Superintendent’s Cabinet Recommendations to the Board
For Budget Cuts for 2008-2009 and 2009-2010
The following recommendations were developed with a potential Revenue Limit reduction from the General Fund of $450,000 for the current 2008-2009 school year and $600,000 for the next school year, 2009-2010.
In addition, the District must reduce its categorical expenses by $250,000 for the 2008-2009 school year and $188,931 for the 2009-2010 school year. The total reduction needed is $1,419,021.
RECOMMENDED REDUCTIONS COST SAVINGS
Reduce the Office Specialist at D. H. White Elementary School from 6 hours to 3 hours per day
$12,263.00
Eliminate the Secretary position at RD/Community Day Sch. $18,436.00
Eliminate Attendance Secretary/Registrar 8-hour per day position at Delta High/Clarksburg Middle Schools. Note that this position is currently vacant. $45,471.00
Eliminate Administrative Assistant for M&O and Facilities 8-hour per day position $47,368.00
Eliminate River Delta High/Elementary School (Independent Study) Secretary 10-hours per week position $9,553.00
Eliminate Cash Counting 6-hour per week position $6,702.00
Eliminate Technology Technician (email) 2-hours per day position $10,730.00
Re-allocate categorical administrative staff from General Funds to categorical funding
$46,746.00
Reclassify from Director of Facilities full-time position (at Range 19) to full-time Director of Operations (to Range 15) $14,682.00
Eliminate the half-time (.5 FTE) Director of English Language Learners (ELL) position; merge the ELL duties with current Director of Special Education 1.0 FTE position; and move the position from 215 days to 205 days $63,588.00
Assign the principalship of Walnut Grove Elementary School to the Bates elementary/MHS/CDS principal at the current salary. $83,025.00
Certificated employees to take a reduction of 3 staff development days (1.5% of salary)
$110,243.00
Reduce ELL Program by 1.0 FTE for 2009-2010 $50,817.00
Continue to fund all Music teachers -0- .
Eliminate the contribution of $1,000 to school sites for music materials $8,000.00
Eliminate the librarian at Riverview Middle School $11,731.00
Eliminate the librarian at Clarksburg Middle School $7,165.00
Reduce the district-wide overtime pay by at least 25% $20,982.00
Eliminate three teachers from Class-size Reduction program due to increased numbers of students in said classes. Plus, eliminate 1 upper-grade class due to small class size (4.0 FTE)
$162,068.00
Eliminate .5 FTE in English (Note that current teacher has requested .50 assignment so no staff would be laid off here $25,409.00
Reduce P.E. 2 periods per day, RVHS $16,462.00
Reduce from 3 coaches to 2 coaches for varsity football at both high schools $4,108.00
Eliminate the swim team at RVHS due to lack of numbers and potential pool closure
$2,064.00
Eliminate junior varsity cheer advisors at both high schools $6,429.00
Consolidate men’s and women’s golf teams at RVHS into one coed team (which is allowable in the CIF) $1,605.00
Eliminate General Fund contribution to Migrant Education Program $40,000.00
Reduce contribution to Bates’ Health Start Program from $25,000 to $10,000 $15,000.00
Reduce contribution to Rio Vista CARE from $25,000 to $10,000 $15,000.00
No school closure in 2009-2010. However, if enrollment in the District continues to decline and/or there are additional substantial budget cuts to be made, the superintendent will recommend that Walnut Grove School closed for the 2010-2011 school year. -0- .
