001All right. Um, good evening. I want to um welcome everyone to um the regular board meeting of the board of education on July 24th. And we are reconvening back to regular session at uh 6:02 p.m. And um we do not have anything to report from close session. Um, we're going to move on to communication reports. And I'm just going to say that uh folks, I'm sure a lot of folks are here to provide comments. And I recognize that that might be just considered public comment, but you may also want to consider um commenting during item 9B that relates to salaries. And so I'm willing to consider just having them all be after the staff presentation on salaries if uh whether you're talking about salaries or benefits because I kind of see them collectively the same.
002>> President Keer, I I've received um five cards and four are specific to 9B. So that just know that. >> Okay, cool. So the the one that if the person who signed up for public comment wants to wait, that's fine. or if they want to go, but I just wanted to >> that specific card is is listed as health health insurance premiums. Okay. So, >> so I'll just I'll just po pose that question for folks to think about and we're going to move on to um item 7 A, which is board member reports. Do I have any uh reports? >> Nothing to report. >> President Keer, I'm sorry, maybe I wasn't because I was looking at something. Did you do a report of any actions up from close? >> I said no. Yeah, there was.
003>> My apologies. Thank you. Yeah. >> And I have nothing to report either. >> Nor do I. >> All right, then we'll move on. I do not My only report is that um actually there's a couple things I just want to let the other board members know about. I will not be at the August 14th uh board meeting um because I'll be taking care of my mother. And then um at the end of August, it's the um the last Monday in August, the Elorado County School Board Association is offering training and I will send that around to everybody. It's training about um student centered learning and some new innovative um research techniques related to that. So that's going to be a Monday evening and I have asked whether it would be provided to our board
004members um via Zoom so that you wouldn't have to drive down. I'll be going to Plasterville though on that that last Monday in August. All right. Thank you. Yeah, you'll hear more about that by email. All right. Superintendent Dr. Cutler, President Keer, members of the board. I'll make mine very short. Um I just want to let you know that I've been getting out and about to different sites and uh want to report that Dave Dave Zebo and team are are really working hard to get our our sites ready for the start of the school year. Um there we are actually redoing the library at the middle school and at Beiju this year. Um and so I went and seen looked at both of those classrooms. They are carpeted and newly painted and waiting their new
005furniture that will be exciting to to have in place. Um so just a big shout out to our staff that are all working throughout the summer to keep our our our school district looking good and ready but also preparing us for the start of the school year. So, I want to appreciate all of them and the work that they're doing. Um, and seeing that we uh have a full house tonight, I appreciate that everyone's here. Um, we do have an agenda item this evening that I think is exciting. Um, you know, we'll talk about it later, but we will be introducing a new principal this evening and and so we look forward to that as well. >> Thank you. All right. And then we have um time for the employee association reports. Do we have
006any employee association reports? And Miss Moora is here. Welcome. >> Good evening. Um, thank you all for joining us tonight. Uh, I am Nicole Mora and I'm honored to stand before you as the new president of South Tahoe Educators Association. I step into this role with a deep commitment to our educators and an unwavering belief in the importance of open dialogue and fair negotiations. However, today I want to express growing frustration and concern regarding the lack of a availability from the Lake Tahoe Unified School District administrative team. STA has offered over 20 possible dates to continue the negotiation process and to this date the district has not been able to meet with us. The delay is not a scheduling inconvenience. It is creating a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty amongst our members. We have
007mentioned repeatedly that our employees are concerned about the proposed increase in health care costs. These changes could have a real and lasting impact on our financial well-being of our families and our educators deserve clear answers and a chance to speak at the table about what directly affects us. We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for professional courtesy and a genuine commitment to the negotiation process. We are ready to work. We are ready to listen and we are ready to find solutions together. We urge the district to meet us at the table not just as an obligation but in partnership because the future of our schools, our staff and our students all depend on it. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you Nicole. >> Right. Do we have uh Bernardet? I don't
008>> believe she's here this evening. >> Okay. All right. Okay. And then item 7D, public comment. >> Oh, yes, we do have a few. Uh, well, we have two that are specific. Okay. We also have one submitted. Is it specific to 9B? Yeah. So, we'll have we have three that have been provided, one electronically, and two here. So, we'll have uh Teresa read the first one. >> Okay. >> This is from Jennet Irving, MAT, transitional kindergarten teacher at Tahoe Valley. I'm writing in response to the employee insurance concern. We're not here trying to rock the boat. We're here speaking for our livelihoods. I'm not just speaking hyperbolically. I've got numbers and facts for you. First, take a second to pull yourself in my shoes so you understand where I speak from. I'm a longtime teacher.
009I have two boys who are district students and my husband works full-time and I took a second on a second job to make ends meet. By placing the full burden of the insurance rate increase on employees, my monthly deduction will change from $498.72 to $9238. That's an increase of $424.36 a month. I know there is a presentation tonight about the historic in income increase for the district claiming our salary is above average and makes the district competitive and desirable for retention. But consider this. Even with your competitive wages, that's in quotes, and getting the financial installment of the raise this year, the insurance increase means I will have an actual wage decrease of $260 a month starting in October. One other fact that needs to be considered is that the cost of living is higher
010in Tahoe than other areas of California. So, competitiveness of salaries doesn't go as far. you will make employees seek employment elsewhere like Truckucky Tahoe Unified which offers a much higher salary schedule and an insurance opt out option. It should also be noted that our district is an no opt out district. So even though my husband carries full health insurance for my family, I am required to pay whatever deductible costs we land on. I imagine argument made will be that the employees can drop to a lower medical plan, but then you're asking my family to move from a $4,000 family deductible to a $13,000 family deductible and play roulette that we don't need services. My son just broke his clavicle on the first and the on the first and that entire cost under the lower plan
011would would be on my shoulders. When bills are already stretched to LA, when bills were already stretched this last year, the decision will literally not metaphorically make our family choose between paying bills, getting gas for work, and putting food on the table. We're not asking for the district to cover the entire increase, but we are respectfully requesting that the district and board consider how the cost increases can be shared between the district and all employees and that you consider this issue from the perspective of the people who actually pay for their insurance. Thank you, Jenna Irving. >> Okay. All right. Next up, we have Diana Anthony um regarding budget and health insurance. Diana since it's relevant. Um, good evening Dr. Cutler, members of the board and fellow community. My name is Diana Anthony and I
012am a science at the high school and I love my job. I'm very proud to serve this community and be a part of it. But I stand here tonight as an employee who feels overlooked and undervalued because of the proposed health insurance change for next year. In January last year, I was exposed to a rabid bat at a wedding. I needed immediate life-saving rabies vaccines. And even with insurance, I still had to pay $3,000, money I didn't have. I'm currently paying off at medical debt and will be until April 2029. After that experience and spending my whole summer on the phone with our insurance provider, the hospital, and getting nowhere, I made the choice to switch to the high deductible plan. The lower premiums would allow me to save and be better prepared for unexpected
013bills. But under this proposal, there's not a single option that allows me to save or be prepared in case of emergency. I'm here to tell you that I and others need this option. You have the difficult job of balancing a budget in changing times, but this proposed premium structure is inequitable. I feel overlooked because maybe you didn't even notice the disparity. Or if you did notice, I feel undervalued because you thought it was good enough. I don't know which is worse. Let me make the disparity clear. Right now, my premium is about $50 a month for the lowest tier high deductible plan. Under this proposal, I'd be paying over $350. It's a 600% increase. I repeat, 600%. Is the insurance company raising premiums by 600%? No, they're going up by 25%. But under this proposal,
014every single dollar of that increase is being passed on to your workers. This results in a 49% increase for those who can already afford the most expensive plan, which is a huge jump, but 600% for those of us on the high deductible low cheap cheapest plan, which is a 12 times bigger jump. And let's be honest, those of us on this high deductible plan are already taking a huge financial risk. We accept $6,000 of a deductible for a lower monthly premium, but that trade-off only makes sense if the monthly premium is affordable. And now you're asking us to finance both, which makes this plan completely inaccessible. I know the insurance company can increase their rates, but they aren't negotiating with me. They are negotiating with you. In 2025, in California large group markets, the average
015premium increase is 10.7%. How did we get burdened with 25% and why do I and my fellow teachers have to bear 600% to compensate? Increases this extreme are supposed to be reviewed and likely deemed unreasonable by regulatory agencies like the California Department of Managed Healthcare or the Department of Insurance. Why hasn't that process been triggered? Who's advocating for us? You you might say it's not us. We're also appalled. But I want to be clear. You do have a choice in the matter. You're choosing whether or not to pass this cost on to employees. You are choosing how much to advocate for us. As it stands, this proposal increases my cost by 600% per month while increasing the cost of the district 0%. Please rethink this and keep us in mind. >> Thank you for your
016time and your service to the employees and students of our >> Thank you, Diana. handfils. >> Let's give them to you. >> Good evening and thank you so much for allowing me to speak. I'm actually speaking asking you kind of the question is I don't feel you respect the teachers. Simple as that. Real cut and dry. I say this because on the last day of school, four elevated teachers were told that they would not have a job, their current job. This was after some positions that had been open were already closed. Then you guys instead of taking the voluntary transfers positions and putting them to the side for a little bit, a few days, a few weeks to allow the elevated teachers who had no choice about what position, you know, their job this year.
