Mill Valley School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting No. 17 - June 5, 2002
MINUTES
| Members Present: | Jeffrey Freiberg, Len Gensburg, Monib Khademi, Paula Reynolds, Brian Swartz |
| Administrative Staff: | Barbara B. Young, Superintendent Laurie Harden, Chief Business Official Kerri M. Mills, Ed.D., Associate Superintendent Leslie Thornton, Director of Curriculum & Instruction Whitney Hoyt, Mill Valley Middle School Principal Ruthanne Bexton, Park School Principal |
| 1. 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 5:00 PM on Wednesday, June 5, 2002 at the Mill Valley School District Administrative Office, 411 Sycamore Avenue, Mill Valley, CA. President Freiberg called the meeting to order at 5:08 PM. |
| 2. CLOSED SESSION | As there was no public comment, the meeting was recessed to Closed Session at 5:04 PM. The Board held a conference with labor negotiator Barbara Young, pursuant to Gov. Code §54957.6. The Closed Session recessed at 6:55 PM in order to reconvene at the Mill Valley Middle School, 425 Sycamore Avenue, Mill Valley. |
| 3. RECONVENE/REPORT | Mr. Freiberg reconvened to Open Session at 7:03 PM and thanked Principal Hoyt and the Middle School PTSA for hosting the meeting. He announced that no reportable action was taken in Closed Session. |
| 4. AGENDA | M/S/C Gensburg/Khademi (5-0) to approve the agenda, with corrected agenda numbering, and with the following changes: 5.D. (MS speakers) to precede 5.A; 7.B (MS schedule) to precede 7.A. |
| 5. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS D. Speakers |
8th grade students Dean Ehrlich, Lauren Pera, Janet Parker and Avery Masters presented speeches they will give at graduation. |
| A. Art students | Student art presentations were made by Angela Spain's 1st grade class. MS student Jon Del Secco gave a digital art presentation. District art teachers were acknowledged, as was Kiddo for its contributions to the District art programs. |
| B. Redwoods Director | Barbara Solomon, new Executive Director of The Redwoods Retirement Center, was introduced by Redwoods board member John Cutler. |
| C. MS AP introduction | Superintendent Young introduced new Middle School Assistant Principal Kathleen Huntington. |
| 6. COMMUNICATIONS A. Public Comment |
Ms. Young announced that there will be an informational meeting on June 17 at 7PM regarding the process and impact of negotiations this year. |
| B. Staff/Board Reports - Superintendent report |
Ms. Young reported on the successful Open Houses held recently. |
| - Board Reports | Mr. Gensburg: reported on recent Education Task Force (ETF) and Tam Area Council (TAC) meetings, saying that he will be Co-Chair of ETF next year; and that as part of math emphasis in TAC, students will be followed throughout high school, especially now that algebra offered in 8th grade. Mr. Swartz: gave a Challenge Campaign update, saying that over $700,000 of $1.2 million goal has been raised or pledged already, giving thanks to the community Mr. Khademi: reported on activities of the Joint Legislative Action Committee, including three major issues of 1)support for alternative dispute resolution for special education; 2) support for State budget to be passed on time; and 3) concern regarding Education Master Plan, whereby smaller school districts would be forced to combine. He also reported that AB 2160, regarding curriculum decisions in negotiations process, failed to move forward this year. |
| C. Board meeting calendar - 2002/03 | Mr. Freiberg presented the proposed Board meeting calendar schedule for 2002-03, which continues with meetings on Wednesdays. Most meetings follow a 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month schedule. It was noted that there are more conflicts holding meetings on Wednesdays as opposed to previously held Monday meetings, as many school events are held on that day of the week. |
| - Motion: 2002-03 board calendar | M/S/C Gensburg/Swartz (5-0) to approve the Board Meeting Calendar for 2002-03 as presented. |
| 7. CURRICULUM & POLICY B. 2002-03 MS Schedule |
The Board and Superintendent gave some background
information on the development of the current Middle School schedule,
including the addition of foreign language in what was originally a
"zero" period. The process was reviewed in the
context of recent negotiations. The District is committed: to
recruiting and maintaining the highest quality staff with compensation
in the top quartile of comparable districts, providing full benefits, and
