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 October 6, 2005
The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on October 6, 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 6:35 p.m.)
Student Board Member Present: Creston Whiting-Casey (arrived 6:55 pm)
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 Confidential employees negotiations
b. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding PGTA and CSEA negotiations
c. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding Adult School employees
E. PUBLIC COMMENT: none
F. Adjourned to Closed Session 6:32 p.m.
II. CLOSED SESSION
III. RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION 7:05 p.m.
A. Report action taken in Closed Session
a. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding Confidential employees negotiations
No action taken
b. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding PGTA and CSEA negotiations
No action taken
c. Meeting with Chief Negotiator Patrick Perry regarding Adult School employees
Board authorized Superintendent to sign a Side Letter of Agreement
B. Pledge of Allegiance – pledge recited
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Written Communication
Shammas received information from CSBA regarding Student Wellness Policy Training to be held on November 3rd and 4th.
B. Board Member Comments
Whiting–Casey reported that all sports teams are doing well, he is working with Principal Dodd on developing the open campus proposal.
Cameron asked for an update on how the new Cell Phone Policy is working at the school sites.
Shammas wanted to know if an alternative should be offered to those students who do not pass the High School Exit Exam. She praised Gonzales High School for successfully raising their API scores, that by doing something different a public school was able to improve their proficiency
Bray attended the two WASC meetings held at the High School, and thanked Whiting–Casey for encouraging her participation. She enjoyed the Butterfly Parade and the Pacific Grove Retired Teachers Luncheon. She wanted to make the other Board members aware that it is she who has been donating money to the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History on behalf of the School District as a sustaining business members. She feels that as a local business, the School District should support educational programs in Pacific Grove. She wanted to be sure that everyone knew that PGUSD money was not being expended for this purpose.
Schramm attended both High School WASC meetings, found the discussions encouraging; also attended the Ice Cream Social sponsored by Special Education Department and thanked the staff for providing such an opportunity to learn more about their program.
C. Superintendent Report
Perry responded to Shammas’s inquiry by stating that students who do not pass the Exit Exam receive a Certificate of Completion. He introduced Charlene Biagi as the new Curriculum Coordinator, and said that new Forest Grove Principal Joe Bennett is meeting with staff in preparation for his starting full–time October 17th. Rotary members were impressed with presentation by High School students who attended Camp Royal leadership program.
V. INDIVIDUALS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Bill Phillips praised the two school bands that played in the Butterfly Parade, that he was encouraged to see the District’s understanding of the importance of maintaining a good music program. He is concerned about the budget revisions, wants assurance that budget items previously cut would be restored now that the money is available.
Rick Riedel asked about the asbestos abatement – does it need to be included?
Jane Leatham said giving raises to PGTA should be a first priority.
Juliana Ducayan does not understand why it is taking so long to settle the PGTA contract, that with such a small district and everyone working so well together during transitory times, why would coming to agreement on something so important as a contract drag out so long?
Elizabeth Koskyshak wants to reinstate the programs that were discontinued when the District conducted its fiscal reorganization; does not understand why not settling first with employees union is not a top priority. “Test scores had to have made you proud,” she said. “What more do you want us to do?” She thanked Board for their comments regarding the Special Education Open House.
Christine Revales wanted to remind the Board that negotiations began last April, six months ago. “We do good work,” she said. “We take care of the children, now please take care of us.”
In responding to the question about asbestos abatement, Blakley stated that all known friable (i.e. hazardous) asbestos was removed years ago but now whenever there is remodeling work done, the District is legally required to contract with an asbestos firm if the materials to be removed have asbestos components.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of September 15, 2005 Board of Education Regular Meeting
B. Minutes of September 22, 2005 Board of Education Special Meeting
C. Certificated Assignment Order #3
D. Classified Assignment Order #3
E. Adoption of Sate Pre-School Salary Schedule and Revision of Certificated Contract
F. Addition of ROP Health Occupation Courses beginning Spring 2005/06)
G. Acceptance of Donations
H. Cash Receipts Report No. 3
I. Revolving Cash Report No. 3
J. Warrant Schedule No. 446
K. Acceptance of Quarterly Treasury Report
L. Approve Resolution #767 Gann Limits for 2004/05 and 2005/06
M. Contract for Services with Central Coast Language and Learning Center
N. Approval for School Bus Replacement / Reconditioning Application
Bray noted that item L. was listed as Action/Discussion; Schramm asked that the record show the item as Consent. There was also comment regarding contract price in item M, that $20,000 per student per year is quite high. Blakley said Monterey County Office of Education offers these services but at a higher cost, and this alternative should reduce cost.
