Pacific Grove Unified School District
Note: This web page is a copy of the minutes from the Board of Education Meeting.
Minutes are NOT OFFICIAL until approved by the Board.
The official Minutes are available at the Board Office.
Address any questions to the Superintendent, Dr. Ralph Porras, or call the District Office at 831-646-6510.

The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on April 25, 2002 at the Robert Down School.

I. OPENING BUSINESS

A. Call to order: 6:30 pm

B. Roll Call: Members Present: Jessie Bray
Anne Hall
Debi Page
Beth Shammas
Richard Schramm

Administrators Patrick Perry, Superintendent
Present: Robin Blakley, Assistant Superintendent

C. Identified Closed Session Topics

D. Public Comment On Closed Session Items: None present

E. Adjourn to Closed Session: 6:32 pm

II. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: 7:00 pm

A. Pledge of Allegiance: recited.

B. Adoption of Agenda: MOTION (Shammas/Bray) to adopt agenda. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.

C. Report Action Taken in Closed Session: No action taken.

III. COMMUNICATONS:

A. Written Communications: Communication received regarding staffing and football coach; invitation to attend negotiations from CSEA received by all Board Members. Debi Page commended Pat Perry for his letter to parents regarding the current threat and coordination of these circumstances.

B. Board Member Report: Schramm ­ Thanked RHD for hosting meeting tonight, attended Parents University over the weekend. Shammas ­ recognized two retirements on Assignment Order and thanked Ms. McDonald for 30 years of service to the District and Mr. Copeland for 19 years. Bray ­ acknowledged Gary Stotz's music award, Pacific Grove Chamber articles in The Herald regarding the Interact Club at the High School and The Herald Senior Achievement Reception honoring six of our seniors. Hall ­ Attended the Open House at the High School especially enjoyed the Digital High School grant in action in Mr. Gill and Mr. Bliss classrooms. Page ­ presentation to Superintendent's Secretary Anna Mitchell in recognition of Administrative Assistant Day.

C. Superintendent Report: Open Houses were very successful this year. Mr. Perry was unable to attend the High School Open House last night because he was substituting for Dr. Russo at The Herald Senior Achievement Reception. Staffing hearing yesterday went well, the Board should have information back between now and May 7th. Regarding the recent threat to our schools, Mr. Perry reminded the Board of Policy 3515.4 Recovery for Property Loss or Damage ­ Payment of Reward: When authorized according to the Governing Board policy, the reward shall be paid to the party who provides information sufficient to identify and apprehend the person or persons subsequently found responsible for the damage or loss. This is the second event to interrupt our schools this year. Middle School will announce a reward as well as throughout the community.

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT: Matt Bell, Principal RHD, welcomed the Board. Reported to the Board RHD's successful Spaghetti Feed last night, JoAnn Riso, Linda Jones, Jan Lippert, Mayor Koffman and City Council members helped serve. Mr. Bell also mentioned that the FCMAT representatives commended RHD for the pride and ownership his staff has regarding maintenance and upkeep. Rick Redell ­ RHD Parent commented on staffing and class size. Robert Kershner, RHD and Parents Place parent, praised Maria Nunez and her staff and commented on budget concerns and mending relationships. Cathy Tyndall, State Preschool Teacher ­ thanked Board and Robin Blakley for their "watchful eye" and is always open to discussion to keep the Preschool program in the District; also mentioned that teachers are wounded. Wendell Knuss, spoke of concern regarding teacher layoffs. Jonathan Ryan, FG parent, spoke regarding teacher layoff and combination classes.

V. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION (Bray/Hall) to adopt consent agenda. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.

A. Out of County Activities
B. Minutes of April 11, 2002 Meeting
C. Approval of Revisions to Board Policy/Regulation 3250 and 3553
D. Certificated Personnel Assignment Order No. 15
E. Classified Personnel Assignment Order No. 14
F. Acceptance of Quarterly Investment Report
G. Award of Consultant Contract (Abatement Oversight) High School Modernization Roofing Project
H. Intent to Participate in Monterey Bay Regional School-to-Career Program
I. Approval of MCOE Internet Access Agreement
J. Approval of Revision No. 3 to Digital High School Grant for PG HIGH SCHOOL

VI. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION:

A. Sub Committee Reports:
City/District (Page): Nothing to report.
Negotiations (Bray): Moving forward, meeting on a regular basis.
ROP (Schramm): ROP Open House tonight, next meeting May 1 in King City.

