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.
PACIFIC GROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Minutes of the Meeting of February 19, 2004
The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on February 19 at the Pacific Grove High School.
I. OPENING BUSINESS
A. Call to Order: 6:30 PM
B. Roll Call: Members Present: Beth Shammas
Jessie Bray
Mark Cameron (absent)
Richard Schramm
Mike Niccum
Student Representative
Present: Bonnie Kwon (absent)
Administrators Present: Patrick Perry, Superintendent
Robin Blakley, Assistant Superintendent
C. Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
D. Adoption of Agenda: MOTION (Schramm/Bray) to adopt agenda. Motion CARRIED 4 to 0.
E. Identified Closed Session Topics:
a. Personnel: The Board of Education will discuss possible amendments to the Superintendent’s contract (before taking action on any amendment, the Board will return to Open Session and prior to voting, public comment will occur).
F. Public Comment on Closed Session Items: None
II. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION 6:32 PM
III. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: 7:05PM
A. Report Action Taken in Closed Session – Superintendent’s Contract:
No action taken. Will be carried over to next meeting (February 28).
IV. COMMUNICATIONS:
A. Written Communications :
Perry : Note from County Superintendent regarding County Board meeting.
B. Board Member Comment:
None
C. Superintendent Report:
Perry: Commented on Governor’s budget and importance of voting March 2. Legislative analysts have released their report and recommended that last year’s percentage given back from our categorical money be continued; more to learn later.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT
Kershner: Bonnie Kwon relayed her apologies for not attending the meeting.
VI. CONSENT:.
A. Certificated Assignment Order No. 9
B. Classified Assignment Order No. 9
C. Minutes of January 29, 2004 Special Meeting
D. Minutes of February 3, 2004 Special Meeting
E. Minutes of February 5, 2004 Regular Meeting
F. Summer School Session Lunch Program Waiver
G. Acceptance of Quarterly Investment Report
H. Approval of Service Contract with Interquest Detection Canines
I. Approval of Contract for Services – Erin Hoffman
J. Approval of Revised Reduced Categorical Program Funding
K. Approval of Architectural Services Agreement – Adult School Facility Improvement Plan Projects
L. Approval of Resolution #730 Authorizing Execution of State Preschool Contract – Instructional Materials
MOTION (Bray/Schramm) approval of the consent agenda with the minutes of February 5 corrected. Motion CARRIED 4 to 0
VII. PUBLIC HEARING
A. PGTA Topics for 2004/05+ Negotiations
Public Comment: None
B. CSEA Topics for 2004/05 Negotiations
Public Comment: None
VIII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION:
Sub Committee Reports
Community Human Services (CHS) (Kraus): Gave an update on the services they provide. CHS closed escrow on the house on Broadway in Seaside. The Super Kids program has 10 sites and is serving 250 kids. Safe Passage project in Marina is moving closer to breaking ground and in need of a new project manager. Family Service Centers is one of the real highlights with the Spirit of Christmas Party. The Agency is strong and serving people in our community and PGUSD students. During the September – December time period, 66 students in PG took advantage of the clinic or in-person counseling.
Public Comment: None
City/District (Bray): Commented on the need to set up a joint meeting between the City Council & the Board prior to the spring break. Perry: Will schedule meeting after March 2 elections. Bray, Niccum and Perry to work on the agenda items.
Negotiations (Bray): Noted the February 24 CSEA negotiation meeting.
ROP (Schramm): No activity. Next meeting is scheduled for March 17.
Public Comment: None
B. Acceptance of Measure A Oversight Committee Report
Ruth Mathews: Gave a report on the Measure A School Bond. A copy of this report is on the PGUSD website. They have initiated a change in audit procedures and now visit selected vendors to validate invoices. So far, they have visited three of the vendors: Batista Construction, Peninsula Fencing Co, and Applied Digital (Pacific ComTel). Everything looks perfect. All of the bonds have been funded with a total to date of $8,871,017.51. Fiscal year 2004/05 will probably be last year because all bond funds may be spent. Shammas: Appreciate the committee visiting vendors on site.
Public comment: None
MOTION (Bray/Niccum) that Board accept the Oversight Committee’s Report. CARRIED 4 to 0
C. David Avenue Lease Recap
Blakley: Recounted history of the closure of the David Avenue School and subsequent leases from the original four (now three) schools. In 2002, the tenants asked for rent relief, which the Board accepted, and resulted in a loss of rent. We are required by State law to only use money for school improvements (approximately $300,000/year) The tenants pay their own utilities and minor repairs, but we are still responsible for anything that is not visible. Our biggest problem is the heating system and money is being set aside for heating and plumbing within the next couple of years. The charter school from San Lorenzo Valley needs to return to Santa Cruz County or be chartered by someone in Monterey County and has approached MPUSD in regards to this. Pacific Oaks has gone through some difficult times, but is now back on track. Schramm: Has a concern related to when tenants are struggling to make lease payments. Why did we allow 8 months to pass before it was brought to the Board’s attention? Suggested a quarterly report on what we anticipate on revenues vs what we actually receive
Public Comment: Kuffner asked if there is a time limit for the charter school. Blakley: replied June of 2006. If the local school board turns down charter school, it could appeal to the County and then to the State Board of Education.
