Members Present:

Jeffrey Freiberg, Len Gensburg, Julie Kennedy, Monib Khademi, Elizabeth Spencer

Administrative Staff:

John R. Harter, Ed.D., Superintendent

Barbara Young, Assistant Superintendent

CALL TO ORDER

The Mill Valley School District Board of Trustees, acting as the Governing Board of the Mill Valley School District, met in regular session at 4:00 PM on Monday, April 10, 2000, at Mill Valley School District Administrative Office, 411 Sycamore Avenue, Mill Valley, CA.  President Spencer called the meeting to order at 4:02 PM.

PUBLIC COMMENT

CLOSED SESSION

As there was no public comment, the meeting was adjourned to Closed Session at 4:03 PM.

RECONVENE/REPORT

The meeting was reconvened at 7:07 PM at Park School, 360 E. Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley.  Ms. Spencer reported that the Board had met in closed session regarding the following: Public Employment – Superintendent, pursuant to Gov. Code §54957; Conference with labor negotiators, pursuant to Gov. Code § 54957.6.  No action was taken.

AGENDA APPROVAL

M/S/C Freiberg/Gensburg (5-0) to approve agenda, with Item 13.F, Daycare Contract with EDS for 2000-01 tabled to a future meeting, and with Item 9, Business & Fiscal Services to follow Item 12, Buildings & Sites.

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

 Supt Award: Shreeve

Park Principal Ruthanne Bexton welcomed the Board and audience.

Dr. Harter recognized parent Elizabeth Shreeve for her dedication in providing leadership and a vision for the outdoor environment for the soon to be opened Strawberry Point School.

COMMUNICATIONS 

Public comment:  Maguire/ MVTA

Carol Maguire, Co-President of the Mill Valley Teachers Association, with approximately 120 teachers in the audience, spoke on behalf of the organization saying that compensation is a priority in current negotiations.  Ms. Spencer thanked the teachers for attending the meeting to show support for their negotiating team.

Superintendent Report

Dr. Harter reported on recent and upcoming walkathons and other fund raisers for schools, and said that Park and Edna Maguire Schools will be participating in the April 22 Earth Day celebration at the Marin County Civic Center.

Staff Report

Board Reports

Mr. Derich reported on groundbreaking ceremonies at Strawberry Point School last week.

Ms. Kennedy reported that she, Mr. Freiberg and Ms. Young met with parents at Tam Valley School regarding class size at fifth grade next year; that she was recently elected to the Delegate Assembly of the California School Boards Association; and that she will be joining the teacher rally in Sacramento on May 8th. Mr. Gensburg reported that the Education Task Force has received a three-year funding grant of $325,000 per year. 

Board Reports (cont.)

Mr. Khademi reported that the Joint Legislative Advisory Committee met with Senator Boxer’s representative regarding special education funding at the federal level, and met with Assemblywoman Kerry Mazzoni regarding it at the state level.  The committee will be going to Sacramento May 18th.

MINUTES ADOPTION

27/March/00 – regular

M/S/C Kennedy/Freiberg (5-0) to approve the minutes of regular meeting of March 27, 2000.

CURRICULUM/POLICY

Sabbatical report: Fischer

Middle School teacher Kathie Fischer reported on her 1999-2000 sabbatical, saying that she spent much of the year studying chemistry and biology, and also had the opportunity to travel to Vietnam and China.  Ms. Fischer thanked the district for its support in making sabbatical leaves available to staff.

MS update

Principal Kit Gabbard gave a Middle School update, curricular changes, school productions, art show, PE and increased parent participation at school.  John Carroll, Assistant Principal, reported on school climate, new tardy policy, student activities and after-school activities.

2000-01 Calendar

Calendar approved

Ms. Maguire reported that the teachers had been surveyed and are in support of draft calendar presented at recent meetings.

M/S/C Khademi/Freiberg (5-0) to approve the 2000-01 calendar for teachers and students.

CAC Update

Ms. Young provided an update on the activities of the Curriculum Advisory Council.

