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 March 17, 2005
The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on March 17, 2005 at Pacific Grove High School.
I. OPENING BUSINESS
A. Call to Order 6:00 pm
B. Roll Call Members Present: Mark Cameron
Mike Niccum
Jessie Bray
Beth Shammas
Richard Schramm
Administration Present: Robin Blakley
Patrick Perry
Student Representative Present: Creston Whiting-Casey
C. Adopted Agenda
MOTION (Bray/Niccum) to adopt agenda as presented.
Public comment: None
Motion CARRIED 5 to 0
D. Identified Closed Session Topics
a. Evaluation of one or more Administrative personnel per Government Code 54957
b. Side Letter Agreement Concerning Sick Leave Donation
E. Public comment on Closed Session items
None
F. Adjourned to Closed Session 6:03 p.m.
II. CLOSED SESSION
III. RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION 7:02 p.m.
A. Report action taken in Closed Session
a. Evaluation of one or more Administrative personnel per Government Code 54957
No action taken
b. Side Letter Agreement Concerning Sick Leave Donation
MOTION (Cameron/Bray) to approve Side Letter Agreement. Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
B. Pledge of Allegiance - pledge recited
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Written Communication
Cameron received email from Linda Goulet who reported that there was nearly 100% participation in the “State of the District” survey.
Schramm reported that he’s received information regarding 1) a CSBA seminar being held on April 22nd, and 29th regarding “Raising Student Achievement Through Teacher Evaluations,” and 2) the national AVID organization which promotes student achievement for success in college.
B. Board Member Comments
Whiting-Casey commented that he saw the Governor on television speaking about nutrition in schools, that many of the Governor’s ideas are similar to the ones under consideration at the High School, and that nutrition is a societal issue. The ASB elections are underway and there are quite a few people running for office, it’s exciting to see so much student activity in this area.
C. Superintendent Report
Perry reported that the District’s annual newsletter will be coming out soon; pleased at the outcome of the CSEA/District interest-based training session.
D. Introduction of Peter Carton and Diane Marshall-Freeman to Board
Perry introduced Diane Marshall-Freeman, partner at Girard & Vinson, LLP, whose firm is being considered as counsel to assist the District with Special Education matters. Ms. Marshall-Freeman reviewed her areas of expertise in Special Education law, and her firm’s approach of preventive strategy. Perry introduced Peter Carton who is the District’s new general counsel. Mr. Carton reviewed his extensive knowledge and experience in education law.
V. INDIVIDUALS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Matt Bell, Principal at Robert Down announced that teacher Sue Erickson has been nominated for the Lori Flagg award, that she was chosen by her colleagues and peers; award ceremony is April 4th. Nan Johnston, parent, read letter regarding assault on Robert Down teacher by special education student. She does not understand why student was back in school the next day, believes all students should be held accountable for their actions. Students who witnessed assault are having difficulties processing the incident. While mainstreaming is a good idea, the schools should provide a safe environment for everyone. Perry informed the Board that he’d met earlier with Nan and other concerned parents regarding the incident, and he has discussed the matter with Diane Marshall-Freeman. He suggested Ms. Johnston speak with Ms. Marshall-Freeman.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of February 26, 2005 Board of Education Regular Meeting
B. Minutes of March 3, 2005 Board of Education Regular Meeting
C. Non-Public Agency Services from Advance Kids
D. 2004/05 Bond - Building Fund – Budget Revision #1
MOTION (Bray/Cameron) to approve Consent Agenda.
Public Comment: none
MOTION CARRIED 5 - 0
VII. PUBLIC HEARING
2005/06 School Year, Board of Education Core Values
Perry said public hearing is opportunity for public information and comment.
Public Comment: None
VIII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
A. Sub Committee Reports
Community Human Services
Schramm attended first monthly meeting this date; CHS is requesting that the School District renew their JPA membership next year and at a slightly higher rate; Director Robin MacRay has been named as one of Monterey County’s outstanding women.
