PACIFIC GROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 1, 2006

The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on June 1, 2006 at the Pacific Grove High School.

I. OPENED BUSINESS

A. Called to Order 6:30 p.m.

B. Roll Call President: Beth Shammas
Clerk: Jessie Bray
Members Present: Richard Schramm
Bill Phillips
Mike Niccum
Administration Present: Patrick Perry
Robin Blakley

Student Board Member Present: Tim O’Halloran

C. Adopted Agenda

MOTION (Schramm/Bray) to adopt agenda as presented.
Public comment: none
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0

D. Identified Closed Session Topics

a. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding Management Team Compensation, 2005–06
b. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding PGTA and CSEA, 2006–07
c. Superintendent Evaluation / Compensation 2005–06
d. Superintendent Contract

E. Public comment on Closed Session items – none

F. Adjourned to Closed Session 6:34 p.m.

II. CLOSED SESSION

III. RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION 7:08 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 Management Team Compensation, 2005–06
b. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding PGTA and CSEA, 2006–07
c. Superintendent Evaluation / Compensation 2005–06
d. Superintendent Contract

B. Pledge of Allegiance pledge recited

IV. COMMUNICATIONS

A. Written Communication

Shammas received a letter and email regarding Instructional Aides
Harris read an invitation received in the District Office regarding Sober Grad Night

B. Board Member Comments

O’Halloran said the prom went well and everyone had a good time.
Phillips participated in the disaster drill at the Middle School
Schramm attended the Spring Concert at the Middle School

Shammas presented a framed letter to graduating senior and former ASB Student Representative to the Board, Creston Whiting–Casey.

“The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District would like to commend you for your outstanding leadership. As ASB Board Representative for the 2004, 2005 and 2006 school years, you represented the Student Body of Pacific Grove High School in all decisions made by the Pacific Grove Unified School District. During your tenure, Board members grew to respect your mature leadership. Your ability to reflect and offer opinions which accurately represented the High School Student Body position greatly assisted the Board as we made our decisions on several key issues. You consistently demonstrated an in-depth knowledge on matters related to the High School Student Body that were important to the Board of Education. Your thoughts rounded out numerous discussions. As a student leader, you willingly took command. Your diligent efforts brought about substantial positive changes for your fellow classmates at Pacific Grove High School. As Student Body President, you motivated students to focus even more intently on their academic performance which increased the school’s STAR test assessment scores and their API Similar School Rankings. You also brought forward an initiative supported by the Student Body to open the campus. Through your diligence and thoughtful efforts, you developed a proposal that was presented to the Board of Education and enacted upon this spring as a pilot Open Campus Program. This endeavor took months of preparation and persistent negotiations with students, school faculty and the Board of Education. Creston, you have demonstrated over the last three years tremendous leadership for the students of Pacific Grove High School. You are an exemplary young man with a wealth of potential. The Board of Education wishes you the very best as you venture out to your post high school education. Congratulations on an outstanding career at Pacific Grove High School and thank you very much for your leadership and commitment to our School District. (signed by all Board members)

C. Superintendent’s Report

Perry said Board will honor retirees at June 15 meeting. Tomorrow is District–wide Retirement Party at PG Community Center. Earlier today, HR Coordinator Billie Mankey conducted an inservice explaining the CSEA evaluation process which was well attended.

V. INDIVIDUALS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

Dodd invited the Board to High School graduation and said that today Ellen Coulter was honored by the Associated Student Body for getting Pride Place “up and running.” Dodd suggested that Coulter receive a permanent tribute and he will have more information in August. He also introduced an item for the Consent Agenda which was recently brought to his attention.

Public comment:
(Parent) praised Matt Bell and Erin Hoffman for their work with student performances at the Pacific Grove Performing Arts Center. He would like the District to form a task group to support performing arts programs in all grades. He also thanked Stan Dodd and Julia Winslow for their hard work and offered his assistance as a parent on future projects.

VI. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Minutes of May 18, 2006 Board of Education Regular Meeting
B. Certificated Assignment Order #17
C. Classified Assignment Order #17
D. Acceptance of Donations
E. Warrant Schedule No. 453
F. Revolving Cash Report No. 10
G. Cash Receipts Report No. 10
H. 2006-2007 Consolidated Application for Funding
I. Revision of Board Policy and Regulation 1330 – Use of School Facilities

Perry asked that Item H. be pulled and that a new Item J. be included, adding George Brown (Class of ’46) to the list of those receiving honorary diplomas.

