Jamestown School Board
Regular Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
District Office
6:00 pm
1.0 OPEN SESSION
1.1 Establish Quorum
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. Present: Gary Wilson, Cathy Stone-Carlson, Aaron Moss, Misty Marquette Wilson. Absent: John Simnitt
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
2.0 PUBLIC COMMENT
Chicken Ranch Casino Chairman Melissa Powell and Vice Chairman Marcus Blind presented a donation to Jamestown School District for $10,000 to provide for additional Chrome Books and a storage cart to students. Mrs. Pelfrey demonstrated how the cart charges the Chrome Books.
Brenda Seek mentioned that the PTO meeting is very well attended.
Brenda Chapman added that the teaching staff donated door prizes to motivate parents to attend the PTO meeting.
3.0 CONSENT AGENDA
3.1 Ratify general, cafeteria and payroll warrants for the period ending 1-31-14.
3.2 Approve the Minutes of the January 8, 2014 Regular Board meeting.
3.3 Accept the resignation of Gene Arnold as Paraprofessional effective January 24, 2014.
A motion was made by Gary Wilson and seconded by Aaron Moss to approve the Consent Agenda. Approved 4/0.
Vote: Wilson yes, Stone-Carlson yes, Moss yes, Marquette Wilson yes, Simnitt absent
4.0 REPORTS
Trustee Items
Aaron Moss stated that he was part of a panel for Leadership of Tuolumne County.
Superintendent’s Report
• Developer Fees: Superintendent Dotson distributed a modified proposal from Jack Schreder and Association for a Developer Fee Justification Study.
• Smarter Balance Assessment: The teachers were provided release time to become familiar with Smarter Balance Assessment prior to the upcoming field test.
• Water/Drought: The district received a notice about the need to decrease water usage from the Department of Water Resources. The best way without impacting sanitation or drinking water is to discontinue watering the fields. This may have an impact on groups, such as little league and soccer, using Jamestown fields.
• Email: The district received an email from T.Y. Atkins, Principal of Summerville School District complimenting Mark Dyken and Jamestown’s team about game behavior and the way the students respond to adults. It is a great reflection on the school and the way the team is coached.
Principal’s Report
• Technology Rollout: Teachers have new workstations and printers. Three carts of 30 chrome books are being used in the upper grades. Chinese Camp has received 15 chrome books and a charging cart. The number of computers in the lab was increased to 35. Plans are to create a primary computer lab in Room 36.
• Professional Development: Laurie Blackmore, Linda Cazares and Tom Thompson are serving as leaders in the math adoption process. Robin Batha is with Sheri Betz and Melissa Miotti is with Robin Poston for BTSA. Leadership for the development of Common Core Report Cards is being provided by Robin Poston, Carrie Martin, Audrey Zgraggen and Laurie Blackmore. There are five staff participants in the Strategies for Teaching Common Core series: Ben Rogers, Joe Gallagher, Kevin Jedlicka, Mikki Williams and Diane Dotson. The Special Education Self Review is being completed by Doreen Webb and Melissa Hunter-Martin. The Positive Behavior Support Team is Tessa Pelfrey, Melissa Hunter-Martin, Nancy Bailey, Lauri Crandall, Sarah Collie and Parent Laurie Mills.
• PTO: The teachers are making a commitment to support PTO by attending, inviting parents from their class and contributing door prizes.
5.0 DISCUSSION/ACTION
5.1 School Calendar
The Board will consider approving the School Calendar for the 2014-2015 school year.
Overview
This is the final year the State allows fewer than 180 school days. This will allow the district to reduce school days to 179 in order to participate in a countywide Staff Development Day on November 10, 2014. The calendar represents a consensus among Tuolumne County School Districts.
Public Comment
There was no Public Comment.
Superintendent’s Recommendation
Superintendent Dotson recommended the Board approve the School Calendar for the 2014-2015 school year.
Board Action
Aaron Moss moved and Gary Wilson seconded the motion to approve the School Calendar for the 2014-2015 school year. Approved 4/0.
Vote: Wilson yes, Stone-Carlson yes, Moss yes, Marquette Wilson yes, Simnitt absent
5.2 Memorandum of Understanding between Columbia Union School District and Jamestown School District
The Board will take action on a Memorandum of Understanding between Columbia Union School District and Jamestown School District for Music Services for the 2014-2015 school year.
Overview
Ms. Dotson explained that the MOU between Columbia School District and Jamestown allows both districts have a high quality music teacher and provides Diane Ditler a full time position.
Public Comment
There was no Public Comment.
Superintendent’s Recommendation
Superintendent Dotson recommended that the Board approve this MOU which continues the current arrangement for another school year.
Board Action
Cathy Stone-Carlson moved and Gary Wilson seconded the motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Columbia Union School District and Jamestown School District for Music Services for the 2014-2015 school year. Approved 4/0.
