melissa Moorer (Counselor) Solana Santa Fe: Molly Latchford (Teacher) The Board recognized the following Classified Staff who have achieved permanent status after completing six (6) months of probationary service: Carmel Creek School: Ramakrishnamma Kathem (Child Nutrition Worker), Jiyeon Lee (Instructional Assistant I), Holly Rogers (Instructional Assistant II), Anshu Singh (Child Nutrition Worker) Child Development Center: Serena Duardo (Preschool Teacher), Bryttany Felder (School-Age Teacher) District Office: Steven Choo-Murphy (Delivery Driver/Custodian), Juan Ramirez (Custodian) Skyline School: Nina Bolaris (Instructional Assistant II), Padmalaya Gangal (Instructor- Technology), Geraldine Sapochnick (Instructional Assistant II), Jenna Wolfe (Instructional Assistant II) Solana Highlands School: Amira Hamideh (Instructional Assistant II), Denise O'Hare (Instructional Assistant II), Lejla Sehovic-Murphy (Instructor - Art) Solana Pacific School: Rumi Aramaki (Instructional Assistant I), Moloud Ghavas Azad (Instructor - Technology), Anuradha Gouthu (Child Nutrition Worker), Grace Lopez (Instructional Assistant II), Alexandra Negroni (Instructional Assistant II) Solana Ranch School: Lakshmi Grandhi (Child Nutrition Worker), Imelda Lachica (Instructor - PE), Kavitha Nallagatla (Child Nutrition Worker) Solana Santa Fe School: Madison Cavanagh (Instructional Assistant II), Corey Felter (Instructional Assistant II) Highlights from the Meeting Teaching and Learning School Plans for Student Achievement Each year the Solana Beach School District participates in district and school site planning, resulting in each school engaging their educational partners in the development of an annual School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).   The SPSA’s  a) Establish clear goals and objectives; b) Build a shared vision with the school community; c) Create alignment between school and district goals; and,   d) Respond to state and federal requirements, such as the Local Control and Accountability Plan(LCAP). SPSAs are aligned with the District’s LCAP goals to support student achievement, well-being, and a positive school climate. The Board approved the  2022-23 School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSA). Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELO-P)   Staff presented a brief report about the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), a new requirement enacted by the State of California. The program is intentionally designed to support specific student populations with expanded learning experiences outside of the regular school day. A first reading of the Solana Beach School District ELO-P plan will be presented to the Board of Education at the November 10, 2022 regularly scheduled meeting. Following Board discussion and input the plan will return to the December 15, 2022 Board meeting for approval. The implementation timeline includes a phased-in approach.  Board Directions and Actions Donations The Board voted to approve the following donations to the Solana Beach School District:  From the Solana Beach Elementary PTA: a donation of $1,565.41 to support a Solana Highlands Teachable Wall and ABC School Equipment for the 2022-23 school year; a donation of $1000.00 to support books for Solana Vista Elementary; a donation of $5000.00 to support Solana Vista Elementary school teacher mini grants; and a donation of $5,200.00 to support Skyline Elementary school teacher mini grants.   From a Schwab Charitable donor, a donation of $425.00 to supplement Skyline School’s overnight study trips. Board Policy (BP) 6158 Independent Study The revised Board Policy (BP) 6158 Independent Study has been updated to reflect the sunset of legislation that was required of school districts’ independent study programs for the 2021-22 school year.  The Board voted to waive a second reading and adopt the revised Board Policy (BP) 6158 Independent Study.   Continuing Authority to Hold Virtual Meetings  To comply with the additional requirements set forth in AB 361, the Board is required to place an item on its meeting agenda to make findings and vote on the circumstances of the emergency and/or other state or local health and safety measures to continue waiving the traditional Brown Act teleconferencing requirements. This item will remain on each monthly Board agenda in the event it is necessary for a future meeting. Upcoming Board Meeting Join Us Again! The Solana Beach School District is currently hosting all Board meetings via Zoom video conferencing. Join us using the link below: SBSD Board meeting link Next Regular Board Meeting November 10, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Follow Us!  #SBSDEDU

    Wednesday, Oct 19 2022

  • SBSD Board Bulletin for Regular Meeting on September...

