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 August 18, 2005
The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on August 18, 2005 at Pacific Grove High School.
I. OPENED BUSINESS
A. Called to Order 6:30 p.m.
B. Roll Call Members Present: Richard Schramm
Mark Cameron
Mike Niccum
Jessie Bray
Beth Shammas
Administration Present: Patrick Perry
Robin Blakley (arrived 6:55 p.m.)
Student Board Member Creston Whiting-Casey (arrived 6:50 p.m.)
C. Adopted Agenda
MOTION (Bray/Cameron) to adopt agenda
Public comment: None
Motion CARRIED 5-0
D. Identified Closed Session Topics
.
a. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding PGTA and CSEA negotiations
b. Adult School compensation
E. Public comment on Closed Session items
F. Adjourned to Closed Session 6:32 p.m.
II. CLOSED SESSION
III. RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION 7:06 p.m.
A. Report action taken in Closed Session
a. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding PGTA and CSEA negotiations – no action taken
b. Adult School compensation – no action taken
B. Pledge of Allegiance pledged
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Written Communication
Schramm received letter dated June 22, 2005 from Charles Clark regarding the belated WWII diplomas project; letter from Community Human Services regarding a fundraiser; information regarding collective bargaining summits by CSBA to be held in November.
B. Board Member Comments
Whiting-Casey sees good leadership with new principal Stan Dodd; envisions PGHS having its best year ever, will do his best to make this a reality.
Shammas received email from Adam Ducker (who served on Food Services committee) inviting everyone to attend a workshop on having students to walk to school; asked about status of Community High School.
Bray enjoyed Back to School breakfast at the Community Center; thanked Kiwanis for providing and preparing the meal; good to see everyone, looking forward to a new school year.
Schramm thanked Jessie and Beth for renewing their time on the Board; welcomed Bill Phillips as new Board candidate; commented that High School campus looks nice with newly painted buildings, appreciates good STAR test results; thanked Creston for motivating his fellow students.
C. Superintendent Report
In responding to Shammas’s request for an update on the progress of the Community High project, Blakley responded that the construction is going well; students are scheduled to move in during Fall Break; all framing, electrical and plumbing is done, should be finished in three weeks, then plan is to allow Community High students and staff to paint interior.
Blakley discussed enrollment trends at Robert Down and Forest Grove. Areas of impact are Kindergarten, and 4th and 5th grades. Will know more after students return to school.
Perry commented on the positive energy at the Back to School breakfast meeting. He thanked Robin Blakley and the grounds and custodial staff for their work in beautifying the High School. Staff Development Day, held on Aug. 18th, was the first all-District event of this kind; kudos to Linda Williams and Scott Purdy for the extraordinary day; teacher reaction to the all-day workshop was positive. Invited Board members to sit on interview panel for elementary school principals, scheduled for September 2nd.
V. INDIVIDUALS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
No public comment.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of June 16, 2005 Board of Education Regular Meeting
B. Acceptance of Donations
C. Certificated Assignment Order #1
D. Classified Assignment Order #1
E. Warrant Schedule #444
F. Revolving Cash Report #1
G. Cash Receipts Report #1
H. Preferred Meal Systems Contract Renewal - 2005/06
I. Approval of Professional Service Contract for Construction Legal Counsel
J. Approval of Resolution #764 Authorizing Execution of State Preschool Contract
K. Approval of Contract for Services - Piper Grove Music (Marylee Sunseri)
L. Approval of Driver Training Agreement 2005-06
M. Acceptance of High School Modernization Exterior Painting Project
N. Approval of Professional Services Agreement – Peter Carton, Attorney at Law
O. Professional Services Contract, Girard & Vinson (Diane Marshall-Freeman)
P. Legal Services Contract, 2005/06
Q. Facilities Fee Waiver
R. Approval of Contract for Services from Lisa DeFaria, LCSW, Floortime Program for Autistic Students
S. Adoption of New Textbook- High School Calculus
MOTION (Shammas/Bray) to accept Consent Agenda with addition of Page 3-Aa.
No public comment
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0.
VII. PRESENTATION
A Performing Arts Center Pacific Grove Marquee
Jim Quinn, Rotary member, presented to the Board a computer-enhanced photograph of the proposed marquee for the Pacific Grove Performing Arts Center. Exterior material will be brick to interface with the building , caps will be made of a durable material to withstand vandalism, center display will be inside a locked case, Rotary and PGUSD medallions to either side of display case; up-lighting would also meet District standards, dimensions are 10’ wide by 4’ high; Cost is estimated at $17,000 and will be covered through fundraising.
Shammas commented that landscaping around the marquee should have a healthy appearance.
Perry responded that the District has received a donation which was used to install a sprinkler system that will ensure a healthy-looking landscape but new landscaping needs to be installed.
No public comment
B. District Assessment Report
API scores will be available August 31st. PGUSD STAR results are very encouraging; analysis of all data will be presented to the Board at a future meeting
To Shammas’s inquiry about tracking students who take the EAP proficiency tests, Williams responded that the passing rate is 50-60%; Shammas requested that the EAP data be included in that presentation.
When asked how he was able to motivate his High School peers to excel in their test scores, Creston-Whiting responded that he literally went from classroom to classroom and encouraged his peers to take the exam seriously, show people what we could do and by offering the possibility of an open campus.
