MT. DIABLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

BOARD MEETING – October 24, 2006

 

ATTENDANCE:              Board: Linda Mayo, Gary Eberhart, Dick Allen, Paul Strange, April Treece

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

Student Representatives:  Samantha Lopez, Olympic (voting); Ashlie Parke and Lindsey Lawson, Clayton Valley; Alexandra Peters and Hanna Kim, College Park; Samantha Quinn, Concord; Alani Jackson and Alexandra Echeverria, Mt. Diablo; Vishal Lugani, Northgate; David Cranmer, Ygnacio Valley

 

1.             CALL TO ORDER

President Mayo called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District Dent Center.

 

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 five expulsion cases; conference with real property negotiator (Oak Park Elementary School site); public employee discipline/dismissal/release/complaint; and negotiations.

 

Conference with Real Property Negotiator: Oak Park Elementary School site
Eberhart moved, Strange seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to direct staff to modify the joint powers agreement with Contra Costa County regarding the Oak Park Elementary School property and to bring the agreement back to the Board for review before submitting it to the County.

 

Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release/Complaint
Eberhart moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to accept the resignation of certificated employee #24555.

 

2.             RECONVENE OPEN SESSION:  The Board returned to Open Session at 7:30 p.m.  President Mayo led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  Moment of Silence was observed for John Moiso, who died October 18. Mr. Moiso worked as principal/superintendent in Pleasant Hill shortly before Mt. Diablo became a USD. He retired in 1977 after 30 years of service, the last 18 as an Assistant Superintendent for Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

 

                Expulsions

                Student 80-06:  Eberhart moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 that Student 80-06 be expelled from all schools and programs of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and that Student 80-06 may apply for readmission after June 14, 2007.  It is required that Student 80-06 participate in individual counseling, community service, the COPS program, the District’s Teen Anger Management class, and show evidence of a successful school experience, including earning all required graduation credits prior to applying for readmission.

 

                Student 4-07:  Strange moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 that Student 4-07 be expelled from all schools and programs of the MDUDS and that Student 4-07 may apply for readmission after January 26, 2007.  It is required that Student 4-07 participate in individual counseling, community service, the COPS program, and write a report on the dangers of having a weapon at school and explain how to get the message to other students, and show evidence of a successful school experience, prior to applying for readmission.

 

                Student 5-07:  Allen moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 that Student 5-07 be expelled from all schools and programs of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and that Student 5-07 may apply for readmission after June 14, 2007.  It is required that Student 5-07 participate in individual counseling, community service, the COPS program, the District’s Teen Anger Management Workshop, and show evidence of a successful school experience, prior to applying for readmission.

 

                Student 6-07:  Treece moved, Strange seconded, that the Board voted 5-0-0 that Student 6-07 be expelled from all schools and programs of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and that Student 6-07 may apply for readmission after June 14, 2007.  It is required that Student 6-07 participate in individual counseling, community service, the COPS program, the District’s Teen Anger Management Workshop, and show evidence of a successful school experience, prior to applying for readmission.

 

                Student 7-07:  pursuant to Ed. Code, the Board is referring this matter to the Student Services Department for further clarification.

 

3.             CONSENT AGENDA

Treece moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to adopt the Consent Agenda, thereby approving the following:

3.1          Minutes of the meetings of September 26, 2006.

 

3.2          Certificated Personnel

3.2.1 Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements, Employment

 

3.2.2 Resolution 06/07-38 Variable Term Waiver Requests

Adopted Resolution #06/07-38, authorizing Rachel Estrada to apply for a Variable Term Waiver, giving her additional time to complete certain requirements for the credential that authorizes her service. The waiver request is made when there is not a properly credentialed person available for the position.

