The monthly meeting of the Hope School District Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on April 10, 2006, in the Hope District Board Room. All members were present except Joseph Liebman. The Board adjourned to Closed Session at 6:35 p.m. The Board reconvened in a Public Session at 7:10 p.m. The following is a brief outline of the actions and discussions addressed by the Board.

The Meeting Reconvened at 7:10 p.m.

No action was taken in closed session. The Board continued their discussion regarding existing litigation.

Correspondence:

There was no correspondence.

Public Comment:

Greg Stevens, Computer Specialist at Vieja Valley, spoke to the Board regarding young students and the current technology trends and how comfortable students are with cell phones, instant messaging, and high speed internet access. School computers have filters to block inappropriate websites from student use and he stressed the importance of schools working with parents to ensure that students have positive and appropriate online experiences when away from school.

Consent Items:

The following routine consent items were presented to the Board for approval:

The Board approved (4 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent) the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of March 6, 2006, with the amendment that correspondence items listed incorrectly under the public comment section be correctly listed in the correspondence section. The following motion from the March 6, 2006 meeting was also corrected in the minutes as noted in italics: The board approved (4 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent) the following motions: Hope School District Board of Trustees’ intent is to maintain all current approved interdistrict transfer students currently attending district schools as of March 6, 2006, and allow them to matriculate through 6^th grade providing there is no interruption in attendance and space is available. Children of Hope School District staff will be given priority for transfer and enrollment into the Hope School District consistent with current board policy. No new interdistrict transfer students will be accepted except as noted above for children of Hope School District staff.

The Board approved (3 ayes; 0 noes; 1 abstain; 1 absent) the Minutes of the Special Board Meeting of March 10, 2006.

The Board approved (3 ayes; 0 noes; 1 abstain; 1 absent) the minutes of the Special Board meeting of March 23, 2006.

Copies of the Commercial Warrant register sheets listing the purchase orders and warrants were provided to members of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees approved (4 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent) the submitted purchase orders and warrant reports.

Report:

Monte Vista Multi-Purpose Room

Bill Evans, Monte Vista 6^th grade teacher, and Brian Cearnal spoke to the board regarding the required improvements to the Multi-Purpose Room at Monte Vista. Areas that were listed on the inspection report for correction include the stage curtains, exit sign, ramp, and scaffolding. Ms. Fausett will meet with the district supervisor of maintenance and operations and they will determine the best ways to correct these areas and have the issue resolved by the end of summer. The exit sign will be moved to a visible location. Superintendent Fausett authorized Mr. Evans to immediately remove the stage curtains and purchase replacement curtains approved for school use.

Monte Vista parent, Cindy Elster, spoke in support of the performing arts program at Monte Vista and its importance to students at all grade levels.

Action Items:

Clarify Decision Concerning Students Currently Attending District Schools

At the March 6^th board meeting, the Trustees voted to allow students currently attending district schools on an inter-district transfer to remain through 6^th grade providing their attendance is uninterrupted and space is available. The purpose of the discussion at this meeting is to clarify the attendance situation for students currently living within the district boundaries and attending district schools.

Board President Michael Underwood reported that he was a recipient of an email message from Mr. Ed Adams, an interdistrict parent at Hope School, regarding this agenda item. Mr. Underwood clarified the agenda item to anyone who was in attendance because of this email. The email said that this was a special board meeting but it is actually the regular monthly meeting, scheduled on the second Monday of the month because of the spring break recess. Mr. Adams’ email message said that the discussion would be about transfers and could have been interpreted that the board was reconsidering decisions made on March 6^th and may have alarmed parents. Mr. Underwood expressed that this type of mass messaging can be non-productive and urged any parents or community members who have questions about listed agenda items to contact the superintendent or any board member for clarification.

Superintendent Fausett reported that this agenda item was necessary to clarify the position of all students currently attending district schools. After the decision concerning interdistrict students was made the question was asked about students currently living within district boundaries and attending district schools and their attendance rights should they move out of the district.

The Board of Trustees approved (3 ayes; 1 no; 1 absent) that all students currently attending district schools as of March 6, 2006, be allowed to remain through 6^th grade providing there is no interruption in attendance and space is available regardless of where they move within or outside district boundaries. This does not apply to siblings.

Superintendent Fausett presented the following statement to the Trustees for consideration. When we encounter parents who do not live within the district but have given a false in district address, we will inform parents that they must find another school for their child(ren). The parents shall have the right within 10 days to request to appeal to the Board. If they fail to request an appeal within 10 days the enrollment shall be revoked on the 11^th day following the notice.

The Board approved (4 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent) the motion that the district enact a policy concerning families who give false information regarding their in district status.

This was followed by discussion regarding the children of district employees and the superintendent was requested to bring a proposal to the May meeting to address the enrollment of children of staff members.

Trustee Todd Sosna excused himself from the meeting at this time.

Adoption of 2006-2007 School Year Calendar

Superintendent Fausett presented the school year calendar for 2006-2007. The calendar was discussed and recommended by Curriculum Council to the Board for consideration. It closely follows the Santa Barbara School District secondary schools calendar. The Board of Trustees approved (3 ayes; 0 noes; 2 absent) adoption of the 2006-2007 school year calendar.

Second Reading and Adoption of Board Policy 1240 and Administrative Regulation 1240 Volunteer Assistance

Superintendent Fausett presented revised Board Policy 1240 and Administrative Regulation 1240 Volunteer Assistance to the Trustees for a second reading and adoption. The revised policy and volunteer application form were presented for a first reading at the January meeting. Further revisions were suggested by the Trustees and the policy was

reviewed by staff and community members for suggestions.

The Board of Trustees approved (3 ayes; 0 noes; 2 absent) adoption of Board Policy 1240 and Administrative Regulation 1240 Volunteer Assistance and the accompanying volunteer application form with Board approved corrections to the language in the policy and volunteer form.

Second Reading and Adoption of Revised Board Policy 6020 Parent/Guardian Involvement Policy

Superintendent Fausett presented revised Board Policy 6020 Parent/Guardian Involvement Policy to the Trustees for a second reading and adoption. To comply with specific requirements of No Child Left Behind regulations, revision of Board Policy 6020 was completed as recommended by the recent California Department of Education visitation. The Board of Trustees approved (3 ayes; 0 noes; 2 absent) adoption of Board Policy 6020 Parent/Guardian Involvement Policy

DISCUSSION ITEM

Board Goals for 2005-2006

At the February meeting the Board adopted goals for the 2005-2006 school year. Superintendent Fausett presented suggested objectives for the adopted goals. The board discussed the objectives and determined that the goals should not be specific to the 2005-2006 year but should be in effect until a future board decided that new goals were necessary. The proposed objectives to the goals were discussed and adopted by the board (3 ayes: Michael Underwood, Elizabeth Owen, Steven Weintraub; 0 noes; 2 absent: Joseph Liebman, Todd Sosna).

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

The superintendent made no further report at this meeting.

BOARD MEMBERS’ REPORTS

Mr. Underwood reported that he and the superintendent had attended each school’s PTA meeting in the last few months and he highly recommends that his fellow board members attend PTA meetings. He and the superintendent are planning to schedule meetings with HDTA representatives to begin discussions on negotiations. He repeated the request that parents and community members who have questions about agenda items to contact the superintendent with their questions.

There were no other board members’ reports.

ADJOURNMENT OF REGULAR SESSION

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.