Mill Valley School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting No. 12 - March 5, 2003
MINUTES
| Members Present: | Len Gensburg, Jeffrey Freiberg, Monib Khademi, Paula Reynolds, Brian Swartz |
| Administrative Staff Present: | Barbara B. Young, Superintendent Laurie Harden, Chief Business Official Leslie Thornton, Director of Curriculum/Instruction; Strawberry Pt. Principal Ruthanne Bexton, Park School Principal Whitney Hoyt, Middle School Principal Gail van Adelsberg, Tamalpais Valley School Principal |
| 1. CALL TO ORDER - Item to be added to agenda; confidential student matter |
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, March 5, 2003 at the Mill Valley School District Administrative Office, 411 Sycamore Avenue, Mill Valley, CA. President Khademi called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM and made the following announcement: "The agenda for this meeting was posted on Friday, February 28, 2003. On Tuesday, March 4, 2003, District legal counsel informed me that developments in a student discipline case after the agenda was posted required the Board's immediate action. Government Code Section 54956.5 of the Brown Act permits the Board to act on an item not listed on the agenda if two-thirds of the Board members present determine that (1) there is a need to take immediate action on the item; and (2) the need for action came to the District's attention after the agenda was posted. I recommend that the Board make the appropriate motion and adjourn to closed session to consider this matter under Government Code Section 54956.9(a): Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing Litigation. Name of Case: Confidential Student Case." |
| - Motion to add closed session item | M/S/C Freiberg/Gensburg (5-0) that the Board determines that there is a need to take immediate action regarding a confidential student case and that the for action on this case came to the District's attention after the agenda was posted. |
| 2. CLOSED SESSION | As there was no public comment, the meeting was recessed to Closed Session at 5:34 PM after Mr. Khademi made the following statement: "The Board will now recess to closed session. In addition to the closed session item on the agenda, the Board will also meet in closed session under Government Code §54956.9(a): Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation: Confidential Student Case." |
| 3. RECONVENE & REPORT OUT | Mr. Khademi reconvened the meeting to Open Session at 7:01 PM and announced that Mr. Gensburg was attending a musical event at Middle School and would be late to the open portion of the meeting. Mr. Khademi reported that the Board met in Closed Session with legal counsel regarding existing litigation: confidential student case. The item was approved for addition to the agenda as outlined previously. He announced that the originally scheduled closed session item regarding conference with legal counsel - anticipated litigation; two cases, pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(b), was postponed to a future meeting. Mr. Khademi reported the following: |
| Action: confidential student matter | In closed session the Board voted not to approve a settlement agreement in a confidential student matter. The motion not to approve the settlement agreement was made by Jeffrey Freiberg and seconded by Paula Reynolds. The vote not to approve the settlement agreement was unanimous (5-0). Board members Monib Khademi, Jeffrey Freiberg, Paula Reynolds, Brian Swartz and Len Gensburg voted not to approve the settlement agreement. |
| 4. AGENDA | M/S/C Freiberg/Reynolds (4-0) to approve the agenda, with the following changes: add "Measure A" update as first "Communications" item; Middle School math update to precede assessment; Personnel Action form to be moved from "Consent Agenda" and acted upon in "Personnel"; and correction to heading for Series 0000 (Item 9.A.1) |
| 5. COMMUNICATIONS A. Measure A Update |
Mr. Khademi reported the results of the March 4th ballot measure: preliminary results were 60% yes, 40% no. As the 2/3 majority was not attained, the measure did not pass. He said that the District intends to provide the best public education possible within its means, and that beginning at this meeting, the Board will engage in the process of public discussion as the District faces difficult budget reduction choices that will have to be made. Ms. Young recommended the forming of three superintendent advisories: communications, long-term funding, and strategic political activities. Appreciation was extended by the entire Board to the Measure A campaign leaders: Laura Murphy, Susan Hill, Steve Austin, Michelle Griffin, Jayne Greenberg, Mark Epstein-Norris, Brian Swartz, Diane Krantz, Dudley de Saint Phalle, Rebecca Henn, Amy Parker, Karen Betzner, Patty Flynn Boston, Elizabeth Suzuki, Dana Rieger, Suz Lipman, Patty Wrench, Matt Geyer, and the many other volunteers who worked on the campaign. Other thanks were expressed to the Mill Valley PTA Council, Kiddo, the Mill Valley City Council, the Marin League of Women Voters, pollster Mark DiCamillo and Solem & Associates for their support. |
| B. Public Comment | There was no public comment. |
| C. Superintendent Report | Ms. Young reported on upcoming meetings: California Secretary of Education Kerry Mazzoni at San Rafael High School on March 6; and a workshop with Marin mayors, city councils and school representatives to explore ways to work together. Ms. Young also reported on Edna Maguire principal selection; new student enrollment for 2003-04; and the effort to have "Take Your Child to Work Day" in April be "Take Your Child to Lunch" so that children are in school in the morning for attendance purposes, to avoid loss of revenue for the District. |
| D. Board Reports - Khademi; Reynolds; Freiberg | Mr. Khademi: reported on superintendents/trustees meeting with Assemblyman Joe Nation. Ms. Reynolds: reported on a task force of school districts looking at ways to share resources. Mr. Freiberg: commented on countywide school economizing measures this year. |
| Gensburg in attendance | Mr. Gensburg joined the meeting at this point. |
| 6. STRATEGIC PLAN A. Goal #1: Educational Program - 1. Assessment Study Session |
