MT. DIABLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD MEETING – January 17, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Board: Linda Mayo, Dick Allen, Gary Eberhart, April Treece; absent, Bill Leal

Administrative Staff: Superintendent Gary McHenry; Associate Superintendent Alan Young; assistant superintendents Roger Bylund, Mildred Browne, Gail Isserman, and Dick Nicoll; General Counsel Greg Rolen

Student Representatives: Erika Moore, Mt. Diablo High (voting); Avani Mody, Concord; Brian Herrity, Northgate; Kaitlyn Strand, Olympic; David Cranmer, Ygnacio Valley

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by President Mayo at 6:00 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

CLOSED SESSION: The Board adjourned to Closed Session at 6:01 p.m. in Room 6 of the Dent Center. Topics discussed included negotiations, 7 expulsions and 13 requests for readmission; existing litigation (N.V. Heathorn v MDUSD; Sierra Bay v MDUSD), and public employee discipline/dismissal/release/complaint.

Readmissions
Treece moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 to approve staff’s recommendation to admit 1 student, readmit 6 students, and deny readmission to 6 students who had not met requirements.

Existing Litigation (N.V. Heathorn v MDUSD)
Allen moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 to approve staff’s recommendation in regard to a settlement in the case of N.V. Heathorn v MDUSD.

Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release/Complaint
Treece moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 to dismiss classified employee #14959.

2. RECONVENE OPEN SESSION: The Board returned to Open Session at 7:37 p.m. President Mayo led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and reported the action taken and topics discussed in Closed Session.

Expulsions:

Student 20-06: Allen moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 that Student 20-06 be expelled from all schools and programs of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and that Student 20-06 may apply for readmission after June 16, 2006. It is required that Student 20-06 participate in individual counseling, community service, the COPS program, and show evidence of a successful school experience, prior to applying for readmission.

Student 21-06: Eberhart moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 that Student 21-06 be expelled from all schools and programs of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and that Student 21-06 may apply for readmission after June 16, 2006. It is required that Student 21-06 participate in individual counseling, community service, the COPS program, Mt. Diablo Unified School District’s Teen Anger Management Workshop; and show evidence of a successful school experience, prior to applying for readmission.

Student 22-06: Allen moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 that Student 22-06 be expelled from all schools and programs of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and that Student 22-06 may apply for readmission after June 16, 2006. It is required that Student 20-06 participate in individual counseling, community service, the COPS program, the Mt. Diablo Unified School District’s Teen Anger Management Workshop; and show evidence of a successful school experience prior to applying for readmission.

Student 23-06: Treece moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 that Student 23-06 be expelled from all schools and programs of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and that Student 23-06 may apply for readmission after June 16, 2006. It is required that Student 23-06 participate in individual counseling, community service, the COPS program, attend the Mt. Diablo Unified School District’s Teen Anger Management Workshop, and show evidence of a successful school experience, prior to applying for readmission.

Student 24-06: Allen moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 that Student 24-06 be expelled from all schools and programs of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and that Student 24-06 may apply for readmission after June 16, 2006. It is required that Student 24-06 participate in individual counseling, community service, the COPS program, the Mt. Diablo Unified School District’s Teen Anger Management Workshop, and show evidence of a successful school experience, prior to applying for readmission.

Student 25-06: Eberhart moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 that Student 25-06 be expelled from all schools and programs of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and that Student 25-06 may apply for readmission after June 16, 2006. It is required that Student 25-06 participate in individual counseling, community service, the COPS program, and show evidence of a successful school experience, prior to applying for readmission.

Student 26-06: Treece moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 that Student 26-06 be expelled from all schools and programs of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and that Student 26-06 may apply for readmission after June 16, 2006. It is required that Student 26-06 participate in individual counseling, community service, the COPS program, provide a negative drug test, and show evidence of a successful school experience, prior to applying for readmission.

3. CONSENT AGENDA

After pulling items 3.4 and 3.6 at staff’s request, Eberhart moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 (Student Rep, yes) to adopt the Consent Agenda, thereby approving the following:

3.1 Minutes of the meeting of January 3, 2006.

3.2 Certificated Personnel

3.2.1 Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements, Employment

3.2.2 Resolution 05/06-35 Variable Term Waiver Requests

Variable term waivers provide applicants with additional time to complete certain requirements for the credential that authorizes the service. The waiver request is made when there is not a properly credentialed person available for the position.