017You guys, the district just pushed them to the side and being told they'll probably have no choice but to go to the middle school. That's not fair. You guys, as much as I appreciate the teachers who volunteered to that, they had a position. You yanked the elevated teachers positions out from underneath them. And to not prioritize those four teachers, it's four teachers, guys, tells me you don't respect them. And if you don't respect those four teachers who've been in the district longer than I have, I'm thinking, great. What are you going to do to me? What are you going to do to the rest of us? What, you know, you're clearly showing us with the health things that you're allowing us to take the whole cost. I'm just I'm floored. I wasn't planning on talking
018today, so I'm not prepared at all. But I want you to start thinking about what you do, what your actions do, and what that says to your employees, how you're treating them. Thank you, >> President Keer. What I have left here is is specific to 9B. So, did you want then to wait for 9B? Okay. >> Fine. >> Then I believe that's all we have for public input at this time. All right. All right. We'll move on to item eight, which is um the educational services. It's the 2024 I Ready update. This is a presentation. >> Make sure it's on. Alan, >> give it up. >> Missing one little piece there. >> Just one second. I think I'm on. >> Yeah. >> All right. Thank you, Teresa. Greetings, President Keer and trustees. I'll be providing
019a brief update on our curriculum. Are you ready? Assessment data review. This work is aligned with our vision and mission with the components highlighted the directly tied to I ready and our vision and mission here this slide shows >> not moving >> getting it. Thank you. This slide shows our history of transitioning from interim math assessments to interim I ready assessments. Last school year, all K8 grades used I Ready. students were given adaptable um assessments in the fall, midyear, and in the spring. >> No, >> it's not gone. Sorry, Teresa. >> Got it. >> This slide demonstrates student progress with a color code where green is showing on grade level or above, yellow demonstrates approaching grade level, and red demonstrates below grade level. You could check it for me. Thank you. Next slide, please. >>
020Not right. No. >> First, we'll review reading results, then math results. So, there we go. Okay. When they're This is our overall results, then I'll the overall reading results, then I'll follow with the school results. The slides are set up the same with the fall results up top and the spring results on the bottom of the slide. What we hope to see in all of these slides is our green growing and our red shrinking. When we compare the top fall results to the bottom spring results, as you can see from this slide, we had 30% of our students meeting or exceeding end of grade level standards in the fall. And the number grew to 56% of our students meeting end of grade level standards by the end of the school year. In 2324, that number
021was 54%, an increase in 2%. Additionally, looking at the red, in the fall, we had 36% of our students significantly below grade level in the fall and that number decreased to 23% significantly below grade level in the spring. In 2324, it was 24%. Next slide, please. This next slide shows Beu's reading results where they increased their students meeting and exceeding grade level standards from 23% to 56%, an increase of 4% from the previous year. Please note this slide only shows the third through fifth grade students as a result of the two-way bilingual immersion program design and that adaptable Spanish assessments were unavailable in 2425 but they will be available in the 2526 school year. Next slide please. This slide shows Tahoe Valley's results with 24% in the fall meeting end of year standards and that
022number grew grew to 57% in the spring. Next up is Sierra House, which improved from 21% to 57% in reading. Um, next slide is Meyers that went from 47% to 82% meeting exceeding standards in reading. Finally, South Tahoe Middle School went from 33% to 43% meeting exceeding standards in reading. In 2324, they had 37%. They had a a nice jump there. The next slide will show the end of your progress by grade level. You could click that one for me, Teresa. Thank you. As you see, there's some increased difficulty in moving students to the green as the grade level progress, which may, you know, which we understand is important to note as we strive for early intervention. Our next slide breaks down the components of our domains of reading. I'm particularly interested in the early
023grades in phmic awareness and and phonics uh growth. You may have heard increased concerns across the country around the science of reading and the importance of teaching phmic awareness and phonics in the early grades. Um thankfully um about seven years ago I believe uh we did implement SIPs which was an enhancement to our phonics program. um since teachers realized at that time that our current reading program may not have been as robust in phonics and phmic awareness as we would like to see. Next up, we're going to go through math. I wish I could get this to work, Teresa. I'm sorry to put you to work. Um here you see our overall K8 math progress from 17% meeting and exceeding endofear standards to 46%. In 2324 that was 39%. We had a nice little jump
024there. Next up is Beiju, who improved from 4% to 35%. This data includes all K through 5th students uh at Beiju. Next up is Tahoe Valley. Their math results went from 9% to 44% meaning or exceeding endofear standards. Next up is Sierra House who who went from 15% to 50% meeting exceeding endofear standards. Next up is Meyers who improved from 27% to 73%. Um Meyers impoverish rates are about half that of the other three elementary schools. Um and have about 1% of their e students. Yet after spending quite a bit of time at Meyers while principal was out, students thrive at high levels as a result of the teachers high expectations and students um and and those that they have of each other. Next up is South Tahoe Middle School, which improved their math results
025from 24% to 36%. In 2324, that number was at 31%. They got a nice little jump there. Uh, next up is our endofear grade levels are shown on this slide. And as you see, as we progress to higher levels, we see a decrease in percentage of students meeting or exceeding endofear standards. This next slide shows fall and spring domains progress in numbers and operations, algebra, measurement and data and geometry. Next slide, please. We also want to recognize teachers who were able to get 75% or more of their students meeting their growth goals depending on where they they started regardless of where they started. Um, students have robust growth goals to work towards. Teachers are listed here who accomplished this challenging goal disagregated by school and subject. I also personally reached out to each of these
026teachers thanking them for the hard work and congratulating them for their students significant progress. Next slide, please. Here we've identified our next steps for 2526. We'll review all achievement results with our principles. We will review results with their teachers. We'll identify our strengths and growth opportunities, document and implement uh those adjustments, and continue to monitor the progress throughout 2526. Next slide, please. This agenda item is forformational purposes only. Do you have any questions for me? >> Thank you, Dr. Reer. Um questions, Trusty Anderson? >> Yes. Um this is not to take away from um >> teachers who are not mentioned in that uh >> sure >> reckoning of of uh progress but at the same time >> I'd like to clone and Aaron for sure. Uh yeah. How do we do that? >> Well Dr.
027You mentioned that you're going to be working with principles and teachers and I I'm hoping that teachers that are are finding a lot of success, you know, are sharing uh what's worked for them. I mean, how how is how is that how does that look just in ter and maybe it's different at each site? >> I think it's I think it varies at the site level, but it's it's a it's an excellent practice to learn from teachers um from teachers learning from each other, of course. >> Any other questions or comments? Um, Trusty Kamacho. Okay. Um, I appreciate you sharing the data and I I like seeing that, you know, there's progress being made and I also um understand that um, you know, we have a lot of work to do still. there's a lot
028of need and um one of the things I noticed in your presentation, I don't think you spoke about it today, but that you're looking at possibly using at the middle school, not the I Ready, but the CASP uh testing like this interim assessment and and I and knowing that >> the middle school is an area where the scores don't look as good maybe as elementary. um you know I I guess maybe for future presentations it'd be nice to see the data aggregated where we're just looking at um the elementary like you know where you had the K through eight for the whole district but it'd be nice to see the fall spring just as it relates to the elementary because I think we might actually show more growth and I I believe you know I
029believe in what we're doing I believe that we're making all these improvements and it'll start to show up in the middle school as well because of the work that's happening at the elementary school and it's just been a few years of working with some of these new um some of the new math practices as well as just really using the I Ready data like and having that data drive teachers, you know, their instruction and how they're working with kids kind of because they know better, you know, where the kids maybe um need additional help. So, um I just look forward to seeing, you know, continued progress. Thank you. Next item is on Dr. Reader also on curriculum updates. >> Oh, wait. Was that you or was that me? >> No, it was not me. >>
030I'm working it. >> Got it. >> You, President Camper and trustees, I'll providing a I'll be providing a brief update on our curriculum adoption this evening. We going to we are going to review the California Department of Education or CDE approval process, the proposed adoption cycle update, considerations for selection of new programs, and our upcoming plans, including uh hopefully a math adoption. Um the CDE approval process uh for publishers or vendors involves a three-step through thorough process including social review, public review, and education, content, and review. Once a program gets through this process, we can have a high level of competence. It is aligned with our standards, is accurate, and is appropriate for our students at their specific grade level. If a district chooses to select a program not approved by the CDE, there are
031additional steps to follow which can be quite cumbersome. Our most recent adoption was K8 science in 2022 where we chose FOS science. In that process, we created a science adoption team made up of site and district leaders and of course KA teachers. All of these questions were considered from the team and will also be considered in future adoptions. Here is the original adoption schedule that was posted on the CDE website in 2023. However, it is dated and has inaccuracies and is no longer on the CDE website. The CDE has not provided a recent adoption cycle. We have collaborated with our EDCO colleagues based on their feedback, our needs and our needs. We have proposed an adoption cycle for LTUSD for the next four to five years which is dependent upon a very tight budget. As
032you recall from the previous slide, math is our next curriculum adoption. Also, as a reminder, we have been working closely with our Caled partners regarding our math instruction and curriculum for all grade levels. Additionally, EDCO has been providing valuable training to help our teachers become more familiar with the California Math Framework, which was adopted by the California State Board of Education in 2023. The approved list is scheduled to be available in December of 2025. We want to pilot this year and hopefully we will be able to purchase new materials for 2627. Our friends at Sierra House working closely with Called partners and receiving consultation from Dr. Megan Frankie, UCLA professor who has been providing training for us uh at Lake Tahoe Unified are excited about a program called Illustrative Math. We have a high degree
