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 Regular Meeting of April 6, 2006
The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on April 6, 2006 at the Pacific Grove Adult School.
I. OPENED BUSINESS
A. Called to Order 6:33 p.m.
B. Roll Call President: Beth Shammas
Clerk: Jessie Bray
Members Present: Richard Schramm
Bill Phillips
Mike Niccum
District Staff Present: Patrick Perry
Robin Blakley
Laura Harris
Student Board Member Present: Creston Whiting-Casey
C. Adopted Agenda
MOTION (Schramm/Bray) to adopt agenda as presented.
Public comment on agenda: none
Motion CARRIED 5-0 to adopt agenda
D. Identified Closed Session Topics
a. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding Confidential Employees and Management Team compensation proposals
b. Superintendent Evaluation / Compensation 2005–06
E. Public comment on Closed Session items
No public comment
F. Adjourned to Closed Session 6:33 p.m.
II. CLOSED SESSION
III. RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION 7:13 p.m.
A. Report action taken in Closed Session
No action was taken on any of the Closed Session items; Board agreed to reconvene in Closed Session following Regular Board meeting.
a. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding Confidential Employees and Management Team compensation proposals
b. Superintendent Evaluation / Compensation 2005–06
B. Pledge of Allegiance pledge recited
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Written Communication
Schramm received an invitation to attend the Adult School WASC meeting Monday morning and an email from Debi Page regarding personnel.
Shammas received information from the Department of Education on school nutrition. She will download more information and provide it to the Board.
B. Board Member Comments
Whiting–Casey spoke about the Food Fair at the High School, and upcoming ASB elections. This year, students can vote online. STAR testing is coming up and Open Campus preparations are under way.
Phillips thanked the Superintendent for making Board packets available online.
Shammas extended her appreciation to the Adult School for allowing the Board to meet there.
C. Superintendent Report
Perry said he and Blakley had a follow–up City/District meeting that went very well; details will be provided to the Board in his weekly update. He is scheduled to attend WASC at Adult School on Monday morning and if any Board members are unable to attend, he will relay information.
V. INDIVIDUALS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
No one spoke.
VI. PRESENTATIONS
A. Adult School – Overview WASC
Tim Culbertson, Assistant Principal, said that preparing for their first WASC was quite a revealing exercise. There is a concern with articulation, that ESL students, for example, did not understand how to advance to the next level. Staff development needs to improve and the Adult School felt there is a need to become more involved with the K–12 District. They are pleased with the tremendous amount of community support that they receive.
Janice Russo Pre–School Plus teacher, highlighted the many ways the pre–school has solicited funds to improve their learning programs through grants and donations. As a member of the WASC team, she expanded her awareness of what other teachers at the Adult School are involved in. She thanked Board member Phillips for visiting their classes and invited other Board members to drop in anytime.
Gail Root, Parents Place, said their program works with parents and children from prenatal up to 3 years old. They serve 650 families a week and there is a long waiting list. Many parents volunteer as assistants where and when they can – either for the staff of 22 part–time teachers and 2 office staff or on outside projects, such as collecting and distributing clothing to farm worker families in South County. With “Friends of Parents Place,” a nonprofit 501(C)3 status, they are able to apply for grants and solicit for donations. The television announcement about “Success by Six” was filmed in their garden. Through grant money and donations, they are making steady progress on much–needed improvements to their facilities. Currently, the 3,000 book library is housed in the boys’ bathroom. She invited the Board to collaborate with Parents Place to hold a vision for a quality program for the parents.
Jennifer Ross, teacher at Co–op Preschool at Robert Down, said that parent involvement is the cornerstone of the pre–school. Presently, their waiting list is filled until 2009. Through very generous support from local donations and a parent fundraiser, they were able to accomplish some much needed refurbishments. Last week–end, there were 52 families helping out at the school. She invited Board members to come by anytime.
Culbertson concluded the Adult School presentation with a 2–1/2 minute video highlighting what the Adult School has to offer the community. They have expanded their advertising area to include neighboring cities.
Shammas invited the pre–school staff to attend the April 27th Board meeting to express their opinions regarding the upcoming California Pre–School Initiative.
Bray praised Gail Root for all her years of wonderful service to the District.
B. Performing Arts Center Update
Jim Quinn highlighted the formation of the Foundation for Performing Arts Center that supports the facility’s continued refurbishment and maintenance. He showed a sample of the plaques that will be displayed to honor donors, sponsors, contributors, etc. Future plans include larger plaques depicting the history of the building and medallions of the District and the Rotary. Copies of the Foundation’s Mission Statement and list of the Board of Directors were provided.
VII. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of March 16, 2006 Board of Education Regular Meeting
B. Minutes of March 23, 2006 Board of Education Study Session Meeting
C. Certificated Assignment Order #13
D. Classified Assignment Order #13
E. Acceptance of Donations
F. Out of State/Overnight Activities
G. Warrant Schedule No. 451
H. Revolving Cash Report No. 8
I. Cash Receipts Report No. 8
Shammas and Bray noted corrections to the March 16 Minutes.