3.2.3 Resolution 05/06-36 Education Code 44258.2 – Board Authorization

Under Ed. Code 44258.2, holders of single subject or secondary credentials who have 12 lower division units or 6 upper division units in a subject can be authorized, by Board authorization, to teach that subject(s) in a middle school for the current school year.

3.2.4 Resolution 05/06-37 Education Code 44256(b) – Board Authorization

Under Ed. Code 44256(b), holders of multiple subject or elementary credentials who have 12 lower division units or 6 upper division units in a subject can be authorized, by Board authorization, to teach that subject(s) in a middle school for the current school year.

3.2.5 Resolution 05/06-38 Education Code 44258.3 – Board Authorization

Under Ed. Code 44258.3, holders of any California teaching credential can be authorized, by Board authorization, to teach departmentalized classes with their consent.

3.2.6 Student Teaching Agreement with University of Northern Colorado

The purpose of this agreement is to engage the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and the University of Colorado in a partnership to support student teachers in their progress toward full state qualification and retention as high-quality teachers.

3.2.7 Multiple and Single Subject Credential Internship Agreement with Western Governors University

In order for a teacher to participate in an internship program, there must be an agreement or memorandum of understanding on file between the District and the institution providing the internship program.

3.3 Classified Personnel

3.3.1 Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements, Employment

3.4 Monthly Budget Transfers and/or Budget Increases/Decreases for the Month of December 2005—PULLED

3.5 Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation Funds

Approved receipt of funds from the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation to pay for expanded and increased enrichment services to the Contra Costa County After School 4 All Collaborative. There is no impact to the General Fund. Total funding for three years is $180,000. Funding Source: Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation Grant

3.6 Award of Bid 1404 to Teleset, Inc.—PULLED

3.7 Contract Amendments for Architectural/Engineering Services for Charles Ham Associates

Approved amendments to Charles Ham Associates contract in the amount of $54,355. Funding Source: Proposition 55 - $21,000; Fire Insurance - $6,355; Developer Fees - $27,000

3.8 Final Change Orders

3.8.1 Final Change Order to Bid 1339, Contract C-781 Sierra Bay Contractors in the amount of $45,918.61 for new classrooms and modernization work at Wren Avenue Elementary and Olympic High School. Funding Source: Measure C

3.8.2 Final Change Order to Bid 1374, Contract C-807 RAN Electric, Inc. in the amount of $22,619 for electrical upgrades, group I at Highlands and Mt. Diablo elementary schools; and Pine Hollow Middle School. Funding Source: Measure C

3.8.3 Final Change Order to Bid 1376, Contract C-809 to RAN Electric, Inc. in the amount of $9,587.80 for electrical upgrades group II at Holbrook Elementary and El Dorado and Foothill middle schools. Funding Source: Measure C

3.9 Notices of Completion

3.9.1 Notice of Completion to C-781, Bid 1339 in the amount of $5,119,475.36 to Sierra Bay Contractors, Inc., who provided the new classrooms and modernization work at Wren Avenue Elementary and Olympic High School. Funding Source: Measure C

3.9.2 Notice of Completion to C-807, Bid 1374 in the amount of $272,619 to RAN Electric, Inc. who provided the electrical upgrades, package A at Highlands and Mt. Diablo elementary schools, and Pine Hollow Middle School. Funding Source: Measure C

3.9.3 Notice of Completion to C-809, Bid 1376 in the amount of $259,857.80 to RAN Electric, Inc. who provided the electrical upgrades, package C at Holbrook Elementary; and El Dorado and Foothill middle schools. Funding Source: Measure C

3.10 Contract for Architectural/Engineering Services for Replacement of the “Walk-in” Freezer/Refrigeration Units at the Six Comprehensive High Schools

Approved $34,000 contract with Harlan Krusemark for comprehensive design services related to replacement of walk-in freezer/refrigeration units. Funding Source: Measure A

3.11 Five-year Partnership Program Agreement with Icon Enclosures, Inc.

Approved five-year $135,000 agreement with Icon Enclosures, Inc. to provide vending equipment with security enclosures at Northgate High School. There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding Source: Food and Nutrition Services.

