Mill Valley School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting No. 11 - February 12, 2003
MINUTES
| Members Present: | Len Gensburg, Jeffrey Freiberg, Paula Reynolds, Brian Swartz |
| Member Absent: | Monib Khademi |
| Administrative Staff Present: | Barbara B. Young, Superintendent Kerri M. Mills, Ed. D., Associate Superintendent/Special Education Leslie Thornton, Director of Curriculum/Instruction; Strawberry Pt. Principal Kathleen Huntington, Middle School Assistant 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 5:30 PM on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at Strawberry Point School, 117 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA. Vice-President Reynolds called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM and announced that Mr. Khademi was out of the country. |
| 2. CLOSED SESSION | As there was no public comment, the meeting was recessed to Closed Session at 5:36 PM. The Board met regarding Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release, pursuant to Gov. Code §54957. |
| 3. RECONVENE & REPORT OUT | Ms. Reynolds reconvened the meeting to Open Session at 7:01 PM and reported that the Board had met in Closed Session until 6:52 PM and that no action was taken. |
| 4. AGENDA | M/S/C Freiberg/Gensburg (4-0) to approve the agenda, moving Item 8.A, Teitelbaum retirement, to follow Item 5.B, Communications, and correction to Item 7.B (PERS window period to start March 12, 2003). |
| 5. COMMUNICATIONS A. Public Comment |
Linda Graber, Director of Curriculum & Instruction for The Homework Club, inquired about flyer distribution at Middle School for her program. The Superintendent will follow-up with a letter to Ms. Graber. |
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B. Reports - Superintendent |
Ms. Young reported on the Strawberry Point Casino Night; announced that the Marin League of Women Voters endorse the District's March 4th ballot Measure A; acknowledged the intensive work of Janie Teitelbaum, Leslie Thornton, Bettie Mansen and the Edna Maguire staff for the recent State Coordinated Compliance Review (CCR) of our English Learner program, and Kerri Mills and staff for the Special Education CCR; reported that the Administrative Council met in retreat this week; and announced that Illuminex will be providing new carpeting for the Middle School building, in addition to the new lighting fixtures and ceiling tiles. Ms. Young also reported that she attended the recent State Superintendent Symposium and its Executive Leadership Council; announced that State Secretary of Education, Kerry Mazzoni, will be discussing the school budget crisis at 7 PM on March 6 at the San Rafael High School auditorium; and announced that the District hopes to sunshine negotiations interests in March. |
| - Board: Freiberg | Mr. Freiberg: attended the recent Kiddo Board and Tam Valley PTA meetings. |
| 6. STRATEGIC PLAN 6.A. Goal #1: Educational Program - 6.A.1. Library/IMC Report |
District Librarian Jane Ritter introduced Jonna Palmer and Dee Kauer, two of the District's credentialed library media teachers. Lisa Monge and Kathy Gordon were unable to attend the meeting. Ms. Ritter reported on the librarians collaborative curriculum work with classroom teachers, the increase in circulation, and the new books and equipment funded largely by State grants the past four years. Ms. Palmer, new librarian at Middle School, reported on collaboration with teachers, working with 6th graders on literacy skills, and greater accessibility to the library. Ms. Kauer reported on the process for acquiring a library media credential, which involves a library science credential in addition to a teaching credential. |
| 6.A.2. ETF Membership | Beth Morton, Executive Director of the Education Task Force (ETF), reviewed the work of ETF for the past 20+ years in the County, which has benefited the teachers and students of the Tamalpais Union High School District and its feeder districts. The ETF Board of Directors is comprised of superintendents and trustee representatives who meet regularly. Mr. Gensburg is Co-Chair of ETF this year. Mill Valley has provided significant leadership and support in curriculum development and student assessment. Ms. Morton also reported on ETF funding, saying that the fiscal benefit to our district is greater than the cost of membership. Mr. Gensburg commented on the importance of our continued commitment to ETF with regard to curriculum, assessment and articulation with Tam High School. |
| - Motion: ETF renewal | M/S/C Freiberg/Swartz (4-0) to approve renewal membership in the Education Task Force for 2003-04. |
| 6.A.3. Parent Perception Survey | Mr. Gensburg reported that he and Ms. Young met with Alison Grant and Graham Cannon, parents who are donating their expertise for a parent survey. Mr. Gensburg recommends a perception survey to gather specific feedback useful at the district level, with surveys sent on-line. The consensus of the Board is to move forward with this approach, with the Board giving ideas to Ms. Young, who will report later on suggested areas for the survey. |
| 6.A. 4. Staff Dev. Day Reports | Ms. Thornton reported that K-5 staff joined with other districts to hear three nationally known educational leaders presenting in Novato. Ms. Huntington reported that Middle School staff continued its work looking at values associated with learning and teaching. Teachers also looked at models of school schedules from other Marin middle schools. |
| 6.B.Goal #4 - Finance 6.B.1. Budget update |