 

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 September 2006

 

3.5          Fiscal Transactions for September 2006

 

3.6          Award of Contract for Professional Services for Hazardous Materials Project Management and Inspection for the Measure C Program: Group V Sites

Awarded $114,363 contract to MS Environmental for hazardous materials management and inspection services related to the Group V Measure C projects. Funding Source:  Measure C

 

3.7          Contract Amendments

3.7.1 Beals Alliance, Sports Division in the amount of $9,860 for the provision of comprehensive design and engineering services for Board approved tennis court facility repairs. Funding Source:  Proposition 55 Funds

 

3.7.2 Beals Sport in the amount of $18,400 for the provision of comprehensive design and ongoing services for Board approved high priority athletic facility improvement projects at College Park, Concord, and Mt. Diablo and Ygnacio Valley high schools and Riverview Middle School. Funding Source:  Proposition 55 Funds

 

3.8          Final Change Orders

3.8.1 Contract C-818, Bid 1382 to Robert A. Bothman, Inc. in the amount of $45,666.37 for the installation of Board approved athletic facility improvements at Riverview Middle School (all weather track) and Ygnacio Valley High School (all weather track and synthetic turf playing field). Funding Source:  Proposition 55 Funds

 

3.8.2 Contract C-828, Bid 1403 to B & B Grading and Paving, Inc. in the amount of $8,950.22 for tennis court improvements at Riverview Middle School and Clayton Valley and Concord high schools. Funding Source:  Proposition 55 Funds

 

3.9          Notices of Completion

3.9.1 Contract C-818, Bid 1383 to Robert A. Bothman, Inc. in the amount of $3,229,966.37 for providing the athletic facility improvements, package C, site work at Riverview Middle School and Ygnacio Valley High School. Funding Source:  Proposition 55

 

3.9.2 Contract C-828, Bid 1403 to B & B Grading and Paving, Inc. in the amount of $1,062,059.22 for providing the tennis court improvements at Riverview Middle School; and Clayton Valley and Concord high schools. Funding Source:  Proposition 55

 

3.10          Apprenticeship Training Program

Approved agreement between Mt. Diablo Adult Education and Paris Beauty College for an apprenticeship program in barbering and cosmetology. There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding Source: Montoya RSI (Related Supplemental Instruction) funds administered by the California Department of Education.

 

3.11          Interagency Agreement for Adult Education

Approved interagency agreement between Mt. Diablo Adult Education and Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) to provide outreach and recruitment services for EHS           D’s Advanced Manufacturing grant. There is no impact to the General Fund. Mt. Diablo Adult Education will be paid on a cost reimbursement basis for up to $10,000. Funding Source: Contra Costa Employment and Human Services Department contract.

 

3.12          Agreement Between Mt. Diablo Unified School District and New Connections Counseling

Approved agreement for New Connections to provide counseling support at Clayton Valley, Concord, Mt. Diablo and Ygnacio Valley high schools and Pine Hollow and Diablo View middle schools. Projected expenses not to exceed $30,000 for the 2006-2007 school year. Funding Source:  Pre-Referral Intervention Grant (Mental Health).

 

3.13          Agreement Between Mt. Diablo Unified School District and the Wright Institute Graduate School of Clinical Psychology and an Independent Services Contract with Dr. Anatasia Kim, Wright Institute Professor

Approved agreement with the Wright Institute Graduate School of Clinical Psychology and an independent services contract with Dr. Anatasia Kim to implement a social skills program at Meadow Homes Elementary School. Fiscal Impact:  $24,000  Funding Source:  Title VII, Dual Immersion Grant

 

3.14          Agreement Between Mt. Diablo Unified School District and John F. Kennedy University Counseling Services

Approved agreement with JFK University to establish counseling trainee internships to support Sequoia, El Dorado, Valley View, Riverview and Glenbrook middle schools; and Concord High School and Summit/TLC. There is no cost to the General Fund. Projected expenses not to exceed $45,000 for the 2006-2007 school year. Funding Source;  Pre-Referral Intervention Grant (Mental Health).

 

3.15          Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Office of the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and Mt. Diablo Unified School District

Approved MOU for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Office to be the external entity providing support to Glenbrook Middle School and Cambridge, Fair Oaks, Meadow Homes, and Ygnacio Valley elementary schools as required by the High Priority Schools Grant Program. Fiscal Impact:  $180,000 Funding Source:  High Priority Schools Grants Program

 

4.             RECOGNITIONS

4.1          Recognition of Improvement on the Academic Performance Index – Secondary Schools

Schools that exceeded statewide standard of 800 and met all growth targets

                                                School                                                             API

                                                Diablo View Middle                                      854
                                                Foothill Middle                                               880
                                                Sequoia Middle                                             867
                                                Valley View Middle                                        806
                                                Northgate High                                             823

 

Schools with ten point improvement or more

                                                School                                                      Growth

                                                Summit High                                                 126
                                                Olympic High                                                 114
                                                Mt. Diablo High                                                42
                                                Clayton Valley High                                        17
                                                College Park High                                          16
                                                Sequoia Middle                                               10
                                                Riverview Middle                                             10

 

5.             PUBLIC COMMENT

Jack Bean, parent and grandparent of a District student, voiced a complaint about the signup procedures for enrolling kindergarten students at Sequoia Elementary School, claiming it is unfair because it is based on first-come, first served on registration day rather than on actual birth date.

