Site Council Minutes, February 8, 2010

Palo Alto High School Site Council
Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER

Kelli Hagen called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.M. in the ERC. Members present were Lorraine Brown, Ning Xu, Faith Brigel, Kelli Hagan, Kathy Himmelberger, Kevin Sharp, Kathie Laurence, Gail Roby-Frazier, Jenny Stone, Josh Madej, Cathy Fitzgerald (PTSA), Principal Jacquie McEvoy, and Coordinator Edie Miller. Not present were Cherie Sopkin, Margo Wixsom, Ashley Swendseid, Emily Kenyon, Nabeel Sami, Jared Swezey-Gleason. Guests; Kim Diorio, and Scott Bowers.

Kelli thanked Faith for the refreshments.

ITEM 2 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of January 25 were approved with the addition of Faith’s report from 9th grade parent net work which included 1) concerns about InClass, 2) requests from parents that students be allowed to see tests after they have been corrected, 3) questions about how to give feedback to school, and 4) a review of make up policy and elimination of poorest scores  so students can stay home if they are sick.
           
ITEM 3 - PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Jacquie distributed the tabulated results of community input on things to include or delete from budget (ranked from 1 “can be cut “ to 3 “last thing to cut “).  She also gave out the budget report that goes to the School Board on Feb. 9.  She pointed out the PTSA results, the “additional from staff” and 49 recommendations from the webpage.  District wide, there will not be any teacher layoffs but 5+ FTE of classified time will be cut, hopefully by attrition. If the parcel tax passes in May, then the deficit should be  $3.7 Million.  PiE should be very helpful in filling in the gap.

ITEM 4 - OPEN FORUM

Edie announced that CAREER MONTH would start on March 1.  There will be ten days of lunchtime speakers (2 per day).  Signups will begin on Feb.17.  She asked the students and parents and teachers to encourage everyone to sign up online at Paly.net.

Faith reported on the Forum for Youth that was held last weekend at City Hall.  This is designed to give young people a chance to “be heard”. 

ITEM 5 - REPORTS           

• PTSA- Cathy reported that the PTSA hosted a great speaker last week.  His name is Lloyd Thacker, author of College Unranked.  He spoke to the junior class on Friday.  The dead line for Viking grants (up to $2500) is Feb. 26.
• STUDENT COUNCIL- Josh did not have a report.            

ITEM 6 - INSTRUCTIONAL SUPERVISOR REPORT

Assistant Principal Kim Diorio is the Instructional Supervisor for the Career and Vocational Education Department.  She handed out a summary of the courses offered in this department.  All students will be getting this when they schedule for next year. The goal of the department is to meet the need s of all the students.
Kim listed the goals:

• Align with state standards
• Explore the relationship between Paly courses and the UC “A-G “ requirements (perhaps Business Law could meet one of these)
• Get more teachers credentialed in Career Tech Ed could lead to more ROP money.
• Create more education and industrial partners- such as the JAVA class available online through Foothill.
• Enhance the guidance advice, encouraging students to sign up for these classes.
• Work on design for the new 900 building.

Another addition is the Pathways- a program where students can take specified courses in their field on interest develop a portfolio and receive a certificate of completion.   Currently there are pathways in Performing Arts and Video Arts.  Perhaps there will be programs in Engineering and BioMedical Science.

Graduation requirements include oneyear/10 units of Career/Voc Ed.  Sometimes, this requirement can be met by other courses such as Journalism.  This needs to be worked out with the individual teacher.

ITEM 7 - PRINCIPAL SELECTION

Scott Bowers came and explained the process. He said there would be two parents on the committee, one from Site Council and one from PTSA.  There will also be two students and 5-6 staff chosen. The interview day will be April 9. After the interviews, the committee will share its reactions with the Superintendent.  Scott will meet with PTSA Board this week and then parents will be asked to list what they value most at Paly, what are the challenges and what leadership qualities are necessary.

ITEM 8 - FUTURE MEETING AGENDA and ADJOURNMENT

Josh moved for adjournment. It was seconded and it passed.  Meeting adjourned at 5:20 PM.  Next meeting- March 1, 2010.