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
Minutes of the Meeting of June 2, 2005
The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on June 2, 2005 at Pacific Grove High School.
I. OPENED BUSINESS
A. Called to Order 6:02 p.m.
B. Roll Call Members Present: Richard Schramm
Mark Cameron
Mike Niccum
Jessie Bray
Beth Shammas (arrived 6:15 p.m.)
Administration Present: Patrick Perry
Robin Blakley
Student Representative Present: Creston Whiting-Casey
C. Adoption of Agenda
MOTION (Cameron/Bray) to adopt agenda with inclusion of replacement pages 10 and 11.
Public comment: None
Motion CARRIED 4-0 to adopt updated agenda
D. Identified Closed Session Topics
a. Superintendent Evaluation
b. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry Regarding PGTA and CSEA Negotiations
E. Public comment on Closed Session items - None
F. Adjourned to Closed Session 6:04 p.m.
II. CLOSED SESSION
III. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION 7:04 p.m.
A. Reported action taken in closed session
a. Superintendent Evaluation
No action taken
b. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry Regarding PGTA and CSEA Negotiations
No action taken
B. Pledge of Allegiance - pledge recited
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Written Communication
Whiting-Casey read a letter from the High School’s Site Council to the Board thanking them for approving the Algebra Support Class (letter available in District Office)
Cameron has received a letter from Patty Odell regarding an incident at the Middle School and an email from Linda Goulet.
Bray has received invitations to attend the schools’ end of year functions.
Schramm received a catalogue listing several books he thought would be of interest to other Board members.
B. Board Member Comments
Whiting-Casey is disappointed that no 8th graders from the Middle School ran for any freshman class offices and hopes that some incoming students will come forward to fill the positions.
Cameron apologized to the other Board members, that his upcoming work load may prevent him from attending the end-of-year ceremonies.
Bray enjoyed attending Honors Night at the High School and she is looking forward to attending as many graduations as possible.
Schramm thanked everyone who worked on the Site Councils. He praised Gary Stotz for the work he’s done with the Middle School Music Program and was pleased to see the large number of honor students (wearing blue uniforms) who played for the Honors Program.
C. Superintendent Report
Perry asked the Board members to indicate which graduation ceremonies they would attend. Adult School: Bray, Niccum, Schramm; Community High School: Schramm; Middle School: Schramm, Niccum; High School: all (possibly not Cameron). The Heritage Society honored the School District by presenting a plaque in honor of renovating the Middle School Auditorium by bringing it back to its period architecture. Rubin Ingram of the School Employers Association has invited a Board member to sit on the upcoming panel.
V. INDIVIDUALS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Ann Hall, former Board member, invited the Board to attend the Sober Grad Night Preview Party. She thanked Brian Morton for being a wonderful addition to the High School. She’s excited about the improvements in the math program at the High School, but is aware that math problems begin in the lower grades.
April Pearman, Chair of Site Council at the High School, thanked Brian for to stepping in, that he will be missed. She wants to present the School Site Plan in August in order to include the new Principal. Student rep, Laura Haley, a graduating senior, did a good job. She hopes that the Site Council and Board will be able to work together next year.
Todd Buller enjoyed working with Brian, that he provided good leadership.
VI. PRESENTATION
A. Honoring District Retirees
Cathie McAweeney presented plaques to retirees Nate Piotrkowski and Gay Millette to honor their years of service to the School District.
B. Learning Communities
Linda Williams gave a presentation on the Learning Communities project that took place this school year at all school sites. Eighty certificated employees participated in 19 learning communities.
Committees presenting information about their experiences were Technology (Carolyn Hawes, Paige Newberry), Learning Centers (Eloise Duidara, Jean McLean, Nancy Spade, Cindy Gallo, Lynn Clements, Jayne Lord), Inclusion Models (Vivian Michaele, Linda Vrijenkoek, Cindy Gallo), Tech K-12 (Carolyn Hawes, Tom Wortham), Math K-12 (Elaine DeMarco, Frank Penner, Linda White), and ROP (Tom Wortham, Fred Rubin.)
Williams reported that the teachers spent hundreds of hours involved in the Learning Communities and that the results will be apparent next year in their classrooms.
Bray commented that the start of improvement is recognizing the need.
Niccum asked if the Career Technician could be assisting with the regular classes and Wortham said yes that everyone will benefit as the Career Center will be inclusive to coordinate all classroom activities.
C. Introduction of Stan Dodd, New Principal at Pacific Grove High School
Perry introduced Stan Dodd, new Principal at the High School.
VII. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of May 19, 2005 Board of Education Regular Meeting
B. Acceptance of Donations
C. Certificated Assignment Order #14
D. Classified Assignment Order #14
E. Adoption of Textbook for Business Communications Today
F. Warrant Schedule #443
G. Revolving Cash Report #10
H. Cash Receipts Report #10
I. Approval of High School Flooring Replacement Project Bid Award
J. Approval of High School Window Replacement Project Bid Award
K. Approval of High School Exterior Painting Project Bid Award
L. Approval of Contract for Consultation Serviced from Lou Denti
MOTION (Bray/Niccum) to approve Consent Agenda, noting updated pages (10 & 11).