033of confidence that Illustrative Math will be on the CDE's approved adoption list. After meeting with the publisher, we were able to secure a competitive rate that's very similar to our current program of my math right now. We opted to move forward and purchase materials for Sierra House teachers as well as four to five teachers from each of the other elementary schools. These teacher pilot volunteers will also pilot other math programs in the spring so they can compare and contrast the different programs. Additional actions we plan to take in 2526, including creating a science focus group, an early literacy focus group, and a secondary course of study review. Thanks for your time. Do you have any questions for me? >> Thank you, Dr. Reader. Do I have any questions or comments from board members? the update
034and thank you for all the teachers willing to help pilot the new math curriculum. Yeah. >> All right. Um, next item is personnel services. Item 9A is introduction of the new Myers Elementary principal. >> Good evening, President Keer and members of the board. It's my pleasure to introduce Miss Heather Hart, our recommended new principal for Myers Elementary School. Her selection followed a rigorous and competitive interview process which involved three candidates and a final interview with two. Her leadership embodies a collaborative style, integrity, empathy, and a profound commitment to student success and well-being. As an accomplished educational leader, Miss Hart excels in instructional leadership, administrative management, and we are confident in her expertise to lead Myers Elementary. Miss Hart is included in tonight's personnel order for your approval. I would now like to invite Miss Hart
035to say a few words. I wasn't expecting so many of you about insurance. Um it is an honor to accept this position as principal at Meyers Elementary School. Having spent over 25 years serving students and families um throughout this community, this opportunity returning to Meyers represents full circle in my career. I look forward to partnering partnering with the entire Meyers community to support student success, strengthening relationships, and build on the school's proud tradition of excellence. Thank you for your trust and your confidence in my leadership. I am ready to begin this meaningful work together. Go Bears. But um if you wouldn't mind for a moment. I want to thank Oklahoma High School. Um I didn't think I'd get upset, but they are my Viking family. Your trust, your encouragement allowed me to grow as a
036leader and as a I'm leaving with a deep appreciation and gratitude. um for the work that we've done together. I will always be proud to be a Viking. Um and I won't be too far away because crew is still there. >> Uh thank you everyone for this opportunity. It's really extraordinary. Thank you, >> Heather. Heather Heather, hold on one sec, Heather, just in case any board members want us to ask a question or say anything. >> Yeah. >> Congratulations. >> Yeah. Thanks. >> There's Yeah, exactly. >> Okay. >> Uh >> it may be a loss for the high school. It certainly is. >> It's a big big >> very extraordinary. Thank you >> for our for our elementary school. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations, Heather. >> Appreciate it. >> All right. Good job. >>
037Congratulations. >> All right. I've lost track. Where am I? Okay. Item 9B, historical insights on employee pay structures. It's presentation. Am I on the clicker? >> It was working at the end there. So, >> I clicked in the work. >> President Kemper and board of uh members of the board. Good evening. I'm here tonight to present historical insights on LTUSD's certificated salaries for uh this district. The presentation highlights our district commitment to competitive compensation for dedicated teaching staff. Then the salary increases from 2020 to 21 or 202021 to 202526. Um we achieved a remarkable 21.5% salary growth for certificated salaries during the six-year period. This consistent growth reflects our sustained investment in our teachers. For example, in 202021, we saw a 2.5% increase followed by a 3% increase. We then implemented a substantial 8% increase
038in 2022 2023, followed by a 4.5% increase in 2324, a 1.5% increase in 2425, and a projected 2.0 increase for 2526. These present these percentages increase increases collectively contribute to a notable 21.5% growth during this time period, demonstrating a strong and consistent commitment to increasing certificated salaries. Teacher salaries versus comparables. In this slide, we're showing how LTSD's beginning teacher salary compared to state averages in other districts. California is a leader in teacher compensation for 2023 24. The state ranked number one in the nation for average teacher salaries and second in average teaching salaries at $58,400. I'm pleased to report that LTSD's current beginning salaries for 2526 stand at $61,678 for beginning year 1 teacher. This figure is notably above California state average for beginning teachers. To provide further context, look at some other comparables. Douglas
039County Unified in Nevada is 52,300. Blackout Mine Unified in Elorado 52,500. Davis Joint Unified School District 56,800. Elorado Union High School in 2425 was at 60,600. And finally, Tahoe Truckucky offered 66,800. You can see L2D's starting salary is competitive, positioning us positioning us favorably against many districts. For 2023, California's average teacher salary on the high end was $11,884. Almost 30% of the school districts nationally have top salaries, teacher salaries of at least $100,000. LTSD excels in this area. Our current top salary for 2526 is projected to be 131,373 or a year 29 plus teacher with 75 units. This top salary significantly uh exceeds California average for teacher salary. In comparison to other districts, Douglas County had a top salary of 94,000. Black Oak Mine 96,000. Davis Joint Unified in 2324 had a top salary of
040107. Buckeye Unified School District 116. And Elorado Union High School District for 2425 offered 126. Tahoe Truckucky School District for 2425 offered 138,400. In conclusion, the data clearly ill illustrates Lake Taw Unified School District has made strong and consistent investment in education. We've shown consistent growth. We've offered highly competitive compensation with pro proactive salary adjustments and we are attracting high-quality educators. LTUSD is proud to be a leader in valuing and dedicating its staff. Thank you. Do I have any questions or comments from board members? >> Yeah, I have a question. So, if teachers in the last five years have gotten 21.5% is what has classified gotten >> over the same period? >> So, over the same period um we haven't had a meto agreement. So, over the same period the um classified unit is about
0411% higher than certificate. >> Okay. And what about management? >> Management during that same time period is 2% lower than certificated. >> And does does management include superintendent? >> It does not. Um superintendent um for the same time period is 3 and a half% less than the certificate. So over the same time period we have roughly um STA uh certificated at 21.5, classified at 22.5 um non-represented administrative 19.5 and our superintendent at 18. >> Okay, thank you. >> Any other questions or comments? Um is it true John that um districts that are just are high school districts the salaries are higher because they get more money from the state? Is that when you do >> Yeah, they 88% is higher for a high school district. >> Okay. Another question. So you put in Tahoe Truckucky
042as a comparison, but they don't get their money they get their money from property taxes, not from ADA. Correct. And perhaps Kelly could talk to this more than I. They're considered a basic aid district, so they depend on the the tax revenues locally more than they do on the state um revenues. >> Yeah, because we've lost a few employees to Tahoe Truckucky over the years. >> Just to just to comment on those two pieces. So, in in the state of California, if you're a K8 elementary school district, you get a certain dollar per student, that's less than a unified school district, which is obviously a TK12, which is a little bit higher because of the blend of high school and um elementary, middle, and then high school gets the highest per pupil funding. Tahoe Truckucky
043Unified is a basic a district, meaning they actually do not get funded from the state. they all of their funding because of their and I'll use the term just wealth just to make it easy, right? They're wealthy in their inside of their district. They're called it's called basic aid. They actually been trying to change that term. Um >> and and in comparison, just in regards to Truckucky, they operate right now at an approximately at um hund00 million budget and we're operating at around a $60 million budget. Now, by the way, and I want to say this because obviously we have some folks that are here and not not feeling good about this agenda item. One of the things I would say is this that um it's information and the idea that that John has brought
044this information forward is to uh number one just educate and p and especially of new board members that have not been through um the the this five-year historical period of time. Um, I would also say that, you know, to the teachers that are here that we never pay teachers enough. Um, that's just a reality um, in in the world, uh, our teachers that come to work every day to make a difference for children. That there's not a dollar figure that is actually enough to to thank them and to reward them and compensate them for it. We obviously wanted to make sure we're competitive and and and I think that this information shows that it also isn't necessarily intended to say, "Okay, you got all these salary increases. Hey, health benefits. Why why why are you
045bringing that up?" Um, I think there's a there's a a piece to it. And so, I'm taking my opportunity to share this with everybody here is that obviously we need to work with our association and and Nicole brought that up in her her statements. We got to get around the table and talk and see if there's anything else we can figure out and do. Um, I will say this, um, and again, this is a different piece, but the intention wasn't necessarily to get people riled up. It was to educate and inform, um, and to show where we are and and to provide a a context specifically only to that. Um, and, uh, in regards to the insurance, um, we I I was going to say it during my public uh, my during my report. Um,
046I want to compliment Kelly and John. they've been hard at work trying to figure out if there's any other options for us um out there for for insurance. Um we've been hitting a wall. Um it's been pretty difficult. Um and uh and we're going to continue to try uh continue to look and try to look at those pieces. We'll work with our association to to see if there's different options that we can come up with as we navigate forward. The change in that those rates does occur in October, so we have a little bit of time to see if we can figure that out before then. Um, but it's not an easy easy concept. I just want to say this was really meant to just actually provide a perspective of where we are in the
047competitive nature of our our salaries. >> Uh, John, did did you I know you've been investigating other um insurance groups and and other employers employee groups here in the in Tahoe in Southshore. But the Tahoe Truckucky School District, did we look at what their insurance >> We actually got a call from them. >> Okay. because they got hit with the same they have CBT as well hit with the same percentage very last minute and so they were actually inquiring how we were you know >> looking at options and um they're very open to sharing ideas. >> Cool. Thank you. >> All right. Um do we have some public comment? >> Yeah, we do. Absolutely. So right now I have four cards. So I'll just begin with Karen Levine. I I can >> good conversation. Um
