Acton Agua Dulce Unified School District

School Board Meeting Minutes 1-08-09

ACTON-AGUA DULCE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT "(JJursuino P.J(feffence in P.ducation II Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees Acton, California Minutes - Regular Meeting MEADOWLARK SCHOOL Thursday, January 8, 2009 The closed session portion of the Regular Board meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Board will open session portion of the Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m.

1.0

2.0 Action 3.0 Action 4.0 Action 5.0 CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR MEETING

1.1 Called to order by at 6:30 p.m. ROLLCALL

2.1 Members present: Leona Sexton (President) Larry H. Layton (Vice President) Deborah Jauregui-Rocha (Clerk) Mark Distaso (Member) Ron Bird (Member) x X X X X APPROVE/ADOPT AGENDA FOR REGULAR MEETING It is recommended that the Board of Trustees adopt, as presented, the agenda for the Regular Board Meeting of January 8,2009.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS The Public has a right to comment on any items on the closed session agenda. Members of the public will be permitted to comment on any other item within the Board's jurisdiction during section 11.0, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION The Board will consider and may act on any of the closed-session matters listed in Agenda Item 17.0 January 8, 2009

1 Action

6.0 RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING

7.0 January 8, 2009 Reconvene to Regular Session at 7:32 p.m.

6.1 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by: Ms. Mc Clendon CONSENT AGENDA

7.1 It is recommended that the following Consent Agenda items be approved: Moved by Mr. Distaso Seconded by Mr. Layton Ayes_5_ (5,0,0)

7.2 Minutes of Regular Meeting November 13, 2008 Amended

7.3 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 11, 2008 Correction to the minutes by Mr. Bird: The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees adjourned at 12:09 a.m.

7.4 Warrant Register Page 2- Ms. Rocha asked about the extremely high electric bill for $19,455.15 and if we were able to record or verify that we are in fact saving energy with the new Johnson Control program. And, in theory, we need to clarify if this is truly a performance contract and from when to when will the benchmark be established. Ms. Buechner noted that the amount of $19,455.15 included all school sites, and she does in fact keep costs separated by school sites. She had not noticed the savings because she thought for the first three months, we were not fully on board. Mr. Distaso brought up that Johnson Control could be held liable for part of the cost of the electricity, due to any malfeasance of their contract. Dr. Halperin stated that he could go back and take a look at when everything was fully operational and use that as our benchmark measurement and go back and revisit that particular" in use". And using last December, do a comparison after our next six months.

Page 5 Ms. Rocha asked about the New gym building lease for $65,202.03 It was answered that this was the last payment for the gym and we now own it. Page 7- Ms. Rocha asked about the re-insulation classroom expense of $9,297. Ms. Buechner responded it was a very old bill, that didn't get to us, for work done at High Desert on the duct work, smell test, and taking out the old insulation and replacing it with new. It was noted by Dr. Halperin that this would be billed back to Johnson Control and there were a number of items that would also be billed back.

2 Ms. Rocha inquired, again, about the Algebra workbooks for $10,956.34 and if we could confirm if they had been received. She stated that we were half way through the year and the kids still did not have the workbooks. Asked "why are we paying this?" Ms. Buechner will look into whether or not this has been paid, as we do not pay until we have them in our hands. CM

7.5 Purchase Order Report #08-09.8 CM

7.6 Human Resources Report

8.0 PRESENTATIONS

8.1 Friends of the Acton-Agua Dulce Library Annual "Big Read" Activity Tabled

9.0 PERSONNEL Action Enclosure

9.1 School Bus Dispatcher Job Description The board will consider for approval the job description for a School Bus Dispatcher. Moved by Mr. Distaso Seconded by Mr. Layton Ayes_5_ (5,0,0) Dr. Halperin explained that they wanted to format the correct classification. It revamps job description of CSEA requirements. One person part time, 2.75 hours, no benefits.

