HUNTINGTON BEACH UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OCTOBER 12, 1999
| BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: | Bonnie Bruce Bonnie Castrey Sallie Dashiell Matthew Harper Michael Simons |
| BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: | None |
| ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL PRESENT: | Susan Roper, Superintendent Patricia Koch, Asst. Supt, Business Services John Myers, Asst. Supt., Educational Services Jack Elsner Asst. Supt., Personnel/Emp Relations Carole Thomas, Executive Assistant |
| ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL ABSENT: | None |
| PLACE AND DATE OF MEETING | District Education Center Tuesday, October 12, 1999 |
| CALL TO ORDER: | The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by the President, Mrs. Bruce. |
| CLOSED SESSION: | The Board recessed to Closed Session at 7:02 p.m. to
consider:
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| RECONVENED: | The meeting was called back to order at 7:39 p.m. by the President, Mrs. Bruce, who announced that in closed session the Board had met to consider a Parent Appeal – Education Code section 35146. No action was taken. The Board also considered a Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal Release – Government Code section 54957 and Education Code section 44943. Jack Elsner was in attendance. The Board voted unanimously to accept a settlement agreement regarding termination of an employee. |
| PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: (II) | The Pledge of Allegiance was given. |
| APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (III-A) | It was moved by Ms Castrey, seconded by Dr. Simons, to
approve the minutes of the regular meeting held September 14, 1999. Motion unanimously carried. |
| BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTIVITIES: (III-B) | Members representing the district on various committees presented reports and discussed activities. |
| STUDENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE REPORT: (III-C) | Rona Smith, Student Representative to the Board, presented her report. |
| PUBLIC HEARING – PUPIL TEXTBOOK AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS INCENTIVE ACT: (III-D) | A public hearing was held to accept any input which may be considered by the Board regarding the sufficiency of textbooks and instructional materials for the 1999-2000 school year. The notice of the public hearing had been posted at the Education Center and the high school sites since October 1, 1999. Mrs. Bruce opened the public hearing. There being no input, the hearing was declared closed. |
| PUBLIC HEARING – PERSONNEL COMMISSION NOMINEE: (III-E) | Pursuant to California Education Code section 45246, a public hearing was held regarding the Board’s appointment of Mr. Lloyd Vierra to the Personnel Commission. Mrs. Bruce opened the public hearing. There being no input, the hearing was declared closed. |
| PUBLIC COMMUNICATION TO THE BOARD: (III-F) | Liz Van De Vanter, Sandra King, and Rick Plummer, parents,
expressed concern at the expenditure of donations to the Huntington Beach High School
pool. Jannine Jackson, on behalf of CFA, Architectural and Design Services, submitted a letter of interest for both new and modernization design projects. Leonard Crane, citizen, asked for further clarification on the bid awarded for computers, and for a maintenance schedule. |
| PRESENTATION OF CHECK – BUILDING BRIDGES AWARD (HBHS): (III-G) | Mr. Charles Phillips, from the Orange County Human Relations Council, presented a check in the amount of $1,000, which represents the Building Bridges Award, to Huntington Beach High School. The students in the United Cultural Club, along with the teacher advisor, Rose Haunreiter, accepted the award. |
| STAFF PRESENTATION – DIGITAL HIGH SCHOOL GRANTS: (III-H) | District Technology Coordinator, Bob Garcia, made a
presentation regarding the progress and implementation of the Digital High School Grants.