 

6.             COMMUNICATIONS

        6,1          Student Representatives

Lindsey Lawson and Ashlie Parker, Clayton Valley; Hanna Kim and Alexandra Peters, College Park; Samantha Quinn, Concord; Alexandra Echeverria and Alani Jackson, Mt. Diablo; Vishal Legani, Northgate; Samantha Lopez, Olympic; and David Cranmer, Ygnacio Valley, reported on events, activities, and issues at their respective high schools.

 

        6.2          Organizations

Ron Hansen, president, Local One, M&O, listed the many reasons he is in a union and described the value of unions to American workers. He presented Local One, M&O’s successor bargaining agreement, to commence July 1, 2007, to the Board and the Superintendent.

Mike Noce, president, MDEA, asked questions about Item 9.14, “Criteria for Site and District Discretionary Block Grants” and said he hopes “there will be plenty of teacher, employee, and community input” on the discretionary funds. He said art, music, and PE teachers are anxious to have some of the categorical money. In regard to Item 9.15, “Coach/Specialist” job description, he thanked staff for pulling it from the agenda and said the District needs to bargain with MDEA before adding job descriptions. He accused the District leadership of acting unilaterally without consulting MDEA. He said he hopes communication with MDEA will improve after the November election. Noting that bargaining will take place next week in regard to a stipend for certificated personnel at Decile 1-3 schools, he said MDEA has come up with a proposal after rejecting the one from the District. He called attention to SB 1209, which would provide money for mentor teachers at Decile 1-3 schools. He said the best incentive to attract and retain teachers is for the District to provide competitive salaries. After it does, teachers would be willing to work with the District on a parcel tax. In promoting salary increases, he accused districts of colluding to keep teacher salaries low. In closing, he urged votes for specific candidates for state and local office.

 

7.             REPORTS/INFORMATION - None

 

8.                   SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

        McHenry, commenting on the MDEA president’s comments, said District staff have not put positions in place without job descriptions. He added that if Noce was referring to “Resource Teachers,” the District has had a job description for that position for years. He said he is hopeful to have better relationships with all employee bargaining unit leaders. To that end, he has been meeting monthly with employee unit leaders  for past two years.

 

Board comment   Eberhart took issue to the MDEA president’s allusion that the District is colluding with other districts in terms of what is bargained with employees. In his 11 years on the Board, he said, he has never once had a discussion on what other districts are offering when the Mt. Diablo Board is setting its direction for bargaining.

 

9.             BUSINESS

9.1          Appointment of Director, Student Services

Allen moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to appoint Susanne Chambers as Director of Student Services, effective immediately.

 

9.2          Resolution 06/07-37 Native American Heritage Month – November 2006

Mayo moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to adopt Resolution 06/07-37, supporting the California Department of Education’s designation of November as Native American Heritage Month.

 

9.3          Public Hearing for the Evaluation of the Proposed School Site in Pittsburg

Education Code 17211 requires that before a site can be approved as the location for a new school, the local school board must hold a public hearing for the purpose of evaluating the site using standards developed by the California Department of Education.

 

Public hearing:  Mayo opened the public hearing at 8:53 p.m. With no requests to speak, she closed the hearing.

 

9.4          Resolution 06/07-35 Evaluating Real Property for New School Site

Strange moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to adopt Resolution 06/07-35. As required by California law, a school district must make various findings regarding the site’s suitability as the location for a school. District consultants have conducted all necessary studies and found the site to be acceptable.

 

Board comment   Eberhart asked for the criteria in locating the site relative to parks and other amenities. Nicoll said there are no criteria as the area is presently undeveloped.

