State Board of Education April 20-21, 2006
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
255 Capitol St. NE, Salem, OR 97310
MINUTES OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING
April 20, 2006
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENTBrenda Frank / Jerry Berger, Vice Chair / Vanessa Gaston, Second Vice Chair
Steve Bogart / Artemio Paz, Jr. / Duncan Wyse
BOARD MEMBERS EXCUSED
Nikki Squire, Chair
ADVISORS PRESENT
Doug Dougherty / Frank Toda / Roger Will
STAFF PRESENT
Jan McComb, Board Officer / Superintendent Susan Castillo / Cam Preus-Braly, CCWD
Vickie Fleming, ODE / Gene Evans, ODE / Nancy Latini, ODE
Doug Kosty, ODE / Pat Burk, ODE / Connie Green, CCWD
E. J. Ayers, ODE / Salam Noor, ODE
Theresa Levy, ODE / Amanda Richards, CCWD / Randy Harnisch, ODE
JoanneTruesdell, CCWD / Colleen Mileham, ODE / Rex Crouse, ODE
Joni Gilles, ODE / Helen McGuire, ODE
Susanne Daggett, ODE / Jim Schoelkopf, ODE / Marjorie Lowe, CCWD Staff
OTHERS PRESENT
Fred Smith, KIamath Community College / Maxine Thompson, Leaders Roundtable / Francis Charbonnier, TSPC
Steve Carter, The Oregonian / Greg White, OR Workforce Investment Board / Valerie Sebesta, Oregon Education Association
Rose Sloop, Milken Winner / Allan Bruner, Teacher of the Year / David Bugni, Estacada School Board
Mark Greene, Estacada School District / Nancy Hungerford / Cottrell B. White, Jr. Victory Middle School
Sue Roberts, Victory Middle School / Agneta Lenberg, CTB/McGraw-Hill / Michael Call, Estacada School District
Howard Fetz, Estacada School District / Pia Leonard, Gladstone School District
PRELIMINARY BUSINESS
Tape 1A
Call to order, roll call, flag salute
Acting Board Chair Jerry Berger called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. and led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Nikki Squire was excused.
Introductions
Acting Chair Berger noted that he was sitting in for vacationing Chair Nikki Squire.
The Oregon Virtual School District item was removed from the revised agenda.
Berger introduced new board member Art Paz, and highlighted his accomplishments.
Public Comment:
David Bugni, Estacada School Board testified against state board sponsorship of the Estacada School Board. The district would lose approximately one teacher per school if the charter school opened. There was no community support found at the hearings, despite having two hearings for the purpose of recruiting support. Another weak link was the professional capabilities of the charter board. No evidence of demonstrable superior difference in the attainment of educational benchmarks was provided. If a charter school is to fill an educational need not currently being met by the school district, these proposed needs should be identified, and a thorough and detailed description of how these needs will be addressed by the charter school applicant. In times of tight budgets, should there be a duplication of services to achieve the same ends? The answer to this question should be “no.”
Mark Greene, Estacada School Board, testified in opposition of state board sponsorship of the Estacada School Charter. The board looks upon charter schools favorably, in general. He noted that local school boards represent their community it makes decisions based on the wishes of the community. The biggest problem is the lack of community support. At the February 10, 2005 meeting not a single parent or student testified in favor of the school and many spoke against it. He noted there were no phone calls to date, in favor of the school.
Superintendent’s Comments
Susan Castillo, Superintendent of Public Instruction briefed the board on her recent activities:
· Notes a press release was sent out announcing that the State Board is live on the internet.
· OSAA mediation is underway. They meet one day this week and one day next week.
· The Legislature is meeting today. ODE is excited about the $42.2 million to schools. Notes the breakdown explaining what this money means for every district.
· The growth model is still being considered by the US Dept. of Education.
· Parent and Family Involvement pilot programs have launched, and 10 schools will receive $1000 seed money to start those.