3.12 John F. Kennedy University (JFKU) Counseling Services

Approved agreement with John F. Kennedy University (JFKU) to establish a suicide prevention program. Fiscal Impact: $39,000 for 15 trainees and supervision. There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding Source: School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) Suicide Prevention Grant.

4. RECOGNITIONS – None.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

Jerry Okendo, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), said his organization does not believe the District has responded adequately to complaints it made last fall in regard to services for English language learners at Mt. Diablo High School. Linnette Booher, parent, asked if the District would receive results from the May administration of the High School Exit Exam in time for students to participate in graduation ceremonies. (McHenry said seniors will be able to take the exam in March and in May, but results will probably not be available by June. Staff is waiting to see if the state Department of Education issues some directions.) John Ferrante, parent, took issue with a Mt. Diablo High School graduate’s criticism of the school, which was quoted in the Contra Costa Times. He charged Board members and administrators to speak out in support of District teachers and school administrators. Deborah Olsen, parent, took issue with the demands of the federal No Child Left Behind Act and the state High School Exit Exam on students in the Class of 2006. She pointed out that these requirements were not in effect when these students started high school. Elizabeth Howard-Gibbon, student in the Concord High School Academy program, announced that the academy is sponsoring a Valentine’s Day Run on Sunday, February 12, and invited Board members and senior administrators to participate.

6. COMMUNICATIONS

6.1 Student Representatives

Avani Mody, Concord, Brian Herrity, Northgate, David Cranmer, Ygnacio Valley, Kaitlyn Strand, Olympic, and Erika Moore, Mt. Diablo High, reported on events, activities, and issues at their respective high schools.

6.2 Organizations: None

7. REPORTS/INFORMATION

Maureen Kilmurray of the Concord Literacy Coalition described the group and its work. Founded by Susan Bonilla, current mayor of Concord and an MDUSD teacher, the coalition is dedicated to addressing the literacy needs of people in the community and educating the public about those needs. She introduced fellow coalition members Peter Dragovich, Rosemary Slavin, and Bill Gram-Reefer. Dick Allen said he’d heard Ms. Kilmurray make her presentation to another group and invited her to the Board meeting to help get out the word that there is a great need for tutors.

8. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

McHenry reviewed the challenges ahead for the District in 2006. The Williams v State of California lawsuit settlement is a major one. It requires districts to verify that all teachers are credentialed in the area in which they teach, to provide every student with textbooks aligned to state curriculum standards, and to maintain clean, safe, and well-equipped facilities. He said Williams is an example of a law being passed without enough resources to carry it out. It is hard for a district to maintain facilities without having a school bond to fund the projects needed. He remarked that districts are being criticized for not complying with the law, but the problem lies not with the districts but with poorly written laws. He also took issue with allegations in the Contra Costa Times that the District is not serving certain minority populations well. He pointed out that graduation rates for minority students have been increasing steadily since 1999. Finally, he reported that legislation to implement the settlement of a lawsuit exempting disabled students in Class of 2006 from the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) was vetoed by the Governor and opposed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Therefore, at present, students with disabilities must take and pass the CAHSEE. State Superintendent O’Connell was looking into an alternative to the exam for some students, but announced last week that there will be no alternatives. McHenry said he will be recommending that MDUSD students who have earned the required number of units and taken the CAHSEE at least two times be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies.

9. BUSINESS

9.1 Appointment of Construction Manager II

Treece moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 (Student Rep, yes) to appoint Steven Adelson as Construction Manager II, effective January 18, 2006.

9.2 Summer School Administrative Positions

Allen moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 to approve two summer school 2006 administrator assignments: Jenny Vargas, principal of Westwood, and Nadine Rosenzweig, principal of GATE.

9.3 Request to Freeze One Journey Level Electro-Mechanical Technician Position and Create One Apprentice Electro-Mechanical Technician Position

Treece moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 (Student Rep, yes) to freeze one journey-level Electro-Mechanical Technician position and to create on apprentice Electro-Mechanical Technician position.

