Timeline
2021
2021
2021
August
First day at the new unified school.
First day at the new unified school.
June
Move staff and equipment for configuration of schools with a K-5 campus in Sausalito and TK/6-8 campus in Marin City. Begin orientation and registration for staff, students, and families.
Move staff and equipment for configuration of schools with a K-5 campus in Sausalito and TK/6-8 campus in Marin City. Begin orientation and registration for staff, students, and families.
May
Finalize budget and 3-year Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).
Finalize budget and 3-year Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).
April
Finalize plans for curriculum and after school care for school year 2020-21. Begin hiring for any positions of need.
Finalize plans for curriculum and after school care for school year 2020-21. Begin hiring for any positions of need.
March
Finalize staffing plan for school year 2021-21.
Finalize staffing plan for school year 2021-21.
January
Communicate unification implementation plan to community and staff.
Communicate unification implementation plan to community and staff.
2020
2020
2020
December
Present final unification implementation plan to the boards of Willow Creek Academy and the Sausalito Marin City School District for final approval. Begin 2021-24 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).
Present final unification implementation plan to the boards of Willow Creek Academy and the Sausalito Marin City School District for final approval. Begin 2021-24 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).
November
Development of a curriculum for the new school by administration, teachers, and staff. Conclude joint study sessions with the boards of Willow Creek Academy and the Sausalito Marin City School District. Reconvene Unification Work Groups to review the draft unification implementation plan and begin collaboration of administration, teachers, and staff on the development of a curriculum for the new school.
Development of a curriculum for the new school by administration, teachers, and staff. Conclude joint study sessions with the boards of Willow Creek Academy and the Sausalito Marin City School District. Reconvene Unification Work Groups to review the draft unification implementation plan and begin collaboration of administration, teachers, and staff on the development of a curriculum for the new school.
October
Joint study sessions are held with the boards of Willow Creek Academy and the Sausalito Marin City School District to draft a unification implementation plan.
August
The Sausalito Marin City School District board votes 4-0 to place a bond measure on district ballots for the November 3 election. The bond would raise $41.6 million ($30 per $100,000 assessed valuation of a district residential or commercial property). Proceeds would go toward upgrading the facilities and infrastructure of the Sausalito and Marin City campuses. To pass, the measure requires the support of 55% of district voters.
The Sausalito Marin City School District board votes 4-0 to place a bond measure on district ballots for the November 3 election. The bond would raise $41.6 million ($30 per $100,000 assessed valuation of a district residential or commercial property). Proceeds would go toward upgrading the facilities and infrastructure of the Sausalito and Marin City campuses. To pass, the measure requires the support of 55% of district voters.
June
Joint study sessions begin with the boards of Willow Creek Academy and the Sausalito Marin City School District with the goal of developing a unification implementation plan by the end of the year. The boards consider details related to unification, such as whether to implement a one-campus solution or a two-campus solution.
Joint study sessions begin with the boards of Willow Creek Academy and the Sausalito Marin City School District with the goal of developing a unification implementation plan by the end of the year. The boards consider details related to unification, such as whether to implement a one-campus solution or a two-campus solution.
April
The Sausalito Marin City School District board and the board of Willow Creek Academy announce that they have settled a legal dispute over facilities. According to the Marin IJ, "Under terms of the settlement, Willow Creek is agreeing to drop the lawsuit, while the district will provide financing to support the continuing stability of the Willow Creek operation as the unification efforts go forward."
The Sausalito Marin City School District board and the board of Willow Creek Academy announce that they have settled a legal dispute over facilities. According to the Marin IJ, "Under terms of the settlement, Willow Creek is agreeing to drop the lawsuit, while the district will provide financing to support the continuing stability of the Willow Creek operation as the unification efforts go forward."
March
The Sausalito Marin City School District releases a Comprehensive Plan to fulfill the mandate of the state Attorney General. The 333-page document articulates a mission, vision, and educational program:
The Sausalito Marin City School District releases a Comprehensive Plan to fulfill the mandate of the state Attorney General. The 333-page document articulates a mission, vision, and educational program:
Vision: "World-class facilities and educational programs that serve as a model of educational equity, excellence, and integration and are the top choice for all families in the 94965. Our schools will forge a strong community of global citizens who find strength in diversity, affirm and value difference, and who are prepared for college, career, and a life which empowers all people to overcome systemic barriers, and create social and climate justice."
