Only a few people attended this short meeting and all were employees or board members. The meeting lasted about forty-five minutes. Board member Sandy Sprouse was not present. All other board members were present. Highlights as follows:
1) Trona Care Clean Up (September 24th) - Trisha Funke talked briefly about this upcoming community event.
2) Superintendent’s Report:
.....a) Test Scores - Available at CA Department of Education website. In general, Tomes indicated that the test scores are not impressive.
.....b) Tornado Boost Period - High school added an intervention/enrichment period this year to help “boost” academic performance.
.....c) Technology - Things not working perfectly, but crew working to fix issues. (Lots of new technology installed over the summer and not all of it is working flawlessly.)
.....d) Patriot Day - Following pep rally on Friday (09/09) 9/11 Memorial to be held.
.....e) Onace Long - Memorial service being planned, but no date set.
.....f) Recognition for “Calm Resolve in the Face of Adversity” given to lifeguards Marlo Soto and Megan Maclean for saving a man and his daughter while on duty at the community pool during this last summer.
.....g) RFQ for Proposition 39 - Energy Efficiency Act has made $250k available to TJUSD for Installation of energy efficient lighting.
.....h) Refinance Pool Bond - Discussion of possible refinancing of pool bond in order to save community members some money on property taxes.
3) Trona Teachers Association - Two teachers updated the board on a few items relevant to the elementary school and high school. Of special interest was an upcoming music presentation at the elementary school.
4) Board Policy 9250 - Regarding a stipend for board members and health benefits available to board members. The board voted not to give themselves a stipend of $400 which was necessary in order for them to receive the same health benefits as employees. By not taking this stipend they are only eligible for the health benefits available to retirees. [Some bureaucratic rule somewhere requires employee status in order for an individual to be eligible for coverage under the employee health benefit plan.]