Title
Approval of the March 17, 2021 and May 19, 2021 Minutes
Body
AUSD / City Council Subcommittee Meeting Minutes
3.17.2021
Start - 8:30am
Via - Zoom (recorded)
1 Call to Order/General Introduction
Councilmember Knox White - Chair
Councilmember Daysog (not present)
Vice President Jennifer Williams
Boardmember Heather Little
Staff present:
- Pasquale Scuderi, Superintendent
- Shariq Khan, AUSD COO
- Susan Davis, AUSD Senior Manager of Community Affairs (PIO)
- Jennifer Williams - AUSD VP of Board
- Heather Little - AUSD Board member
- Jodi McCarthy - AUSD Student Services Coordinator (mental health item)
- Lani Molina, AUSD Athletic Director
- Kirsten Zazo, AUSD Chief Student Support Officer
- Rob van Herk, AUSD Outgoing Technology Director
- Robyn Kondo, AUSD Incoming Technology Director
- Henry Mills, Student Board member at Alameda High
- Brian Lin, Student Board member at Encinal High
- William Lau - Student Board member at ASTI
- Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City Manager
- Amy Woodridge, Recreation and Parks Director
- Randy Fenn, Interim Police Chief
- Gail Payne, Transportation Coordinator
è Brief introductions for subcommittee members
2 Oral Communication Non-Agenda (Public Comment)
Speakers may address the Subcommittee in regard to any matter over which
the Subcommittee has jurisdiction or of which it may take cognizance that is
not on the agenda
è None
3 City/School District Issues
3-A School Reopening Highlights & Overview [Alameda Unified School District (AUSD)]
a. COVID-19 Protocols for HS Sports
è Superintendent Scuderi gave brief update on reopening
o AUSD reopened on Monday
o Daily student screener is proving challenging, but is a helpful tool to the AUSD
o Asking families to test bi-weekly (not a one-time test)
o Working to reopen elementary and middle schools
o Working to reopen secondary schools
è Athletics, Lani Molina & Kristen Zazo
o Following State guidance on rules for sports restarting
§ Allow scrimmage
§ Football can restart
o Games will restart this week
o Orange- and Yellow-Tier sports will also be getting scheduled (i.e., basketball and volleyball)
3-B Shared Use of Pools (City & AUSD)
a. Particularly daytime use of Encinal High School Pool
b. Update on Status of Emma Hood Pool Construction Project
è Encinal High - Amy Wooldridge
o Director Wooldridge provided an update on the discussions between the City and AUSD regarding use of the pool
§ Issues that have come up: noise and safety
• City is funding consultants that are managed by AUSD to look into these issues
§ Joint Use Agreement will be updated when issues are addressed
o Vice President Jennifer Williams asked whether kids will be on campus during the day
o Director Wooldridge - yes
o Boardmember Little - is allowing public on campus is a newer concept
o Director Wooldridge - yes, newer; but, something the City has been interested in for some time
o Boardmember Little - will we require a negative COVID test result to use pool?
o Wooldridge - following County Health protocols, which does not require a test result
o Councilmember Knox White - is there agreement that we are moving forward?
o Boardmember Little - does the school need to use the pool during the day
o Wooldridge - details could be worked out during the agreement process
è Emma Hood - Amy Woodridge
o A year ago, City and AUSD completed a larger study and effort to look at options to rebuild pool
o Staff is prepared to move forward; however, no funding at this time
§ Infrastructure bond was considered, but didn’t proceed due to COVID
o Pool will be closed by County in May 2022
o Funding - total cost for new pool and facilities
§ Est. $25M
3-C Potential Collaboration - Native American History (City)
a. Develop a Joint Plan to Better Reflect History & Culture of Native Americans in
Alameda, CA and the US
è Councilmember Knox White
o Based on recent relationship building with Native American groups, there may be interest in community education (class and broader community)
o Question about whether there could be interest in an AUSD/City partnership related to community education regarding Native American history
§ Acknowledge that there are timing constraints
§ City staff would take the lead on developing ideas and a preliminary work plan for consideration by the AUSD/City Subcommittee
o Is there interest?
o Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi
§ Could work to make part of social studies program (makes sense for that content to be hyper-local)
§ Social studies audit is forthcoming; could be good timing to incorporate into curriculum standards
o Vicki Sedlack - Artists and artists of color were brought into the discussion about renaming (former) Jackson Park (Rhythmix and others may be willing to collaborate)
o Ryan Christifer LaLonde - Community member would like to be a part of this project; has plenty of experience working with Native American groups and topics
o Amy Wooldridge - Staff can make introductions between local Native American groups and AUSD staff for the curriculum work
o Boardmember Little - Supports Director Wooldridge’s suggestion to connect AUSD to the local Native American network
o Boardmember Williams is supportive of the concept
o Councilmember Knox White would like the City to focus on community possibilities and Superintendent Scuderi will focus on AUSD curriculum
3-D Teen Mental Health Program (AUSD)
a. Status Update
è Kale Jenks (AFS)
o Funding that CC had allocated to teen mental health two years ago
§ Program paid for 1 therapist for two high schools
o Funding ended in June 2020 (no funding since then; working with intern and other methods to try to address the need)
o Due to COVID
§ 2 therapists have been supporting students across the district (students covered by medical) because there is no way to be physically at one school at this time
o Year ahead will be challenging, as students return to school
§ Looking for ways to enhance the program (partnership with Alameda Education Services) to be able to hire a full-time therapist
o One full-time therapist may not be enough, so looking for more support for the year ahead
è Boardmember Williams - What can we do to see if additional funding can come from the City?