Reduce instructional and central office supplies by 25% $115,000.00
Eliminate the following consulting services which are not directly connected to students:
A. Susan Stuart and Associates (lobbyist) ($39,000)
B. Storage facilities (school furniture) ($4,700)
C. Littler Mendelson (union negotiations) ($11,000) $54,700.00
Eliminate KIDS, the drug dogs $8,000.00
Reduce Advanced Kids contribution by $50,000 $50,000.00
Reduce outside speech therapist use by the District hiring their own personnel $50,000.00
Eliminate mentors for certificated administrators $25,000.00
Eliminate GLAD trainers $17,755.00
Reduce energy consumption district-wide by 5% $31,286.00
Reduce summer school program to avoid General Fund contribution $30,000.00
Eliminate refreshments at District and Board meetings $3,420.00
Reduce pay-range and change title for Chief Educational Services Officer to Director of Education Services $7,164.00
Eliminate Teacher-in-Charge stipends (must be negotiated with the teachers’ union)
$15,360.00
Eliminate yearbook advisor stipends for elementary school sites $3,633.00
Reduce the vocational agricultural teachers stipend from 17% to 8.5% (must be negotiated with the teachers’ union) $39,525.00
District Leadership Team members voluntarily take a one-day work furlough $7,405.00
Classified employees voluntarily take one Board-approved holiday as non-paid day
$6,057.00
Total 1,319,953.00
The balance of the needed reduction will be covered by certain categorical programs available ending balances
Monday, March 16, 2009
FORS Agenda
Isleton Elementary
Wednesday March 25
7 pm
1. Safety Health and Cleanliness
VERVE and FORs working together-Gale Bowen, Hope Cohn
Sign up list for volunteerism—Jonathan Mazer
Custodians at RVHS, restructuring by district, Sub pool and advertising,
Utility plan for cost saving measures at schools
PG&E Energy saving plan for school sites-Mr. Hennes/Wayne Rebstock
2. WASC RVHS update-
3. Technology at schools (Riverview, Isleton, DH White, RVHS)—Principals present,
4. Old Business
5. New Business
Isleton Elementary
Wednesday March 25
7 pm
1. Safety Health and Cleanliness
VERVE and FORs working together-Gale Bowen, Hope Cohn
Sign up list for volunteerism—Jonathan Mazer
Custodians at RVHS, restructuring by district, Sub pool and advertising,
Utility plan for cost saving measures at schools
PG&E Energy saving plan for school sites-Mr. Hennes/Wayne Rebstock
2. WASC RVHS update-
3. Technology at schools (Riverview, Isleton, DH White, RVHS)—Principals present,
4. Old Business
5. New Business
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Hi Folks,
I've been told the next couple of meetings of the Board of Trustees will have some significant changes taking place that the FoRs group will be very happy about. I will be in Kelseyville all week for work and will not be able to make it but I'm hoping some of you will be able to make it. If there are some positive changes it would be great for us to show our community support for them!
The next Board of Trustees meeting is March 17 at 6:30 PM in Isleton.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Mazer
I've been told the next couple of meetings of the Board of Trustees will have some significant changes taking place that the FoRs group will be very happy about. I will be in Kelseyville all week for work and will not be able to make it but I'm hoping some of you will be able to make it. If there are some positive changes it would be great for us to show our community support for them!
The next Board of Trustees meeting is March 17 at 6:30 PM in Isleton.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Mazer
Sunday, February 22, 2009
FORs MEETING WEDNESDAY 2/18/09
Those in attendance:
Michelle Scott
Christina Parks
Beth Vieira
Ryan Pace
Kirk Kenner
Suzanne Malta
Loetta Papetti
Sandy Thompson
Mary Gamaza
Rick Hennes
Jonathan Mazer
Susan Whitesell
Paul Heaney
Roxanne Stiles-Donnelly
Hale Conklin
Bill Mortimore
Mr. Hubbell
Greta Jenkins
Howard Branton
Minutes and Action Plans:
A. Safety, Health, & Cleanliness at our schools
It has been noticed that there is a drop in cleanliness in Building E and the gym @ RVHS. Mr Hennes reported that there have been custodian(s) out due to workers comp and sickness. When this occurred there was no sub pool to draw from. Overtime was approved for other custodian(s) to pick up slack. The custodian position has gone back to 18 hours however, leaving the custodian position 1 hour short still. Teachers at RVHS are aware of this issue and are unable to help w/ upkeep of school due to classified union contracts.
