A summary of the Feb. 12 PUSD School Board meeting:
STEAM building construction on course for completion this summer
Pete Palmer, PUSD Director of Facilities, presented the latest Measure H1 construction update, including a schedule of key milestones between now and completion of the new $31.1 million STEAM building, which is expected in early August. He also described the measures in place to ensure that the project remains on schedule and for the campus to be ready when staff and students return for the start of school on August 11.
Board approves new condom policy for high school students
In a first, the Board approved a plan to make condoms available to high school students. Although no date has been set for their arrival, the disease-prevention and birth control devices will be offered in the Wellness Center located in Piedmont High School. “The district needs to work with the organization that will provide the condoms,” said assistant superintendent Cheryl Wozniak in an email.
During discussion, Board member Megan Pillsbury inquired if it was possible for students to receive sex education in 9th grade. ASB President Jace Porter asked the same question about seniors. Board President Amal Smith reiterated her belief in expanding the new condom policy to Piedmont Middle School. The California Healthy Youth Act (AB 329) requires that districts teach comprehensive sex education to students at least once in middle school and once in high school (not necessarily throughout 7th -12th grades).
In Other News: LCAP; campus locations for breastfeeding employees; upcoming School Board meeting agenda items
Principals Anne Dolid, Ryan Fletcher and Adam Littlefield (representing Havens Elementary, both Piedmont Middle School, and Piedmont High) presented their respective school’s progress on the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), which dictates how the District allocates education spending to meet state and local requirements. Goals were also set for 2020-23.
The update included work being done on many fronts – mental health, social justice and diversity, gender literacy, anti-bullying and anti-bias, and chronic absenteeism. The feedback form for parents interested in contributing input on LCAP goals but unable to attend meetings in-person can be found here.
The Board approved the Lactation Accommodation policy for breastfeeding district employees. This includes Havens Elementary, Beach Elementary, Wildwood Elementary, Piedmont Middle, Millennium High.
The next Board meeting on Feb. 26 will discuss the Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) grant with the Alameda County Office of Education. PUSD will be moving forward in applying for the TUPE grant to help finance a tobacco diversion program. The Board will also discuss its policy on equity, and reviewing and updating the District’s Safe School Plans (includes procedures for lockdowns, active shooters, earthquakes, fires, etc.).