TJUSD Board Meeting - November 08, 2018

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TJUSD Board Meeting - November 08, 2018

Postby blackturtle.us » Thu Nov 08, 2018 8:25 pm

This board meeting was moderately well attended. It lasted a little more than an hour. The highlights are as follows:

1) Trona Teachers Association - 1) Pay issue which was quickly resolved. 2) Missed Work Due To Absence Policy - Follow up on discussion from last month regarding teacher responsibilities for dealing with assignments missed during a student absence. The district only requires that teachers are fair, but the teacher has quite a bit of discretion regarding how to handle this issue. 3) Assistant Coaching position offered for position not listed in teaching contract. It was suggested that the term "volunteer" be added to make it clear that this is not a contractually recognized position. 4) HS Math Issue - TTA president indicated willingness to work with the district to resolve this issue. 5) Math Conference - A teacher who recently attended a professional conference on the topic of teaching math shared some of what she gained from the conference. Another teacher added that she appreciated the opportunity to attend conferences and training sessions to help her improve as a teacher.

2) Superintendent Report - The superintendent expressed appreciation to two departing board members for the work they've done over the past several years. The newly elected board members were in attendance. They will be sworn in at the next regular board meeting.

3) Public Comments - Concerns expressed regarding the lack of a credentialed high school math teacher. Currently two teachers without proper credentials are teaching high school math. The district has tried to recruit math teachers, but has been unsuccessful. The board and those in attendance generally agreed that qualified math teachers should be recruited by "any means necessary" and that the current situation is "unacceptable."

4) Volunteer Assistant Coach approved. The agenda did not include the word volunteer and the board felt that the word volunteer should be officially part of the job title.

5) Retirement of Elementary Principal - Several people expressed great appreciation for the service the current elementary principal has provided to the district for the past 30-something years. There will be a retirement party in December.

6) Parent Project - Incentives to attend approved: $1000 for door prizes and $1000 for food. Funding for these incentives is justifiable since the LCAP has provisions for increasing parent involvement.

7) ASB WORKS - This is a computer software package used to keep track of ASB financial activities. Auditors suggested that the district use the program to make it easier to keep track of inventory and general financial activity as it pertains to the ASB. The program also facilitates credit card purchases and online sales.

8) CUPCCAA (sometimes referred to as CUPCAKE) - The "cupcake" agreement streamlines the bidding process for facility projects. It helps small districts by raising bid limits. It also makes it easier for small, remote districts to attract contractors to do construction and maintenance projects.

9) Math Instructor Incentive - The board approved a plan to offer year-for-year credit to help recruitment efforts. Since this is a compensation issue the teachers union will need to approve it and so some negotiation might be necessary, but the TTA president agreed to help expedite the process so the recruitment process can proceed as quickly as possible.

NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETING: December 13, 2018
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Re: TJUSD Board Meeting - November 08, 2018

Postby ergot » Thu Nov 08, 2018 10:44 pm

Mom fights to change school dress code after son reprimanded over torn jeans
What is an emerging hole exactly?!! :wtf:
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Re: TJUSD Board Meeting - November 08, 2018

Postby recluse » Fri Nov 09, 2018 8:12 pm

Late for Class - SNL
The best policy is to never be tardy, but if you are late for class there is a right way and a wrong way to handle the situation!
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Re: TJUSD Board Meeting - November 08, 2018

Postby wildrose » Sat Nov 10, 2018 7:52 am

Poway Unified board member under investigation
Apparently in some school districts the competition for a seat on the school board is pretty intense!
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Re: TJUSD Board Meeting - November 08, 2018

Postby shadylady » Sat Nov 10, 2018 9:02 am

Teachers In Trouble For Mexican Border Wall Costume
I'd expect this reaction from school administrators in politically correct Commie-fornia, but not in Idaho! Legally the administrators don't have a leg to stand on in this one since they'll be forced to reinstate the teachers based on several legal theories, but the forced "sensitivity training" will be something they will be able to require. Unfortunately conservative teachers have no one to come to their defense unless they pay for it themselves. The teachers union will agree to sensitivity training and not support those opposed to forced indoctrination imposed by cultural Marxists.
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Re: TJUSD Board Meeting - November 08, 2018

Postby wildrose » Sat Nov 10, 2018 7:43 pm

The ultimate guide to gifting STEM toys: tons of ideas for little builders
Lots of interesting educational toys and maybe they're worth the money and maybe not. Read the intro to the article for an unbiased discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of these products.
It’s also worth noting that some startups in this still youthful category have already pivoted more toward selling wares direct to schools — aiming to plug learning gadgets into formal curricula, rather than risking the toys falling out of favor at home. Which does lend weight to the idea that standalone ‘play to learn’ toys don’t necessarily live up to the hype. And are getting tossed under the sofa after a few days’ use.

LINK: https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/06/the-ultimate-guide-to-gifting-stem-toys-tons-of-ideas-for-little-builders/
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Re: Educational Toys

Postby panamint_patty » Tue Nov 13, 2018 8:37 am

Educational toys usually cost more than they are worth. I think the companies that make them count on affluent parents being willing to over pay for something just because it's considered to be educational. Often kids don't really like those toys either and so it's typical for the toys to be a waste of money although like with anything else there are exceptions.
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Re: TJUSD Board Meeting - November 08, 2018

Postby ergot » Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:17 pm

"Build the wall" playset?
MrGreen posted this elsewhere, but I believe it should also appear here. Great educational toy to get for the young ones this Christmas!
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Re: Build The Wall

Postby desertrat » Thu Nov 15, 2018 8:46 am

ergot: Great idea and I might not buy the playset, but I'll be sure to help my grandchildren build some walls with their Lego sets. Plenty of money invested in Lego sets over the years! We can experiment with the most effective wall designs and discuss the importance of secure borders. Definitely a teachable moment!
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Re: Build The Wall

Postby mrfish » Thu Nov 15, 2018 9:23 am

desertrat: That's a slightly sensitive topic at our family get-togethers. One of my sons married a young lady who has a parent who was born in Mexico. Although she favors legal immigration, she is sensitive about any comments that can be construed as putting down people of Mexican heritage. Seeing as my grandchldren are of Mexican heritage as they are one-quarter Mexican, I have no intention of insulting anyone from Mexico, but I'm still in favor of building the wall!
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