Biggs Unified School District

District Advisory Committee

December 14th, 2009    8:30 am-2:30 pm

Meeting Notes

Welcome and Introductions

Bill introduced Terry Lattemore.  Terry is a RES SSC member and grandparent.  Bill explained our DAC meeting’s purpose to Terry and how the committee works.

School Site Council Reports

BES-Jerry said that BES didn’t have a SSC meeting last week.  Jerry did say budget information was received.

RES-SSC will meet today

BMS-SSC will meet in January.

BHS-Carleen commented that SSC has met a couple of times and will meet again on Wednesday.

Bill recommended that each SSC thoroughly and completely review their school plan   goals.  Laura indicated writing new goals each year is not necessary; however, they should be updated as needed. Bill stated the use the SSC Calendar would help complete meeting tasks in a timely way.

Bill discussed the State Budget update coming up in January. Our District received 3 cuts in the past year.  Bill commented that we don’t know what January‘s Budget is going to look like.  Potential cuts to the District from State revenue ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 dollars per year are expected.  Bill explained current cuts in 2009-2010 and possible cuts for the future. Due to the reduction in revenue, Bill also mentioned that SSC might have to pay for things that the District can’t afford.  Bill suggested being frugal on how schools spend their monies.

ELAC/DELAC REPORT

Vera handed out the ELAC minutes and reviewed them. ELAC stands for “English Language Advisory Committee”.  Vera mentioned that there was not a translator for Back to School night.  Jerry and Vera will discuss how to make sure this is covered in the future.  Bill commented that BES is out of Program Improvement status.  He also reviewed the Title III PI status and stated Vera did an excellent job creating the plan that helped move us out of Program Improvement in the Title III program.  Vera recommended having the ELAC serve as the DELAC also since they have the same membership and the committee agreed. It was mentioned that some EL parents have requested a translator at SSC meetings so that they may participate and Jerry stated we have several employees who could translate.  A concern of the ELAC/DELAC is the availability of computers. Jerry stated that Dennis is getting the school more computers.  Vera is going to see if Dave Niemeyer has access for more computers also.  Laura suggested using the Kids.com to help with tutoring EL students and Pam suggested this be brought up at SSC.  Vera mentioned only two parents would be attending CABE instead of 5 parents as anticipated.

REVIEW/REVISE LEA PLAN:  GOAL 3 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

Laura reviewed the Goal 3 Professional Development of the LEA Plan update 2009-10 on page 26 in the DAC binder.  She reviewed the statements in the strength column to determine if they were still strengths and then to identify current areas of need. .  Laura stated the school district has a lot less money for professional development now and that SSC will need to help with funding this area.  Pam questioned if there was accountability for goals not met for professional development activities.   Bill stated there should be data and documentation to support the goal evaluations.  Terry expressed concern about fundamental issues that he believes needs to occur.  He commented that there are areas that are a must to have and also things that may be needed but not essential.  Terry also shared his concern about focusing on staff development for to meet every day requirements.  Bill commented that should be discussed in the SSC meetings.  Laura stated that SSC would need to prioritize the areas they choose to fund and look for ways to provide professional development with minimal funding.

Jerry reviewed the purpose of AB466/472 to help teachers implement newly adopted instructional materials.  There will be a three-day training available in January.  The funding for this program to pay for teacher participation has been cut by the State however. Vera shared there was an EL Strategies training during the Staff Development day and discussed the training. Bill reiterated that the responsibility for staff development lies with SSC to implement training.  Melissa Atteberry commented she was concerned about not getting information back to other teachers who were not able to participate.  Bill agreed that there should be follow-up and accountability by the SSC. Pam mentioned a need for a master calendar and list events each year.  Bill reviewed current staff development procedures and how all teachers must complete and show evidence of training.  Vera stated three teachers went to EL Professional Development provided by Butte COE and brought back good reports.  Laura asked if the teachers who went could put something together to share with the rest of the teaching staff.  Vera agreed and said she would follow up.  Jerry asked Vera to relay the information back to SSC to make a decision.  Jerry stated that there would be a Data Director re-fresh training on January 25th.

