HUNTINGTON BEACH UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MARCH 14, 2000

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, March 14, 2000

CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by the President, Dr. Simons.

CLOSED SESSION: (I)

The Board recessed to closed session at 7:05 p.m. to consider the following:

Conference with Real Property Negotiator – Negotiations with MS Vickers II, LLC, or its broker, Voit Commercial, regarding that certain real property at 701 Yorktown Avenue, Huntington Beach. Dr. Patricia Koch sought direction from the Board regarding price and terms – Government Code section 54956.8.

RECONVENED:

The meeting was called back to order at 7:33 p.m. Dr. Simons announced that in closed session the Board had unanimously authorized the Assistant Superintendent, Business Services, to execute an amendment to the Purchase/Sale Agreement with MS Vickers for the "oil island" located at 701 Yorktown Avenue.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: (II)

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (III-A)

It was moved by Ms Castrey, seconded by Mrs. Bruce, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held February 8, 2000 with one correction. Item IV-F, Non-public School/Agency Contracts – WOCCSE, was pulled by Ms Dashiell in order to change the vote from "no" to "abstain".

Motion unanimously carried.

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTIVITIES: (III-B)

Members representing the district on various committees presented reports and discussed activities.

Congratulations were extended to Ms Castrey who has been appointed by President Clinton as the Chairperson of the Federal Service Impasses Panel.

STUDENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE REPORT: (III-C)

Rona Smith, Student Representative to the Board, presented her report.

STUDENT RECOGNITION – MOCK TRIAL (FVHS): (III-E)

Students from Fountain Valley High School’s Mock Trial Team, together with their co-coaches, Christine Baron and Jim Caforio, were recognized by the Board for their outstanding accomplishments. The Board President presented a plaque to the coaches. Thanks were also extended to Ms Baron for the insightful articles she writes in the Los Angeles Times.

PUBLIC COMMUNICATION TO THE BOARD: (III-F)

The following people addressed the Board concerning problems associated with the SIRS computer program: Denis Gitschier, teacher; Mary Ellen Pascucci, parent; Adrienne Henigan, staff member; Mike Henigan, staff member; Rita Farnsworth, staff member; Kim Henry, parent, and Susan Henry, parent and president of the Fountain Valley High School Foundation. Dr. Simons acknowledged that the Board is aware of the problem.

The following people addressed the Board seeking funding for the Huntington Beach High School swimming pool: Sylvia Garrett, parent and president of the Huntington Beach High School Foundation; Tom Shaw, vice president, Huntington Beach High School Foundation; Dan Hay, parent and vice president, Huntington Beach High School Foundation; Jeff Holson, parent; Elizabeth Williams, parent; Kay Baillie, parent; Katie Plummer, student; Alan Chancellor, parent; Logan Shaw, graduate; Jack Bowland, parent; Ron Elo, parent; Shaun Shuck, student; Liz Van De Vanter, parent and Jeff Russ, staff member.

RECESS:

A recess was called from 9:08 to 9:24 p.m.

CONSENT CALENDAR: (IV)

It was moved by Mrs. Castrey, seconded by Mrs. Bruce, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented, with an addendum to IV-B, Personnel Report but with the exception of item IV-F, Non-Public School Contract/Addendum, WOCCSE; and item IV-K, Acceptance of Funding – Bilingual Teacher Recruitment Academy (WHS), which were pulled by Ms Dashiell and Mr. Harper respectively for separate consideration.

Motion unanimously carried.

PURCHASE ORDERS: (IV-A)

Purchase orders in the amount of $1,278,994.45 were approved as presented.

PERSONNEL REPORT: (IV-B)

Approval was granted for the Classified and Certificated Personnel Report No. 10 as presented, with addendum.

PROFESSIONAL AND OFFICIAL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES:

(IV-C)

Approval was granted for the professional and official business activities as presented.

FIELD TRIPS: (IV-D)

Approval was granted for field trips as presented.

CONTRACTS AND CONSULTING AGREEMENTS:

(IV-E)

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.

GRANT APPLICATION – DIGITAL HIGH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY INSTALLATION (MHS): (IV-G)

Approval was granted for Marina High School to submit an application to the California Department of Education for a Digital High School Technology Installation Grant in the amount of $715,200. Matching funds are required and will be provided through existing technology resources and school facilities program funds. Authorization to expend funds upon receipt was granted.

GRANT APPLICATION – DIGITAL HIGH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY INSTALLATION (HBHS): (IV-H)

Approval was granted for Huntington Beach High School to submit an application to the California Department of Education for a Digital High School Technology Installation Grant in the amount of $679,500. Matching funds are required and will be provided through existing technology resources and school facilities program funds. Authorization to expend funds upon receipt was granted.

GRANT APPLICATION – DIGITAL HIGH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY INSTALLATION (WHS): (IV-I)

Approval was granted for Westminster High School to submit an application to the California Department of Education for a Digital High School Technology Installation Grant in the amount of $769,200. Matching funds are required and will be provided through existing technology resources and school facilities program funds. Authorization to expend funds upon receipt was granted.

