Mare Island Technology Academy
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
September 14, 2010
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors was held on Tuesday, September 14, 2010. The meeting was called to order by Board President, Bonnie Katz at 4:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL AND ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Members present: Gregg Goins, Jaime Guzman, Joe Jones, Bonnie Katz, Kent Peterman, Lynne Vaughan, and Gary Williams
Members absent: None
Ex-officio Members present: Matt Smith, Alex Insaurralde
Ex-officio Members absent: None
Others present: Numerous staff, students, parents, and Brenda Franks (Recording Secretary)
2. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors recessed this meeting at 4:34 p.m. to convene in Closed Session.
3. CLOSED SESSION
Public Employee: Discipline/Dismissal/Release
Conference with Labor Negotiator
4. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
The Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors reconvened in Open Session at 5:30 p.m. There were no announcements from closed session.
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On motion of Gregg Goins, seconded by Joe Jones, the Board of Directors approved the agenda as printed.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On motion of Kent Peterman, seconded by Lynne Vaughan, the Board of Directors approved the minutes of the regular board meeting on August 10, 2010, as printed.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Micah Studer: AVID Coordinator – Middle School level has adopted the AVID unified binder for all students. Mr. Studer invited the board members to the AVID reception scheduled for September 24 from 3-4 p.m. in MPR. Please stop in the AVID classes to see what is going on.
Becky Hall: Have not received response to e-mails addressing lack of lunch on Wednesdays
Carrie Hamby: Concern that After School Colorguard and Ultimate Fitness programs will not be offered. Also expressed concern over the expense for our students taking college classes in order to meet MIT graduation requirements.
Nicole Mallari: The college requirement of 9 units to graduate from MIT will be a challenge for our students in regard to costs of books and tuition. Due to budget constraints community colleges are suffering too. They are capping the number of high school students to be able to attend college courses. Our undocumented population is being hit hard. MIT may lose students because of the graduation requirements.
Julie Vogele: Bell schedule concerns were addressed. Ms. Vogele read a written statement.
Suzanne Arlantico: Awaiting response from Director on concerns already mentioned by others as well as safety issues for students at the end of the day, i.e. traffic.
7a. APPOINTMENT OF NEW BOARD MEMBER
On motion of Kent Peterman, seconded by Lynne Vaughan, the Board approved the appointment of Cody Hazeltine as new member to the board.
8. REPORTS
a. Director’s Report: Matt Smith
Back to School Night will be Thursday, September 16
Make up picture day will be Monday, September 20
Seniors and parents college night, Tuesday, September 21
AVID Reception will be Friday, September 24
PR 1 ends September 24
Back to School Dance at the Naval Museum is Friday, September 24 – sponsored by the senior class
b. Enrollment/Attendance: Matt Smith
Present enrollment for grades 6-8 is 406
Enrollment for grades 9-12 is 341
Total 747
50 below projections and approved budget
Active recruiting is still taking place and another orientation will be upcoming
Attendance is approximately 96% with 98% at the high school and 98.4% at middle school
c. Student Discipline: Matt Smith
After one month of school in session there has been 3 suspensions
Saturday School has taken place twice with healthy turnouts. Tardiness is primary reason for students in attendance. There have been no in-house suspensions to date.
d. Assistant Director’s Report: Alex Insaurralde
Upcoming agenda for Staff meeting Wednesday, September 15: financial picture of school to the staff, PLC (Professional Learning Communities) – API data, WASC – up for accreditation – Self study – plan for improvement
e. Student Representative: Chris Arriola
Mr. Arriola and Senior Class President, Jillian Vogele are asking students for input on matters to report to the board.
f. PTN: Julie Vogele
PTN met on September 2 with approximately 30 people in attendance. Much enthusiasm was expressed by those in attendance. PTN is financially sound. Mr. Insaurralde gave a great director’s report to those in attendance.
Dress code questions arose out of the conversation. Parents and students were encouraged to participate on the dress code committee.
Those present broke into groups: Staff and students support group, fundraising group, leadership group, Book Fair (there will be at least two this year). Next PTN meeting will be held in Thursday, October 7 at 6:30 p.m.
9. CONSENT ITEMS:
On motion of Kent Peterman, seconded by Gary Williams, the Board of Directors approved the following Consent Agenda items:
Personnel Action Items
County Warrant Registers for July and August 2010
Budget to Actuals
Job Descriptions: Cafeteria Lead, Cafeteria Assistant and Individual Small Group Instruction Assistant (with slight change)
10. ACTION ITEMS:
a. 2009-2010 Unaudited Actuals
On motion of Lynne Vaughan, seconded by Gregg Goins, the Board of Directors approved the unaudited actuals for the 2009-2010 school year.
b Proposed Hiring Freeze
With loss of revenue, it is the recommendation that MIT implement an immediate hiring freeze on Director of Operations and IT Coordinator, as well as implement cut backs on field trips and professional development in regard to conferences and trips.
On motion of Kent Peterman, seconded by Gregg Goins, the Board of Directors approved the hiring freeze as presented. The Fiscal committee will discuss a set aside amount in the area of consultants.
On motion of Lynne Vaughan, seconded Gregg Goins, the Board of Directors approved the recommendation regarding field trips occurring during the After School Program, if possible.
11. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. ALECKS – Alex Insaurralde
Ms. Insaurralde presented information regarding CST scores. The middle school level showed increases in certain areas. There is a decrease in mathematics in general. ALECKS program information was outlined for the board. Its purpose is to diagnose needs of individual students, provide specific content they need, tutor student, and after mastery, take student to next level. Currently there are 362 students in math workshop courses. Software would assist teacher in helping those students. When we have the ability to purchase, can we look at this program? Cost is approximately $11,000. Questions were raised as to the effectiveness of program? What about our current textbooks? Does this program align with California standards? Mr. Insaurralde will send data to the board.
b. Board of Directors Ground Rules – Kent Peterman
Mr. Peterman brought the ground rules back to the board as a reminder. The ground rules will eventually be made into a large poster to hang in board room. Ms. Vaughan will work on the grammar and layout of the rules.
12. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Curriculum: Creative writing, expository writing, oceanography, geology classes are being created and will be submitted to UC for a-g approval.
b. Executive: There was no report.
c. Facilities: Moving forward with lunchroom renovation. Conversation with the city about permitting is taking place. Bids are out and every effort is being made to contain costs.
d. Fiscal: The committee met on September 9th. Speed bumps will be installed soon. The committee looked at the following issues: ALECKS software and the purchase of refurbished computers. The majority of the meeting was centered around the budget and cash flow issues and how we might address those issues. There was conversation about timing of the replacement of buildings M, N and O. HVAC replacement costs for classrooms in the amount of $12,000 was discussed. The committee is looking at a set aside for buildings and Prop 39 for building lease arrangements. Fiscal situation: cuts that need to be made, need to be made now – hiring freeze, etc. Tran – temporary cash flow loan may be necessary. The committee is looking at sources for that revenue with the lowest possible interest rate.
e. VOORP: There was no report.
f. Board Recruitment: There was a Board table at the Ice Cream Social. The committee has sent out lots of applications to prospective board members.
13. COMMUNICATIONS: There were no communications.
14. ANNOUNCEMENTS: There were no announcements
15. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS - None
16. ADJOURNMENT
On motion of Gregg Goins, seconded by Lynne Vaughan, the Board of Directors approved adjourning the regular board meeting at 6:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Franks, Recording Secretary