Mill Valley School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting No. 3 - September 19, 2001
MINUTES
| Members Present: | Jeffrey Freiberg, Len Gensburg, Monib Khademi, Paula Reynolds, Elizabeth Spencer |
| Administrative Staff: | Barbara B. Young, Superintendent Kerri Mills, Ed.D., Associate Superintendent/Special Education Leslie Thornton, Director of Curriculum & Instruction |
| 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 6:00 PM on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 at Mill Valley School District Administrative Office, 411 Sycamore Avenue, Mill Valley, CA. President Gensburg called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM. |
| PUBLIC COMMENT/CLOSED SESSION | As there was no public comment, the meeting was recessed to Closed Session at 6:03 PM. |
| RECONVENE/REPORT OUT - Sup't evaluation; - Negotiations |
Mr. Gensburg reconvened the meeting to Open Session at 7:03 PM, and reported that the Board met in Closed Session regarding the following: Public Employee Performance Evaluation, Title: Superintendent, pursuant to Gov. Code §54957; conference with labor negotiator Barbara Young, pursuant to Gov. Code §54957.6. Mr. Gensburg said that the Board will recess to Closed Session to continue those items. |
| REMEMBRANCE - Sept. 11 | Mr. Gensburg read a statement regarding the September 11th terrorist attack on the United States. He thanked the administration and staff for responding to the crisis with consideration of the students always first. Following a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the attacks, others made personal comments. |
| AGENDA | M/S/C Khademi/Freiberg (5-0) to approve the agenda. |
| COMMUNICATIONS- Public comment | In response to a question about U.S. flags being displayed in classrooms and whether the Pledge of Allegiance is being recited, Superintendent Young reported that flags will be replaced in classrooms where needed. Ms. Young also reviewed the Ed. Code requirement for a daily patriotic exercise in each classroom. |
| Superintendent Report | Superintendent Young thanked the staff and City and County agencies for their efforts last week during the national crisis. Ms. Young also reported: new births announced for Darby Doyle, Randi Josephson and Lindsay Caruso; MS teacher Rilla Chaney recognized for working with Bay Area science teachers through Exploratorium program; interested parties have volunteered to help with energy conservation; thanks to parents Rebecca Henn and Gary Atashkarian for obtaining 144 booster seats for the schools; skate board park coming this winter. At the request of the Administrative Council, Ms. Young discussed with the Board the possibility of principals rotating attendance at board meetings. The Board directed Ms. Young to make recommendation for rotating attendance at meetings. Referring to the budget report from the last meeting, Ms. Young announced that the Board agreed to reduce the 4% reserve to 3% so that the District would not need additional "bridge" funding this year from the donors who had helped last year. She discussed the savings and one-time funding, the implementation of the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) recommendations, and said that the Stakeholders items and recommendations continue to be addressed. The Board commended Ms. Young, Ms. Harden and all who stepped forward to help bridge the gap during the crisis last year, saying that the District now must meet its priorities within its budget. |
| Staff Reports - Thornton |
Ms. Thornton reported on Back to School nights and the work of some District committees, including GATE cluster teachers and the drug/alcohol committee. |
| Board Report - Spencer / Khademi / Gensburg |
Included in their reports Board members made personal comments about the recent terrorist attack, and their attendance at Back to School nights. Additionally, Ms. Spencer reported on the activities of the Middle School Site Improvement Committee: it has met with a new landscape architect and is gathering information from all constituents. Mr. Khademi reported that the Marin County School Boards Association was meeting on October 3rd, with all superintendents and trustees invited. Mr. Gensburg reported on activities of the Education Task Force (ETF) and the Tam Area Council (TAC). The ETF consists of all the districts within the Tamalpais Union High School District. The three comprehensive high schools each have a council composed of the K-8 feeder districts. TAC, consisting of the Bolinas-Stinson, Mill Valley and Sausalito/Marin City school districts, is gathering data regarding the transition from middle school to high school. The ETF is focusing on assessment. Mr. Gensburg also said that our State representative, Joe Nation, spoke recently about the State budget. |
| - Introductions | Ms. Young introduced PTA leaders, Mill Valley Teachers Association and Kiddo reps and school board candidates in attendance at the meeting. |
| MINUTES - 9/5/01 regular | M/S/C Khademi/Spencer (5-0) to approve minutes of regular meeting of September 5, 2001. |
| BUSINESS &
FISCAL Partnership Project Report - survey - join City for MCF funding |
