La Jolla High School Governance Committee
Report on Meeting of March 16, 2005

In Attendance:
Administration: Dana Shelburne
Classified: Nancy Dowlen
PTA Reps: Linda Dowley, Liz Lindenfeld, Patti Nussbaum
Foundation Rep: Tony Farwell
Students: Jackie Barkett, Michael Thompson
Certificated: Elizabeth Berg, Kerry Dill, Carole LeCren, Elisa Savoia, Joanne Wainscott
SDEA Rep: Steve Grant
Guests:

1. Call to Order: Carole LeCren called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.

2. Minutes: The minutes from February 16, 2005 were approved as amended.

3. Agenda Items – OLD Business
* Principal’s evaluation Committee to meet after this meeting.4. Agenda Items – NEW Business
* Discussion of GATE Plan and Site Governance Involvement: Carole LeCren asked the question if the GATE plan should be brought to this group or another. In the absence of Jamie Ginsberg, the topic was tabled.
* Use of Technology in the Classroom: (from last month’s agenda) Tony Farwell (representing Foundation) brought up the idea of having a technology station in the classrooms. The issue was raised mainly to get feedback from the group. Elisa Savoia stated that if teachers have the technology permanently in their classrooms they would use it, but that having to share it with other teachers makes it less likely that they will use it. Discussion brought strong agreement from parents and teachers as to their support for these technology stations.
* Questions about the CSF: Carole reported that the communication of the changed application process was repeatedly communicated through the bulletin. Linda Dowley reported that two parents raised the concern that the process was changed and they did not feel they were made adequately aware. They were subsequently unable to become members of CSF due to the changed procedure. She requests that next time there is a change of this magnitude, it be taken to the PTA email to alert parents. This brought discussion about the various ways of communication. LeCren suggested that we create a sheet that lists all of the methods of communication to keep people aware of the various avenues.
* Photocopying Procedures When the Absence of Operator Occurs: Carole LeCren discusses the issue raised by a teacher as to what do we do when Genie is not there. Dana Shelburne reported that Pat Spire is to do the emergency copies. Farwell mentioned that there is an HP multipurpose copier that maybe a very cost effective solution for copying class sets.
* Policy/Suggestion for Homework Assignments: Patti Nussbaum brought up the discussion item about homework assignments over vacations. As an example, her 11th grader is required to read Grapes of Wrath over Spring Break. (Where other similar English courses are not required to read such a lengthy book.) Discussion ensued. The debate concerned having Dana Shelburne ask for no homework over break, asking for light-to-no homework over break, or leaving things the way they are.
* Will there be Summer Reading Required for Selected Classes? Again the debate is over whether summer reading should be given. Various viewpoints were shared. It is still unknown whether there will be classes that require the summer reading. The topic was tabled pending further information from the various departments.
* Discussion of Elimination of Roundtable as New Procedure for This Committee: Carole LeCren suggested that we eliminate/restructure Roundtable. One possible solution is to ask that the roundtable be kept to short issues and all issues that are lengthy be tabled to next meeting.5. Roundtable
* Open House: Shelburne brought back from the Department Chairs meeting the request to have the Open House on Thursday, September 22 or 29. He also mentioned that the department chairs requested a 6:00 start time. Patti Nussbaum will take it back to PTA to discuss.
* Teacher Surveys: Farwell suggested an online survey through the Webgrade company. The survey would be optional for teachers and the results would be for their eyes only. This is a subscription service that Foundation could pay for. Dana Shelburne will bring the idea to the staff to see if there is any interest.

Motion was made and seconded (twice) to extend the meeting.

Meeting Adjourned: 4:09pm

Next Meeting: April 20, 2005, at 2:30pm in Room 513