The meeting Wednesday evening (March 11, 2015) lasted just under two hours and was attended by the school board, seven employees, two students, and a parent.
Highlights:
1) Sixth Grade Science Camp - The sixth grade teacher (Cathy Heseman) presented a slideshow and told about what students did during their stay at science camp. Most of the images depicted outdoor activities in a beach setting. The camp was located in the Cambria/San Simeon area.
2) Expanding Your Horizons - A small number of sixth grade girls attended an event held at the China Lake naval base. The girls participated in workshops led by women working as scientists at the base. The board was exceptionally interested in this event and expressed the hope that students in the future would be able to attend this annual event.
3) Technology: Mr. Olney briefed the board regarding network maintenance issues, staff technology training, interactive whiteboards, Chromebooks, etc.
4) Dental Services - Dental interns from Loma Linda provided dental services for children living in the community. In February they screened students at the elementary and in March they performed various dental procedures on students (and other children in the community) who were determined to be in need of such services.
5) Gymnasium Roof - Mark Goins presented information regarding work that will be performed on the gym roof. An all metal roof will be installed, complete with a two inch layer of insulation. It will be blue. Also the roof edging (fascia) will be in sandstone and at some point foyer windows will be replaced. Work on the roof is set to begin in March and be complete by the third week of May. Asbestos abatement on the flat portion of the roof on the backside of the gym will be performed during spring break. No vote was required to move forward on the project since it had been approved at a previous board meeting, but the board did informally approve of the suggested colors for the roof and fascia.
6) 2015/2016 School Calendar - approved with a 5-0 vote.
7) Summer School Program - An enrichment-orientated summer school program will be offered for elementary and middle school students this summer. (HS students will be offered the usual credit recovery program.) The idea is to provide a more creative and engaging program to increase student academic motivation. Last year the cost to the district of summer school was $18k. The proposal for this summer includes the employment of an additional teacher with a cost estimate of $23k. The board approved this proposal with a 5-0 vote.
8) Second Interim Report - Dawn McMillen presented a financial report to the board. She mentioned that district enrollment seems to have stabilized (at least temporarily). Among quite a few other details she stated that total revenue for the current year is estimated to be $5.1 million with expenditures projected at over $7 million, including the costs for the demolition of the old elementary buildings and the installation of a new gym roof. Despite deficit spending the projected ending balance for the fiscal year is $8 million.
9) Policies and Procedures - A fair amount of time was devoted to updating Board Policies and Administrative Regulations. Much of this had to do with revisions necessitated by changes in policies at the state level. For instance, requirements for tuberculosis testing/screening were modified and so it was necessary that the BPs and ARs reflect this change. Other changes had to do with technology planning, criminal records checks, and budget. Additionally a few BPs were renumbered to locate those items more appropriately.
NEXT MEETING: April 16, 2015 (That’s a week later than normal due to spring break.)