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
BOARD OF EDUCATION
CORRECTED Minutes of the Meeting of February 17, 2005
The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on February 17, 2005 at Pacific Grove High School.
I. OPENING BUSINESS
A. Call to Order 6:07 p.m.
B. Roll Call Members Present: Richard Schramm
Mark Cameron (arrived 6:15 p.m.)
Mike Niccum
Jessie Bray
Beth Shammas
Student Representative: Creston Whiting-Casey
Members Absent: Robin Blakley
C. Adoption of Agenda
MOTION (Bray/Shammas) to adopt agenda as presented. Motion CARRIED 4 to 0
Public comment: none
D. Identified Closed Session Topics
a. Negotiations - Conference with Labor Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding PGTA and CSEA contract.
b. Threatened/Pending Litigation. Government Code §54956.9. The Board will meet in closed session to consider the status of one or more litigation matters, including Case # SNO4-01601. Counsel will be available by phone.
E. Adjourn to Closed Session 6:10 p.m.
II. CLOSED SESSION
III. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION 7:08 p.m.
A. Report action taken in closed session
a. Negotiations - Conference with Labor Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding PGTA and CSEA contract. No action taken.
b. Threatened/Pending Litigation. Government Code §54956.9. The Board will meet in closed session to consider the status of one or more litigation matters, including Case # SNO4-01601. Counsel will be available by phone. No action taken.
B. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Written Communication
Bray read letter written to senior citizen by teacher when she was a young girl recovering from a lengthy illness.
Schramm received catalogue from food service company, making available for upcoming food service committee; also received a CSBA advocacy kit for Prop 98 if anyone interested;
Perry asked Board’s direction on student Quinn’s letter regarding trees at Robert Down; Schramm asked Perry to look into matter and respond to Quinn.
B. Board Member Comments
Whiting-Casey reported student discussion occurred over prom theme, students held debate and rally; praised classmate Brian Forbes for sitting in for him at last meeting, looking forward to being on food committee.
Cameron congratulated basketball team for winning team title, last game tonight, congratulations to Todd Buller for his hard work.
Shammas congratulated girls basketball coach; sent letter to interested members of food services meeting 2/28 meeting to lay out goals, so far 8 members, room for 2 more.
Niccum acknowledged Amanda Ohsiek Pacific Grove middle school student, for being the first place winner in the Math Counts contest sponsored by the California Society of Professional Engineers.
C. Superintendent Report
Perry reported a federal grant is available to school districts to develop online connectivity with Monterey Bay Learning Network, response deadline March 1st, all information summarized in memo to Board. No Friday Update this week, school closed Friday through Tuesday.
V. INDIVIDUALS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Bobbie Infelise interim principal at Forest Grove, invited Board members to visit Sally Griffith Center where kindergartners have art and essay exhibit, part of community outreach to donate art to the Center.
Terry Schaffer, parent, member site council and Essential Programs committee, wants to ensure middle school honor programs are maintained;. Elaine DeMarco a wonderful teacher, District and Administration need to take leadership roll, everyone has high expectations, invited Board to visit campuses.
Christine Raybould, CSEA president speaking on behalf of bargaining unit, regarding this year’s salary increase; knows they are going to be provided with comparables, $1600 annual allocation not enough for teachers, still having to pay hundreds of dollars out of their pockets.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of January 29, 2005 Board of Education Study Session
B. Minutes of February 3, 2005 Board of Education Regular Meeting
C. Certificated Assignment Order No. 8
D. Classified Assignment Order No. 8
E New Administrative Regulation 1312.4(a-d) Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures
MOTION (Bray/Shammas) to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Public comment: None
Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
VII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
A. Sub Committee Reports
Community Human Services - Schramm had information meeting this date with director, amazed at array of county services available; Genesis House director thanked Pacific Grove High School students who visited with Todd Bliss; given report of contacts from July through December: Super-teen and Superkid offered counseling to 61 students, report also contains recommendations.
City/District – nothing to report.
Negotiations – Bray reported that next PGTA sessions is February 23rd in District Office; and next Classified CSEA meetings are February 24th and March 8th .
ROP - Cameron said next meeting is March 16th.
Library – nothing to report
Public comment on subcommittee reports – None
B SAGE Institute, Inc. District Asset Management Report
Introducing Joel Kirschenstein, Perry said that SAGE Institute was identified by Board as a group who could assist Board in looking at ways to generate revenue through land usage.
Kirschenstein reported that meetings had been held with the City of Pacific Grove, the Water District and representatives from the School District. Information related to these meetings are contained in the report to the Board of Education. This report indicates that water credits can be assigned to District property for developmental purposes and that the voter restriction related to land use can be reconsidered by the electorate. This would require an initiative to be drafted and presented at a future time. In addition, an initial review of environmental issues was also noted as not presenting programs.
Perry read the following email from Blakley (absent from this meeting): “The report basically confirms prior information that our properties are clouded by the water restrictions and the voter initiative on top of whatever other restrictions the City might place on development – environmental review, traffic studies, etc. I still think that before more expense is incurred the board really needs to decide if it really has a “surplus property.” Proceeding with a ballot initiative as suggested will simply be seen as a “school closure” issue unless it is accompanied by a project proposal – and that proposal needs to identify how sites would be reconfigured and how we would generate more than $300,000 per year – or we really haven’t gained anything. it would also be important to clarify that the undated “Attachment A” is an old document that predates our modernization projects in which the vast majority of our restrooms were updated. A former Board previously agreed to participate in the program a number of years ago but the City and development community did not go any further with it.”
