Despite the short agenda, this meeting turned out to be a bit on the long side, lasting nearly two hours. Very few people attended and all were school employees except for one spouse of an employee and a student who reported to the board.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Homecoming Week - Student representative briefed the board on events for Homecoming Week, including Old West themed dress up days, class competitions, athletic events, Powder Puff event, bonfire, etc. There was some discussion about using LEDs instead of flares this year for the T-lighting.
Trona Teachers Association (TTA) Report - Concerns expressed regarding payroll issues. Hope expressed that these issue will be resolved in November paycheck.
Superintendent’s Report -
a) Addressed payroll issues
b) Talked about professional growth activities with OnPoint (classroom technology vendor) at the high school and elementary
c) Board Elections - Two incumbents (Samantha MacLean and Sandy Sprouse) are running unopposed and will not appear on ballot
d) Charter California STEAM San Bernardino - updated board on issues regarding supervision of charter school and talked about conference attended along with financial secretary and HS principal. Also mentioned the “Dragon Lady” (aka, lawyer for school district) who drafted MOU between charter school and TJUSD
e) Pool Bond - Upcoming presentation regarding loan restructuring
f) Gem and Mineral Show - Told board that he and his wife had a good time at this event
g) Tornado Boost - Informed board that grades seem to have improved as result of remedial sessions and that the high school is looking into ways to improve enrichment activities
AB-2000 - The county approved the tentative agreement between the TTA and TJUSD and the board voted to accept the findings of the county.
RFQ’s - Three companies turned in bids for energy/electric/solar/lighting upgrades to be paid for using Prop 39 funds ($260k). The superintendent discussed options for upgrades that may be considered.
Classroom Upgrades - Discussion of technology, window, and furniture upgrades planned for rooms at the high school and elementary. Initially a couple rooms will be upgraded with others following over the next few years. Also upgrades such as drinking fountains, shade structures, restroom improvements, etc. were discussed. The board requested that they have time to study the proposal and that a vote be postponed until next month.
Transportation - This turned into the most lengthy and spirited discussion of the evening. Apparently a controversy regarding employees taking their children on school trips has developed. A bus driver had been granted permission to take a child along on a trip while a coach had been denied a similar request. The administration and board wished to develop a fair policy regarding such requests, but also wanted to discourage employees from taking their kids on trips to the greatest extent possible, while acknowledging that sometimes “emergencies” where babysitting is not available could necessitate exceptions to any policy that would be developed. The tentative solution seemed to be that a clause would be added to the coaching agreement where coaches would be informed that bringing their kids to practices or on trips would not be allowed. Bus drivers would also only be allowed to bring their kids on a trip when no other alternative was available at the discretion of their supervisor, which has been past practice.
NEXT MEETING: November 10, 2016