The board meeting went one hour and eighteen minutes tonight and lots of interesting information was presented. Other than a couple parents and students who were present during the early part of the meeting, all in attendance were either staff or board members. The following are the highlights of the meeting as I saw them:
1) The Parent Project - Ruth Soto presented information about a parenting class which will be offered by the district. The course will focus on raising difficult and out-of-control children and will be twelve weeks long. More specifically, topics will include family conflict, poor school attendance, drug use, violent behavior, teen suicide, as well as other issues. A book called "Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior" will be used with the course, which is described as a skill-building program for parents designed to help them to develop parenting skills. During a promotional video for the parenting class, a parent who had been through the course described it as "swimming lessons for parents who are drowning." For more information on this course, contact the school district.
2) Common Core State Standards (CCSS) - Superintendent David Olney talked at some length about the new standards. He provided an overview of the organization of the standards, talked about anchor standards for various subjects, and showed how they provide a clear and consistent focus throughout the K-12 curriculum. He presented examples pertaining to reading, writing, speaking/listening, language arts, and mathematics, comparing specific standards between grade levels to show how instruction should progress year to year throughout students' K-12 experience. Regarding mathematics he talked about a shift towards "integrated math" and said he would talk more on this topic in an upcoming board meeting. Mr. Olney also went over steps being taken by the district to implement CCSS. Additionally he mentioned that Google Drive will be used to help teachers to collaborate and work to implement the new standards.
3) Community, Collaboration, Capacity for the TJUSD - Mr. Olney presented his goals for the district. His goals fell into the following categories: 1) Productive relationship with board, 2) Accelerated instructional achievement, 3) Public trust and confidence, 4) Organizational effectiveness and efficiency, and 5) Facilities and infrastructure.
4) Following Mr. Olney's presentations, Diana Garrison (Board President) acknowledged the work done by the staff to implement CCSS and asked the superintendent to share with the staff her appreciation for their effort.
5) A vote of 2 yeas, 1 nay, and 2 abstains was taken regarding a proposal to hire a named individual to fill a custodial position. No discussion occurred in the public portion of the meeting and so there was no explanation provided regarding this vote.
6) Dawn McMillen (Business Manager) presented information on a recent actuarial study regarding the district's financial status. One item discussed was retiree health care liability. The current projected cost is $1.8M. The actuarial study showed that district already has enough money set aside to cover these costs. Another item covered in the report was lower than expected ADA during the 2012-2013 school year. Ms. McMillen explained that this was due to a particularly severe flu outbreak, but that the district is taking steps to increase attendance, mostly through the use of incentives.
7) Local Control Accountability Plan - Finally Mr. Olney talked some about recent changes in the way that school districts in California are being funded. He cautioned that the restructuring might make it appear that there is more money in the general fund due to the elimination of various categorical funds, but that the district is still responsible for funding programs as before.
NEXT MEETING: January 9, 2014