1.
Concerned parents addressed the board regarding the inter-district policy at Discovery School, mainly with respect to siblings of currently enrolled students. Parents who spoke at the meeting were: Gene Brown, Kristi Vairin, Dawn Peria, Loma Denkers, and Kristin Fetzer. They reported that parents were informed that the school would no longer be accepting inter-district transfers because of growth, and this includes siblings. They are concerned that their kindergarteners will not be accepted at the school where their other children are attending. When they enrolled their other children at the school, they were told that siblings would always have priority, and now they feel the district is not fulfilling that promise. They would like to have all of their children at the school, and requested that the board carefully consider this matter. The board thanked the parents for voicing their concern and complimenting Discovery School and the district. The board will have the district staff check into the matter and then make a decision at a future board meeting.
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Nancee Fine, President of VETA, said she was happy to report: (1) Fifty-one teachers were sent by the association to the Good Teaching Conference; (2) The recent Effective Schools Conference was excellent; (3) A coalition is conducting a positive campaign to target issues and keep the public informed every fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and everyone is invited. Mrs. Fine thanked the board for everything they do for her.
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(1) Ernie Moran reported on the recent Latino Board Member Conference he attended. He learned that the number of Latino students is expected increase by 63 million by the year 2018, and we need to be prepared for it. (2) Monte Worle congratulated Village School on all the Distinguished School and 5-Star Awards they have received over the years. (3) Willie Davis Pringle attended the recent Effective Schools Conference where he learned a lot and enjoyed the opportunity to exchange ideas directly with Dr. Larry Lezotte at a special luncheon. (4) Dr. Gabriel Stine thanked Village for hosting the board meeting. He's looking forward to presenting in New York with Dr. Baker and Mick McClatchey regarding the sale of the district's general obligation bonds. (5) Karen Morgan reported on the Effective Schools Conference. It was wonderful group of educators, and said she especially enjoyed hearing John Antonetti speak on Sunday. Hearing about other districts' problems made her feel very proud of our district.
5.
RECEIVE INFORMATION REGARDING INTER AND INTRA-DISTRICT TRANSFER AGREEMENTS (Mr. McClatchey)
This item was moved up on the agenda to allow Mr. McClatchey to address the Discovery School parents' concerns earlier in the meeting. Mr. McClatchey presented information regarding the current situation regarding growth and inter-district and intra-district transfers. The main problem is that some schools have not been able to accommodate students moving into their boundary area because they are full to capacity. These taxpayers are demanding that we take in their students because they live within the school/district boundaries, so the district is taking into consideration factors such as inter-district transfers, boundary changes, etc. in an effort to accommodate the students who live within the district first. In past years, we allowed more students to transfer in to our schools when we had slow growth and we welcomed more growth. Recently, Brentwood School students have had to be bussed to Village School and placed on a waiting list in order to get into their own neighborhood school. The board directed Mr. McClatchey to verify the intent of Discovery School's letter to parents which was presented at the board meeting, and to give the board more information in order for action to be taken in a timely manner. Mr. McClatchey indicated there are 134 students at Discovery School who are inter-district transfers, and Discovery's enrollment impacts Park View and Liberty Schools. He believes the parent letter was mainly to give them advance warning of the situation, in the best interest of students.
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RECEIVE VILLAGE SCHOOL REPORT (Mr. Marsden)
Principal Dale Marsden, teachers and students from Village School reported to the board on their programs to achieve the district mission.
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RECEIVE JOINT PRESENTATION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT REOPENERS WITH V.E.T.A. (Mrs. Young)
Using the interest–based bargaining approach, VETA and district negotiators met to identify those areas of the agreement, which we want to review for possible changes. These include: Association Rights, Working Time, Class Size, Leaves, Benefits, Compensation/Salary, Evaluations, Completion of Meet and Negotiation. We will also discuss the impact of No Child Left Behind. These reopeners were presented for the board's information and for the public. Ernie Moran complimented the negotiating team for the good job they are doing.
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DISCUSS DISTRICT CREDIT CARDS FOR BOARD MEMBERS (Mr. McClatchey)
District administrators and board members discussed the pros and cons of having credit cards for board members. The board requested that further information and guidelines be provided by administration, with action to be taken at the April 13, 2005, board meeting.
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RECEIVE AND REVIEW DASHBOARD REPORT (Mr. Swearingen)
Mr. Ross Swearingen presented the Dashboard Report covering the period July through Dec. 2004 for the board's information and review.
11.
DISCUSS QUALITY LEADERSHIP RETREAT & SUMMIT-JAY BONSTINGL CONFERENCE (Mrs. Creason)
The board discussed the 7th International Invitational Quality Leadership Retreat & Summit, to be held July 2-5, 2005, at the Kapalua Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Maui, Hawaii. Karen Morgan expressed her interest in attending. The board discussed the importance of being selective and mindful of conference expenses, being accountable and policing themselves to stay within a budget. A suggestion was made that the board could pre-approve certain annual conferences, and then take any others into consideration separately. It was suggested that the board develop a conference policy for the superintendent and board members, and take action at a future board meeting to approve it.
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RECEIVE INFORMATION REGARDING PROVIDING MEALS FOR HIGH DESERT ACADEMY STUDENTS (Mr. Encarnacion)
Mr. Encarnacion presented information regarding providing meals for students at High Desert Academy.
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RECEIVE WORKERS COMPENSATION REPORT (Mr. McClatchey)
The Workers Compensation Report was presented for the board's information.
