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 May 20, 2004
The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on May 20 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
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:
Discipline/Expulsion – Student #6084.
Negotiations – Conference with Labor Negotiators Patrick Perry and Robin Blakley regarding PGTA contract.
Superintendent evaluation
MOTION to approve agenda (Bray/Schramm). Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
Public Comment on Closed Session Items: None
II. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION 6: 32 PM
III. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION 7:12 PM
A. Report action taken in closed session
Discipline/Expulsion – Student #6084. Expulsion cancelled.
Negotiations – Conference with Labor Negotiators Patrick Perry and Robin Blakley regarding PGTA contract. No action taken
Superintendent evaluation. No action taken.
B. Pledge of Allegiance. Recited.
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
Written Communications:
Schramm: Received the excellent middle school April newsletter. He appreciates the way the middle school is reaching out to the 5th graders with an orientation day.
Shammas: Received communication from Steve Wesley, California State Controller, regarding fiscal claim for mandated costs. She also received the June 3 California Endowment Project Learn, CSUMB nutrition and physical activity policies, the California Lottery report, an invitation to Genesis House (Community Human Services) graduation on May 26.
Perry: Received a note from Jennifer Jansen regarding grade 4 and 5.
Board Member Comment:
Cameron: Took a very educational tour with Schramm and Perry on Tuesday at Community High School. He is not sure yet which graduations he will attend, but will most likely be middle school and high school.
Schramm: Will try to attend all of the graduations. He also thanked Community High School for the tour.
Niccum: Will attend the high school graduation.
Bray: She has family obligations and will not be able to attend any graduation.
Shammas: She will attend middle school and high school graduations, but is not sure yet about the others. She also requested that the Board members do not fill out the Board self-evaluation at this time, but do take a look at it. She would like to get an agreement on which tool to use and when, either at the end of June or at very beginning of August. Cameron suggested this subject be put on as a discussion item.
Kwon: The students enjoyed an assembly that afternoon with the student voices, bands, and dances. The high school had a very successful blood drive last week, with 80 donors. She is looking forward to the Prom this Saturday, to be held at the Hyatt.
Superintendent Report:
Perry: He attended a reception sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank. The bank was very generous to the District, in which they awarded $1000 to each of schools and $1000 to District to be used as they wish. The Social Studies Department at the high school has organized a visit by Sam Farr on June 7th at 11:30. The students and faculty in the District are working hard to complete programs and prepare for graduation.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Brad Woodward and Barbara Dickinson expressed their opinions regarding the alternative education process. They felt that this program is essential and are concerned that it can’t succeed if combined with the Opportunity program at the middle school. Shammas noted that the Board supports alternative education.
VI. PRESENTATIONS
Juliana Dacuyan, teacher at the State Pre School, gave an update on the program and it’s activities. This program has been with the District over 15 years and the State funds the program. The program is free for the students, although the parents must qualify as low income. There are two sessions each day. They had some trouble in the past keeping enrollment up, but through advertising and arranging car-pooling, they have been able to increase the number of students. There are 16 students per class with one teacher and one aide. The State has a standard curriculum and there is a lot of socialization, music, dress-up plays, along with field trips.
VII. CONSENT:
Certificated Assignment Order No. 14
Classified Assignment Order No. 14
Minutes of May 6, 2004 Regular Meeting
Approval of Revisions to Pacific Grove Middle School 2004-2005 Student-Parent Handbook (pulled)
Approval of Revisions to Pacific Grove High School 2004-2005 Student-Parent Handbook
Secondary Course of Study
Authorized Execution of Mandated Claim Service Contract with Centration
Approval of Board Policy #7230, Administrative Regulations #7230 – Improvements to District Facilities by Outside Organizations – and Revision of Related Regulation 1240 (pulled)
Approval of Revision to Monterey Bay Charter School Lease
Schramm: Pull item H, board policy from agenda. Bray: Pull item D, MS Handbook
MOTION (Schramm/Bray) for approval of consent agenda without D and H. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
Public comment: None
Schramm and Bray made a few suggestions for edits to Policy and Regulations #7230.
MOTION (Schramm/Cameron) to approve Board Policy 7230 as amended and regulation 7230 and revised regulation 1240 with edit in C5. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
Jackie Tafoya was present to answer any questions and received feedback on the Middle School Handbook. The Board posed several suggestions for edits and clarifications. The handbook will be brought back as an action/discussion item at the next Board meeting with the suggested edits.
VII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION:
Sub Committee Reports:
City/District (Bray/Niccum): None
Negotiations (Bray/Shammas): The next PGTA meeting is scheduled for May 25 meeting, with the CSEA meeting taking place the first week of June.
ROP (Schramm/Shammas): Next meeting will be in Salinas on June 16.
Library (Bray): There was a meeting on May 18. Carolyn Hawes will be reporting on the library at tonight’s meeting.
Public Comment: None
First Reading Board Policy #0450 – Comprehensive Safety Plan
Patrick Perry discussed the changes made to the policy and regulation. An incorrect version for the regulation was included in the Board materials and will be brought back to the next Board meeting.
Public Comment: None
Approval of Board Policy #7400, Administrative Regulations #7400 – Property Management – First Reading
Patrick Perry created the policy and regulation to address requests made by Board regarding property management. Schramm suggested to change “rent” to “payment” on the regulation, 11C. This item will be brought back to the next Board meeting for approval
Public Comment: None
Board of Education 2004-05 School Year Calendar
Patrick Perry noted the addition of a column for budget items that were suggested at the previous meeting. He also requested that the Board note items to add to the calendar as they are noticed throughout the year.