City/District – nothing to report
Negotiations
Bray thoroughly enjoyed participating in Annie Song-Hill’s interest-based negotiations training held at the District Office on March 9 and 10, looking forward to next meeting on April 4th. Shammas also appreciated Annie Song-Hill’s training, felt much was accomplished.
Public Comment: Christine Raybould, CSEA President, learned a great deal from participating in the training as did Lori Rae Anderson, Vice-President CSEA who felt it was a very worthwhile experience for everyone.
ROP
Cameron attended the March 16th dinner meeting hosted by the Pacific Grove High School; Joint Powers Agreement needs to be approved; highlight of the evening was the meal, prepared and served by the High School students in the ROP’s Culinary/Hospitality Program; food was very good, service was superb, very impressed with the students’ efforts, they made him feel quite proud. Bray offered that she’d also attended an event hosted by the ROP and that she was very pleased as well with both the meal and the service.
Library - nothing to report
Food Services
Shammas reported that the Food Services Committee is shaping into a dedicated group, that some members have been visiting school sites to learn more about each school’s food program. Committee member Adam Duker has said other school districts are providing breakfast to students who are testing. Shammas suggested this as an area where the committee might assist the schools. There was discussion regarding the details of serving breakfast to students prior to testing.
Public Comment: Todd Buller, Assistant Principal at High School praised Adrian Schueneman, for her efforts with the ROP’s Culinary/Hospitality Program. Regarding snacks offered during testing - food is already provided at the High School during STAR testing, Cameron congratulated Buller’s efforts with the High School basketball team, that they are always a good representative of the community.
B. ROP Program and Services
Perry offered highlights of the High School ROP Program to bring an awareness of possibilities for all students. Presently, ROP offers 22 sections of electives, thus enabling students to have a complete day of classes. If those classes were removed from the schedule, it would impact graduation requirements. While ROP programs in other districts have articulation agreements with post-secondary schools, the Pacific Grove ROP program does not; decline in ROP dollars attributed to change in census review, that students under age 16 are no longer included.
Fred Rubin presented data highlighting enrollment issue; that enrollment of students under 16 years is supposed to be only 3%; suggested redevelopment of ROP classes so more students can take courses that advance in a logical sequence.
Board Comment
To Schramm’s question of what happens if we do nothing? Perry responded that the current program does not meet requirements, ROP Program must be included in Master Schedule; trend line expenditures will rise whether enrollment goes up or down. To Shammas’s question of where can the program draw its student enrollment from, Rubin responded that they can come from anywhere, outside the District as well as charter schools. Cameron commented that increasing graduation requirements could attract more students into ROP classes.
Public Comment
Christine Raybould, Guidance Technician at High School, stressed the importance of having one-semester classes, that currently there are 60 students who are teacher’s aides during those periods when they could not get into a class; add that figure to the 270 students who leave at noon, and “one can see the real need for introducing semester classes.”
C. Combination Classes
Perry stated that District enrollment has been declining for many years, and that balancing enrollment is the first criteria when considering combination classrooms – followed by budget, then facilities.
Blakley said that the District is currently looking at a 1st – 2nd and 4th – 5th combination for the 2005/06 school year.
Matt Bell said best conditions for a combination classroom are independent students who can follow direction, and a teacher who knows a “flex/blend” curriculum.
Perry noted that in a recent County-wide study, there are substantially more combination classrooms this school year than in the previous two years ago. Having two elementary school campuses exacerbates the problem; each new non-combination class change is an $85,000 budget item.
Public comment:
Nan Johnston referred to a letter signed by 40 parents (addressed to Board and given to them earlier) who were against combination classrooms. In the 1st – 2nd combination classroom at Robert Down this year, students were shuttled to other classrooms for part of their instruction; parents felt students did not feel they belonged to either classroom, 2nd graders had a particularly difficult time adjusting, that they felt marginalized. As a result, some parents took their children out of Robert Down. Craig Bell, parent, took daughter out of Robert Down and placed her in a private school; felt the down time in movement from one classroom to another took away from her learning, as a student in the higher grade she was expected to assist younger children instead of having her own learning experience; Robert Down is a good school that just got caught up in a bad situation, he’d like his daughter to return to Robert Down. Diane Daily, parent, opposed to combination classrooms, would like to know what other options are being explored; would prefer a slightly larger class with a teaching assistant; that if a child is selected for a combination classroom, that parents be notified in time to decide to participate or change. Matt Bell clarified that while the 4th – 5th combination classroom was planned, the 1st –2nd was a last minute solution to last-minute enrollments.