10.0 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Action Enclosure

10.1 Resolution 08.09.10 Declaring Intention to Reimburse Expenditures from the proceeds of obligations to be issued by the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District. It is recommended that the Board approve Resolution 08.09.10 Declaring intention to reimburse expenditures from the proceeds of obligations to be issued by the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District. Moved by Mr. Distaso Seconded by Mr. Layton Ayes_5_ (5,0,0) January 8, 2009

3 Dr. Halperin stated that this is kind of a prelim to any expenditures you have that allows for reimbursement from bond proceeds prior to actually having the bond proceeds. It is a tax IRS initiative to be able to show on audit standpoint that you have spent money directed for those specific areas that relate to the high school or land swap, etc. You don't have to use it, but by having it in your arsenal, it allows you that opportunity for anything you need respective to General Funds or if your're spending whatever funds you have and to reimburse by the Bond. It was noted that the 1.4 million dollar surplus would be used prior to any bridging money until the bond was here. Discussion

10.2 Citizens' Oversight Committee for Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District Bond Measure "CF"" Ms. Rocha stated that she had contacted previous nominees for the Citizens' Oversight Committee and the following individuals are still interested in serving on the committee: Scott Griffin/Community Member at Large, Matt Ridenour/Parent, Bob Milewsky/Parent, Melissa HarnettlTax Payers Organization, Barbara Stoner/Senior Citizen, and Michael Hughes/Community Member at Large. She has others she would like to include as well as Jim Jennings, Vince Laporcio. We will still need a Business member and a member of the PTO. All will need to complete an application and file by the 22nd of January. This will be discussed further at the January 22nd School Board Meeting. Discussion Action

10.3 High Desert School Five Period Program Review and Discussion. it is recommended that the Board review, discussion and take possible action regarding the Five Period Program at High Desert School Moved by Mr. Distaso Ayes_5_ (5,0,0) Seconded by Mr. Layton Ms. Najar, High Desert Administrative Dean, gave a report on the phone survey conducted on December 16, 2008 starting at 5:00 p.m. Of the 449 phone calls, they received a response from 187, and 9 out of 18 teachers responded to the survey. She reviewed each of the questions and responses on the survey. The overall response was positive for the five period day and students favored the Discovery Friday program. It was brought to her attention by Board members that a number of students, and not parents, had answered the survey.

It was also mentioned that some of the class time was used by students to do homework and that the total time of 50 minutes was not being utilized as instructional time. Comments were made that more substitutes were teaching on these days and that the parents were making doctor appointments, etc for the students on these days. Mr. Distaso had four main concerns: 1) Instructional time only a fraction of the time, 2) absenteeism more prevalent on these days, 3) teachers are not returning calls from parents, and 4) bottom line, cost and no budget controls. Mr. Layton noted that this was a major change in policy in our School District and it went through without one bit of consideration by the Board before it was implemented and it was set up as a midyear analysis. January 8, 2009

4 January 8, 2009 That is why he asked to have it on the Agenda for that review. Although he believes 50 minutes of teaching would be beneficial, he does not believe it outweighs it to waste Fridays, and make it a "playday". He felt with this many problems we should consider changing it and going back to the six periods. He also said he liked the rotating idea that was suggested by Mr. Bird. Ms. Rocha's first concern was she was not sure that 50 minutes was taking place right now with actively involved constructive learning, her second concern was she was worried the staff was giving up their conference period.

We, as a Board, want that open door communication. We want you to call those parents back and that is not happening. Again, those are my two top priorities at this point with this five period day. Ms. Roch thanked Ms. Najar for her work and told her she deserved public recognition. Ms. Najar related that she had done unannounced classroom visits and that, from her observation, she had a different impression and had not seen a noticeable difference in attendance or more substitute teachers on Discovery Friday's. She stated she visits two classrooms a week, has seen a full 50 minutes of instruction. In science they are able to complete labs and go through a full topic without having to split it, and in math she has seen the use of technology and other things that they wouldn't have time to do. She stated that if a parent did not call to complain about no return calls from teachers, she would have no way of knowing, but she would look into it. Dr. Halperin, personally, would like to keep it and feels continuity in any program, good or bad, is important. It is difficult to change mid year. It was an opportunity to give kids a chance to get into something they may never have had a chance to do.