048Dr. Cutler, board members, um Dr. Reer and Kelly. Um thank you for listening to me. Um I'm here to talk about my concerns and also to provide a different perspective on the issue of salary comparisons that we're looking at. Um uh I have a bunch of concerns about that. So for the past meetings and tonight, you've heard from teachers about our concerns on the increased expense of health insurance being put on the teachers. I did some math and the average difference in cost across all insurance options is an increase of $468 monthly with the highest increase being $639, lowest being 332 monthly. The average cost of the teacher annually annually will be $4,680 more than last year. This is a decrease in our take-home pay of $4,680. The 2% increase in salary at the entry
049level salary is approximately 1,253 I think I wrote down. So in effect we're all getting less money next year. We're all taking home less money even though there's a 2% salary increase. And for some of us it's more significant than others as you've heard earlier. In today's agenda, we see a comparison of LTUSD salaries to those of nearby counties, which as we know are not very nearby and definitely do not share the cost of living that we do in South Lake Tahoe. The item shows that Douglas County's sal starting salary is 53 approximately $52,000 whereas Ltd starting salary is 62,678. However, the cost of living in South Lake Tahoe is 45% higher than the national average while Mindon is only 4% higher than the national average. Median home prices are on average at least 30,000
050less in mind. Gas prices alone, how many of us go off the hill to get gas, right? We don't need to compare those numbers. Home insurance, mandatory California fair plan that I know I had to do, which has doubled my home insurance, increased my mortgage, all the expenses. California car insurance is now almost impossible to get new California car insurance. We can go down the list of how expensive it is to live in South Lake Tahoe. So, let's look at LTCC. I applaud them for their recent increase of 5% salary increase across the board with an increase in their health and welfare cap. This shows their belief in respecting and taking care of those that are educating their students. They know that investing in their staff results in investment in their community, their culture, and
051their student population. Let's switch from looking at school district with obvious lower costs of living to some with more reasonable comparable. Tahi Truckucky School District pays their starting teachers $6,341 more than LTUSD. Sorry. Their top salary for school teachers is $9,633 more than LTUSD. I find that the data that we're looking at is more focused on the lower cost of living counties than what we actually do here. It seems patronizing and sends a message to the educators that you're not really considering our cost of living and our ability to provide for our families and have a decent standard of living, but more what looks good on paper. San Francisco Unified School District in October 2023 agreed to a $9,000 permanent raise for 2324 school year, followed by a 5% acrosstheboard increase 2425, fully effective 20
052January 2025. That's a two-year uplift of approximately 19.4% annual salaries. I'd like you to consider us as professionals. We have master's degrees. We have years of education. In any other field, we'd be looked at as professionals with comparable salaries. I chanced a look at chat GPT, which I don't actually do, and I just looked at what I would do with my two master's degrees and 20 years experience in my field. If I chose the other career that I actually started out with, environmental engineering, my salary would be double. So, please treat us like professionals. We're all professionals. Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope this showed you a different perspective. Thank you. >> Thank you, Karen. U next up, CC Cross. And I apologize that I did not um come on up. Uh,
053Miss Cross, I did not um say my statement. I usually do about limiting comments to three minutes, but we have Scott helping us with the timer. And um the other thing is that um we just want you to try to stay within that time limit and and not repeat things maybe someone else has said. Um but anyway, I appreciate you being here. >> Thanks. Uh my name is CC Cross. Uh I was here last time. Uh I teach math over at the middle school. Um, and while my comment does mimic a lot of what Miss Levine was saying, I think it's still worth repeating. Uh, the point that I would like to address um is the historical insights on employee pay structure. This data for informative purposes only, of course, like that's how it was
054read. Um, as noted in the agenda, comes at a time where the cost of living is rising. Inflation is what feels like an all-time high. we're getting ready for another recession despite the fact that nobody actually wants to admit it. Um and when our insurance prices are set to nearly triple or in some cases increase by 600% um next year. We know this, right? Um, I I just wish the effort that was put into this lovely slide deck um was put into meeting with the STEA and actually figuring something out like the 20some opportunities that were had were just, you know, in the wind for whatever the reason. Uh, so I think it's an incredibly misleading comparison. Like Miss Levine pointed out, um, our, uh, economy is marked by factors that Douglas County and Truckucky,
055they don't see. Um, tourism dependent industries, limited affordable housing for locals, higher cost of everyday goods like gas and groceries, the, you know, homeowners insurance, the fire insurance, the insurance, the whole kit. Um, a true assessment of employee compensation, uh, I think must consider the local realities, right? and they don't. Um, it would also appear that the district's time and resources seem to be focused on a public relations campaign about our competitive salaries rather than engaging in good faith negotiations that we've been calling for with our union. Um, what this shows the community is a misplacement of priorities predominantly. Um, and frankly a shocking display of what I would call tone deafness. Um, I kind of hear that a lot from administrators is the things that they say and the numbers that they give us.
056It it prompts it prompts that, hey, maybe you should like read the room. Maybe you should read the room. Um, this is, you know, a great opportunity, I think, to, as they say, read the room. Um, I I feel very confident in my assertion that the economic hardships that my colleagues and I face and that we have painstakingly numerically outlined for you all over the last handful of meetings um are hardly a blip on some of your financial radars. Um, I don't make 150K. I don't make 250K. I don't make 280K. I make $69,000. So, my 21% increase, uh, 20% of that 69,000, that's like that's somewhere in the range of 20,000 I want to say, if my math is correct. Um, not 18% of 20200,000, which is $30,000. So, I digress. I'm getting a
057little upset. Um, so what we want is just meaningful dialogue. That's all we want. We are a very competent staff. We are a very competent group of individuals. I really do feel confident that we can do better on all fronts. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Cece. Laura Chapel. >> Good evening. Can you hear me? >> Yes. Good evening, esteemed school board members, President Keer, Dr. Cutler, and honorable STEA fellow members. With all due respect, I have three questions related to the presentation by Mr. Simmons, director of human resources. Uh, first, are the LTUSD district administrators facing increases in health insurance premiums commensurate with what teachers are facing? It's a rhetorical question, but I'd love to hear it answered. The >> the answer the answer is yes. >> Second, uh the presentation this
058evening did not include a comparison of salaries and overall compensation of our district level administrators with those of the same other school districts as our salaries were compared with. Um, third, uh, the presentation Oh, and could that be presented is my question. >> Yes, if the board would like that. >> The presentation also did not include a comparison of the cost of living in South Lake Tahoe as mentioned by at least two other people before me. >> Um, with the other school districts used in Mr. Simmons presentation. This would enable a more applesto apples understanding of the compensation here compared with other districts. We are all proud of our district which has an extensive record of state level and national recognition for high performing students. We all want to continue to give the best to
059our students and using words from our vision statement to discover and foster their unique talents and potential. To do this, it is paramount that we continue to attract the best teachers, which is only possible if the district offers highly competitive compensation packages that take our cost of living into account. >> So, um, that concludes my comments. I believe I'm under. >> Thank you. You are under. Good job. >> Thank you so much for listening. Appreciate it. >> Thank you, Laura. And just specific to the increases, the increases for all employees um in the district. Um Mike Patterson. Thank you, Laura. Thank you. >> So, good evening everybody. Uh I want to be clear. I was asked to be here by the new leadership of the South Tahoe Educators Association because I'm an old guy. I
060taught 37 years in the district and I have been involved in the local association for 35 years. I want to be really clear. This is insulting. In 35 years, one of the districts on this list was ever an agreed upon comparable. That was Taho Truckucky. None of the other districts on here have ever been an agreed upon comparable for our district. I want you all to know that. So, you can't just cherrypick districts and then pre pretend like here in public session, we're going to present you usable information as a school board to make good decisions in the future. These districts are frankly insulting. Let me go through them because I've worked with all of these districts. Douglas County, state of Nevada, different funding, different school results, has nothing to do with what we've done
061here. Uh, Black Oak Mine. Really? They have 40 union members in Black Oak Mine. Look at the cost of living in Georgetown and cool compared to the cost of living in South Lake Tahoe. You can't even compare them. Davis join unified members in Davis can't afford to live where they teach. Talk to Victor Lagonas, the chapter president. He says about 12% of his members actually live in Davis. I don't know if that's the kind of school district we want. Also, Davis has made decisions to lower their class size. So let's look at class size numbers for Davis compared to Lake Tile Unified. If you want to compare salaries, Buckeye is an elementary district. Totally different funding. We would never agree to a comparable for an elementary district. Amodore County, look at the cost of living
062in Amodore County. They are the 18th least expensive districts to live or district county to live in in the state of California. Elorado is the 27th, but Lake T or Lake Tahoe is not the 27th. Uh Tahoe Truckucky, I'm sorry, Elorado High School District. High School District, we already talked a little bit about funding. We're doing a little bit of apples to oranges comparison there. Taho Truckucky, that is a good comparable district. So this information I believe has been presented to spin a narrative that is a false narrative. And it really concerns me if this is what the school board is hearing in public session that's being broadcast. What are they telling you in close session when none of us are there to correct the information? So, this is some really interesting spin on things.
