CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
5:00 PM – Special Meeting
American River Room
City Hall
2729 Prospect Park Drive, Rancho Cordova
How to Observe or Listen to the Meeting:
•Online via Zoom: https://cityofranchocordova.zoom.us/j/81630466928 Webinar ID: 816 3046 6928
•By phone: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782
Webinar ID: 816 3046 6928
Public Comment
Members of the public who wish to address the City Council may do so in person during the meeting by completing and submitting a Speaker Card to the City Clerk.
Members of the public who wish to provide public comment via email will need to submit comments to [email protected] no later than 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Written comments received no later than 2:00 p.m. will be distributed to the Council, filed in the record, and will not be read aloud. All comments submitted later than 2:00 p.m. will be distributed to the Council.
If you have questions related to the City Council Meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (916) 851-8720 before Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
AGENDA
1. SPECIAL MEETING - CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Council Members Linda Budge, Garrett Gatewood, Siri Pulipati, Donald Terry, and Mayor David Sander
Rancho Cordova City Council - AGENDA
Special Meeting of Tuesday, February 27, 2024
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
At a special meeting, members of the public wishing to address the Council for any matter on the agenda may do so at the time the matter is discussed. Under the provisions of the California Government Code, the City Council is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not on the agenda.
3. SPECIAL MEETING
3.1. Subject: Discussion on Public School Educational Opportunities for Rancho Cordova Students and Process for School District Reorganization.
Recommendation: Receive an update on the educational opportunities in Rancho Cordova.
4. ADJOURNMENT
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Special Meetings listed below are subject to change/cancellation without further notice.
Public documents related to items on the open session portion of this agenda, which are distributed to the City Council less than 24 hours prior to the meeting, shall be available for public inspection at the time the documents are distributed to the Council. Documents are available for inspection at the City Clerk's office located in Rancho Cordova City Hall.
The agenda items are accessible on the City’s website at www.cityofranchocordova.org on Thursdays or Fridays prior to the Special City Council Meeting.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Monday, March 4 4:00 PM Special Meeting/Regular Meeting Monday, March 18 5:30 PM Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 26 5:30 PM Special Meeting/Work Session
Tuesday, April 2 4:00 PM Special Meeting/Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 23 5:30 PM Special Meeting/Work Session
Monday, May 6 4:00 PM Special Meeting/Regular Meeting
Monday, May 20 5:30 PM Regular Meeting
Tuesday, May 28 5:30 PM Special Meeting/Work Session
If you have any technical questions related to the agenda items, please contact City Hall at (916) 851-8700.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (916) 851-8720 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Rancho Cordova City Council - AGENDA
Special Meeting of Tuesday, February 27, 2024
CERTIFICATION OF POSTING OF AGENDA
I, Stacy Leitner, City Clerk for the City of Rancho Cordova, declare that the foregoing agenda for the February 27, 2024 Special Meeting of the Rancho Cordova City Council was posted and available for review on February 22, 2024, at City Hall of the City of Rancho Cordova, 2729 Prospect Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, California, 95670. The agenda is also available on the city website at www.cityofranchocordova.org.
Signed February 22, 2024, at Rancho Cordova, California.
Stacy Leitner, CMC
City Clerk
MEMORANDUM
City Council Staff Report - Page 1 of 2
ITEM 3.1.
DATE: February 27, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Micah Runner, City Manager
Megan Siren, Assistant to the City Manager
Stacy Delaney, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION ON PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR RANCHO CORDOVA STUDENTS AND
PROCESS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT REORGANIZATION
RECOMMENDATION
Receive an update on the educational opportunities in Rancho Cordova.
RESULT OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
As a result of the discussion, Council could direct staff to conduct a public input process, have staff bring back additional information, or direct no continued action.
BACKGROUND
The City of Rancho Cordova has four school districts located within City limits: Folsom Cordova Unified School District, Elk Grove Unified School District, Sacramento City Unified School District, and San Juan Unified School District. These four school districts cover geographically distinct areas of the City and provide public education for students within their specific territories.
