La Jolla High School Governance Committee
Report on Meeting of June 6, 2006

Members present: Valerie Benito, Kerry Dill, Zane Friberg, Michael Palm, Dana Shelburne, Pat Spire, Joanne Wainscott, Linda Dowley, Tony Farwell, Susanna Flaster. Jackie Helm, Liz Lindenfeld.

The meeting was called to order by Liz Lindenfeld. Kerry Dill moved to approve May minutes. It was seconded and approved. Approved minutes will be posted to the school website.

1. College Application Protocol Update – Linda Dowley asked for feedback on the draft of the new College Application Handbook which was circulated at the last meeting. Linda and Michelle Ganon have met with Ty Eveleth regarding the use of Naviance in requesting transcripts from the registrar. Mr. Eveleth will meet with Ms. Solberg and Ms. Behnke to see about implementing the online transcript request process for the fall.

2. Principal’s Evaluation – Kerry Dill gave an update on the compilation of the evaluation surveys. She will meet with Mr. Shelburne to share that information before the end of school.

3. GATE Plan – The 25% GATE model will still be in place for 2006-2007, Mr. Shelburne reported. While he had indicated a willingness to attempt to put together a master schedule that allowed for a 50% GATE model be used for one subject (social sciences) next year as a trial, he said that may not be possible and maintain a workable master schedule. When asked about the 2005-2006 GATE plan, he was not sure if it had been delivered to the district and suggested that we check with Mr. DelRio, the GATE team leader.

4. Public Relations – A follow up on an earlier Governance discussion about how articles are submitted from the school to the local media. Pat Spire is the keeper of academic and some sports awards. ASB has a PR person, and Ms. Dill will make sure that next year that person sends out press releases to the local papers. Often, coaches send articles about specific sports, teams or students to the local media.

5. Consequences for students who don’t take standardized tests seriously – Next year, students and parents will be informed that the various standardized test results will be used in determining course placement. Parents will be informed via eblast and in the newsletter and there will be a written policy for students. The district is considering drafting a district-wide policy.

6. Teachers returning work in a timely manner – While there is no specific policy, Mr. Shelburne reiterated that teachers need to return work to students in a timely manner. If parents have questions or issues regarding a classroom, they should always contact the teacher first. Students at risk of receiving a “D” or “F” should be contacted by the teacher, although Mr. Shelburne said that is a recommendation from the administration and not enforceable.

7. Clarification of LJHS’ ranking in Newsweek – The ranking, as decided by “Newsweek” magazine is based upon the number of AP or IB exams given at a school, divided by the number of students in the senior class. The students’ outcome or grade on the AP test is not considered. The author (Jay Matthews) thinks that ranking in this manner pushes schools to allow more students to take rigorous courses. SDUSD sent out a circular praising the schools in our district which made the list even though several of the schools were program improvement (i.e. failing) schools. It was discussed that the criteria used (evidenced by some of the schools which make the list) makes this ranking wholly invalid and it is unfortunate that it receives national publicity in its current form.

8. Clarification of Scholarships – The ASB gives out no college scholarships (it is not allowed under their bylaws) but does provide funds to students who are unable to pay their senior dues (they receive funds in exchange for work done on campus). The money raised by Mariners goes to the Melanie Jones scholarship which is administered by the LJHS Scholarship Foundation. Liz Lindenfeld read some information regarding the LJHS Scholarship Foundation and their application guidelines. This information is available to students in the counseling office. If students do not have a Social Security number, they still must fill out a FAFSA, whether or not it is eventually filed. It is the baseline collector of information. It was noted that Ms. Behnke holds a financial aid workshop in December, and Mark Nussbaum (as president of the LJHS Scholarship Foundation) gives a presentation at the Grade Level Dinners in the fall. Isabel Vega will share information with VEEP families.

Announcements:

Tony Farwell thanked Ty Eveleth for his eblast regarding Naviance. He noted that Naviance has the ability to accept payments, so it could be used to collect library fines.

Valerie Benito congratulated the PTA on its membership award. She asked if LJHS had ever considered going to a six-week grading period. Parents indicated that they would be in favor, but it is extra work for teachers. Parent concerns could be addressed if teachers would put grades online.

The suggestion was made that Ty Eveleth send a second eblast asking senior parents to input information about their graduating senior into Naviance. The more information we can build in Naviance, the more valuable it will be to the student body.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m. Minutes submitted by Linda Dowley.