METROPOLITAN EDUCATION DISTRICT
Board Meeting Agenda
760 Hillsdale Avenue
San Jose, California 95136
Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2003
REGULAR MEETING
The open session of the regular meeting of the Governing Board of the Metropolitan Education District was called to order by President Garcia at 5:00 p.m. at the Central County Occupational Center Room 403, 760 Hillsdale Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136.
I. ROLL CALL
All members were present, except where noted:
Cynthia Chang, Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union School District
Ernie Dossa, Santa Clara Unified School District
Richard Garcia, San Jose Unified School District
Patricia Martinez-Roach, East Side Union High School District
Mike Mendizabal, Milpitas Unified School District
Henri Zander, Campbell Union High School District
II. DISCLOSURE OF “CLOSED SESSION” DISCUSSION ITEMS
All meetings of the Governing Board are open to the general public, with the exception of those items which are specifically exempt under the Ralph M. Brown Act.
III. CLOSED SESSION
The regular session of the Board was called to order at 5:00 p.m.
The Board called a closed session at 5:02 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
IV. REGULAR MEETING (continued) LOCATION
V. ROLL CALL - STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS
CCOC
Michelle Barajas, present
VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by student member, Barajas.
VII. ADOPT AGENDA
Motion to adopt the agenda: Dossa Second: Chang Vote: Unanimous
VIII. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Michelle Barajas reported on CCOC and Student Council activities:
· CCOC students collected six boxes of items to send the troops, and they also wrote letters.
· The Student Council earned $500 from Fresh Choice and the San Jose Mercury News Run/Walk. With the money they earned the group is offering $50 -- $100 donations for classroom budgets. Teachers will apply, and the students will choose which classes will be given the money. The a.m. Student Council donated $150 to an animal non-profit; and the p.m. group donated to Saturday Friends, an non-profit benefiting children in homeless shelters.
IX. REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
Actions taken in closed session:
· The AFT settlement was accepted along with the Certificated Hourly Teacher Seniority Report.
· The Board agreed that employee health benefits would be covered for July, August and September for those employees being laid off. The vote was 5-1.
A. Plaque Presentation
B. Student Presentation:
CCOC: Dental Assisting
Michelle Sugden, high school Dental Assisting teacher, and Gina Fleming, adult Dental Assisting teacher, described their program and introduced one student from each of their programs. The students described the benefits the program has provided them, and expressed their hopes for the CCOC classes continuing in the future.
XI. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
A. Stakeholders Meeting Report
Marilyn Bauman gave the March 19 Stakeholders’ Meeting report. The next meeting will be on May 21.
B. Public Comments
Forrest Nixon
· Pleased to hear about the payment of summer benefits for those laid off.
· Hiring from the seniority list has allowed AFT to withdraw their request for a hearing
· Asked the Board to make a commitment to the District as soon as they can about next year. We are in a difficult position when we cannot tell people what is happening.
Cathy Melrose
· She expressed her concerns about the layoff letter she received.
Nancy Boring
• Expressed her concerns about the layoff letter she received.
Dave Walters
· Expressed his concerns about use of the Asset Management money and the proposed expenditures that the Asset Management money.
Tom Mullin
· Tom discussed items contained in the e-mail that he sent the Board from the CCOC/CTA teachers. He questioned the accuracy of the information used in determining when layoff letters were issued.
Wendy Yegge
• Expressed her concerns about the layoff letter she received.
Discussion:
Mendizabal
· Mentioned Ted Lempert’s organization EdVoice as an effective way of communicating and being in contact with legislators.
Friberg
· None of the administration wanted to issue layoff notices. We took time to explain the issues of where we are coming from when issuing layoff notices to employees.
Martinez-Roach
· None of us wanted to do this. We needed to meet the Ed Code deadlines. I am concerned about the unhealthy relationships that have been expressed here tonight.
XII. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
There were no new employees to introduce.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Action Item: Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, March 12, 2003 and Special Board Meeting, April 2, 2003.
Motion: Zander Second: Mendizabal Vote: unanimous
CONSENT CALENDAR
The Superintendent recommends approval of Consent Calendar items 2 through 8.
Motion: Mendizabal Second: Zander Vote: Unanimous
XIII. BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL FUNCTION
2. Action Item: Approval of Warrant Registers #710581-#710660, dated March 1, 2003; #710663-#710786, dated March 7, 2003; #710789-#710829, dated March 11, 2003; #710832-#710881, dated March 13, 2003; #710884-#710919, dated March 18, 2003; #710922-#710955, dated March 20, 2003; #711002-#711043, dated March 25, 2003.
(Budget Source: As indicated on Warrant Registers)
3. Action Item: Approve Budgets Overview
4. Action Item: Accept Donations
5. Action Item: Approve Use of Asset Management Funds
(Budget Source: Fund 21)
XV. PERSONNEL
--none--
XVI. INSTRUCTIONAL AND STUDENT FUNCTIONS
6. Action Item: CCOC Textbook Approval
7. Action Item: Surgical Technology Agreement
8. Action Item: Second Reading of Technology Board Policies
END OF CONSENT ITEMS
XVII. Information Items
9. Information Item: Year to Date Attendance Reports, Month 9 ending March 22, 2003
The Governing Board reviewed the information provided on annual average daily attendance by major program division.
Discussion:
Mendizabal asked for clarification about the 638 ADA over cap in the Satellite Plus program, and how this might affect our funding. Asst. Superintendent Larson explained that if we loose the waiver next year, we will lose about 730 ADA which will tend to balance things out. At the Instructional Council this week a reduction of 300 ADA was written into the Satellite Plus program.
10. Information Item: Suspend Asset Management Policy for One Year
The Governing Board reviewed the information provided on suspending the Asset Management Policy for One Year.
