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 November 6, 2003
The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on November 6, 2003, at the Pacific Grove High School.
I. OPENING BUSINESS
A. Call to Order: 6:00 p.m.
B. Roll Call: Members Present: 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. Claim # 10803
b. Re: Student #4457 Challenge Content of Pupil Records
D. Public Comment on Closed Session Items: None
E. Adjourn to Closed Session: 6:02 p.m.
II. CLOSED SESSION
III. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: 7:02 p.m.
A. Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
B. Adoption of Agenda:
C. Report Action Taken in Closed Session:
Claim #10803 was rejected.
Student 4457 challenge of record continued to end of meeting.
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Written Communications:
Hall: Received a letter from Lynn Prior-Moore asking that positions be restored at the elementary level.
All other Board members reported that they received the same letter.
B. Board Member Comment:
Kwon: Announced the big “Shoe Game” scheduled for Friday, November 14 with the rally to be held at 11:40 a.m. that same day. She reported that the Associated Student Body (ASB) remains positive under current budget conditions.
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Schramm: Thanked the “Yes on Measure A” committee, parents, administration, and all who were involved in making it possible for the parcel tax to pass successfully with an outstanding 72% support from the community. He noted that it was an incredible effort and that it will have a tremendous impact on District students.
Bray: Also expressed joy in the passing of the parcel tax, and thanked all responsible as well.
Hall: Also thanked those who participated in the unifying effort responsible for making the parcel tax pass, noting that the parental support was phenomenal. She also reported that on Monday she attended a Well Fargo Foundation ceremony where it was publicized that the District received at least $15,000 in support from Wells Fargo this year. Hall acknowledged Sandi Eason, parent and Wells Fargo Vice President, and requested that as a representative of Wells Fargo, Ms. Eason be recognized prior to the end of her term as Board member. The Board agreed to this presentation.
Shammas: Expressed her delight that the parcel tax had passed, and reminded the Board and Administration that with the passing of the tax comes with it an expectation that must be handled seriously.
C. Superintendent Report:
Perry: Also expressed pleasure in the passing of the parcel tax. He reported that he attended a Superintendent’s Council meeting that day, where it was noted that Pacific Grove Unified School District was the only district that had a parcel tax, and that the last parcel tax within Monterey County was in Salinas in 1950. Realizing the difficulty in successfully passing a parcel tax, he explained to the Council that it was the group of people and the team effort that made the parcel tax achievable.
V. PRESENTATION
Nina Russo, high school principal, introduced Paul Ryn, high school senior, as one of Advanced Placement’s top 24 students in the nation, as well as being a magnificent pianist. She announced that last year Ryn was the recipient of the Siemens Foundation Award for Advanced Placement. She stated that he is currently doing research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Showing great pride in her student, Russo read the letter of recommendation she wrote to Harvard University. Ryn thanked Dr. Russo and the high school staff. He explained his philosophy that the world is not all about money, but that it is about finding what you like and pursing it. He stated that being a scientist means a lot and that there are always new avenues for research, which can influence life for the better. He expressed his appreciation for the help that the high school had provided, and his feeling that the staff is amazing. Perry reported that Ryn had been honored at PG Rotary where he was presented the Siemens Foundation check and award. Rotary members reviewed his paper, noting the overwhelming depth of work and inner knowledge that went into producing the paper. Shammas noted his excitement and enthusiasm about science, Schramm invited him to come back as guest lecturer and the entire Board congratulated him.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Mark Stotzer, Pacific Grove Marching Band Festival Executive Director, reported the band’s twenty-fifth annual event on Saturday Nov 1. He stated that there was a packed house at the high school stadium, and that they received a standing ovation. He reported an increase in profits over last year, totaling approximately $7,500. He was also pleased to report that the committee also met the District’s requirement to reduce cost in labor. He requested ideas for next year, names of current District parents that would be interested in being involved next year, and thanked the District for their continued support.
Tom Wortham, parent of 3 students and high school teacher, reported his assessment of a technology plan the Board approved 3 years ago, whereby the middle school is currently teaching what had previously been taught in high school. He stated his opinion that due to this new process these students have a better handle on technology than even the seniors do, and that SAT scores should increase dramatically. He also recognized Paul Ryn, stating that as a teaching assistant he has found him to be a leader, and that he also had the pleasure of writing a letter of recommendation to Harvard University.
