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ACTON-AGUA DULCE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AMENDED Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees June 5, 2008
1.0 CALL TO ORDER- SPECIAL MEETING
1.1 Called to order by Mr. Distaso at 6:38pm
2.0 ROLL CALL
2.1 Members present: Mark Distaso (President) Ron Bird (Vice President) Absent Deborah Jauregui-Rocha (Clerk) Leona Sexton (Member) Larry H. Layton (Member)
2.1.1 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by: Mr. Distaso
3.0 APPROVE/ADOPT AGENDA FOR SPECIAL MEETING Motion made by Mr. Layton and seconded by Ms. Sexton to approve the agenda for the Special Board Meeting of June 5,2008
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4.0 INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES
4.1 School Site Handbooks/rules Discussion: Mr. Layton: With regards to cell phones, yes students should have them. They are very helpful, what are students doing with cell phones now? Ms. Rocha: Texting is unbelievable some schools have band them. Students are texting during tests as well as during class, texting is a major issue. Ms. McClendon: Some teachers take away your phone and some will ask you to shut them off. Mr. Distaso suggested that the language be edited in the student handbooks with regards to VHS.
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6/5/08 The use of pagers, beepers etc ... are not allowed during the instructional day, possession of such devices are discouraged by the District. Ms. Rocha: VHS needs a delineation of codes. Mr. Jorgensen: We meet with each grade level to clearly discuss behavior codes and we site code 48900. The Senior contract explains with consequences as well. Dr. Halperin: I suggest that we look at samples of other district handbooks with specific consequences. Ms. Rocha: Document needs to be clear and consistent district wide; the Senior contract needs to be in the District Handbook. Unexcused absences and Independent study contracts are inconsistent with District policy. The VHS handbook does not mention Independent Study Program.
Does the Athletic Director clear students with eligibility for sports? Mr. Jorgensen: The Athletic Director is able to do so because they have access to Aries and can make the determination of eligibility. Ms. Rocha asked if notification was sent to those who became ineligible. Mr. Jorgensen: Yes, with tagging done through the English class. Mr. Distaso: Under Board Policy 5132© parenUstudents have a right to be advised of rules and procedures. 5132 (a) Board Policy, parents will be informed of rules beginning of school year. I think we need to have some sort of policy that empowers the District to make immediate change. We should have in every handbook the mission statement of the District.
Ms. Rocha: Vending machines, do we have any? Mr. Jorgensen: Yes, and they have the appropriate items in them. Mr. Distaso: All handbooks should have Emergency and Disaster information listed. Mr. Layton: High Desert campus rules, the policy of no ink pens at the junior high, they should be able to operate a pen at this age. Ms. Sexton: Asked if there was trouble in the past with pens and students, Mr. Watkins: Yes, they would write on the walls, books and engraving on desks in the past. Mr. Distaso asked if the no pens rule has helped with this issue, Mr. Watkins replied yes, this is the first year we have had the no pens rule enforced. Ms. Van Ornum: This was done as a teacher request, students can't write on themselves or others and pencil can be erased if used. Mr. Distaso stated that somewhere it should be noted that pens are not allowed under item #9.
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6/5/08 Mr. Layton asked for clarification on the beg, borrow or steal statement on number 7 of the campus rules. Mr. Watkins gave a brief explanation and how it applied to students at the junior high. He also stated that the dress code is a major problem with the 1 "-3" straps and no notice given to parents until after clothes had been purchased, and why is it the shirt that touches the skin must be 3" wide. Ms. Van Ornum explained that there was a big discussion with students layering of tank tops to make a combined 3" wide strap to be within the dress code. Mr. Distaso: I would like to suggest that the handbooks be sent out to parents/students before the school year ends. Dr. Halperin: What would be the grace period, parents are notified with a time line warning if student is in violation. Mr. Distaso: I see clothing issue separate from all the other issues. For the clothing issue we need to somehow bridge between sites, we need to include notices to parents. Under 5132 (a) Standards revised, students/parents/guardians should be informed of any changes in the school year prior to, it needs to be consistent with Administrative Regulations 5020(c). Mr. Layton: Patches, #8 that is a band on free speech. Mr. Distaso: I share some of Mr. Layton's concerns, but do we want to go there?