063It's apples and oranges. Our health insurance is a mess. It needs to be addressed and this is absolutely disgusting information. Thank you for your time. I'm enjoying my retirement. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mike. That is all we have. >> No, go ahead. >> Anybody want to say anything? Because I would like to. Um, I I hear I hear what you're saying and I um and I understand that we're up against it right now in terms of the I mean I get it. The cost of living increases and the health health insurance increases, the house insurance. I've same same thing been dropped twice, you know. Um I you know I I feel like we all need to do you know I'm newer to the board. I mean, I've been here 5 years, but I'm just
064saying um the issue of rural rural health care costs is a huge problem and it's a huge problem that um we the district can't take on by ourselves. But I do think that some of the messages I'm hearing is we need to do a better job of advocating. Um what uh Miss Anthony said about, you know, why isn't the insurance commissioner involved or or some other entity kind of regulators. Um, I think that all of us should be talking to our state legislators. Um, because this isn't going away. Rural health care costs are just going to keep going up. And thanks to the current federal administration, you know, there's going to be other rural communities that are going to lose their hospitals. And we we may be one of those, but we're we're probably luckier
065than a lot of rural communities because of our tourist, you know, community that the hospital will continue. But it this is this is a bigger problem and I just want to say that we we do value our teachers and we we feel really good about the fact that we've been able to give raises and as Dr. Cutler mentioned before it's not enough and we know that when those those big raises happen during COVID because we had increases in our budget and those costs continue for the district now because we we've provided those raises. And when I talk about the district, you know, we don't grow money on trees. We don't we're not a revenue revenue producing entity. We're relying on the money we get from the state and federal government. And the problem is is
066the state is not giving rural communities more money than they're giving, you know, rural communities that maybe are more affordable living or big cities or or whatever places that have bigger buying power related to insurance. So, it's really an intractable problem because we aren't going to have more money and yet I get it. Our costs living here are going to continue to to go up. So, um you know, there may be opportunities where we can skimp and you know, we can potentially trim a little off of our budget, you know, in terms of um being able to tell the county we're going to spend a little more money. uh and then potentially, you know, the county may take over control. You know, we have to leave so much money in the budget. There's just not
067a lot of extra wiggle room. So, I appreciate folks being here and that they're thinking that they're trying to think creatively of how we can address this. But, I just want to say that um it's not because we don't value you because we wish we could pay you, you know, twice as much money that we don't have that money in the bank. You know, we're not being provided that kind of money. And so I think all of us need to do more to advocate for increased budgets related to the state and federal government, but specifically related to rural health care costs because, you know, during former administrations, and I get to say all this because I'm a political entity, you know, I'm an elected official, but Biden and Obama had subsidies that allowed health insurance
068costs to be lower. Those have been eliminated, and it means everybody's going to pay more for health insurance. And it's really an unfortunate situation because we're all going to end up spending a lot more money trying to survive and yet there's not going to be more money coming into our district to help teachers. So, um I'm I'm just saying that that's what I'll do. You know, I make phone calls. I've been calling Kevin Kylie's office related to federal funding, but I think that the legislators need to hear from all of us that rural health care costs need to be um increased. You know, I I worked for the state of California and there was a time years ago where there was a separate rural health care subsidy that was provided to state employees who lived
069in rural parts of California. And I don't know whether that came I know it came through the legislature because that's where the money came from, but it came through union negotiations. But I just think that we all need to be asking for that kind of help because we're not being given the money. So >> you can I just say this? Thank you all that came to speak tonight. Thank you for sharing your your thoughts, your your concerns and and um this is not an easy circumstance with with the increase in the insurance. That wasn't the intent. I hear I hear you, Mike. In regards to the comparisons, we have been using Elorado Union High and Truckucky as comparisons throughout the last few years. the other comparisons were really more because they were we were easily
070got getting them from other sources. Um I can see the the concern on some of those comparisons. So I appreciate that. Um the interest was not to show up or show out of anybody. It was to say that you know we're we're proud that we've worked to increase salaries to try to keep pace. Um especially when we look at the Tahoe Truckies or the Elorado Union High School Districts which actually do have uh larger budgets than us. Um, so that's the intent. Uh, and we'll we'll continue to focus and work on how do we um, number one help to make sure, you know, we do care. And, you know, I I don't know what what to do or to say because it seems like I can't overcome that hump in my now start of my
071sixth year, but we do. Um, it's just not always easy. the this uh this increase of insurance um was d is dramatic. It's uh was not expected. You know, you expect it to go up a little. Um went through the negotiations in the previous year, we did increase what we provided for that. It wasn't clearly anywhere near enough. Um you know, as we negotiated increases in both benefits and in in uh and in salary. Um but uh again the intent was really truly to provide some information for context for the board as we move forward um with looking at how are we competing um against uh districts close by. Davis is a very expensive place and I do know it really well and you're right the employees don't live there most of mostly right. So
072that's an accurate that's just such an accurate statement because I do know that area really well. So I I could go on and on. I just we're going to do our best. we know that you every day in a classroom or that if you're a classified employee and know the roles that you serve that you're doing your very best for our kids and and we'll go from here. So, thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Um thank you all for being here and we're moving on to the 2526 calendar. These are very exciting agenda items still to come. um the school calendar for 2526 as well as the 2627 school calendar. We're going to um this is an item for action. Bye. Thank you. Thanks for showing up in the summertime and Teresa, >> nothing.
073>> Yeah. Did you read it in? >> Yeah. Try. >> Um, yeah. The 20 uh this item is the 2526 calendar and the 26 27 school year calendar. And this is an action item. >> Thank you. I know you did. I just Yeah, >> we'll do it again while there was the commotion. Sure. President Keer and members of the board. Um I'm here today to present the proposed academic calendar for 202526 and 2627 for your final approval. Um we've brought this forward a few times. So the main change um from last presentation was moving the third tenative school closure uh to the end of March from the end of June. Doing this creates a fixed last day of school. Okay. >> Something that we haven't had for several years. >> Nice. >> And that's it.
074This is an action item. >> Um any comments or questions? And Mr. Simmons, thank you. And I noticed also that I think it's ne it's not this year's calendar, but the next year where the January um the school closure date if there's no snow days makes for a 4-day weekend instead of like two three-day weekends in January. And I like I like that idea. I don't know if teachers uh >> that was a recommendation from STA. >> Okay, great. Because I saw that and I thought, why aren't we doing that for this year? But then I realized that we already kind of have committed to this year's calendar, right? So, um All right. Do I have a motion? >> I move to accept 526. >> I'll second that. >> Right. I have a motion from
075Trusty Heather and a second from Trusty Mansfield. All in favor say I. I I >> All opposed. Okay. Motion passes. Thank you, Mr. Simmons. And then item number 10 is a presentation on innovation and technology update for the is it for the 2526 school year because the agenda item says 2425. >> Darn it. >> Yeah, I just noticed that. Sorry. >> I had a little miscommunication on it and he was supporting me with it since I just took over overseeing it um 24 days ago. 23 days ago. So, um, it really probably should have been in following past practice what they'd completed in 2425, but >> they kind of go together. >> Yeah, you're talking about what happened last year. >> We did 2425 and there are things we do annually, so I can speak
076to both. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. >> Good evening, President Keer, members of the board. Tonight, I'll provide you with an innovation and technology update. I took over took on oversight of the IT department beginning July 1st and I look forward to giving you future updates of the department that encompass classroom and site uses of technology as well as infrastructure. This update is primarily infrastructure. There's a presentation. >> It's not moving from you. >> No, I can't see it. >> I can't She can't see it. You don't have it up. You want me to try to move it? >> There we go. >> That's fine. Um, we continue to support the site. Uh, no, that's where am I? >> Go back maybe or >> I think my script is off. That's fine. No, it's fine.
077So on this slide you can see that um we these are devices that we um update and look at for uh more of the classroom environment teachers. So the Vonics are similar to what you're seeing when Teresa projects on it properly. Um we all like to give Teresa a hard time. Um as well as teacher laptops. Uh the teacher laptops will order these replacement devices in the next month. As it appears we may have duplicated some staff members and we want to ensure that we're ordering what we need and not an excessive number of laptops. Um due to budget constraints, we'll only be replacing smart TVs um and document cameras on a request or failure basis. In the past, we've purchased 10 to 20 devices and just traded out the oldest as needed. At this
078point, we're really not doing that unless they fail. And we do have some spares with um the downscaling of elevated as well. >> It's not working. There we go. We continue replacing student Chromebooks by purchasing about a thousand devices per year. As you can see, students get a new device in grades 1, six, and nine. The they use these devices for their time at that site. We purchased te touchscreen devices for elementary and traditional Chromebooks for sixth grade and up. We've had several e-ray wiring projects and those will continue. We've all also replaced 125 access points. Access points are what you get your internet through through the Wi-Fi. You'll see one. It's a box on the wall back there. Um replacing the oldest. We've also upgraded our firewall. one of the requirements to maintain -ate
079funding. Thank you. Cyber security is a main concern for many districts around the country. We've replaced our anti virus, updated the firewall, we will work with CCIC to complete a network vulnerability assessment in September. Our insurance company highly encourages this as to ensure we we're keeping data safe. There's been several districts in the state and um even pretty locally for us that have had major security breaches. Um, we look to avoid that. So, >> this is an information item only. Are there any questions? >> Any questions for Miss Martin? >> I'm just happy to see that we're not just automatically replacing. We're doing on need basis at this point with the tight budget. So, >> I I agree. >> Prepared to order um laptops. Um, and then I was sort of reviewing the final numbers
080and realized even looking at what we were asking for Mount TAC and then we had a number for special ed that we had I think we had crossover. So, we need to um confirm those numbers. I don't think it's going to take it down a lot, but if it takes it down 10 or 15, that's $15,000. So, we really need to be looking at every dollar matters at this point. So, we are really looking very closely at everything. And I do appreciate Scott Ramirez has been absolutely incredible in this transition um between Dr. Reer and myself and helping supporting. He's really taken a close look at all of the contracts that we have all the software that we use. He's met with vendors in the last couple days and he's gotten our our expenses down.