Ms. Young introduced the Partnership Project (P2) committee members and reported on the work of the group over the past year: parents Bruce Dorfman, Paul LeBaron, Andy Shapiro & Brian Swartz; teachers Judith Barry & Sandra Cusick; Kiddo rep Trisha Garlock; Board rep Jeffrey Freiberg; community rep Judy Sherman; City of Mill Valley reps Don Hunter (City Manager) and Anne Solem (Council member). This group formed as a result of parent interest in supporting the District by aiding in recruiting and retaining staff. Ms. Young reported on the group's activities, including a recent staff survey. The Board consensus was to endorse the District joining with the City of Mill Valley to approach the Marin Community Foundation (MCF) for funding for conducting a feasibility study for support of District and City employees. This project could possibly be a model for use in other communities. City Council member Anne Solem will ask for a similar endorsement from the Mill Valley City Council. |
| Enrollment update | Ms. Young reported on enrollment; 2325 students, up a few from last year; no Class Reduction Program for four Kindergarten classes; impacted classes at grades 4 and 7; due to scheduling issues at grade 7 resulting in some very large class sizes, one section of math and one at science being added, which will result in some schedule changes for students. The enrollment policy will be reviewed this year, with teachers and Roundtable included in discussions. |
| CURRICULUM/POLICY BP/AR 4119.11- Sexual harassment (personnel) |
M/S/C Khademi/Freiberg (5-0) to approve 1st reading of BP/AR 4119.11/4219.114319.11 - Sexual Harassment (all Personnel); revision. |
| BP/AR 5145.7- Sexual harassment (students) | M/S/C Freiberg/Khademi (5-0) to approve 2nd reading of revision to BP/AR 5145.7 - Sexual Harassment (students); final approval/adoption. |
| BP/AR 5131.6- Alcohol & other drugs | In response to a question about the DARE program, Ms. Young said that the Administrative Council had reviewed all programs and she reported on programs now implemented. Once the DARE program is revised, the district will review. |
| - Motion - BP/AR 5131.6 | M/S/C Khademi/Spencer (5-0) to approve 2nd reading of revision to BP/AR 5131.6 - Alcohol & Other Drugs; final approval/adoption. |
| BP/AR 5141.3 - Health Exams (students) | M/S/C Khademi/Freiberg (4-1 Reynolds nay) to approve 2nd reading of revision to BP/AR 5141.3 - Health Examinations (students); final approval/adoption. |
| BP/AR 5020 - Parents Rts. & Responsibilities | M/S/C Khademi/Reynolds (5-0) to approve 1st reading of new BP/AR 5020 - Parents Rights & Responsibilities. |
| BP/AR 5125 - Student Records | M/S/C Freiberg/Spencer (5-0) to approve 1st reading of revision to BP/AR 5125 - Student Records. |
| BP/AR 6143 - Courses of Study | M/S/C Freiberg/Spencer (5-0) to approve 1st reading of revision to BP/AR 6143 - Courses of Study. |
| PERSONNEL - Temp cert. hire: Mosher | M/S/C Khademi/Spencer (5-0) to approve temporary certificated employment for 2001-02 for Stephanie Mosher (MS-Sp.Ed.), effective 10/15/01. |
| 2nd yr prob to permanent: Adessa/Peets | M/S/C Khademi/Spencer (5-0) to approve certificated 2nd year probationary to permanent status, effective 8/23/01: Lori Adessa & Margaret Peets. |
| 1st yr. temp to 2nd yr. prob: M. Peterson | M/S/C Freiberg/Spencer (5-0) to approve certificated 1st year temporary to 2nd year probationary status, effective 8/23/01: Malia Peterson. |
| Status Change: Montez-Skolnik | M/S/C Freiberg/Reynolds (5-0) to approve status change for Maria Montez-Skolnik (Speech), from .7 FTE to .5 FTE for 2001-02. |
| BUILDINGS-Facilities update - punch lists - MS site improvement - energy audit |
Ms. Spencer reported that punch lists being worked on at the sites; that work is currently within contingency at all sites, and will be within budget overall. The Middle School Site Improvement Committee is meeting twice a month; is gathering input from students, parents and staff; will complete report to Board by January so can go to bid. It was also reported that three firms coming to do energy audits. |
| Purchase/change orders: Harding ESE/MA Davies / Restec | M/S/C Khademi/Freiberg (5-0) to approve purchase orders: Harding ESE, for $3,045, for MS grading/drainage; M.A. Davies, for $18,285, for dumpster pad/container pad/wall/grading work at MS; change order: Restec, CO #2, for $9,070, for additional asbestos abatement work at EM. |
| CONSENT AGENDA Warrants |
M/S/C Freiberg/Khademi
(5-0) to
approve Consent Agenda as follows: - Warrants #0253-2936/2973, dated 08/31/01, for $56,965.57; -3646/3658, dated 09/07/01, for $48,160.31; - 3921/3981, dated 09/12/01, for $55,910.89. |
| Payroll | -Payroll certification: August 2001 - Mid Month, dated 09/08/01, for $31,611.41. |
| Employment IDTs: Deny - Striplin/Perkins/Carter | -Employment-related interdistrict transfers for 2001-02: into MVSD - Deny, due to lack of space: from Sausalito/Marin City SD: D. Striplin (2nd); N. Perkins (4th) & J. Carter (7th). |
| Gift: Searles | -Gift to MVSD for benefit of SP: piano & bench, valued at $1000, from K. Searles. |
| RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION | The business meeting was recessed to Closed Session at 9:35 PM in memory of Lenore Finzen, long-time district nurse, at 9:35 PM. Closed Session was adjourned at 10:00 PM. |
| RECONVENE / REPORT OUT | Mr. Gensburg reconvened to Open Session at 10:00 PM and reported that no reportable action was taken. |
| ADJOURNMENT | Mr. Gensburg announced that the next regular Board meeting will be at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 10, 2001, at Mill Valley School District Administrative Office and adjourned the meeting at 10:01 PM. |
|
Respectfully submitted, |