Mr. Garcia indicated that Coast High School and Edison High School are in the process of
becoming Digital High Schools. By the end of the first year of the 21st
Century, all high schools in the state are supposed to become Digital High Schools. Mr. Garcia reviewed the eligibility and funding requirements for digital high schools. Board members expressed thanks to Mr. Garcia. |
| PARENT SURVEY RESULTS: (III-I) | The district’s annual parent survey was conducted in May
1999 by Management Support Services. A report detailing the survey statistics, trends, and
related details was presented by survey director Gayle Wayne. Mrs. Wayne indicated that
the survey is a very important indicator of the district’s effectiveness and is valid
at the 95th percent confidence level, plus or minus 3 percent. 554 responses
were received from a random sample taken over the telephone. Mrs. Wayne stated that the district will probably wish to reevaluate some of its questions next year and suggested the formation of a parent focus group as there may be some new issues. Mrs. Wayne reviewed the questions and responses. The first question concerning the educational program at the school helping to develop responsible and productive citizens, received a strong positive response. Mrs. Wayne indicated that zero tolerance remains strongly supported by parents. There was a decline in the perception regarding cleanliness and maintenance, which was to be expected in light of the public information program which has been in effect this year. There has been a substantial improvement in meeting academic needs. Principals’ Newsletters remain very popular as a source of information. In the areas of parent involvement opportunities being adequate and helping people understand school programs, both have declined. It was recommended that staff study disaggregated data. There has been an improvement in parents being able to get information easily from schools. One question which dealt with students feeling safe at school has received the same positive answer since 1996. An upward trend in the area of teacher effectiveness has been firmly established. There is continued improvement in receiving timely responses from staff. Continued improvement was also found in the area of parents being informed by teachers of student problems in the classroom. There has been a significant improvement on the question related to preparation for life after high school. High expectations for student achievement continue to climb. The question concerning parents being given opportunities to provide input into school decisions has made a big improvement since 1994 and has undergone the most significant change. Parents being adequately informed about activities and programs at the schools has seen an upward trend. Mrs. Wayne indicated that Internet access has improved and now 61 percent of students have Internet access. 17 percent have no computer. In the area of general satisfaction, Mrs. Wayne reported the highest level on record. She stated that six years ago, the desire was to see satisfaction reach the 90th percentile. She indicated that former Superintendent, Dr. David Hagen, would be pleased to know that this year we did it, reaching an 89.8 percent satisfaction mark. It was reported that in summary no significant declines were shown. Several questions had all time highs. Board members asked questions dealing with where the district goes from here with the survey. Mrs. Bruce indicated that she liked the idea of putting together a parent focus group and stated that this survey is taken very seriously and it becomes an integral part of the Strategic Plan on how we are going to direct the goals of the district. |
| CONSENT CALENDAR: (IV) | It was moved by Ms Castrey, seconded by Dr. Simons, to
approve the Consent Calendar as presented with addendum to item IV-B, Personnel Report,
but with the exception of Purchase Orders Nos. 074R0878 and 074R0893 which were pulled by
Ms Dashiell for separate consideration, and the first item of IV-C, Professional and
Official Business Activities, CLAD Certificate Program-Cultural Diversity; IV-I, Grant
Applications, Vision 2020; IV-K, Acceptance of Grant Funds – Healthy Start (WHS); and
IV-Q, Agreement with 24-Hour Fitness, which were pulled by Mr. Harper for separate
consideration. Motion unanimously carried. |
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Purchase orders in the amount of $1,008,597.22 were approved as presented, with the exception of the items noted above. |
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Approval was granted for the Classified and Certificated Personnel Report No. 5 as presented. |
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Approval was granted for the professional and official business activities as presented, with the exception of that item noted above. |
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Approval was granted for field trips as presented. |
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The Governing Board determined that the listed individuals or contractors are specially trained, experienced, and competent to provide services and advice in the noted areas. Such services are not available free of charge from public agencies, and such services and advice are needed on a limited or occasional basis. Approval was granted for the consultants and/or contractors as presented. |
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Approval was granted for the Huntington Beach Union High School District to reimburse the parents of an infant for respite care for an amount not to exceed $366. Respite care is determined to be an appropriate service under PART C criteria of the infant’s Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). |
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Approval was granted to adopt the new basic textbooks (fifth list) for the 1999-2000 school year. The thirty-day review period has been completed in accordance with district policy |
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Approval was granted to commence the adoption of the new basic textbooks (sixth list) for the 1999-2000 school year according to district policy. |
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Approval was granted to accept funding in the amount of $171,169 from the California Department of Education for the Community Based English Tutoring (CBET) Program at the Adult School for the 1999-2000 school year. The amount of funding was determined by the CDE, based on the number of limited English proficient (LEP) students identified in the district’s 1998-99 R-30 Annual Language Census Report. No matching funds are required. Authorization to expend funds upon receipt was granted. |