Vote: Wilson yes, Stone-Carlson yes, Moss yes, Marquette Wilson yes, Simnitt absent
5.3 Contract for District Auditor 2013-2014
The Board will take action on the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve a contract with Kemper CPA Group to conduct the district’s annual audit for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. The cost of the proposed audit will not exceed $18,500.
Overview
The California Department of Education requires an outside fiscal auditor to look at records of each School District. The Auditor must be named prior to April 1st each year.
Public Comment
There was no Public Comment.
Superintendent’s Recommendation
Superintendent Dotson recommended that the Board approve Kemper CPA Group as this year’s Auditor.
Board Action
Gary Wilson moved and Misty Marquette Wilson seconded the motion to approve a contract with Kemper and Associates to conduct the district’s annual audit for the 2013-2014 school year. Approved 4/0.
Vote: Wilson yes, Stone-Carlson yes, Moss yes, Marquette Wilson yes, Simnitt absent
5.4 Developer Fees
The Board will consider having a Developer Fee Justification Study completed and review proposals from Dolinka Group and Jack Schreder.
Overview
In January 2014 the State approved an increase in Developer Fees. Jamestown School District has not raised the fees for several years. Fees collected are shared on a formula basis with Sonora High School. The first step to making a determination of whether to raise fees is to have a justification study completed.
Public Comment
A member of the public asked how much development you need to justify the fee since there is so little return.
Superintendent’s Recommendation
Superintendent Dotson stated that she is seeking Board direction about whether to pursue a study.
Board Action
Gary Wilson moved and Misty Marquette Wilson seconded the motion to table the Developer Fee Justification Study to the next meeting. Approved 4/0.
Vote: Wilson yes, Stone-Carlson yes, Moss yes, Marquette Wilson yes, Simnitt absent
5.5 Technology Plan
The Board will review and consider approving a Technology Plan for the Jamestown School District for 2014-2017.
Overview
The update of a 3 year Technology Plan makes Jamestown School District eligible for erate and technology grant money in the future.
Public Comment
There was no Public Comment.
Superintendent’s Recommendation
Superintendent Dotson recommended that the Board approve the Technology Plan for the Jamestown School District.
Board Action
Cathy Stone-Carlson moved and Gary Wilson seconded the motion to approve the Jamestown Technology Plan for 2014-2017. Approved 4/0.
Vote: Wilson yes, Stone-Carlson yes, Moss yes, Marquette Wilson yes, Simnitt absent
5.6 Jamestown Teachers Association Contract
The Board will consider ratifying a tentative agreement between Jamestown Teachers Association and the Jamestown School District which will conclude negotiations for the 2013-2014 school year.
Overview
The disclosure statement says that the Jamestown Teachers Association reached an agreement of a 3% increase to the salary schedule which is within the budget presented in the First Interim Report.
Superintendent’s Recommendation
Ms. Dotson recommended the Board ratify the tentative agreement between Jamestown Teachers Association and Jamestown School District.
Board Action
Gary Wilson moved and Misty Marquette Wilson seconded the motion to ratify the tentative agreement between Jamestown Teachers Association and the Jamestown School District. Approved 4/0.
Vote: Wilson yes, Stone-Carlson yes, Moss yes, Marquette Wilson yes, Simnitt absent
5.7 Contract for Legal Services
The Board will consider approving a contract for legal services with Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard (KMTG).
Overview
Ms. Dotson recommended that the district consider an agreement for new legal council because of the retirement of Tom Griffin.
Public Comment
There was no Public Comment.
Superintendent’s Recommendation
Superintended Dotson recommended approving the Contract for Legal Services with KMTG so a contract is in place before a need arises.
Board Action
Aaron Moss moved and Gary Wilson seconded the motion to approve the Contract for Legal Services with Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard (KMTG). Approved 4/0.
Vote: Wilson yes, Stone-Carlson yes, Moss yes, Marquette Wilson yes, Simnitt absent
6.0 REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
•Enrollment as of 2-3-14.
•Letter dated January 14, 2014 from Tuolumne County Office of Education approving the District’s First Interim Fiscal Report.
•Annual Performance Report for Special Education for the 2011-2012 school year.
•Letter dated December 28, 2013 from Tom Griffin regarding his retirement effective January 1, 2014.
•Saturday School Report as of January 14, 2014.
•Letter dated January 2, 2014 from California Department of Education regarding the Notice of Improvement Status under Titles I and III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
•Press Release dated February 3, 2014 from Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools regarding the Award of the California Math Science Partnership Grant.
•Quarterly Report and Certification of the Tuolumne County Treasurer dated January 23, 2014.
7.0 CLOSED SESSION
Public Employment – District Superintendent
The Board Adjourned in Closed Session at 7:10 pm.
The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:25 pm.
Gary Wilson reported that no action was taking in closed session.
8.0 ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Gary Wilson and seconded by Misty Marquette Wilson to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 pm. Approved 4/0.