La Jolla High School Governance Committee
Report on Meeting of September 14, 2004

In Attendance:
Administration: Dana Shelburne
Classified: Lisa Erlichman
PTA Reps: Linda Dowley, Jamie Ginsberg, Joan Hiser, Liz Lindenfeld, Patti Nussbaum
Foundation Rep: Tom Cummings
Students: Michael Thompson
Certificated: Elizabeth Berg, Kerry Dill, Zane Friberg, Carole LeCren, Rachel Tenenbaum, Joanne Wainscott, Emma Zink
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 May meeting were tabled.

3. Agenda Items – OLD Business
* Introduction of new and Old Members
* Election of Officers for 2004-2005: Moved and seconded for Jamie Ginsberg to become the Vice-Chair. Vote was unanimous. Moved and seconded for Kerry Dill to remain Secretary. Vote was 16-1-0. Moved and seconded for Carole LeCren to remain Chair. Vote was unanimous.
* Meeting Times for 2004-2005: Moved and seconded for meeting to be held on the third Wednesday of each month. Vote was unanimous. Meeting times for 2004-2005 will be: 10/20, 11/17, 12/15, 1/19, 2/16, 3/16, 4/20, 5/18, and 6/15.
* Review of Principal’s Evaluation Committee: The question was raised as to how the Principal’s evaluation should be handled this year. Discussion included setting goals this year from last year’s evaluation. Next meeting, Governance will review last year’s evaluation and create next year’s evaluation committee. We will also complete a mid-year check.
* Update on Counseling Office: As of today (9/14/04) there are 1,736 students. This number may be as low as 1,720. According to the district formula, and our allotment for the math and literacy administrator, we may be able to hire another counselor. If that does happen, we will post an opening for a temporary spot (to fill Amy Lee’s leave). It was recommended that the senior information sheet (resume sheet) be given to counselors earlier this year, and that senior English teachers help their students with their college essays. The motion was made to give Governance’s support to the idea of Foundation fiscally helping with an independent contractor to help with the vacancies in the Counseling office. Tom Cummings will meet with Beth Behnke to discuss the specifics of this, and will then take the motion to Foundation.

4. Agenda Items – NEW Business
* Teacher Communication with Students: It was brought to PTA’s attention that a parent was concerned with the way her child was talked to in class by their teacher. The student is now afraid to ask questions in class. Dana Shelburne advised that parents should call teachers when this happens, or to contact him directly. Emma Zink stated she prefers direct communication rather than going through the Principal. Patti Nussbaum raised the concern that parents may not want to do that for fear of their student feeling uncomfortable. Rachel Tenenbaum suggested emails be used to diffuse the situation and still have clear communication.
* Counseling Office Procedures: Due to the current counseling office situation, course changes are now only being made for teacher recommendations. It was recommended that more communication of this process was necessary (possibly through newsletter or bulletin). Having the counseling office locked was also problematic as testing forms are to be picked up in there.
* Required Summer Reading for Advanced American Literature: Patti Nussbaum raised the concern regarding summer reading required for Advanced Am Lit. There was confusion regarding what the requirements were. Carole LeCren reported that the assignment did not make it to all students in that grade. This was the first try at required summer reading, and that there are still some “kinks” to work out in the system.
* Moved and seconded to extend the meeting for 15 minutes.
* Senior Exhibitions: Patti Nussbaum asked if we have to do them with our Instructional Autonomy. Dana Shelburne reported that the Senior Exhibitions are a Board mandate and would require a waiver to be exempt. He will take the issue back to the Department Chair meeting for further consideration.
* School Dance Regulations: There was a concern that students were able to come to the school dances and leave right away. Kerry Dill reported that students are not allowed to leave until 10:00 at the earliest. Jamie Ginsberg thought this should be better communicated to all parents. ASB will create a dance policy sheet and submit it to the PTA newsletter to facilitate this.

Meeting Adjourned: 3:47p.m.

Next Meeting: October 20, 2004