The Elementary Grade Level Task Force of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held its first meeting on December 10, 2002 at Pacific Grove Middle School.
Present: Lori Rae Anderson Betsy Lobay
Sara Boyns Mike Niccum
Jessie Bray Susan Nine
Tim Culbertson Patrick Perry
Debbie Engles Nate Piotrkowski
Eloise Guidara Rich Schramm
Jennifer Jansen Terrise Wood
Absent: Matt Bell Debi Page
Patrick Perry began the meeting by welcoming the task force members and thanking them for their willingness to serve. He reviewed the purpose of the task force as noted on a letter that was forwarded to the task force members. The purpose is:
To review elementary grade level configurations and determine whether changes or modifications should be made that will assist the District in balancing classes and enrolling students.
Task force members introduced themselves and gave a brief background about their interests related to the grade Level Task Force. Patrick noted at the end of the introductions that each member had been selected purposely to represent various portions of the community, and that the Board of Education had requested that members from the prior redistricting committee, along with new representation, be configured in the grade level task force.
A review of the calendar was the next portion of business. The calendar was revised to show the following changes:
The January 18, 2002 meeting was moved to January 6, 2002
The January 20, 2002 meeting was moved to January 21, 2002
All meetings will be from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. It was noted that the public hearings that are on January 13 and 14 at Forest Grove and Robert Down, were optional for attendance of the committee members, but it was strongly advised by the committee that everyone attend each of the public hearings.
Patrick requested that the task group consider selecting a Chair from its membership. After some discussion, Sara Boyns was identified as the Chair. It was noted that the District would be responsible for developing a draft agenda, taking minutes and gathering reference documents as requested by the task group.
Grade Level Projections
Robin Blakley went over the grade level projections as it related to the school District (see Board item dated November 7, 2002 for specific information). Questions and answers were posed related to the reasons for the increase in enrollment this year, as it relates to prior year trends. It was noted that enrollment projections are critical to the recommendation of the grade level task force. It was also noted that the District’s financial projections for next school year indicate a 3.5 reduction of staff. Options one through three, as presented in the November 7 Board item and reviewed at the committee meeting, do not reflect this reduction of staffing.
Requests Made by the Committee
Contact Washington Union and Carmel, and gather information related to their grade level organizations at their elementary schools. Discuss the pros and the cons of these configurations with the school principal.
Survey our elementary schools and determine where new students came from.
Maps of David Avenue, Robert Down and Forest Grove including measurements of the size of rooms.
Photo copies of PGTA contract related to class size maximums.
Agenda 12/16/02
Review articles contained in reference packet.
- Identify key points.
Establish issues related to the purpose statement.
Review maps of schools.