In light of the expected continued COVID-19 transmission in our community due to the Omicron variant, there is a need to continue to provide at-home COVID-19 testing kits to District staff and students. Since many positive cases are asymptomatic, identifying positive cases before staff or students come to school will reduce the spread of the virus in our schools and reduce disruptions to in-person learning.

Staff solicited pricing from several vendors for at-home COVID-19 testing kits. The attached Agreement reflects the best pricing available in consideration of the quantity needed and timeline for delivery of the testing kits. Pursuant to Government Code 6500 et seq. and Public Contract Code Section 20118, the District is allowed to “piggyback” on any public agency bid and participate in state and national purchasing cooperatives. Office Depot is part of the Region 4 OMNIA Cooperative Contract purchasing program which allows the District to obtain the best price on products by leveraging the combined volume of partners in the cooperative.

Required Observances: 

The California Education Code requires certain holidays to be observed "as part of the school curriculum" and celebrated "with appropriate commemorative exercises." Specifically, the Ed Code requires schools to hold special exercises or programs highlighting the occasions listed below.  If schools are closed on the official day, observances are to take place prior to the closure, preferably the day preceding.  It is the intent of the Legislature that the exercises encouraged in these Ed Code sections be integrated into the regular school program.

State and Federal Holidays

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (E.C. 37220)
Observed the 3rd Monday in January.  On the Friday preceding, schools "shall include exercises commemorating and directing attention to the history of the civil rights movement in the United States and particularly the role therein of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." (January 17, 2022)

Washington Day (E.C. 37220)
Observed the 3rd Monday in February.  On the Friday preceding, "all public schools . . . shall hold exercises in memory of George Washington."  (February 21, 2022) 

Lincoln Day (E.C. 37220)
Observed on the Monday or Friday of the week in which February 12 occurs.  "On the day that school is in session prior to the day on which schools are closed for that purpose, all public schools . . . shall hold exercises in memory of Abraham Lincoln."  (February 22, 2022)

Other Required Observances

Susan B. Anthony Day (E.C. 37221)
Observed February 15th with instruction on the political and economic status of women in the United States, and by noting the contribution of Susan B. Anthony. 

Conservation, Bird, and Arbor Day (E.C. 37221)
Observed March 7th (the birthday of Luther Burbank) by noting the importance of conserving natural resources, promoting a "spirit of protection" and emphasis on the economic/ecological value of birds and trees.

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day (E.C. 37222)
Observed March 30th.  Educational institutions are encouraged to observe the day and to conduct exercises recognizing the contributions of all those involved in the Vietnam War and remembering the sacrifices they made for their country.

Cesar Chavez Day (E.C. 37220.5)
Observed March 31st.  Commemorates and directs attention to the history of the farm labor movement in the United States and particularly the role therein of Cesar Chavez. 

California Poppy Day (E.C. 37222)
Observed April 6th.  Observances are to honor the California Poppy, including instruction about native plants and the economic and aesthetic value of wildflowers; promote responsible behavior toward natural resources; and emphasize the value of natural resources and their conservation.

John Muir Day (E.C. 37222)
Observed April 21st.  Observances are to stress the importance of an ecologically sound natural environment, emphasizing John Muir's contributions to the fostering of that awareness.

Day of the Teacher (E.C. 37222)
Observed the second Wednesday in May.  Observance requires exercises to commemorate and direct attention to teachers and the teaching profession. (May 11, 2022)

Harvey Milk Day (E.C. 37222)
Observed May 22nd.  Educational institutions are encouraged to observe the day with exercises remembering the life of Harvey Milk, recognizing his accomplishments, and familiarizing pupils with the contributions he made to this state.

Anniversary of the Adoption of the Constitution, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (E.C. 37221)The celebration is to "include exercises and instruction in the purpose, meaning, and importance of the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights."

The United States Congress and the President have enacted a provision of law requiring every educational institution receiving federal funds to “hold an educational program” on September 17 of each year in observance of “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.” 

"Educational institution” is a broad term that includes preschools; elementary, middle, and high schools; and institutions of higher education. The requirement applies to all public educational institutions in California. 
  