ACTION: The custodian positions will be restructured.
ACTION: Kids can help w/ school upkeep as long as classified union contract is okay w/ this, and receive up to 15 hours community service hours needed to meet graduation requirements. Students do beautify RVHS around April and can receive community service but the goal is to upkeep RVHS on a more consistant basis.
ACTION: To create a sub pool. Mr. Hennes will look in to advertising on Ed Join and newspaper ads. to hire to create a sub pool.
Broken Pipe at RVHS: Mr Hennes reported that the broken pipe @ RVHS was a lack of communication between the District Office and the contractor. There was an issue w/ the backflow device and there were concerns of contamination in the water system, but it was rectified.
Volunteers: some contractors, will be working at Riverview during Spring Break to remove debris and spruce up the grounds. Hale Conklin reported that VERVE will be helping with this endeavor. VERVE=Volunteers Enhancing Rio Vista Environment
The project that Mr. Galindo was working on at RVHS regarding beautifying and cleaning up the planter along the administration building will now coordinated by Mr. Hennes.
Mr. Hennes would like to begin receiving bids to gain stairs and a pathway to the Fine Arts Building @ RVHS. Mr. Hennes would like to do this with the School Boards okay and use bond money. Mr. Hennes would like to see this occur over summer 2009.
There is no change at the school sites regarding garden grounds. There is one gardener for every 2-3 schools.
ACTION: Reschedule gardeners more efficiently.
The parking lot lights outside of the Tapella Buiilding at DH White School were fixed. This will make it safer when its dark.
It has been observed that students are getting off buses @ RVHS in morning and leaving campus. Also parent volunteers would like to help w/ ensuring that students are safe and following rules, especially during lunchtime.
ACTION: Mr. Hennes will talk to Ms. Eggers about the students leaving campus in the morning and not attending school and consolidating students to one area for easier supervision.
ACTION: Volunteers @ RVHS are welcome but MUST do the following:
1.Sign in at front office
2.Follow all board policies
3.Volunteer must be on file, had TB test etc...
4.Volunteers can only observe and report, can not take action-notify staff instead
B. State of the District (Budget Advisory Committee)
It was reported that the PG&E bill for the year was very high. It was reported that some of the air conditioners at RVHS have ice on the unit, this means something is wrong w/ these units and they need to be looked at to reduce wasteful spending.
At the district level energy saving can reduce debt and expenses, starting with using energy saving light bulbs at our schools.
ACTION: Electric bill can be reduced by cutting off thermostats when not in use. Staff awareness is part of solution. Mr. Heaney and Mr. Pace (teachers at RVHS) will make other teachers @ RVHS aware of this issue.
ACTION: Mr. Hennes will look in to an energy audit to be performed by PG&E. This might even result in our schools receiving PG&E rebates.
ACTION: Mr. Hennes will talk to Wayne Rebstock and will let us know the progress of energy saving at our schools at our next meeting.
ACTION: It has been noticed that lights at RVHS football field are on hours before football/soccer games begin. It would be more energy conscious if coaches turned on lights just before game started instead of other employees turning lights on hours before.
A Timeline For Budget Actions was provided by Mr. Hennes. (Perhaps you could get a copy in the district office) Dates to remember:
Feb 25 Final BAC meeting @Walnut Grove 4:30 p.m.
March 3 Special Board meeting @ Clarksburg MS 6:30 p.m.
March 17 Regular Board Meeting @ Isleton 6:30 p.m. * Public hearing on budget reductions *
ACTION: Mr.Hennes will publicize this meeting in newspaper
April 14 Regular Board Meeting @ Bates 6:30 p.m.
May 5 Special Board Meeting @ RVHS Theater 6:30 p.m.