081not a huge amount, but he has spent it's a lot of time to do that and I've been very impressed and proud of the work that he's doing to help support the district understanding the need for reducing those expenses. >> I have a quick question. The Chromebooks um I know it's changes by student and but is there like an average of how long they last? Do we have like a >> four to five years if they take care of them? >> That's actually pretty good for technology. >> Two to three. >> We always have the most loss at middle school. best. They only get them for three years, >> right? >> Don't break it down by >> Yeah. Just just so you know, we in 20 in 2122, we began a process of of of
082a rotation. And the intent of that rotation is a four to five year and then turnover. Um, and because what we we saw is that we had some folks with some really old computers that we were just kind of limping along with and and wanting to say, "Okay, we need to have a systematic which also then helps with budget." And I and I really appreciate what Kelly's sharing. And um we her and I talked recently about her working with Scott so effectively to look at where where can we save money that maybe we've been spending in the in the tech world that we can really um do some more efficient spending. Um and and I want to compliment um both of them es especially Scott and his efforts uh as he's do has so many
083things that he does. So thank you Scott. I also want to just, you know, because Kelly said I don't know how many days you said now that you're >> 23 um with with the role um with with us not filling a director of technology um and looking at our department um Alan Reer was the supervisor of that department um and supervised the director um and we felt it better that Allen take on the alternative education side that Kelly was supervising and at Allen takes that on and that Kelly both with her experience as well as how it impacts budget to take on the supervision of that department. So, um, appreciate that. Appreciate all the work that Scott's put into this. Um, you know, and I think we're going to we're going to be able to
084find some savings there, too. >> Thank you, Scott. Thank you. And thank you, Kelly. Um, any other comments or questions? We're done. And are you here for the next item? Item 11 a investment grade audit update energy and sustainability project with variation >> Gallagher on Zoom. >> No. >> Oh, Brett is on Zoom. >> Oh, I didn't realize Brett's there. >> I am. You were there. >> Brett's there. >> I just thinking I was just thinking Tanya and Prada are here, but okay. We got Brett as well. >> Tonight we have Brett Gallagher via Zoom. Tanya Bradford and Prad say your last name. >> Dear I got it. All right. in person from Very to present. >> Is he gonna present? >> He's gonna speak a little bit. Okay, >> Tanya, you go. You lead
085us off. Huh? >> I'm just going to start things off. So, good evening everybody. Uh, President Keer, fellow board members like Tahoe Unified, Superintendent Dr. Cutler, and the administration team. Um, thank you for the opportunity being here tonight. I'm Tanya Bradford, part of the VR team, joined by >> Bradley. >> I just like for him to go by one name. Yeah, >> these are like Prince. We'll just >> We're going to change you to a symbol soon. Yeah, that's what it's going to come. He has no idea who that is. And Brett is joining us virtually. Um we're providing an update tonight from the last time we were here with you last month. Um some exciting news to share. We're going to Brett's going to jump in here momentarily and uh speak about just a
086quick review from last time what we spoke about. Uh we'll jump into an update on the scope of the potential energy project which we're very excited to share as well as the updated cost and savings um amounts that we have and then look at next steps to move forward collaboratively so we continue to align. Uh we also want to take the time to thank you for that continued opportunity to collaborate with the multiple Lake Tahoe unified teams throughout this process. Many moving parts. So thank you. >> Brett, you still there? I am. I am. Um, who wants to drive the uh the slide deck? There we go. Awesome. Let's go to the the review. Perfect. Um, hey, good evening everybody. Thank you for allowing me to join here over Zoom. Uh, can you hear me?
087Okay. >> Actually, I was just going to say, can we turn that down a little, Scott? >> You're a little loud. >> If Scott, if you down just a little >> or or you don't need to yell. That's I mean, either way, I'll whisper >> the intention. >> No, I don't know if I can turn down my microphone on this end or maybe uh >> we'll see if Scott a little bit. >> Go ahead and continue, Brett. We'll work on our end. >> Okay. And I'll just back up from the computer a little bit here. Uh and that might help. Um so just to review from last time around, June 26. Um, we talked about all of uh, Verarig's uh, projects being um, uh, being paid for through a PPA. Uh, and just as a
088review, the PPA is a power purchase agreement. Um, it is not a loan. It's simply diverting funds that are already being spent on your utility bill um, over to um, and redirecting those into the solar project as long as other energy efficiency projects. um that PPA uh requires no initial investment from the district. So no out-ofpocket money uh and no bond money. Um so your measure U funds uh can go to other things. Uh this project also meets the criteria for 4217. Just as a reminder, 427 is simply a method of procurement uh typically specific to energy improvement projects. Uh these projects need to save more than they cost uh over time. Uh these projects also need to >> turn you down. So make sure you're speaking normal. >> Sure. >> Yep. Um the the
089um uh the slides are going back and forth. I'm not sure if that's happening on your end as well. >> It only happens with you and I think it's because you have a timing on the slides. So we're going to go see if we can work on it. >> Yeah. See if we can turn off the timing. Sorry about that. Um anyway, so so under 4217 the savings are u measured and verified every year. They're also guaranteed by Varigy. Uh so we're moving the financial risk from LTUSD over to us. Um and then finally um you know solar is the uh is sort of the foundation for this entire project. uh it's through the solar savings and through the PPA that allows us to do these other recommended scope items uh at no cost to
090the district. Um so let's uh let's go to the now all of a sudden we can't hear you and we can't see the slides right so we're having a really great time here tonight. >> No problem. >> There you go. Volume. There you go. Perfect. That's good. Maybe we'll go to full screen mode >> right now. When did you take >> I think I took it off automatic. >> I can sw >> we can just slide it down. Let's just do that. We'll we'll slide it. So what? Just tell us what slide we should be on and we'll be there. >> Yeah, let's just go to the next slide. >> Next slide. You can slide it, can't you? On this on the right side right here. >> Slide it right there. Slide it down. There
091you go. That you can move make should be able to move you. >> And then the two arrows down below where it says five and 16. Th those should switch slides as well. Um I'm going to let prod and and Tanya uh go through each of these um proposed energy projects. Um, one of the things I just want to point out is it was decided to forego the cooling from the scope, uh, simply because it did not pencil out using the solar savings to do cooling across the district. And it was thought if we could only do a site or two, uh, there were other projects that were more pressing. And so, uh, the the current scope, um, again is is solar at all eight LTUSD schools. Um, that solar includes operations and maintenance. And
092so, uh, your local team and Dave's local team are not going to be required, uh, to to maintain the solar panels. That's all included in the price. Um, retrofitting of the sports lighting. Uh, you guys are doing such a beautiful job with the sports complex already. Um, with with all of the new, uh, turf and the dugouts and all the things that are going in, the sports lighting is really going to be the cherry on top. It's it's going to be really beautiful. Uh obviously it's going to save energy compared to what you currently have. Uh but it'll also be modern and nice looking and really uh really fit in with the rest of that project. Uh last time around we talked about the steam boilers and frankly I didn't know if we would be
093able to fit this in but it's great news we can. Um as you know that those steam boilers require 247 supervision. They're very expensive. uh and working with Miss Buttery, uh we determined it's somewhere around $175,000 a year that those steam boilers are costing the district. Um but we are able to get rid of those and put in a much more efficient, much less expensive um hot water system. Um we'll learn more about that. And then finally, all of this is tied together through uh orchestrate uh and the maintenance management and controls upgrades uh that that we have in store. Um so with that, I'll turn it over to uh to Pr and Tanya. um to uh to go into more detail. >> All right. Thanks, Brad. Um all right. Uh the first ECM, so
094we um you know, based off the IGA, we came up with multiple recommendations and now we're we've sort of closed it down to like five different energy conservation measures that we believe will work uh financially and both savings wise. Um the first one is obviously photovolta voltaike solar across all the eight sites at the district. Um you know it yields us about 6.5 million in positive uh cash flow even after spending all the money on the capital expenditure of the solar. Uh right now we've sized the system in such a way that overall it would offset about 90% of what you are buying currently from Liberty Utilities. Uh on the electricity side, um you know, naturally it will reduce your greenhouse gas emissions because you're not buying from the grid anymore. You're generating your own
095power. Uh so you're self-sufficient. Um there's no capital investment from your bond uh funds as such cuz you will be going through the power purchase agreement. At least that's sort of the intent uh right now. Um and the biggest advantage of the PPA or the power purchase agreement is that the on andm is included in that. Uh so the PPA provider will take care of all the equipment and make sure it's all up and running uh throughout the year. Uh which sort of takes off the burden on the you know district's maintenance management team. Um so that will be uh pretty beneficial. Uh the next slide here sort of summarizes the overall uh proposed sizing across all the sites. Uh although we have eight sites, we believe we can uh u sort of uh group