The requirement also applies to any private educational institution that receives federal funds. Private educational institutions that do not receive federal funds are nonetheless encouraged to conduct an observance. When September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday – the observance may be held at any time during the preceding or following week. Each educational institution may individually select the specific date. The specific nature of the “educational program” is left to the discretion of each educational institution.  The observance is to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787.
 
Native American Day (E.C. 37220.7) 
Designated by the California Legislature as the fourth Friday in September.  The legislature declared that, “An emphasis on freedom, justice, patriotism, and representative government have always been elements of Native America culture…” that “Native Americans love the land that has nurtured their parents, grandparents, and unnamed elders since time began, and they honor the Earth that has brought life to the people since time immemorial,” and that “Native Americans have given much to this country, and in recognition of this fact, it is fitting that this state returns the honor by recognizing Native Americans for all of their offerings to this beloved land”  (September 23, 2022)

State Board of Education Annual Resolutions:
In addition to the observances required by law, the California State Board of Education passes annual resolutions dedicating certain months and weeks to recognize the contributions of various groups to American culture and society.  These resolutions are intended to reinforce the commitment of the State Board and of the California Department of Education to a history-social science curriculum, which impresses on all students the value of all segments of our society.

National African American History Month (February)
National Women's History Month (March, also by joint resolution of Congress)
National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)
National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
National Native American Heritage Month (November)

Additional Observances
The State Board of Education, the President of the United States, and various organizations also issue proclamations and resolutions to dedicate certain months and weeks in recognition of particular areas of the curriculum or the contributions of groups to the field of education. 

Attached is a comprehensive list of additional days of commemoration for 2022. 

A certificated seniority list is annually updated and brought to the Board of Education for approval.  In the event of any layoffs due to a reduction in force or reduction in particular kinds of service, the seniority list is used to determine which personnel are notified, per Ed Code.

It is recommended that the Governing Board of the Morgan Hill Unified School District adopt the attached certificated seniority list.

At the December 14, 2021 meeting SchoolWorks, Inc. provided draft adjusted map options for discussion and input. A Public Hearing was also conducted to give an opportunity to the community to provide feedback. Based on the feedback provided, a new Map D was drawn to create more compact and contiguous geographic trustee areas. Maps A-D have also been adjusted to overlay elementary school attendance boundaries as there was an interest in ensuring schools have multiple trustee representatives.

On February 1, 2022, the Board will be asked to adopt a Resolution, the final trustee area maps, and any additional required documentation by the County Committee on School District Organization and Registrar of Voters and to take any other necessary action to effectuate the purposes of this resolution and to readopt the trustee area map plan. This will provide ample time to ensure approval, compliance, and submission to County well in advance of the February 28, 2022 deadline. The new trustee area maps will be put into effect for the November 2022 Board elections.

The District has hired professional demographers, SchoolWorks, Inc., to draft and revise maps for consideration by the public and the Board of Education. The draft “revised maps” will ensure appropriate population balance and will incorporate feedback received by the Board and the community. This is the second Public Hearing conducted so that members of the public can provide input on boundaries as well as possible revisions of maps.

It is anticipated that the Board will adopt a resolution establishing revised trustee boundaries on February 1, 2022. After adoption of a new map, it will be sent to the County Superintendent of Schools and the County Registrar of Voters. The County Registrar of Voters will then adjust precinct boundaries before the filing deadline for the November 2022 trustee election and the new map will be used for the first time in the November 2022 election.

The audit is conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. These standards require that the audit is planned and performed to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation and internal controls. 

For the year ended June 30, 2021, the audit is being filed with an unmodified opinion. An unmodified or “clean” opinion is issued when the auditor does not have any findings and is able to conclude that the financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects and conform to generally accepted accounting principals. For the Federal and State compliance audit, all grants and programs audited received an unmodified opinion as well. 

In accordance with Education Code 41020.3, the District must review the annual audit at a public meeting prior to January 31. Ahmad Gharaibeh, Partner at Eide Bailly LLP, will present the audit report to the Board. These reports are filed with the County Office of Education, State Department of Education and the State Controller’s Office.