Palisades Charter High School More Than 50 Years of Innovation and Excellence BOARD OF TRUSTEES BOARD MEETING MINUTES May 17, 2016 5 PM, Gilbert Hall I. PRELIMINARY: A. CALL TO ORDER: 5:12 PM B. ROLL CALL: 5:12 PM Present Absent Present Absent Emilie Larew X Leslie Woolley X Monica Iannessa X Dara Williams X Marcia Haskin X Torino Johnson X Greg Nepomuceno X Amanda Campbell X Amanda Campbell X NON-VOTING MEMBERS Present Absent Evan Holland X PCHS MANAGEMENT/STAFF Present Absent Pamela Magee Greg Wood X X
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: A. April 19, 2016 Regular Meeting ACTION: Allison Holdorff Polhill moved to approve the 4/19/16 minutes as amended. Seconded the motion: Amanda Campbell. Minutes approved. III. PUBLIC COMMENT Non-agenda items: No individual presentation shall be for more than two (2) minutes and the total time for this purpose shall not exceed sixteen (16) minutes. Board members will not respond to presentations and no action can be taken. However, the Board may give direction to staff following a presentation. Speakers may choose to speak during the public comment segment and/or at the time an agenda item is presented. PCHS teacher Susan Ackerman, a former student/masters candidate, and three students tesitifed as to the importance of keeping Health Education as a required course.
IV. PRESENTATION ITEMS A. Temescal Academy Tom Seyler Director Seyler described the structure and students of Temescal Academy. Average of 60-75 students who have had issues with lagging credits, emotional issues, behavioral or legal problems, usually counselor-referred. Academy students must follow PCHS academic structure and attendance requirements. Students start each school day with meditation. Twice weekly, they work in the Temescal garden. College classes, ROTC, work experience are all options for credits. Students are supported as much as possible. All students must submit a detailed portfolio binder in order to graduate the academy. Various Board members praised Mr. Seyler and the Temescal Academy program. Monica Iannessa and Dr. Magee noted that they are communicating certain outstanding components of the Temescal program to teachers on the main campus. B. Transportation & Tumbleweed Contract Greg Wood Greg Wood and Dave Riccardi presented the contract for PCHS busing vendor, Tumbleweed. Last year of 3-year contract. They were able to negotiate a 4% increase to budget instead of 5% increase. Performance incentive included so that vendor will pay for poor performance in 16-17. ACTION: Amanda Campbell moved to approve the Tumbleweed contract as presented. Seconded the motion: Marcia Haskin. Passed.
C. Health Benefits Update Amy Nguyen, Greg Wood The overall increase to costs of PCHS health benefits for 2016-17 will be 2.8% as a result of an increase in medical. Dental and vision did not increase. D. Board Election Results Allison Holdorff Polhill Ms. Holdorff Polhill relayed results of 2016 Board election: Leslie Woolley, Community; Donna Mandosa, Administrative/Management; Emilie Larew, Faculty; Robert Rene, Parent; Deanna Hamilton, Traveling Parent, Susan Ackerman, Student Representative. Voter turnout was low; finding candidates was difficult. Election Committee suggested that Charter Committee consider self appointed positions during next charter renewal process. New Board members will be seated 7/1/16. Training will be 7/16/16. Chair Emilie Larew noted that newly elected Board members must still follow Brown Act guidelines. ACTION: Amanda Campbell moved to certify the 2016 Board election results. Seconded the motion: Torino Johnson. Passed. E. Grade Appeal Protocol Leslie Woolley, Torino Johnson, Amanda Campbell Amanda Campbell presented current statistics on grade appeals and reviewed the process. She noted that the Grade Appeal Committee spent many hours on cases that were without merit. She suggested creating a protocol which would streamline the process. The cases were spread among various depts. Direcotr of Counseling Jeff Hartman settled a number of cases prior to reaching the committee. It was suggested that
select dates be established at the beginning of each school year for the committee to meet, as an additional challenge was working around committee members schedules. It was also suggested that there might be alternate members who would fill in when needed to fix this problem. The Grade Appeal Committee agreed to meet with Jeff Hartman and come up with alternative approaches and propose these alternatives to PCHS attorney and eventually to the Board. F. Board Resolution for Physical Education Exemptions Emilie Larew Ms. Larew presented a resolution giving the EDP or EDP designate the authority to grant P.E. exemptions. ACTION: Ellen Pfahler moved to pass the resolution. Seconded the motion: Marcia Haskin. Passed. G. Goal #2 Vertical and Horizontal Alignment Dr. Magee Tabled until June in order to bring back recommendations. H. California Colleges A-G Subject Requirements and PCHS Graduation Requirements Dr. Magee, Jeff Hartman Mr. Hartman and Dr. Magee shared data from the last 3 years showing the percentage of PCHS graduates meeting A-G requirements. Currently, PCHS graduation requirements are aligned with LAUSD. Mr. Hartman and various Board members discussed required classes, electives, scheduling, service work vs. peer tutoring, and other issues. Seniors having an option of choosing the elective Home has created issues where students are sometimes wandering around campus and interfering with classes. Peer tutoring may be meaningful than service work or home as electives.
