MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 3:35p.m. by Chairperson
Lisa Karahalios. The February minutes were approved and
the agenda was confirmed.
Administration Report/Calendar
Ms. Dellepiane reported on the school’s public display
(bulletin boards in the school) of the information about
the Williams Complaint Decree and how to file a compalint
about the school reagarding the issues in that decree.
Briefly, the three main issues of this complaint were:
1) availability of sufficient textbooks and instructional
materials
2) facilites to be clean, safe, and in good repair
3) Certified Teachers in each class
Verdugo abides by these rules. A form is available in
the Main Office, on request, where a grievance can be
noted and this form starts an investigation into the matter.
A copy of “Notice to Parents/Guardians about the
Williams Complaint” was distributed to the Council
Members.
Ms. Dellepiane mentioned that the CAHSEE (California
High School Exit Exam) will be given in mid-March. Intervention
for this test is in full swing, and approximately 180
students have already attended two Saturday classes of
the 6-week series. “Back-to-School Night”
is next Thursday, February 17th. Ms. Doolittle reported
that parents of 10th graders will soon receive information
about a half-hour meeting from 6:00p.m. to 6:30p.m. on
that evening (prior to classroom visitation) about the
CAHSEE. Dr. Wells reported that parents will also be given
information about the “Count Me In” program
on this evening.
Faculty Update
The committee was reminded that letters to Roy Romer and
the Board would always be helpful to urge for 1) pay raises
for instructors, and 2) smaller class size. Treating the
educators fairly and respectfully is one good way to attract
the best to our area and schools. Lisa Karahalios reported
on the 25,000 signatures of educators who have signed
the “Romer-No Confidence Petition”. The UTLA
Union has tried everything to get cost-of-living raises
to LAUSD Teachers, but to no avail. Parents need to help
by calling and/or writing to the School Board, Julie Korenstein
(our area’s Representative), or to Mr. Romer himself.
Other school districts (Burbank, Glendale) have found
ways to afford these cost-of-lilving raises.
Old Business
No old bisiness was discussed.
New Business
No new business was reported.
Categorical Programs
Ms. Minke reported on the staff’s suggestions of
how to use some Title 1 carry-over money. These suggestions
will be written into a revised School Plan that the school
is being required to amend. The following five categories/strategies
were asked to be approved by the Council: 1) Math professional
development in the summer for all 9th grade teachers.
The goal is to brainstorm and create “Math across
the curriculum” like they had successfully created
for Literacy. Math could be used in any and all classroom
curriculum.
2) morning Math help from 7:15a.m. - 7:50a.m.
3) Clerical help for DRW (Develoing Readers and Writers)
classrooms. This program requires more paperwork and assessments
than regular classes.
4) Offer evening classes for students informing them about
the necessities and requirements for college. 50.9% of
our Hispanic students and 48.6% of our African Ameri-can
students have not taken or passed the category A-G Requirements.
They need to be pre-pared to leave high school with everything
they need for college.
5) Professional Development for staff
Ms. Minke was applauded for her outstanding effort to
analyze and prioritize the needs of our student population.
This money, approximately $93,000 ($60 per student) had
not been budgeted. Usually, unused Title 1 money from
LAUSD goes back to the Federal Government. This year,
LAUSD requested that the carry-over money be given back
to the District and redistributed. All Title 1 schools
received some amount in this manner and have to rewrite
their school plans on how to use this moeny.
There was some discussion about the Math help time of
day. It was suggested that afternoons might be better
or could be offered in addition to mornings, as some teachers
are practicing that right now. There was also a suggstion
of the name “Math Hall” for this idea, submitted
by our student member Jocelyn Morales. Everyone was delighted
with the name. All 5 categories were approved by a unanimous
hand vote. Monies will be dispersed, per category, at
the discretion of the CEAC Committee.
The next School Site Council meeting will be Tuesday,
March 29, 2005 at 3:30 in room 157.
Minutes prepared by Alice Debbaudt
