USD Board Meeting Highlights

The Board and Superintendent recognized 18 individuals for their commitment to students and families in their five years of service in Union School District. Each spring, USD will typically honor years of service awardees at our annual Employee Recognition event but was unable to do so in-person last year. This year, USD will honor groups of employees for their years of service at each Board Meeting. Congratulations to our third group of service award recipients!

From left to right: Anna Fraboni, Sarah Hall, Leslie Sherrett, Glen Nesbitt, Kiersten Dahlquist, Superintendent Dr. Carrie Andrews; Other award recipients: Paul Ahn, Emily Augustine, Chloe Bombardieri, Janelle Carino, Danielle Damato, Melanie Gee, Navjot Grewal, Moriah Hamamjy, Kandice Harmon, Jennifer Huntley, Michael Kaelin, Sheila Mansfield, Julianna Shon

Principal Todd Feinberg introduced 8th Grade English Language Arts teachers Liz Froemming and Lis Jorgens who shared a look into the 8th grade literature circles happening at Union Middle School. They shared that reading and fostering a love of reading is important for students. When providing a diverse selection of books covering different themes and genres as well as the freedom to choose ebooks or audiobooks, students feel encouraged to seek out reading material that interests them. In class, during book discussion, students are provided a physical copy of the book and are given direct instruction on how to talk to each other in small groups. These book discussions are a highlight of the class period and provide students with practice to develop crucial communication skills as well as continued opportunities for students to connect to one another.

The Board of Trustees received information regarding the Educator Effectiveness Block Grant and held a public hearing. Associate Superintendent of Learning and Innovation Sarah Jellin presented the plan regarding funds to be received through the one time monies (grant). Announced in October 2021, the grant requires a public hearing and Board adoption of the plan before December 30, 2021. Based on the number of staff in 2020-21, this one time funding is required to be spent before June 2026 and all spending must follow acceptable parameters. Union SD will be allocated $1,087,109 from the grant, and funds will be used in the following specific areas:

• Programs that lead to literacy across all areas

• Social emotional learning and mental health services

• Coaching and mentoring of staff serving in an instructional setting

The District’s plan will be brought to the Board of Trustees for approval at the December 13th Board meeting.

Click here to view the full presentation.

Click here to view the proposed Educator Effectiveness Block Grant plan.

The Board of Trustees received and held a Public Hearing of Union School District’s Reopener to the CSEA Contract for the 2021-22 school year. The current 2019-22 contract contains a reopener to negotiate compensation for the 2021-22 school year. The proposal is being “sunshined” during the November 15th Board Meeting per Ed Code requirement. In addition, the Board unanimously approved the acceptance to negotiate the District’s reopener as it relates to Article 8 (compensation and benefits).

Click here to view the sunshine statement from USD.

The Board of Trustees voted to designate December 13, 2021, as the Board's annual organizational meeting. The governing board of each school district shall establish and hold an annual organizational meeting. The purpose of an annual meeting is to:

• Elect Board Officers: president, vice president, clerk, and representative for the County Committee on School District Organization

• Schedule and approve board meeting dates for the 2022-23 school year.

View the Union School District Policy in regards to annual board organizational meetings here.

The Measure J Bond, passed by voters in June 2014, provides USD with $125 million issued in phases through 2035, specifically targeted towards facilities and technology. Gratitude was expressed for the community’s support for Measure J and USD students and schools.

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Rita Sohal, Manager of Maintenance and Operations, Mary Ann Meisenbach, and Director of Information and Instructional Technology, Lisa DeLapo provided an extensive update of the projects made possible by Measure J since it’s passing to today.

In the past seven years there has been a tremendous amount accomplished. The USD team shared photos of numerous school and technology improvement projects including new facilities, solar structures, safety and security measures, student and classroom devices, network infrastructure and more.

The next bond issuance of $11.5 million, slated for approval at a future Board meeting, would be available to USD through September 2026. $2.7 million of that issuance is designated specifically for USD technology needs. Superintendent Dr. Andrews shared how appreciative that the District is to the community for approving Measure J as it has had a significant impact for our students, staff and schools. The challenge the District faces is the timing of the issuances paired with the District ongoing technology and facility upgrades. The District needs to weigh the Bond issuance timeline over the next 14 years with these ongoing needs. As such, staff will be presenting a 5 year facilities and technology needs plan at the January 2022 Board meeting.

Click here to view the full presentation.

District Extended Care Supervisor Alexandra Feldman provided an informative update on the District’s Extended Care program, including a program history since its launch in 2019 and a financial summary year over year.

Originally opened at Guadalupe Elementary in February of 2019, Union Extended Care now operates at seven of the district schools with 630 students currently enrolled. Extended Care provides childcare during the school year and runs several camps during the summer and other school breaks. As Ms. Feldman shared, Extended Care reopened in June of 2020 following school closures due to the pandemic, providing critical childcare support for families and staff. The program integrates academic support as well as social emotional learning and STEAM activities throughout. While Extended Care did see a loss of revenue in previous years due to COVID-19, the program is projected to net just over $1 million during the 2021-22 school year and an increase in future outyears. The benefit of running our own program is the funds go directly back to the USD general fund to support district programs and staffing. USD program goes above and beyond in supporting students and families year round. The update was a celebration of the success and how USD will scale up opportunities in the future.

To learn more or to enroll in USD extended care or upcoming camps, please visit https://unionsd.ce.eleyo.com/

Click here to view the full presentation.

Please join us for our next regular Board of Trustees Meeting on December 13, 2021. The meeting will be held at the USD District Office Board Room at 5175 Union Ave. Visit the Board of Trustees page for virtual meeting access and information on future meetings.

Board of Trustees

Sheila Billings

Vickie Brown

Doug Evans

Jennifer Petroff

Thomas E. Rossmeissl

Superintendent

Dr. Carrie Andrews

Email: vanherkl@unionsd.org
Website: www.unionsd.org
Location: 5175 Union Avenue, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: 408-377-8010
Facebook: facebook.com/UnionSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @USDUpdates