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 September 15, 2005
The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on September 15, 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 (arrived 6:32 p.m.)
Jessie Bray
Beth Shammas
Administration Present: Patrick Perry
Robin Blakley (arrived 6:45 pm)
Student Board Member Present: Creston Whiting-Casey (arrived 6:45 pm)
C. Adopted Agenda
The Board was given replacement pages for their agenda packets that contained additional reference information. These included pages 10C-10E: 2005/06 General Fund Budget Additions/Restorations.
MOTION (Bray/ Cameron) to adopt revised agenda
Public comment: None
Motion CARRIED 5-0
D. Identified Closed Session Topics
Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding PGTA and CSEA negotiations
E. Public comment: none
F. Adjourned to Closed Session 6:35 p.m.
II. CLOSED SESSION
III. RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION 7:05 p.m.
Report action taken in Closed Session
Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding PGTA and CSEA negotiations
No action taken; Board to reconvene after regular meeting to complete Closed Session
B. Pledge of Allegiance Pledge recited
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Written Communication
Perry received CSBA correspondence regarding Shammas being presenter at annual conference and an email from High School Principal Stan Dodd.
B. Board Member Comments
Whiting Casey reported that everything at the High School is going smoothly; there was a minor incident at the newspaper but it’s been straightened out.
Shammas said The Californian did a nice write-up about football at the High School, that the sports writer said good things about the program.
Bray was please to see several articles in the Monterey County Herald about health and nutrition; heard that the student-initiated drive at Robert Down collected $1700 to help Hurricane Katrina victims.
Schramm met with Tom Wortham, High School teacher, regarding ESLRs and WASC; trying to find ways to connect the Board and Essential Programs, attended Open House at all four school sites, impressed with the overall attendance, staff all did a tremendous job, highlights were the Learning Centers, the Open Court, and Scott Purdy writing program; at the Middle School the new science equipment has energized teachers, kudos to new Middle School instrumental musical teacher; at the High School – appreciates ASB leadership.
C. Superintendent
Perry felt the same about what he observed at all the school sites at Back to School nights. He introduced Joe Bennett who will be the new Principal at Forest Grove, effective October 16th. Met with Angela Holm regarding the Food Services Committee; asked Board if there was anyone they would like to see on the Committee or if they would like to serve. Committee’s focus will be to draft policies and regulations regarding instructional delivery and operational guidelines. Finalists for the Human Resources Coordinator position have been interviewed, currently advertising for Curriculum Coordinator position; letters will go out to parents at Robert Down and Forest Grove notifying them of the changes.
V. INDIVIDUALS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Bill Phillips, citizen¸ stated he would be interested in having information available to the public regarding negotiations.
Susan Nine, PGTA Co-President, introduced new Co-Presidents Lillian Griffiths and Pat Godfrey. Last year she and then Co-President Linda Goulet, began a discussion using Board meetings as a way of communicating directly with the Board and she would like to continue the process. While she appreciates Bill Phillips’s interest in the negotiation process, she felt rules stipulate that public cannot have any access until a proposed contract settlement is to be considered for adoption. She recently became aware that two teachers have altered their class schedules to include additional instructional time and that this information was shared at Back to School Night. A better way to have handled the change would have been through open discussion with all teachers, considering the merits, then following majority decision. Keeping children in school longer has a negative impact on the day care revenue. She asked the Board to intervene.
Carol Erickson, representing Youth Rights, said their group had written letters to the High School offering assistance with the DOD request for schools to submit names of students and military recruiters coming onto campus. She is concerned that the High School has not responded and therefore may not be aware of options available to administrators, parents and students.
Carolyn Hawes reminded the Board about the budget item to increase library staffing hours for the Library Clerk III, that she needs the additional staff time so she can do her job; Middle School program is suffering from a lack of staffing; she would like Management Budget Team to look at replacing the computers in the Library. Parent Connect Program is a huge success.
Stan Dodd said the WASC team is going to be compiling self-study document, beginning next week they will meet in focus groups, then submit their information to the Visiting Committee prior to Christmas break; Visiting Group will be here March 5th – 7th; would like them to meet with Board the Sunday before they are to begin their review.
Jeanie DeTomaso, Forest Grove teacher, said it was disconcerting to learn about the scheduling change the way she did; camaraderie at Forest Grove has been affected.
Schramm said that while the Board cannot engage in any discussion regarding the statements made in the Public Comment , he asked Perry to follow-up; in the following week, the Board will be looking at scheduling concerns at Forest Grove; he apologized to Ms. Erickson for the High School not getting in touch with her and asked Principal Stan Dodd to inform Ms. Erickson of the school current efforts regarding military options for students.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of September 1, 2005 Board of Education Regular Meeting
B. Out of State or Overnight Activities
C. Approval of Contract for Services from Elizabeth Broughton, OT
D. Approval of Contract for Services, Center for Collaborative Solutions
E. Approval of ROP Construction Technology, New Course
F. Certificated Assignment Order #2
G. Classified Assignment Order #2
H. TPO Human Resources, Additional Services
Schramm acknowledged changes to the Consent agenda (additional school trip added to Item B and replacement page to Item F.)
MOTION (Bray/Shammas) to approve Consent Agenda as corrected.
