Sexual Harassment and Intimidation –

Dear Jennifer and Shannon, [Authors of correspondence to School Board]

Thank you for your letter dated January 8.  The District welcomes your questions and comments and what follows is a response to at least some of your concerns.  Please share this with the other signers, and please encourage them to attend the upcoming meetings (outlined below) to discuss these and related issues.  Community engagement is essential in developing, evaluating, and refining District policies and practices. On behalf of the Board of Education and the District staff, we look forward to working with you and other stakeholders on these critical issues concerning student safety and security.

Review of policies and procedures.
In the Fall of 2017, the District asked its legal counsel to undertake a comprehensive review of all District policies and administrative regulations concerning discrimination, harassment, complaints concerning schools, complaints concerning District employees, Uniform Complaints, and student discipline.  The purpose of the review, which is still underway, is to ensure that the policies are complete, aligned with one another and consistent with current law, and reflect best practices.  The District initiated this review following incidents of hate speech among students during the Spring of 2017 and allegations of teacher misconduct in the Fall of 2017, as the process of investigating these incidents and allegations drew staff attention to apparent gaps, ambiguities, and outdated provisions in District policies.

District staff will present the recommendations of its counsel at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, January 23.  This presentation will be the starting point for a broader community conversation about District policies and procedures, and we strongly encourage you to attend and provide input.

Training and support for teachers and staff.
In November 2017, all District administrative staff received their annual training to prevent, identify, address, and remedy sexual harassment in both student-to-student and adult-to-student situations.  This spring, teachers and classified staff will receive the same training, which is an on-line program designed specifically for use in schools.  In the past, teachers and classified staff received the training every two years, but going forward this training will be required every year for teachers and staff as well as administrators.

In January 2018, administrative staff who are in supervisory roles, as well as counselors and Wellness Center staff, will receive more comprehensive sexual harassment training presented by District’s legal counsel.  This training will be tailored for the District and include small-group discussion and analysis.  In the past, this training was presented every other year.  Going forward, this training will be repeated every year.

In addition, the District is researching training programs for members of the Board of Education.

Assessment of student needs and concerns.
The California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) is a statewide survey concerning student health and academic performance, and the District typically administers the survey in odd-number years to 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th graders.  In addition to using the State’s questions, the District can and usually does customize the survey with its own questions.  Last year, the District decided to administer the CHKS every year, so District staff are already preparing survey questions for this February.  The intent is to include questions about harassment, bullying, safety, security, and registering complaints.  The complete list of questions is scheduled be presented to the Board and the community at the Board meeting on Tuesday, February 13.

Review of Board training and decision-making.
On Tuesday, January 30, the Board of Education will hold a workshop on effective governance that will include self-evaluation and reflection.  The workshop, facilitated by a representative of the California School Board Association, will be from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm in the Piedmont Police Department conference room.  All are welcome to attend.  

Please feel free to contact either of us directly if you have further questions. We hope this information is useful and provides some foundation for more in-depth community discussions. On behalf of the Board, we appreciate your thoughtful suggestions and look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Sarah & Randy

Sarah Pearson, Board President

Randall Booker, Superintendent 

          January 10, 2018

January 8, 2018

Dear Piedmont Board of Education,

We are asking for a transparent process and comprehensive plan to address the issue of sexual harassment and intimidation in our schools. An open and thorough effort by the Board is essential to assure our entire school community — students, parents, teachers, and staff — that any shortcomings are identified and needs are fully addressed.

Many community members are concerned about how recent events unfolded related to a teacher’s inappropriate behavior at Piedmont High School. Board Members and staff are being responsive and addressing individual questions and concerns. However, the reflections, learnings, or steps being taken to prevent similar events in the future are not being shared with the community.