· The Closing the Achievement Gap conference and banquet are being held the end of April. She encouraged everyone to attend. Over 700 people have been confirmed.
Commissioners Comments
Cam Preus-Braly, CCWD reviewed her activities and those of the community colleges.
· She highlighted her trip to New Zealand attending the Multi-National Tertiary Education Forum. There were 4 delegates from the US. The primary topics were the dynamic tension between the public and private good of post-secondary education, and who should pay for post-secondary education. Most of the other countries don’t have a comprehensive community college system but do have polytechnics or technical colleges.
· There is current planning for the 2007-09 budget, including revisiting a shared responsibility model for need-based financial aid; reviewing and approving the charter for the OUS research council and its membership; hearing presentations on program option packages that would improve the economic outlook for Oregon; reviewing and prioritizing program option packages; the Oregon President’s Council; developing the 2007-09 community college capital construction ranking criteria.
· The annual Workforce Investment Act allocation is reduced by $3.8 million for 2006-07.
· Drafting a report on the Governor’s Employer Workforce Training Fund that maps the outcomes for the 18 million invested in incumbent workers over the last three years.
· The governor held an emergency meeting to discuss the possible response to the expected closure of the commercial salmon fishing season which will leave Klamath salmon are at risk.
· Congressman Wu presented 38 scholars with an award for academic accomplishments and community service.
Berger drew the board’s attention to materials from Victory Middle School.
1st/2nd Readings – Information & Discussion
ODE: Legislative Proposals
Randy Harnisch reviewed the process, timelines, and general concepts of possible legislative proposals. The handout was divided between big ideas and technical ones.
Castillo talked about the literacy initiative. Research shows that literacy coaches are effective. They are also working with schools of education and how to work with struggling readers. In response to a question regarding teacher bills, she stated that ODE is engaged in the work of workforce needs and development.
Fleming, in response to Wyse, said that many of the items have price tags attached to them. Regarding technology, schools are using their computers for testing, at the price of computers for the classroom. Dougherty noted that bandwidth was an obstacle for his district.
Steve Bogart supported development of regional partnerships and believes this is the strategy to develop incentives or capitalize structures.
Fleming asked how to get ESDs and universities to focus on what it takes to get students to post-secondary schools. And how do we add to existing partnerships when some are already doing an excellent job?
Preus-Braly stated that we don’t want to build skill centers that we can’t sustain. How do we use what we currently have and maintain that?
Duncan Wyse believed these are issues the board needs to address. CIM/CAM is pivotal. We need to work with all sectors and have legislation ready to go. The next big question is the distribution and the needed changes. He was concerned with raising the cap on special education. SB 300 relates to the distribution model, and those weights.
Superintendent Castillo noted that ODE is hearing a lot about special education early intervention – demand is high.
Fleming added that the special education population is closer to 12.5 than 11, and raising the cap would eliminate the need to grant waivers.
Doug Dougherty noted that early intervention special education has been a focus in his district. It forces them to look at what can be done earlier rather than jumping to an IEP.
Wyse stated that he believed the special education area needs a systems review. Raising the cap creates incentives.
Bogart asked for clarification regarding accountability system. The growth model is attractive; we may go that direction whether we are a US federal model or not. Castillo agreed, but added it came with a big price tag.
Brenda Frank explained about special education in her area and said that one particular child’s services cost $150,000. This comes out of the General Fund, which is mandated by law to serve these kids.
Berger questioned whether the board should be in the business of sponsoring charter school legislation. There is an incentive in the law for proponents to come to the board. He would like them to look at changing this, or at least change the funding to ensure we can monitor those schools.
Harnisch explained that it would be better to introduce the bill through our partners.
Art Paz asked about rural districts and their ability to carry out CIM/CAM. Harnisch explained that those elements would be addressed in the bill.
Vanessa Gaston questioned private alternative schools.
Harnisch responded that once registered with ODE, districts can enter into contracts with private schools. The suggestion is that we tighten up the registration process to ensure they are aligned with state standards.
