The monthly meeting of the Hope School District Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on July 10, 2006, in the Hope District Board Room. All members were present except Joseph Liebman. The Board adjourned to Closed Session at 6:05 p.m. The Board reconvened in a Public Session at 7:30 p.m. The following is a brief outline of the actions and discussions addressed by the Board.
The Meeting Reconvened at 7:30 p.m.
During closed session the Board approved (4 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent) the hiring of a special education teacher at Monte Vista and a night custodian at Vieja Valley; they reviewed the school principals’ evaluations; continued the discussion on existing litigation; and modified language in the superintendent’s contract.
Correspondence:
Mr. Underwood reported that he had been contacted by the caretaker resident at Monte Vista regarding the district’s possible interest in purchasing the mobile home. He referred the matter to the superintendent for follow-up.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Consent Items:
The following routine consent items were presented to the Board for approval:
The Board approved (3 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent; 1 abstain) the minutes of the special board meeting of May 10, 2006; approved (3 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent; 1 abstain) the minutes of the regular board meeting of June 5, 2006; approved (4 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent) the minutes of the special board meeting on June 12, 2006; approved (3 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent; 1 abstain) the minutes of the special board meeting of June 19, 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. The Board approved (4 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent) acceptance of the gift of a fire retardant curtain for the Monte Vista multi-purpose room from the Monte Vista PTA.
Discussion Item:
District Residency Criteria
Micah and Rachel Babcock, parents of an interdistrict student at Monte Vista, addressed the Board regarding AR 5111.1 District Residency and the denial of enrollment for their incoming kindergarten student. The Board discussed this issue at length and determined that no exceptions to the district residency criteria as established in AR 5111.1 would be made at this time.
Action Items:
Adoption of Resolution 06/07-01 Responsibility for Retention of Commercial Warrants Documentation and Approval of Memorandum of Understanding for discretionary Commercial Warrants Audits
Superintendent Fausett and district accounting technician, Nick Heinlein, presented Resolution 06/07-01 Responsibility for Retention of Commercial Warrants Documentation and the Memorandum of Understanding for discretionary Commercial Warrants Audits to the Trustees for approval. This agreement with the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) allows for a discretionary audit of certain commercial warrants rather than a complete audit of commercial warrants and for SBCEO to no longer retain copies of purchase orders and invoices related to all commercial warrants. The Board of Trustees approved (4 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent) adoption of Resolution 06/07-01 Responsibility for Retention of Commercial Warrants Documentation and the Memorandum of Understanding for discretionary Commercial Warrants Audits.
Approval of 2006-07 Gifted and Talented Education Application
Superintendent Fausett presented the 2006-07 Gifted and Talented Education Application to the Trustees for approval. The Board requested that principal Judy Stettler, district GATE coordinator, present a report in the fall on the GATE program and include information on the recent program survey of staff, parents and students. The Board of Trustees approved (4 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent) the 2006-07 Gifted and Talented Education Application as submitted.
Approval of 2006-2007 Part I Consolidated Application for Certain Categorical Program Funding.
Superintendent Fausett presented the annual Consolidated Application PART I, for some state and federal supplementary categorical funds to the Board for approval. Funding amounts will be received in September and allocated to the schools as PART II of the application. The School Site Councils will develop their Single Plan for Student Achievement, using these funds. PART II will be presented to the Board for approval at the October or November meeting. The Board of Trustees approved (4 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent) the 2006-2007 Part I Consolidated Application for Certain Categorical Program Funding.
Approve Agreement for Legal Services with Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost, LLP
Superintendent Fausett presented the agreement for legal services with Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost, LLP, to the Trustees for approval. The Board of Trustees approved (4 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent) the agreement for legal services with Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost, LLP.
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, to the Board for approval. The Board of Trustees approved (4 ayes; 0 noes; 1 absent) the contract for legal services with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, a Professional Law Corporation, and membership in the Santa Barbara Legal Consortium.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Fausett reported that she had been in touch with architect Joe Wilcox and expects a document by the end of the week regarding a recommendation for the modifications to the stage in the Monte Vista multi-purpose room. The superintendent reported that the district will implement a finger scan program for recording purchases of school lunches. This system will enable lunches to be served in a shorter amount of time and increase efficiency in district cafeteria record keeping. The superintendent reported that district families will receive a post card this week regarding the district residency policy and the card will provide information on how to access the residency policy on the district website. The postcard also includes upcoming district calendar dates.
BOARD MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Mr. Weintraub reported that he had participated in the Monte Vista 6th grade exit interviews and he considers this experience to be one of the highlights of his term as a board member. He asked if the other two district schools have implemented this program and it was reported that Hope School will begin 6th grade exit interviews in June 2007. Mr. Weintraub said that he has attended PTA meetings at all three schools and he appreciates the dedication and unique personalities of the PTAs at each school. He mentioned an article in the recent edition of Ed Source regarding curriculum needs at California schools and he congratulated our district staff on the excellence of the curriculum provided for district students.
Elizabeth Owen reported that she had also participated in the Monte Vista 6th grade exit interviews and she appreciated the feeling of camaraderie that was evident among the students. She also expressed appreciation for the real family environment that has been created at Monte Vista. Ms. Owen reminded the Board that they had approved a one-year contract with the YMCA last summer and the contract will require renewal before the start of school in fall. She requested an update on the Hope School roof repairs that were approved for this summer and the superintendent reported that those repairs have not yet been scheduled.
Mike Underwood reported that Mercy Charities Housing will keep in contact regarding the application process for the St. Vincent’s housing project. He thanked Vieja Valley parent, Sally Dewan, for providing refreshments at the last board meeting.
ADJOURNMENT OF REGULAR SESSION
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Future Meeting Calendar
August 28, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
September 11, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
HOPE DISTRICT BOARD ROOM