No public comment
VIII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
A. Sub Committee Reports
Community Human Services – nothing to report
City/District
Bray reported that she, Perry, and Niccum met on August 15th with Mayor Costello and City Manager Colangelo; the meeting was informal, and a wide range of topics were discussed; agreed that purpose of regular meetings is to keep each other informed of topics that would benefit from collaboration
Negotiations – nothing to report
ROP – nothing to report
Library – nothing to report
B. Summer School Summative Report
Linda Williams reported on the success of the summer school program at Robert Down. One hundred, ten students enrolled and 88 completed the summer session. Teachers were provided guidance on the approach to teach reading, writing and math to this particular population of student, using pre and post tests (same test given before and after summer school) scores were raised in all grades (K – 5); added a new program this year: Parents of Readers, offered babysitting; “Volunteens” worked as teachers aides, CSUMB student also assisted.
Shammas very pleased with student success, teaching approach is moving in the right direction; asked if summer school could be mandated; concerned that while summer school began so soon after the closing of the school year, that the 4-week lag time until the start of the next school year might diminish some of the learning. Williams responded that success of program is due in large part to teachers’ willingness to get involved; targeting students’ specific area of deficit; summer school can be mandatory if it’s written into the IEP; moving dates of summer school closer to new school year could be a possibility.
No public comment
C. Possible Measure A Bond Refinance
Blakley discussed the feasibility of refinancing the Measure A Bond that was approved by voters in the November 1999 election. While it will cost approximately $100,000 to employ the professionals needed to proceed, the District will still save approximately $100,000 as a result of the new interest rates. If the Board agrees to refinance, it will be possible to either lower the current property tax or take the savings as additional income without restrictions to use as facility improvements.
No public comment
The Board directed Blakley to proceed with the project.
D. Report to the Board on Property Tax Report
Blakley reported that revised projection is that property tax should increase by 8.8% rather than 5.36% as in adopted budget – resulting in additional $500,000 in revenues. The Board discussed budget projections.
No action required.
IX. ACTION/DISCUSSION
A. Transportation Fee Increase
There was discussion regarding the possibility of increasing bus fees.
Shammas was concerned how this would impact sports transportation costs.
Schramm reluctant to increase fees if it means that students would stop riding the bus and no longer have safe transportation to school
Robert Kershner likes the idea of inexpensive transportation for children, that it helps to reduce early morning traffic congestion.
Bill Phillips, suggested looking at a pilot program that would offer discounts for families with more than one child in the District, sees transportation as a vital safety issue for the children.
Item will return to the Board later in the school year for possible implementation in the 2006/07 school year. The Board requested data regarding increasing ridership through reduction of rates.
B. Declaration of Need for Fully-Qualified Educators
Perry informed the Board of the possible need to employ teachers who do not have credentials, this declaration would enable the implementation of emergency credentials and without the declaration the District would be in violation of credentialing qualifications.
MOTION (Bray/Shammas) to approve the declaration.
No public comment.
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0.
C. Resolution No. 765, Resolution to Teach
Perry explained that this resolution is required for teachers who teach out of major and minor areas.
MOTION (Cameron/Bray) to approve resolution.
No public comment.
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
D. Approval of Forest Grove Single School Plan and Related Budget
Cathie MacAweeney presented highlights of the report.
MOTION (Shammas/Niccum) to approve as presented.
No public comment.
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
E. Approval of Robert H. Down Single School Plan and Related Budget
Matt Bell presented highlights of the report.
MOTION (Niccum/Bray) to approve as presented.
No public comment.
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
F. Approval of Middle School Single School Plan and Related Budget
Matt Bell presented highlights of the report.
MOTION (Niccum/Cameron) to approve as presented.
No public comment.
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
G. Approval of Extension of High School Single 2004/05 School Plan and Related Budget
Stan Dodd asked the Board to extend the SIP plan approval from last year.
Blakley explained that there are 2004/05 funds that were not spent and activities in the plan that still need to occur. It was noted that the 2005/06 funds cannot be spent until the High School brings forward their new SIP plan; approving the extension allows the High School to continue spending 2004/05 monies.
MOTION (Bray/Shammas) to approve as presented.
No public comment.
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
H. Grading Students with Disabilities, Policy and Regulation #5121.2, Second Reading
Cindy Gallo informed the Board that the policy and regulation were written so the District would be in compliance with the law
Cameron commented that regulation should contain more detailed information that expands on the language of the policy.
Bray said she would like to see the policy written in language that everyone can understand.
Pat Godfrey said he is pleased to see that action is being taken to address this issue.
ACTION: Gallo will revise policy and regulation, and return for further action.
I. Board Calendar/Future Meetings
Schramm wants calendar to include milestone events for future planning; also a study session on expulsions that would include the new principals.
Niccum would like incorporated site visits and to see them spread out over the year.
Shammas asked for a more consistent meeting schedule to which Perry suggested adding the October 20th meeting to the schedule.
J. Future Agenda Items
Pacific Oaks Lease
High School Open Campus
X. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Sept. 1
ELL Master Plan
Sage Management
TBA
Elementary grade level reconfiguration
Update on High School WASC (ESLRs)
High School Counseling Program
Wellness Policy, SB2507
(New) Board Policy 5127 – Graduation Ceremonies and Activities, First Reading
Revision of Regulation #6143 – K-5 Course of Study
(New) Board Policy on Instructional Minutes
(New) Board Policy 5127 – Graduation Ceremonies and Activities
Revision of Board Policy and Regulation 4033
Policy review – ASB Board Representation by Creston
Food Committee – report recommendations
XI. ADJOURNED 9:35 p.m.
minutes/0506/081805min.html