Over the last year, at the request of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD) the City Council, FCUSD and the City of Folsom have held two joint sessions on June 8, 2023, and January 29, 2024, to discuss a potential district reorganization and feasibility study. FCUSD hired Schools Services of California (SSC) to complete a feasibility study, which was jointly funded by all three parties, and presented it at the January 29, 2024, joint session. The feasibility study completed by SSC was based on currently available data and provides the firm's opinion on whether the separation of FCUSD would satisfy the nine feasibility conditions set forth in the Education Code. At the conclusion of the joint session, the FCUSD Board, based on the feasibility study, determined that they would not move forward with a district reorganization at this time, but one of the cities may proceed if desired.
The discussion tonight will include a summary of the joint sessions with FCUSD and the City of Folsom and some potential options for addressing educational challenges for Rancho Cordova students, including all four school districts.
City Council Staff Report - Page 2 of 2
FISCAL IMPACT AND FUNDING SOURCE
There is no fiscal impact, but based on Council direction there could be future fiscal impacts for outreach, educational consultants, and legal resources.
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Council Presentation
PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR RANCHO
CORDOVA STUDENTS & PROCESS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT
REORGANIZATION
February 27, 2024
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
FRAMING THE DISCUSSION
GOAL:
Advocate for the best educational outcomes for
Rancho Cordova residents
Discussion Topics:
• Public School Education Opportunities for Rancho
C
ordova Students
• Process for School District Reorganization
• Strategy and Opti ons Moving Forward
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
HISTORY
• June 8, 2023 – Fo lsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD) held a joint meeting with the City of Rancho Cordova and City of Folsom on the topic of the process for district reorganization and completing a reorganization feasibility study
• August 10, 2023 – F
CUSD approved the MOU between City of
Rancho Cordova and City of Folsom to contract with School Services of California to conduct the feasibility study
• January 29, 2024 – F
CUSD held a joint meeting with the City of
Rancho Cordova and City of Folsom to review the completed feasibility study
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR RANCHO
CORDOVA STUDENTS
February 27, 2024
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
AGENDA
Council Discussion/Direction
Exploring the Option for School District
Reorganization
Public Education in Rancho Cordova
5 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
6 Public Education in
Rancho Cordova
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
RANCHO CORDOVA IS SERVED BY 4 SCHOOL
DISTRICTS
A majority of the City is served by Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD)
A large portion in the southern portion of the City (South of Douglas Rd) is served by Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD)
A small portion in the western-most part of the City, along Highway 50 is served by Sacramento City Unified School
District (SCUSD)
A very small portion in the northern part of the City along Highway 50 is served by San Juan Unified School District (SJUSD)
• Age restricted community that does not generate students 7 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
8 Sacramento
City Unified
Elk Grove Unified
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Other School District
Owned Building
Mather
Heights ES
Folsom Cordova
Charter
Navigator
ES
Cordova Villa ES
White Rock ES
Cordova
Meadows ES
Cordova Gardens ES
Rancho Cordova ES
PJ Shields ES
Riverview STEM Academy
Williamson ES
Mitchell MS
Mills MS
Cordova HS
McGarvey ES
Sunrise ES
Albiani MS
Pleasant Grove HS
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
OPTIONS FOR ADDRESSING IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR RANCHO CORDOVA STUDENTS
The City is not directly responsible for providing education to Rancho Cordova students or day to day operations. • FCUSD: Analysis was done for Reorganization and available data has demonstrated that Rancho Cordova students in FCUSD are performing below state averages
• EGUSD: Current and active community participation from a parent coalition in EGUSD. What can the City do?
• Continue augmenting funding to FCUSD/EGUSD/SCUSD (most substantially to FCUSD) to augment programs for students
• Work with school districts on constructing new schools in Rancho Cordova to reduce travel times and provide local schools at all grade levels
Encourage EGUSD to cooperate with the City in building local secondary schools • Consider territory transfer into FCUSD
Encourage FCUSD to construct future new high school in Rancho Cordova • Seek overall local control for schools by creating an independent Rancho Cordova Unified School District (RCUSD)
Separation of FCUSD and territory transfer of areas in EGUSD, SCUSD, and SJUSD • Could independently obtain professional recommendations for how educational offerings could improve academic achievement
Ask FCUSD to implement recommendations
Seek separation from FCUSD to achieve local control of school district operations 9 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
10 Exploring the Option
for School District
Reorganization
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
SCHOOL DISTRICT
REORGANIZATION IN CALIFORNIA
Prescribed legal process in Education
Code
• Local review and approval
Sacramento County Committee on
School District Organization
• Comprised of the 7 trustees of the
County Board of Education
• State review and approval
State Board of Education (SBE)
• Local election
11 The process can take 5 years or more to
complete.