14.
RECEIVE FEB. 2005 SUSPENSION REPORT (Mrs. Miller)
During February 2005, approximately 98.5% of the Victor Elementary School District’s student population presented themselves with proper conduct. Further information was included in the suspension report.
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RECEIVE FEB. 2005 CONFERENCE REPORT (Mrs. Young)
The Feb. 2005 Conference Report was submitted for the board’s information.
Upon a motion by Ernie Moran, seconded by Gabriel Stine, and followed by a 5-0 vote, the board acted to approve all consent items as follows:
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Approve Donations to Mt. View Montessori Charter School from Empties4cash.com in the amount $30.00, and from Washington Mutual for $25.00 to be used for instructional materials
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Approve Donation to Brentwood School in the amount $1,844.00 from Washington Mutual Bank to be used for instructional materials
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Approve Donations to Village Schools from Target Stores for $284.28, Washington Mutual for $242.40, and Verizon for $62.11
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Approve Volunteers for Challenger School:
Jennifer Valdez, Christina Campbell, Ivon Cervantes, and Andrea Trujillo
29.
ACT TO APPROVE NEW AND REVISED BOARD POLICIES (Mr. McClatchey)
The new and revised board policies were presented for the board's third reading and approval. Upon a motion by Ernie Moran, seconded by Monte Worle, and followed by a 5-0 vote, the board acted to approve the board policies as presented.
30.
ACT TO APPROVE SECOND INTERIM REPORT (Mrs. Creason)
Upon a motion by Ernie Moran, seconded by Monte Worle, and followed by a 5-0 vote, the board acted to approve that the Board of Trustees direct its president to certify that based on current conditions the district will be able to meet its financial obligations for this year and the ensuing two years; and to approve changes to the district’s budget through January 31, 2005.
31.
ACT TO ADOPT RESOLUTIONS 05-05 AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF ELECTION OF 2001 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS (GOB) SERIES B; AND RESOLUTION 05-06 AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF 2005 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS (Mr. McClatchey)
In November 2001, the community of Victorville passed Measure E authorizing the district to sell $30 million in General Obligation Bonds (GOB). In Spring 2002, the first series was sold for $16 million. The second series, Series B, was initially scheduled to be sold in 2006 for approximately $9 million, with the final series to be sold in 2011 for $5 million.
Due to economic conditions and the growth of the district, it is recommended by our financial advisor that we refinance the initial $16 million worth of bonds and possibly refinance the original $14 million worth of bonds that were sold in 1995. This refinancing or refunding has the potential of generating approximately $300,000 to $500,000 for the district. The refinancing/refunding also has the potential of reducing the tax bill on our local citizens.
Based on the high rate of enrollment growth in the district, it is now necessary to move forward the sale of the $9 million worth of bonds from 2006 to now. These monies will generate matching funds from the state as we proceed with the construction of Ridgecrest (Endeavour), Seneca and several bond projects. The economic conditions in Victorville, our enrollment growth and the national economy are all perfect for both the refinancing and the sale of the new bonds.
The two contracts of purchase and the preliminary official statement which will be approved through the adoption of the two resolutions which were presented. Upon a motion by Monte Worle, seconded by Ernie Moran, and followed by a 5-0 vote, the board acted to approve and adopt Resolution #05-05 and Resolution #05-06 as presented, and approve Mick McClatchey, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative & Business Services, to sign all the necessary related documents.
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ACT TO APPROVE RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PLAN (Mrs. Young)
Two years ago, we offered a retirement incentive to all employees. We have created a plan that will benefit both the district and the employees. There are 53 classified employees and 57 certificated employees who meet the following eligibility criteria:
A. Five years credit in STRS or PERS
B. 55 years of age by June 30, 2005 or eligible to retire
C. Experience in Victor Elementary School District: (1) Five years in VESD if over 65 years of age; (2) Eight years in VESD if 55-64 years of age
D. Retire by June 30, 2005
Upon a motion by Ernie Moran, seconded by Monte Worle, and followed by a 5-0 vote, the board acted to approve the Retirement Incentive Plan as presented.
33.
Non-reelection of certificated staff
The Board of Trustees took action in closed session on a motion by Willie Davis Pringle and seconded by Gabriel Stine with an unanimous vote not to reemploy probationary certificated employees number 2-05, 3-05, 4-05, for the 2005-2006 school year; and the Assistant Superintendent, Personnel Services, is directed to give notice of this action to the employees as required by Education Code Section 44929.21b.
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REPORT ANY ACTIONS TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
The board reported out in public session the action taken in closed session above.
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APPROVE CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL REPORT #05-04 WITH ADDENDUM
Upon a motion by Gabriel Stine, seconded by Willie Pringle, and followed by a 5-0 vote, the board acted to approve this report with addendum, which included: Accept resignation from John Desilets effective March 10, 2005; and resignations from Melanie Moniz, Angela Douglas, and Robyn Widmer effective June 30, 2005.
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APPROVE CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL REPORT #05-04
Upon a motion by Gabriel Stine, seconded by Willie Pringle, and followed by a 5-0 vote, the board acted to approve this report, which included: Employment of Cora Yrigoyen as the Instructional Assistant assigned to Irwin/The Academy, Janet Card as the School Clerk assigned to Brentwood, Kellyann Dare as a short term employee, Martin Rose and David Couch as Computer Technicians and Bill Klopping as Computer Network Manager; accept resignation from Debbie Betts, Secretary to the Director of Fiscal Services.
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