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
(CORRECTED) Minutes of the Meeting of November 18, 2004
The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on November 18, 2004, at the Pacific Grove High School.
I. OPENING BUSINESS
A. Call to Order 6:30 p.m.
B. Roll Call Members Present: Beth Shammas
Richard Schramm
Mark Cameron
Mike Niccum
Jessie Bray
Student Representative Present: Creston Whiting-Casey (arrived 7:00 p.m.)
C. Adoption of Agenda: MOTION (Cameron/Brey) to adopt agenda. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0
D. Identified Closed Session Topics
a. Negotiations - Conference with Labor Negotiators Patrick Perry and Robin Blakley regarding CSEA contract.
b. The Board of Education will discuss possible modifications to the Superintendent’s contract.
c. Conference with labor negotiator Patrick Perry regarding: Unrepresented employee: Assistant Superintendent Business Services.
E. Public comment on Closed Session items No public comment
F. Adjourn to Closed Session 6:31 p.m.
II. RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION 7:05 p.m.
A. Report taken in closed session
a. Negotiations – Conference with Labor Negotiators Patrick Perry and Robin Blakley regarding CSEA contract. No action taken
b. The Board of Education will discuss possible modifications to the Superintendent’s contract. No action taken.
c. Conference with labor negotiator Patrick Perry regarding: Unrepresented employee: Assistant Superintendent Business Services. No action taken.
B. Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
III. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Written Communication
No comments
B. Board Member Comments
Whiting-Casey: Nothing new to report about ASB activities; proud of the football team’s successes; thanked Superintendent Perry for encouraging him to participate on the principal selection committee, a valuable experience; will soon be attending a site improvement meeting to talk about technology on the campus.
Cameron: Thought the principal interviews were an interesting experience; complimented Creston on his thoughtful question to the interviewees; congratulated the football team on their 9-1 season.
Schramm: Congratulations to the football team; attended the grand opening of the Performing Arts Center on Dec. 17th, congratulations to Tim Culbertson for doing such a good job as emcee, acoustics were great, school District has many gifted teachers; also attended middle school Honors Night, impressed that 2/3 of the student body have GPAs of 3.0 or higher.
C. Superintendent Report
Perry: Pleased to see the football team’s success over Carmel; impressed with how the coaches use sports to build true leadership qualities - respect for each other, overall rapport, athletic environment been greatly improved under the current coaches. Essential Programs met last night, will meet one more time, then give presentation to Board. Linda Williams, Curriculum Coordinator, very excited about the report. It was suggested that the Essential Programs report be a featured article in first District newsletter.
IV. PRESENTATION
Walter Kraus was honored for his years of commitment to the Community Human Services program. The Board presented him with a letter read by Beth Shammas, then gave him a standing ovation. Mr. Krause acknowledged it was an honor to serve. He felt the program was a natural for people in the school business.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT: Linda Goulet Co-President PGTA, said that the question has come up from teachers and parents regarding the Measure A Oversight Committee, and accountability for the money: Is there a published report available? Linda noted that a district-wide survey of employees using Scantron one person/one survey will be conducted; will present to Board in January. Information will be used for negotiations. Charlotte Estes, President, CSEA, supports survey, sees as a positive step for all, hopes Board will give full support. Laurel Peiffer representing Confidential employees, giving support to the two other groups in getting the survey out.
BOARD RESPONSE: Robin Blakley, Assistant Superintendent responded to the question regarding Measure A – two separate committees are working on the bond and distribute their reports two times each year; Measure A Parcel Tax just been allocated with this year’s budget, District is beginning to meet with committee to give them information they need regarding approved expenditures with budget process. Board is reviewing invoices and contracts, majority of parcel tax going to pay for school employees salaries, must now indicate who is being paid, report not going to Board until end of fiscal year, monitoring during year, 5-yr program, may be different. There is a breakdown of costs on the District website. Committees are made up non-District employees, mostly parents, and have taken very seriously the task of trying to understand the District budget.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of October 21, 2004 Board of Education Meeting
B. Minutes of November 4, 2004 Board of Education Meeting
C. Certificated Assignment Order No. 5
D. Classified Assignment Order No. 5
E. Fourth Reading Board Policy and Regulation 6142.1 Family Life/Sex Education
F. Approval of Resolution #748 Authorizing Execution of State Preschool Contract – Instructional Materials
MOTION (Bray/Schramm) to approve consent agenda as presented. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
VII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
A. Sub Committee Reports:
City/District (Bray/Niccum) No report.