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Approval was granted to accept funding in the amount of $152,400 from the California Department of Education under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Section 231 Grant. The funds will be disbursed quarterly and must be expended between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2000 in the amounts designated by priority. No matching funds are required. Authorization to expend funds upon was granted. |
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Approval was granted for the district to submit an application to the California Department of Education for funding under the School Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 1999, Assembly Bill 1113. The district’s allocation of funds, based on last year’s student enrollment, is anticipated to be $563,400 for the 1999-2000 fiscal year. No matching funds are required. Authorization to expend funds upon was granted. |
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Approval was granted to enter into interagency agreements with the Coastline Regional Occupational Program (CROP) to provide training and support opportunities for students during the 1999-2000 school year using district staff and facilities. |
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Approval was granted to dispose of the listed surplus/obsolete district vehicle by public auction through Nationwide Auctioneers. |
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Approval was granted to authorize that the District’s unmatched balance of the 1997-98 deferred maintenance contribution remain in the Deferred Maintenance Fund for future match by the State Allocation Board. |
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A recap of the payments processed during the month of September 1999 was presented. |
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Approval was granted to award the bid for asbestos removal at Huntington Beach High School Pool to the successful bidder as presented. It was further recommended that all other bids be rejected as being higher in cost or not meeting specifications. All bid results were available for review in the Purchasing Department. |
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Approval was granted to ratify to the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section the appointment of school principals who will be school representatives to the athletic leagues for the upcoming year. |
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Approval was granted to reappoint Mr. Lloyd Vierra as the
Board’s appointee to the Personnel Commission for a three-year term commencing
December 1, 1999. Mrs. Bruce introduced Mr. Vierra on his appointment. Mr. Vierra thanked Dr. Roper and Dr. Landau for continuing to assist the Personnel Commission and Board in maintaining a relationship over the last 22 years. He looks forward to serving another three years. |
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Following the public hearing, it was moved to adopt a resolution declaring that the district has sufficient textbooks and instructional materials in each subject area that are consistent with the content and cycles of the curriculum framework adopted by the California State Board of Education. The resolution and public hearing are required by Education Code section 60119. |
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AYES: HARPER, SIMONS, CASTREY, DASHIELL, BRUCE NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE Resolution unanimously adopted. |
| PURCHASE ORDERS NOS 074R0878 AND 074R0893: | It was moved by Dr. Simons, seconded by Ms Castrey, to
approve Purchases Orders Nos. 074R0878 and 074R0893 as presented. Motion carried 4-1. Ms Dashiell abstained. |
| PROFESSIONAL AND OFFICIAL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES – CLAD CERTIFICATE PROGRAM: (IV-C-1) | It was moved by Ms Castrey, seconded by Ms Dashiell, to
approve the attendance of Zoran Forgiarini at the CLAD Certificate Program – Cultural
Diversity. Motion carried 4-1. Mr. Harper voted no. |
| GRANT APPLICATIONS – VISION 2020: (IV-I) | It was moved by Ms Castrey, seconded by Dr. Simons, to
approve Fountain Valley, Marina, and Westminster high schools submitting applications to
the Orange County Department of Education for Vision 2020 grant funds. If awarded, funding
up to $1,500 per school will be provided to assist in preparing students for citizenship,
college, and careers through an integrated curriculum. No matching funds are required.
Authorization to expend funds upon receipt was granted. Motion carried 4-1. Mr. Harper voted no. |
| ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS – HEALTHY START (WHS): (IV-K) | It was moved by Ms Castrey, seconded by Ms Dashiell, to
accept a grant award in the amount of $400,000 from the California Department of Education
to establish a Healthy Start program at Westminster High School in conjunction with
Westminster School District. The funding period is from June 30, 1999 to June 30, 2002.
The Healthy Start program will provide support to low-income families through various
community partnerships as students transition from elementary school to high school.
Matching funds of $100,000 are required and will be provided through in-kind support
services. Authorization to expend funds upon receipt was granted. Motion carried 4-1. Mr. Harper voted no. |
| AGREEMENT WITH 24-HOUR FITNESS: (IV-Q) | It was moved by Ms Castrey, seconded by Dr. Simons, to
approve the District’s participation in 24-Hour Fitness’ Corporate Membership
program for an annual fee of $1,500. Motion carried 4-1. Mr. Harper voted no. Mrs. Bruce indicated that it is her understanding that these funds come from the Workers’ Compensation account and not the General Fund. It is considered a proactive wellness program to enhance the District’s health benefits program, giving staff an opportunity to join this program with no initial entry fee and a lower monthly fee. Mr. Harper asked that the district track how many employees do take advantage of it to see if we are getting value for money. |
| BOARD POLICY REVISIONS: (V-A) | It was moved by Ms Castrey, seconded by Dr.
