NUSD Board Meeting Highlights - Feb 2, 2016

Want to watch the Board meeting? Tune in to Comcast Channel 30 or on Novato Community Television’s YouTube channel. The meetings are also rebroadcast on Channel 30 (click here for the schedule) and archived on NCTV’s YouTube channel.

PRESENTATION

Fifth graders from Rancho Elementary School performed highlights from their Holiday Road Trip Musical. The Board and audience were treated to fun holiday singing and dancing.

• Approve Solar City as the Selected Solar Installation and Maintenance Firm for the District: The Board of Trustees approved Solar City as the Solar Installation and Maintenance Firm. The District received only one proposal in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) and Solar City submitted a competitive proposal that was reviewed by Sage Renewables and District staff.

It was determined that the proposal, as submitted by Solar City, was competitive based on their company performance, pricing, component selection, designs, proposed schedule and ability to deliver the project. It is the recommendation of the District’s solar consultant, Sage Renewables, and staff that the Board approve the selection of Solar City as the solar system installation and maintenance vendor.

Now with Board approval, the District can enter into negotiations with Solar City to establish the contract scope and cost of installation, and the financing method. The final contract will be presented to the Board for approval at the regularly scheduled Board meeting on March 1, 2016. (Discussion/Action 15.b.)

• NUSD Mid-Year Goals Progress Report: Superintendent Jim Hogeboom presented an update of the 12 goals in the four priority areas the Board established in the Fall 2015. Those four priority areas are: Equity, Student Success, Staff Success and Community Engagement and Involvement.

Mr. Hogeboom noted that some of the data isn’t available yet for some of the goals but Progress and Next Steps are outlined. To review the Mid-Year Progress on Priorities and Goals 2015-16, please see the Attachment with the Staff Report. (Staff Report 14.d.)

• 2016 Bond Measure Feasibility Study: Karen Maloney, Assistant Superintendent Business & Operations, invited Bryan Godbe of Godbe Research to present the findings of the recent 2016 Bond Measure Feasibility Study.

The purpose of the study, conducted in December 2015, was to gauge the public’s perception of the District and to assess potential voter support for a bond measure to upgrade aging schools and to protect quality education in November. The questions included language such as:

o Provide science, technology, engineering, math and language labs and equipment to prepare students for college and careers, and

o Update classrooms, science labs and libraries with current technology to meet modern academic standards.

Key findings included:

• • 59.8% thought NUSD is providing a quality education
  • 59.5% agreed with the statement on whether NUD needs additional funding
  • 69.7% expressed initial support for the measure and 74.3% expressed support after hearing the features and positives.

More information can be found in the Staff Report. (Staff Report 14.a.)

• Energy Conservation Program Update: Scott Himes, Energy Specialist, updated the Board on NUSD’s energy conservation program. The program, initiated in September 2012 with Cenergistic, has reduced the District’s energy costs by 21.7% as of November 2015 resulting in a savings of $808,237 (does not account for rate increases and additional square footage.)

The energy program success is the product of multiple factors; however, teamwork by the Maintenance Department, teaching staff, office staff, custodians, administrators, community and Energy Specialist in making behavioral changes to conserve energy has been the most important factor in the success. More information can be found in the Staff Report. (Staff Report 14.b.)

• Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between NUSD and the Building Better Citizens for America: The Board of Trustees approved the MOU between NUSD and Building Better Citizens for America, the foundation supporting the JROTC program at Novato High School. NUSD fully supports the JROTC program at Novato High School as it is a great program for students and NUSD values the relationship with the BBCA. NUSD administration, staff, and Trustees appreciate the role BBCA is playing in making JROTC a thriving program to serve not only NUSD students but also students in Marin and Sonoma Counties. Col. Yamaguchi, Cadet Cooper Cone and BBCA Secretary were present. (Discussion/Action 15.b.)

Future Board Meetings:

3/15/16 Regular Board Meeting, 7 pm Open Session

NUSD Board Room, 1015 Seventh Street

Are you interested in receiving advance notice of the Board agenda and its reports? If so, please email Gladys Batz, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at gbatz@nusd.org and say you want to be added to the email list. Ms. Batz sends out the link to the agenda and board reports for the upcoming Board meeting the Friday before a regular Board meeting. The agenda and associated board reports can also be found on AgendaOnline. The link can also be found on the homepage of the NUSD website (www.nusd.org) under Quick Links.