C. RVHS WASC Accreditation Update
Amy Eggers is meeting w/ the accreditation consultant tonight. The self study is complete and the consultant is reviewing that and action plan. The English Depatrment @ RVHS will edit it next week. Next Wednesday 2-25-09 is the next focus meeting @ 2:15 p.m. in media center @ RVHS. In May 2009 RVHS will be visited by two members of the accreditation board. Mr. Pace reported that RVHS teachers will be better prepared for this visit. Late June of 2009 is when RVHS will know the status of their accreditation. The two options are:
1. 2 year accreditation then review
2. no accreditation at this time
ACTION: Mr. Hubbell said letters will go out to all RVHS parents regarding the accreditation decision in June or July.
D. Textbook Coordinator Position
Due to budget cuts and the issue of whether this is part of an existing employee's job this postion has been put on hold.
ACTION: The district will reconsider and reevaluate the textbook coordinator position.
E. Mass Communication for schools
The Soroptomist Club donated a dial up mass communication system to the District called Bright Arrow System. The district has a two year contract w/ this system and a vendor is in the process of installing this system to get it up, running, and utilized. Teachers will be trained on how to use this sytem. After the two year contract is up Mr. Hennes would like to transfer to Connect Ed. Mr. Hennes feels Connect Ed is a superior mass communication service.
F. Funding for Technology and Staff Instruction
$10,000.00 in Microsoft funds have been earmarked for RVHS. This will go to the Lexia program. Paul Heaney will train staff on how to make and upkeep their webpages.
$10,000.00 in Microsoft funds have been earmarked for RVHS. These are vouchers that have been applied for hardware. 7 desktop HP computers have been ordered for teacher's classrooms.
ACTION: Howard Branton stated that he could donate T1 line if needed. He will discuss this with Mr Hennes.
RVHS staff has decided that they don't want students to have access to updating the school website due to confidentiality issues and possible hacking occurring.
G. IT Coordinator
Mr. Hubbell stated he worked with a company that prepared a FCMAT draft to support bringing in an IT coordinator. Cost analysis needs to be performed. Using Microsoft or Google might be options for this position.
H. Technology Issues/Solutions
It was reported that the district has a lack of infrastructure. Mr. Hubbell will contact a vendor that the district already has a monthly service contract agreement to see if they will give the district a 50% discount for student folders.
Phones are now in & operative in all classrooms throughout school district.
Mr. Heaney reported that he will do a walk thru tomorrow with RGM @ RVHS to see if all classes are ready to have electronic white boards installed by middle of March 2009.
I. Staff Coverage @ RVHS
The AVID/Ap English teacher has asked to go to 1/2 time. There is a credentialed long term sub who will make up the difference as English teacher.
There is a credentialed math teacher on staff who will replace Mr Walker.
There is a long term sub for special ed teacher who left. This position may be eliminated or consolidated w/ another position.
RVHS staff was given options as to the leadership desired at their school and accomplishing the WASC process. The staff decided that Mr. Hennes will be serving in a dual role as superintendent and principal @ RVHS. Mr. Hennes requested that any issues regarding his principal role @ RVHS or his superintendent role for the district should emailed to him.
Next FORs meeting
March 25, 2009 7:00 p.m. @ Isleton School
Agenda: Roxanne Stiles-Donnelly
Facilitator: Jonathan Mazer
Michelle Scott
Christina Parks
Beth Vieira
Ryan Pace
Kirk Kenner
Suzanne Malta
Loetta Papetti
Sandy Thompson
Mary Gamaza
Rick Hennes
Jonathan Mazer
Susan Whitesell
Paul Heaney
Roxanne Stiles-Donnelly
Hale Conklin
Bill Mortimore
Mr. Hubbell
Greta Jenkins
Howard Branton
Minutes and Action Plans:
A. Safety, Health, & Cleanliness at our schools
It has been noticed that there is a drop in cleanliness in Building E and the gym @ RVHS. Mr Hennes reported that there have been custodian(s) out due to workers comp and sickness. When this occurred there was no sub pool to draw from. Overtime was approved for other custodian(s) to pick up slack. The custodian position has gone back to 18 hours however, leaving the custodian position 1 hour short still. Teachers at RVHS are aware of this issue and are unable to help w/ upkeep of school due to classified union contracts.
