- DRAFT -

 

LA JOLLA HIGH SCHOOL GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes – October 1, 2007

 

Members Present:

Faculty and staff: Zane Friberg, Steve Grant, Judy Hubbard, Courtney Irwin, Ken Martin, Melanie Menders, Matt Rosenberg, Jerry Tellers, Howard Tenenbaum

Principal: Dana Shelburne

Parents: Michael Briggs, Linda Dowley, Bee Mittermiller, Betsy Klene,

Foundation: Tony Farwell

 

Guest: Bronle Crosby

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 2:35 p.m. by chair, Michael Briggs. Several faculty members noted that they could not open the attachment of the minutes that was sent, so a draft of the September and October minutes will be sent to Greg Volger to place on the website. Members will be asked to review the September and October minutes – both of which will be approved at the November meeting.

 

1. Topics Appropriate to Governance – Mr. Briggs briefly noted that on a few occasions in the past, parents have brought specific complaints to Governance, regarding a teacher or classroom situation. It was discussed that Governance is not the appropriate forum for specific complaints – and neither are PTA meetings or PrincipalÕs Chats. The PTA president, Bee Mittermiller has worked with Mr. Shelburne and Mr. Briggs to draft a policy description that these groups can use to help educate parents as to the correct procedure to address grievances. A draft of wording was passed around, and District policy (which states that parents must first work to resolve problems locally prior to going through the District process) was discussed. It was noted that once the final ÒComplaint Resolution ProcessÓ is approved by Governance, it should be placed in the PTA newsletter and the LJHS website.

Tony Farwell moved to approve the ÒComplaint Resolution ProcessÓ draft. Matt Rosenberg seconded and additional discussion followed. After minor modifications, Tony moved to amend his motion, and it was carried.

 

La Jolla High School Parent Complaint Resolution Process

 

La Jolla High School encourages families and staff to work collaboratively to resolve problems as quickly as possible. The following steps outline the process which parents should use to address instructional or procedural concerns relative to La Jolla High School.

 

For classroom teacher:

1. Contact the teacher with whom you have a concern, discuss the issue, and attempt to come to a resolution.

2. If the problem remains unresolved, enlist the assistance of the studentÕs counselor.

3. If the problem still remains unresolved, enlist the assistance of the vice principal.

4. If the problem still remains unresolved, enlist the assistance of the principal.

5. If the problem still remains unresolved, follow the San Diego Unified School District formal complaint process as found at http://www.sandi.net/depts/pcse/complaint_resolution.html

 

For all other staff:

1. Contact the staff member with whom you have a concern, discuss the issue, and attempt to come to a resolution.

2. If the problem still remains unresolved, enlist the assistance of the vice principal.

3. If the problem still remains unresolved, enlist the assistance of the principal.

4. If the problem still remains unresolved, follow the San Diego Unified School District formal complaint process as found at http://www.sandi.net/depts/pcse/complaint_resolution.html.

 

2. LJHS Music Program – Mr. Shelburne gave a brief overview of our arts programs, noting that in our school district, many high schools dismantled fine, practical and performing arts programs under the Blueprint for Student Success, and noted that he feels strongly that LJHS should remain a comprehensive high school, offering students a well-rounded curriculum.

There are currently only 16 students in the band program, where there used to be approximately 50 covering LJHS and Muirlands. Discussion ensued about possible causes for the drop in enrollment. Some teachers had spoken with Mr. Johnson, the band teacher, who noted that not many students take band at Muirlands and there is currently no choral program there. It was noted that any program (especially music and foreign language) benefits from strong instruction at the middle school level which feeds into high school programs. Discussion regarding possible solutions (a seven-period day, which would allow students to take both a foreign language and an arts elective, or a 4x4 schedule, promotion of arts programs by the PTA) occurred. It was decided that Linda Dowley and Betsy Klene would enlist the assistance of Sarah Feeney, the PTA president at Muirlands. This group will meet with Mr. Shelburne and Mrs. Hargrave, the Muirlands principal, to look for ways to promote enrollment in music programs.

 

3. New Business – Promoting Mutual Respect: Teachers/Student/Parents – Michael Briggs noted that while Mr. ShelburneÕs principalÕs evaluation survey last year contained mostly high marks, those who gave comments often had negative things to share about the school. While it is understood that often those who have complaints take time to write comments, positive attitudes and respectful behavior were mentioned several times. Additionally, modeling respectful behavior had been identified by the teachers as a topic to be addressed this year.

            It was requested that a subcommittee of Governance be established to build on the ideas of the ÒCulture of Civic ValuesÓ subcommittee that worked last year to promote a positive environment for teachers, students, parents and staff at LJHS. Pam Zuckerman had spoken to Mr. Briggs prior to the meeting and agreed to be on the committee. Additionally, Mr. Rosenberg, Mr. Tellers and Mr. Grant volunteered to participate.

 

4. School Site Council – Mr. Shelburne and Mr. Briggs discussed the configuration of the School Site Council, and noted that last year the two groups met concurrently. The SSC deals primarily with categorical funds and Mr. Shelburne noted that sadly, there are no new block grant monies. However, there are ongoing funds for GATE and TIIG and the Site Plan for Student Achievement needs to be reviewed annually.

 

Roundtable –

Mr. Rosenberg noted that the grant that provided funds to purchase our new scanner were put to good use. The scanner is here and it works.

 

Tony Farwell asked if there is a need for part-time teachers that could be funded by the Foundation. The Foundation is currently funding one teacher for two periods of 9th grade English to reduce the number of students in all 9th grade English classes. General funding was discussed, noting that education funding in other states is not handled as it is here in California. In California, all state property taxes are put into one pot for distribution, which eliminates situations where more affluent areas (with higher property taxes) get more education funding than poorer areas which generate less property tax revenue.

 

Mr. Grant noted that he did not teach 9th grade library skills last year and is not sure if he will have time to do so this year. He does, however, encourage all level English teachers to bring students into the LJHS Library Media Center. Additionally, he will be giving an evening parent class to educate parents about the various computer research services that the school subscribes to – hoping that parents will encourage their students to look Òbeyond GoogleÓ when using the Internet for research.

 

Mr. Shelburne noted that he meets every Monday with a district group working on funding issues. There are no new monies from the state, and he noted that our district has a current shortfall estimated at $11 million. He also told the group that 18% of the districtÕs general fund goes to Special Education, and that more money is needed. This group is looking at ways to guarantee that every school has specific, basic level of staffing (such as nursing, landscaping, etc.).

 

 

 

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

 

Minutes submitted by Linda Dowley, Secretary.