Mission: "In order to achieve outcomes for all students, especially for Black, Latinx, English Language Learners, and students with any learning differences, that meet and exceed outcomes in the highest performing schools, we will collaborate with our community to create a PreK-8 Dual Language Science Technology Arts & Research (STAR) Community School that: provides a trauma informed, culturally and linguistically sustaining top tier academic, social and emotional curriculum; attracts and retains highly qualified staff who reflect the diverse identity of our community; ensures a safe and inclusive climate for all."
Educational Program: "The educational program designed to achieve our mission and vision rests on three key foundations: PreK program for children aged 2-5, a K-8 Dual Language Spanish, Science, Technology, Arts & Research (STAR) Community School Program, the People’s Empowerment Arts & Community Engagement (PEACE) After School Program"
2019
2019
2019
December
The first meeting of the Desegregation Advisory Group is held on December 19, 2019. Four more meetings are held through March 5, 2020, culminating in the development of a draft Comprehensive Plan (see above). Community-wide Desegregation Town Hall meetings are held on September 10, 2019, and January 30, 2020.
October
The Willow Creek Academy board and the Sausalito Marin City School District board pass a joint resolution to explore the feasibility of a unified school solution.
Unification Town Hall meetings begin. A total of six meetings are held between October 2019 and March 2020. The meetings gather community feedback on the goals and priorities of unification.
September
The Sausalito Marin City School District ad hoc Unification Committee joins with Willow Creek Academy board members to become the Unification Task Force. The goal of the task force is to engage all community stakeholders to identify priorities and pathways to the unification of Willow Creek Academy and Bayside MLK into a single school. The task force's goals include considering the advantages, disadvantages, issues, concerns, and feasibility of a single school solution. The task force seeks input and participation of parents/guardians, staff, community members, students, and public boards and agencies in the area, outlining potential options for a single school solution along with any related findings, proposals, recommendations, or considerations. The Unification Task Force meets from September 2019 through August 2020.
August
The state Attorney General's Office releases two legal filings. The Complaint for Injunctive Relief determines that "the [Sausalito Marin City School] District had knowingly and intentionally maintained and exacerbated existing racial segregation, and had established an intentionally segregated school." The Final Judgment details the "affirmative corrective actions" that the district must take, including the formation of a Desegregation Advisory Group within 90 days and the development of a Community-Oriented Comprehensive Education Program (aka Comprehensive Plan) within 180 days.
The Comprehensive Plan must be implemented by July 1, 2020, with the goal of attracting student of all backgrounds from within the district. If the district fails to meet certain benchmarks for attracting students after five years, the district school must move all students in grades K-4 to the Sausalito campus, even if it means the relocation of a charter school or schools.
July
The Sausalito Marin City School District forms an ad hoc Consolidation Committee, later renamed the Unification Committee, to informally explore possible options for unification of Willow Creek Academy and Bayside MLK, Jr. Academy, address community discord and distrust, and consider other issues like funding, inefficiencies, and facility needs.
2018
2018
2018
December
The State Attorney General's Office sends a letter to the Sausalito Marin City School District saying that the district "violated and has continued to violate the California Constitution and anti-discrimination laws with respect to Bayside Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy."
The State Attorney General's Office sends a letter to the Sausalito Marin City School District saying that the district "violated and has continued to violate the California Constitution and anti-discrimination laws with respect to Bayside Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy."
2016
2016
2016
November
The state Attorney General's Office begins an investigation to determine whether the Sausalito Marin City School District complied with state and federal laws with respect to the organization and funding of the district's schools.
The state Attorney General's Office begins an investigation to determine whether the Sausalito Marin City School District complied with state and federal laws with respect to the organization and funding of the district's schools.
August
The Marin County Office of Education and the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) of the State of California release the 106-page Management Review of the Sausalito Marin City School District alleging that, "The district has not met the needs of students at Bayside MLK, and the result is that students are underachieving."
The Marin County Office of Education and the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) of the State of California release the 106-page Management Review of the Sausalito Marin City School District alleging that, "The district has not met the needs of students at Bayside MLK, and the result is that students are underachieving."
