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Board approves Prop 28 arts report, independent‑study certification, TK equivalency and contract amendments
Summary
At the August study/regular session the Gilroy Unified board adopted Resolution 2526‑03 (independent study course certification), approved the Prop 28 arts and music annual report, authorized contract amendments and reauthorized local equivalency for TK teacher qualifications (Resolution 2526‑04). A separate discussion noted SIP data inconsistencies before approval of school plans.
The Gilroy Unified School District board took multiple formal actions at its study/regular session.
Independent study certification (Resolution 2526‑03): The board adopted Resolution 2526‑03 to certify independent study course offerings for 2025–26 under Education Code provisions that allow course‑based grading for certain long‑term independent study programs (used by the district’s Virtual Learning Academy/Edenum online program). The action was taken by roll‑call; all trustees present voted in the affirmative (roll‑call recorded).
Prop 28 annual report: Staff presented the district’s Prop 28 arts and music in schools annual report for 2024–25, which lists site allocations, FTE positions funded and how sites intend to use funds (e.g., elementary itinerant arts teachers, new middle‑school electives and additional high‑school sections). The board approved submission of the Prop 28 report to the California Department of Education; the motion carried on a voice vote recorded as 6–1.
Contract amendments and staffing: The board approved several contract amendments including continuing a replacement Board Certified Behavior Analyst through a staffing contract, purchase of Teachtown Encore materials for a new self‑contained program at Brownell Middle School, and professional services increases tied to the Luigi Ara walk‑in cooler and transportation restroom projects. Those contract amendments were approved as presented.
Transitional kindergarten equivalency (Resolution 2526‑04): The board adopted Resolution 2526‑04 to recognize certain professional experiences (including full‑time preschool or prior TK teaching) as the local equivalent of 24 units of early childhood education for purposes of qualifying multiple‑subject credentialed teachers to teach TK. Staff explained how trimesters of experience would be credited (e.g., a trimester of preschool experience equates to a portion of the unit requirement) and trustees voted to adopt the resolution (roll‑call recorded affirmative votes).
School plans and procedural notes: Before many of the approvals the board spent extended time on Item 6D (school site SIPS), where Trustee Nelson flagged data inconsistencies and signaled he would vote no on some SIP approvals until corrections are made. District staff and principals explained SIPs are living documents approved earlier by site councils and committed to supplying corrected data and a clearer checklist to guide board review.
What’s next: Staff said corrected SIP documents and additional supports would be provided for trustees’ review; the district will submit the Prop 28 report to the California Department of Education as required. Several trustees asked staff to enhance community communications about arts programming funded by Prop 28.