ACTION: The custodian positions will be restructured.
ACTION: Kids can help w/ school upkeep as long as classified union contract is okay w/ this, and receive up to 15 hours community service hours needed to meet graduation requirements. Students do beautify RVHS around April and can receive community service but the goal is to upkeep RVHS on a more consistant basis.
ACTION: To create a sub pool. Mr. Hennes will look in to advertising on Ed Join and newspaper ads. to hire to create a sub pool.
Broken Pipe at RVHS: Mr Hennes reported that the broken pipe @ RVHS was a lack of communication between the District Office and the contractor. There was an issue w/ the backflow device and there were concerns of contamination in the water system, but it was rectified.
Volunteers: some contractors, will be working at Riverview during Spring Break to remove debris and spruce up the grounds. Hale Conklin reported that VERVE will be helping with this endeavor. VERVE=Volunteers Enhancing Rio Vista Environment
The project that Mr. Galindo was working on at RVHS regarding beautifying and cleaning up the planter along the administration building will now coordinated by Mr. Hennes.
Mr. Hennes would like to begin receiving bids to gain stairs and a pathway to the Fine Arts Building @ RVHS. Mr. Hennes would like to do this with the School Boards okay and use bond money. Mr. Hennes would like to see this occur over summer 2009.
There is no change at the school sites regarding garden grounds. There is one gardener for every 2-3 schools.
ACTION: Reschedule gardeners more efficiently.
The parking lot lights outside of the Tapella Buiilding at DH White School were fixed. This will make it safer when its dark.
It has been observed that students are getting off buses @ RVHS in morning and leaving campus. Also parent volunteers would like to help w/ ensuring that students are safe and following rules, especially during lunchtime.
ACTION: Mr. Hennes will talk to Ms. Eggers about the students leaving campus in the morning and not attending school and consolidating students to one area for easier supervision.
ACTION: Volunteers @ RVHS are welcome but MUST do the following:
1.Sign in at front office
2.Follow all board policies
3.Volunteer must be on file, had TB test etc...
4.Volunteers can only observe and report, can not take action-notify staff instead
B. State of the District (Budget Advisory Committee)
It was reported that the PG&E bill for the year was very high. It was reported that some of the air conditioners at RVHS have ice on the unit, this means something is wrong w/ these units and they need to be looked at to reduce wasteful spending.
At the district level energy saving can reduce debt and expenses, starting with using energy saving light bulbs at our schools.
ACTION: Electric bill can be reduced by cutting off thermostats when not in use. Staff awareness is part of solution. Mr. Heaney and Mr. Pace (teachers at RVHS) will make other teachers @ RVHS aware of this issue.
ACTION: Mr. Hennes will look in to an energy audit to be performed by PG&E. This might even result in our schools receiving PG&E rebates.
ACTION: Mr. Hennes will talk to Wayne Rebstock and will let us know the progress of energy saving at our schools at our next meeting.
ACTION: It has been noticed that lights at RVHS football field are on hours before football/soccer games begin. It would be more energy conscious if coaches turned on lights just before game started instead of other employees turning lights on hours before.
A Timeline For Budget Actions was provided by Mr. Hennes. (Perhaps you could get a copy in the district office) Dates to remember:
Feb 25 Final BAC meeting @Walnut Grove 4:30 p.m.
March 3 Special Board meeting @ Clarksburg MS 6:30 p.m.
March 17 Regular Board Meeting @ Isleton 6:30 p.m. * Public hearing on budget reductions *
ACTION: Mr.Hennes will publicize this meeting in newspaper
April 14 Regular Board Meeting @ Bates 6:30 p.m.
