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 September 4, 2003

The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on September 4, 2003, at the Pacific Grove High School.

I. OPENING BUSINESS
A. Call to Order: 6:45 p.m.

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

Student Representative: Bonnie Kwon

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

Identified Closed Session Topic:

a. Conference with labor negotiators Patrick Perry and Robin Blakley
The employee organization: California School Employees Association

D. Public Comment on Closed Session Items: None

E. Adjourn to Closed Session: 6:46 p.m.

II. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: 7:02 p.m.

A. Pledge of Allegiance: Recited

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

C. Report Action Taken in Closed Session: None

III. COMMUNICATIONS

A. Written Communications:
Page: Received the CSBA publication Policy Services News, and the Cypress Grove Charter High School Report Card, both of which she asked to be distributed to the other members of the Board.

Bray: Reported that she represented the Board at the Welcome Back Breakfast for District staff on the morning of September 25, and that she, Shammas and Board Member Elect Mike Niccum were given a tour of the middle school and its construction projects that same evening.

Shammas: Thanked Cindy Dunn for accurately recording her comments in the minutes of the 8/14/03 Board meeting.




B. Board Member Comment:
Kwon: Reported that ASB attended a CADA camp at Stanford University this summer. She stated that it was a good experience, that they learned new things, and that it was good to converse with others who were faced with similar budget difficulties. She was happy to report that they now have a leadership class, and that they are determined to do as well in the past, despite the fact that they only meet twice a week instead of three times.

C. Superintendent Report:

Perry: Asked Blakley to give a construction update.

Blakley: Gave an update on the construction occurring in the District. He explained that the high school kitchen floor was completed on time prior to the start of school, and that the gym bleachers, and phone and bell system proposals are in the design phases.

The next area of focus was the middle school. The District was able to get the students in for the start of school. The construction crew is still busy working. He reported that the major noise should be over in a couple of weeks and that the main concern is completing the roof prior to the rain. He was glad to report that the Health Department gave the school a clean “bill of health.” He expressed high hopes that the auditorium would be ready for use for back-to-school night. Hall asked if the District had gone over budget. Blakley expressed uncertainty at the time, and explained that when the information is available it would be brought to the Board.

IV. PRESENTATION

Breaker Stadium Renovation: Bobby Howell presented a brief synopsis of the purpose and goals of the newly formed, non-profit PG Breakers Foundation. He explained that the specific goal of the foundation is to raise $2 million in funds for capital improvements at Breaker Stadium. Members of the foundation include himself as President, Joel Knight as Treasurer, Ron Cosmero as Secretary, Dorinda Messenger serving as member and legal council, Chris Pappas Jr., Steve Chesney, and Todd Buller. Planned events include a hole-in-one contest at the high school on September 27 and 28, where “hole-in-one” winners will win a truck. Planned for late November is a children’s walk. Howell explained that the foundation would be doing different types of events to reach various groups of people in order to avoid contacting the same people each time. Also planned is a mass mailing to high school alumni. The foundation is relying on the majority of funds raised coming from real estate, charitable gifts, life insurance, etc. He requested permission to place a descriptive sign at the corner of Sunset and Congress. Shammas asked questions regarding the field turf planned for the stadium. Howell explained how it has improved over the years, that it is even safer than the grass that is currently in the stadium, and that most schools are now using it. The Board agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding, such as the one between Pacific Grove Rotary and the District, should be established.

V. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Angela Holm: Requested that item “L” on the consent agenda be pulled to be discussed separately.

VI. CONSENT: MOTION (Bray/Schramm) to adopt consent agenda as amended:

A. Acceptance of Donations
B. Certificated Assignment Order No. 2
C. Classified Assignment Order No. 2
D. Minutes of August 14, 2003 Regular Meeting
E. Warrant Schedule No. 423
F. Revolving Cash Report No. 1
G. Cash Receipts Report No. 1
H. Contract for Residential Treatment Program
I. Special Education Local Plan
J. Declaration of Surplus Property for 2003 Butterfly Parade
K. Renewal of Contract for Services – Joellen Bruce
*L. Approval of District Beverage Contract
M. Acceptance of Quarterly Investment Report
N. Second Reading Board Policies and Regulations 6146.4, 6159, 6159.1, 6159.2, 6159.3,
6159.4 and 6164.4

Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.

*L. District Beverage Contract – (Pulled from consent agenda to be discussed and considered separately)
Bray: Expressed her concern with having soda machines on campus, as there is current legislation being considered that these machines be removed from schools. Blakley explained that Pepsi and Coca Cola are diversifying and now provide water, juice and Gatorade in the machines. He stated that the District doesn’t sell sodas, except at the high school. He also explained that with the Coca Cola contract the District gains a better price as well as a check in the amount of $5,000 for the next five years.

Public Comment: Angela Holm, Forest Grove parent, spoke against having soda machines on the District’s campuses. She explained that children are hard for marketers to reach, which is why schools are attractive to the beverage companies, and that there is not much competition for them on the campuses. She encouraged the Board to take some time to look at conflicts with the healthy living curriculum, and to have a thoughtful discussion on the matter. Todd Buller, high school athletic director, explained that throughout Coca Cola’s history at the high school they have only had their name on the machines, no billboards or promotionals. In speaking with Coca Cola representatives it is his understanding that it is not their intention to change anything, just to keep the contract with the District. He further expressed that it has been a good revenue stream, that the water and sports drinks are top sellers at the high school and that they always run out before the soda products.

Page: Stated that she feels comfortable with the contract as presented.
Kwon: Explained her opinion that taking away soda machines would not influence the kids, it would only take money away from the school. She believes that the students will bring Coke or Pepsi to the campus anyway, that most kids don’t drink soda and that at high school age they are old enough to make their own decisions.
Schramm: Approves of the contract and feels that Board Policy #1325 regarding advertising would protect the District from inappropriate advertising.

Motion (Hall/Shammas) CARRIED 4 TO 1

VII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION:

A. Sub Committee Reports:
City/District (Page/Hall): No report.
Negotiations (Bray/Shammas): No report.
ROP (Schramm/Shammas): Next meeting to be held on September 12.

VIII. ACTION/DISCUSSION:

A. Approval of 2003-2004 Forest Grove School SIP Plan and Related Budget: MOTION (Schramm/Hall) to approve SIP plan and related budget as proposed. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.

B. Approval of 2003-2004 Robert H. Down SIP Plan and Related Budget: MOTION (Hall/Schramm) to
approve SIP plan and related budget as proposed. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.

C. Approval of 2003-2004 Pacific Grove High School SIP Plan and Related Budget: MOTION (Bray/Hall) to approve SIP plan and related budget as proposed. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.

Public Comment: Tom Wortham, high school teacher and School Site Council co-president, responded to discussion by the Board regarding the high percentage of high school students taking Algebra I, IA and IB who receive D and F grades. Board members also noted concern.

D. Board Calendar/Future Meetings: The Board agreed to replace the regular meeting scheduled for October 23, 2003 with a comprehensive budget review study session. MOTION (Page/Schramm) to approve modified calendar.

E. Future Agenda Items: None.

IX. ADJOURNMENT: 9:20 p.m.

Submitted by,

Patrick Perry, Secretary
Board of Education
Pacific Grove U.S.D. Home Page
Monterey County Office of Education

This page maintained for the PGUSD by Bruce Cates
Comments or questions to: bcates@pgusd.org
updated: 10/1/03

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