minimizing the impact on children, while remaining fiscally sound. With limited funding from the State
and cost increases, reductions have been made in all areas, including administration,
classified, and certificated staff. Reductions or elimination of
programs or services have been made in the following areas: classroom
and library aides, administrative assistance, tech support, sensory
motor, PIP and reading and math support. Kiddo
will take full funding responsibilities for the visual arts and music
programs. The District is unusual in that it has maintained a
commitment to providing two counselors at
the middle school level, a K-5 counselor, elementary PE
teachers and a full library staff. At Middle
School, teachers will teach an additional class within the present
schedule. It shortens the 7th & 8th grade day, but maintains
the same core program. This allows the District to hire fewer
teachers for the Middle School program. The Board and
administration are confident that the staff can make the schedule
changes work. Discussion followed, with comments, questions
and concerns by audience members recorded. The board and
administration addressed several of the items following the comment
period. Other items will be reviewed and information provided
where possible. Some of the difficulties facing school districts were also reviewed, including the requirement for districts to make balanced budget projections for the next three years when funding for the very next year is unknown. There was some discussion about ways to restore certain programs, including the possibility of an increased parcel tax. The audience was reminded of the meeting on Monday, June 17 at 7 PM in the District Office with negotiator Bill Kay, who will discuss the negotiations process. One or two board members and Superintendent Young will be present. |
| - Motion: new MS schedule | M/S/C Khademi/Reynolds (5-0) to approve the new bell schedule for Middle School beginning 2002-03. |
| A. 2002-03 Calendar; misc. dates | The 2002-03 School Calendar was presented with the final conference dates included for Board review. Employee groups are expecting ratification within the next few days. |
| - Motion: 2002-03 calendar | M/S/C Gensburg/Reynolds (5-0) to approve the final dates for the 2002-03 School year calendar as proposed, pending ratification by employee groups. |
| C. Strategic Plan update | Ms. Reynolds reported on the Strategic Planning Task Force, saying that a representative group of 22 will be creating a 3-5 year plan for the district. The District goals will be integrated into the plan and all schools and stakeholders are represented in the group. Information about community meetings will be publicized once the fall dates are set. The Task Force intends to complete its work by December 4, 2002. |
| D. Math Text adoption | Ms. Thornton reviewed the process for the new K-5 math text selection, which included classroom piloting and review by parents. Scott Foresman is the recommended text for adoption. |
| - Motion: Scott Foresman | M/S/C Khademi/Gensburg (5-0) to approve adoption of Scott Foresman math text for K-5 for 2002-03. |
| E. Homework policy review | Ms. Hoyt reviewed the Homework Policy as it pertains to the Middle School: the policy, the implementation, the challenges, the solutions and some things still to be considered in connection with the future change in classroom schedule. Surveys were sent throughout the year to students and parents, and staff worked on ways to address homework issues. Staff and administration will continue to work on philosophy and purpose of homework, how it is assigned, consistency, student time management, special education student modifications, implications of new teaching load for teachers and other issues around homework. Parent comments and suggestions about homework were recorded and will be taken into consideration by the Middle School staff. The Board thanked Ms. Hoyt for her report and said that it will review homework again in the fall. |
| 8. BUSINESS & FISCAL A. Budget assumptions |
Ms. Harden commended the Board for making the tough decisions in order for the 2002-03 budget to be balanced. The 2002-03 Annual Budget will be available at all sites and the District Office by June 12 and will be on the website by June 19. The Board acknowledged Ms. Harden for her work. |
| B. Classified Layoff - Final Resolution | Ms. Young reported that a final resolution is needed in order to complete the classified layoff process, whereby employees who are least senior in their respective classifications or who elected layoff in lieu of reduced hours are identified and terminated effective June 13, 2002. |