In order to ensure accountability to various stakeholders in the community, the Board needs to make its planning process transparent. We expect a review of the following matters to be addressed in the development of a comprehensive plan:

• Review of the District’s existing sexual harassment policies and response protocols
• Training and support for administrative staff and teachers to ensure they are resourced properly
• Assessment of the needs and concerns of students
• Review of the training and decision-making process of the Board

A complete plan would also include a thorough examination of the District’s recent experience handling sexual harassment claims to identify blind spots and gaps. A comprehensive approach will ensure that any future program and policy investments will be targeted and effective.

All stakeholders in our Piedmont schools need to have confidence that the District is organized and resourced to create a positive, safe environment for our students, teachers and staff; and to respond decisively and with strength when safety from harassment and intimidation is threatened. Transparency is a crucial step in that effort.

Sincerely,

Jennifer & Jason Alderman

Shannon Rogers & Rohan Kalbag

Elizabeth Epstein

Lisa Rosenthal

Laura Mazel & Bill Reed

Esther Rogers

Deborah Banks & Randy Porter

Sarah & Mike Handelsman

Liz Behrens

Christina & Eric Hsia

Hope Salzer

Lilly & Chris Krenn

Stella Ngai

Lauren Tate

Jodi Biskup & Carlos Blanco

Julie Caskey & Gabriel Kra

Annemarie O’Brien

Susan Miller-Davis

Ruju & Sameer Srivastava

Justine Jacob

Lauren & Douglas Hartman

Jen Ferguson

Alison Reed

Soraya Rofagha & Phiroz Tarapore

Viola Sutanto

Shirley Rexrode

Mary Prisco

Melanie Marcus

Jodi Beasley

Leslie & Doug Frankel

Douglas Chin

Kelly Klopp Richmond & David Richmond

Jef Bekes

Amy Jo Goldfarb

Kendall & Michael Connors

Eliza Sorensen & Zach Sorensen-Wald

Gina Lambright

Elizabeth Shook

Wendi Bublitz

Sachin Adarkar

Kim Hunter

Amelia Wu

Powerful Shareholders Express Concern with Smartphones Negative Affects on Children’s Mental and Physical Health

CalSTRS (California State Teachers’ Retirement System) and Jana Partners, a New York investment firm, are major shareholders of Apple stock, controlling a combined total $2 billion worth of Apple shares.  In a letter released on Monday, these groups express concern about heavy usage of smartphones and social media negatively affecting children’s mental and physical health.

Letter to the Board of Directors of Apple from Calstrs and Jana Partners:

January 6, 2018

“As shareholders, we recognize your unique role in the history of innovation and the fact that Apple is one of the most valuable brand names in the world. In partnership with experts including Dr. Michael Rich, founding director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, and Professor Jean M. Twenge, psychologist at San Diego State University and author of the book iGen, we have reviewed the evidence and we believe there is a clear need for Apple to offer parents more choices and tools to help them ensure that young consumers are using your products in an optimal manner,” the letter said.

“By doing so, we believe Apple would once again be playing a pioneering role, this time by setting an example about the obligations of technology companies to their youngest customers. As a company that prides itself on values like inclusiveness, quality education, environmental protection, and supplier responsibility, Apple would also once again be showcasing the innovative spirit that made you the most valuable public company in the world. In fact, we believe that addressing this issue now will enhance long-term value for all shareholders, by creating more choices and options for your customers today and helping to protect the next generation of leaders, innovators, and customers tomorrow.”   ………

In a 2015 survey Pew Research Center found that 73 percent of teens have access to a smartphone, and 92 percent of them say that they go online every day. The percentage has probably increased in the intervening years, especially in Piedmont.

Read it here.

On December 4, 2017, the City Council listened to long and detailed staff and consultant explanations of the proposed ten-year contract with Republic Sanitary Services, the sole bidder to provide solid waste services for Piedmont.  Republic is Piedmont’s current provider.  The Council asked  a few questions at the meeting, having gone into greater detail at the off-camera “Study Session” the prior week.