Mr. Layton wanted on the record:" I am totally against the Fridays and I think the Fridays should be changed just as soon as possible. The Discovery Friday's should go back to full learning days and if we can save the 50 minutes, fine, and if we can't we have to reduce it. I would again ask that we put it on the next Board meeting for a vote. The vote can be, at that time, not necessarily that we change it immediately, although that would be my preference, but at least we are on the highway to change it and change it back. And the public have another chance to come in and talk about it". Ms. Rocha, for the record, "I feel very strongly against the five period day. I think we need to go back a six period day". Mr. Bird feels strongly that the Discovery period be rotated. The Board tabled the decision on the program and suggested to re-do the survey. A written survey with a parent signature and a couple of questions being re-written for clarification, will be conducted and re-evaluated with the result brought back to the January 22, 2008 meeting and make our decision.

11.0 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS The Board of Trustees recognizes that citizens of the community have the right and are encouraged to attend Meetings of the Board, and to observe its deliberations. Ms. Thompson, President of the Aqua Dulce School Booster Club, had a visual presentation of the issues at the Aqua Dulce School relating to health and safety. She was very passionate in stressing the need to have these issues addressed and wanted it put on the Agenda for the next Board Meeting on January 22, 2009.

Mr. Distaso stated that prior to the Bond passing, they had dedicated $150,000 for the repair/remodel of the locker room at Vasquez High. He asked to put Aqua Dulce School Upgrades on the Agenda for the next Board meeting and that the Board vote to reallocate those funds to Aqua Dulce School and make a list of the most egregious issues and attach a cost. The Board agreed to put this on the Agenda on January 22, 2009.

Ms. Ayer addressed the issue of two one ton chlorine gas storage tanks located in downtown Acton. She stressed the close proximity of the schools and related that the County never notified the School District, as required by law. She discussed in detail the dangers associated with the chlorine gas and advised that the County has a scheduled meeting at Meadowlark School on January 20, 2009 beginning at 7:30 p.m. She requested that at least one Board member attend that meeting and she would like to have a notice sent out to the parents of the local schools. She advised that the Town Council had very strong feelings against this. Mr. Distaso asked that the District Legal Counsel send a letter to Waterworks District 37 concerning their lack of sending notification to the school District. January 8, 2009

12.0 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Information as of 01/8/09 Agua High Dulce Desert Meadowlark Vasquez Current Student Count Klnderqarten 44 67 First 51 62 Second 48 64 Third 55 67 Fourth 48 72 Fifth 49 95

Sixth 1 145 Seventh 158 Eighth 153 Ninth 132 Tenth 138 Eleventh 134

Twelfth 120 Other Programs Home School 1 Opportunity Proqram 30 Virtual Academy 53 Total 296 456 427 608 October-08 CBEDSCount Kindergarten 45 69 First 51 62 Second 47 64 Third 58 65 Fourth 50 70 Fifth 49 98 Sixth 1 149 Seventh 161 EiQhth 154 Ninth 137 Tenth 143 Eleventh 135 Twelfth 124

Home School Opportunity Proqram 35 Virtual Academy 42 Total 301 464 428 616 # Increase or Decrease SinceCBEDS -5 -8 -1 -8 January 8, 2009

7 Discussion

12.1 Security Metal Detectors Ms. Mc Clendon reported that the few students she had spoken with were against having the metal detectors for the following reasons: no place, delays, ruin atmosphere, and needed the money for other things.