| - Motion: Res. #11-01/02 | M/S/C Khademi/Reynolds (5-0) to approve, with regret, Resolution #11-01/02: Final Resolution Regarding Classified Layoffs. |
| C. Partnership Project | Mr. Swartz gave an update on the Partnership Project (P2), which was an outgrowth of 2000-01 negotiations and the Stakeholders Group formed at that time. The Project membership, which approximately meets monthly, currently consists of Superintendent Young, Trustee Swartz, Park School teacher Christy McCormick, parent Andy Shapiro, Kiddo Executive Director Trisha Garlock, PTA Council President Whitney Spagnola, City Manager Don Hunter and Mill Valley Mayor Anne Solem. P2 has worked on the establishment of a centralized database regarding rental units in the area, and is working on a mortgage assistance program and an employee resources fair. The Project is also exploring the possibility of workforce housing on District property. A preliminary feasibility study has been conducted, which indicated that the Alto School site could accommodate such housing for teachers and other Mill Valley public employees. Following the study, Ms. Young and Mr. Swartz began some early outreach, meeting with various groups in the Alto area, including Edna Maguire School leaders, renters at Alto, and neighboring community members. Mr. Swartz said that if the Alto site proves not be suitable, the Project will have to look at other possible solutions for the housing crisis facing teachers. Parents and community members expressed concerns regarding the workforce housing and the process so far. Mr. Swartz emphasized the importance for open dialogue with all parties working collaboratively. |
| D. Tennessee Woods - Addendum #1 | M/S/C Gensburg/Khademi (5-0) to approve Extension of Tennessee Woods Agreement with Sausalito Marin City School District for 2002-03. This agreement allows students who live in a small area of Mill Valley that is in the Sausalito School District to attend either school district for the term of the agreement, which is now extended through 2007. |
| 9. PERSONNEL A. Admin/Confid. comp. |
M/S/C Gensburg/Swartz (5-0) to approve compensation settlements with Administrative & Confidential Employees for 2001-02 and 2002-03. |
| B. DO Administrators | M/S/C Gensburg/Khademi (5-0) to approve compensation agreements with Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, Chief Business Official & Director of Curriculum/Instruction for 2000-01 and 2002-03. |
| 10. BUILDINGS & SITES A. MS Site update |
Ms. Young reported that Bauman Landscape had been awarded the contract for the site improvement projects at Middle School, including base project and two add alternates. The one remaining item to be decided at the June 19 Board meeting is whether to re-asphalt the portions of the site not included in main project, or to apply an overlay. The work will begin June 17, with some of the work not completed until October. |
| 11. MINUTES: 5/8/02; 5/15/02 | M/S/C Gensburg/Khademi (5-0) to approve the minutes of the Regular Meetings of May 8, 2002 and May 15, 2002. |
| 12. CONSENT AGENDA Warrants |
M/S/C Gensburg/Swartz
(5-0) to
approve Consent Agenda, as follows: - Warrants #0256-4556/4600, dated 05/15/02, for $67,949.27; -5069/5114, dated 05/17/02, for $41,415.49; -5466/5487, dated 05/22/02, for $14,213.38; 6039/6083, dated 05/24/02, for $50,575.48; -6466/6491, dated 05/29/02, for $16,979.99. |
| Payroll certifications | - Payroll Certification: May 2002, End of Month, dated 05/22/02, for $1,086,720.02. |
| Personnel | - Personnel Action Form #0102-7. |
| Res. #12-01/02: Parcel Tax | - Resolution #12-01/02-Impose Parcel Tax for 2002-2003. |
| Res. #13-01/02:Auth to sign | - Resolution #13-01/02: Authorizations to Sign on Behalf of the Board for 2002-03. |
| Agreements: Lozano; Happy Cab; MCOE/TLC | - Agreements for 2002-03: Lozano Smith for legal services; Marin Happy Cab for Special Ed. transportation services; membership for MCOE Education Services/TLC. |
| Gifts: EM PTA | - Gifts to MVSD: for benefit of Edna Maguire School, total of $6100 for various school projects, from EM PTA. |
| 13. ADJOURNMENT | Mr. Freiberg announced that the next regular Board meeting will be at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at Mill Valley School District Administrative Office and adjourned the meeting at 11:24 PM. |
|
Respectfully submitted, |