 

9.5          Public Hearing Regarding Sufficiency of Textbooks and Instructional Materials for 2006-2007 Pupil Textbook and Instructional Materials Incentive Program and Williams Settlement Instructional Materials Fund

The local governing board is required to make an annual determination of the sufficiency of textbooks or instructional materials, consistent with content standards adopted pursuant to Education Section 60605.

 

Staff report  Curriculum and Instruction Director Vivian Boyd explained the process used to determine textbook sufficiency. Every teacher completes a survey, which is presented to the School Site Council for review. The Site Council minutes are then sent to the Curriculum and Instruction Department, where the District report is generated. Boyd said the teacher survey showed the District to be short of the needed texts and materials by approximately 2.28 percent and assured the Board that the texts have been ordered to remedy the insufficiency. She reported that in preparation for this school year staff ordered 56,136 textbooks for elementary schools, 10,636 for middle schools and 14,431 for high schools for a total cost of $3,268,545. 

 

Public comment/hearing (9:00-9:10 p.m.)  Jerry Okendo, president of League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), read a letter of complaint, taking issue with the number of vacant teaching positions in the District, the use of “rolling substitutes,” and his son’s receiving a computer disk (CD) for math before the text arrived. Tara Kini, attorney with Public Advocates, Inc., co-counsel for the Williams Settlement, criticized the resolution initially included in tonight’s agenda for Board consideration. (Mayo explained that the District received the complaint faxed by Public Advocates earlier in the day and has changed the resolution accordingly. The amended resolution will be read aloud and presented for Board approval following the public comment/hearing.)

 

Board action   After reading the resolution, Eberhart moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to adopt Resolution 06/07-36, verifying the sufficiency of textbooks and instructional materials.

 

9.6          Resolution 06/07-34 Regarding Designation of Specific Material, Product, Thing or Service on Construction Projects

Eberhart moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to adopt Resolution 06/07, designating specific materials and products to be used on the HVAC Improvement Program Project, as permitted under  Public Contract Code §3400. Four products are listed: Carrier 48 PG Ultra High Efficiency Package Units; Team Air Custom Furnace Enclosure; Carrier #58MVB Furnace and #24ACA3 Series Condensing Units with 33CS Series Programmable Thermostat; and Mitsubishi City Multi System. Fiscal Impact:  Undetermined, could reduce long-term costs. Funding Source:  Proposition 55 Funding.

 

9.7          Purchase of Four (4) School Buses with Wheelchair Accommodations

Allen moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve the purchase from A-Z Bus Sales, Inc., of four school buses (vans) to accommodate both ambulatory and wheelchair students, piggybacking on the Waterford Unified School District Bid as per Public Contract Code 20118. Fiscal Impact:  $249,645.32  Funding Source:  Mandated Cost Reimbursement.

 

9.8          Create Four (4) Districtwide Site Technology Support Technician II Positions

Treece moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve the creation of four (4) Districtwide Site Technology Support Technician II positions to meet the increasing needs for technology support at school sites and departments. Fiscal impact for November through June 2006 is $236,872. Fiscal impact for a full year is $300,576. Funding Source:  Routine Restricted Maintenance

 

Board comment   Eberhart said he would like staff to come up with ways to determine the support personnel needs of the District, noting that there are formulas for teachers and administrators and should be ones for other needs as well.

 

9.9          Request to Create Two Groundskeeper Positions

Allen moved, Strange seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve the creation of two Groundskeeper positions. Fiscal Impact: Funding for two Sprinkler Technician positions will be changed from the General Fund to the Restricted Maintenance budget, enabling the District to finance the Groundskeeper positions under the General Fund. Fiscal Impact:  A net savings of $31,035 to the General Fund. Funding Source:  General Purpose budget (Program Code 5360).

 

9.10                        Proposal to Increase School Bus Driver Trainee Rate of Pay

Strange moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to increase the current hourly rate for School Bus Driver Trainees from $6.75 to $12.00/hour in an effort to enhance recruitment. Fiscal Impact:  $6,540  Funding Source:  General Fund

 

9.11        Elimination of One (1) Vacant Account Clerk Position and the Creation of One (1) Program Analyst Position

Treece moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to eliminate one vacant Account Clerk position and create one Program Analyst position. The action addresses the recommendations set forth in the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) report of March 2006. Local One, Clerical, Secretarial, Technical (CST), Unit was advised of this requested change. Fiscal Impact:  The increased cost for the remainder of 2006-2007 is $14,231. The increased cost for the full year is $21,288. Funding Source:  General Purpose

 

Board comment   Eberhart asked for an update on the process to fill the recommended position of Project Manager to oversee the whole Personnel/Payroll system improvement project. McHenry said staff interviewed one candidate and he has talked to some others. It is proving difficult to find someone with expertise in both Personnel and computer technology who is willing to commit to an 18-month project. He said that many of the recommended positions, such as the one for workers compensation, are needed whether or not there is a Project Manager in place.

