SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION Shasta County Office of Education 1644 Magnolia Ave. Redding, CA 96001 Meeting Location: Sierra Pacific Industries Conference Room 19794 Riverside Ave. Anderson, CA 96007 August 25, 2010 Board Planning Session MINUTES: ADOPTED 1. Call Meeting to Order The meeting was called to order by President McBride at 9:05 a.m. Members Present Linda Bradford, Vice-President Diane Gerard Rhonda Hull Steve MacFarland Linda McBride, President William Stegall (departed at 1:30 p.m.) Susan Wilson Administrators Present Tom Armelino, County Superintendent of Schools Judy Flores, Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Services Adam Hillman, Assistant Superintendent, Administrative Services Kathy Thompson, Assistant Superintendent, Early Childhood Services/Special Education Others Present Robin Beeson, Executive Assistant (Recording Secretary) 2. Pledge of Allegiance President McBride led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Hearing of Persons Wishing to Address the Board There were none. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ACTION: Board Member Hull moved to approve the Regular Agenda as submitted. Board Member Wilson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
5. DISCUSSION 5.1 Board Member Elections Board Member Wilson reported that she and Robin Beeson, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, have been communicating with Cathy Darling at the Elections Department regarding the process and what needs to be considered if Board Member elections were to be moved from odd to even-numbered years. Election Code 10404.5 requires the Board to pass a resolution that would then be presented to the Board of Supervisors at least 240 days prior to the scheduled election. The Board of Supervisors will then notify all school districts of the receipt of the resolution and request input on the effect of the consolidation of the election date. The Board of Supervisors is to approve the resolution within 60 days from the receipt unless it finds that the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capacity cannot handle the additional elections or materials. Prior to the adoption of the resolution a report on the cost-effectiveness of changing the election date can be requested from the Elections Department. Within 30 days after the resolution is approved by the Board of Supervisors, the Elections Office is to notify registered voters in the effected districts. The notice is to be delivered by mail at the expense of the county office and/or school districts requesting the consolidation. Current Board Member terms will be extended by one year and any applicable Board Policy would need to be revised. Discussion took place regarding the cost increase the districts would experience if the County Board were to move to elections in even-years and the districts were to remain in odd-years. Districts that are interested in moving their election date would also have to follow the process outlined in Election Code 10404.5. The Elections Department has given an estimated cost of $23,000 to send the notification to registered voters. It was suggested that the cost be shared between the Board and districts that follow suit. The Board requested Superintendent Armelino to contact the Elections Department and request a report on the cost-effectiveness of changing Board Member election dates to even-years and that he inform the districts that the Board is considering taking action. If the Board does decide to take action, Superintendent Armelino will share with the districts the report received from the Elections Department and the process so that districts can decide if they wish to follow suit. The Board asked that caution be given when using the term consolidation and that clarification be given that the process does not include the consolidation of school districts. Legal counsel will be consulted to draft a resolution and provide further guidance as needed. This item will be placed on the next agenda as an action item. Closed Session 5.2 Pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(c), the Board moved to closed session for the following: 5.2.1 Conference with Legal Counsel Anticipated Litigation Deciding Whether to Initiate Litigation: 1 Case Open Session 5.3 Report of Action Taken in Closed Session President McBride reported that there was no action taken. This item will be carried over to the September 8, 2010 agenda.
5.4 Board/Superintendent Goals for 2010/11 The Board brainstormed ideas for goals and prioritized the following: Science Programs (Planetarium, WES, Camp Latieze) It was noted that discussions have taken place regarding future plans for the Planetarium and Camp Latieze, but not for WES. The Board requested an update on WES and the Science grant. District Reorganization The Board expressed interest in holding County Committee meetings quarterly to brainstorm ideas to provide direction to districts in regards to possible restructuring including sharing of services. It was noted that a better understanding of district funding sources is needed. Student Programs ( Court and Community School, Preschool, and Early Childhood Education 0-5) The Board expressed interest in exploring what the future is for Court and Community School programs as enrollment and funding continues to decrease. It was noted that the Early Childhood Services leadership team is looking at data to determine how are students are doing when the attend kindergarten. The Board is interested in collaborating with districts for preschool programs located at district sites that include staff being a part of their school plans. Special Education has a leadership team working with SELPA that can provide updates to the Board. The Board discussed the following topics and determined that while they are not goals, they are priorities: ACTION PRIORITIES: Elections Board Evaluation Superintendent Armelino shared that Administrative Council held a planning session over the summer and came up with two goals. One pertains to leveraging technology for the purpose of improving operations and/or increasing student learning. Technology that is already in place will be utilized. Training will be provided to staff and district needs will be assessed. Areas that technology will be used include, hiring process, implementation of Escape financial system, and moving towards going paperless by utilizing electronic files. The Board may be asked to participate by going paperless and receiving their Board materials electronically for their meetings. Discussion took place regarding the Technology Plan which includes the purchase of new equipment and updates. When new equipment is purchased, the older equipment is then used to replace even older equipment at sites that do not have the funds to purchase new equipment. Discussion took place regarding Board Member equipment. Superintendent Armelino indicated that a list can be provided of what equipment the Board has and the age.
