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 April 22, 2004
The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on April 22 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
Richard Schramm
Mike Niccum
Student Representative
Present: Bonnie Kwon (absent)
Administrators Present: Patrick Perry, Superintendent
Robin Blakley, Assistant Superintendent
Adoption of Agenda: MOTION (Bray/Schramm) to adopt agenda. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0
Identified Closed Session Topics:
Negotiations – Conference with Labor Negotiators Patrick Perry and Robin Blakley regarding PGTA contract.
Negotiations – Conference with Labor Negotiators Patrick Perry and Robin Blakley regarding CSEA contract.
Review evaluation of senior administrator/s.
Public Comment on Closed Session Items: None
II. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION 6:32 PM
III. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION 7:15 PM
A. Report action taken in closed session
Negotiations – Conference with Labor Negotiators Patrick Perry and Robin Blakley regarding PGTA contract. No action taken.
Negotiations – Conference with Labor Negotiators Patrick Perry and Robin Blakley regarding CSEA contract. No action taken
Review evaluation of senior administrator/s. No action taken.
B. Pledge of Allegiance. Recited.
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
Written Communications:
Bray received an invitation to a performance of Guys & Dolls at the middle school auditorium for Saturday or Sunday.
Perry received a letter from Suebah Guderski regarding school calendars. He had a chance to chat with her. He received information regarding 8th grade student, Keily Reich, that had passed away last weekend.
Board Member Comment:
Bray congratulated the honorees of the Herald’s 2004 Senior Achievement Awards.
Schramm attended the Middle School Open House the previous evening. The 5th grade parents are concerned about core subjects, how they work, and teachers teaching subjects that they haven’t taught for quite a while. He reminded everyone of the June 7 orientation at the middle school
Perry mentioned that the Board members will be receiving an invitation to the April 30 PG Pride Thank You. He also noted the Ice Cream Social to be held at Forest Grove School at 6:30 on Friday.
Superintendent Report:
Cameron, Niccum and Perry participated in a conference call with Sage Institute on Tuesday, April 20. They had some questions regarding the proposed agreement with the District. Sage will send a revised contract to the District. The contract will be a possible action item for May 6.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Linda Goulet thanked Jessie Bray for encouraging her to attend the meeting. She also thanked Robin Blakley for the many years of conservative management regarding the budget. She is glad there are no lay-offs in the wings so we can look at programs. She is also happy about the Golden Hand Shake (early retirement). She mentioned the middle school Adopt a Classroom Program and wants to get parents on board. The teachers feel we need to be communicating more, so she will attend Board meetings at least once/month to update the Board on site issues and challenges. She also hopes to develop a newsletter from PGTA.
VI. CONSENT:
Acceptance of Donations
Certificated Assignment Order No. 12
Classified Assignment Order No. 12
Minutes of March 18, 2004 Regular Meeting*
Minutes of April 1, 2004 Study Session
Warrant Schedule No. 430
Revolving Cash Report No. 8
Cash Receipts Report No. 8
Approval of the ROP Program Joint Powers Agreement for 2004-2005
Out of Counties Activity
Approval of Contract for Services – Sarah Weber
Declaration of Robert Down Pianos and Furniture as Surplus Property
Approval of 2004-07 MCOE Special Education Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
Acceptance of Middle School Modernization Project
Approval of Revision #2 – 2003/04 High School Plan and Related Budget
MOTION (Schramm /Cameron ) for approval of consent agenda with removal of item N. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0 .
*MOTION (Niccum/Schramm) to approve revised minutes from March 18 Board meeting. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
Public comment: None
VII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION:
Sub Committee Reports:
City/District (Bray/Niccum):. Nothing to report
Negotiations (Bray/Shammas): Nothing to report
ROP (Schramm/Shammas): ROP Open House in Salinas at ROP Center on April 29; the public is welcome to attend.
Library (Bray): Nothing to report
Public Comment: None
2004/05 Budget Revenue, Expenditure Projections and Budget Assumptions
Robin Blakley updated the Board regarding changes and developments since the previous meeting. We are waiting to hear from the State regarding budget, especially Charter School legislation. There are 71 students vs 63 that was reported earlier that are attending the three charter schools in the area. There is a reduction of $155K in ending balance for this year, with the Basic Aid reserve non-existent for next year. Reserves include $200K of Parcel Tax money, and $266K of charter school transfer money. We are holding $132K in reserve to offset possible categorical funding reductions. We are not certain what our savings will be on the Golden Handshake program (waiting for STRS and cost of replacement for those people). Niccum expressed a desire to allocate parcel tax money related to elementary, concentrating on 4th/5th grade. Perry noted that he has a meeting scheduled the next day with principals to look at this. He can put together various scenarios and discuss at May 6 meeting. Bray: would like to see current enrollment by grade level. Shammas is interested in restoring some of the Board budget for conference in December and feels this is a worthwhile trip. Schramm suggested we identify things that have been put back from original list last year, things that are no longer relevant, what still remains, and what are duplications then cross reference the items.