* Territory Transfers Follow Same Legal Process
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
WAYS TO INITIATE A REORGANIZATION
Petition submitted by school district governing board
or 25% of registered voters in affected area
Petition submitted by other local agencies, a county
committee, or 10% of registered voters in an entire
school district
12 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
PROCESS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT REORGANIZATION
School District Board or 25% Petition
Other Local Agency, County
Committee, or 10% Petition
Determination of Sufficiency and
Transmittal of Petition (30 days)
Preliminary hearing held by County
Committee (CC)
Public Hearings (60 days from transmittal
of petition)
County Committee accepts or rejects
petition
County Committee study of the unification Public Hearings (60 days from accepting petition)
County Committee approval/disapproval of
petition (within 120 days of first public
hearing)
County Committee study of the unification
State Board of Education review and
consideration of petition (CEQA, feasibility
study, public hearings, election boundaries)
County Committee approval/disapproval of
petition (within 120 days of first public
hearing)
Local Election
State Board of Education review and
consideration of petition (CEQA, feasibility
study, public hearings, election boundaries)
Local Election
13 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
ELECTION
Boundary for election part of recommendation from
County Committee
• Determined by State Board of Education
Election must be called within 35 days of State
approval and held at the next election day of any
kind
• County Superintendent of Schools is responsible for
preparing election materials
• Cost of election paid by County
• Simultaneous election of Board members for new district(s) 14 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
SCHOOL DISTRICT REORGANIZATION
CONSIDERATIONS IN RANCHO CORDOVA
Separate FCUSD into 2
separate districts
Transfer territory from
EGUSD that is located
within City limits into
FCUSD/Rancho Cordova
Unified School District
(RCUSD)
Transfer territory from
SCUSD that is located
within City limits into
FCUSD/ RCUSD
Unify all territory within
City limits, and adjacent
unincorporated territory
currently in FCUSD, into
one new Rancho Cordova
district
15 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
ALTERNATIVES TO
STATUTORY
REORGANIZATION
PROCESS
16 Special legislation can be
considered for all or part
of the petition process,
feasibility review, or other
parts of a possible
reorganization
• Need an author of a bill and
legislative support
Consider reasons for
pursuing an alternative
to the traditional process
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
FEASIBILITY CRITERIA SET FORTH BY
EDUCATION CODE SECTION 35753
SBE may approve a proposal for reorganization if there is “an exceptional situation sufficient to justify approval of the proposal” even if all conditions are not met.
17 • County Committee will review analysis and recommendations prepared by their own staff (County Office of Education), the petitioners, and/or other affected agencies
• SBE will review the entire administrative record of the County Committee review process and will conduct their own staff analysis of feasibility
Both the SBE and County Committee are required to
evaluate a reorganization proposal and make
determinations whether the criteria are substantially met.
