The board meeting was streamed on YouTube this month. The number of people watching the meeting live reached 25 at one point. The meeting was supposed to begin at 6:00 P.M., but it started eight minutes late. The meeting lasted about an hour and fifty minutes.
INTERESTING ITEMS:
1) Board Member Comments - The graduating senior class was the main focus of all comments. Board members shared ideas to help recognize the seniors. The HS principal updated on things that were being done on behalf of the seniors. Another board member mentioned food programs available to help people who are in need.
2) Superintendent's Report - Talked about being involved in lots of video conference meetings. COVID-19 testing will be available at school site in near future. Informed district about need for surgery and will be unavailable during recovery period. Substitutes have been arranged for and so district business will not be impeded.
3) Maintenance - Progress on earthquake recovery.
4) Principal's Report - Year books will not arrive until July. Senior class still planning on a trip, but it is not scheduled yet. Graduation ceremony to be held on July 31st. Hopefully this will be in the gym, but at this time it's not clear what restrictions will apply. It may also be on the football field depending on what options are available.
5) Superintendent Designee - Joseph Wolfe named as designee. (The vote was not unanimous.)
6) Structural Engineer Reports - Two experts provided info about stability of soil substrate at existing (old) high school campus. The first expert reported on earthquake damage, presenting lots of slides showing what he saw during his inspection. Lots of damage due to earthquake and corrosive properties of soil. He concluded that the entire high school campus has exceeded it's useful lifespan and that the earthquake damage and harsh environment has made the situation even worse. The second expert talked about soil stability. At one point he referred to the 17.5 inch tilt of the gym as both unusual and drastic. Shallow groundwater fluctuations largely responsible for tilt. He went on to explain whether it was advisable to rebuild the high school on the current site. He said that the area closest to the highway would not be suitable, whereas the area west of the current elementary site might work.
7) Server File Backup Contract - Ensures security of essential documents so that in the event of a catastrophe, data would not be lost. COST: approximately $50k. (5-0)
8) ESSENTIAL WORK COVID-19 CLOSURE - Lots of maintenance projects need to be completed before school reopens. The board needs to approve of such activities which includes work done by outside contractors. (5-0)
9) DECLARATION OF NEED - District needs to disclose need for fully qualified teachers and librarians. Waiver required to allow non-certificated employees to serve in positions in which certificated person required. (5-0)
10) DONATION TO JUNIOR CLASS - Donation from NASA approved by board. (5-0)
11) CURRICULAR MATERIALS - Text books approved by board.
FUTURE MEETINGS: Special meeting May 30th and next regular meeting June 11th.