Public Comment: None
VIII. ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
District Libraries Evaluation Results and Year End Reports
Carolyn Hawes gave an update on the library and the survey results. She noted that parent involvement is critical in the libraries and that cutbacks have hurt availability. She gave some examples of how technology is incorporated into the library. She also showed video that was made at Robert H. Down featuring Jim Weiss. The majority of the assignments can be found on the high school website. They are also doing some fun things with Adobe Photoshop, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Word. They now have 30 computers and a teaching lab in the high school library. Goal this year is to get the HS students reading. Terry Piotrkowski then gave an update on the middle school library. She read part of an essay that was written by a student on the Holocaust project and a poem written by another student, “I Am Afraid”.
Public Comment: None
Assistant Superintendent’s Contract and Compensation Approval
Patrick Perry asked for the Board’s approval of the Assistant Superintendent’s contract.
Public Comment: None
MOTION (Niccum/Bray) to approve. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
Comparative Statistics Budget Analysis
Patrick Perry noted that this was a document given to Schramm and himself when they attended a conference. The document contains comparative statistics. Cost would be $400-600 for a tailored report. Schramm suggested that we look for anomalies, and break out primary vs secondary grade levels. Shammas noted that we should also look at how a budget supports the educational goals of the students, what is the graduation rate, and reading levels, etc. Her wish is to have a fiscally sound district that supports improving educational delivery. Return this item in the fall.
Public Comment: None
Resolution #740 for Cal STRS Payroll Redeposit
Robin Blakley explained how this resolution would allow teachers to buy retirement credit. The Board needs to adopt this resolution in order to allow the teachers to do this. This will have no financial impact to the District.
Public Comment:
MOTION (Bray/Schramm) to adopt resolution. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
General Fund Budget Revision #5
Robin Blakley discussed adjustments to the General Fund and changes made to the Budget Summary that was included with the Board materials. On page 17 E, Item G, change the proposed budget for Local Charter School ADA transfer to 0 and increase State Funding/Basic Aid reserve to $502,320.
Public Comment: None
MOTION (Schramm/Cameron) to approve budget revision #5 as corrected. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
2004/05 Budget Revenue, Expenditure Projections and Budget Assumptions
Robin Blakley noted changes to prior updates are noted in italics on the Board item. An elementary teacher has been added for grade 4/5 (applied to Parcel Tax) and the text modified to leave option of a .6 FTE psychologist intern or equivalent psychologist time. Funding of one maintenance person and one grounds person is maintained as a charge against the Capital Improvement Fund. On May 13th they received information on the Governor’s revised budget. We don’t see any major changes except reducing categorical take-back by 75%, which makes it possible for us to reduce the reserve set aside for this. PERS contributions will not be increased as previously thought, but will hold at 17.42%. With the savings on charter school expense and $50K savings on PERS, we will be able to add $283,000 to the $89,000 so will have around $372,000 increase in reserves. Blakley discussed the requests made by schools and noted that the Administration is requesting direction from the Board concerning budget restoration or additions. He recommended that the Board leave $110,000 in the David Ave Capital Improvement Fund by charging the maintenance group’s staff to the General Fund. This would still leave $180,000 unallocated that the Board could designate or address at a later time. He also reviewed the recommended use of the Parcel Tax. Cameron noted that it is a priority to have elementary libraries opened 5 days/week. He would also like to see the athletic stipend fully restored. He feels we should make sure use of parcel tax money is consistent with what we told the community it would be used for. Several discussions followed on where we should spend the Parcel Tax. The decision was made to restore the following with Parcel Tax: elementary library managers ($14K); partially restore technology allocation ($32,500); restore HS athletic stipend allocation ($10K), restore summer help for maintenance/operations department ($10K), and restore Board travel in the amount of $13,500. The remaining $47,000 will be placed in a Parcel Tax reserve and brought back later. The Board also directed staff to increase the General Fund expenditures by $10,000 for Special Ed testing materials, $110,000 for maintenance operations, and $15K for middle and high school curriculum coordinators.
Public Comment: Robert Kirchner noted that it is very fortunate that the District was able to get the Parcel Tax passed. He feels the full library budget is a very efficient use of money and we could then probably get another parcel tax passed. If the District “nickel and dimes to death,” we will have trouble getting another passed. The District will get great support by giving back to Pacific Grove what we told them we would do.
Todd Buller felt it would be great to be able to tell parents that, through the Parcel Tax, the Board was able to give money for the HS Athletic stipends back.
MOTION (Bray/Shammas) to extend meeting to no later than 11:00 PM. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
Approval to Proceed with Community High School Project – Site Selection
Robin Blakley reviewed the project and discussed the site possibilities for Community High. There was little support for the high school, and the adult school has some logistically problems, but it has some program benefits. David Ave also has some logistical issues. The existing site received the strongest support by the committee. But, to stay at existing site, we will totally have to redo the facilities, which triggers need for State review and a cost of around $500K. A remodel of some rooms at David Ave could probably be done for $200K of funds available from Measure A.
Public Comment: Brad Woodward made the comment that the school has been located at David Ave in the past and it is a beautiful site. The existing building is useless.
MOTION (Cameron/Bray) to approve David Ave as the site for Community High School. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
Board Calendar/Future Meetings
None
Public Comment: None
Future Agenda Items
None
Public Comment: None
IX. RETURN TO CLOSED SESSION: 10:50 PM
X. ADJOURNMENT: 10:58 PM
Submitted by,
Patrick Perry, Secretary Board of Education
Pacific Grove U.S.D.
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updated: 6/10/04
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