Negotiations (Bray/Shammas) Bray reported that negotiations are moving ahead towards a settlement with CSEA. They met November 9th and 15th and will meet again Dec. 6th.
ROP (Schramm/Shammas) Schramm reported that meeting has been moved to a more convenient time.
Library (Bray) Bray reported that the Library Committee is scheduled to meet Dec. 9th at 2:00 p.m. in the School Library.
Superintendent negotiations (Shammas/Schramm) Schramm reported that they continue to meet with the Superintendent.
Public Comment: None
B. New General Obligation Bond for School Facility Improvements: Blakley reported that in November 1999, the District voters approved school bonds that were issued in a series of four bonds. The last project (Robert Down School) is about to conclude, the community high school project is in the planning stages, and due to be complete in summer 2005. Even with the $12 million, there is still a lot of work to be done. Choices are that the District rely on other resources or go back to the voters and see if they are willing to pass another bond measure. Seeking state funds is not an option due to the 25 year waiting period. Consultants have suggested various options from not increasing the tax rate but requesting authorization to borrow more money based on the existing tax rate to requesting an increase in the tax rate and an authorization to sell additional bonds. It was reviewed that Proposition 39 does not require 2/3 vote, only 55%, but has accountability requirements and election dates are more restricted. It was noted that the next step would be to put together bond advisor and legal counsel who would work on a contingency basis. The only cost that must be covered outside District funds would be campaigning. The Board was asked if they were interested in the administration pursuing this project at this time.
The Board reached consensus to explore moving forward to look at bond options and authorized the Superintendent to develop more information to present at the February Board meeting, including information on bond options and facility needs.
Pubic Comment - none
C. Food Service Program Enhancement Report: Blakley stated that while staying within its budget, the food service program has continued to decline: limited food choices, slow speed of delivery, higher prices, and an unattractive eating environment. The elementary schools do not seem to be experiencing the same issues as the middle school and high school. It was suggested Board form a subcommittee to explore options and include food services manager: Schramm and Shammas to serve on subcommittee. Perry suggested a line-item amount be approved to enable food services manager to work additional hours on committee. Whiting-Casey will form a student body committee to survey students and get their opinions on solutions. Board subcommittee to be added to next agenda
Public Comment: Nancy Liallo, cafeteria worker at Middle School, volunteered to be on committee.
D. Title 1 Program Funding Reduction: Perry reported that the 2000 census resulted in a budget shortfall of funds for the Title 1 program. He asked that the Board consider a $50,000 subsidy to continue the program. It currently serves 200 students per year, with substantial success rate, program awarded Golden Bell. Jayne Lord, Lynn Clements and Marybeth Rinehart gave presentation on aspects of program, success rate, low recidivism, and critical need for continuance of program as it is currently undertaken. Perry acknowledge tremendous dedication and hard work of Lord, Clements and Rinehart. Board agreed to an adjustment which will occur in the next budget revision.
VIII. ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Approval of Reduced Categorical Program Funding:
Public Comment: None
MOTION (Schramm/Cameron) to approve action item as presented. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
B. Correction of Job Description for High School Guidance Technician:
Public Comment: None
MOTION (Cameron/Niccum) to approve action item as presented. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
C. Positive School Climate Board Policy #4100 Fourth Reading
Public Comment: None
MOTION (Bray/Schramm) to approve action item as presented. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
D. Board Calendar/Future Meetings
No changes
Public Comment: None
E. Future Agenda Items
Food service for the 21st century
IX. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Independent Study Program
Essential Program Committee Report
X. ADJOURNMENT 9:35 p.m.
_______________________________
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: 12/13/04
minutes/0304/090204min.html