May 5 Special Board Meeting @ RVHS Theater 6:30 p.m.
C. RVHS WASC Accreditation Update
Amy Eggers is meeting w/ the accreditation consultant tonight. The self study is complete and the consultant is reviewing that and action plan. The English Depatrment @ RVHS will edit it next week. Next Wednesday 2-25-09 is the next focus meeting @ 2:15 p.m. in media center @ RVHS. In May 2009 RVHS will be visited by two members of the accreditation board. Mr. Pace reported that RVHS teachers will be better prepared for this visit. Late June of 2009 is when RVHS will know the status of their accreditation. The two options are:
1. 2 year accreditation then review
2. no accreditation at this time
ACTION: Mr. Hubbell said letters will go out to all RVHS parents regarding the accreditation decision in June or July.
D. Textbook Coordinator Position
Due to budget cuts and the issue of whether this is part of an existing employee's job this postion has been put on hold.
ACTION: The district will reconsider and reevaluate the textbook coordinator position.
E. Mass Communication for schools
The Soroptomist Club donated a dial up mass communication system to the District called Bright Arrow System. The district has a two year contract w/ this system and a vendor is in the process of installing this system to get it up, running, and utilized. Teachers will be trained on how to use this sytem. After the two year contract is up Mr. Hennes would like to transfer to Connect Ed. Mr. Hennes feels Connect Ed is a superior mass communication service.
F. Funding for Technology and Staff Instruction
$10,000.00 in Microsoft funds have been earmarked for RVHS. This will go to the Lexia program. Paul Heaney will train staff on how to make and upkeep their webpages.
$10,000.00 in Microsoft funds have been earmarked for RVHS. These are vouchers that have been applied for hardware. 7 desktop HP computers have been ordered for teacher's classrooms.
ACTION: Howard Branton stated that he could donate T1 line if needed. He will discuss this with Mr Hennes.
RVHS staff has decided that they don't want students to have access to updating the school website due to confidentiality issues and possible hacking occurring.
G. IT Coordinator
Mr. Hubbell stated he worked with a company that prepared a FCMAT draft to support bringing in an IT coordinator. Cost analysis needs to be performed. Using Microsoft or Google might be options for this position.
H. Technology Issues/Solutions
It was reported that the district has a lack of infrastructure. Mr. Hubbell will contact a vendor that the district already has a monthly service contract agreement to see if they will give the district a 50% discount for student folders.
Phones are now in & operative in all classrooms throughout school district.
Mr. Heaney reported that he will do a walk thru tomorrow with RGM @ RVHS to see if all classes are ready to have electronic white boards installed by middle of March 2009.
I. Staff Coverage @ RVHS
The AVID/Ap English teacher has asked to go to 1/2 time. There is a credentialed long term sub who will make up the difference as English teacher.
There is a credentialed math teacher on staff who will replace Mr Walker.
There is a long term sub for special ed teacher who left. This position may be eliminated or consolidated w/ another position.
RVHS staff was given options as to the leadership desired at their school and accomplishing the WASC process. The staff decided that Mr. Hennes will be serving in a dual role as superintendent and principal @ RVHS. Mr. Hennes requested that any issues regarding his principal role @ RVHS or his superintendent role for the district should emailed to him.