I. Sunshine Proposals PESPU and PCHS Management Amy Nguyen Dr. Magee presented the latest proposals and relayed that discussions are progressing. J. PCHS Unrepresented and Management Salary Increase of 3% to Equal Prior Bargaining Unit Increases for 2015-16 Retroactive to July 1, 2015 Amy Nguyen Dr. Magee explained that the increase would provide equitable compensation for PCHS unrepresented employees. Unionized employees have already received a 3% increase. ACTION: Ellen Pfahler moved to approve the 3% increase in the salaries of unrepresented employees. Seconded the motion: Dara Williams. Passed. V. ORGANIZATIONAL REPORTS Organizational reports shall be submitted in writing; it is recommended that oral reports be limited to less than 3 minutes. A. Executive Director & Principal Dr. Magee Report stands as submitted.
B. Chief Business Officer Greg Wood Report stands as submitted. Mr. Wood reiterated that the 2016-17 Budget is forming; food service changes will be addressed in the budget. C. Director of Operations - Dave Riccardi No report submitted. D. Human Resources Director Amy Nguyen Report stands as submitted. E. Classified Report Torino Johnson Torino Johnson noted that LAUSD had moved or was considering moving to weekly pay. He will get more information. F. Student s Report Evan Holland Evan relayed that the ASB budget is upcoming. Talent Show on 5/19. G. Parent s Report Allison Holdorff Polhill, Dara Williams, Greg Nepomuceno Booster End of Year party is upcoming. H. Faculty Report Amanda Campbell Are substitutes included in the unrepresented employee salary increase? Dr. Magee answered they would be covered under UTLA. I. Budget & Finance Dr. Minh Ha Ngo, Olivia Castro No report submitted. J. Audit Dara Williams, Ellen Pfahler No report submitted. K. Post-Retirement Health Care Benefits Subcommittee Ellen Pfahler See Discussion item F. L. Academic Accountability Committee Marcia Haskin, Chris Lee Dr. Lee presented the findings of the committee s Board-tasked research: student-athletes who miss periods 5/6 due to athletics are faring better academically than other students. Dr. Lee and Torino Johnson suggested that it might be due to PCHS athletes practicing excellent time management as well as the focus of Pali coaches on the importance of academics. M. Election Committee Emilie Larew, Allison Holdorff Polhill See Presentation item D.
N. Charter Committee Allison Holdorff Polhill, Monica Iannessa, Dara Williams, Torino Johnson, Evan Holland Nothing to report. O. Fundraising Committee Allison Holdorff Polhill Committee met with EDP, CBO, and most PCHS 501c3s to explain policy. P. Survey Committee - Allison Holdorff Polhill Survey is being publicized. Faculty will get time during faculty meeting to complete. Deadline is 5/23. There are student incentives. Survey is over 100 questions; there was discussion about how to increase response for next year, for example, Evan Holland suggested that it be mandatory for students. Dara Williams suggested that every history class take it. VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Anti-Discrimination Policy Emilie Larew and Dr. Magee Attorney Lisa Corr advised that all complaint policies and procedures (below, item B) should be aligned with the Anti-discrimination policy. Dr. Magee noted that PCHS had already been proactive with transgender rights when the current media focus on the issue happened. Ms. Campbell suggested that locker room options be added to the document. Currently P.E. teachers deal with this on a case by case basis and currently it is not an issue. Ms. Larew noted that under California state law, trangender students may use facilities of the gender they identify with. There was discussion about current options and potential future options in PCHS locker rooms. Ms. Campbell suggested the creation of a private area for transgender students who don t want to use either gender s locker room. LTSP Operations/Facilities committee will discuss this topic during 5/25 meeting. ACTION: Leslie Woolley moved to approve the Anti-Discrimination policy. Seconded the motion: Dara Williams Passed unanimously.