Public Comment: Linda Goulet made the comment that 4th and 5th grade is a pressing issue for many teachers in the District. Nina Russo thanked the Board for considering the needs of the library and Carolyn Hawes reiterated the needs for libraries. Tom Wortham feels we are overloading funds in K-8 with a neglect for the high school. He also suggested we keep the library open after school hours.
Pacific Grove High School Site Council Mid Year Update
Nina Russo gave an update on the high school plan. She thanked both Carolyn Hawes and Tom Wortham, who work very hard on the site council. They have hired a counselor through Community Human Services to work with the students regarding drug & alcohol use. Fourteen students with severe use problems have been involved in this program, which has been successful. Each of the coaches has been trained to spread the message regarding substance abuse and health. This is an effective way of getting them to pledge non-use and getting other students on board.
The Math Department wrote all standard based assessments and course outlines together. They started a math tutorial, which is open to any student who wants to drop in. They also offered statistics for the first time this year. There is new software that is helpful to students that have trouble keeping up and are moving students to learning on computer programs. Nina will forward the breakdown of math grades to the Board so they can see the breakdown. The high school is asking that the site council pay lead teachers to go into classrooms and see how they can help with assessments. Bray is disappointed in the lack of the student board member’s attendance; Nina will follow up on this. Tom Wortham gave an update regarding the ROP program. Other school districts have great programs working with students starting in 9th grade so that they are ready to do an internship in 12th grade. They have put together options and plans for next year.
Carolyn Hawes discussed the technology updates to the library. We now have 34 computers and software that allows students to stay current and credible; however, we do need the capability of a teacher and the flexibly of a scheduled lab. We also need an aide to keep these computers running. All teachers’ homework is available on-line (Homework Now) and Parent Connect will be up and running next year (grades on line). Students need to be active in their own learning and technology gives them the means to do this.
Public Comment: None
VIII. ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
Job Description for Maintenance and Operations Foreman (Range 59)
Robin Blakley brought this item back to include the safety issue that was requested at the previous Board meeting. We have an agreement with CSEA to place at range 59.
Public Comment: None
MOTION (Cameron/Niccum ). Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
2003/04 Deferred Maintenance Fund – Budget Revision #1
Robin Blakley noted that this fund is separate from the General Fund. There is a state contribution of $34K plus interest incurred on balance. With the $40K the Board approved and the State contribution, it is allowing us to proceed with these projects. The state usually matches dollar for dollar up to 1% of the General Fund; however, we are not getting matching amount this year from state due to the budget crunch. There is $623K allocated in the budget primarily for the adult school heating system and we are trying to get it done as inexpensively as possible.
Public Comment: None
MOTION (Schramm/Cameron). Motion CARRIED 5 to 0 .
2003/04 General Fund Budget Revision #4
Robin Blakley gave an update on the General Fund. Because State changes now require Basic Aid Districts be held liable for negative apportionment, there will be a loss to District of $65K. Additional shifts in Special Ed funding will be ongoing. Expense of additional psychologist time that was previously approved has now been included. Revenues are down $93K and expenses are up $50K. We have reduced Basic Aid reserve by $155K to get in balance.
Public Comment: None
MOTION ( Cameron/Niccum). Motion CARRIED 5 to 0 .
District Rental Property
Pat Perry discussed District property management and a situation regarding one of the tenants. There was a discussion concerning the possibility of establishing a policy and regulation regarding property management. Perry will bring samples for a rent collection policy. Options regarding a current tenant were discussed. The Board wants to be kept in communication loop regarding tenants. What are other possible uses for these rooms, i.e., CHS, Parents Place, Adult School Niccum requested that we maximize revenue and come back with recommendation. Shammas feels we should have an update on May 6 and have the discussion again.
Public Comment: Robert Kerschner inquired about the real cost of having a tenant in this location. He suggested we put the property up for lease. We would then know if there is anybody else out there who is interested and also send the message to the tenant that we are serious
Superintendent’s Contract and Compensation Approval
Beth Shammas referenced the corrected Board item and noted a correction in numbers for total compensation. The revised amount on Board item dated 4/22/04 was noted during the meeting. There is a change in the fiscal impact with an ongoing cost of $13,519, an increase of $2,617. Putting this contract together is one of the Board’s largest responsibilities. The Board does look at employee packages and market for superintendents in the state. They also want to encourage the superintendent to stay.
Public Comment: None
MOTION ( Cameron/Schramm). Motion CARRIED 5 to 0 .
Board Calendar/Future Meetings
No comments or changes
Public Comment: None
Future Agenda Items
None
Public Comment: None
IX. RETURN TO CLOSED SESSION 9:46 PM
X. ADJOURNMENT: 10:32 PM
Submitted by,
Patrick Perry, Secretary Board of Education
Pacific Grove U.S.D.
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updated: 5/11/04
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