o Councilmember Knox White - Will consider during the City’s budget, but would like to see this identified as an ongoing cost (not one time)
è Boardmember Williams - We need better ways to help kids that don’t have MediCal coverage
è Boardmember Little - Federal Relief dollars can be used over a number of years; look at ways to use the next few years to solidify the mental health support system
o Consider other partners as well related to funding
è Boardmember Little - Could we use City funding from reimagining Alameda Police Department to fund this need?
è Councilmember John Knox White - City budget process is coming in May
3-E Partnership around Tech Access for AUSD students - Smart Cities Master Plan Project
è Gail Payne - Made a brief presentation/overview of the smart cities master plan
o Boardmember Little - is there a way to move this forward faster
o ACM Beaudin - earlier in COVID, we provided people with a link to lower cost internet; Citywide upgrades will take time
o Director Wooldridge - we had facilities ready to open, but would need to partner on communications (homework hubs) to raise awareness and utilization
3-F AUSD/City Subcommittee Meeting Frequency (All)
a. Next meeting date
è Councilmember Knox White - let’s set the date and stick with it, if that’s the desire of the subcommittee
o Boardmember Williams -- Third Wednesday, at 8:30am, every other month
§ Okay by Boardmember Little and Councilmember Knox White
• Acknowledged that Boardmember Daysog was not able to attend today
4 New Business
è Native American planning work (18-24 month process)
5 Adjournment
9:35am (Zoom meeting was recorded to cloud)
*************************************************************************************
AUSD/City Council Subcommittee Meeting
Minutes
5/19/21
Start - 8:31 am
Via - Zoom (recorded)
1 Call to Order/General Introduction
Jennifer Williams, Chair
Tony Daysog, Councilmember
John Knox White, Councilmember
Heather Little, Boardmember
Staff Present:
- Pasquale Scuderi, Superintendent
- Shariq Khan, AUSD COO
- Susan Davis, AUSD Senior Manager of Community Affairs (PIO)
- Jodi McCarthy, AUSD Student Services Coordinator
- Henry Mills, Student Board member at Alameda High
- Kirsten Zazo, AUSD Chief Student Support Officer
- Ryan Lalonde, Community Member
- Gerry Beaudin, Assist City Manager, City of Alameda
- Amy Wooldridge, Direct ARPD, City of Alameda
- Andrew Thomas, Direct of Planning & Building, City of Alameda
- Kalen Jenks,
- Robbie Lyng , AUSD Senior Director of Construction
- Katherine Schwartz
Brief Introductions for subcommittee members
Vice President Williams Chairing Meeting
2 Minutes
Voted to approve minutes from March 17, 2021 at next meeting on July 21, 2021
3 Oral Communication Non-Agenda (Public Comment)
None
4 City/Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Issues
4-A AC Transit
Ø Heather Little asked if plans were in place for when schools reopen in the fall. Extension of AC Transit services will be necessary. What pressures can be put on AC Transit.
Ø John Knox White stated he and Tony Daysog are both on the ILC commission and had concerns about this. Recognized and thanked Susan Davis for attending first ILC meeting of the year; Susan Davis agreed to be staff rep for AUSD at ILC meetings. AUSD will always be at ILC meetings from this point on. AC transit working on changes for August but it was noted they only make changes three times a year. Hoping that AC Transit restores school service in the fall.
Ø Susan Davis stated that AC transit takes a long time to make changes.
Ø Tony Daysog stated that sign up shifts with AC Transit happen in July.
Ø Shariq confirmed that info was submitted a week ago; Next ILC meeting is July 14, 2021.
Ø Jennifer Williams asked to keep this agenda item on for the next meeting.
4-B Native American History
Ø Ryan Lalonde will be working on workplan.
Ø John Knox White mentioned his meeting with Lisjan tribal leaders. Expressed interest in education and learning but not just thru the schools but with the community at large. Schools will be revamping their Social Studies curriculum.
Ø Amy Wooldridge discussed Chenchenyo Park. Had discussions with Lisjan tribal leaders. Need to engage community and general public as part of the education.
Mentions working on special city council meeting on how to work together. Develop a Draft Action Plan. Working with Ryan Lalonde with interpretive signage. Points out EBRPD is a good partner. They have a bus transportation system which is free - good for schools. They have a curriculum as well. Partnership with them would be a good thing.
Ø Gerry Beaudin also mentions Draft Action Plan for raising awareness and developing greater insight into Native American History in Alameda.