096together um the middle school, the district office, the busmart and alaho cuz they're on one single parcel. So you could potentially have all that all those solar panels in one location. Uh and all the other sites um you know they're going to be in individual locations. Uh we're sort of staying away from the parking lots which is the next slide here. Um these are sort of the you know tentatively proposed solar locations. You know top left you've got the middle school alaho bus barn and the district office. Right now we're sort of looking at the dirt area by the baseball field. Uh we could potentially split a part of that solar to cover the shade shade structure area right next to the bus barn as well. Uh, but that's sort of what it could look
097like potentially. Um, at BJU right now, we're hoping that we could install it over the existing playground so that they could be used during the winters as well and then you don't have to like blow snow in that area. Um, at the high school, we went through multiple different iterations uh with Dr. Cutler, um, Kelly and Dave. And eventually we kind of thought that having the panels uh sort of on um Viking Road which is the entryway to the high school and right by those trees um is sort of the best possible option. Um the actual pillars would be on the embankment and it would provide shade structures to those ADS spots and the visitor spots. Um at Sierra House uh we've got a couple different spots. One is um you know right in front
098of the school right um you know around the kindergarten playground. Uh there's also a smaller panel um in the back uh but we could relocate that to cover the playground as well. Um at Meyers it could potentially be right by um the soccer field uh sort of over that dirt area. Um it's kind of close to the meter as well. And uh finally at Tahoe Valley Elementary, um it's sort of where the existing portables are, but uh once your new building comes up, those portables are going to go away and we're going to have some empty space. Um any questions so far those >> Thank you. I I knew So how far off the ground are the panels? >> Um on an average, the base is about 9 ft um on the lowest end. Um
099so all these um uh solar panels are can levered meaning there's going to be one pillar uh that's sort of going to sit like that which is on the previous slide here. So the lowest side of the solar panel is going to be 9 ft above the ground. >> Okay. >> Uh and since we're not in any parking area where we we don't really have to worry about buses or you know taller vehicles driving around. >> I was more concerned about vandalism. Um >> I'm more concerned about like soccer balls and basketballs and stuff breaking them. >> Pretty robust. Um you know we've included we did some pretty um um you know extra feasibility studies just because of the snow load at Tahoe. Uh for example, it's load is 150 psf or pounds per square
100feet. On an average in the state of California it's about 70 psf and down by the ocean in SoCal it's zero. So, you know, there's that much extra cost and structural engineering involved. Um, and if it can withstand 150 pounds of snow, I think a soccer ball will be fine. Uh, I'm not I'm not downplaying that aspect, but it's just that these uh steel structures are robust. Um, you know, we've we've built this at other school districts as well, and we haven't really had >> just so one of the things that we met when we met with the team and they had the idea of doing shade structures over parking areas. We were really concerned about that. Um, and you might go, "Oh, those are that's where it should go." Well, understand that when we're
101we're moving snow around, um, and you have the the the pillars and everything else, it makes it very difficult to move snow around. It's nice to have the sh the cover, but then you have to navigate that and and we have and and we at times um this is not specific to any thing or anyone, but times we do hit things um when we're plowing snow and sometimes it's because the snow's high. So we wanted to look at other locations and so for example um locations that maybe are really good um and behind the the the Babe Ruth field has a really big empty space and then when you go out and look at it you go oh and it gets sun most of the day right and so we're looking we're looking at that
102also we're like well you know instead of covering um parking areas because again we have to move snow around so often um but maybe we cover playgrounds because sometimes our playgrounds get buried um and this could actually help our kids have the you know more outdoor play during the winter time. So that those some of the things we were working on and and as produ built and um ready for for what the weather but also others bring >> I mean from experience uh having solar at our home uh the green pine cones up here are are are deadly. Um, as far as like a snowload capacity, all of our panels survive snowageddon and they were covered majority of the of the >> banana belt though. >> But I mean the the green pine cones that
103we get from the large trees will >> are dangerous. Yeah. And and and looking at at the spaces >> from the widow makers would be a good idea. >> Um uh I had a well one a couple questions related to the snow load. I know our CL I mean like our when we went through the snow mageddon that that we had we test we had all the roofs measured you know and >> we worked on making sure because people were concerned about them um and what our snow loads were. >> Yeah. And it seems like the numbers that we experienced that winter were much higher than you said this was like an average for the area of the 100 you're you're designing I know but it's 150 per square foot. I'm just thinking that that
104we we are going to have more extreme winters and I just don't want the first year, you know, what if we have 300 uh PSI? They can >> they they also have heating elements that help me. Okay. >> So, I mean, they're engineering, you know, they they've got those types of things. And then I have um and by the way, I just want to say I I support the notion of putting them in the playgrounds and not only for like having a dry place for kids to play on a rainy or snowy day, but also because of climate change and the heat, it's also shade. And I like the idea of having it Yeah. It's going to provide a lot of shade. So, if there's more opportunities, you know, I know you this these seem
105like good locations, but I would love it if we could do more of that or or or even like in Meyers where it's going to go out maybe a little further away, but that could still be used as a place um for kids to eat lunches or hang out, you know, in the shade because I grew up in Southern California and we had covers like at the high school I went to, we had we had like a a shade structure because we ate outside. Um but I just know that we're going to have hotter hotter days. Um, and then could you tell us who is going to be the PPA provider and do we know I mean how many of them are there in terms of these people that are going to do O andM
106and they're not going to charge us? I'm just wondering. >> So, so one thing we're that would be a little bit jump ahead ahead, right? Because we haven't even brought this forward for you to say, "Yep, we want to do it." >> Right. reason why I share that is because they'll go out and and sell the project and >> and it's not so it's not Liberty, it's some third party some third party entity and I just I mean I just have heard some of the you know we're in this weird place again kind of between California and Nevada in terms of uh >> can I share something with you? I I attended a um Liberty the Liberty meet and greet the other day and STPUD leadership was there and um I was talking with them
107just about energy and they shared that they at one time um were looking at solar and it didn't pencil out and they now have solar it pencled out and they went through the PPA process and they've been very pleased. That was really important information to me here um as I spoke with them um because they've done it and they've used the PPA process. So we have a model also here in um South Lake Tahoe with SGPUD. So >> thank you. >> I think they install about 1.399 megawws. We're proposing 1.42 or 76 >> hopefully. >> Very similar size. Yeah. >> So >> yeah, >> it's fantastic. Well, thank you. Um I appreciate There's more to I think their presentation. >> Oh, there's more to your presentation. Keep going, Prod. Okay, good. The boilers. We want
108to hear about the boilers. >> So, the second one is obviously the hot water bo the steam boilers at the high school. Uh we again did a feasibility study on that if if it's even possible to retrofit these with a hot water system which is lower maintenance uh much more efficient. It's you know 80% versus 95% efficiency. Um and we found out that it is possible. Uh just the operation savings alone is about $175,000 which is you know just 247 supervision, chemical treatments, couple of maintenance checks year round. Um and then in additionally you will also have gas and water savings because hot water uh boilers they're packaged. Uh they use much lesser amount of water. Um, overall, you know, reduces reactive maintenance cuz, you know, you're not calling people to fix this, you know,
109huge boiler on a day-to-day basis. Um, and hot water systems in general have lower maintenance. Uh, I was out on site this morning as well trying to trace some, you know, steam pipes and stuff. Um, you know, we we have a path forward and we believe, uh, this is a good benefit to the district. Uh, the third one is retrofitting sports lights. Um, like Brett mentioned, you know, you're already doing um a, you know, a field modernization project. Um, and we believe uh the lighting would be the last piece to look at. Uh, right now you have a bunch of metal halli lamps, which is, you know, a kilowatt to one and a half kilowatt each. Um, you know, something like the middle school could have like 60 to 80 lamps, which as soon as
110you turned on hits the peak, and that's where your energy, uh, costs occur. U, so we're proposing you retrofit those with LED lights. Um and additionally we're we're saying you know we could have potential remote control um capabilities as in you don't need a custodian or a maintenance person to go out there shut it off. You can link it to um some sort of a maintenance management system and remotely uh operate it. Um overall it just you know improves aesthetics, improves visibility uh for both spectators and players. Um the last one is uh controls and energy management tool. You know you're already doing all these energy project and the last thing you want to do is visibility. I mean um someone should have more visibility on you know everything is going to work or not.
