Current Board Agenda

Regular Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda  
03/26/2026 - 5:30 PM
2930 Gay Avenue, San Jose, CA 95127
District Board Room

Code: Regular#24-25/26
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance in order to participate in the public meeting of the Board of Trustees, please contact the Office of the Superintendent at (408) 928-6822. Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make reasonable accommodations.

THE MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING LIVE VIA ZOOM WEBINAR MODE AND CAN BE ACCESSED AS FOLLOWS:
Join the Webinar from PC, MAC, iPad or Android:
https://arusd-org.zoom.us/j/87224058554
Webinar ID: 872 2405 8554
Or One tap mobile:
+6699006833, 87224058554# US (San Jose)

THE MEETING MAY ALSO BE VIEWED THROUGH LIVE STREAM AS FOLLOWS:
1. Live stream Youtube English Channel "AlumRock TV"
https://www.arusd.org/@alumrocktv5143

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT - The Board of Trustees of the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District does hereby acknowledge that the District schools and facililes sit on the traditional lands of the Muwekma Ohlone people, and the Board of Trustees further acknowledges with respect and reverence the Muwekma Ohlone People Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area for their stewardship of these lands.

***PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE ONLY IN PERSON: NO PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE
THROUGH ZOOM***

1.OPEN SESSION - CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

1.CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - PRESIDENT LINDA CHAVEZ

2. DISCUSSION AND/OR MODIFICATION(S) OF THE AGENDA
The Board may change the order of business including, but not limited to, an announcement that an agenda item will be considered out of order, that consideration of an item has been withdrawn, postponed, rescheduled or removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and possible action.
3. WELCOME AND EXPLANATION TO AUDIENCE
Any person may address the Board on any item on the meeting agenda. Persons who wish to speak on an item on
the agenda will have an opportunity to do so when that agenda item is introduced and presented during this meeting. There is a limit of 2 minutes for each speaker. The Board has the right to limit total public comment on any agenda item to no more than 20 minutes. Persons who wish to speak to the Board about any matter within the jurisdiction of the District but not on this agenda will have an opportunity to speak during item 2. on this agenda as stated below.
2. PUBLIC MEMBERS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
The Brown Act prevents the Board from discussing or acting on any item not on this published agenda. Those who wish to speak on a matter within the jurisdiction of the Board but not on the agenda may provide public comment in this portion of the meeting. The Board or Administration may refer to staff for follow-up on any formal written requests that are brought before the Board at this time. There is a limit of 2 minutes for each speaker. The Board has the right to limit total public comment on any agenda item to no more than 20 minutes.
3. CLOSED SESSION - Following Closed Session, the Board Reconvenes to Public Session.
1. ANNOUNCEMENT AND PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION (Government Code Section 54957.7)
1. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION: The Board will recess to Closed Session at approximately 5:35 p.m. Open Session will resume at conclusion of Closed Session.
2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS (Gov. Code Section 54956.8) Agency Negotiators: Public Property Advisors, Lisa Gillmor and Paulo Hernandez, and Sandra Garcia, Interim Superintendent and Teresa DeCelles, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services; Properties: 1300 Tallahassee Dr., San Jose, CA 95122-3939, 1824 Daytona Dr., San Jose, CA 95122-1719, 3720 East Hills Dr., San Jose, CA 95127-2418, 1290 Bal
Harbor Dr., San Jose, CA 95122-1902, 277 Mahoney Dr., San Jose, CA 95127- 547, property at 600 Sinclair Dr., San Jose, CA 95116, To be determined. Under discussion/negotiations: Price and terms of payment.
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: Four (4) potential cases
4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9): (1) C.T.L. by and through her Guardian Ad Litem, Julio Tavares v. Alum Rock Union School District, et al., Santa Clara County Superior Court case no. 25CV459535; (2) Maria Gutierrez v. Alum Rock Union Elementary School District, Santa Clara County Superior Court case no. 25CV462406.
5. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE / DISMISSAL / RELEASE / RESIGNATION/NON REELECTION (Government Code 54957 and 54957.1)
6. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS-- Employee Organization: AREA (Alum Rock Educators Association); District Negotiators: (1) Sandra Garcia, Interim Superintendent; (2) Cesar Torrico, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources; Lead Negotiator (3) Teresa DeCelles, Assistant Superintendent, Business.
7. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS--Employee Organization: TEAMSTERS; District Negotiators: (1) Sandra Garcia, Interim Superintendent; (2) Cesar Torrico, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources; Lead Negotiator (3) Teresa DeCelles, Assistant Superintendent, Business.
8. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS--Employee Organization: CSEA (Classified School Employees Association); District Negotiators: (1) Sandra Garcia, Interim Superintendent; (2) Cesar Torrico, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources; Lead Negotiator (3) Teresa DeCelles, Assistant Superintendent, Business.
9. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS-- Affected Employees: Unrepresented Administrators, Certificated Management, Classified Management, Supervisory and Confidential Employees; District Negotiators: Board President or designee.
4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION - DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM
1. Report of Action Taken in Closed Session