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
9 Feasibility Criteria
1) Adequate Number of Pupils
2) Substantial Community Identity
3) Equitable Division of Property and Facilities
4) Will Not Promote Racial or Ethnic Discrimination or Segregation 5) No Increase in State Costs
6) Promote Sound Educational Performance
7) No Increase in School Housing Costs
8) Not Designed to Increase Property Values
9) Will Not Cause a Substantial Negative Effect on the Fiscal Status 18 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
THE SCHOOL SERVICES OF CALIFORNIA
REPORT
• Based only on currently available data
Contracted by FCUSD to provide their opinion as to
whether the separation of FCUSD would satisfy the 9
feasibility conditions set forth in the Education Code
The County Committee, not School Services, is
responsible for making the determination of whether the 9 criteria are met
• Criteria #4, 6, and 9
SSC determined that 3 of the 9 criteria are not
substantially met
19 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
ADDRESSING FINDINGS IN SCHOOL
SERVICES REPORT
Criterion #3: Equitable Division of Property and Facilities • SFID #3 could pose challenges depending on where bond dollars were spent (or will be spent)
Criterion #4: Segregation/Discrimination
• Since school attendance boundaries would not change with district separation, the separation would not promote racial or ethnic discrimination or segregation
20 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
ADDRESSING FINDINGS IN SCHOOL
SERVICES REPORT (CONT’D)
Criterion #6: Sound Educational Performance
• Students in Rancho Cordova do not currently have the same programs as students in Folsom
• Students in Rancho Cordova are not performing as well as students in Folsom
• An alternative education model in Rancho Cordova could be considered to improve educational performance in Rancho Cordova
Criterion #9: Fiscal Status
• The non-proportional loss of revenue to Folsom is only in the supplemental funding portion of LCFF, the majority of which is required to be spent on Rancho Cordova students
• Folsom won’t have those students so doesn’t need the additional revenue to serve them
21 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
PETITION FOR
SCHOOL
DISTRICT
REORGANIZATION
Identify reasons for proposed reorganization
• Provide supporting data
• Include plan for how separation will improve
the situation
• e.g., educational performance is a concern in
Rancho Cordova and a new educational model
(that is challenging to implement in the larger
district) will improve performance
Set boundary for proposed reorganization
Determine petitioner
• Partnership(s) with other local agencies (e.g.,
FCUSD, City of Folsom, EGUSD, SCUSD)
Providing a thoughtful and complete petition
with supporting data will have the highest
likelihood of success.
22 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PETITION SUBMITTAL
Consulting and legal time to prepare the petition, a feasibility study, educational program plan, and advise throughout the reorganization process is estimated to cost about $500,000. Challenges: No city has been successful to date as the petitioner of a school district re-organization process
23 • Following the parameters and recommendations provided in the California Department of Education Handbook
Provide Feasibility Study with existing data and
projections post-reorganization
If considering educational performance as the basis for the petition, develop an educational program plan to
demonstrate alternative options available in a
reorganized district
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Community support is essential in a successful
reorganization effort
• Public opinion polling to provide data on existing interest in reorganization
Estimated cost of $30,000-$40,000
• Community input in the petition process
Educational program vision
Consideration of territory subject to reorganization
Participation in public hearings
• Vocal support in special legislation efforts
24 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
25 Council Discussion/
Direction
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
STRATEGIC OPTIONS TO PURSUE
Evaluate community sentiment towards educational opportunities, location of schools, and other items
• Formal public opinion poll
• Informal survey
• Community/focus groups
Work with school districts on constructing new schools in Rancho Cordova to reduce travel times and provide local schools at all grade levels • Encourage EGUSD to cooperate with the City in building local secondary schools Consider territory transfer into FCUSD
• Encourage FCUSD to construct future new high school in Rancho Cordova Engage an educational consultant to obtain professional recommendations for how educational offerings could improve academic achievement • Ask FCUSD to implement recommendations
• Seek separation from FCUSD to achieve local control of school district operations Use findings from educational consultant in Feasibility Study and petition Seek overall local control for school districts by creating an independent Rancho Cordova USD
26 ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
CITY COUNCIL OPTIONS
• Do nothing as a Council body, but continue advocating individually for i
mprovements to school districts or
• Does the Council body engage in school district policies, programs and d
elivery?
• A Recommended Approach:
• Step 1: Community Outreach to determine interest
• Step 2: Return to Council with Community Outreach and interest • Step 3: Develop Educational Program Plan
• Request implementation of an educational program plan cr
eated specifically for Rancho Cordova students
• Step 4: Utilize this Information to Inform the Next Steps • Pursue school district reorganization
• Education Code process
• Special legislation
• Other Items for Council Direction
• Request presentation by FCUSD regarding ed program offerings and opportunities f
or Rancho Cordova students
• Send letter to EGUSD requesting school facility and transportation needs of R
ancho Cordova residents are addressed
• Analyze City’s financial involvement in trying to establish new high school in R
ancho Cordova in Rio Del Oro as part of FCUSD
ITEM 3.1.
ATTACHMENT 1