MINUTES
City-School Liaison Committee
Santa Clara City Hall Council Chambers
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
CITY OF SANTA CLARA
Chair Councilmember Raj Chahal
Councilmember Suds Jain
Councilmember Albert Gonzalez
SANTA CLARA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Board Member, Dr. Michele Ryan
Board Member, Jodi Muirhead
Board Member, Andy Ratermann
CITY OF SANTA CLARA STAFF
City Manager, Jōvan D. Grogan
Director of Parks and Recreation, Damon Sparacino
Police Chief, Cory Morgan
Assistant Police Chief, Wahid Kazem
City Librarian, Patty Wong
Assistant City Manager, Paulina Morales
Assistant to the City Manager, Elycia Knight
Community Development Planning Manager, Lesley Xavier
Management Analyst, Aimée Escobar
SANTA CLARA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF
Director, School Bond Projects, Larry Adams
Deputy Superintendent/CBO, Mark Schiel
Director, Facility Development & Planning, Michal Healy Director/PIO, Jennifer Dericco
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Raj Chahal at 11:53AM.
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Tim Towers spoke on the Winter Reads program. Stated that he is looking forward to it and it is good idea to share amongst the schools within the city.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Item 1: Approval of Minutes: September 3, 2025, Minutes Member Ryan made a motion, seconded b Member Gonzales to approve the Minutes.
The motion passed unanimously with one adjustment to the minutes.
Under Item 4: Santa Clara Unified School District Updates (b) Construction: Larry Adams, School Bond Projects Director:
“Briarwood: replacing 2 classrooms and portables with a focus on early childhood education. Construction to begin shortly. on Townsend is an issue affecting pick up and drop off that is being worked out with Public Works.”
Item 2: City of Santa Clara: Update from City Manager Jōvan D. Grogan • 15mph Speed Zones: Implementation of the zones has begun at various locations. • WAYMO Update: WAYMO began operating in Santa Clara as of November 12, 2025. He mentioned that their operations within the City do not require City approval as they are approved by the State and Public Utilities.
Member Muirhead inquired if there are any operating restrictions around schools. City Manager Grogan replied that he will consult with Public Works on this question for future reporting. Additional information regarding WAYMO operations was provided to include mentioning their expansion in providing service from San Francisco
International Airport to San Jose International Airport to include all cities within the Peninsula (in between the airports).
• Shared Mobility Program: As of October 2025, the last operator has withdrawn from the city. There are currently no scooter or bike operators remaining. Spin, the e-scooter operator also ceased operations in both Santa Clara and San José. Santa Clara has not received any new operator applications to-date, however, staff will be contacting potential operators to gauge their interest in operating in Santa Clara. City staff is also exploring alternative options including the bike-share program operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Bay Wheels.
Item 3: Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD): Update from Superintendent Dr. Damon Wright Deputy Superintendent Schiel and Director/PIO Dericco provided the SCUSD update in Dr. Wright’s absence. • SCUSD Budget Update: $30 million dollar deficit as of June 2025. Re-visiting budget to address deficit spending and working with the School Board to analyze operations and budget to right size all operations. Looking at staff levels to make sure they are appropriately staffed. Any staff reductions must be noticed by March 15, 2026 and contract reductions will occur as needed.
• Fiscal responsibility:
o Fiscal Reserve: Minimum fiscal reserve of 3% required by the state, however, it is not enough to cover one month’s payroll. District must strive for a higher reserve and staffing numbers to meet the needs of the District.
o Triple A Credit Rating: Making efforts to maintain the district’s credit rating when addressing the budget and reductions.
Member Jain asked if buildings are being re-assessed for their property value. It was stated that the majority of funding comes from commercial and industrial building assessments, however, residential is now increasing and superseding commercial and industrial revenue contributions to the tune of $3.9 million.
Housing is turning over which spurs re-assessment of property values that are coming in at a higher value thereby increasing the revenue contribution to the district. o Budget Update: Next budget update to the school board is in December 2025.
Member Gonzales inquired as to what percentage is the deficit of the budget? SCUSD responded that $450 million in expenses, projected budget is $400 million with the $30 million deficit. Small percentage of the budget. The overall goal is to maintain adequate reserves, so the district won’t have to reduce programs offered to students. This is also the third time right-sizing in about 15 years. Most districts right-size every 3-4 years.
Chair Chahal would like for the proper assessment of AI/Data Centers to make sure their financial contribution is accurate. City Manager Grogan replied that the City is working with data centers to make sure they are correctly applying the city tax rate. He also stated that only sales taxes are received by Santa Clara on those orders that are delivered to an individual/company located in Santa Clara. • Update on 100 Day Plan: New superintendents generally come in with a 100-day plan to learn about the city, schools within the district. Dr. Wright held community meetings, coffee meetings, office meetings, community forums, focus groups, one on one meetings with staff & students. He inquired about challenges and strengths.