Kirschenstein noted that voter initiative was not included or recommended as a next step. Next step recommendation is appraisal of District property.
To Bray’s question about there being no partial use of properties, Kirschenstein suggested taking conservative approach. Important to understand won’t know final answers until project goes to bid, there are different perspectives and allocations that only an appraiser can specifically address.
Perry reiterated that literal interpretation is the rule being applied, rationale is if they are allowing use of square footage to establish calculations for water credits, then building must come down.
To Niccum’s question regarding completion of environmental assessment, Kirschenstein responded that a preliminary overview of biology has been conducted on different sites, nothing of significance was found, developer will do environmental study, bid package will say, “Due diligence responsibility belongs to developer.”
Public comment: Question about gaining water credits through retrofitting; responded that it must be proven with engineer that there is a substantial cost savings.
Schramm asked if there was any discussion regarding changing to artificial turf; Perry noted this could be part of a conservation plan.
Perry asked Board if they were interested in discussing the next steps. Board agreed to move forward with a request to have its property appraised.
C. Review/Revision of Board Policy 4033, Second Reading
Schramm distributed copies of new policy.
Board consensus was to be given time to study new document and placed on future agenda.
Public comment - None
VIII. ACTION/DISCUSSION
A. 1:1 Teacher Instruction Requests
Perry stated that Cindy Gallo, school psychologist needs additional funds to hire aides to support special needs students
MOTION (Bray/Cameron) to provide additional funds.
Public comment - None
MOTION approved 5 - 0
B. Resolution #754, Intent to Dismiss Certificated Employee
Perry said approval of resolution would extend Board options to Spring, that if fully implemented would be actual layoff.
MOTION (Bray/Cameron) to approve resolution
Public comment – None
MOTION approved 5 - 0
C. Resolution #755, Intent to Dismiss Classified Employee
Perry said that while this resolution is same situation as Certificated, noticing process is different, allows Board to take action if closing program with 45-day notice.
MOTION (Niccum/Bray) to approve resolution
Public comment – None
MOTION approved 5 - 0
D. Increased Budget Allocation Board of Education Budget
Perry said Board budget needs additional funds for future actions, unused monies will revert back to General Fund.
MOTION (Cameron/Schramm) to approve increased budget allocation.
Public comment – None
MOTION approved 5 - 0
E. Approval of Contract for Services, Center for Collaborative Solutions
Perry said interest-based negotiations developed out of discussions with CSEA, both sides agreed to participate. Perry noted that mandated cost reimbursements were delayed and only a portion of claims are being paid. Email from Blakley was referenced (as Blakley was absent from meeting).
Bray heard Song-Hill at CSBA in San Francisco and strongly endorses using her. concerned that contract states Collaborative Solutions may send a substitute, her experience that Song-Hill is the only person to do the training.
Schramm pleased that CSEA wants to use a different negotiation model.
MOTION (Bray/Niccum) to approve contract with stipulation that trainer must be Annie Song-Hill.
Public comment – None
MOTION approved 5 – 0 to accept
F. Contract for Services, School Employers Association of California
(This item discussed following Item G.)
Perry stated that due to the Board’s action on Item G, the amount of the contract should be reduced to $700. This item still requires Board approval because the Contract for Services for the two sessions with School Employers Association of California is above $1500.
MOTION (Cameron/Niccum) to approve contract
Public comment – None
MOTION approved 5 - 0
G. Approval of Joint Powers Agreement, School Employers Association of California
(This item discussed ahead of Item F.)
Perry said that becoming a member of SEAC provide membership discounts for upcoming second round of training as well as future services, training, and information at substantially discounted rate.
Bray expressed reservations about moving ahead, wanted to explore less-costly resources.
Following discussion, MOTION (Shammas/Niccum) to approve membership and transfer the funds for payment.
Public comment – suggested Board might want to inquire what other local districts are doing.
MOTION approved 4 - 1
H. Waiver of Facility Fee for Pacific Grove Middle School Auditorium
Perry said Rotary wants to waive facility fee, not manpower costs, unable to determine total fiscal impact as Rotary usage is as yet undetermined.
Cameron excused self from vote due to conflict of interest as Rotary member; building renovation a great project,
Schramm – appreciates all the work, glad they didn’t stop in middle of work when they ran out of money, sees fee waiver as an incentive for Rotary to develop community awareness to the facility.
MOTION (Bray/Shammas) to approve waiver of fees
Public comment – None
MOTION approved 4 – 0, 1 abstention
I. Board Calendar/Future Meetings
Perry stated that he had requested Robin discuss this item; but due to Robin’s absence, requested that the March 3rd Board budget assumptions be moved from March 3rd to the March 17th agenda when Board will be asked to formalize assumptions with a six-week timeframe to develop the budget.
Bray asked to change location of April 21st meeting at Community High School. After Board discussion, Board delayed deciding on location, choices being at the school’s current site or at its future David Avenue site, beginning with 2005 school year.
J. Future Agenda Items
IX. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- ROP Review of Program and Services – 3/17
- Parcel Tax Allocation, 2005/06 – will come out of 3/17
- Combination Classrooms – 3/17
- High School Graduation Requirements – 3/24 study session
- Shammas asked that since high school is going through accreditation process, would they have an interest in
looking at graduation requirements; Perry to invite accreditation team to discuss
- Independent Study Program – 3/3
- High School guidance team – April
- PGUSD org chart – 3/3
- Cell Phone Policy
Public comment – wants combination on agenda, combination classrooms, how is it being publicized to community.
X. ADJOURNED 9:35 pm
minutes/0304/021705min.html