The monthly meeting of the Hope School District Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on August 22, 2005, in the Hope District Board Room. All members were present.

The Board adjourned to Closed Session at 6:05 p.m. The Board reconvened in a Public Session at 7:00 p.m.  The following is a brief outline of the actions and discussions addressed by the Board. 

The Meeting Reconvened to Regular Session at 7:00 p.m.

The following unanimous actions were taken in Closed Session:

Accepted the resignations of a Hope School Special Education Aide, approved the hiring of a temporary kindergarten teacher at Vieja Valley, a temporary 6th grade teacher and a temporary 1st grade teacher at Monte Vista, a temporary 6th grade teacher at Hope School, the district accounting technician, a school counselor at Hope School, and a special education aide at Monte Vista.  Approved the offers of teaching positions to temporary teachers who had been released in the spring: a 4th grade teacher and two kindergarten teachers at Monte Vista; a 1st grade teacher at Hope School, a 50% reading teacher at Monte Vista, and a Title I reading teacher.  The Board discussed employee health benefits costs.

Correspondence:

There was no correspondence.

Public Comment:

There was no public comment.

Consent Items:

·    The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of July 1, 2005.

·    The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the minutes of the Special Board Meeting of July 12, 2005.

·    The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the purchase orders and warrant reports as submitted.

 

 

Principals’ Reports:

·    Monte Vista Principal, Patrick Plamondon, reported that he is getting settled at Monte Vista and has hired two new teachers and two teachers will transfer to Monte Vista from other district schools.  The principals have held interviews for special education aides and have found good candidates.  “Popsicles with the Principal” will be held on the afternoon of August 31st before the class lists are posted.  He has met many Monte Vista families and is enjoying getting to know the students.  Back to School Night will be held on September 8th.

·    Hope School Principal, Barbara LaCorte, reported that painting and maintenance work is being completed.  She is settling in at school and meeting with teachers and PTA.  Back to School Night will be held on September 8th.  Ms. LaCorte served as principal of the summer school program held at Hope School and she reported that it was very successful.  Ms. LaCorte will present a report on summer school at a later meeting.

·    Vieja Valley Principal, Judy Stettler, reported that the teachers appreciate the reports that they receive on student work during summer school.  She is settling in at Vieja Valley and has been warmly welcomed by staff and parents. There will be a picnic to meet the new principal before the class lists are posted on the 31st.  A new kindergarten teacher and a Title 1 reading teacher have been added to the staff and she will interview for a library technician and school counselor.  Trees were trimmed along Nogal Drive above the kindergarten playground and the district will contact the County Roads offices to find out what their plan is for placing a barrier on the side of the road.

Discussion Item:

In response to a letter from a district parent, Superintendent Fausett requested that the Board review Board Policy 6153 School Sponsored Trips and the requirement for students to wear life-jackets on watercraft. The Trustees recognize that the policy was carefully crafted

 

after  many  hours  of  deliberation  during board meetings, visits to the harbor, examinations of boat construction and safety equipment, and consideration of the size and weight of students.  The board is committed to providing safe environments for learning both at school and on educational field trips.  Any change to the current policy would compromise student safety. The board requested that the Superintendent send a letter to the parent regarding their decision.

Action Items:

§ Approval of the Directed Teaching Agreement with Chapman University for the 2005-2006 school year.

Superintendent Fausett presented the Directed Teaching Agreement with Chapman University for the 2005-2006 school year to the Trustees for approval. This agreement allows for placement of student teachers at district schools.

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Directed Teaching Agreement with Chapman University for the 2005-2006 school year with the provision that the district office verify insurance coverage and the length of the agreement.

·       Approve Contract for Legal Services with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

Superintendent Fausett presented the contract agreement for the Santa Barbara Legal Consortium with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, a Professional Law Corporation, and membership in the Santa Barbara Legal Consortium.

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the contract for legal services with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, a Professional Law Corporation, and membership in the Santa Barbara Legal Consortium.

Report:

·    Enrollment Update/Projection

The Superintendent reported on the enrollment numbers  as  of August 17th.  A  report of  actual student attendance will be presented at the September 12th meeting.

 

Superintendent’s Report:

Superintendent Fausett reported that the preliminary reports from the STAR testing have come in and the Annual Yearly Progress goal has been achieved at all schools. Attendance at summer school was better than ever this year and she congratulated the principal, teachers and office staff for a smooth running program.  The district Foundation has had some difficulties but there are parents interested in participating in the Foundation and will form a committee.  They will focus on a new fundraiser to cover some of the loss of finances for the district and specifically Hope School which will be affected the most by the cancellation of the planned auction.  There has been a request for a special education mediation by a former district family and district personnel are working with SELPA on this matter.  The school offices are looking at intra district transfer requests on an individual basis.  The Superintendent met with parents interested in the possibility of a Charter School. The meeting included the superintendent, Barbara LaCorte, Elizabeth Owen, and parents Angie Dukes and Sharon Allen.  They will meet again and discuss district programs and the idea of a parent survey. The district will review the Local Education Agency Plan (LEAP) this year and parent volunteers will be included in this review process.

Board Members’ Reports:

Trustee Mike Underwood asked if the preliminary testing reports are available online. The reports are available on the California Department of Education website. There will be a special board meeting on September 8th at 4:45 p.m. specific to a report on the St. Vincent’s project.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.