Niccum acknowledged Jim Costello for all that he has done.

MOTION (Niccum/Schramm) to pull Item H and add Item J.
Public comment: none
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0

MOTION (Bray/Schramm) to adopt Consent Agenda as amended.
Public comment: none
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0.

VII. PRESENTATION

Secondary Math Program Update

Stan Dodd and Matt Bell presented an overview of the of the 6–12 math sequence. There is now math support for 7th and 8th grade and 9th and 10th grade Algebra as well as students with special needs. Eighth grade assessment began this school year, thanks to the University of California providing testing, grading, and recommendations at no charge. Next year, Dodd is proposing the use of WASC minimum days at the High School, coinciding with early release days at the Middle School, to work on articulation. For students who fall behind and are motivated to get into AP math, there are opportunities for remedial assistance through MPC. With statistics now a college requirement, there are components of that qualification built into many math courses so that non–AP students do not have to take AP Statistics.

Public comment:
Nan Johnson said there are not enough courses for high–achieving students, that most attention seems to be on students needing extra help. She suggested using ability groups to maintain enthusiasm for math at the elementary level.

VIII. PUBLIC HEARING

2006-07 School Year, Board of Education Core Values and Interests

Perry noted that the Board’s Core Value statements were established as guidelines for collective bargaining, and presented for the community’s knowledge.

Public comment: none

IX. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION

A. Sub Committee Reports
Community Human Services – nothing to report

City/District – no recent staff contact

Negotiations
Upcoming joint meeting with PGTA Board to discuss procedures for 2006–07 meetings.

ROP
Perry and Schramm will be attending June 21st meeting in Salinas.

Wellness Committee
Shammas reported that committee is waiting to hear back from fundraising groups, and next meeting is June 5th.

B. Pacific Grove Unified School District Libraries Evaluation and Year End Reports

Carolyn Hawes praised her District librarians for creating a warm and welcoming environment for students to learn. She reminded the Board about library budget items: a full time Clerk at the High School, a 20–hour Clerk at the Middle School. She was pleased to see Assembly Bill 2065 which provides for library funding. Regarding the District website, elementary schools now have web sites and the card catalogue is online at all four school websites, staff training is needed. She asked that the District fund the library before sending money to the school sites, and concluded by recommending that the Board read, “The World is Flat” by Thomas Friedman.

Whiting–Casey praised Hawes’s ability with all the electronic equipment and her willingness to assist students.

C. Citizen’s Oversight Committee – Measure D

Blakley discussed the procedures for setting set up an Oversight Committee and asked the Board to discuss how they would like him to proceed in getting the names of potential committee members. This committee is an advisory committee of the Board and they must follow the Brown Act. There is a minimum requirement of seven members but no restriction on maximum. Board direction was to do an open invitation to all interested parties following the Bond passage. The resulting list is to be brought back to the Board for consideration.

D. Classroom Instructional Aides (Assistants) Funding
Shammas opened the discussion by reminding everyone that the Essential Programs was the forum where the priority need for Instructional Assistants should be defined. That discussion is not finished yet. She also noted the impacts of funding requests for other classroom needs.
Bray said she was glad to see this item on the agenda.

Public comment:
Susan Nine, speaking as a 2nd grade teacher at Forest Grove and long time member of the Site Council, said she is disheartened that there is a disconnect between the teachers and the Board, that every year the school Site Council surveys the teachers for budget priorities, and the one priority has been classroom aides. She asked the Board to consider the request for matching funds.

John Thibeau also asked the Board consider the matching funds for Instructional Aides.

Robert Kershner spoke about the lack of classroom time spent on students who need to be challenged and asked the Board to help with funding of Instructional Aides so all students could benefit.

Nan Johnson said that because of their dedication to helping in the classroom, many aides work for free beyond the number of ours they are paid.

Marge Faulkner Instructional Assistant and Title I Assistant, said that her entire time in the classroom is spent working directly with only one student who has trouble staying focused. Beyond her paid time she volunteers for an additional hour.

Mack Faulkner talked about the District’s best utilization of resources.

Schramm said he has sensed the disconnect between the sites and the Board for some time. He suggested an informal discussion to get a clear understanding of the use of aides. A key issues seems to be how to distribute their time, whether it should be on a minutes per classroom basis or targeted to address specific problems based on student performance data.

Niccum said he is very encouraged that the Site Councils have come to the Board with their concerns. From his four years of service on the Forest Grove Site Council he believes the best role of the Board is not to micromanage, but to allocate the resources. He proposed a Board study session on the Site Councils’ SIP programs.

