The monthly meeting of the Hope School District Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on October 10, 2005, in the Hope District Board Room. All members were present.

The Board adjourned to Closed Session at 6:35 p.m. The Board reconvened in a Public Session at 7:05 p.m.  The following is a brief outline of the actions and discussions addressed by the Board.  

The Meeting Reconvened at 7:05 p.m.

The following actions were taken in Closed Session:

·    Accepted the resignation of an instructional aide at Vieja Valley. Approved the hiring of a school psychologist intern, a school counselor, an art specialist, three special education aides, and two cafeteria assistants. Approved the requests for vacation leave for the Monte Vista school secretary and the Vieja Valley head custodian. No other action was taken in closed session.

Correspondence:

Superintendent Fausett reported that she received news from the County Education Office that our schools are potentially qualified to apply to be California Distinguished Schools in 2006.

The superintendent read a letter dated September 20, 2005, from the Hope District Teachers Association regarding upper grade aide and release time as separate from negotiations. Steve Weintraub reported that he had received two letters regarding upper elementary aide time. The Board agreed to place this item on the agenda for the October 24th special meeting.

Public Comment:

A district teacher asked the board about the future plans for the unused classroom at Vieja Valley.

Consent Items:

·    The Board of Trustees approved (4 ayes: 0 noes; 1 abstain) the minutes of the special board meeting of September 8, 2005.

·    The Board of Trustees approved (4 ayes: 0 noes; 1 abstain) the minutes of the regular board meeting of September 12, 2005.

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

Principals’ Reports:

·    Vieja Valley Principal, Judy Stettler, reported that the Back-to-School BBQ was very successful and included a cake auction and book fair.  YIP conferences are taking place and she is enjoying the

 

process of talking to teachers about their goals. Vieja Valley is continuing the model of having  a  day  shared between technology training and CST meetings.  Two Vieja Valley students were winners in the drug poster contest.  The first “Java with Judy” will be held on October 26th at 8:30 a.m. at the La Cumbre Starbucks for the purpose of meeting informally with parents.  A district-wide GATE planning day for 5th and 6th grade teachers will be on October 14th.  The Vieja Valley 3rd grade teachers will present a workshop on the Rebecca Sitton spelling program for the October 24th staff development day.

·    Hope School Principal, Barbara LaCorte, reported that she has completed her YIP meetings with teachers.  Today was the first day of the new parking lot plan and it worked well.  She appreciates the cooperation of school parents.  Hope School will also begin to implement days shared between technology training and CST meetings.  The annual carnival will be held this weekend and she expressed her appreciation of the hard-working parents who organize this event.  The 5th grade classes will attend CIMI the week of October 24th.  The fall fundraiser is taking place and so far there has been 50% participation and $72,000 has been raised.  She thanked the fundraiser organizers for this great success.  The fall writing assessments will begin soon at all schools and the CELDT testing has been completed.

·    Monte Vista Principal, Patrick Plamondon, reported that students were joined by Mayor Blum on Walk to School day.  Tonight’s PTA meeting had a good turnout and he plans to encourage new families to attend meetings.  A new family orientation was held last Thursday night and grade level parent coffees will be held.  The 6th grade students will attend an overnight field trip to Sage Hill.  Red Ribbon Week will be held October 25th through October 28th.  An art specialist has been hired and her program will begin soon.  A counselor has been hired to work at both Monte Vista and Vieja Valley.  He has held YIP meetings called “Megas” to meet and discuss priorities and plans with teachers.

Action Items:

·    Superintendent Fausett presented the Student Teaching Agreement with California State University,  Channel  Islands  to  the  Trustees  for

 

approval. The agreement will allow for the placement of student teachers in our District for the period of July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2008. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Student Teaching Agreement with California State University, Channel Islands.

·    Superintendent Fausett presented the proposed Lease Agreement with the Santa Barbara YMCA to the Trustees for approval.  The agreement is for the purpose of providing YMCA Before/After School Childcare and Summer Day Camp on the Monte Vista and Hope School sites.  The period of the proposed lease is from July 2005 through June 2010.  The Trustees discussed the lease and some concerns regarding approving a lease for a five-year period. The Board of Trustees approved the Lease Agreement with the Santa Barbara YMCA for the purpose of providing YMCA Before/After School Childcare and Summer Day Camp on the Monte Vista and Hope sites contingent on the amendment of the lease period dates to July 1, 2005 through June 23, 2006.

·    Superintendent Fausett and Business Manager Julie Wood requested that the Board ratify the contract agreement with Richard McKenzie AIA, Architect’s Consulting Service, to provide full architectural scope services for re-roofing of the multi-purpose building and repairs to the administration building roof at Hope School. The Board of Trustees unanimously ratified the contract agreement with Richard McKenzie, Architect’s Consulting Service.

·     Superintendent Fausett requested that the Board ratify the contract agreement with Craig Price of Griffith & Thornburgh, LLP, to provide general legal services. Mr. Price will provide board training on the Brown Act and public meetings procedures.  The training workshop is scheduled for October 19th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  The Board of Trustees unanimously ratified the contract agreement with Craig Price of Griffith & Thornburgh, LLP.

·    Business Manager Julie Wood presented the Request for Allowance of Attendance because of Emergency Conditions to the Board for approval.  Heavy rainstorms in January 2005 caused mudslides and road closures in Santa Barbara County.  Impassible roads caused the district to have higher rates of absences during the ten day period. The Board   of   Trustees    unanimously    approved    the

 

Request for Allowance of Attendance because of Emergency Conditions.

Reports:

·    The district is required to administer the STAR achievement test at grades 2-6.  District Psychologist John Banister and Hope School Principal Barbara LaCorte presented the results and analysis of the Spring 2005 testing.

·    Trustees Steven Weintraub and Todd Sosna presented the second in a series of reports on the progress of the district finance committee.

First Reading of Revised Board Policy 1340 Access to District Records

Superintendent Fausett presented proposed revisions to Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 1340 Access to District Records.  The Board was asked to review the policy and make suggestions for further revision.  A second reading will take place at the November regular board meeting.

Superintendent’s Report:

Superintendent Fausett reported that the County Education Office has begun to refurbish the board meeting room.  A list of suggested topics for board goals and objectives was distributed for board review and will be considered for adoption at a future board meeting.

Board Members’ Reports:

Trustee Todd Sosna reported that Hope School teacher Janis Spracher received a team coaching grant from the Santa Barbara County Education Office and he suggested that it would be nice if other district teachers supported the programs by applying for grants.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

REGULAR BOARD MEETING:

NOVEMBER 7, 2005

6:30 P.M. CLOSED SESSION

7:00 P.M.  REGULAR SESSION

HOPE DISTRICT BOARD ROOM

ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AND REGULAR BOARD MEETING:

DECEMBER 5, 2005

6:30 P.M.  CLOSED SESSION

7:00 P.M.  ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONALMEETING & REGULAR BOARD MEETING

HOPE DISTRICT BOARD ROOM