Site Council Minutes, November 9, 2009

Palo Alto High School Site Council
Monday, November 9, 2009

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, Faith Brigel, Cherie Sopkin, Kathie Laurence, Kelli Hagan, Kathy Himmelberger, Kevin Sharp, Margo Wixsom, Jenny Stone, Gail Roby-Frazier, Emily Kenyon, Nabeel Sami, Jared Swezey-Gleason, Josh Madej, Principal Jacquie McEvoy and Coordinator Edie Miller. Not present were Ning Xu, Cathy Fitzgerald (PTSA), and Ashley Swendseid.  Guests, parent Mary Dimit and VOICE reporter, Zachary Stanton-Savitz.

ITEM 2 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of Oct. 19, 2009 were approved as written. -

ITEM 3  - DISCUSSION: INCLASS and SASI

Todd Feinberg and Pat O’Hara described the difference and relationship between InClass and SASI (Schools Administrative Student Information). Pat gave a handout that spelled it out.  Points made include the following:

The Council then brainstormed criteria for the best grading program. (see attachments).

ITEM 4 - CAMP EVERYTOWN

Leticia Burton described the plans for this year.  She handed out a timeline (2 pages) and budget (2 pages).  Leticia pointed out that Paly Alumni (graduated 2+ years) will be the counselors. Paly will pay them a $250 stipend. She hopes for 60 students, mainly from current 10th and 11th grade classes. All students will be asked to pay at least part of the cost of registration.  She anticipates about 10 scholarships. Emily said ASB has donated its fundraising slot for Stanford/Cal football game parking to Camp Everytown so Leticia will round up students to work on Nov. 21. Other fundraising ideas were suggested. There was lots of discussion. Applications are due soon. Members gave Leticia lots of ideas on how to get the word out to students that nominations are due this week. Teachers, past attendees, can nominate students or students can nominate themselves. 

ITEM 5 - OPEN FORUM

Mary Dimit asked that more teachers let students know about homework and grades. In addition, lots of students did not receive report cards.  Jacquie will look into this. - Lorraine said she has had many calls about stress, especially to much homework for 10th graders.  Kelli said she is on the alignment committee and they want to address alignment within each grade. Jacquie said she would bring this up at Ed Council.  Jenny said that the district has put out lots of information about stress issues. We need to make sure Paly parents and students get this information.  Faith pointed out that PTSA is hosting a panel discussion on Teen Wellness and Mental Health on November 19 (evening).  A discussion followed.

ITEM 6 - DISTRICT BUDGET

Jacquie said the District is working on budget cuts and they would like input.  Council members received two handouts to study and mark up before the next meeting.  The pie chart memo is background reading.  The Budget Advisory Process handout contains many choices. The lists of cuts are a result of brainstorming sessions by the Principals which did not include discussion. Items in bold are negotiated items. Jacquie reminded all that things like furlough days are pay cuts. SITE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO LOOK AT PAGE 5 FIRST, THEN TO RANK THE ITEMS ON THREE LISTS; DISTRICT, SECONDARY AND OTHER IDEAS. DISCUSSION AT DECEMBER MEETING. Please skip elementary list. Please email Jacquie with questions.  If members report back to their constituencies about this, it would be best to phrase generic questions – such as how do you feel about larger classes? -and not share the entire list. - Ed Council and the Instructional Supervisors will also do this exercise. The final list will be up to the School Board. 

ITEM 7 - REPORTS

 ITEM 8 - PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Jacquie said she thought Spirit Week was amazing.  Building floats on campus was a good idea and robotics was able to contribute.   Starting the week with the dance was another good idea. The rallies were well planned.

Jacquie then addressed the process of handling the egg wars issue.  The Administration learned about it at 5PM on Tuesday.  They contacted Leadership and told them police had been contacted.  A large group of students relocated the egg war to Gunn campus.  This was not intended to insult Gunn but it did as well as causing $1500+ damage.  Gunn did not want Paly students cleaning it up so an outside firm was hired. Paly Principal will pay this for.  Leadership sent a letter of apology and went to Gunn in person to convey the same message.

To date, about 11 + students have been punished, either with suspensions or community service or both. Jacquie said it is imperative cases be kept private. These were good students who made a bad decision. This was necessary because the activity was on PAUSD property. The active investigation has been closed and witnesses interviewed. It is unknown whether there was a police report. There may be additional suspensions.

Lorraine said she has been asked by many parents about how it was handled; questions such as what kind of culture is the administration trying to build at Paly? What process is equitable for all? Were the Assistant Principals equitable in their handling of the cases?

Others said that there needs to be meeting to define what are “PALY TRADITIONS” and what are not.  Margo suggested that Paly has to spend an excessive amount of money on vandalism and it should be stopped.  Jacquie said there will be a review of the process and suggested that everyone consider helping out at Beautification Day at Gunn this Saturday.

ITEM 9 - FUTURE MEETING AGENDA and ADJOURNMENT

Emily moved for adjournment. Jared seconded the motion and it passed.  Meeting adjourned at 5:40 PM.  Next meeting- December 7.

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