Ms. Young reported that Sacramento is being continually monitored for budget information, and that no decision has been made regarding mid-year cuts. She also said that the cuts may be deferred to 2003-04 and that the State budget may not be approved until next fall. It is expected that there will be no COLA increase and there may be categorical deficits. Ms. Young reported that the cost of health benefits will increase by 22%, and that this increase will need to be addressed with employees. She also reported that the District is working in all areas for cost savings. The Board will have study sessions on the budget and negotiations beginning in March, with parents and community to be informed of meetings. |
| 7. BUSINESS & FISCAL A. 2003-04 calendar |
The Board reviewed the previously discussed calendar for 2003-04, which outlines all the major dates. Ms. Young reported that both the MVTA and CSEA have ratified the calendar and that discussions have been held with several groups regarding the State Staff Development Days and parent conferencing dates. While the conference dates will need further discussion, there is consensus regarding staff development days: November 10; January 16 or 20; and a March date, perhaps the 15th. Information gathered from various discussions will be taken to MVTA for review. |
| - Motion: 2003-04 calendar | M/S/C Gensburg/Freiberg (4-0) to approve the 2003-04 school calendar as presented, with State Staff Development Days and conference schedule to be determined. |
| 7.B. PERS Window | Ms. Young reported that the Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) is opening a window period in which eligible classified personnel may retire and receive two years of additional service credit. Districts wishing to offer this benefit must notify the MCOE of their intentions to participate. |
| - Motion: PERS participation | M/S/C Freiberg/Swartz (4-0) to notify the Marin County Office of Education of the District's intent to participate in PERS Two Years of Additional Service Credit for eligible members, with window period of March 12, 2003 to September 7, 2003. |
| 7.C. Res. #13-02/03: Support ACA 4 | Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 4 (ACA4) would lower the percentage for parcel tax funding to 55% of the vote from the current 2/3 votes needed by cities, counties and special districts. |
| - Motion: Res. #13-02/03 | M/S/C Gensburg/Swartz (4-0) to adopt Resolution #13-02/03: Support for ACA4. |
| 8. PERSONNEL A. Teitelbaum retirement |
Edna Maguire Principal Janie Teitelbaum has announced her retirement after 18 years in Mill Valley. Ms. Young gave highlights of Ms. Teitelbaum's contributions to the District, after which the Board expressed appreciations. Janie, in the audience with her husband Alan, spoke about her experiences in Mill Valley. Ms. Young reported on the process for hiring a new principal for Edna Maguire, with the expectation of a recommendation to the Board by its March 19 meeting. |
| - Motion: Teitelbaum | M/S/C Freiberg/Swartz (4-0) to accept, with regret and best wishes, the retirement of Janie Teitelbaum, effective June 30, 2003 |
| 8.B. Conner retirement | Ms. Young announced the retirement of Donald Conner, Supervisor of Facilities & Maintenance, after more than 19 years in the District. |
| - Motion: Conner | M/S/C Freiberg/Gensburg (4-0) to accept, with best wishes and thanks for his service, the retirement of Donald Conner, effective June 17, 2003. |
| 9. CURRIC/ POLICY A. Policy Manual |
Ms. Young reported that she and Mr. Gensburg had reviewed and edited the Series 5000, BP/AR 5141-5149 (Students) and the Series 0000 (Philosophy) sections of the policy manual revision, which were presented for approval with changes noted. Some policies in the 5000s section will be held for further review and brought back to the Board at a later date. |
| 9.A.1. Policy Rev; BP/AR 5141- 5149; 1st reading | M/S/C Freiberg/Gensburg (4-0) to approve 1st reading of Policy Manual, BP/AR 5141-5149 (Students), with changes noted. |
| 9.A.2. BP/AR 0000-0510; 1st reading | M/S/C Freiberg/Gensburg (4-0) to approve 1st reading of Policy Manual, BP/AR 0000-0510 (Philosophy, Goals, Objectives & Comprehensive Plans), with changes noted. |
| 10. MINUTES - 1/22/03 | M/S/C Freiberg/Swartz (4-0) to approve minutes of regular meeting of January 22, 2003. |
| 11.CONSENT AGENDA A. Warrants |
M/S/C Freiberg/Gensburg (4-0) to
approve Consent Agenda, as follows: - Warrants #0259-2978/3020, dated 01/17/03, for $48,913.86; -3232/3245, dated 01/22/03, for $4,331.83; - 3614/3633, dated 01/24/03, for $27,118.63; - 3906/3933, dated 01/29/03, for $66,928.12; - 4535/4559, dated 01/31/03, for $245,843.55; - 4929/4962, dated 02/05/03, for $35,184.76. |
| B. Payroll certif. | - Payroll Certifications: December 2002 - Mid Special, dated 01/22/03, for $951.98; January 2003: End of Month, dated 01/23/03, for $1,078,031.94; EOM Misc., dated 02/07/03, for $432.82.. |
| C. Personnel | - Personnel Action Form #0203-10. |
| D. Gifts to MVSD: Park PTA; J. Thomas | - Acceptance of gifts, with gratitude: for benefit of Park School, total of $21,325.00, for various programs/events, from Park PTA; for benefit of MVMS, MIDI keyboard and peripherals, from J. Thomas. |
| E. Grant proposal: MCF for TV | - Grant proposal to Marin Community Foundation for a Caring School Community Project at Tam Valley School. |
| 12. ADJOURNMENT | Ms. Reynolds announced that the next regular Board meeting will be at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, March 5, 2003 at the District Administrative Office, announced the Mid-Winter Recess from February 17-21 and adjourned the meeting at 8:52 PM. |
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Respectfully submitted, |