Board comments
Bray thanked parents for coming to speak, remembered Craig from when he was one of her grade school students; distressed that he felt he had to remove his daughter; she wished more parents where in attendance to express their views; thinks the K-2, 3-5 scenario would solve many of the District’s enrollment issues. Cameron supports K-2, 3-5 scenario, that two elementary grade sites in such a small District make it difficult to plan enrollment. Shammas said reorganizing grades into two schools would help, but does not see disadvantage of combination classrooms provided they are self-contained. Niccum likes K-2, 3-5 scenario; would like to find a way Board can support. Schramm invited public in attendance to stay for budget assumption discussion later that evening, that Board needs to know how the community feels about the School District budget. From discussion, Perry noted several ideas that can blend into a classroom protocol which he will bring back as a future Board item. Perry asked Ms. Johnston if she would be willing to assist in the writing and distribution of letters to the parents regarding combination classrooms. Ms. Johnston said she would assist.
IX. ACTION/DISCUSSION
A. Adoption of Language Arts Textbook Grades K-5
MOTION (Bray/Cameron) to approve as presented.
Public comment: none
Motion CARRIED 5 to 0
B. Professional Services Contract, Girard & Vinson (Diane Marshall-Freeman)
MOTION (Cameron/Bray) to approve as presented.
Public comment: none
Motion CARRIED 5 to 0
C. 2005/06 School Year, Board of Education Core Values and Interests
MOTION (Niccum/Cameron) to approve as presented.
Public comment: none
Motion CARRIED 5 to 0
D. Approval of CSEA Contract Compensation Proposal for 2004/05
MOTION (Bray/Shammas) to approve as presented.
Public comment: Lori Rae Anderson stated there was a record number of members voting, that contract was ratified 53-2 out of a total membership of 89 employees.
Motion CARRIED 5 to 0
E. 2005/06 Budget Revenue, Expenditure Projections and Budget Assumptions
Blakley stated he’s included changes from last Board meeting but won’t know the property tax revenue until August or September; assuming all allocated monies will be spent. Following discussion of budget items proposed by the Management Team, it was agreed to accept all items except the Maintenance/Grounds position, which was transferred for the balance of the year to the Capital Improvements Fund. No vote was required.
Public comment: None
F. Acceptance of Robert Down School Modernization Project
MOTION (Bray/Niccum) to approve as presented.
Public comment: none
Motion CARRIED 5 to 0
G. Approval of Revised Facilities Improvement Plan
Blakley reported that it was very difficult to decide what to fund. Items listed are most critical. Pool at High School is leaking hundreds of gallons of water a day. Niccum commented he appreciates having a plan that looks ahead ten years as a back up for seeking future bond funds.
MOTION (Cameron/Niccum) to approve as presented.
Public comment: none
Motion CARRIED 5 to 0
H. Revision of Board Policy 4033, Third Reading
No discussion; item to return at April 4th Board meeting.
I. Pacific Grove Unified School District Organization Chart
Bray would like to see governance teams and management teams listed on chart.
MOTION (Bray/Niccum) to approve with modifications.
Public comment: none
Motion CARRIED 5 to 0
J. Board Calendar/Future Meetings
No additions or changes were made to the Board calendar.
K. Future Agenda Items
Recommendation: (Patrick Perry) The Administration recommends that the Board review each request for a future agenda item form and that direction be supplied to the Administration with regard to placement of the agenda item on upcoming Board agendas.
X. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Real property appraisal contract for services
High School Graduation Requirements – 3/24
Cell phone policy – 4/7
Elementary reconfiguration
Cost out serving breakfast during STAR testing
XI. ADJOURNMENT 10:40 p.m.
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