Pacific Grove Unified School District
Note: This web page is a copy of the DRAFT minutes from the Board of Education Meeting.
Minutes are NOT OFFICIAL until amended and approved by the Board at a public meeting.
Updates are made here as soon as possible--The official Minutes are available at the Board Office.
Address any questions to the Superintendent, Dr. Jack Marchi, or call the District Office at 831-646-6510.

The Board of Education of the Pacific Grove Unified School District held a meeting on May 4, 2000 at Pacific Grove Middle School.

A. OPENING BUSINESS

1. Call Opening Session to Order: 6:31 p.m. by Beth Shammas

2. Roll Call:
Members Present:
Beth Shammas
Jessie Bray
Rod Herndon
David Campbell (arrived at 6:33pm)

Member Absent: Debi Page

Administrators present:
Jack Marchi, Superintendent
Robin Blakley, Asst. Superintendent

3. Identify Closed Session Topics:
a. Conference with labor negotiators Jack Marchi and Robin Blakley. The employee Organization, Pacific Grove Teachers Association; California School Employees Association.
b. Pending Litigation

4. Public Comment Period Regarding Closed Session Items: None.

B. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: 7:00 p.m.

1. Pledge of Allegiance: recited

2. Adoption of Agenda: Addition of Out-of-County. MOTION (Herndon/Bray) to adopt the agenda as amended. Motion CARRIED 4 to 0.

3. Report Action Taken in Closed Session: Approve liability claim. The Board will reconvene into closed session at the end of the regular session.

C. COMMUNICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS:

1. Written Communications: All board members received Lori Rae Andersen's letter regarding every 15 Minutes and Principal School Site letters; an e-mail from Diane Williams regarding the schedule of the Middle School; communication from CSEA and the Healthy Children information. Dr. Marchi received a letter requesting postponement of discussion of Early Release Day at PGMS from Kathryn Annereau, and a letter from John Mothershead for a Debate Class at PGHS.
2. Superintendent Report: Commended the High School and everyone involved in Every 15 Minutes. Announced new PGMS Assistant Principal Patrick O'Donnell.
3. Board Member Comment: Campbell: acknowledged the e-mail previously mentioned; attended the BEAM luncheon, Romeo & Juliet at PGHS, District Music Festival; Commended the PGHS Jazz band for placing 1st at Music Festival in Reno, NV. Bray: Thanked Dr. Marchi for his comments in the EdSource survey, it read: Overall, does California currently have an adequate public education system? If yes, what are its greatest strengths? If no, what do you see as the most difficult challenges California faces in attempting to provide one? Dr. Marchi's response:A
"Yes, I believe we do have an adequate public school system, but are we willing to settle for adequate? The majority of people I work with, both certificated and classified, are hard working and dedicated individuals. Many of them give far more than they receive in terms of compensation, respect, and support. They care for their students and provide both educational support and emotional and spiritual nurturing far beyond what most individuals outside of education realize. To me, then, our greatest strength must be our staff.
Public schools in California are doing an adequate job; again, is adequate good enough? We could certainly be doing a better job if we had adequate support (and not only material support) but an awareness on the part of political officials and some community members that the job of education is difficult, time consuming, frustrating but the most worthwhile and rewarding profession in the world. We cannot do it alone nor can it be done by mandates, new legislation, or knee jerk reactions. If we are to have more than 'adequate' schools in California, then we need an atmosphere which is not accusatory and/or self serving, but one that is mutually supportive, open, honest, and totally committed to the service of our students." Herndon: Open Houses were outstanding! Principals to be commended. Shammas: Was part of the interview committee for the Assistant Principal at the High School - thanked Cynthia Saxon for arranging; happy with the selection from a good pool of candidates; High School exit exams; Sunset Drive litter removal; have we established the legalities of the breathalyzer at the high school? Robert Andersen (sitting in for Kate Owens): extended his appreciation for the Every 15-Minute presentation at the high school.

D. INDIVIDUALS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: Tim Culbertson commended our music program and directors. John Mothershead, Jessica Hall, Matt Lister, Sarah Vaughn (PGHS students) spoke requesting a debate class at the High School. Asa Hatami read a letter from Kent Leatham (PGHS students) regarding the debate class. Linda Smith supported the debate class and spoke about early release at the Middle School. Lisa Magdelina spoke in favor of early bird/late bird schedule at Forest Grove School.

E. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: (Bray/Herndon) to approve consent agenda. Motion CARRIED 4 to 0.

F. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION:
1. Evaluation/Recommendation Thursday Early Release Day at PGMS
This year the middle school adopted an adjusted schedule that allowed for students to be released one hour early on Thursdays in order to provide time for teacher collaboration and staff development. A silent survey was taken among the faculty to determine the level of support for the adjusted schedule. All but two teachers were in favor of continuing this schedule next year. The PTA and School Site Council were satisfied with this year's schedule. One parent who is not active in either group volunteered to coordinate a parent survey to solicit parent input. Since the survey was included in the PGMS May Newsletter that was received at homes just five days ago, this item will be brought back to the Board on May 18, 2000 for further discussion.
2. Time Allocations Forest Grove/Robert H. Down
The question of the time differential between the second grades at RHD and FG has been with this District since May 1999. The District is not in violation of the Education Code at either school. The time differential equated to an additional 4 weeks. Both programs are effective and supported by the staffs at each site. A lengthy discussion resulted in the item being returned as an action item in the form of a question to the Board regarding the instructional time at the two sites on May 18, 2000.