VII. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION (Bray/Hall) to adopt consent agenda
A. Acceptance of Donations
B. Certificated Assignment Order No. 5
C. Classified Assignment Order No. 5
D. Minutes of October 2, 2003 Regular Meeting
E. Warrant Schedule No. 425
F. Revolving Cash Report No. 3
G. Cash Receipts Report No. 3
H. Student Teaching Agreement with San Jose State University
I. Approval of Contract for Writing Program Services – Suzanne Brady*
J. Approval of Cooperative Agreement for Pacific Grove SHARP Program
Liability Claim #10803
*Schramm commented that he would like to see more timeliness on contract approvals.
Motion CARRIED 4 to 0.
VIII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
Sub Committee Reports:
Community Human Services (Kraus): No report.
City/District (Page/Hall): No report.
Negotiations (Bray/Shammas): Bray reported a PGTA meeting that was held on October 28 where a wide range of issues were discussed, and that the next meetings are scheduled for January 6 and January 27, 2004.
ROP (Schramm/Shammas): Schramm reported that ROP held a light agenda meeting in Soledad on the previous evening. Topics included recertification of all ROP courses, a Sacramento update, and concerns related to the block grant. He announced that the next meeting is scheduled for January 21 in Carmel.
B. Board Member Provisional Appointment: The Board walked through the provisional appointment interview process to be held on November 13, 2003. Interview questions were reviewed and eliminated or adjusted as determined by the Board. The decision was made that the 4 candidates would be placed at a table instead of a standing at a podium and that the order of the questions would be staggered allowing fairness to each candidate in answering the questions. It was also determined that the questions not be given to the candidates prior to the November 13 interview, and that the public be given an opportunity to comment at the meeting prior to the interview. During the deliberation process following the interview, the Board will each select their top 2 candidates, and then the Board will discuss and determine the new Board member. At that time the oath of office will be given and results will be posted.
Public Comment: Mike Niccum, suggested that the candidates be given the interview questions ahead of time in order to allow them to give a good presentation.
Parcel Tax Report: Blakley explained that the recently passed property tax would generate approximately $300,000 for the next 5 years, and that this amount would become more precise when the District receives information from the Tax Assessor. He reported that administration had been working with legal council and the financial advisor, that the tax will be assessed next year, and that next’s year’s budget will assume this new property tax. Blakley stated that a formal recommendation suggesting use of these funds would be brought to the Board in January .
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IX. ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. 2003/2004 Adult School Budget Revision # 1: MOTION (Bray/Hall) to approve the proposed budget revisions. Motion CARRIED 4 to 0.
B. Request for Out of County Approval New York Broadway and Arts Trip: Schramm stated that, although he supports the arts and this trip, he would like to see a policy or regulation in place for future trips requiring adequate supervision ratios, direction on what to do if a student becomes ill and/or needs to go home, as well as assurance that supervision ratios are adequate for this trip. Perry stated that he would investigate policies and regulations to determine what is currently in place and forward information in the next day’s Friday Update. If clarification were necessary it would be brought back to the Board, and if this trip does not meet the criteria set forth in the policies or regulations the trip could be adjusted accordingly. MOTION (Hall/Schramm) to approve New York Broadway and Arts trip as presented. Motion CARRIED 4 to 0.
Public Comment: Tom Wortham expressed his support for the arts, and noted that once approval is given to sponsor this trip no child can be denied for lack of funds. He expressed his desire that trips such as this be supported and appropriate policies and regulations be put in place, and that he would like to see the same support for the upcoming Mock Trial event.
C. Approval of Administrative Regulation 3515.7 Concerning District Keys and Key Control: MOTION (Bray/Hall) to approve Administrative Regulation 3515.7 for issuance as proposed. Motion CARRIED 4 to 0.
D. Superintendent Goals 2003-2004: MOTION (Schramm/Bray) to approve goals and action plans for 2003-2004 school year. Motion CARRIED 4 to 0.
E. Board Calendar/Future Meetings: The Board reviewed its approved Board meeting dates, the only modification being that the December 11 organizational meeting would be held at the high school library.
F. Future Agenda Items: As requested by Hall under “Board Member Comments,” it was determined that a presentation expressing thanks and appreciation to Wells Fargo would be placed on the December 4th agenda.
X. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION: 9:33 p.m.
XI. RECONVENE OPEN SESSION: 9:40 p.m.
Student record item will be continued to a future meeting. The Superintendent was directed to identify a date.
Submitted by,
Patrick Perry, Secretary
Board of Education
Pacific Grove U.S.D.
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updated: 1/13/04
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