GRANT APPLICATION – NEW ERA AWARDS IN EDUCATION (FVHS): (IV-J)

Approval was granted for Fountain Valley High School to submit an application to Edison International for a New Era Awards for Excellence in Education Grant in the amount of $4,500. If awarded, the funds will be used to purchase an LED projector for the computer lab to augment mathematics instruction for at-risk freshman and sophomore students in the "Baron Bridge Builders" peer tutoring program. No matching funds are required. Authorization to expend funds upon receipt is requested.

NEW BASIC TEXTBOOK ADOPTION – TENTH LIST: (IV-L)

Approval was granted to commence the adoption of the new basic textbooks (tenth list) for the 1999-2000 school year according to district policy.

NEW BASIC TEXTBOOK ADOPTION – NINTH LIST: (IV-M)

Approval was granted to adopt the new basic textbooks (ninth list) for the 1999-2000 school year. The thirty-day review period has been completed according to district policy.

LEASE AGREEMENT – WHS FARM: (IV-N)

Approval was granted for a lease agreement with Michael Royals to be a tenant of the Westminster High School Farm. In exchange for rent-free housing, Mr. Royals agrees to provide supervision and surveillance over Westminster High School. The three-year term of the agreement is from February 1, 2000 through January 31, 2003.

SALE OF SURPLUS/

OBSOLETE DISTRICT VEHICLES:

(IV-O)

Approval was granted to dispose of the listed surplus/obsolete district vehicles by public auction through Nationwide Auctioneers.

CONTRACT FOR ASBESTOS AND LEAD EVALUATION SERVICES: (IV-P)

Approval was granted for a contract (No. 7786) with Executive Environmental Management for asbestos and lead evaluation services throughout the District at a cost of $133,176 to be funded by the Capital Facilities Fund.

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2000 DISBURSEMENTS: (IV-Q)

Recaps of the payments processed during the months of January and February 2000 were presented.

ENROLLMENT & ADA: (IV-R)

Reports on enrollment and ADA for the period September 6, 1999 through December 31, 1999 were presented.

RESOLUTION – ADDTNL INCOME AND EXPENDITURES – VARIOUS CATEGORICAL PROJECTS AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES – GENERAL FUND: (IV-S)

The District has been notified of increases and decreases in funding for various categorical projects and other funding sources. Approval was granted to adopt a resolution increasing income and expenditures by the amount of $172,149 within the General Fund for the fiscal year 1999-2000.

RESOLUTION

NO. 27:

AYES: HARPER, BRUCE, CASTREY, DASHIELL, SIMONS

NOES: NONE

ABSENT: NONE

Resolution unanimously adopted.

RESOLUTION – TRANSFER OF FUNDS – VARIOUS FUNDS: (IV-T)

Approval was granted to adopt a resolution which authorizes the transfers made within the approved budgets of the General Fund and the Adult Education Fund for 1999-2000.

RESOLUTION

NO. 28

AYES: HARPER, BRUCE, CASTREY, DASHIELL, SIMONS

NOES: NONE

ABSENT: NONE

Resolution unanimously adopted.

NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL CONTRACT/

ADDENDUM -WOCCSE: (IV-F)

It was moved by Mrs. Bruce, seconded by Ms Castrey, to enter into the non-public school contract/addendum as presented, and the West Orange County Consortium for Special Education was authorized to receive invoices and process payment.

Motion carried 4-0.

Ms Dashiell abstained.

ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDING – BILINGUAL TEACHER RECRUITMENT ACADEMY (WHS): (IV-K)

It was moved by Ms Castrey, seconded by Mrs. Bruce, to accept the fifth and final year of funding in the amount of $85,000 for Westminster High School to continue the Bilingual Teacher Recruitment Academy. The funds will be used to recruit, train and prepare students to pursue higher education in careers related to teaching. Matching funds are required and will be met through existing categorical resources. Authorization to expend funds upon receipt was granted.

Motion carried 4-1.

Mr. Harper voted no.

COMMITMENT OF FINAL BANKRUPTCY DISTRIBUTION: (V-D)

It was moved by Ms Castrey, seconded by Mrs. Bruce, that funds in the amount of $269,399 recovered by the District’s General Fund in the final distribution from the Orange County Bankruptcy on February 24, 2000 be set aside to help in funding the construction of a new pool at Huntington Beach High School.