 

9.12        Create 3.0 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Coordinator, Student Services 6-8 Positions and 9.0 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Coordinator, Student/Community Services, 9-12

Treece moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to create 3.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Coordinator, Student Services, 6-8, positions and 9.0 FTE Coordinator, Student/Community Services, 9-12, positions to implement the Supplemental School Counseling Program established in the 2006-2007 state budget. Fiscal Impact:  $802,389 ($196,230 for Grade 6-8; $606,159 for Gr. 9-11) for November 2006 through June 2007. Full year cost is estimated to be $1,198,742. Funding Source:  Supplemental School Counseling Program. Funding is calculated at $70 per 7th-12th grade pupil based on the 2005 CBEDS enrollment. Total allocation expected for 2006-2007 is $1,162,060 and the funding is expected to be ongoing. Costs over and above State allocation can be augmented by Categorical Funds for Academic and Career Counseling. There is no impact to the General Fund.

 

Staff comment   McHenry told the Board that the positions won’t be filled until the District receives the money from the state. Tonight’s Board action allows the positions to be posted so the District will have some candidates when the money arrives.

 

9.13                        Approval of Adult Education Course Titles for 2006-2007

Allen moved, Strange seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve the list of course titles, including those for career technical education, offered by the Adult Education program. The California Department of Education requires that course titles be approved annually. Fiscal Impact:  These courses earn ADA and/or generate fees that are included in the income projections for the Adult Education budget for 2006-2007. Funding Source:  Adult Education Attendance Revenue

 

9.14                        Consider Approval of Criteria for Site and District Discretionary Block Grant

Treece moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve criteria for district and school site discretionary block grants, two of the areas funded as part of the State Budget Act. It is estimated that the district will receive approximately $19 per ADA and each site $56 per ADA. Criteria include:

Sites

          Instructional materials

          Classrooms and laboratory supplies and materials

          Classroom and school library materials

          Deferred maintenance

          Technology

          Expenditures that would close the achievement gap

          Professional development

District

          Instructional materials

          Classroom and laboratory supplies and materials

          Classroom and school library materials

          Deferred maintenance

          Technology

          Expenditures that would close the achievement gap

          Professional development

          Home to school transportation

          One-time fiscal obligations of school districts

 

Fiscal Impact:  $1,947,568. Presented as information at the October 10 meeting, this item was returned for action at this time.

 

Board comment   In response to Eberhart, McHenry said the criteria presented to the Board for approval “come directly from the law.” Gloria Gamblin explained that there is a separate grant for art, music, and P.E. equipment as well as one dealing with “fiscal solvency,” two areas mentioned by the MDEA president earlier in the meeting with he talked about the discretionary block grants. In response to Allen, she said she does not yet know if the art, music, and P.E. grant allocations must be approved by the Site Council. McHenry explained that some districts have started making plans for expending money they expect to receive from the various new programs/grants included in the 2006-07 state budget. In Mt. Diablo, he said, staff are not putting plans together until there is more definitive information from the state. He explained that calling people together to discuss a new program might create an expectation to start spending the money. “Then if we don’t’ get it, we have a lot of people upset.” He assured the Board that many people will be involved in the discussions. In response to Allen, Gamblin said she expects that any money not spent this year can be carried over, so the District will not lose the revenue.

 

9.15                        Job Description for Coach/Specialist (Teacher on Special Assignment)—PULLED

 

9.16                        Reorganization – Curriculum and Instruction Department

Allen moved, Treece seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve the reorganization plan for the Curriculum and Instruction Department, designed to make it function more cost effectively and to consolidate work with school sites. Fiscal Impact:  $39,595  Funding Source:  Categorical Programs: Title I, EIA, Title II. There is no impact to the General Fund. Presented as information at the October 10 meeting, this item was returned for action at this time.