Discussion:
Martinez-Roach asked if the Asset Management item could be an action item for next month’s meeting.
Friberg reminded her that the Board had requested, because of unusual budget circumstances, that the superintendent consider the flexibility of using this money in case of financial emergency. At the last board meeting the Board asked that the superintendent come back to the April meeting with recommendations for how we can use these dollars to keep things going if we need to – how we can offset the losses we will see because of budget cuts.
Chang said we had asked for the flexibility of using this money in case of a financial emergency.
Mendizabal commented that he was one of the members who requested that we look at the possibility of suspending the Asset Management policy for one year. We need to find other sources of revenue in case of funding difficulties.
Barajas. Perhaps we could suspend the policy for six months and revisit it at that time to see how it is working.
Mendizabal. We need to suspend for a year because the budget is for a year.
Zander. We are looking for any sources of revenue. For us not to do that, would be irresponsible. I don’t think any of us want to permanently change the Asset Management policy, this is a stop-gap measure.
ACTION ITEMS AND REPORTS
XVIII. BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS
11. Action Item: Adopt Resolution #10-04-16-03, Public Schools Month
Motion: Chang Second: Dossa Vote: Unanimous
XIX. BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL FUNCTIONS
The Assistant Superintendent of Operations, Celia Larson, reported to the Board on departmental items of significance.
· I have a letter from the State Allocations Board stating that they will pay for the fire alarm system.
· Mary Pasqual’s CNA classes passed their certification tests. Forty students passed in the 89% and 90% ranges.
· I have a copy of the State Superintendent of Instruction O’Connell’s letter stating that he will be working in behalf of ROPs and Adult Education.
· The evening fee based classes are doing well. We had a 12% failure rate in the fall and a 15% failure rate in the spring. Congratulations to the staff for making this work.
· We are preparing for the positive. The CCOC staff is looking at upgrading curriculum in some of the classes that need refreshing.
XX. PERSONNEL FUNCTIONS
The Assistant Superintendent of Instruction/HR/IT, Jan Dreier, reported to the Board on departmental items of significance.
Grant Information
· MAEP has received a one-time grant for use in ABE for classroom technology and follow-up of student participation and performance.
· El Civics grant. The grant includes taking field trips as a part of the civics curriculum. Recently fifty adults visited San Jose City Hall and the Hall of Justice. Councilmember LeZotte spent time with the group of adults.
Human Resources
· Dan Gilbertson and Marilyn Bauman have been meeting with employee groups to assist with understanding of the layoff process.
Student Activities
· Adult Ed art students will have their art on display in the Mayor’s office and the Almaden Community Center
· The annual International celebration of our MC diversity will be held on May 17 in the Auditorium from 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. There will 32 different countries represented. This was organized by the Student Advisory Council.
· An employee recognition award was given to Mary Garcia for Excellence. The award was presented by the California Council of Adult Education.
12. Action Item: Adopt Resolution #11-04-16-03, to reduce or reassign classified workforce/Community Interest Program
Motion: Zander Second: Chang Vote: Unanimous
13. Action Item: Adopt Resolution #12-04-16-03, to Reduce or Reassign Classified
Workforce
Motion: Chang Second: Zander Vote: Unanimous
Discussion:
Forrest Nixon. There is great uncertainty about the budget. The Board will at some point need to bite the bullet. I urge you to make a commitment for next fall and to
make it as soon as possible.
Henri Zander.
I agree with you, Forest. We need to make a decision as soon as we can, based on
the best information that we have to work with. Most schools will be starting the
school year without a budget.
14. Action Item: Public Hearing-Disclosure of Collective Bargaining Agreement (AFT)
Public Hearing was opened by President Garcia at 8:19 and closed at 8:20, no public comments were offered.
15. Action Item: Public Hearing-Disclosure of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CSEA)
Public Hearing was opened by President Garcia at 8:20 and closed at 8:21, no public comments were offered.
16. Action Item: Public Hearing-Disclosure of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CTA)
Public Hearing was opened by President Garcia at 8:21 and closed at 8:22, no public comments were offered.
XXI. INSTRUCTIONAL AND STUDENT FUNCTIONS
--none--
XXII. EXECUTIVE REPORT
Superintendent Friberg reported recent significant information to the Governing Board on topics not on the agenda.
· You have copies of the April Executive report to take to your district boards and staffs
· April 25 I will be meeting with Assemblymember Simitian, with lobbyists Bruce Robeck and Nancy LaCasse to discuss ROC/P and Adult Education with Member Simitian. You are invited to attend. Please let us know so that we can make arrangements.
XXII. BOARD COMMENTS
Mendizabal. I would like to remind everyone again about EdVoice and that this is a good way to be in touch with your legislators. Emphasize the importance of getting the budget in on time.
Chang.
I would like to echo what Mike said about contacting your legislators. Write letters and express your interests. Even the students who spoke tonight; it is important that students express what they are getting out of the classes.
I would also like to express my appreciation for the Board tour of the ESL program. This was quite a treat. I was impressed with the students’ enthusiasm, motivation and devotion. You can feel the relationship between the class and teacher when you enter a room. Students were very engaged in their learning. Thank you for all you are doing to assist the students with their learning.
Zander.
I am sharing a letter that I hand delivered to our Santa Clara County legislative delegation. I felt that hand delivering would be more important than mailing.
I also enjoyed the ESL tour. Seeing the programs in person sell this place.
Garcia.
I see us in the papers and taking national awards. Maybe we are no longer the best kept secret.
Our goal is to keep this place open. The programs bring value and great importance to the community.
Communication involves all of us – we must all work together cooperatively together to make this place work.
XXIII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn: Zander Second: Chang Vote: Unanimous
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.