Next FORs meeting
March 25, 2009 7:00 p.m. @ Isleton School
Agenda: Roxanne Stiles-Donnelly
Facilitator: Jonathan Mazer
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Agenda for 2/18/09
FOR Schools Agenda
February 18, 2009
DH White Elementary School
Tapella Center
7pm
1. Introductions/Address by facilitator Jonathan Mazer/assign minute taker and action tracker
2. Safety, Health & Cleanliness- Rick Hennes, Principals in attendance
Discuss plan for volunteers to help on the school sites/CSEA union
Broken pipe at RVHS
What is happening at all the sites to maintain the grounds
Riverview and DH White site concerns—Bill Mortimore
3. RVHS WASC Accreditation Update--Joe Galindo, Toni Mazer
4. Status of textbook coordinator for schools.--Rick Hennes
5. Communication--
Bright Arrrow system (already purchased for Riverview and RVHS) vs Connect Ed--Rick Hennes
Timely response to parent e-mails--what is being done to address this--Joe Galindo
Student utilization to update RVHS's website--Joe Galindo
6. Funding for Technology & Staff Instruction--Rick Hennes
Where is the district in looking into the possibility of contracting the IT Coordination with one of the District's counties.
What is District plan to address funding sources
District plans to address staff technology instructional needs
Problems with the thin client lab at RVHS and proposed remedies
Plan to hook up smart boards and projectors in Building E at RVHS
7. Staff Coverage Needs at RVHS-Joe Galindo
Where are we in terms of replacing staff that has resigned or on leave, i.e. AVID, AP English, English, Math & Special Education
Update on the principal status at RVHS--Rick Hennes, Joe Galindo
8. Update on the state of the district--Rick Hennes
Budget Advisory Committee
9. Other business
10. Schedule Next Meeting
Facilitator:
Agenda:
February 18, 2009
DH White Elementary School
Tapella Center
7pm
1. Introductions/Address by facilitator Jonathan Mazer/assign minute taker and action tracker
2. Safety, Health & Cleanliness- Rick Hennes, Principals in attendance
Discuss plan for volunteers to help on the school sites/CSEA union
Broken pipe at RVHS
What is happening at all the sites to maintain the grounds
Riverview and DH White site concerns—Bill Mortimore
3. RVHS WASC Accreditation Update--Joe Galindo, Toni Mazer
4. Status of textbook coordinator for schools.--Rick Hennes
5. Communication--
Bright Arrrow system (already purchased for Riverview and RVHS) vs Connect Ed--Rick Hennes
Timely response to parent e-mails--what is being done to address this--Joe Galindo
Student utilization to update RVHS's website--Joe Galindo
6. Funding for Technology & Staff Instruction--Rick Hennes
Where is the district in looking into the possibility of contracting the IT Coordination with one of the District's counties.
What is District plan to address funding sources
District plans to address staff technology instructional needs
Problems with the thin client lab at RVHS and proposed remedies
Plan to hook up smart boards and projectors in Building E at RVHS
7. Staff Coverage Needs at RVHS-Joe Galindo
Where are we in terms of replacing staff that has resigned or on leave, i.e. AVID, AP English, English, Math & Special Education
Update on the principal status at RVHS--Rick Hennes, Joe Galindo
8. Update on the state of the district--Rick Hennes
Budget Advisory Committee
9. Other business
10. Schedule Next Meeting
Facilitator:
Agenda:
Friday, January 16, 2009
Meeting Minutes: January 14, 2009
FOR Schools Meeting Minutes
January 14, 2009
Riverview Middle School Library
January 14, 2009
Riverview Middle School Library
Attendees:
Julie Kelly
Roxanne Stiles-Donnelly
Sarah Donnelly
Tom Donnelly
Jonathan Mazer
Toni Mazer
Dawn Harshman
Bill Mortimore
Christina Parks
Rick Hennes, Superintendant
Pierre Laleau, Riverview Middle School Principal
Joe Gallindo, Rio Vista High School Principal
Jack Krebs, Rio Vista City Councilman
1. Assignment of next meeting Facilitator: Jonathan Mazer
Assignment of next meeting Agenda Publication: Roxanne Stiles-Donnelly
From now on all agendas should be published at least one week in advance to allow for additions, deletions, and researched answer to be accommodated.
2. WASC Update - Julie Kelly, Sarah Donnelly, Joe Gallindo & Rick Hennes
Reports now in the proof-reading stages, all the work is completed and after proofing, focus group reports will go to the consultant, Mr. Bush, for final review. Mr. Gallindo has been meeting with every classroom to discuss the WASC process with students and give them all an opportunity for input. School District Trustees have also been participating.