B. Revisions to Pacific Grove High School Student/Parent Handbook 2002-03: Patrick O'Donnell, Assistant Principal, reviewed the revisions the Student/Parent Handbook. A discussion regarding revisions took place. The revisions and suggested changes will return to the Board on May 2 for approval.

C. First Reading of Revision to Bylaw/Exhibit 9150 ­ Student Board Member: Board Bylaw 9150 overviews the Boards desire to have a student Board member as part of the School Board. The District, over the recent past has selected to have the Student Body President serve as the School Board Representative. This was brought to the Board's attention in November of 2001. At that time the Board decided that the Policy should be taken to the High School ASB for input and suggestions. The Board discussed the suggested revisions. The Board would also like to examine the policy after next year to allow for observation of student attendance and participation. Will return for approval at the May 2nd Board Meeting.

D. Review of Board Bylaw/Exhibit 9250 - and Bylaw 9271: Board Member Jessie Bray requested the Board review and discuss Board Bylaw #9250 that refers to remuneration, reimbursement and other benefits. After a discussion it was determined that a reaffirmation of this policy will be made at the May 16th Board Meeting. Regarding Board Bylaw #9271 ­ Code of Ethics the Board read the following into the record:

This Code of Ethics expresses the personal ideals, which the Governing Board believes should guide each school Board member's activities.

In all actions as a school Board member, the member's first commitment is to the well being of all students in the District. His/her primary responsibility is to each and every student in the District.

Board members also have other major commitments to:

o The Community. Each Board member is responsible to all residents of the District and not solely to those who elected him/her; nor solely to any organization to which he/she may belong, or which may have supported his/her election.

o Individuals. Each Board member has a direct concern for every individual in the community. As an integral part of his/her duties, he/she represents the authority and responsibility of government. This authority must be exercised with as much care and concern for the least influential as for the most influential member of the community.

o Employees. The Board member's actions may affect the capability of District employees to practice their trade or profession and should encourage their increasing competence and professional growth.

o Laws, Policies. Each Board member must be aware of, and comply with, the constitutions of State and Nation, the Education Code of the State of California, other laws pertaining to public education, and the established policies of the District.

o Decision-making. Each Board member is obliged by law to participate in decisions pertaining to education in the District. As an elected representative of the people, the Board member can neither relinquish nor delegate this responsibility to any other individual or group.

o Individual Feelings and Philosophy. Every individual Board member has something to contribute to society.

Understanding and acting upon the foregoing premises, each Board member shall:

1. Consider his/her position on the Board as a public trust and not use it for private advantage or personal gain.
2. Remember that the basic functions of the Board are to establish the policies by which District schools are administered and to select the Superintendent and staff who will implement those policies.
3. Be constantly aware that he/she has no legal authority except when acting as a member of the Board. Board members shall present their concerns and concepts through the process of Board debate. If in the minority of any decision, they shall abide by and support the majority decision. When in the majority, they shall respect divergent opinions.
4. Recognize that the deliberations of the Board in closed session may be released or discussed in public only with Board approval.
5. Encourage ideas and opinions from the residents of the District and endeavor to incorporate community views into the deliberations and decisions of the Board.
6. Devote sufficient time, thought, and study to proposed actions so as to be able to base decisions upon all available facts and vote in accordance with honest convictions, unswayed by partisan bias of any kind.
7. Promote and participate actively in a concerted program of timely exchange of information with all District residents, parents, employees and students.
8. Make use of opportunities to enlarge his/her potential as a Board member through participation in educational conferences, workshops and training sessions made available by local, state and national agencies.
E. 2002-03 Budget Review: The District budget is a summary of the education program of the District expressed in terms of the allocation of financial resources. Robin Blakley reviewed the report which is virtually unchanged from previous meetings. A discussion regarding the letters received by the Board regarding staffing took place; a response from the Board will be drafted and approved at the May 16th Board Meeting.

VII. ACTION ITEMS:

A. Approval of 2001-02 Adult Education Budget Revision #2: MOTION (Bray/Shammas) to approve proposed budget revisions. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.

B. Future Meetings: Future meetings were reviewed ­ an additional meeting will be scheduled on May 9th, location to be announced.

C. Request for Future Agenda Items: Board members will return request forms to Board President, Debi Page for future agenda item consideration.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT: 9:30 pm

Patrick Perry
Secretary, Board of Education

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