TJUSD INFO: http://www.blackturtle.us/TTA/
This was a somewhat unusual board meeting. The decision was made to combine the dispersal of winter sports awards with a board meeting, resulting in a ton of people squeezed into a very small room for about twenty minutes. Once the awards were hastily handed out almost everybody left, leaving a total of about twelve people (including the five board members) who stayed for the entire board meeting. No one seemed to enjoy the predictably cramped "awards presentation", but it was over quickly. Onto the actual board meeting...
1) Emergency Item: This item was added to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. A waterline broke and flooded the auditorium during Winter Break and repairs are urgently needed. The district will attempt to bypass the normal bid process in order to expedite necessary repairs.
2) During board member comments it was mentioned that San Bernardino County will be constructing an actual recreational park for the community of Trona. The exact location was not disclosed, but it was stated that creation of the park is expected to begin soon.
3) Trona Teachers Association - a) The TTA president explained that at a recent union meeting that the teaching staff expressed concern regarding school security. It was stated that teachers are interested in Active Shooter Preparedness Training and about upgrading the physical security of both the elementary and the high school campus. Fourteen out of twenty teachers attended the meeting and the vast majority shared concerns regarding school security. The board agreed that this was a serious matter and the superintendent said that discussions were in progress regarding these concerns. b) The TTA president stated that high school teachers wanted the board and general public to be aware that they all have an unusual number of "preps." Whereas most teachers at large schools prepare one lesson per day which they deliver to five classes, teachers at THS typically prepare five lessons since they don't teach multiple classes of the same subject during a given semester. It was mentioned that many schools actually pay a stipend to teachers who have multiple "preps" since it is recognized that more "preps" requires more preparation time. c) TTA representatives acknowledged "School Board Recognition Month" by thanking board members for their service and by presenting a couple gifts to board members including pictures of the student body at the elementary and chocolates in a heart-shaped box.
4) Superintendent's Report - a) The superintendent talked about Active Shooter Scene Training, school safety, and ideas to upgrade the physical facility in order to make it safer for students and staff. Points of entry, ease of access, check in systems, gating, entry through offices, and other ideas were all mentioned. b) Independent Study started this week. c) The superintendent announced that he will make a "State of the District" presentation at the March board meeting.
5) Head of Maintenance reported more information to the board about the waterline leak in the auditorium. He mentioned that the piping was installed around 1941 and that it had corroded from the inside out, making it difficult to spot weak sections of pipe through mere visual inspection. He also talked some about the basement near the auditorium being flooded and stated that the pump installed in the basement had failed and that the water level was getting high enough to cause concern about the possibility of water reaching electrical devices above the basement. Apparently the underground water level of the "dry" lake is above the bottom of the basement and so water normally leaks into the basement and the pump is needed to keep the water level down. Interestingly, the water level fluctuates significantly due to a few factors, including activities of the Searles Valley chemical plant.
6) Elementary Report - The elementary principal announced that the third and fourth grade classes won the annual canned food contest and that each will be rewarded with a pizza party. The two classes apparently tied in collecting the most cans for the annual canned food drive held in December each year.
7) Football - The HS football coach provided the board with an update regarding the football team and four players who were selected to be part of an all-star team. He also thanked the board for allowing the team to travel to Avalon to play a football game against the team there.
8) 2016/2017 Independent Auditor's Report - The financial secretary reported four findings: a) Cafeteria encroaching on general funds, b) Professional growth funds not being used and the district at risk of losing these funds, c) Williams Act hearing held late, d) Out of compliance with ed code requirement regarding percent of funds used to pay salaries.
9) New Cafeteria Roof - Most of the cost will be covered by insurance ($69k), but some money from general fund ($14k) will be required to get the job done right.
FUTURE MEETING: February 8th, 2018