McHenry explained that the District has been unsuccessful in recent attempts to hire a journey-level Electro-Mechanical Technician. To maintain sufficient personnel to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position, staff recommended freezing the regular position and creating the apprenticeship. After successfully serving for four to five years the apprentice would be qualified for the regular position. Fiscal Impact: $4,142 in net savings to the General Fund from January through June 2006; $8,234 in annual savings to General Fund

9.4 Adoption of the Courses of Study for Student, School, and Support Services (Academy Plus I in Clayton Arts Academy), and Student and Community Support Services (Academy Plus II in Clayton Arts Academy)

Allen moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 (Student Rep, yes) to adopt two courses of study for the Clayton Arts Academy: Academy Plus I (Student, School, and Support Services) and Academy Plus II (Student and Community Support Services). A curriculum specialist worked with Clayton Arts Academy teachers to rewrite a draft of the courses of study for classes currently being taught at Clayton Valley High. Presented as information at the October 11, 2005, meeting, this item was returned for action at this time.

Staff report Clayton Valley Arts Academy staff members gave a presentation on the program. CVHS Principal Gary Swanson assured the Board that the program is rigorous and relevant in order to meet students’ needs. Aline Lee, the academy’s director, said the program reaches out to at-risk students and has a link to the community. She described the academy’s course requirements and offerings, which include honors and AP classes, and showed data of student success. Teachers Carylon VanEssen and Jeff Hagerstrand described the students’ projects and gave examples of the academy’s rigor. The two courses, Academy Plus I and II, are the culminating activities for academy students, Hagerstrand said.

Board comment In response to Mayo and Treece, Hagerstrand said that Board approval would make the two courses a mandatory requirement for students who want to graduate under the auspices of the academy program. They would not be required for a high school diploma. In response to Treece, teachers VanEssen and Michele Birkenshaw explained the community service requirement, which students complete outside of school hours. Treece expressed hesitation to approve the two CVAA courses as mandatory, saying she fears it could reduce opportunities for students to take other courses, such as those offered through the ROP. Birkenshaw said academy students do take courses outside the CVAA structure. In response to Mayo, Lee said all CVAA students, including English language learners and students with special needs, have passed the High School Exit Exam. She also pointed out that students can plot their own paths and take courses and work with mentors outside the regular Clayton Valley High curriculum. Allen said he has visited academy activities and been impressed.

9.5 Award of Bid 1397

Eberhart moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 to award Bid 1397 in the amount of $16,459,929 to Arntz Builders, Inc. for modernization and new classrooms at Gregory Gardens, Pleasant Hill, Sequoia, and Valhalla elementary schools. Funding Source: Measure C

9.6 Agreement with College Park High School Athletic Boosters for Installation of Synthetic Turf Field

Allen moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 to approve an agreement with College Park High School Athletic Boosters related to the installation of a synthetic turf field on the campus. On November 23, 2004, the Board of Education allocated $500,000 in Proposition 55 funds to be used for a facility project at College Park. The school community requested that the money be dedicated to construction of an all-weather synthetic turf athletic field. The Boosters have negotiated a design-build contract not to exceed $778,500 with Sprint Turf. Fiscal Impact: Cost to the District is capped at $500,000 from previously allocated Proposition 55 funds. Funding Source: Proposition 55

Public comment Brad Tubbs, chair of the College Park High P.E. Department, spoke in favor of the project. Reno LaSala, president of CPHS Athletic Boosters, said parents and community members have been working hard for nearly two years to secure funding for this project. Terri Bowen, parent of a CPHS student athlete, thanked the Board and District administration for its support for the turf field.

Board comment Treece expressed concern that the agreement specifically gives the Heritage Soccer Club “priority for use of the field when the District and/or College Park High School are not using the field. . .” Dick Nicoll explained that the Heritage Soccer Club is donating $100,000 to the project, an amount the Boosters would not be able to raise. Scott Gordon of the Heritage Soccer Club explained that two-thirds of his league’s players are MDUSD students. In response to Mayo, he said that he understands the Boosters will set aside some of the money it receives from the Club to cover the costs of long-term maintenance and eventual replacement. He said the league would use the field primarily when the schools are not in session. Allen pointed out that community athletic clubs have priority use at other District facilities, such as the Pleasant Hill Pool. Mayo confirmed that other community athletic groups would be able to use the field under a Facility Use Permit from the District and expressed satisfaction that a conflict resolution process is included in the agreement. Gordon thanked Nicoll for his assistance on behalf of the District in making the field possible. Eberhart thanked Nicoll and other District staff, the Boosters Club, and Heritage Soccer for their efforts.