A report to the Board of Trustees will be forthcoming after the 100 days has ended that will detail what he has learned.
Item 4: Santa Clara Unified School District Updates:
a. New Valley High School Relocation
Mark Schiel, Deputy Superintendent/CBO
SC Parks & Recreation Director Sparacino stated that the City has received several inquiries from the community about this project and related tree removal. Deputy Superintendent Schiel stated that for every tree removed, 3 will be planted. The types of trees being planted will take into consideration water needs and root issues to mitigate future issues.
Director Sparacino inquired as to at what point will the district look at adult education programming. Deputy Superintendent Schiel stated that the analysis will occur beginning with the 2027 school year in anticipation of the 2029 inaugural school year. They will also look at current offerings and enrollment level.
Member Gonzales asked that they keep City departments informed of changes as soon as possible.
Member Jain asked if there is a state grant to raise the solar panels to allow for parking under the panels.
Director, Facility Development & Planning Healy stated that they were no aware of any grants but would set up a meeting with SV Power to see what options are available in addition to adding additional solar panels and demolishing those that are no longer useable.
Member Muirhead mentioned there is a change.org petition for this project that want additional changes.
Please re-direct these inquiries about the petition to the district.
b. Construction Update
Larry Adams, Director - School Bond Projects
o Bracker & Westwood: Building permits have been issued and construction should be completed by the start of 2026-2027 school year.
o Santa Clara High School: Pool renovations begin in November 2025 and ought to be completed in 2026.
o Wilcox High School: Renovations also began in November 2025. o Laurelwood School: Should be opening in August 2026 in Sunnyvale (moved from Santa Clara).
Member Gonzales inquired about the BRAVE program and if it will cease due to the school’s change of city from Santa Clara to Sunnyvale. SC Chief Morgan stated he would investigate this issue but that it may be dependent upon bandwidth issues and that he would report back on this item at a future date.
c. Facilities & Capital Development Update
Michal Healy, Director - Facility Development & Planning
1. Strategic Energy Management (SEM) Project with SVP is successful and mentioned that many operate in conjunction with the Santa Clara Library. He also stated that one of the goals of the project is to get students and residents to use less electricity. City Librarian Wong mentioned that they are hoping to extend the program beyond SVP funding.
2. Townsend Field Improvement Project is a Super Bowl Partnership Opportunity to upgrade the Buchser/Townsend Field.
Item 5: City of Santa Clara Updates:
a. Community Development Department Update
Lesley Xavier, Community Development Planning Manager
o University Station (El Camino Real near the train station) 395 units o Homestead & Lawrence: 150 units (condo & town homes w/retail) o Worthington Circle (Agrihood) reduce from 165 multifamily to 44 townhomes. (not in SCUSD district) o All projects are currently in the entitlement process and are 2-5 years out o Westlake: 328 units
o The Alameda: 34 units
o Moonlite: Apartments & town homes. Apartments are all affordable housing. o 1957 Pruneridge: 22 single family homes
Member Raterman inquired about ADU projections. Community Development Planning Manager Xavier stated that there were 70 units last year and an anticipated 50 units this year.
b. Winter Reads
Patty Wong, City Librarian
o Dolly Parton Imagination: 0-5 years may receive a free book delivered to their home, every year until they turn 5 years old. Books are in English and Spanish. o Winter Reads: English/Spanish/Mandarin learning curriculum over winter break. If they complete the curriculum they may receive a free book from the library.
c. Community Engagement Efforts for 2026
Paulina Morales, Assistant City Manager & Elycia Knight, Assistant to the City Manager City Manager Grogan stated that Super Bowl is 14 weeks away with community efforts under way to engage residents.
Assistant City Manager Morales presented a slide deck on Super Bowl and major events for 2026.
Member Ryan stated that she would like to participate in the Telemundo event referenced in the presentation.
Item 6: Discussion of the potential addition of a crosswalk and/or traffic light on the corner of Cabrillo & Scott (near Scott Lane Elementary School)
Board Member Andy Ratermann
Member Raterman stated that individuals are attempting to stop traffic for students to cross at the unmarked crossing points. He would like to have cross walks painted and any additional safety measures added to improve the safety of students. City Manager Grogan advised that he would reach out to Public Works to review the Cabrillo and Scott intersection for the addition of safety measures.
Item 7: 2026 Meeting Schedule
Motion to approve the 2026 meeting schedule was made by Member Ryan with a second from Member Gonzales. Meeting schedule was unanimously approved with Member Jain absent. • Wednesday, March 4, 2026 (11:45am – 1:15pm) SCUSD • Wednesday, May 6, 2026 (11:45am – 1:15pm) City • Wednesday, September 2, 2026 (11:45am – 1:15pm) SCUSD • Wednesday, November 4, 2026 (11:45am – 1:15pm) City
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned by Chair Chahal at 12:53pm.