13.0 CORRESPONDENCE/PROPOSALS/REPORTS

13.1 Report by Superintendent • Status and progress of Bond regarding the building of high school Dr. Halperin had an opportunity to review a number of proposals Underwriters on the RFI's and we followed up with telephone Interviews. On the 22nd of January, I will be bringing back to you the name of the underwriter and the name of the firm. On the is" and 16th I will be going to San Francisco to try and do the best job I can to sell this District and what it has to offer to try and get the highest rating possible. It is the rating committee and there are two meetings I have to attend, and Caldwell Flores is paying for the cost of that. He advised that he received his official notice today that the California School Board Association selected him to be part of the Budgetary State Committee. It is quite an honor to be selected by the State. Under prop 98 the Government is trying to roll back five days, for which they would not have to pay teachers. Ms. Rocha wanted to go on the record that it didn't have to be a teacher but we would have to find a way to cut money. Mr. Distaso agreed, but stated that the teacher would be the highest paid and in order to recoup, we would have to cut this to recover it. Ms. Buechner verified that the cash flow is positive and we can make the staff payroll through the end of the year. Ms. Rocha just wanted to get on the record that we were going to get salary. Dr. Halperin, in reference to the snow days- We are filing a J13 with the State. We have one built in day, we are filing for three days and feel confident that they will waive the three days. Worse case scenario is that we will get two.

13.2 Reports by Principals and Director of Business Services Ms. Oppenheim • VHS-STAR No Report

13.3 Reports by Employee Organizations No Report January 8, 2009

13.4 Report by Student Representative Ms. Mc Clendon reported that the Boys JR Varsity Basketball team won their first game. The girls soccer team is undefeated with their win tonight. She related that the snow disrupted their toy drive and that they only collected about 25 toys, so they were going to look for a charity to donate them to. Ms. Harrison, Counselor at Vazquez High School, asked that Ms. Mc Clendon address that Vasquez Leadership is separate from "Project 51" and was already implemented. The leadership's responsibility is to be someone to talk to. • Jan. 23rd VHS Performing Arts Dinner/ Theatre show "Dinner by Eight, Death by Nine". Tickets by pre sale only. Details in local paper. • Jan. 24th_ Service Club setting books on shelves in the Library room. • Jan. 315t_ Academic Decathlon at Rancho High School • February ih - Academic Decathlon at USC Okay for public to attend Ms. Mc Clendon said a lot of students were asking about the administrative changes and wanted to know what was going on. Dr. Halperin answered that they were rotating Principals to get experience. Mr. Watkins was temporary, Ms. Oppenheim was getting training. We are a small school District and everyone needs to know what is going on at different levels.

13.5 Communication with Town Councils No Report

13.6 Committee Reports No Report Education Committee No Report Facilities Committee No Report Budget Committee No Report Creative Funding for Campus Improvements Committee No Report District Master Plan Committee No Report January 8, 2009

9 Joint Use Committee No Report

13.7 Reports by Board Members Mr. Distaso brought up that he had a call from a parent and had been advised that the Sheriffs Department had cited a number of cars around Meadowlark School and Mr. Distaso noted there is a new parking enforcement officer here in Acton. Mr. Voon stated he had no knowledge of anyone actually being cited. He only encountered a parent, a law enforcement officer, that was upset about the way cars were parking and speeding around the school, and he threatened to cite the cars.

Mr. Distaso advised that the light structure at Meadowlark School was on 24/7 and that the timers needed to be adjusted. The other issue he had was with the State stopping funds for all construction projects, including schools, he was concerned with the State availability of matching funds and all of the items on the list for this 13 million. Mr. Bird understood that the crisis is because we do not have a State Budget that is balanced, the underwriters aren't going to loan California any money for their bonds. The last time he looked, there was only 700-800 million dollars left of Prop 1 D funds. So, we have to get in line. Mr. Distaso's concern was they have the complete Master Plan for current and future growth and make sure the cost will be under 13 million. He also wanted to impress that funds would be needed for the retaining walls, the grounds, etc. and the furniture/fixtures. Dr. Halperin related that the steel has come down quite a bit, but if we took the high number estimate, which we did the other day, we still have room to move. Mr. Shanefield stated he was not counting on matching funds from the State and that he has a meeting this coming Tuesday and will have more accurate numbers at the next meeting. He is trying to put the numbers to gether to say we can do it for this amount. Mr. Shanefield was asked about the status of the bathroom partition and he responded that it was still on back order, but a temporary partition had been constructed and had a picture to share, and they are about half way completed with the locker room construction process.

13.8 Discussion by Board Members Ms. Rocha for the record, to publicly acknowledge Ramona Hall with the Aqua Dulce Civic Association, she sponsored a table at the Parade of Tables in the Aqua Dulce community and asked me to collect a group of students that represented our community. And I wanted to publicly thank her for that and recognize the students. Ms. Rocha asked Dr. Halperin what the status of the COC agreement. Did we get anybody to go back and talk to our liaison about that? Dr. Halperin- No, we did not at this current time. We will go back and revisit. Janauary 8, 2009

10 Ms. Rocha asked about the agreement with the Park and was told that everything had been worked out and that Ms. Howald was told she could go ahead and use Acton School for an office. And Ms. Rocha wanted to make sure they had priority, and she would do that as liaison. Mr. Shanefield related that we got our two new buses. He had issues with the shade cover- no fire rating, had to be 20' away from the overhang of the existing building, had to be DSA approved, etc. He is looking at other options and will come back with pictures and costs at the next meeting.

14.0 DISTRICT ORGANIZATION AND BOARD OPERATIONS

14.1 For Board Reference: Current District Committee Members Education Creative Funding for Campus Improvements David LeBarron Lisa Harmon Kathy Howald (Chair) (Chair) Deborah Jauregui- Lillian Smith Rocha Jean Wright Facilities District Master Plan Ron Bird Tana Lampton Kathy Howald (Chair) Michael Hughes (Vice Chair) (Board Liaison) Mark Distaso Mike Foster Paul Sexton (Board Liaison) Curtis Garrick Sandy Madsen Cari McLane Deborah Jaureaui-Rocha Budget Joint Use Committee Michael Hughes Mark Distaso Leona Sexton (Board Joanne Archer (Chair) (Board Liaison) Liaison) Cynthia Pattison Jacki Smith Gaylen Barlett Renee Godinez Scott Griffin Kathy Howald Mike Hughes John James Jim Jennings Lee Jennings Tim Jorgenson Charleen Klein Cory Lovers Cari McLane Bob Milewsky Dick Morris Vicky Moss Sharon Roberts Laura Skorich Lillian Smith Peg Spry (ALTERNATE) Barbara Stoner Kelly Teno Pam Wolter (ALTERNATE) Norm Hickling (Liason for supervisor Michael Antonovich

15.0 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Education Foundation Discussion - Discretion of Education Enhancement Funds Alignment of District Curriculum Formulation of Board Policy District Facility Planning Modernization Aqua Dulce Upgrades-Action Item CF Bond Oversight Committee Vote on Discovery Friday Program January 8, 2009

16.0 CALENDAR January 22, 2009 February 12, 2009 Board Meeting, 7:30 P.M., Meadowlark School Board Meeting, 7:30 P.M., Meadowlark School February 16-20, 2009 No School, President's Break February 25, 2009 Board Meeting, 7:30 P.M., Meadowlark School

17.0 CLOSED SESSION No report A. Government Code section 54957:

1. Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release/Reassignmenti Non-reelect Action

17.1 Report of Action Taken in Closed Session The Board will report any action taken in closed session as required by law. No report

18.0 ADJOURNMENT Action

18.1 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees adjourn at 11:17 p.m. Moved by Ms. Rocha Ayes_5_ (5,0,0) Seconded by Mr. Layton Respectfully submitted, Secretary to the Board President Vice President Clerk Member Member January 8, 2009

To Board Agendas and minutes index
To Acton Agua Dulce Unified School District page
To the Vanguard News Home page