Public comment: none
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
VII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
A. Sub Committee Reports
Community Human Services
Schramm reported that he attended the meeting this date, a healthy student survey found substance abuse in the community and CHS is looking at ways to address the problem.
City/District – nothing to report
Negotiations
Bray said that CSEA will meet on October 18th and 19th.
ROP – nothing to report
Library – nothing to report
B. Acceptance of Measure A Oversight Committee Report
Blakley said this would be the last report from the independent committee that was formed when the Measure A bond was passed; does not require formal action. Ruth Matthews informed the Board how the committee has completed their audit of $12 million of invoices.
The Board received and accepted the final report of the Measure A Oversight Committee.
VIII. ACTION/DISCUSSION
A. 2005/06 General Fund Budget Additions/Restorations
Blakley reviewed the revised budget, the projected changes in revenue and the Management Team Recommendations for Budget Restorations/Additions, and that the District has not settled yet with PGTA or CSEA.
Shammas felt that settling with PGTA and CSEA should be the first line of business unless there was something that absolutely must be voted upon.
To Schramm’s inquiry about which items are time-sensitive, Blakley responded that the High School Career Center and the CSIS/personnel clerk would be impacted by delay.
Bray favored supporting instructional programs.
Niccum supported one-time costs that were reviewed by the Management Team.
Cameron said expenditure decisions should move forward with other items after settling with PGTA and CSEA.
MOTION (Bray/Niccum) to approve allocation of $20,000 for the establishment of a CSIS/personnel clerk and $10,000 for the starting of the High School Career Center.
Public comment
Susan Nine expressed gratitude to the Board for their sentiments towards employees in the District; what PGTA is looking at will leave money for programmatic improvements; asked if there is anything on the list that could be paid for with block grants or government money, especially those projects are requested by the State.
Blakley responded that the “block grants” within this year’s State budget are only a grouping of money that the District is already receiving.
Todd Buller said real needs at the High School are in the Music Department, restoring science and technology; Career Center is a timely need; please don’t wait much longer to assist these programs.
Robert Kershner felt allocating funds for food services was premature since the committee has not been formed yet.
Bill Phillips said enhancing the library staff would have an immediate positive impact on the entire campus.
Jeanie DeTomaso would like to see custodial time at Forest Grove restored. Besides cleaning her own classroom, she is having to deal with the mouse infestation on her own, including buying her own mouse traps, and cleaning up mouse droppings.
Carolyn Hawes thanked everyone for their support of the library; encouraged the Board to move forward and continue to support existing programs.
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
Further Discussion
Bray said the problem with mice is a health and safety concern, not a budget issue, and that the Board should give direction for proper and immediate action. Blakley said he would look into resolving the rodent problem at Forest Grove.
B. Adoption of Resolution 766 Measure A Bond Refinance
Blakley presented financial background information regarding two options the Board may vote on to refinance the Measure A Bond. He recommended Alternative #2: redemption to raise funds for capital projects, that there is no risk to the District by selling the loan to a third party because the bonds are backed by property taxes in the District. The net proceeds of the refinance would be available by the end of November, 2005 and refinancing the Bond in this way does not require a public notice.
MOTION (Cameron/Bray) to approve Resolution 766 – Alternative #2 as presented
Public comment: None
Motion CARRIED 5 - 0
C. 2005/06 Adult Education Budget Revision #1
Blakley reviewed the budget revisions of the Adult School, which is operated as a separate fund by the District. Staff are looking at ways to generate more income and reduce expenses. He recommended the Board approve the budget revision.
MOTION (Bray/Cameron) to approve budget revision as presented.
Public comment: None
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
D. Approval of Unaudited Actual Financial Report 2004/05
Blakley informed the Board that the document they were being asked to approve is a revision to reflect all revenues, expenditures, balances and carryovers for 2004/05 and will then be submitted to the County for review. He recommended the Board accept the report and authorize its filing with the County.
MOTION (Bray/Niccum) to approve report as presented
Public comment: None
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
E. Board Calendar/Future Meetings
The Board scheduled a Special Meeting for September 22nd to be held in the District Office.
F. Future Agenda Items
The Board discussed participation in the WASC study. Bray said the Board has never been asked to participate. Perry responded that there have been a number of changes occurring with WASC, that the findings of the WASC study will move the High School forward over the next six years and it would be beneficial to see how the Board can participate in the process.
Whiting-Casey said having the Board participate would provide another opportunity for them to be involved with the teachers and that attending the Site Improvement Committee meetings would be a way for them to hear the student perspective.
Schramm indicated he would attend the WASC luncheon meeting the following Tuesday.
Public comment: none
Lillian Griffiths said the Board was not expected to attend all WASC sessions, but their presence at the first luncheon would be well received.
IX. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Update Food Services Report
Transportation allowance/increase
Safety Plan allocation
Elementary grade level reconfiguration
Update on High School WASC (ESLRs)
Wellness Policy, SB2507
(New) Board Policy on Instructional Minutes
Revision of Board Policy and Regulation 4033
Sage Management
Open Campus proposal
Expulsion Study Session
X. OPEN SESSION ADJOURNED 9:25 p.m.
XI BOARD RETURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
minutes/0506/091505min.html