Mrs. Bruce asked staff to summarize how much money has already been paid into the swimming pool project, acknowledging that the District has already paid into the pool demolition fund. Dr. Koch noted that the District has paid for asbestos abatement, initially estimated to be $30,000. Recently an emergency contract for an additional $40,000 of work was awarded. The District has also discussed providing a revenue stream from the Redevelopment Agency Funds in the amount of about $20,000 per year, although this has not yet been acted on by the Board. Dr. Koch indicated that the pool project would qualify as an eligible project for state park bond funding; however, if the Board were to fund the entire project and then try to recoup its cost, the project could not be considered by the state. Dr. Koch was asked to summarize the needed funding for the pool project. Dr. Koch stated that both the District and the City each need to come up with about $450,000-$500,000. She indicated that with the Board’s action to expend further funds this evening, the District would be about $120,000 short of meeting its obligation. It was emphasized that some of the information discussed this evening was taken from staff discussions and had not yet been presented to the Board or City Council.

Dr. Simons indicated that the next joint aquatics meeting will take place on April 7, when it is expected that the Joint Use Agreement with the District and City will be approved. He indicated that there is commitment on all parts to build a swimming pool at Huntington Beach High School. Dr. Simons indicated that while the Board has approved funding tonight in the amount of $269,399, it is not prepared to provide the remaining $900,00 of the project.

Dr. Simons indicated that interested parties could attend the April 7 aquatics meeting at 2 p.m. when there will be more information available.

Motion unanimously carried.

PRESENTATION ON MULTI-YEAR FINANCIAL FORECAST: (V-A)

Dr. Patricia Koch made a presentation on the District’s multi-year financial forecast. She emphasized that this is a "base-line" forecast which includes known activities and either decisions the Board has already made or clear indications from the State about what is to take place with our funding.

Dr. Koch talked about assumptions, risks/adjustments, highlights of the forecast and balances. She indicated that the District has used multi-year forecasting as a tool for predicting the impact of decisions for a number of years. She stated that the California Department of Education has directed school districts to publish their forecasts in conjunction with their interim reports, beginning in 2000-01.

The "baseline" forecast indicates enrollment growth of 40 students for 2000-01, 197 for 2001-02 and 226 for 2002-03. Another major assumption is that the COLA will be 2.84 percent in 2000-01. This might be enriched with unrestricted money. The COLAs for 2001-02 will be 2.60 percent and 2.50 percent for 2002-03.

Dr. Koch indicated it is important to recognize what is not in the forecast. Salaries are adjusted for enrollment growth, step and column, and teacher retirements, but there is no increase for salaries/benefits after 2000-01 because they are part of the collective bargaining process.

This baseline forecast can be updated if there is a significant change. Dr. Koch indicated it is important to recognize that this is a planning tool and whatever the forecast says can change. Its whole purpose is to allow one to look into the future and plan accordingly. The next update will be after the May Revise.

INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND CERTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL STATUS: (V-B)

The second interim financial statement for the fiscal year 1999-2000 was presented. It was moved by Ms Castrey, seconded by Mr. Harper, that the Board President certify that the district will meet its financial obligations for the current fiscal year and subsequent two fiscal years.

Motion unanimously carried.

AGREEMENT WITH DEPARTMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL: (V-C)

It was moved by Ms Bruce, seconded by Ms Castrey, to authorize the Assistant Superintendent, Business Services to execute an agreement with the State of California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to provide review and oversight of activities to ensure that oil island "H" on Yorktown Avenue is free of hazardous waste. The cost of the agreement is estimated to be $15,000, to be paid from the Capital Facilities Fund.

Motion unanimously carried.

STUDENT EXPULSIONS: (VI-A)

It was moved by Ms Bruce, seconded by Ms Castrey, that Hector Ceciliano be expelled from the Huntington Beach Union High School District for the remainder of the 1999-2000 school year and the
2000-2001 fall semester for violation of California Education Code 48900(b). It was further moved that the expulsion be suspended for the fall semester if Hector has attended school regularly and made academic progress during the period of expulsion, and that during the period of expulsion he be enrolled in an Orange County Department of Education alternative school.

Motion unanimously carried.

It was moved by Mr. Harper, seconded by Ms Castrey, that Sarah Cereghino be expelled from the Huntington Beach Union High School District for the remainder of the 1999-2000 school year and the
2000-2001 fall semester for violation of California Education Code 48900(m). It was further moved that during the period of expulsion, Sarah be enrolled in an Orange County Department of Education alternative school.

Motion unanimously carried.

NEW BUSINESS: (VII)

Board members commented on earlier public communication concerning the SIRS program. Dr. Simons indicated that he has had discussions with staff concerning this serious problem, and as soon as there is a recommendation, it will be brought to the Board.

Discussion took place concerning the Huntington Beach High School swimming pool. Dr. Simons indicated that staff will be in a better position to address the issue after the April 7, 2000 joint aquatics meeting with the City of Huntington Beach when the joint use agreement will be available for review.

Board attendance at the Youth In Government Day luncheon was discussed. Dr. Simons and Ms Castrey will attend.

ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION TO THE BOARD: (VIII)

Dan Hay, parent, commented on the Huntington Beach High School swimming pool.

CLOSED SESSION: (X)

There was no second closed session.

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 10:33 p.m.