D. 2004/05 Budget Revenue, Expenditure Projections and Budget Assumptions
Blakley: We are in the process of building next year’s budget. We are planning to have $4M over revenue limit for next year’s budget. Assumption is for State and Federal funds to be held at current level of funding with little or no reduction in categorical funding. Haven’t put in any compensation adjustment except for column movements. PERS rate is being increased to 19.42% from the current 17.42%. Workers Comp is going up by 25%. We want to show parcel tax as a reserve. Current budget in Rev #3 is $17.5M revenue, $16.796M expenses. Beginning balance if $1.363M and ending with $1.713M. If bond doesn’t pass, it may be a different environment.
Public comment: none
Perry: Explained the proposed section cuts in the Middle and High Schools due to declining enrollment. The Middle School has the possibility of reducing 2 sections in science or electives. Propose taking these sections and allocate the reduced sections to two classes of computer education with a requirement to take one semester of computer skills in either 7th or 8th grade
Perry: PGHS has 1.8 proposed reduction; however, they do not feel they would recommend it. They feel that to maintain a viable high school, there are a number of sections they would like to retain. Secondary program needs certain things to be part of the core, irrespective of how many students, i.e., 2 foreign languages. The Board has exhibited interest in more offerings for mid-range students. Propose AP Statistics or Psychology for mid range students (new class) plus an Honors English or Social Studies. It was noted that midrange Honors students be identified differently. Bray: We have to move cautiously in this area. How will it impact the quality of the program for those students that are already in the program; don’t want to water down the curriculum. Shammas: New reduction would be (.8) for HS and 0 for MS. Proposed changes from the HS do follow the Long Range Plan Goals. The Board agreed to: leave two sections at MS and create a new one semester computer class for 7-8 grade students. The Board also agreed to reduce 4 sections at the HS and allow one section of AVID, Honors English/Social Studies, Math, and AP Statistics or Psychology, to be established for the 04-05 school year. The sections not reduced, i.e., two at MS and five at HS, to be charged to parcel tax. Parcel tax reserve to be reduced accordingly.
Public comment: None
E. Forest Grove SIP Mid Year Update
Culbertson: Set up new schedule for ESL instruction to deal with the increasing number of students coming with different language needs and are now at compliance level. 4th & 5th grade teachers felt students weren’t up to math skills and are now referring students to after and before school labs. We are setting time for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade teachers to get together and making sure 5th grade teachers are talking to the MS about articulation. We have completed differentiated instruction training (also new CLAD) that helps teachers instruct in different ways. The program they are doing with Title I is incredible.
Public comment: None
IX. ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
Approval of District Library Improvement Plan and Use of Funds
Carolyn Hawes: In three years, the State supplemental library funding has gone from $60,000 to $2,226, but Board approval of Library Plan is still required. Three years ago the funding was $28.00/student; it is now at .70/student. The library card catalogues are now on the web so they are accessible to all teachers and students wherever they have a connection to the Internet. This is particularly important at the elementary level. Action Plans regarding staffing request for 04-05: Reinstate MS library clerk to former position and HS clerical support to full time. We would like to restore the library, especially at the elementary level. We are currently working with _ the staff.
Public Comment: None
MOTION (Schramm/Bray). Motion CARRIED 4 to 0
Board Bylaw 9000-9400 Review – Second Reading
Bray: Felt it was important that all five members of the Board be here for the reading .
MOTION (Niccum/Bray) to move the review of the 2nd reading to March 4. CARRIED 4 to 0
Public Comment: None
Resolution #732 Support of Propositions 57 and 58
Perry: Request from CSBA that school boards in California recommend the passage of propositions 57 and 58. Schramm: felt this has a direct impact on the health and well being in the District.
Public Comment: None
Motion (Schramm/Niccum) CARRIED 4 to 0
MOTION (Bray/Schramm):move that we extend the meeting to no later than 10:15. Motion CARRIED 4 to 0.
D. Board Calendar/Future Meetings
Shammas: Reminder about February 28 special meeting, 9-12:00 in the DO.
Public Comment: None
E. Future Agenda Items
None
Public Comment: None
X ADJOURNMENT: 10:02 PM
Submitted by,
Patrick Perry, Secretary
Board of Education
Pacific Grove U.S.D.
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updated: 3/11/04
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