Palo Alto High School

Site Council Minutes, October 15, 2007

Palo Alto High School Site Council
Monday, October 15, 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, Ning Xu, Jaclyn Edwards, Carla Guerard, Kenyon Scott, David Cohen, Mary Ellen Bena, Malati Murthy, Olivia Diamond, Jenna Lose, Scott Zhuge, Mary Dimit- PTSA, Principal Jacquie McEvoy and Coordinator Edie Miller. Not present Hilary McDaniel, Abbie Havern. Also present was Paly VOICE reporter Mega Ran.

Kenyon welcomed new parent representative Ning Xu.  She was the first runner up in the recent elections and, as such, has been asked to complete the term of Hillary Freeman who had to resign.

ITEM 2 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of September 24, 2007 were approved as written.

ITEM 3 - OPEN FORUM

There were no open forum items

ITEM 4 - TESTING RESULTS

Jacquie handed out a summary of test results and other information including 06-07 demographic and student achievement data.  She explained how to read the charts. This information details the concerns about the achievement gap. It also showed an increasing number of EL students at Paly even though all the services are offered at Gunn. Gunn now requires students to show proficiency in STAR tests before registering for AP tests.  Jacquie said the Administration is considering scheduling STAR tests after AP tests to encourage more students to show up.

ITEM 5 - LONG RANGE PLANNING

Edie handed out a draft Long Range Planning Chart listing Site Council’s responsibilities.   She explained each entry and the reason for when it is scheduled.  Since there is not as much pressing work in the fall, the Council voted to cancel the Oct. 29 and Nov. 19 meetings and combine the work at a newly scheduled Nov. 5 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 COMMITTEES

The Council will spend time completing the focus area work from last year in achievement gap and stress. It was decided to spend meeting time on Nov. 5 in small groups.

The Achievement Gap group will consist of Malati, Elspeth, David, Jaclyn, MaryEllen, Carla and Scott.  Lorraine, Abbie, Olivia, Jenna, Mary, Katie, Ning and Kenyon will form the Student Stress committee.  Jacquie will appoint an administrator to liaison with each group.

ITEM 8 - FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD

Jacquie presented the summary report of 07-08 School Development Plan. The Council had reviewed the draft at the last meeting. It was moved and seconded to approve the Plan. Vote was unanimous. The Council then voted unanimously to approve the Final Plan for 2006-07.  The Council also voted to approve the SIP budget for 07-08 of $60,926.

ITEM 9 - 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). Criteria for each is posted on the website.  Mary reported that the direct appeal has generated $128,000 to date. PTSA will buy Spirit Week T-shirts for staff. There will also be a College Fair on Oct. 15.  There will be a School Board Candidates Forum on Oct. 18 at 8:30 AM at Paly.  The faculty liaison to PTSA is Kindel Launer. 
  
  
• STUDENT COUNCIL- the students reported that they are hard at work on Spirit Week, which will be held October 29-Nov. 2.  The theme for the dance will be jungle.  Dress is either semi formal or costumes. Float building will start this week.  Paly is hosting a meeting of California Association of Student Councils on Oct. 19.

ITEM 10 - PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Jacquie reported that she visited at Camp Everytown and was able to see the report-out sessions and the notes about what to share at Paly.  She is hoping to meet with the students to discuss which activities they can share with staff.

Jacquie reported on the High School Task Force.  The group will focus on how to adapt program to fit more students.  Some will visit Homestead and Monte Vista to get ideas. There is an emerging concern – if Paly grows too big, how will it “stay personal”.

Jacquie handed out a timeline for WASC.  She also distributed a request for funds for the process, including stipends for very involved staff and new software to coordinate the effort.  The total would be $6850.  This will be voted on at Nov. 5 meeting.

ITEM 11 - FUTURE MEETING AGENDA and ADJOURNMENT

• WASC funds
• subcommittee work                                   

Scott moved for adjournment.  It was seconded and passed.  Meeting adjourned at 5:10 PM.