Approximately 3% of service provided in Piedmont is subsidized by the ratepayers to cover the total cost for school and City waste disposal requirements. It was explained that this practice is one of the unique features of Piedmont’s service contract. Most cities and schools pay for their own waste collection services separate from ratepayer fees.

The Council approved the first reading in the two part ordinance approval process. As suggested by Mayor Bob McBain, the second reading will not take place until the Council meeting of January 16, 2017 to allow further input from residents.

Council member Tim Rood requested that the over 5% Piedmont franchise fee, be reduced to approximately 2%, allowing the residential rates to be slightly lower.  Prior to the second reading and adoption, staff will come back to the Council in January with a chart of the impacts to the City revenue and ratepayers.

The proposed rates for a curbside 35 gallon cart, which includes unlimited recycling carts, will go from $55.11 per month to $84.60 per month.  The rate for premises/backyard 35 gallon cart service, plus unlimited recycling carts, will go from $61.08 per month to $126.93 per month.

Under the proposed plan those wishing to slightly reduce the charges, can opt for a 20 gallon cart rather than a 35 gallon cart.  There is also an option to prepay the full year charge in order to reduce the fee by 8%, gaining essentially a free month of service.

Policy for those physically limited 

A policy allowing those who are physically unable to place their carts at curbside was approved by the Council.  On an annual basis, those residents with specific limitations may attempt to qualify for receiving on premises or backyard service for the same rate as those placing their carts at the curb. Those residents will file an application with the City signed by their doctor or present their handicapped vehicle placard to gain qualification to receive on-premises, backyard pick up, at the curbside rates.

Privacy of the physically limited residents’ information was not discussed.

There will be no reduced rates for seniors, unless within their household no one, including themselves, is able to place carts at the curb.

Republic Services representative informed the Council that there are 11 employees picking up waste in Piedmont 5 days a week.  The typical period of their pick up runs from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

As in many Bay Area neighborhoods, the hilly, curvy, narrow streets in Piedmont make service more difficult and expensive than flat, broad streets where commercial structures and residences are conveniently spaced.

Comments may be sent to the City Council as follows:

Read prior PCA article with links to the Staff Reports and extensive details on the contract and points of consideration. HERE

Open letter to Tim Rood regarding sexual harassment prevention training.

I’d like to thank you, on behalf of the School Board, for your input on sexual harassment training in the District. Earlier this fall, the District began to take steps to update sexual harassment policies to ensure they are consistent with Title IX, Ed Code and best practices under the law; and to outline procedures for providing staff training and professional development on sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and Title IX. The District expects new policies will be in place for Board review early in 2018.

Currently, and in accordance with Ed Code, all District administrators and/or supervisors are required to participate in sexual harassment training every two years. The District will change the frequency to every year. As you may already know, sexual harassment training for our union employees is part of contract negotiations.

Respectfully,

Amal Smith, School Board Member

Piedmont Unified School District Superintendent Booker responses to Tim Rood’s request that all PUSD personnel, including teachers, receive sexual harassment prevention training.  (Read Rood’s letter here.)

Mr. Rood-

Thank you for your recent inquiry around the District’s Sexual Harassment Training.

You are correct to state that the law requires that all PUSD employees in a supervisory role receive sexual harassment training every other year.  PUSD Administrators and Supervisors complete sexual harassment training every other year and beginning in 2017 have moved to annual training.

While the law requires mandatory training, my administrative team welcomes the professional development in support of staff and students and does not see it as “unpopular” in the least bit.

In the future, please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or concerns.  I’m happy to walk you through the District’s policies and procedures.

Sincerely,

An off-camera Special Board of Education meeting will be held in the School District Conference Room starting early at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, November 27, 2017.  The public can attend the first part of the meeting, however no video recording or broadcast of any part of the meeting will be available for those away from the site.

SPECIAL MEETING
Piedmont City Unified School District
November 27, 2017 8:30AM
Board Conference Room, PUSD 760 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont OPEN Session:8:30 a.m. Closed Session: 9:30 a.m.