Shammas noted in the list of donations to the District, that the Estate of Richard Chamberlin gave $43,000 to the Pacific Grove High School track and field; Blakley confirmed that they were informed that the money is exclusively for the Cross Country program and not the track.
MOTION (Bray/Niccum) Consent Agenda as corrected.
No public comment
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
VIII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
A. Sub Committee Reports
Community Human Services – nothing to report
City/District
Perry said he and Blakley met recently with the City and he will be sharing information about this meeting in his weekly report to the Board.
Negotiations – nothing to report
ROP – nothing to report
Wellness Committee
Shammas said she will discuss when the item comes up later on the agenda.
B. Update on Measure D
Blakley said meetings were held on March 22nd and 24th with next meeting April 25th. The following individuals have offered to chair committees: Jane Durant and Todd Buller, co–chairs; Stan Dodd, Coordinator of Fundraising; Jonathan Ryan, Treasurer; Julia Winslow, Coordinator of Mailers; and Matt Bell, Coordinator of Postcards.
Perry said he has put together a presentation for groups in the community.
Public Comment:
Robert Kershner requested clearer accessibility to information via the District web site.
C. Wellness Policy and Regulations 5030 – Second Reading
Highlights of Board member comments:
Regulations should reflect different requirements for grades 1 – 5 and 6 – 12
Best to first establish Board’s philosophy on areas of concern, then phase in regulations
Be sensitive to micromanaging classroom activities
Delete “we” from Policy language
Make a conscious effort to involve parents
Board’s goal should be to establish a culture of health wellness and fitness
Tighten up the regulations and involve the groups who will be impacted
Public comment:
Barbara Kiley, Breakers Club, said Breakers would welcome working with the committee to find something workable.
Robert Kershner said he appreciated the reaction of Breakers at the last meeting, that their dedication is highly valued. Profit margin on candy is minimal while there are many healthy high profit food items. Food should be a part of celebration, not a reward.
Samar Hage said she sees the need for changing a mindset, that teachers need direction, not micromanaging.
The Superintendent summarized the following points:
Do not get into the day–to–day management of the food program
Do not use food as a reward (individuals or groups)
Education for parents, staff and students needs to be a major part of this policy
Regulations should include fundraising and extend outside of the school day, with a phase–in process
Regulations should relate to fundraising and celebrations
Regulations for celebration need to be changed to better address the secondary grades
Direction from the Board: Return policy and regulations to committee for further edits, using points cited above, and invite clubs, PTAs and faculty representatives to committee meetings.
IX. ACTION/DISCUSSION
A. 2006/07 Budget Revenue, Expenditure Projections and Budget Assumptions
Blakley noted there was no new major information regarding revenue or expenditures. The unappropriated balance still needs to be adjusted so it is not a negative number. Blakley also reviewed the list of possible reductions and additions recommended by the Management Team, each totaling $250,000.
No action required at this time.
B. Revision of Job Description for Recreation Coordinator
Mankey stated that the job description is being revised to update the position.
MOTION (Bray/Schramm) to approve the item as presented.
No Public Comment
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
C. Approval of Utility Worker Job Description
Mankey stated that the job description is being created to define a position that will combine the existing delivery position and the recurring need for assistance in various maintenance and operation departments.
MOTION (Bray/Schramm) to approve the item as presented.
No Public Comment
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
D. Approval of Additional Funds for Legal Services – Special Education
Perry stated that the District is currently being challenged by several families of special education children and that the legal costs are greater than originally anticipated.
Following Board discussion, it was agreed to send letters to state and federal representatives, making them aware of the Board’s concern over the rising cost of educating special education students.
MOTION (Schramm/Niccum) to authorize a transfer from the General Fund’s unallocated balance.
No Public Comment
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0.
E. Approval of Confidential Compensation Adjustment for 2005–06
Perry recommended that the Board approve the 2005–06 Confidential Compensation Adjustment retroactive to July 1, 2005 as proposed.
MOTION (Niccum/Bray) to approve item as presented.
No Public Comment
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0.
F. Board Calendar/Future Meetings
Niccum asked that the calendar be extended to the end of 2006.
G. Future Agenda Items
Bray asked that Instructional Minutes be listed as a future agenda item
X. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Safety Plan Allocation
Staffing and Enrollment Projections, 2006–07
Format of Board items
Review of Board Core Values
April 27th
State Preschool Initiative
May 4th
Career Center
Secondary Math Program Update
June 6
Open Campus Proposal
XI. ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION 9:50 p.m.
XII. RECONVENED IN CLOSED SESSION 9:52 p.m.
XIII. REPORTED ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
Reported on action taken in Closed Session
a. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding Confidential Employees and Management Team compensation proposals
No action taken
b. Superintendent Evaluation / Compensation 2005–06
No action taken
XIV. ADJOURNED 10:15 p.m.
minutes/0506/040606min.html