Excerpts from meetings of the Cypress School District 

Board of Trustees held in May 2024

SPECIAL MEETING - MAY 6, 2024

Provisional Appointment to Fill Trustee Area A Vacancy on Board of Trustees

The Board interviewed four candidates who applied for provisional appointment to fill the vacancy for Trustee Area A resulting from the resignation of Brian Nakamura in March. Carrie (Katsumata) Hayashida was selected and administered the Oath of Office. 

Trustees Troy Tanaka, Lydia Sondhi, Carrie Hayashida, Sandra Lee, Candi Kern

REGULAR MEETING - MAY 9, 2024

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

Recognition of 2023/24 Retirees

The following employees who have or will be retiring during the 2023/24 school year were recognized. 

  • Dena Allen, Teacher, 26 years
  • Dena Crone, Department Secretary, 11 years
  • Annette Jones, Library Clerk, 17 years
  • Cheryl Milkes, Teacher, 35 years
  • Wendi Otto, Teacher, 24 years
  • Catherine Sivills, Teacher, 26 years
  • Barbara Urban, Child Nutrition Services Senior, 23 years
  • Barbara Valdez, Teacher, 37 years
  • Bryan (Charles) Webster, Teacher, 25 years
  • Julienne Whiteman, Teacher, 33 years

Barbara Valdez, Cheryl Milkes, Catherine Sivills, Dena Allen, Bryan Webster, Wendi Otto

Staff Report: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Tandy Taylor, Executive Director, Educational Services, along with Jean Wu and Melinda Steele, STEM Teachers on Special Assignment, provided the Board with an update on the district's STEM program.

BOARD ACTIONS

Consent Agenda

The Board approved a number of routine consent items, including gifts and grants to the district, Human Resources transactions, purchase orders and checks, and agreement renewals. Details regarding these items can be found in the Board meeting agenda.  


Thinking Maps Professional Development

An agreement with Thinking Maps, Inc. was approved for staff professional development on mathematical thinking and discourse at a cost of $4,400.


Resolution to Reduce Classified Service

The Board adopted a resolution reaffirming and finalizing a previous authorization to reduce the 2024/25 work year for one classified Preschool Teacher (State-Funded Preschool Program) position. The cost savings is approximately $13,000.


Revised Classified Job Description and Salary Adjustment 

As part of the district’s ongoing position classification review process, job descriptions are reviewed and salaries are compared with similar positions in neighboring elementary school districts. The Board approved a revised job description and salary adjustment for the Library Clerk position. 


Furniture Purchase for Landell

The Board approved the purchase of furniture from Culver-Newlin for Landell at a total cost not to exceed $175,000. Over the summer, all student chairs and some teacher desks will be replaced and storage cabinets will be added in the portable classrooms.


Notices of Completion

Notices of completion for the following projects were approved:


  • 2023 Del Sol Phase 2 Deferred Maintenance Project by M.P. South, Inc. at a total cost of $912,739.43. Work included new flooring, paint, LED lighting, and miscellaneous repairs in 10 classrooms, as well as refreshment of the administrative offices and exterior painting of the entire campus.


  • Fabric shade structure installation at Luther by USA Shade & Fabric Structures at a total cost of $125,014.39. Two shade structures were installed, one in the parking lot area and one in the preschool play area. 


  • 2024 Luther Fabric Shade Structure Sitework Project by M.P. South, Inc. at a total cost of $108,882.50. Sitework was required to prepare the area surrounding the new shade structures, including installation of concrete.


Lease and License to Use Agreements

The Board approved the following agreements for use of district properties:


  • Greater Anaheim SELPA – Amendment to Lease Agreement for office space at the district’s Corporate Avenue facility for the term July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, at a monthly fee of $4,268.72.


  • Grace Christian School – Amendment to License to Use Agreement for use of the closed Cawthon school site for the period July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, at a monthly fee of $33,188.48.


  • Del Sol School – Amendment to License to Use Agreement for use of facilities at the closed Damron school site for the period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, at a monthly fee of $20,869.63.


Spending Determination of the Education Protection Account for 2023/24

Funds generated by Proposition 30, the temporary tax increase passed in 2012, are deposited in a state Education Protection Account (EPA) for school districts. Districts must annually identify how their EPA funds will be used. The Board adopted a resolution approving the district's spending determination of the Education Protection Account for 2023/24 in the amount of $683,344.  


Biennial GASB 74/75 Actuarial Valuation Study

Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 74/75 (GASB 74/75) requires a biennial calculation of present district liability for future non-pension benefits for employees and retirees. The Board approved an agreement with Total Compensation Systems, Inc. to perform this study at a cost of $10,260.


Board Compensation for Missed Meeting

Per Board Bylaw 9250, the Board must take action to authorize full compensation for any Board Member who was absent from a meeting. A resolution was adopted authorizing full compensation for the month of April for Trustee Troy Tanaka, who was unable to attend the April 11, 2024, Board meeting.


Biennial Trustee Election

The district will have two open Board seats representing Trustee Areas A and E on the November 5, 2024, ballot. The Board adopted a resolution ordering an election to fill these seats and consolidation with board member elections for the Anaheim Union High School District and North Orange County Community College District, in accordance with Education Code.


Updated Board Policies, Administrative Regulations, and Board Bylaws

The following Board Policies, Administrative Regulations, and Board Bylaws were adopted by the Board:


BP 0450 Comprehensive Safety Plan

AR 0450 Comprehensive Safety Plan

BP 0470 COVID-19 Mitigation Plan

BP 3516 Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness Plan

AR 3516 Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness Plan

BP 3550 Food Service/Child Nutrition Program 

AR 3550 Food Service/Child Nutrition Program 

BP 3551 Food Service Operations/Cafeteria Fund

AR 3551 Food Service Operations/Cafeteria Fund

BP 3553 Free and Reduced Price Meals 

AR 3553 Free and Reduced Price Meals 

BP 4111/4211/4311 Recruitment and Selection

AR 4112.5/4212.5/4312.5 Criminal Record Check

BP 4118 Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action

AR 4118 Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action

BP 4140/4240/4340 Bargaining Units

BP 4157/4257/4357 Employee Safety

AR 4157/4257/4357 Employee Safety

AR 4157.1/4257.1/4357.1 Work-Related Injuries

BP 4218 Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action

AR 4218 Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action

BP 5141.21 Administering Medication and Monitoring Health Conditions

BP 5144 Discipline

AR 5144 Discipline

BP 6115 Ceremonies and Observances

AR 6115 Ceremonies and Observances

BP 6141.2 Recognition of Religious Beliefs and Customs

AR 6141.2 Recognition of Religious Beliefs and Customs

BB 9320 Meetings and Notices

BB 9323.2 Actions by the Board


All Board Policies, Administrative Regulations, and Board Bylaws are available online.

MEETING LINKS

NEXT MEETINGS

June 13, 2024 - Open Session 7:00 p.m.

June 20, 2024 - Open Session 7:00 p.m.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
Carrie Hayashida - Candi Kern - Sandra Lee - Lydia Sondhi, Ph.D. - Troy Tanaka 
 
SUPERINTENDENT 
Anne Silavs