The second goal is to develop and market a fee structured service delivery plan where the County Office can continue to provide services to interested districts. Superintendent Armelino indicated he will combine the goals of the Board and Administrative Council and share them with President McBride before presenting them to the Board for consideration. 5.5 Board Self-Evaluation/Effectiveness of Board Board Member Wilson provided a self-evaluation tool used by the Shasta Union High School District Board. She suggested the Board reflect once a year on their performance and that the evaluation could be used towards the development of goals. The Board was asked to hand write any suggestions for changes on the form they were provided and submit them to Board Member Wilson at the September 8, 2010 Board meeting. She will then compile the information for the October Board meeting and then complete in December by setting a timeline and reviewing at a Board Planning Session. BREAK/WORKING LUNCH President McBride shared that she was contacted by the parent from the recent expulsion appeal hearing who indicated the district would not place the student at a comprehensive high school; rather they were placing him back at a continuation high school. The high school district consulted their legal counsel and it was determined that as the County Board had ordered for the student s records to be expunged, all acts including the student s suspension that led to the expulsion, are deemed to have not occurred. Superintendent Armelino shared that law requires for a Medical Therapy Unit (MTU) to be in existence in every county. Currently there is a MTU located at Buckeye School of the Arts that is in Gateway Unified School District s plans to be torn down and replaced with a parking lot to accommodate a new gym. It has been determined that in order to relocate a MTU, there has to be a mutual agreement in place between Public Health and SELPA and has to be approved by the state. The cost to rebuild the facility to meet the necessary requirements has been estimated at $2 million which would be shared by the districts. The Superintendent at Gateway was notified of these requirements by SELPA and Public Health prior to the plans for the gym being finalized. The County Office has been asked to relocate the preschool program currently located in the MTU building. However, as the required agreement for the MTU is not in place, the destruction of the building is on hold. 5.6 Board Member Attendance at CSBA Annual Education Conference and Trade Show December 2-4, 2010 in San Francisco Board Member Wilson reported that she was contacted by CSBA asking if the Board would be requesting a refund of their membership dues. She informed them the Board had taken action to submit a letter to CSBA requesting responses to questions around the Executive Director s compensation and the Board would be considering future dues based on the response received. It was determined that Board Member Hull and Stegall will attend the CSBA Annual Conference along with Superintendent Armelino. Board Members MacFarland and Wilson expressed interest and will notify Robin Beeson by September 1, 2010 of their decision.