Perry praised the dedication of the instructional assistants, and said the study session should include a series of opportunities that the Board can act on which should also be included in the Essential Programs.

Blakley said that while the School Improvement funds from the State have been increasing on a per student basis, the amount the District has received has dropped since it is based on enrollment, which has been declining.

ACTION: Return on the August agenda for an update on Instructional Assistants.

E. Job Description for Food Services Director (School Nutrition Director) – First Reading

Mankey said that in developing the job description, she surveyed districts and did a great deal of research. She set up the description to attract someone currently working in a food service environment who is looking to step into a management position.

ACTION: Place on June 15 agenda for approval.

X. ACTION/DISCUSSION

A. Review High School Open Campus Program

Dodd reviewed the process of how eligible students were selected and that all classes, including freshmen, were very cooperative. Initial spike in tardies was quickly reduced as students learned to better monitor their time. Only complaint was from adjoining apartment building where some students were standing around. Law enforcement has not received any complaints, nor have there been any drug or alcohol violations. Lunchtime activities are still being offered at the newly refurbished Pride Place, and events are well–attended. It appears students are leaving to buy food then returning to eat it at school and be with their friends.

Buller reported truancies have decreased significantly.

O’Halloran said there is a more positive atmosphere on campus as students now feel they are trusted, and the library is now left for those who want to study.

Niccum suggested extending pilot program through next year.

Whiting–Casey said that students who originally did not qualify for Open Campus because of low grade(s) completed extra credit in order to raise their grade(s) and participate in Open Campus. The benefit for him is to do chores during lunch since his after school time is spent with extracurricular activities.

MOTION (Niccum/Schramm) to extend Open Campus through next school year and to extend the suspension of Board Policy 5112.5

Public comment: none

Motion CARRIED: 5 – 0

B. Safety Plan Scope of Work, 2006–07

Terrise Wood updated the Board on the progress of implementing the Emergency Plan at all school sites. The most important accomplishment is the heightened awareness at every site level. A comprehensive drill was held at the Middle School to test the process. Afterwards, everyone acknowledged the importance of adequate training and having crisis teams in place.

An area of concern at the Adult School is that the freestanding preschool building is not hooked up to the main fire alarm. Site maps are finished and Emergency Preparedness booklets were mailed to every student’s household. Her goal is to create a program so that all school sites are self directed. Another goal is to have at all school sites an emergency packet for substitute teachers, similar to the ones presently in use at Forest Grove.

Wood recently learned if we exhaust our local resources we do not call the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services or the Monterey County Office of Education for assistance, that we need to begin looking at forming our own local community partnerships.

In conclusion, Wood recommended the District create a subcommittee to look at the entire communication process during an emergency situation.

Schramm asked for a timeline with milestones for completing the District’s Emergency Preparedness Plan.
Niccum complimented Wood for her ongoing efforts in assisting the District with its emergency preparedness.

MOTION Niccum/Schramm to approve the use of Safety Plan dollars and allocate current year unallocated funds
Public comment: none
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0

(At 9:55 p.m., MOTION Niccum/Schramm to extend meeting to 11:00 pm; Motion CARRIED 5 – 0)

C. Wellness Policy and Regulations 5030 – Third Reading
This item was pulled and will be placed on June 15 meeting.

D. 2006–07 Budget Revenue, Expenditure Projections and Budget Assumptions
Blakley reviewed the process and adjustments to date.
No action required.

E. 2005–06 General Fund Budget Revision #6
Blakley said this is the last revision of the year.

MOTION (Schramm/Bray) to approve
Public comment: none
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0

F. Board Calendar/Future Meetings
Following discussion, Board members were asked to hold the date of June 22nd for a possible Board meeting.

G. Future Agenda Items
No new items were added to the next Board meeting.

XI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Instructional Minutes
Retirement Benefits

June 15
Board Self–Evaluation
Measure D Timeline
Measure D Oversight Committee appointments
Wellness Policy Action

XII. RECONVENED IN CLOSED SESSION 10:25 PM

XIII. ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION

a. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding Management Team Compensation, 2005–06
b. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding PGTA and CSEA, 2006–07
c. Superintendent Evaluation / Compensation 2005–06
d. Superintendent Contract

XIV. REPORTED OUT OF CLOSED SESSION

No action taken on any of the items.

XV. ADJOURNED 11:00 pm

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: 6/16/06

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