Palo Alto High School Site Council
Monday, October 6, 2008
ITEM 1 CALL TO ORDER
Lorraine Brown called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.M. in Portable 3. Members present were Lorraine Brown, Elspeth Farmer, Ning Xu, Cherie Sopkin, Carla Guerard, Kenyon Scott, David Rapaport, Kathie Laurence, Julia Sing, Arlene Leslie, Lucas Matze, Jasmaer Sandhu, Mary Dimit- PTSA, Principal Jacquie McEvoy and Coordinator Edie Miller. Not present were David Cohen, Alex Freeman, and Kevin Ward. Also present: Paly VOICE reporter Anna Bastidas and School Board Liaison Camille Townsend.
ITEM 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of September 8, 2008 were approved with the following addition by Mary: Parents were concerned that students were being targeted and treated badly by other students and this is not acceptable. The consequences to the offending students should be appropriate for their actions/behaviors
ITEM 3 OPEN FORUM
Camille Townsend, School Board Member updated the Council on several items;
- PAUSD will be affected by US financial problems. We should anticipate state midyear cuts, particularly in categorical. Other districts are much worse off but we continue to lobby for leveling all up to our level rather than equalizing downward.
- Master Plan/ where to put the theater. Decisions are being made now so anyone with input on this subject, particularly in regards to moving the Corp yard should communicate with Jacquie or the Superintendent NOW.
Mary asked for more information on the balance of academics and sports, with special attention to long tryout sessions. Jacquie will check it out.
ITEM 4 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The slate of officers for 2008-09 Site Council was presented:
Cochairs- Kenyon Scott and Lorraine Brown, Secretary Cherie Sopkin
There were no additions. Adoption of the slate was moved and seconded. Vote was unanimous.
ITEM 5 PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Jacquie had several items to share:
- Testing- there was increased participation in the state testing last spring and API scores went up 17 points to over 900. The school looked at specific academic areas and in most areas all levels of students improved. This is a result of alignment of instruction. David R. has asked for clarification on the increased participation numbers.
- There are 30 national merit semi finalists and many Commended Scholars.
- PTSA will be given during the school day to all juniors who sign up. Scholarship help is available.
- Plans are progressing for a new theater, several new classroom buildings and modernization of library, gyms and fields.
- Trader Joe’s is due to be built in Town and Country. This may necessitate a change in Paly driveway.
- Residents of Southgate would like the crosswalk on Churchill illuminated.
- WASC: please understand the WASC language “critical areas’ does not mean crucial or desperate for Paly- just areas of focus.
ITEM 6 PALY BUDGET SCHOOL PLAN
Jacquie explained Site Council’s role in overseeing the School Plan. This year the school plan is synonymous with the WASC report. Site Council funs should be spent to support these goals. Jacquie also explained that Palo Alto is a Basic Aid district, getting all its funding from property taxes for a total of about $10,000 per student. If Property owners in Santa Clara County ask for fore reassessments, amount available could be less.
Edie then reviewed the numbers:
08-09 allotment from state/district (based on enrollment) $55,011
07-08 carryover 29731
Subtotal 84742
Committed 6/08 to 08-09 projects -45200
TOTAL available for fall funding $39542
Jacquie then presented some ideas for use of the available funds:
- Under goal pf Support all students- funds to develop a more effective transition for 9th graders- maybe LinkCrew that would require about $600-1000 ongoing funds.
- Staff Development- funding for teachers to go to conferences and workshops. About $6000-8000.
Lorraine concluded the discussion by suggesting that the group come prepared to Oct 27 meeting to discuss how much of the available funds Site Council should spend and how to do it.
ITEM 7 WASC UPDATE
Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) and English teacher Kindel Launer is heading the WASC self study effort. Kindel asked everyone to write a list of things we do well at Paly. Then small groups shared the results. After listing most of the ideas, the group worked to categorize the ideas into the areas of Student Support, College Readiness or alignment of instruction. There was considerable discussion. There will be additional input from staff, parents and students. Help is welcome.
ITEM 8 REPORTS
PTSA- funding has brought in $140,000 so far this year. There will soon be another drive to raise $35000 for LCDs for each classroom. PTSA is working to reduce trash at meetings.
STUDENT COUNCIL- Spirit Week is coming Oct. 20-24. There will be a dance on Oct. 25.
ITEM 9 FUTURE MEETING AGENDA and ADJOURNMENT
•Timeline of annual responsibilities
•Site Council budget- philosophy
Lucas moved for adjournment. It was seconded and passed. Meeting adjourned at 5:30 PM. Next meeting- October 27, 2008.