3. Blog Clarification - Sarah Donnelly
The blog is an "Active Newsletter" in which 'Posts' are intended to be statements of fact. Comments and opinions belong in the 'Comments' portion trailing the posts, not as new posts. While anonymous comments are allowed, concern was voiced that they may not receive the attention that signed comments receive and in the spirit of open dialogue, everyone is encouraged to share and allow for two-way communications. Anonymous commenters are also not notified of responses to their comments and may miss out on important updates or corrected misconceptions!
4. Safety, Health, and Cleanliness - Bill Mortimore, Joe Gallindo, Rick Hennes, and Pierre Laleau
Bill Mortimore wanted everyone to know that he has seen positive movement at the RVHS site cleaning up surplus equipment and with the purchase of a pressure washer, much of the campus has been, "The cleanest I've ever seen!" He also pointed out that there are still improvements to be done, i.e. window washing.
Rick Hennes - The District is moving forward researching a notification system to send out mass phone messages to update parents and student of emergencies, cancellations, and schools events. The district has examined one system and will be comparing it to another to find the best value. The District is still pursuing hiring a Campus Supervisor to fill gaps in student supervision during staff breaks, etc.
Pierre Laleau - The District purchased the "Bright Arrow" system last year which is still waiting to be connected. This system may be what the District is looking for and not realize it had already.
* Minute Taker's Note * This type of open dialogue and sharing of information is exactly what FOR Schools is trying to achieve.
5. Status of Textbook Coordinator
CSEA (California School Employees' Association) approved the District's current approach which is still not a final plan. The current approach is to take a current position which has been scaled back to part-time and make it full-time again by adding the Textbook Coordinator responsibilities to it. This is a work in progress but the Superintendent intends to have this position filled before this Spring.
6. Funding for Technology & Staff Training
There are only two teachers who are not equipped for emails. While the District is currently looking into purchasing refurbished laptops with three year warranties they will also look into the posibility of contracting the IT Coordination with one of the District's counties.
7. Communications
Based upon the information in Tech & Staff Training, lack of staff response to parent emails is not likely resulting from lack of access to email and more likely a lack of inclination to check it. Notice was taken of a partial update to the high school website although some work was still needed; i.e. the honor roll roster and some of the link tabs.
Suggestion was made that RVHS student and Vice Principal Eggers' T.A. Zach Boyd is technology savvy and would be well utilized as the webmaster for the high school website.
8. Staff Vacancies & Coverage
Concerns were voiced regarding substitute teachers not being informed or knowledgeable about the subject matter or current assignments. Both the Superintendant and Principal Joe Gallindo empasized that the best way to address this type of issue is to come to the office and allow the administration to deal with the issues while they're fresh.
Mr. Gallindo brought up the possibility that some of the Special Ed students may be better served moving them out of Special Ed to pushing them to expand their performance while instituting a program similar to the Never Streaming Program in Elk Grove where student performance is constantly monitored to see that each student's needs are being met by their placement. It's possible that our staffing needs may shift if these issues are addressed.
9. Bond Money Status - Rick Hennes
All bond money has been frozen by the State, including the promised matching funds. As a result the following programs are affected as follows:
- Building F will still be finished and move-in ready in August
- The Ag/CTE Buidling is no longer being considered
- Isleton construction will be completed
- Delta High Art Grant is frozen
The District will insist on an extention of the window for completing projects based upon the State-frozen funds.
10. NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 @ 7:00 PM
D.H. White School
Multipurpose Room
Facilitator: Jonathan Mazer
Agenda: Roxanne Stiles-Donnelly
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
FORS Meeting at DH White School
The next FORS meeting is February 18 at 7pm @ DH White School. Mark your calendars and we'll see you there!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)