During a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered on the approval of contracts and the establishment of staff housing, highlighting ongoing concerns within the community.

Trustee Mohan Gurunathan raised issues regarding the cancellation of certain contracts, specifically questioning the lack of clarity surrounding the cancellation of Peter Gorman's contract, which was not reflected in the purchase order reports. Gurunathan emphasized the need for transparency, urging the board to explain how these contracts were previously approved, particularly those totaling over $1 million. He expressed that the community deserves accountability and understanding of the board's decisions.

In response to a motion by Trustee Berman, the board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included various items for consideration. Acting Superintendent Bauer provided insights into the ongoing collaboration with contractor Kate O'Malley, who has been instrumental in supporting preschool and transitional kindergarten (TK) teachers since 2014. Bauer noted that O'Malley's work has contributed to the district achieving a top quality rating for early childhood education.

The meeting also addressed the establishment of affordable staff housing, a project made possible by community support through Measure T in 2020. Acting Superintendent Bauer reported that construction is complete, but occupancy approval is pending due to delays from PG&E in connecting power to the building. The anticipated move-in date for staff is now set for February, contingent on PG&E's timeline. The district plans to provide staff with application forms next month and will facilitate meetings with the property management company at the district office.

Trustees Berman and Blakely shared updates from the rental housing committee, discussing the coordination of housing rules and addressing various concerns raised during their meetings. They proposed the possibility of retaining a current board member on the committee for continuity as new members are appointed.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to transparency and community engagement while navigating the complexities of contract approvals and the development of essential staff housing.