 

Board comment   Allen says he has been hearing in recent conferences that one way to improve finances is to make better use of categorical funding. He said, “I think this (reorganization) is a good plan.”

 

9.17                        California Department of Education (CDE) Waiver Request of Innovative Programs

Treece moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to allow District staff to request a waiver from the California Department of Education (CDE) so MDUSD can include Building Effective Schools Together (BEST) as a scientifically-based research program for student support and enhancement of school climate. There is no impact to the General Fund. Presented as information at the October 10 meeting, this item was returned for action at this time.

 

9.18                        Revision to Board Policy and Administrative Rule 5125.1, Release of Directory Information

Eberhart moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to adopt revised Board Policy 5125.1 and AR 5125.1, “Release of Student Directory Information” to district/school affiliated groups.

 

9.19                        Board Policy and Rule 6164.2, Supplemental School Counseling Program

Recently adopted state legislation, AB 1802 and SB 131, created a Supplementary School Counseling Program for 7th through 12th grade students and allocated funding to implement it. The program requires school districts to develop a program to identify “at risk” students and provide counseling services to them. Board Policy and Administrative Rule 6164.2 have been revised to meet current law and to implement this program. (The District’s plans call for using the $1,162,060 MDUSD will receive to hire Student Services Coordinators to provide the counseling services. Funding Source:  Supplementary School Counseling Program. Funding is calculated at $70 per Grade 7-12 pupil based on 2005-06 CBEDs enrollment.) Presented as information at this time, this item will be returned for action at a subsequent meeting.

 

9.20                        Resolution 06/07-39 In Support of Proposition 1D

Eberhart moved, Strange seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to adopt Resolution 06/07-39, supporting Proposition 1D, a statewide facilities improvement bond initiative on the November 7, 2006, ballot. If passed, it would provide more than $7 billion for improvement to Kindergarten through 12th grade education facilities and an additional $3 billion for higher education facilities. Dick Nicoll reported that if Proposition 1D passes, the District will receive an additional $10 million for construction projects and another $8 million for a new school.

 

10.          BOARD REPORTS

Allen said he is pleased with Connect-ED, the new parent notification system, which has been used successfully to contact parents about recent events. He called it “a good investment.”

 

Strange said the Appellate Court Argument that took place at Mt. Diablo High on October 12 was “a great experience for the students and the school.” He also enjoyed attending the Celebration of Success at Concord High on October 19 recognizing Special Education students who have achieved success.

 

Eberhart, noting that this is the last meeting before the national election, remarked that many issues on the ballot are important to students and to the community. He is looking forward to a change in Washington that may increase Special Ed funding, which takes $30 million from District’s General Fund. He encouraged everyone to vote, saying it is “a meaningful thing that we all need to take an active role in.”

 

Treece enjoyed visiting Mt. Diablo High teacher Steve Seaman’s Construction Technology event last Wednesday, where representatives from a full range of apprenticeship programs and manufacturing interacted with students. The Intel-Affiliated Contra Costa Science and Engineering Fair will be held March 22-24, 2007. Industry partners and teachers are already helping middle and high school students integrate technology into their science curriculum and prepare for the science fair. Teachers Karen Kelly of Clayton Valley High and Frank Redle of Concord High and Curriculum Specialist Pat Cleaver are providing training for teachers to incorporate science fairs into the core curriculum. Parents and students also involved.

 

Mayo thanked Parent Liaison Melody Royal, Psychologist Jerry Zimmerman and Special Education Director Melinda Hall for their role in the recent Celebration of Success. She enjoyed participating in a lively discussion at the Safe and Drug Free Schools Task Force meeting last week. She announced that tomorrow, October 25, Dick Allen would be recognized by the Alternative Education Foundation at its first annual recognition reception. (Strange added that the Foundation will be awarding $5,000 worth of grants to teachers at the event.) She also announced the annual crab feed to benefit After School Programs, being held at Sun Terrace Elementary on Thursday, October 26. She attended the funeral service for John Moiso, which she called a wonderful event that honored Mr. Moiso as an example of service as a lifelong endeavor. Four scholarship funds have been established in his name.

 

11.          ADJOURNMENT  Mayo adjourned the meeting at 10:12 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                               

Gary McHenry, Secretary