School Council Minutes:
Tuesday, August 15, 2017, 5:45 p.m. – Cholla High School Career Center
Members Present: Certified – BGreenberg, GNelson, BBoehler, LSantaCruz, JNoriega
Administration – FArmenta, CMady
Students – LBowen, COthon, ANoriega, MGantt
Parents – KNasta, DSoto, Teresa McDonald-Linn
Community – Ron Marlin
Members Absent: Certified – (None)
Administration – (None)
Student – (None)
Parents – PBuelnaGarza
Community – (None)
Guests Present: Tina Cook, TUSD Operations
John Mitman, Natural Power and Energy
Cathy Adams, Cholla Assistant Principal
Kathryn Jensen, Cholla IB Coordinator
I. Review and approve minutes from previous regular meeting (Tues., May 16, 2017) .…...... Action
Motion to approve: KNasta 2nd: CMady Approved unanimously
II. Call to the Audience ……..………………………………………………………………... Discussion
IB Coordinator Kathryn Jensen briefed the Council on the results of last year’s IB testing:
a. 82 candidates tested (including 16 diploma candidates)
b. 11 diplomas awarded (with the possibility of a 12th, depending on student retest)
c. Currently 140 seniors enrolled in IB classes – 26 full diploma candidates
d. 190 juniors enrolled
e. The first IB Chemistry class will test this year
f. We’ve petitioned UA/ASU/NAU to accept IB grades of 4 (on the IB scale of 1-7) for dual credit
III. Selection of 2017-2018 Council Officers (Mr. Greenberg) ....……………..…………...… Discussion
After some discussion, the following individuals volunteered to serve in the capacities listed, with
no opposition:
Facilitator: Bill Greenberg
Assistant Facilitator: Gloria Nelson
Secretary: Leshawn Bowen
Motion to approve: BGreenberg 2nd: KNasta Approved unanimously
IV. Presentation on Proposed Solar Project (Tina Cook, TUSD Energy Projects Manager) … Discussion
Tina Cook (TUSD) and John Mitman (Natural Power and Energy) briefed the Council on upcoming plans to add solar panels to our campus. They provided a handout that diagrammed the potential locations of free-standing structures that would both contain solar panels and act as sources of shade on our campus – mostly in the main (student and visitor) parking lot. They advised the Council that there were numerous factors restricting the placement of these structures, including proximity to trees and fences.
Mr. Greenberg agreed to forward the diagram to all Cholla staff; then collect comments from the staff and forward them to Tina Cook. Cook stated that this district-wide project would be submitted to a vote of the Governing Board at their September meeting. She also stated that project work at Cholla would probably be done during the summer of 2018.
V. Funding Request: Masai Dean, Head Boys Basketball Coach …………………… Action/Discussion
Coach Dean was absent – item to be carried over to the next meeting.
VI. Principal’s Report: Mr. Armenta .……………………………………………..………...... Discussion
a. Transition Plan’s Goals: ……………………………………………..…………...….. Discussion
Ms. Adams distributed folders to Council members containing the2017-2018 District calendar and copies of our school integrated action plan and transition (from magnet to ALE) plan, dated 6/8/17. She highlighted the portions of this rather lengthy document that described emphasis points for this school year and identified budget numbers. Mr. Greenberg advised Council members that what is now called our School Integrated Action Plan will be a standard agenda item throughout the year, as we examine our goals and track our progress throughout the course of the year. Ms. Adams encouraged Council members to review the plan independently and to either send questions/comments to Mr. Greenberg, or bring them to future meetings.
b. Title-I-Integrated Action Plan and Goals, 2017-2018 Master Schedule, Student Registration and Staffing: Ms. Mady, Ms. Adams, and Ms. Jensen………...……………………………Discussion
Ms. Mady advised the Council that Cholla has only 2 unfilled faculty positions: Fundemental Sports Medicine and English/AVID (and/or one Exceptional Ed. Teacher opening). This is perhaps the best shape we’ve been in for quite some time.
VII. Student Council Report: Leshawn Bowen ….…………………………………………….. Discussion
Newly-elected Student Body President Leshawn Bowen briefed the Council on the following topics:
a. There are not enough people in Student Council
b. Freshmen SC elections process starts tomorrow
c. SC goal is to finish the year with a fund balance of $50,000
d. SC seminar for underclassmen on “How do I get into my dream college?”
e. SC has purchased a DJ set-up to be used during lunches
f. Prom date set for March 10 (theme, venue and tickets already selected)
VIII. Date/Time of and agenda items for next meeting …………………….…………………... Discussion
Tuesday, September 19, 2017, College and Career Center – Ron Marlin to bring snacks
IX. Adjournment ……..………………………………………………………..………………….. Action
Motion to adjourn: BBoehler 2nd: TLinn Approved Unanimously
If you have any questions about the above agenda – or if you have issues that you’d like the Cholla High School Council to consider, please contact our facilitator, Mr. William J. Greenberg, by email: .