MOTION (Bray/Niccum) to approve amended agenda
PUBLIC COMMENT: Jennifer D’Attilio introduced herself as Director of Central Coast Language and Learning Center and said she would be happy to answer any questions the Board might have regarding her company’s services.
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
VII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
Sub Committee Reports
Community Human Services – Schramm said next meeting is Oct. 21st.
City/District – nothing to report
Negotiations
Bray said PGTA is having their regularly scheduled meetings, subcommittee met on 9/23 and 9/30, next meetings are 10/27 and 11/1. CSEA meets on 10/18–19.
ROP – nothing to report
Library
Bray reported that the subcommittee met on 10/5, not all district librarians could attend; she will be coming to the Board with other information at a future date.
VIII. ACTION/DISCUSSION
A. David Avenue Lease Revenues
Blakley reported that Pacific Oaks is still in arrears with their lease payments, but based on information provided by Director Nancy O’Neal, it will be possible for them to become current on the rent as long as criteria remains constant. The Board then discussed with Ms. O’Neal the unforeseen circumstances that caused Pacific Oaks to fall behind in their rent payments, the current situation regarding rental space, enrollment, and tuition. It was noted that this is the third repayment plan and should be closely monitored, that any deviation would return the matter to the Board for immediate action.
MOTION (Bray/Cameron) to approve repayment schedule and request monthly payment reports.
PUBLIC COMMENT None
Motion CARRIED: 5 – 0
B. 2005/06 General Fund Budget Revision #2
Blakley reviewed the revenues and expenditures that have occurred since submitting Revision #1; responded to the Board’s inquiries for clarification on some of the items.
MOTION (Cameron/Niccum) to approve proposed budget revisions.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Bill Phillips – wanted clarification about “one–time dollars.”
Motion CARRIED: 5 – 0
C. Approval of Revised Facilities Improvement Plan
Blakley reminded the Board that the Facilities Improvement Plan is a document that will be changed regularly as conditions, priorities and funding changes. At present the largest project is the amphitheater at the High School and there is difficulty attracting bidders to the smaller projects.
Bray noted that the concern for repairing parking lots at each school site had a different priority.
Cameron said it was irresponsible not to have money set aside for facilities improvements while Schramm said it was difficult to ask public for more bond money when there is money still set aside.
Niccum expressed concern about the lack of a public address system at the Middle School, that all school sites should have the equipment to enable simultaneous communication, especially in an emergency. Blakley assured the Board that the item was within the plan.
Shammas said it is important to communicate that items on Facilities Improvement Plan are critical and should be fixed, that it represents only one–fifth of the original requests. What most bothers her is that her campaign promise was to fix the facilities, that now the Board needs to do a better job of communicating the effort everyone is putting into addressing facility needs.
Whiting–Casey asked the Board to just look at the basic repairs – classrooms with boarded–up windows or plastic ones, areas of mold; the school does not look like a clean area; there is a mindset as teachers try to do their own repairs; nearly every room needs some repair. The amphitheater is vital for everyone. Students have nicknamed Pride Place – Shame Place. He is excited about work to be done at the amphitheater. “What really kills noontime activities is that there is no place to sit, no place for us to come together as a student body and do stuff as a group.” He thanked the Board for making it a priority.
MOTION: (Cameron/Bray) to approve the revised plan.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Susan Nine said that in looking at the totals of Measure A and capital outlays, she wanted to know the funding source, that capital items on the list are not necessary items.
Todd Buller said there are still a lot of projects that need to be done, and he appreciates the Board’s concern in meeting those needs.
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
D. Proposed Bond Survey
Blakley discussed the schedule for the proposed 2006 Bond. The next step is to allow the consultants to conduct a survey during the month of October, looking for the facilities and funding levels that will receive at least 55% approval from those residents most likely to vote.
MOTION (Niccum/Cameron) to approve the proposed survey instrument.
PUBLIC COMMENT: none
Motion CARRIED 5 – 0
E. Board Calendar/Future Meetings
F. Future Agenda Items
January: Bond measure
Policy adoption of K–1 Instructional Minutes
IX. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Elementary grade level reconfiguration
Expulsion Study Session
New Board Policy on Instructional Minutes
Open Campus proposal
Revision of Board Policy and Regulation 4033
Safety Plan allocation
Sage Management
Update Food Services Report
Update on High School WASC (ESLRs)
January 2006
Transportation allowance/increase
Wellness Policy, SB2507
X. ADJOURNED 9:45 p.m.
minutes/0506/090105min.html