(Board Member Debi Page arrived at 9:20 pm)

MOVED ITEM F.8
8. Proposed Pacific Grove Fire Department/High School Project
PG Fire Department is purposing to construct a paved area in the west corner of the High School football field, directly adjacent to the Forest Grove Elementary School. This paved area will allow the Fire Department to conduct various training exercises that currently occur in the vicinity of the

Civic Center in downtown PG. The benefits of this project would be to improve access into the football field and track; improve overflow parking; staff parking lot within the Forest Grove master plan. Concerns that have been raised include the following: restriction of school activities, noise generated by training activities, damage created by the activity on the school property and possible liability. Chief Miller addressed most of the concerns and feels the Fire Department personnel can develop an agreement with the District to insure that guidelines are in place that minimizes any adverse impact. The paved area is proposed to be placed directly adjacent to the Breakers Club proposed new shed to be constructed to serve as a storage facility for athletic equipment and field maintenance equipment. The shed is being funded by the Breakers Club. The Fire Department will develop a contract with the District with specific guidelines, defining responsibilities, operational times, liability, etc. to be presented at the May 18, 2000 Board Meeting. The Breakers club will proceed with shed.

3. Grade Level Configurations RHD/FG
Several meetings ago the Board was updated on the reconfiguration of the primary grades at FG and RHD. The need to move approximately twenty first grade students from RHD to FG in order to balance the classes through a lottery or parents willing was in order. In order to be less disruptive to students a teacher could be moved. It seems to accommodate both staff and parents by offering the configuration of three Kindergartens at RHD and FG, one K/1 class at Forest Grove; three first grades at each school, three second grades at Forest Grove and 4 second grades at Robert Down. The K/1 may not be needed depending on the enrollment over the summer and/or additional students who might enroll during the year.

4. 2000/01 Budget Assumptions
There is no additional information at this time. It is recommend that the Board review and discuss the assumptions at their upcoming Study Session and provide direction to staff, with a goal of June 1, 2000 for public viewing.

5. SubCommittee Reports:
Facilities City/District: Nothing to report.
Negotiations: Next meeting May 22, 2000.
Policy Committee: Nothing to report.
ROP: Next meeting June 21, 2000.
Communications: Nothing to report.
Community of Human Services: Tour planned on May 25th; analysis done by Robin will be distributed to board members in the Friday update.

6. Bond/Modernization Report:
Both projects moving along well. Committee meetings and walkthroughs have been held at both sites to begin defining the specific items to be included within each project. Initial project descriptions will be brought to the Board for review in June.

7. RHD/FG Reconfiguration Project Update:
Modular Buildings: Final plans are being developed prior to the start of building construction. This component of the project is on schedule. Site Preparation: Contractor feels work can be done on time with the possibility of completion date of August 1.

G. ACTION ITEMS:
ROP Joint Powers of Agreement MOTION (Bray/Herndon) to authorize the execution of the ROP Joint Powers Agreement for 2000/2001. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.

1. Professional Service Contract for Construction MOTION (Page/Campbell) to authorize execution of the Professional Services Agreement between the Pacific Grove Unified School District and Public Construction Law as proposed. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
2. BASRP Fee Increase MOTION (Bray/Herndon) to adopt the new Before and After School Recreation Program fees as proposed.
Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
3. Approval of Policies 4301, 4315, 4315.1, 4317.3 MOTION (Page/Campbell) to adopt Policies as presented. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
4. Resolution No.643 California Day of the Teacher MOTION (Campbell/Bray) to adopt Resolution No. 643 as presented. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
5. Resolution No.644 Classified School Employee Week MOTION (Page/Bray) to adopt Resolution 644 as presented. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
6. Budget Revision Cafeteria Fund #2 MOTION (Bray/Herndon) to approve the proposed budget revisions. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
7. Budget Revision General Fund #6 MOTION (Herndon/Campbell) to approve the proposed budget revisions as presented and defer action on further revisions until future meetings. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
8. Award of FG/RHD Site Preparation Contract MOTION (Herndon/Campbell) to award the contract to DMS
with partial funding ($35,000) from Fund 17. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.
9. Approval of the Proposed Decision of the Administrative Law Judge MOTION Campbell/Herndon) to approve as presented. Motion CARRIED 5 to 0.

H. FUTURE MEETINGS/AGENDA ITEMS:
May 17, Board Study Session, District Office Conference Room
May 18, Regular Board Meeting, PG High School
June 1, Regular Board Meeting, PG Middle School

I. ADJOURNMENT of OPEN SESSION: The Board adjourned at 11:13pm

CLOSED SESSION: At 11:13 pm, the Board adjourned into closed session.

Submitted,

Jack Marchi, Secretary
Board of Education

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