9.7 Procurement and Installation of Synthetic Turf for College Park High School

Treece moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 (Student Rep, yes) to approve the purchase and installation of an all-weather synthetic turf through the State of California Multiple Award Schedule (CMAS) contract. Empire and Associates is the CMAS contractor approved by the State of California to perform this project. Fiscal Impact: Cost to the District is capped at $500,000 from previously allocated Proposition 55 funds. Funding Source: Proposition 55

Public comment CPHS Principal Barbara Oaks and Vice Principal Steve Nixon thanked the Board for funding this project, the District administrators for supporting and assisting with the process, and parents for their hard work in making it a reality.

9.8 Consider Establishing Criteria for Additions to the Budget

Over the last three years the Board of Education approved $14 million in reductions to the District budget. Last year it approved new three-year contracts with all employee bargaining units and associations. With word coming from Sacramento that more money will be available for public education in 2006, Superintendent McHenry asked Board members to determine a process of handling any new revenue.

Criteria used when making budget reductions were as follows:

1. Maintain programs for students.

· Analyze program effectiveness.

· Eliminate programs that are ineffective.

· Maintain programs that are effective.

2. Insure campuses are safe for students and staff.

3. Protect as many positions as possible.

4. Honor our commitments and our promises to the public (e.g. Measure A and Measure C, Kindergarten Class Size Reduction).

5. Shift expenditures to grants and other funding source where possible.

6. Affect expenditure reductions across all programs.

· Health and Safety–Supervision of students

· Cleanliness

7. Honor collective bargaining contracts and comply with local, state and federal mandates.

McHenry suggested the following criteria for the Board to use for determining additions to the budget:

a. Meet legal and programmatic mandates.

b. Meet contractual requirements.

c. Recommendation from oversight agencies—County Office of Education, Fiscal Crisis Management and Assistance Team (FCMAT), State Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights.

d. Critical infrastructure support

Public comment Mike Noce, MDEA president, said that all new revenue should be saved to fund salary increases in the next contract cycle and not spent on anything that is not legally mandated.

Board comment Allen asked that “employee compensation” be added to the list. Eberhart agreed, suggesting that the Board include a goal of “maintaining competitive salaries with neighboring school districts.” He asked for a specific definition of “critical infrastructure support.” Treece, too, agreed with the addition of “competitive salaries” and pointed out that compliance with school improvement plans, such as SAIT, should also be included. She said she needs assurance that the District is providing the necessary resources to teachers, whether it’s under “legal and programmatic mandates” or “critical infrastructure support.” McHenry said the school plans would fall under either “mandates” or “recommendations from oversight agencies.” He agreed that “infrastructure support” does need to be further defined, saying one example is the need to have enough technical support staff to maintain the number of computers being used in the District. Another example is the need to validate teacher certifications and assignments, an annual task that is time-consuming and labor-intensive if done manually. Mayo said she’d like to see “Establish/restore effective programs across all levels” added to the list. She pointed out that “critical infrastructure support” includes counselors, school secretaries, elementary vice principals, technology techs, instructional media assistants, and others. She said members of the community have often asked why the District does not have a five- or ten-year plan, particularly for technology. She asked, “How are we going to further the goals of Career Integrated Academics without more support?” Eberhart said his concern about “infrastructure support” is that the District will expend money on new computer programs before it has salaries that are competitively on par with neighboring districts, which he believes is the most important priority for the District at this time. Treece suggested the Board prioritize the criteria so it would have a guide for allocating any new revenue the District receives. Eberhart said union leaders are telling him that increasing salaries is more important than restoring positions and programs. Mayo said she believes the District is soon going to have to invest in a new Student Information System because of the need to comply with increased state reporting requirements.

Board action After friendly and formal action to amend an initial motion made by Eberhart and seconded by Allen, the Board voted 4-0-0 to approve the following criteria in the following order of priority:

a. Meet legal and programmatic mandates.

b. Meet contractual requirements.

c. Recommendation from oversight agencies—County Office of Education, Fiscal Crisis Management and Assistance Team (FCMAT), State Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights.

d. Competitive salaries.

e. Critical infrastructure support.

f. Establish/restore effective programs.