PE Proposal

Ms. Young reported that a proposal for a change in the PE program would be reviewed once more before presentation to the Board.  Elements proposed include the district management of the program, including personnel, training model, supervisors and substitute system. 

PERSONNEL

Superintendent Search

Resignation: Supt. Harter

Resignation: MacLean

2000-01 leaves: Flynn / Clark / Day

Temp ertif.: Gordon / Nicholson / Patler

Shared Contract: Drake & Swanson

Leave: Roen

Long-term sub: Grubb

Ms. Spencer reported that more than 65 brochures had been requested and that ten applications for superintendent had been received as of today.  The Board further discussed the composition of the committee that will informally meet with final candidates before their interviews with the Board on May 17.  The Board will meet with search advisor and screening committee a special meeting on April 24th.

M/S/C Freiberg/Kennedy (5-0) to accept, with deep regret and best wishes, the resignation of Superintendent John Harter, effective June 30, 2000.

M/S/C Freiberg/Gensburg (5-0) to accept, with regret and best wishes, the resignation of certificated employee Jill MacLean, effective June 16, 2000.

M/S/C Khademi/Freiberg (5-0) to approve certificated leave requests for 2000-0l: K. Flynn (1st year); Tracy Clark (1st year); Gwen Day (2nd year).

M/S/C Kennedy/Gensburg (5-0) to approve the temporary certificated employment for 2000-01 for Emily Gordon (elem), Jessica Nicholson (elem. Music) and Catherine Patler (elem).

M/S/C Khademi/Gensburg (5-0) to approve a shared contract for 2000-01 for K. Drake & P. Swanson (TV).

M/S/C Kennedy/Gensburg (5-0) to approve maternity disability/Family Medical Leave for Kim Roen from April 14-June 16, 2000.

M/S/C Khademi/Kennedy (5-0) for employment of Kôren Grubb as long-term substitute, from March 27-June 16, 2000.

BUILDINGS & SITES

Strawberry Pt. Update

Principal Jim Derich reported that Smith & Hawken vacated Strawberry Point School on time, that contractors began work on April 3rd, demolition is 20% completed, portables are removed, excavation has begun.  Due to some legal changes, our wetlands project application cannot be submitted until July 8, 2000.  PTA Council President Judy Katsin attended a meeting of parents to begin process of establishing a PTA charter for the school.

BUSINESS & FISCAL SERVICES

Bus service

Daycare status

The Board discussed bus service in the district, which costs $42,000 per year, including some history of the service, the cost of a van versus a bus, and how much is actually needed now that Strawberry Point will be reopening.  Further discussion will be held in May.

Dr. Machi reviewed current status of district with daycare providers. The District is in negotiations with providers regarding long-term arrangements for daycare on all campuses.  EDS, currently at other district sites, will provide services at Strawberry Point beginning in 2000-2001 school year.

CONSENT AGENDA

M/S/C Khademi/Gensburg (5-0) to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

Warrants

- Warrants #0247 - 2805/2837, dated 03/24/00, for $64,517.15; –3170/3227, dated 03/29/00, for $27,797.33; -3724/3745, dated 03/31/00, for $14,186.67; -4095/4138, dated 04/05/00, for $12,301.42.

Payroll

-Payroll certification for March 2000: Regular End of Month, dated 03/22/00, for $896,446.61.

Expelled Youth Plan

- Countywide Plan for Expelled Youth.

Mandated Costs 2000/01 

- Renewal contract with Mandated Cost Systems for 2000/01.

Interfund transfer

-Interfund transfer of $500,000 from Bond Fund to SB50 Fund, commencing 04/11/00 to 09/01/00, to cover expenditures in SB50 Fund, in anticipation of receipt in August 2000 of approved SB50 funds from State of California.

ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Spencer announced that the next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be at Old Mill School at 7:00 PM on Monday, May 8, 2000, and adjourned the meeting at 8:46 PM in memory of former student Joel Evans, who passed away recently.