5. SPECIAL PRESENTATION/RECOGNITION
1. Copita Tournament 2026 - Recognition
Alum Rock congratulates the first-place winners of the district-wide Copita soccer tournament, recognizing the outstanding athleticism, teamwork, and sportsmanship demonstrated by all participating schools.
6. COMMENTS / COMMUNICATION
1. Teamsters.
2. California School Employee's Association (CSEA).
3. Alum Rock Educator's Association (AREA).
4. Alum Rock Administrator's Association (ARAA).
5. Interim Superintendent.
6. Board of Trustees.
7. SUPERINTENDENT/ BOARD BUSINESS --BOARD DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION (The Board may take action on any item in this section, unless it is designated for information only.)
1. Report and Recommendation of the Mapping Committee; Consideration and Approval of Resolution #67- 2025/2026 Re: Intent to Initiate a Change of District's Election System from At-Large Trustee Elections to By- Trustee Area Elections in Single-Member Trustee Areas and Directing Superintendent to Retain Appropriate Consultants, Including Demographer and Community Outreach Consultants to Support the Board of Trustees In This Process.
2. Designation of Independent Auditing Firm and Approve Contract for Services and Approve Establishment of Audit Committee.
3. Approval of the contract with WBCP to support the Board with the search for a permanent superintendent.
4. Discussion/Action to Approve Change of the Name of the Cesar Chavez Early Learning Center to the "Mayfair Early Learning Center.
The Board is requested to approve the change of name of the Cesar Chavez Early Learning Center to the "Mayfair Early Learning Center". Board Policy 7310 (Naming of Facility) provides that: The Board of Trustees can rename another school site or district facility using the name of a previously closed school or district facility by adoption of a resolution passed by a majority vote of the board. The names eligible previously for this expedited process are listed as follows:
13. Mayfair (predecessor name of Cesar Chavez Early Learning Center)
The Board is requested to exercise its authority per Policy 7310 and approve the change in the name of the facility to the "Mayfair Early Learning Center" effective immediately and to change all signage, market and community collateral and informational handouts and the District website to the new name.
5. Rescind Resolution No. 51-25/26 - proclaiming March 31, 2026, as Cesar Chavez Day.
At the March 12, 2026, Board meeting (agenda item 10.1), the Board (by a vote 4-1, Board President Linda Chavez voting no) approved Resolution No. 51-25/26 proclaiming March 31, 2026, as Cesar Chavez Day. In light of the newly-surfaced disturbing, shocking and detailed allegations and reports of sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez, the Board is requested to rescind Resolution No. 51-25/26 proclaiming March 31, 2026, as Cesar Chavez Day. The district stands with the reported victims and all victims of sexual abuse and misconduct.
6. Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team FCMAT Extraordinary Audit Findings
In September 2025, the Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools and the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) agreed to conduct an extraordinary audit of the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District. The purpose of the audit was to determine whether fraud, misappropriation of funds, or other improper fiscal practices may have occurred related to Board of Trustee reimbursements during fiscal years 2022-2023,
2023-2024, and 2024-2025.
FCMAT developed and performed audit procedures to review and evaluate district reimbursement practices related to the Board of Trustees. The audit scope, objectives, and transaction testing were established based on the FCMAT study team’s professional experience and judgment.
Dr. Toston will present a report containing the study team's findings and recommendations.
***INFORMATION ONLY**
7. Determination to Conduct Voter Survey Research for Potential November 2026 GO Bond & Parcel Tax Measures At its February 26, 2026 meeting, the Board of Trustees received a presentation from Dale Scott, the district’s Financial Advisor, regarding the potential placement of a general obligation bond measure and a parcel tax
measure on the November 2026 ballot. Proposed Survey Research
With Board approval, Dale Scott & Co. (“DS&C”) will conduct voter survey research to evaluate community support for these potential ballot measures. The survey will collect voter demographic information and assess attitudes toward district projects, taxpayer protections, and potential tax rate amounts.
8. Approve the Public Bid Waiver Application to the Waiver Office of the State Board of Education. The District's Board of Trustees in Resolution #15-25/26 has declared the following former school sites as exempt surplus land:
1. Former Sylvia Cassell Elementary School site, 1300 Tallahassee Dr., SJ, CA 95122-3939;
2. Former Donald Meyer Elementary School site, 1824 Daytona Dr., SJ, CA 95122-1719;
3. Former Horace Cureton Elementary School site, 3720 East Hills Dr., SJ, CA 95127-2418;
4. Former A.J. Dorsa Elementary School, 1290 Bal Harbor Dr., San Jose, CA 95122-1902;
5. Former Joseph George Middle School site, 277 Mahoney Dr., San Jose, CA 95127-3547.
The District intends to apply to the SBE to waive all of California Education Code (EC) sections 17472, 17473, 17474,
and portions of sections 17455, 17466, 17468, 17470, and 17472. Those provisions provide for a public bid process for surplus school property, which requires a district to specify terms and conditions for the sale or lease of surplus property, and then sell or lease to the highest bidder. If waiver is granted, this will allow the District to sell or lease the properties in a manner that best serves the District schools and community through the request for proposal (RFP) and negotiated
process. On Monday, March 9 the 7-11 Advisory Committee held a public hearing to consider the proposed SBE Waiver Application. The Committee unanimously accepted the SBE Waiver Application with the recommendation that the District not sell, rather, ground lease the exempt surplus properties.