GOAL 4-SAFE AND DRUG FREE SCHOOL

Laura stated we have to participate in the Healthy Family Survey every other year.  Pam said that in her opinion many kids don’t feel safe because of bullying and it is still a concern.  Laura said the current plan suggested having a School Safety Advisory Group and to have each school site write a goal in what they need.  This is currently not in place.   Brigitte stated there are currently both group and individual counseling available for BHS & BMS.  Terry questioned what was available for elementary kids.  Brigitte stated the elementary students were served on an as needed basis she is called as needed.  Jerry expressed appreciation for Bridgette’s work and that she has been a huge help resolving issues for the elementary children.  It was mentioned that counseling services for all grades levels with Medi-Cal status is available with Shawn.  Other requirements for this goal were reviewed. Brigitte reviewed the procedure for counseling about smoking for pregnant teens.  Laura asked if fire drills were being implemented and Jerry stated yes and the next drill was schedule for lunchtime on Friday and explained the procedure.  Laura also asked if the discipline policy was reviewed annually with staff and students and Jerry affirmed.

The district is currently updating both district and school emergency procedures.  Once the plan is complete and approved training will be provided in the implementation of the plan.  Local police and fire departments will assist in the training. The Emergency Procedures flip chart has been completed and printed and will be distributed after the first of the year.

GOAL 5-GRADUATION FROM SCHOOL

Laura reviewed page 41 in DAC Binder, which summarizes the district’s strategies for supporting graduation from high school.  Brigitte and Carleen discussed Cyber High and credit recovery.  Brigitte explained all 10th grade students go through counseling.  Carleen reviewed BHS’s College Club for students planning on attending a 4-year college and that Dave Niemeyer is in charge.  Brigitte stated that the career skill class was cancelled do to lack of interest on students part.  Terry mentioned that all students should learn basic interviewing techniques.  Vera went over Student Referral form from another school.  She stated that it was very helpful and would like to adapt it for Biggs USD. Brigitte stated she checks graduate’s classes each semester and sends out letters letting informing them of their graduation status.  Adult Ed or Community Day School is suggested as needed for at risk students.  Terry suggested that earlier counseling at 9th grade might better help prepare the students for college.  Brigitte stated she and Jerry were currently working with middle school students to help prepare them to transition to the 9th grade. Jerry commented that students who don’t get parent support at home require much more effort from the staff.  Terry stated he was concerned that 9th graders were not receiving the expectation to graduate from their parents. Pam mentioned how CALPADS, the State student information system is helping keep track of students as they move from district to district.

Review District Parent Involvement Policy Regulations

Tabled until next meeting.

Parent Surveys:  General, WASC, and EL Program

Laura handed out several samples of parent surveys for review. The format was discussed and suggestions made for Biggs USD.   Pam suggested sending a telephone message to all parents asking they to fill out the parent survey and return it to school.  Laura requested Vera and she work on a survey form specifically for EL parents.  Laura handed out a sample of a required WASC accreditation survey for Biggs HS and stated the categories are set by WASC.  Bill mentioned a web site “survey monkey”.  It is a good resource to go to for examples. Terry asked if anyone looked or had intended to look at schools that are highly functional and commented he felt this is where we can get the best information about best practices.

Pam asked who was determining the parent survey form.  Laura stated she would draft some samples based upon the committee’s input and bring them back to the next meeting.  Melissa commented that the forms must be understandable for parents.  Pam would like information back on who is in charge of implementing the surveys.  Brigitte was to check to see we could use our scanner for these surveys and tally them in Data Director.

Update on categorical budget flexibility and programs for Biggs USD

Pam Ragan discussed the categorical budget sheet and funded programs for Biggs USD.  Bill handed out the categorical program allocation sheet and discussed. Only BES is entitled to Title I.   There are salaries in Title 1 and EIA that require SSC approval.  SSC will need the budget to see how monies are being expended.  Terry mentioned he wants to see the budget details. Melissa asked for some kind of accountability from teachers on what the instructional aides are doing since a portion of funds are being used for this purpose.  Pam mentioned that Federal funds have been going down approximately 10% a year for the past few years. Bill requested the totals on funds being disbursed to SSC be sent to schools.

Update on School Safety Plans/Emergency Procedures

Laura handed out flip chart to be placed in each classroom and office.  It was modeled after BCOE. Bill talked with Gridley PD about the procedures. The chart will be distributed to schools after the first of the year.

Meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm.