Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
November 18, 1999
PLACE AND DATE OF MEETING
Meadowlark School, 3015 W. Sacramento St., Acton, California, November 18, 1999
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Duzick called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
James Duzick, President
Mark Nielsen, Vice President
Steve Harbeson, Clerk
Martin Barofsky, Member
Sally McCord, Member
Ben Morey, Student Member
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The Board adjourn to Closed Session to discuss student and personnel matters.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
The Board returned to Open Session at 7:37 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Mr. Duzick
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT
Dr. Don Banderas, Superintendent
Margaret Gonder, Meadowlark Principal
Steve Lorenze, Agua Dulce Principal
Steve Pinkston, Vasquez High Principal
OTHER DISTRICT PERSONNEL
Paulette Buechner, Brianna Williard, Ted Pelham, Larry Humm
VISITORS
Shauna Comber, Sheila Cook, Maggie Leavitt, John Sisco, Leonard Grimes, Lizbeth Sotelo, Adelita Sotelo, Kay Donnelly, Nick Circhirillo, Denise Fernandez, Carlo Basil
ADOPT AGENDA
179. Motion that the November 18, 1999 agenda be approved as presented with the following amendment:
Add Item 5.2: Ratify Participation in a Movie Filming Activity for Varsity Vasquez High School Cheerleaders at Verdugo Hills High School.
Item 7.4: Change Future Agenda Item #4 to read "Renewal of Bowie, Arneson, Wiles, and Giannone Contract"
Moved by Mrs. McCord
Seconded by Mr. Barofsky
Motion carried (5/0)
CONSENT MOTION
CONSENT MOTION
180. Motion that the following items be approved by consent motion:
2.2 Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on October 14, 1999.
2.3 Approve Purchase Order Report #99-00.11.
2.4 Accept Warrant Register Report.
2.5 Approve Payment of Stipends.
2.6 That the Board approve the purchase of a security video camera system to be used on district buses at a cost of $3,506.99.
2.7 That the Board approve the renewal of a contract with the law firm of Bowie, Arneson, Wiles, and Giannone for the purpose of providing legal services related to school facilities, development mitigation payment, construction and land acquisition.
2.8 That the Board ratify a trip to the Antelope Valley Mall by Vasquez High students as part of a career component in Susan Strange’s class at the school.
2.9 That the Board ratify the extension of a leave for Nicoline Wagner.
Moved by Mr. Harbeson
Seconded by Mr. Barofsky
Motion carried (5/0)
CORRESPONDENCE/PROPOSALS/REPORTS
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
181. Report by the Superintendent
Dr. Banderas began his comments by congratulating the VHS varsity football team and the girls cross country team for advancing to CIF playoff competition. He mentioned that he had the opportunity to watch the girls run at the CIF prelim at Mt. Sac College.
Dr. Banderas updated the Board on the progress of the state sponsored freeway noise study be conducted inside and outside of classrooms at both Vasquez High School and High Desert School. The study is part of the process used by the state to determine if sound walls should be erected near certain facilities that are along freeways. There is also the possibility that guard rails might be installed on the frontage of the freeway and the two schools. He thanked Steve Harbeson who initiated the contact with the state.
Dr. Banderas reported that the Home Economics and Drama/Art rooms have been set in place on the Vasquez campus.
Progress on the construction of a temporary gym was outlined by Dr. Banderas. He set out a timeline that indicated construction would begin on November 29 and be concluded soon after the return from winter break.
Dr. Banderas reported that the District was awarded $30,000 in state funding to support staff development training related to the enhancement of instruction in the Class Size Reduction Program.
In response to a question from a board member, he indicated that there have been several problems related to the establishment of an appropriate food services building on the VHS campus. Resolution is expected soon. He did note preliminary reports indicate that the schools in the district have participated well in the cafeteria program provided by the Santa Clarita Valley Food Services Agency.
PRINCIPALS’ AND STAFF REPORTS
182. Reports from Principals and Staff:
Mrs. Gonder spoke about a School Library Grant. It would allow $28.00 per student to purchase books and library materials at each school site. She said that library aides and one teacher from each site met this week to write goals and a draft for the grant proposal. Dr. Banderas thanked Mrs. Gonder and the committee.
Mr. Pinkston congratulated the girls cross country team. He thanked Maggie Leavitt and Sheila Cook for their work on the junior varsity football banquet. He announced that football playoffs would begin on November 20 at San Pedro against Mary Star of the Sea.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT
183. Report by Student Representative
Ben Morey reported on the Fall Festival on November 12. He said winter sports tryouts began and that basketball and soccer begin the first week in December. He also reported that a play production titled "A Few Good Men" would be December 1 through December 4 and December 8 through December 11 at 7:30 p.m.
CORRESPONDENCE TO BOARD
184. Correspondence to the Board
Mr. Barofsky said he received correspondence regarding a Public Planning Seminar, Technology for Learning Media Services and a box of Retac tapes which he gave to Mrs. Gonder for distribution to school sites.
Mr. Duzick received correspondence from the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works stating that the county did not intend to address the "dip and curve" issue at Agua Dulce School. The letter also recommended against the use of Morgan Road as an exit. The county did state in the letter that Public Works intended to widen Agua Dulce Canyon Road near the entries to the lower fields at Agua Dulce School.
BOARD REPORTS
185. Reports by Board Members
Mr. Duzick presented a very positive report of his attendance at a recent Technology Committee meeting. He said the district is further ahead in technology than most people realize. He congratulated the individuals on the committee for their effort. He said that the committee’s next meeting is December 1 at the Acton Library.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
186. Comments from the Public
A booster club representative asked about a timeline for of a Master Facilities Plan and about the Agua Dulce and High Desert Booster Clubs doing work on campus. A representative from the Vasquez booster club reported on a Vasquez fundraiser. She also reported on an accident involving a parent at Red Rover Mine Road and Sierra Highway. Stop signs were discussed. A member of the public asked about a bus incident.
BOARD DISCUSSION
187. Discussion by the Board Members
Mr. Barofsky inquired about the timeline for the hiring of a facilities consulting firm for the Master Facilities Plan. Mr. Duzick spoke about a mission statement addressing short and long term plans. Mr. Harbeson said he would like to include as an agenda item a discussion on seminars for Board members.
The Board requested that the following items be placed on future agendas for discussion: (1) school board training, (2) the issue of an invocation at board meetings and (3) the establishment of a district web page.
DISTRICT ORGANIZATION AND BOARD OPERATIONS
ADOPT BP & AR #5123
188. Motion to approve the adoption of Board Policy and Administrative Regulation #5123, Promotion/Acceleration/Retention.
Moved by Mr. Harbeson
Seconded by Mr. Barofsky
Motion carried (5/0)
STUDENT #99-00.1
189. Motion that the Board approve the following recommendations of the Administrative Hearing Panel based on the findings from the Expulsion Hearing with regard to Student #99-00.1.
a.Expel Student #99-00.1 for the remainder of this semester plus one more.
b. Place Student 99-00.1 at Alternative Education for the remainder of this semester (through January 29).
c. Review Student 99-00.1’s progress in January. If the student meets the stipulations of the Expulsion Rehabilitation Plan, Student #99-00.1 could request a hearing for consideration for reinstatement to Vasquez High School for the second semester in February 2000.
d.If reinstated, the District would suspend the second semester of the expulsion and place Student #99-00.1 back into Vasquez High on a strict behavior contract.
e. If Student #99-00.1 does not fulfill the stipulations of the rehabilitation plan, the student will remain in the Alternative Education placement at Community School for the second semester (February through June 2000).
Moved by Mr. Barofsky
Seconded by Mr. Nielson
Motion carried (5/0)
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES
SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS
190. Motion that the Board receive and approve the Comprehensive School Safety Plans from each of the District’s schools.
Moved by Mr. Barofsky
Seconded by Mr. Harbeson
Motion carried (5/0)
CHEERLEADERS FILMING ACTIVITY
191. Motion that the Board ratify participation in a movie filming activity for Varsity Vasquez High School cheerleaders at Verdugo Hills High School.
Moved by Mr. Harbeson
Seconded by Mr. Nielsen
Motion carried (4/1/0)
Noes: Mr. Harbeson
BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
ACCEPT DONATIONS
192. Motion that the Board approve the acceptance of the donations listed below:
| DONATED ITEMS | DONATED TO | VALUE | DONATED BY |
| Acer Computer System | Acton School | $500.00 | Daniel J. Scott |
| Check #115 | Agua Dulce | $150.00 | Geri Albert |
| Check #118 | Agua Dulce | $700.00 | Geri and Alan Albert |
Moved by Mr. Barofsky
Seconded by Mr. Nielsen
Motion carried (5/0)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
193. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
1. Use of Facilities Rental
2. Discussion Item – Grant Writing
3. Discussion Item – Invocation
4. Discussion Item – Web Page
5. Board Member Seminar
CALENDAR
194. CALENDAR
| 11/24-26 | Thanksgiving Holiday |
| 12/9 | Board of Trustees Meeting |
| 12/20 –31 | Winter Vacation |
| 12/23-24 | District Holiday – Christmas |
| 12/30-31 | District Holiday – New Year’s |
CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION
195. Motion that the Board adjourn to Closed Session at 9:08 p.m. for:
Moved by Mr. Barofsky
Seconded by Mr. Harbeson
Motion carried (5/0)
RECONVENE
196. Motion that the Board reconvene to Regular Session at 9:20 p.m.
Moved by Mrs. McCord
Seconded by Mr. Barofsky
Motion carried (5/0)
ADJOURNMENT
ADJOURNMENT
197. Motion that the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees adjourn at 9:21 p.m., Thursday, November 18, 1999
Moved by Mr. Barofsky
Seconded by Mrs. McCord
Motion carried (5/0)