9. Direction to Negotiate Partnership Agreement with Eastridge Little League for Use of Fischer Middle School Fields.
10. Approve Longevity Increments to Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Assistant Superintendent of Business Services.
8. BOND / FACILITIES - CONTRACTS OVER $100,000, BOARD DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION (The Board may take action on any item in this section, unless it is designated for information only.)
1. Resolution No. 65-25/26 Designation of Specific Material, Product, Thing, or Service for Construction Contract (Roofing Materials). Pursuant to California Public Contract Code section 3400 (“PCC section 3400”) and other applicable law, the District seeks to designate roofing materials from the Garland Company, Inc. (Products) as the sole source of acceptable materials, products, or services for all contracts, in order to match other products currently in use on public improvements that are either completed or in the course of completion.
2. Reject all bids for the Renaissance at Fischer School Roof Replacement Project (Bid No. 2526-Bonds05, Project #25). The Alum Rock Union School District (the “District”) prepared plans and specifications and conducted a public bid process for the Renaissance at Fischer School Roof Replacement Project. Bids were opened on March 9, 2026, and the District received bids from interested contractors in response to its Notice Inviting Bids. After reviewing the bids received and evaluating the District’s project needs and budget, District staff has determined that it is in
the best interest of the District to reject all bids for this project at this time. District staff intends to rebid the project at a future date.
9. BUSINESS SERVICES - BOARD DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION (The Board may take action on any item in this section, unless it is designated for information only.)
1. Approve Home to School Transportation Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
The Budget Act of 2022, along with Education Codes 39800.1 and 41850.1, provides ongoing support to reimburse local educational agencies (LEAs) for up to 60% of their transportation costs, less the LCFF transportation add-on each year. Pursuant to these codes, ARUSD’s Home-to-School (HTS) Transportation Plan for FY 2026–27 provides transportation for students with disabilities (per IEPs), students attending nonpublic schools, and students impacted by school closures, as well as for field trips and extracurricular activities. Services prioritize transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, grades 1–6, and low-income students. The plan ensures
equitable access to educational programs, compliance with state and federal requirements, and shall be adopted by the LEA’s governing board by April 1 each year. The reimbursement for FY 2026-27 is estimated to be $518,539.
10. Instructional Services - Board Discussion And/ Or Action (The Board may take action on any items in this section, unless it is designated for information only.)
1. Approve School Sponsored Field Trips
Per Board Policy 6153, field trips involving out-of-county or overnight travel require Board approval. The field trips listed fall under this policy. Administrative procedures will be followed for these trips.
2. Resolution No.52-25/26 Public School Volunteer Week- April 20-24, 2026
The Alum Rock Union Elementary School District is privileged to have a group of men and women who tirelessly volunteer in our schools to provide support in the classrooms, offices, and playgrounds. Hundreds of Alum Rock volunteers have enriched the lives of students and staff and have made Alum Rock schools a better place in which to study and teach. April 20 – April 24, 2026, is Public School Volunteer Week. A focus on volunteers during this week is a modest way to say thank you and recognize Alum Rock volunteers for demonstrating, on a daily basis, the true spirit of giving. Public School Volunteer Week reflects the power that volunteers have to “inspire by example”, since volunteers both encourage those they help, motivate others to serve, and are positive role models for our children and our community.
3. National Environmental Education Week – April 20-26, 2026
National Environmental Education Week (EE Week), the nation's largest environmental education event held each year the week before Earth Day, inspires environmental learning and stewardship among K-12 students. The goal is to give students a greater understanding of the environment and gain the skills necessary to solve environmental crises impacting our planet. This year, the National Environmental Education Week will be held April 20-26.
4. Resolution No. 53-25/26 Proclaiming April 2026 “Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month” This resolution proclaims the month of April 2026, as “Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month” and encourages all educational communities to celebrate Bilingualism and Multilingualism with meaningful student activities and programs that demonstrate learning and understanding the value and importance of being a bilingual/multilingual learner. The strategy is to develop and maintain productive, meaningful partnerships with families and communities to ensure the highest quality education for all students.
11. HUMAN RESOURCES - BOARD DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION (The Board may take action on any item in this section, unless it is designated for information only.)
1. Approve Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators for 2026/2027
This is required to meet the procedures for issuing and renewing emergency permits consistent with Title V regulations pertaining to Section 80026 Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators.

