BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

Bonnie Castrey
Sallie Dashiell
Matthew Harper
Susan Henry
Michael Simons

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

None

ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL PRESENT:

Susan Roper, Superintendent
Jack Elsner Asst. Supt., Personnel/Emp Relations
Patricia Koch, Asst. Supt, Business Services
John Myers, Asst. Supt., Educational Services
Carole Thomas, Executive Assistant

ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL ABSENT:

None

PLACE AND DATE OF MEETING:

District Education Center

Tuesday, January 29, 2001

CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by the President, Ms Castrey.

CLOSED SESSION: (I)

Negotiations – Conference with Labor Negotiators concerning DEA, CSEA and HBPSA contracts – Government Code section 54957.6. Present were Agency Negotiators Jack Elsner and Patricia Koch.

RECONVENED:

The meeting was reconvened at 7:34 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: (II)

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

PUBLIC COMMUNICATION TO THE BOARD:

(III-A)

Mark Soden, on behalf of CSEA Chapter 157, and Rose Molina, teacher at Huntington Beach High School, addressed the proposed budget cuts.

STAFF PRESENTATION – ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE INDEX UPDATE:

(III-B)

Jerry White, Director of Curriculum, presented the latest information about the Academic Performance Index (API) and school rankings for the district. This presentation fulfills the requirements of Education Code 52056(C).

STUDY SESSION ON SCHOOL FINANCE AND DISTRICT BUDGET: (III-C)

Dr. Susan Roper and Dr. Patricia Koch presented a report on the current fiscal status of the district and state, and proposed reductions to balance the 2002-03 budget. Dr. Koch reviewed multi-year projections as of the First Interim report and presently. She indicated that a shortfall of $1.3 million is projected for 2002-03 and that staff has prepared net reductions in that amount. Although the State Legislature must act by March 31, Dr. Koch anticipates that it will be late in the summer before staff knows the district’s economic future. Dr. Roper indicated that this was the first round and that there would be further reductions.

Dr. Roper reviewed actions taken to date to address the proposed reductions, which include a freeze/review of hiring, travel, purchases and COLAs; energy conservation; training in fiscal management and legislative advocacy. She reviewed the proposed reductions in detail (see attachment).

This evening’s study session of proposed reductions will be followed by a public hearing at the February 12 Board meeting, with Board action to be taken at the March 12 Board meeting. Dr. Roper stated that a second round of cuts will be made in April and May. It is hoped to adopt a balanced district budget for 2002-03 on June 25.

Dr. Roper indicated that the plan is to be as frugal as possible with the dollars we have, and to continue active lobbying of legislators. She mentioned that she was one of fourteen Orange County superintendents who went to Sacramento on January 9-10 to meet with key legislators.

Board members asked questions and staff responded.

NEW BUSINESS:

Ms Dashiell indicated that she planned on attending the Federal Relations Network Conference and would be paying her own way.

Ms Dashiell expressed concern about the district’s expulsion policy and would be seeking written information regarding zero tolerance. Staff responded that a workshop on alternative placement was held in September 2001 addressing this issue. Ms Castrey asked Ms Dashiell to distribute her information to the Board.

Dr. Koch announced that the Huntington Beach High School pool had opened unofficially last Friday and would be ready for the second semester on Monday. The pool celebration, tentatively scheduled for April 19, has been moved to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2002.

ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION:

Mark Soden again commented on the proposed reductions, specifically the Word Processor II position.

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.