Director of Curriculum & Instruction Leslie Thornton and Technician Jeffrey Miller presented an overview on accessing information through the District website. Ms. Thornton presented some district-wide data, saying schools will review individual site data. She discussed API and ETF scores, student data systems and the Schools Accountability Report Card. She reported that Middle School scores are higher and that the District is focusing on California standards and students' successes. |
| 2. MS Math Report | Math teacher Darby Doyle reported on the Middle School CPM (College Preparatory Math) program, now in its second year. He said that the program has been successful, with improved scores in all grades and increased Golden State Awards for students. He also reported on the math labs and study skills programs. Mr. Doyle discussed articulation with the high school district. The Board commended the math department on changes made to address the needs of the higher and lower achieving students. |
| 6.B. Strategic Plan Update | Ms. Young reported on Strategic Plan timelines and said that implementation steps will need to be revised now that there will be no funding from Measure A. The subcommittee formed to review the mission statement will be meeting soon. |
| 7. BUSINESS & FISCAL A. 2nd Interim Report; 2002-03 |
CBO Harden reported on changes in the budget since the 1st Interim Report. There has been a decrease in the Unrestricted General Fund budget of over $149,000, due largely to elimination of State mandated cost reimbursement and an unanticipated election fee from the County. The reserve satisfies the State requirement of 3% for 2002-03. Ms. Harden added that substantial reductions, nearly $1 million, will be necessary for the 2003-04 fiscal year. Multi-year projections were also presented. |
| - Motion: 2nd Interim | MSC Freiberg/Gensburg (5-0) to accept the 2nd Interim Report for 2002-03. |
| 7.B. State Budget update; District expenditure reductions | Ms. Young made opening comments regarding student needs and the Strategic Plan in light of the budget issues the District is facing. She said that the District will not be making blanket layoffs like many other districts, and encouraged everyone to work collaboratively in this process of reducing expenditures. Ms. Young reviewed the current budget projection carryover from 2002-03, which is anticipated to be $300,000 in addition to the required 3% reserve. Although categorical reductions are unknown at this time, the projected deficit and reductions for 2003-04 are expected to be $970,000. The current State categorical programs and funding were reviewed. Currently scheduled on-going reductions beginning in 2003-04 were reviewed, accounting for $345,000. Budget reduction options were then discussed with the Board and the audience, including those items that are negotiable with bargaining units ($891,700) and those that are non-negotiable ($541,000). Also discussed were items that were to be funded with the passage of Measure A. Feedback from this meeting will be considered when budget discussion continued at the next Board meeting on March 19. Ms. Young will be meeting with District staff on March 13 to review this information. |
| 8. PERSONNEL A.Summer School: Akeson |
M/S/C Gensburg/Freiberg (5-0) to appoint Middle School teacher Sue Akeson as Principal for 2003 Summer School. |
| B. Porteous retirement | M/S/C (5-0) Freiberg/Reynolds to approve the retirement of Budget Technician Jonna Porteous, classified, after 13 years of service in MVSD, under PERS Two Years of Additional Service Credit, effective March 13, 2003. |
| - 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. |
| C. Personnel Action Form #0203-11 | Personnel Action Form #0203-11 was removed from the Consent Agenda in order to be discussed and acted upon separately. Ms. Young recommends denial of 2nd year or higher leaves of absence for employees, except for childrearing purposes. |
| - Motion: PFA #0203-11 | M/S/C Freiberg/Gensburg (5-0) to approve Personnel Action Form #0203-11, with recommendations as presented, including denial of five leave requests. |
| 9. POLICY A. 1.Policy: 0000s & 5141-5149; 2nd reading |
M/S/C Reynolds/Swartz (5-0) to approve 2nd readings of Policy Manual BP/AR 0000-0510 (Philosophy, Goals, Objectives & Comprehensive Plans) and BP/AR 5141-5149 (Students), with changes noted. |
| A. 2 - Series 6000; 1st rdg | M/S/C Freiberg/Swartz (5-0) to approve 1st reading of Policy Manual, BP/AR Series 6000 (Instruction), with changes noted. |
| A.3. AR 5111.3; Enrollment revision | M/S/C Freiberg/Gensburg (5-0) to approve minor revision of dates in AR 5111.3(a): Student Enrollment & School Assignment. |
| 10. MINUTES - 2/12/03 | M/S/C Gensburg/Freiberg (5-0) to approve minutes of regular meeting of February 12, 2003. |
| 11.CONSENT AGENDA A. Warrants |
M/S/C Gensburg/Reynolds (5-0) to
approve Consent Agenda, except for 11.C (personnel), as follows: - Warrants #0259-5371/5404, dated 02/07/03, for $24,167.58; - 5721/5754, dated 02/12/03, for $23,730.73; -6333/6355, dated 0214/03, for $18,325.43; -6758/6770, dated 02/19/03, for $47,880.70. |
| B. Payroll certif. | - Payroll Certifications: January 2003: Mid Month, dated 02/06/03, for $43,853.42; February 2003: End of Month, dated 02/14//03, for $1,072,778.82. |
| D. Gifts to MVSD: OM PTA | - Acceptance of gifts, with gratitude: For benefit of Old Mill School, $5,400.00 to fund balance of OM Teachers' Classroom & Materials account, from OM PTA. |
| E. Program | - Participation in Dominican University Internship Program for 2003-04. |
| F. Interdistrict transfers | -Employment-Related IDT renewals to MVSD for 2003-04 - from Novato USD: C. Caballero (1st), E. Behrs (6th), J. Renazco (7th); from San Rafael: R. Kauer (2nd), E. Kauer (6th); from W. Contra Costa USD: C. Ayala (4th). New Employment-Related IDT for 2002-03 from Ross Valley: D. Juarez (K). |
| 12. ADJOURNMENT | Mr. Khademi announced that the next regular Board meeting will be at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 at the District Administrative Office and adjourned the meeting at 10:30 PM. |
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Respectfully submitted, |