2. Resignations (Information Only)
Pursuant to Board Policy 4117.2 the Superintendent or designee has accepted the following resignations.
12. CONTRACTS OVER $100,000 - BOARD DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION (The Board may take action on any item in this section, unless it is designated for information only.)
1. Approve CDW Government Services Contract for the 2026/2027 SY. This contract will replace all Wi-Fi for all open school sites and the district office during the 2026-2027 school year. Submitted by Information Technology Services, $671,769.82 dollars.
Following a Request for Proposal (RFP) process conducted in accordance with E-Rate guidelines, four vendor responses were received and evaluated. The District has elected to award the contract for the acquisition of Arista Wi-Fi infrastructure to Value-Added Reseller (VAR) CDW. The total project cost of $671,769.82 will be funded as follows: 15% by the District ($100,765.47) and the remaining balance by E-Rate Category 2 Funds ($571,004.35). This upgrade will replace all WiFi for all open school sites and the district office.
2. Approve Orenda Education Services Contract for the 2026/2027 SY. This contract will provide equity leadership, professional learning, administrative coaching, and data review to support student acceleration during the 2026- 2027 school year. Submitted by Academic Services, $377,027.00 dollars. Orenda Education will provide the Alum Rock Union School District with a range of comprehensive district support in Phase 2 focused on three key pillars: 1. Leadership Development: Executive coaching, Admin Power Clinics, and site-based mentorship. 2. Data & Strategy: Technical assistance with data systems and assessment support to guide strategic planning. 3. Instructional Excellence: Collaborative learning walks, assessment development, guidance alignment and multi-level lesson sessions to align curriculum with student needs.
13. CONSENT CALENDAR/ACTION ITEMS - BOARD DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
1. Approval of Minutes for the following meetings: March 12, 2026, Regular Board Meeting and March 12, 2026, Special Board Meeting.
2. Acceptance of Donations
The District has received donations as summarized on the sheet dated March 26, 2026.
3. Approval of Fundraising Activities
The District has received fundraising requests as summarized on the attached sheet dated March 26, 2026.
4. Notices of Employment and Changes of Status / Human Resources
This item includes recommendations such as new hires, leaves of absence, or other changes in employee status.
5. Approve Contracts for Professional Services-Firms/Organizations
The following contracts for professional services are being presented to the Board of Trustees for review and approval.

7. Current Enrollment.
14. FUTURE BOARD AGENDA REQUESTS
1. Requests from Board of Trustees and/or from the Public. Requests shall be submitted in writing to the Superintendent or designee with supporting documents and information, if any, at least one week before the scheduled meeting date. Items submitted less than a week before the scheduled meeting date may be postponed to a later meeting in order to allow sufficient time for consideration and research of the issue. BB 9322
15. ADJOURNMENT
1. President adjourns the meeting.
16. NEXT MEETING(S)
1. April 16, 2026 (2025-2026 School Year).