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Gilroy Unified approves staffing waivers, new TK eligibility path and several contracts
Summary
At its Aug. 8 regular meeting, the Gilroy Unified Board of Education unanimously approved multiple variable‑term waivers and provisional internship permits, added a new emergency transitional‑kindergarten permit line to its declaration of need, adopted a local equivalency for TK teacher qualifications, approved a CalSTRS exemption resolution, adopted an adult–student interactions policy, and approved several service contracts, including $283,500 for after‑school behavioral supports.
The Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education on Aug. 8 approved a slate of personnel items and vendor contracts intended to help the district staff classrooms and meet new state transitional‑kindergarten (TK) requirements.
The board unanimously approved settlement agreements in two Office of Administrative Hearings matters reported out of closed session and then moved through a consent agenda and several action items, including multiple variable‑term waivers and provisional internship permits that district staff said would allow the district to hire candidates while they complete credential requirements.
Dr. Winslow, who presented the credential items, listed the candidates by name and role, including Sandra Gutierrez (seeking school‑psychologist credential), Alexander Jones (physics), Theresa Ayala (special education), Dylan Babb (middle‑school PE), Richard/Rick Becker (therapeutic program), Gabriela Chavez, Neil Goswami (middle‑school math) and Marissa Kupa. After brief discussion the board voted to approve the waivers and permits unanimously.
Winslow also presented a revised "declaration of need" the district must file with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing when it applies for emergency credentials. He said the revision adds an emergency Transitional Kindergarten (ETK) permit recently created by the state: "It's brand new from the state," he told trustees, noting the district added an ETK line to the document to preserve options as TK expands.
The board adopted Resolution 24‑25‑01, authorizing the district to treat professional classroom experience with preschool‑age children as the local equivalent of 24 units of early childhood education for TK eligibility. Winslow explained the resolution defines one trimester of full‑time service in TK or a combined TK/kindergarten class as equivalent to nine units; the equivalency is limited to eligibility and "does not count for movement in a salary schedule." Trustees voted to adopt the resolution unanimously.
On a related personnel item, the board approved Resolution 24‑25‑02 to allow the district to exempt retired certificated employees from CalSTRS’ 180‑day separation‑from‑service rule in specific cases so retirees can be hired immediately when needed. Winslow identified a prospective candidate the district could add to its substitute or administrative pool and said the exemption would be used only when necessary; trustees approved the resolution by roll call.
Trustees also voted to adopt a new board policy (BP 4119.24) on appropriate adult–student interactions. Winslow said the policy is optional CSBA language vetted by district legal counsel and the district’s insurance partner and that the policy would be disseminated to staff and acknowledged before the school year starts. The board waived first reading and approved the policy.
On contracts, the board approved renewals for a speech‑therapy contract, inclusion‑coaching services and placements at several nonpublic schools (Pine Hill School, Bright Horizons, Essler B Clark School, Achieve Kids, Beacon School). The district also approved a renewal to provide behavior technicians at seven elementary after‑school sites to implement behavior plans and support students, a contract Winslow’s colleague Ms. Wells Southland said is "to provide behavioral support" in an amount not to exceed $283,500. Trustees approved those contracts unanimously.
Board President James Pace recorded the roll‑call votes for several resolutions; the meeting minutes show all actions on Aug. 8 passed unanimously with Trustee Linda Paceno absent for roll calls.
The board’s actions are framed by district officials as responses to staffing shortages and new state TK requirements. Winslow and Superintendent Dr. Munshi described the measures as ways to "grow our own" teachers and preserve options while the state expands TK and launches new credential pathways. The district will file the revised declaration with the CTC and move forward with the adopted local equivalency and personnel hires as needed.
What’s next: The board announced its next regular meeting for Aug. 22, with closed session beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the public meeting at 7 p.m.