    Board Meeting on September 8, 2022 Highlights from the Meeting Teaching and Learning Principals' Reports on the 2022-23 School Opening   SBSD’s principals reported on the 2022-23 opening of schools. All reported that schools are off and running with positive energy and enthusiasm. They spoke of the amazing work that their teams accomplished to prepare for the return of students. And they described the excitement from students, families, and staff members about returning to the typical activities that had been missed over the last few years, including in-person Back To School Night, assemblies, and community events such as carnivals. Students were particularly pleased with the start of their Discovery Lab experiences. When a student was asked how he felt about being back at school he responded, “This is so fun I could do this 24/7!” Board Information, Discussion, and Action Solana Beach Schools Foundation Donation The Board thanked Solana Beach Schools Foundation (SBSF) President Katie Suel for the dedication of our SBSF parent volunteers, and then voted to approve a $62,853.73 donation from SBSF  to supplement funding for Discovery Labs - STREAM (science, technology, research, engineering, arts, math), Technology, Art and PE supplies, and for 60 LEGO Education Spike kits.   Second reading and adoption of Board Policy (BP) 1114 District-Sponsored Social Media The Board voted to adopt a new policy on Social Media. Effective communication is a vital aspect of ensuring that staff, students, families, and the community are engaged, can be heard, and support the District's mission and vision.    Social media can serve as a powerful tool to provide efficient and easy interaction with school families that enhances the community's ability to access information about the District and its programs, activities, and events. Also, it is an additional tool for schools and the District to communicate events, activities, and highlight special recognitions.   The purpose of this new policy is to provide specific requirements and guidelines to facilitate the effective use of social media to further the educational goals of the District while ensuring proper safeguards.  Click here  to read the policy. 2021-22 Unaudited Actuals Financial report After staff presented a report on the Unaudited Actuals and answered questions, the Board approved and certified the District's 2021-22 Unaudited Actuals Financial report.   District's Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC) Following the application and interview process to select a committee member to the  District's Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC),  Ashley Peterson was appointed for a two-year term for 2022-23 and 2023-24, representing SBSD parents on the Committee.   Revised Scope, Timeline, and Budget for the Solana Santa Fe School Modernization Project Back in September 2020, the Board approved an overall scope, timeline, and budget for the SSF Modernization Project of $26,049,000. The Board approved changes to the scope and timeline and changes to the Guaranteed Maximum Price by $247,573. This did not increase the  overall project budget which remains $26,049,000. The additional amount of $274,573 covers construction of a lunch shelter, an added 5,261 square feet of asphalt area in front of Building C due to the redesign of the play area, and a new storm drain retention to meet the current code requirements for storm drain runoff.   Continuing Authority to Hold Virtual Meetings  To comply with the additional requirements set forth in AB 361, the Board is required to place an item on its meeting agenda to make findings and vote on the circumstances of the emergency and/or other state or local health and safety measures to continue waiving the traditional Brown Act teleconferencing requirements. Upcoming Board Meeting Next Regular Board Meeting Scheduled for October 13, 2022, 6:30 p.m. Follow Us!  #SBSDEDU

    Tuesday, Sep 13 2022

  • SBSD Board Bulletin for Regular Meeting on August 11...

    Board Meeting on August 11, 2022 Highlights from the Meeting Teaching and Learning Summer Programs and Professional Learning A presentation was given to the Board regarding the 2022 Summer Programs held at Solana Vista and Solana Highlands schools. Summer programming began June 14 and ran through July 15, with over 500 students attending Extended School year, Summer Academy, and Enrichment classes.. Additionally, SBSD’s Child Development Center Preschool and School Age Summer programs were also popular. The Board also learned more about the annual Staff Professional Learning Days. This year, the focus was on relationships, with an emphasis on creating a sense of belonging, social emotional wellness, and academics, in addition to continuing the tradition of food, fun, and fellowship. SBSD School Safety Status Update Superintendent Jodee Brentlinger provided the Board with an update on recommended improvements and implementation timelines to keep our schools safe for students and staff, both physically and social-emotionally. Recommendations brought forth stemmed from site walks each principal held with law enforcement officials and district teams, respectively. To address the Social Emotional safety of staff and students, the following measures are being implemented this school year: Each school is developing a goal focusing on effective school and classroom environments,  Each school is staffed with a full-time counselor, A traveling SEL team will support students and staff with social emotional learning strategies, and  Professional learning will continue to be provided. Immediate exterior/interior improvements include: establishing a single point of entry and exit,  keeping  school office doors locked,  determining off-site evacuation/reunification locations for each site,  conducting monthly site safety walks, and  planning for the installation of defensive landscaping where appropriate.  These recommendations will begin taking effect on Monday, August 15. Please see the presentation  here . Board Directions and Actions Certificated Substitute Salary A ratification to extend the increase in the certificated substitute salary through June 2, 2023, was approved. This extension is intended to assist all North County Coastal Substitute Consortium districts to remain competitive with neighboring school districts as schools  face a statewide substitute shortage. Superintendent Contract Renewal The Board unanimously approved the fourth amendment to the superintendent employment contract between the Solana Beach School District and Jodee Brentlinger. This amendment extends the current contract by one year, provides a salary increase, and amends language to pay for necessary expenses while performing duties on behalf of the District. Upcoming Board Meeting Next Regular Board Meeting Scheduled for September 8, 2022, 6:30 p.m. Follow Us!  #SBSDEDU

    Tuesday, Aug 16 2022