111Um energy tracer for example is one of our products. Very products uh that sort of automatically tracks utility bill usage. Uh we don't need a person to like download all the bills go through tons of paperwork. uh you can just open a dashboard and it shows you real time as to how much energy you're using. Um grid cap is another one. It uh manages potential um spikes, demand usage. Um the system senses that if something is about to hit the peak demand, it kind of cuts down system so that you're not taking a penalty from the utility. The last one is orchestrate which sort of orchestrates all the different system that the district already has such as the maintenance management, energy management and it pulls into one single dashboard. Um it's just more productive uh
112for your maintenance personnel. Um and with that I will hand it back to Brett. I >> I have a quick question Brett. Um >> please if I may. uh in light of uh our uh our electric bus fleet, I'm sure that the bills that have been analyzed are based upon our current number of uh transportation devices in in place. Have there has there been consideration for what do we have? Eight more >> coming. Yes. >> Coming. >> Yeah. You're you're eight more um um uh electric vehicle chargers, right? >> Yes. Yep. >> So I guess is the question then to to >> has that been taken into consideration >> consideration the draw for the chargers? Is that what you're saying, John? For the draw for the chargers. >> We want to we want to be
113net cost zero on fuels. I mean that's that's part of the the goal. >> Thank you. >> Yep. That's that's 100% true. Um what's what's nice about the area that you're in is you're you're still under net energy metering one uh which is allows us to uh to size the system appropriately for future use. Um so prod I I think that was already taken into consideration or is that going to be part of sort of the final um final analysis as we continue to move forward? >> Yep, it was. And then I talked to Dave this morning. He also mentioned that I think within the next month or so, Liberty is going to install a new pole uh right by the bus barn in the storage area and then um they're going to facilitate the
114chargers and we are proposing that we install solar shade structures there so that you can park the buses underneath. Um so it kind of serves two purposes. >> Yep. >> So the the simple answer is yeah, we we've taken that into consideration when sizing the system. Any other questions so far? >> It looks like you could keep moving forward. >> Okay. Um so the the best news we have to deliver is is the savings. Uh we're anticipating uh a firstear savings of about $200,000. Um overall savings over the term of the PPA, which is 25 years uh of over $6.5 million. This is after the initial cost of the system and the upgrades. Um, right now we are uh about 60 to 70% accurate in our in our engineering, our design, and our pricing. Um,
115we're estimating somewhere between 14 and 16 million for the overall project. Uh, again, none of that coming out of your pocket. Uh, none of it coming out of the bond, but instead uh being paid through a PPA rate, uh, which would replace your current rate to Liberty uh, by about 90%. in order to finalize that pricing uh and to get final engineering, final design work, uh get everything through DSA, uh get everything through TARPA, um that's what we're here to ask tonight is for uh does the board uh and the district feel uh confident in these projects for us to go ahead and move forward, finalize those numbers, finalize the scope, and then ultimately present you with a contract. Um that's uh uh those are our next steps. Um if those next steps are are
116amendable to you, uh the next steps for the district would be to um uh go ahead and post uh a public notice for 4217. Uh prior to the it needs to be two weeks prior to the September 25th board meeting. Uh but it could be as soon as you'd like and you can leave that um leave that notification up for as long as you'd like. Uh, but this is just sort of proposed timelines and next steps. Um, uh, prod, anything to add? Anything I'd missed? >> Um, no. Uh, like Brett mentioned, you know, we're like 60 70% there. Uh, we've already spent a bunch of time on, you know, feasibility checks and we're confident that it's going to work. uh if the board is you know says yes uh to the project uh then we'll
117you know finish up the project which is the remaining 30% work which is all the electrical design civil engineering uh structural um engineering and all of that get all the paperwork ready for DSA and we're actually working with your existing architect on that you let me have one an additional question sorry >> yeah go ahead interject >> um what is the anticipated lifespan of say a solar panel like what are we looking at inside that 25 years our cost of replacing uh you know something wearing out. >> So the panels itself are um they have a life of about 40 years. Uh but since you would be potentially on a PPA, anything that happens within the 25 is on the PPA. So if the system is not working, it's on the PPA provider to come
118out here, do the necessary maintenance, and keep the system running. Uh >> during that time, we're paying them. >> Yeah. you're and and it's important to remember that the PPA uh provider, it's in their best interest for the system to be running optimally because what you pay for is the energy it produces. If it's not producing energy, you're not paying for that energy. And so, the PPA provider is incentivized um through that to to make sure that it's always working optimally. So, we mentioned uh soccer balls and pine cones and potential broken panels. Getting those fixed, uh making sure your inverters are working correctly. Um just making sure the system is is up and running and and working optimally uh is really in their best interest as well. And so, you know, that's the portion
119of of um the agreement that that gives you some um reliability that these things will be done in a in a um um optimal timing for you guys. >> Hey, so let me >> Oh, just a question about the timeline. Um begin construction in October. Really? I mean, so yeah, so let me say a couple things and then maybe because I had that question, but I wanted to maybe look and look at you as a board. So um usually a company like Verarig will have us sign an agreement um in essence because they're there are lots of costs involved of what they've been doing over the last several months. And I said yeah I want you to have trust and faith that you know what if you can pull this off that we're going to
120do this project with you. Um but you know you have to be able to but so we're not going to necessarily commit to any costs until tell that. And so, um, Brett in essence has come forward and said, "Okay, prod said, "Hey, we have about 30% 40% more to do to finalize all of this, but before we go spend those dollars, we really want to get a sense if this looks like something the board wants to do, we're not asking you for action tonight, but we're asking for you to really say, you know what, we do like what we see here. This matches up with our our our commitment to sustainability, the resolution that we've passed. Um, and this this is really promising for us. Yes, we like them to move forward so that we
121can then, you know, push out what we need to do uh legally. They can finish doing doing that process and then we can get this going. I was going to say, are you sure, Brett? October 25 because we're going into winter and obviously if it's a light winter, it may be doable. I don't know that. We never really know. So, so I'm going to echo then what President Keer said, but remember we are really looking to you going, okay, you know, they they they were not going to show you the sites that we've been talking about for solar. I said, no, no, show the board because we're at that point where we need to say, okay, board, not asking for action yet, but we are really looking are you are we on the path and
122is this what you want to do? >> Yeah. Well, well said, Todd. Um, and beginning construction, we could have worded that better. Uh obviously we're in Tahoe, it's beginning of winter. Uh in our world, beginning construction could be uh procuring equipment, um lining up schedules, you know, doing all the planning and and um uh all the pre-work that needs to be done before a construction project of this size gets going. Uh so yeah, um when we say beginning construction, it certainly does not mean breaking ground in October. Uh but instead getting ready to break ground when the time is right. And can I add in addition to what you were just saying in that place of work aligning to as Dr. Cutler said the sustainability goals for the district um other learning environment goals any
123of that work that you need us to do to share with community to to share with staff to have them understand the scope of the project and why it's important how it's being funded is very transparent about that. >> Yeah. And I I want to say this. Um if the board today says, you know, nods their head, say, "Yeah, you know what? This looks like we want this looks right. This looks where we want to go." Then I think that as our staffs return back to work, we would want to educate and and show and and talk about and and and get them informed of this process. Um Yeah. So >> great. That's excellent. Yeah. No, I think I'm I'm really excited about it. I'm glad that, you know, I'm glad it penciled out basically
124that it, you know, this is really an opportunity for us to um reduce our fossil fuel consumption and, you know, reduce our costs and um and really participate, you know, in the and just like like you said with South PD, you know, to be right there alongside as kind of a community leader. So, I really appreciate that. And um and I also recognize that again with the construction, you're going to be ti it's going to be timed with some of those bond projects like at Valley. So you guys are working with with our other um teams and I'm just really grateful for you guys to have figured that out. So thank you. >> So So is there any reservation? Maybe that's how I should ask. >> Any reservations from anybody? Everybody ready to >> Okay,
125Brett, we're getting the we're going ahead for the next steps. >> Head nodding action. So we're not >> just giving you the nod. >> Let's go. We're giving you the >> Well, that's wonderful. Thank you so much. We we really appreciate your trust. We really appreciate uh being a part of of the of the Lake Tahoe Unified team both in this capacity and uh working with the bond team on the on the rest of your projects u making sure those all come out in unison and um and getting them done together. So thank you so much >> you in particular. I know. Thank you very much. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Our next >> Hey, Brett, get back to vacation. I know that's what you're doing. >> Enjoy. >> Thanks everybody. >>
126All right. >> Byebye. Next item is 11B, a resolution to establish a temporary interf transfer of special or restricted fund monies. And this is an action item. Education code section 42603 authorizes the temporary transfer of monies between district funds provided the funds are repaid in full within the same fiscal year or the following fiscal year if a declaration of hardship is made. Such transfers are commonly used to address temporary cash flow shortages caused by the timing of revenues and expenditures. Due to the timing of aortionments, grants, and other funding sources, it is occasionally necessary for the general fund to temporarily borrow from special or restricted funds or vice versa to ensure the timely payment of district obligations such as payroll and vendor payments. This res resolution ensures that the district complies with state law while
127maintaining adequate operational cash flow. Many districts submit this resolution annually as a safeguard. It is staff's recommendation that the board of education approve resolution 20252026001. I read it wrong but >> and board members um in essence this takes the place of what we usually pass on an annual basis a TR. >> Um and so uh this is a just in case practice and process. So the TRA is an acronym for some other um thing. >> Temper and >> anyway I sorry she had to bring it up but but but I what I noticed is that this this time because we have bond money's in our budget. That's what we're looking to borrow from and then pay back where in previous years we didn't have that. >> Yeah. Might as well pay our bonds back, not
128Yeah. at a bank. >> Right. Right. Exactly. All right. Do I have any questions or a motion? >> Okay, >> I'll I'll make a motion to approve the resolution fund. What was it? Um, >> I'm sorry. I'm looking at the wrong page there. Sorry about the the transfer of 25 to 261 approve it. Did I say that correctly? I'm sorry. The resolution I yeah the resolution 2526/01 to establish the temporary inter fund transfer special restrictive fund monies. All right second >> second. >> All right I have a motion by trustee Kamacho and a second by trustee Anderson. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Okay. It motion passes. Thank you. And um the next item is item 12 is the consent agenda. This is an action item. Do I have a
129motion? I move to approve the consent agenda. >> I'll second that. >> I have a motion by Trusty Heatherton and a second by Trusty Mansfield. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> I. Official. >> All those uh say nay. There. Okay. Motion passes. La last item items for consideration at future board meetings. Any items anybody wants to make sure is on a future board meeting? Seeing none. And then I'm going to adjourn the meeting at 7:52.