Palo Alto High School

Site Council Minutes, September 24, 2007

Palo Alto High School Site Council
Monday, September 24, 2007

ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER

Kenyon Scott called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.M. in the ERC. Members present were Katy Hall, Lorraine Brown, Elspeth Farmer, Jaclyn Edwards, Carla Guerard, Kenyon Scott, David Cohen, Hilary McDaniel, Mary Ellen Bena, Malati Murthy, Abbie Havern, Olivia Diamond, Jenna Lose, Scott Zhuge, Mary Dimit- PTSA, Principal Jacquie McEvoy and Coordinator Edie Miller. Not present was Hillary Freeman. Also present was Paly VOICE reporter Vienna Tran.

ITEM 2 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of September 10, 2007 were approved as written.

ITEM 3 - OPEN FORUM

There were no open forum items.

ITEM 4 - ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Edie reviewed the slate presented at the last meeting. Nominated were cochairs Kenyon Scott and Katy Hall, Secretary Lorraine Brown.  There were no other nominations. The slate was elected unanimously.

ITEM 5 - REVIEW OF 2006-07 FINAL REPORT

Principal Jacquie McEvoy distributed draft copies of the SIP Final Report for 2006-07.  She explained that it is not yet complete because of difficulties in inserting all the necessary data tables.  She then reviewed each section, highlighting the changes made by departments and the different ways each chose to address the goals. The skill of the year for 06-07 was research skill. The skill of the year for 07-08 is student integrity. There was considerable discussion about Goal 2- the achievement gap.  Jacquie said she found evidence of lots of hard work by staff to combat this but not much success- hence, frustration.   David asked what Site Council could do and Jacquie suggested Site Council could use its funds to make a difference, such as release funds for teachers to visit other programs that are working. There was a following discussion about the pros and cons of InCLass (the software teachers can use to post homework and grades). Two students said they felt posting grades was helpful. The principal and one teacher agreed.  Other teachers had reservations, suggesting posted grades might exacerbate student stress.

Jacquie then passed out the draft SIP School Plan for 2007-08.  It focuses on completing last year’s goals and then beginning the WASC process. .  Site Council members are asked to review these reports and vote to recommend them to the School Board at the next meeting.

ITEM 6 -SITE COUNCIL BUDGET

Edie distributed copies of the Site Council budget for 2007-08.  There is approximately $50,000 in 07-08 allotment and $42,000 in carryover.  The Council will need to decide if it wishes to grant funds this fall and, if so, how much reserve it should keep.  Jacquie said the discretionary budget is in the red.  She reminded members that Site Council could fund salaries.  She suggested funds might be needed for WASC preparation.            

ITEM 7 - SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS

Last year’s Site Council identified three areas of focus and formed subcommittees to address those areas.  Current members expressed a need to continue this work this year.

Carla reported on the latest recommendations of the achievement gap committee, made at a meeting May 2.  They are hoping for a student panel to address issues, some kind of freshman buddy program (possibly such as Linkcrew- used at Gunn), teachers-student pals and teachers sharing best practices.

Kenyon reported that his committee on student stress had reviewed the 05-06 SOS survey and recommended inclusion of questions on sleep and on cheating. After the survey, the committee had hoped to determine which kinds of students were involved in cheating. This year he would like the group to look again at the data and proceed.  Jacquie Edwards explained that last spring there was a group of teachers who were very eager to work on redefining the honesty policy and she requested that this group be reactivated.  Katy Hall spoke for the third group, which investigated intramurals. She is currently in touch with the YMCA.

The Council agreed to follow up on the activities of the first two groups.  Malati and Elspeth asked to be included in the achievement gap committee.  Lorraine, Abbie, Olivia and Jenna wish to join the Student Stress committee.  Jacquie will appoint an administrator to liaison with each group.

ITEM 8 - REPORTS

• PTSA- Mary announced that the level for teacher grants has been raised, in both the fast track category (to $500) and the Viking grants (to $2500). In addition to raising the individual limits, PTSA voted to put more money into the fund.  Criteria for each is posted on the website. Mary then thanked Jacquie for the evening presentation to PTSA.  In October, the PTSA will host a School Board Candidates’ night. There will also be a College Fair.
  
  
• STUDENT COUNCIL- the students reported that they are hard at work on Spirit Week, which will be held October 29- Nov. 2.  They have been working on updating the Student Body constitution.  There will be Club Fair on Sept. 28.  Camp Everytown runs from Sept. 29-Oct. 2. 

 

ITEM 9 - FUTURE MEETING AGENDA and ADJOURNMENT

• WASC procedure
• Timeline of annual responsibilities                                   

Abbie moved for adjournment.  It was seconded and passed.  Meeting adjourned at 5:30 PM.