Public comment - none
Motion CARRIED (5 – 0)
VIII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
A. Sub Committee Reports
Community Human Services – nothing to report
City/District
Niccum suggested that he and Perry meet with the new City Manager during the summer. Shammas would like the Board to discuss what would take place at that meeting. Perry was asked to place the item on the next Board meeting for Information/Discussion.
Negotiations
Bray said that CSEA contract revisions are in progress; PGTA is meeting on June 15 and 16.
ROP – nothing to report
Library – nothing to report
Food Services – nothing to report
B. Pacific Grove Unified School District Libraries Evaluation and Year End Reports
Carolyn Hawes acknowledged the staff who are working in the District’s libraries, and highlighted accomplishments at all of the sites. PGUSD libraries are now online and can be accessed from all over the world. In addition to linking all the school libraries to each other, there are software programs that enable students to access homework and parents to stay informed of their child(ren)’s progress. This will have password-access only.
No action required, item presented for discussion only.
C. Grading Students with Disabilities, New Policy and Regulation #5121.2, First Reading
Bray asked for Education Code references to be included; Shammas questioned if Student Study Teams were qualified to identify students with special needs and should graduation requirements be added as well as the date of effectiveness; she also felt Regulation Item 4 is discriminatory.
Item to be returned for Action/Discussion. Perry to look into Shammas’s question regarding who identifies special needs students.
D. High School Master Schedule, 2005/06 School Year
Todd Buller explained the changes to the Master Schedule.
No action required; item presented for discussion only.
E. Board Policy and Regulation 5146 – Electronic Signaling Devices (Cell Phones), Second Reading
Cameron said he is basing his concerns on the lawsuits he deals with, that he wants to protect both the District’s liability and the students’ privacy. Policy language needs to be more consistent and more aggressive in defining where and when devices could be used. He also questioned the legality of confiscating the phones for the remainder of the school year.
Whiting-Casey talked the matter over with his Executive Council and the consensus was that it would be difficult to enforce any restrictions on electronic signaling devices, that if students want to cheat on a test, they can just go into a classroom and steal the test.
Schramm noted that in an emergency during the day, students could use the phone in the school office.
Shammas said that in an emergency elementary students have adults nearby to assist them.
To return as Action/Discussion on June 16th.
F. Board Policy 4033 – Seventh Reading
Bray would like to see policy updates reviewed in one year.
Schramm would like to policy to follow federal GSA guidelines.
To return as Action/Discussion on June 16th.
At 10:00 p.m., MOTION (Cameron/Shammas) to extend meeting to 10:30 p.m. Motion CARRIED 3-2.
IX. ACTION/DISCUSSION
A. Staff Development, 2005/06 School Year
Linda Williams highlighted the upcoming staff development topics along with background information as to how the topics were selected and the expected outcomes. The primary focus for certificated staff will be the writing program. Handouts are available in the District Office.
Bray asked for a review of policy language for required instructional minutes.
MOTION (Niccum/Bray) to approve budget for staff development
Public comment - None
Motion CARRIED 5 - 0
B. Guidance (Career) Technician/Career Center
Perry said the item is being presented for approval in concept until the budget is finalized in the fall.
Shammas said there is enough information available to indicated that a half-time Guidance Technician is not enough since half the student population who are not college-bound need the help as does the ROP program.
MOTION (Bray/Niccum) that Career Technician and Program be approved in concept.
Public Comment:
Tom Wortham, speaking as PTA representative, said the full-time Guidance Technician would enable students to have academic progress reviews and take action when needed, would also give parents an assurance that they’ve never had.
Motion CARRIED 5 - 0
C. 2004/05 Deferred Maintenance Fund – Budget Revision #1
MOTION (Bray/ Cameron) to approve proposed budget revision as presented.
Public comment - none
Motion CARRIED 5 - 0
D. 2004/05 Adult Education Budget Revision #1
MOTION (Bray/Shammas) to approve proposed budget revision as presented.
Public comment - none
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
E. Revision of Board Policy 6146.1, Second Reading – Granting of Honorary Diplomas
Bray noted that Ed. Code needs to be re-inserted.
MOTION (Cameron/Niccum) to approve the policy and regulation as corrected.
Public comment - none
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
F. Board Calendar/Future Meetings
No action taken
G. Future Agenda Items
City/District planning meeting
X. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
June 16
Substitute Teacher Pay Rate Review
Personnel Office Review
Food Services Report
Sept. 1
ELL Master Plan
TBA
Elementary grade level reconfiguration
Elementary Subject Instructional Time
Update on High School WASC (ESLRs)
High School Counseling Program
Wellness Policy, SB2507
High School Graduation Requirements
(New) Board Policy 5127 – Graduation Ceremonies and Activities, First Reading
XI. ADJOURNMENT 10:35 p.m.
minutes/0405/060205min.html