B. Complaint Policy Updates Uniform Complaint Policy, General Complaint Policy, & Unlawful Harassment Policy Emilie Larew, Dr. Magee Emilie Larew noted that the Uniform Complaint policy went through the attorneys and was updated. It aligns with federal law. General Complaint policy covers what is not covered under the Uniform Compliant policy. ACTION: Amanda Campbell moved to approve the updated complaints policies. Seconded the motion: Monica Iannessa. Passed unanimously. C. Review and Clarification of Roles & Responsibilities for Budget & Finance Committee Emilie Larew Ms. Larew noted general confusion from various quarters about the role of Budget and Finance committee. Attorney Lisa Corr was tasked with and wrote memo describing the job of Budget Committee according to PCHS Governing Policies and Charter. Teacher majority committee. Committee is advisory. Conflict of interest issues should be guarded against. The Board discussed these and other issues at some length. Ellen Pfahler suggested training for B&F Committee members.
ACTION: Amanda Campbell moved to task the Budget and Finance Committee to review and comment on the Roles and Responsibilities document as written by Lisa Corr. Seconded the motion: Dara Williams. Passed uanimously. D. Grading Policy Update Dr. Magee Long term project continues. Administration working with Culture & Climate facilitators. Currently, Social Studies and English are working on Honors and AP policies. E. Pool Loan Update Greg Wood, Emilie Larew Emilie Larew updated the Board that, regarding the concerns/questions expressed in the Board s 5/3 special meeting, PCHS attorney advised that based on the current structure of the fund, PCHS cannot do a CCC filing against itself. ACTION: Ellen Pfahler moved to approve the non-subordination resolution. Seconded the motion: Leslie Woolley. Passed with all employees abstaining.
F. Lifetime Benefits Committee Structure & Brown Act Compliance Emilie Larew No action taken. Further counsel needed from attorney Lisa Corr. Committee must abide by the Brown Act. G. Revision of Budget Calendar Greg Wood Mr. Wood presented the revised 2016-17 Budget calender. Budget and Finance will meet on June 1, 2016. ACTION: Amanda Campbell moved to approve revised calender as presented. Seconded the motion: Dara Williams. Passed. Emilie Larew X Torino Johnson Not present for vote
H. Board Meeting Calendar for June 2016 and 2016-2017 School Year Emilie Larew Ms. Larew presented an amended June 2016 Board meeting calender which canceled the June 21 meeting, and a Board meeting calender for 2016-17. ACTION: Dara Williams moved to approve the amended June 2016 Board meeting calendar and to approve the 2016-17 Board meeting calendar as presented. Seconded the motion: Leslie Woolley. Passed unanimously. VII. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF REIMBURSEMENTS FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/PRINCIPAL Board unanimously approved reimbursements totaling $249.04. B. APPROVAL OF FIELD TRIPS The Board unanimously approved field trips by Maggie Nance and Tony Ryan. VIII. OUTSTANDING BUSINESS No outstanding business.
IX. NEW BUSINESS No new business. X. CLOSED SESSION Board Chair will report publicly on any closed session action items for which a vote occurred. The Board went into closed session at 9:12pm to conference regarding labor negotiations (UTLA and PESPU), student discipline/expulsion, anticipated litigation. XI. OPEN SESSION In closed session, the Board took action to non-reelect probationary certified employee Identification No. 006685, pursuant to Education Code Section 44929.21, subdivision (b), effective at the end of the 2015-2016 school year, and directed the Executive Director Principal or designee to send out appropriate legal notices. Yes No Ab Yes N o Ab Emilie Larew Recused Torino Johnson Recused Monica Iannessa X Amanda Campbell Recused XII. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting Materials can be found on the Pali website under Governance, Board of Trustees, Agendas and Minutes, Material for Board Meetings) The meeting adjourned at 9:02pm. 15777 Bowdoin Street, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 * (310) 230-6623 * www.palihigh.org @PaliCharterHigh * Facebook.com/PaliHigh