9.9 Rescission of Board Action on 5/24/05 to Establish an Advisory Committee for Facility Capacity

At its meeting on May 24, 2005, the Board took action to establish an Advisory Committee for Facility Capacity. At the Board meeting on January 3, 2006, Superintendent McHenry recommended that the committee not be established because districtwide enrollment is declining and because staff can present the necessary capacity information to the Board without going through the committee process. To approve the recommendation, the Board had to rescind its previous action. McHenry said he has directed staff to develop a plan to deal with overcrowding at College Park High. In regard to Northgate High, which is also at capacity, he reminded the Board that it had extended the agreement for Crystyl Ranch students to attend Northgate until 2008, so there is time to examine that issue.

Public comment Steven Balnofer, parent, voiced support for the Board’s not having the committee, encouraged the District to step up its efforts to verify residency of College Park students, and asked that the agreement regarding the “grey area” in Pleasant Hill be maintained.

Board comment Eberhart said he expected to hear staff reports on overcrowding at College Park and the impact of the Crystyl Ranch housing development on Northgate High before the Board considered rescinding its action regarding the Facility Capacity Committee. He needs assurance that both of those issues are being addressed. He asked that the Crystyl Ranch agreement be brought to the Board at the next meeting. In regard to College Park, McHenry said the District will start using a rigorous verification process for students enrolling at that school, which should result in decreasing the school’s enrollment. He is preparing to bring a plan to reduce overcrowding at CPHS to the first Board meeting in February.

Board action Treece moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 to rescind its action of May 24, 2005, to establish an Advisory Committee for Facility Capacity.

Procedural action: It being ten minutes to 11:00 p.m., when Board meetings are required to end unless extended by a vote of the Board, Allen moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 to extend the meeting until no later than 11:30 p.m.

9.10 School Assistance and Intervention Teams Report of Findings and Recommendations for Corrective Actions for Sunrise (Special Education) School and Mt. Diablo High School

The School Assistance and Intervention Team (SAIT) is the next level of the state accountability program for Immediate Intervention/Underperforming School Program (II/USP). Sunrise School and Mt. Diablo High School have been designated as state-monitored schools based on their Academic Performance Index (API) growth data.

Public comment Mike Noce, MDEA president, expressed concern about how the SAIT plans will be implemented under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. He complained that the MDEA leadership was not consulted in the study or preparation of these plans. He said he will file grievances if the training and meetings listed in the plans take place outside the site day and are mandatory.

Board comment Treece said she appreciates Noce’s comments, but noted that there is much work to do and that planning has involved site staff. She appreciates the staff who are working hard for students. In response to Board concerns, Alan Young said funding ($150 per student and $100,000 for consultant fees) for implementing the plans has been placed in the Governor’s budget, though legislation has not yet been passed to allocate it to school districts. Eberhart complained that in developing the plans, site staff is confined to a “cookie cutter” template that does not address the real needs at each school. Treece said she does see some key issues identified in the plans, which she credits the consultant, West Ed, for raising.

Board action Allen moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 to approve SAIT reports of findings and recommendations for corrective actions for Sunrise School and Mt. Diablo High.

9.11 Board Policy 1313 and 5133 – Gifts to School Personnel

Eberhart moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 4-0-0 to adopt Board Policy 1313 and 5133, “Gifts to School Personnel.” They were updated to reflect District and California School Board Association language and to incorporate recent California Education Code legislation. Presented as information at January 3, 2006, meeting, this item was returned for action at this time.

9.12 Consider Establishing Calendar of Board Meetings in June

Allen moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted to change the dates of the Board meetings in June 2006 to Thursday the 8^th and Tuesday the 20^th because June 6 is the day of the California primary election.

9.13 Consider Modification to Administrative Rule 6146.1, High School Graduation Requirements

Board Policy and Administrative Rule 6146.1 list the specific requirements a student must meet to earn a high school diploma. Presented as information only at this time, this item will be returned for action at a subsequent meeting.

10. BOARD REPORTS

Eberhart asked that Crystyl Ranch and attendance projections for Clayton Valley and Northgate be placed on the agenda for the next Board meeting.

11. ADJOURNMENT President Mayo adjourned the meeting at 11:28 p.m. in memory of Gail Adams, a vital and well-loved employee and parent volunteer at Monte Gardens, who recently passed away, and also in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Gary McHenry, Secretary