Board Member Hull indicated she would be interested in attending the NSBA Conference in April 2011. Board Members Bradford, Gerard, and Wilson indicated they may be interested in attending as well. Superintendent Armelino stated he is unable to attend as the dates conflict with the CCSESA Quarterly meeting that will be held in Shasta County. This item will be placed on a future agenda to confirm attendees. Board Member McBride and Wilson will be attending the CCBE Conference in early October. 5.7 CCBE Conference Call for Proposals Board Member Wilson stated she would like to see the Board and staff showcase County Office programs by presenting at conferences. As topics, she suggested how the 40 Developmental Assets are implemented in preschool programs and Alternative Education. Superintendent Armelino shared that he struggles with this as he has experienced instances where time goes into preparing for a presentation and no one shows up. He indicated a topic of interest might be Board/Superintendent relationships. Assistant Superintendent Hillman suggested doing something locally to a known audience. 6. ACTION 6.1 Consider Exploration of Partnership between Shasta County Office of Education, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and the SETI Institute for Future of Schreder Planetarium Superintendent Armelino reported that approximately three years ago Mike Warren, CEO of Turtle Bay Exploration Park, approached him and David Ewart, Science Programs Director, with the concept of Turtle Bay housing an IMAX theater and planetarium. As they did not want to compete with the Schreder Planetarium he suggested that the County Office operate the planetarium to be located at Turtle Bay and discontinue the operation of the planetarium located at the County Office. As there was no money, the discussion did not go any further until recently when Mike Warren came to the Board a couple months ago and presented the concept. Since then, a meeting was held with representatives from the Board, County Office, and Turtle Bay to further discuss the potential project. At the meeting it was shared that there is interest in bringing the SETI Institute to Turtle Bay and there may be funding available for a planetarium. The SETI Institute has requested Turtle Bay and the County Office put together a presentation for their Board and funding could then be pursued. Discussion took place regarding particulars including how the planetarium would offer an educational opportunity to guests staying at the Turtle Bay hotel that will be constructed in addition to the 18,000 students who visit the facility per year. Concern was expressed by the Board that admission prices be reasonable to accommodate families in Shasta County. The SETI Institute is asking for letters from Turtle Bay and the County Board expressing interest in exploring the potential of a partnership between the three organizations to have the Schreder Planetarium at the Turtle Bay site. After the letters are submitted, then a presentation to the SETI Institute Board will be scheduled.
The Board inquired to the cost effectiveness of the move. Assistant Superintendent Hillman referred to the costs shared at the last Board meeting to replace the planetarium s failing equipment. Superintendent Armelino indicated there is not a business plan in place for the planetarium, WES, and Camp Latieze. It was noted that the planetarium was paid for with Forest Reserve funds. The Board commented on the extraordinary opportunity that could result in other partnerships and the need to explore opportunities that are cutting edge. Discussion took place regarding next steps. Superintendent Armelino indicated that Director Ewart has other responsibilities and does not have the resources to move the project forward and suggested the development of a committee or bringing in expertise from the outside to assist. Superintendent Armelino shared a sample letter for submission to the SETI Institute Board expressing interest in a partnership with Turtle Bay and the SETI Institute to bring the planetarium to the Turtle Bay site. The Board indicated that they prefer the word explore be used opposed to pursue. The Board requested an item be placed on the next agenda to discuss the procedure for moving forward and sending a Board Member to the presentation with Director Ewart. ACTION: Board Member Wilson moved to consider exploring a partnership with Turtle Bay and SETI Institute to bring the Schreder Planetarium to the Turtle Bay site. Board Member Gerard seconded the motion. The motion passed by majority vote as follows: Shasta County Board of Education AYES: Bradford, Gerard, Hull, MacFarland, McBride, Wilson NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Stegall 7. OTHER COMMENTS Board President McBride indicated that the letter to Frank Pugh, CSBA President, with questions from the Board pertaining to their Executive Director s compensation was included in the Board Member meeting folders. She reported that David Pollock from CSBA contacted her and provided a handout with an e-mail as a follow-up to their phone conversation. Mr. Pollock offered to attend the September 8, 2010 Board meeting. The Board determined they would wait for a response from the letter sent to Mr. Pugh before deciding if they would ask Mr. Pollock to attend a Board meeting. Board Member Bradford stated that she spoke to past Board Member Derek Fasking who asked if the County Office could do some type of recognition for Kathy Burwell and Sally Ryan, teachers at Igo-Ono School, who are retiring. An event will be held in recognition of their retirement on September 24, 2010 that Mr. Fasking is unable to attend as he will be out of town. After discussion it was suggested that Mr. Fasking write a heartfelt letter from himself and ask that it be read at the event.
Board Member MacFarland stated it is a pleasure to serve on the Board and work with administration. He indicated the whole office is benefiting from the working relationship between the Board and the Superintendent. 8. Reminders/Upcoming Events September 1, 2010, 12:00-1:30 p.m. Simpson University Business Luncheon (RSVP to Robin by 8/23/10) September 28, 2010, 5:00-6:00 p.m. EXCEL Back-to-School Night 9. Next Regular Meeting September 8, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. Shasta County Office of Education, 1644 Magnolia Ave., Redding, CA 96001 10. Adjourn President McBride adjourned the meeting at 2:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tom Armelino, Shasta County Superintendent of Schools Ex-Officio Secretary to the Board