Simons, to approve the following Board Policy for first reading in the continued revision
of existing policies and administrative regulations: BP 5020 Students Parent Rights and Responsibilities Dr. Myers indicated that this is a revision in line with guidelines from CSBA. Mr. Harper asked what other processes we are looking at to revise this policy. He remembered when the Board addressed open enrollment, we went through a lengthy committee process. He asked if there are any plans to treat this significant issue – parents rights and responsibilities – with the same kind of seriousness.. Dr. Myers responded, stating that recent legislation requires that we add this Board Policy and we are using the CSBA model. In the Administrative Rule it spells out the specific areas where parents would have access to school activities. Dr. Myers has reviewed it and, in his opinion, the district’s current practice is in line with the policy. This, however, is a new policy and we haven’t implemented it with the sites officially yet. Motion carried 4-1. Mr. Harper voted no. |
| STUDENT EXPULSIONS: (VI-A) | It was moved by Ms Castrey, seconded by Mr. Harper, that
Nghia Truong be expelled from the Huntington Beach Union High School District for the
remainder of the 1999-2000 school year for violation of California Education Code
48900(b). It was recommended that during that time he attend an Orange County Department
of Education alternative school. In June 2000, Nghia will be notified of his right to
request re-enrollment in the Huntington Beach Union High School District. Motion unanimously carried. It was moved by Ms Dashiell, seconded by Dr. Simons, that Jason Castillo be expelled from the Huntington Beach Union High School District for the remainder of the 1999-2000 school year for violation of California Education Code 48900(b). It was further moved that the expulsion be suspended for the second semester and that Jason attend Valley Vista High School. For the remainder of the first semester, it was recommend that he attend an OCDE alternative education program. Motion unanimously carried. |
| NEW BUSINESS: | Mr. Harper stated that at the last Board meeting he had
requested that this Board consider a second opinion on the open enrollment policy from the
Orange County Board of Education’s attorney, Ron Wenkart, who had offered that if our
Board wanted to solicit such an opinion, that he would be able to give a second opinion on
our policy. Mrs. Bruce asked Dr. Roper if she would like to make a statement regarding
that issue. Dr. Roper indicated that the district has finally been served papers regarding the lawsuit on this policy and she has given a copy of that to our attorney. It is being reviewed at this point in time. Dave Larsen will be responding back to the Superintendent after the review. He is asking the State Department of Education to review the complaint because he believes that it does impact the Education Code and the State Department would want to be involved in this matter. Dr. Roper will be responding back to the Board after she has heard from Dave Larsen. Ms Castrey indicated that she will not be attending the OCSBA Dinner Meeting on October 27 because she would be attending the OCADA dinner that night. Dr. Simons, Mr. Harper and Ms Dashiell will attend. Mrs. Bruce asked that Board members provide the Board Secretary, Mrs. Thomas, with their travel times for the California School Boards Association Annual Conference in December. Mr. Harper asked, as a point of clarification, will the district not review the Open Enrollment Policy in November because of the pending litigation? Dr. Roper indicated that we will wait for a response from our attorney. She stated it is important to point out that as the policy sits there is no student who would be impacted by the policy and so we will wait for the review. We have 30 days to respond and she expects to have a response from Dave Larsen in a timely fashion. Mr. Harper commented that within that period this Board could change its policy if it felt it would want to do so. Dr. Roper reminded everyone that we have been cautioned by our attorney that this is a matter for litigation and so until we have some further direction from him, she asked that we would restrain ourselves from further comment. |
| ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: | Leonard Crane, citizen, expressed concern at the opening of
the new Expo facility on the site previously utilized by Home Depot, and its impact on
sales tax income to the district. Dr. Patricia Koch responded in detail, assuring Mr.
Crane that the district is actually benefiting from this new facility on the sales tax
revenue side and would be hard pressed to prove any type of loss as a result of the Expo. Mrs. Bruce asked Mr. Crane to list his concerns in writing so that staff could respond.
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| ADJOURNMENT: | The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. |