Frank stated she was happy to see more staffing for TAG and Indian education.
Castillo stated that this has been a problem with past budget cuts, but have increased Brad Victor’s percentage. Frank stated that the tribes are willing to help make that happen.
Wyse stated that if we are considering changing the charter school process, we need to look at proper incentives. There are a number of topics that would require more analysis.
Dougherty noted that two issues have been discussed: the recalibration of the cut scores, and to reduce the number of standards.
Fleming agreed that the first one would be included and the second was within the purview.
ODE: Agency Budget Request
Bret West reviewed the budget document and explained the mandated programs:
· Special education
· Youth corrections
· State school fund is mandated, the initial calculation is based on anticipated enrollment.
Many of the budget decisions will be driven by policy; we are talking about a $6 billion budget. The agency is only 1.4 percent of the total budget. We are currently reviewing how to maximize dollars within the agency. There is a problem of timely data submissions. This gives us the opportunity to improve at the classroom level. School nutrition, commodity distribution program for example, we have to collect money from the districts to do the program and a possible outcome is to manage the commodity program from federal funds and not ask for money from schools.
Policy implications that have risen in the past are around why ODE does things, such as the veterans program, and private career schools when those populations are served by community colleges. These thoughts are coming from staff.
EBL calculations are still being performed. Estimations have been made on how much money is expected next session; then we will have to go back and tailor those requests to the actual amount.
Bogart commented on budget development and West explained that that in developing the budget, the policy decisions will also be made with details, so we know what we are buying.
ODE: Budget Note Update: State Schools Study (Deaf, Blind) & Youth Corrections
State Schools Study:
Nancy Latini, ODE, updated the board on the State Schools Study. ODE was asked to look at moving School for the Blind (OSB) to the School for the Deaf (OSD) campus, and contracting out tasks. There is broad representation from the study committee.
OSB has 32 students, and that number has remained steady. Districts can’t provide transition services to those older students
OSD has 121 students; half don’t live on campus. Enrollment has remained steady. The committee had three standards: demonstrate fiscal responsibility; track school district requests to assure needs are being fulfilled; demonstrate positive and realistic outcomes for students.
Committee has met since December and reviewed regional programs. The draft recommendations include moving the OSB to the OSD. There is not 100% support for this. Another is to look at statewide systems to see what needs to be addressed. Also, we are looking at removing ODE from day-to-day operations. ODE would maintain the oversight, similar to youth corrections, hospital programs, and early childhood programs.
Berger stated that Latini did an excellent job and 50% of members of the committee thought we should close the residential blind school. Clientele and missions have changed since schools were founded.
Bogart noted that a campus visit may be due.
Berger commented that if the board doesn’t take action, the Legislature may move forward.
Youth Corrections:
ODE was directed to look at older kids in the program and how to address transition services, especially for those who have a diploma. 160 students already have a diploma. 21-25 aged don’t have a diploma. They are generating SSF, but really aren’t SSF eligible. Question is whether to continue this. Committee thought there should be three levels of services – post secondary education opportunities; certificated professional-technical training opportunities, and transition support both pre and post release. These kids move around and diploma standards differ. There is consensus to standardize diploma requirements.
Fleming noted that the goal was to determine the appropriate use of the State School Fund, not to discontinue service to this population.
Duncan observed that these students are getting a better education than regular students, and questioned whether that’s fair, and whether these programs should be funded by community colleges or higher education, given many are using those resources.
Latini noted that we don’t have enough information on student outcomes of these programs.
Wyse suggested funding from community colleges and higher education.
Introduction: Teacher of the Year & Milken Award Winner
Superintendent Castillo introduced Allan Bruner, Teacher of the Year, and Rose Sloop, Milken Award winner. Bruner teaches math, science, history, psychology, serves as musical director.
Rose Sloop is from the Reynolds Learning Academy, and wears many hats. Teaches math, an art class, creates success for all her students and makes students realize their potential. She noted that it had been a big year, and that her students feel like they’ve also won the award.