Ø Pasquale Scuderi says timing is right, even though they are short staffed. Intend to fully adopting new social studies classes.
Ø Jennifer Williams says AUSD needs to be part of special meeting.
Ø Ryan Lalonde mentions Chenchenyo Park has interpretive signage with a museum component for permanent displaying. Good place for gatherings.
Ø Heather Little - Provide city wide education and giving back respect. Respect of City, of district. This was their land. Appreciated John Knox White for bringing this forward.
Ø John Know White- Would like to be able to bring something back to council by September but Amy Wooldridge would push for October because of the recesses between the two groups.
Ø Gerry Beaudin stated conversation between the tribes is important; hopefully we can do that and coordinate that drive for the next steps
Ø Jennifer Williams asked to keep this going on the next agenda.
.
4-C Pools
Ø Robbie Lyng gave an update on Encinal High School’s pool issues with exits and safety of students and general public. Stated City and AUSD have joint use of pools.
Ø Amy Wooldridge mentions Alameda High School’s pool will be closed down by Alameda County Public Health in May of 2022.
Ø Shariq Khan stated they will be writing a letter asking for extension due to COVID-19 and funding.
Ø John Knox White reminded all that we had promised the County we wouldn’t be coming back to them with another extension. If we do, we should state exactly what the plan is, outline to the county so they know what goals we are working towards.
Ø Jennifer Williams stated this was an investment and that hopefully, we can come up for more funding.
Ø Heather Little stated that it seems the grand plan here is to take the Emma Hood Swim Center and create a community swim area. Feels the $22 million price tag is a huge sum of money. Asks what is cost differential to fix the pool and make it beautiful as compared to making an entire community pool structure. Weather in Alameda not so warm to warrant this type of pool. If project is $22 million vs $19 million that might be a consideration. But it is a $22 million project vs an $8 million project, then she would want to reconsider and have additional conversations.
Ø Shariq Khan said fixing the pool to meet current requirements is necessary. These are 70+ years old. Two options: build to minimum standard for AHS or build to level that community could use it $8-25 million
Ø Heather Little states AHS needs a pool.
Ø Robbie Lyng said cost is in removing existing pool.
Ø Tony Daysog- Recognizes this is AUSD’s land. Work with a variety of stakeholders. Excited for a pool that meets community needs
Ø Jennifer Williams would like to keep this going on the next agenda. Asks Shariq Khan to come back in.
4-D Mental Health
Ø Jodi McCarthy -Surveyed students for about support services.
Ø Pasquale Scuderi - broader goal for AUSD - $3 million over next three years. Fund project thru State, Federal dollars and city contributions, $4 billion allocation for mental health.
Ø Jodi McCarthy - mentions that amongst elementary students, 38% coming back onto campus will need support and help with anxiety, 14% with depression, 8% with grief and loss. 40% of elementary students need help reconnecting with peers and teachers.
Two thousand Secondary students responded to survey. Students in this classification will also need support with anxiety, stress, depression and reconnecting with friends. Double digit numbers of hospitalization with youth. Need was great prior to COVID-19 and greater now. Great level of trauma and stress experienced by students. Takes a community to help support these children.
Ø Kale Jenks - much anxiety returning to normalcy. Students overwhelmed with number of classes. Concerned with peer relationships. Fear of the unknown. Making friends. Isolation and being by themselves. Fear of interaction.
Ø Kirsten Zazo - kids aware of mental health awareness, which is good. Need services to take care of awareness issues. Higher rate of self-referral amongst students. Need services to handle the awareness. Concerned there will not be enough.
Ø Kale Jenks -depression and suicide (4 students signed up for services. Promoting. Students are talking with one another.)
Ø Katherine Schwartz - also expressed the need for mental services. Children are suffering from anxiety, suicide attempts, stress, etc. Thanked district for investment in mental health.
Ø Henry Mills - peers are saying there is a trend when students come back to campus in the fall that they will have the awareness and the need to access these resources. Need to get ahead of the game.
Ø Jenn Williams- AUSD staff will notice signs in students. Need help to support our teachers. Hope City will help support.
Ø Jodi McCarthy- seconds that request. $3million over 3 years just a drop in the bucket. 5000 elementary student disconnected. A lot of trauma anxiety, isolation. Especially in young students. Suicide is pandemic, mental health crisis for our youth
Ø Tony Daysog - appreciates all AUSD is doing in front lines. Magnitude of issues.
Ø John Knox White - will be shocked if City doesn’t move to support in budget. Hopes for all votes in supports. Partnership with AUSD very positive.
Ø Jennifer Williams - having conversation with ACCYF
Ø Kirsten Zazo - suggest training multiple people on youth mental health first aid. Recognize mental health needs and refer to right people.
Ø Jennifer Williams - asks to keep on next agenda as ongoing conversation with funding and an update next time on what we can do.
New business -
5 New Business - None
6 Adjournment
9: 34 am (Zoom meeting was recorded to cloud)