Ms. Rocha: We have taken 3 things and removed learning opportunities, cell phones, pens and markers. Ms. Sexton: We cannot micro manage. Mr. Distaso asked is there a reason for the difference of 3" vs 1" at the elementary level? Mr. Watkins: They are at different development stages. Mr. Distaso: The problem is that parents were not given notice of change before the start of school and this was a big concern from parents. How about we ask the staff to look at, we still have extortion and harassment that also needs to be addressed, and I know these are unresolved.
Behavior and Consequences under Hazing and Harassment, verbal abuse is covered under 5144 of Board Policy, students may be removed, 5137 (a) the Board supports zero tolerance. There was discuss as to the first offense on down to the third offense, Mr. Distaso stated that the third offense should be expulsion not suspension. Student in audience: Some of the teachers play favorites and do nothing. Mr. Distaso: 5154© Board Administrative Regulation, grounds for suspension and expulsion and lists 21 reasons. Our Board policy allows us to expel and we should and we will expel if repeated with bodily harm. If we have a kid up for the
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6/5/08 third offense we should expel. Students have a right and we have a zero tolerance policy, we need to act and expel these students. As a board member I'm willing to take it. Ms. Rocha: We can't sit by and allow hazing to take place. Mr. Distaso: Should be series of disciplinary actions to follow, put policy in handbook and send the message.
Not sure we should keep theft listed, no 2nd offense listed, suggested immediate expulsion for robbery or extortion if committed. I'm for administering consequence structure to include expulsion on the 2nd or 3rd offense. There should be expulsion for hazing and harassment and imitate expulsion for robbery or extortion. Ms. Sexton: Are students able to get counseling on infractions? Dr. Halperin: Yes, High Desert has a counselor at this time and students are referred to the counselor. Mr. Distaso: Unless there is mitigation the principal or superintendent shall make recommend expulsion for any of the following acts: robbery, extortion. I would suggest that we make consistent with policy and change handbook to match policy. The handbook and board policy should coincide.
Student from audience: Teachers play favorites and consequences are not given across the board. Mr. Distaso: High Desert handbook needs to have the 24-hour notice removed. Ms. Rocha: Sexual Harassment needs to be address and consequences need to follow for any student that engages. I can only hope that we do some staff development to address. Mr. Distaso: Staff development for yard aides as well. I have received complaints that yard aides don't do anything when they are made aware of a problem. We need to have those parents that are willing to step forward so that issues can be addressed. Mr. Layton: I suggest that we all have a hard copy of the Ed. Code. Mr. Distaso: You can go to the California Department of Education and look up codes. We can work with the District office to address correct wording for policies. Ms. Rocha: Independent Study Contract missing as well as schoolwork make-up.
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6/5/08
*See attached list from Mr. Distaso for correct wording of policy changes and other suggestions for site handbooks.
5.0 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETING Discussion: Promotion at High Desert with regards to dress code:
Students are not allowed to wear halter style tops or dresses, but are allowed to wear spaghetti straps. Student from audience: Some of the students have already purchased halter dresses because they did not know. Mr. Watkins: We have had in the announcements what the acceptable dress code was for promotion. Ms. Van Ornum: Supervision concerns, there are not enough aides to cover the number of students out. Dr. Halperin: The ratio is 100 students to 1 aide. Ms. Rocha: We need to make sure we are within the guidelines. Filter system, could we get a list of web sites that are blocked for the next meeting and place the Technology Plan with suggested revisions back on the agenda for the July 26th board meeting. Also I would like to know if we have a volunteer packet for those who volunteer in sports and are they finger printed and do we have a Rodeo Coach position? High Desert Report card to go home on Friday. With regards to High Desert's dress code, Dr. Halperin to look at before going to print.
6.0 ADJOURNMENT
6.1 The Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees adjourned at 9:36pm Moved by Ms. Sexton and Seconded by Mr. Layton 4/0/1
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6/5/08 Respectfully Submitted, SECRETARY TO THE BOARD PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT CLERK MEMBER MEMBER
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6/5/08
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