The District,
Lynbrook High School, and Real Goods Solar  “flipped the switch” 
to activate the new solar electricity system at Lynbrook High School.

SPECIAL THANKS
to the STUDENT and STAFF CHOIRS for rocking the event
by singing
"Let the Sunshine In!"

When complete, our District will have the largest single school owned solar energy system in California!

PRESS RELEASE

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CONGRATULATIONS Lynbrook and Monta Vista High School Journalism Students and Advisers Nicole Gordon, LHS, and Michelle Balmeo, MVHS .

The National Scholastic Press Association announced the winners of its annual newspaper Pacemaker contest, and of the 24 total winners throughout the nation, Lynbrook’s Epic and Monta Vista’s El Estoque both received awards this year.

      • The Epic was one of only 15 Pacemaker-winning newspapers in the 16 or fewer pages division.

       • El Estoque was one of only 9 winners in the 17+ pages division.  El Estoque Online

The National Scholastic Press and the Newspaper Association of America Foundation have co-sponsored the Pacemaker competition since 1971. Judges select Pacemakers based on coverage and content, quality of writing and reporting, leadership on the opinion page, evidence of in-depth reporting, design, photography, art and graphics. The Pacemaker Award is the most competitive of its kind and is generally referred to as the Pulitzer Prize of scholastic journalism.

COMMUNICATIONS
CSEA President Roberto Gutierrez presented the new CSEA Structure to the Board. This includes the names with site location for the Negotiation Team, Job Stewards, Site Reps and various committees.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Christopher Chui, Monta Vista High School Senior, reported on student activities at our five high schools. Chui also announced that Homestead High School’s Nicholar Dobkin won  Best Animation for his film “Somnium” at the KCSM SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL. This annual film festival is open to all Bay Area high school students. KCSM broadcasts 24 hours a day on digital channel 43, serving the San Francisco Bay Area. 

KCSM is owned by the San Mateo County Community College District.

SUPERINTENDENT'S  REPORT
Superintendent Polly Bove announced that Lynbrook High School’s student newspaper The Epic and Monta Vista High School’s student newspaper El Estoque both received Pacemaker Awards this year. Bove acknowledged the work of Michelle Balmeo, MVHS English/Journalism teacher, in providing outstanding leadership and guidance not only to her students, but to other journalism teachers in the District. Board Vice President Bill Wilson added, “Michelle Balmeo’s work symbolizes what our staff is all about. Not only has she created this opportunity for her students, which in turn has been nationally recognized, but in her day job she is an outstanding teacher who inspires kids in her classes. It is so typical of our staff to do a great job in their classes and then go above and beyond by making opportunities available to our students that are the envy of districts everywhere.”

UPDATE ON MEASURE B BOND PROGRAM
COO/Associate Superintendent Glenn Evans reported key events:
  • Design Increment 2 (all structural items except manufactured items) for Fremont and Homestead High Schools were
    approved by DSA and Design Increment 3 (buildings and bleachers) have been submitted to DSA;
  • Preparation of Environmental Impact Reports for Lynbrook and Monta Vista High School’s tracks and fields projects
    is progressing with the first staff review expected in late December;
  • The Program Implementation Planning process has developed a list of executable projects with estimated costs at
    each high school. District and site staff are in the process of refining priorities and cost estimates before presenting
    to the Board; and
  • installation of approximately $65,000 of new kitchen equipment in our five high schools is providing cafeteria
    staff with reliable equipment that can be reused when the kitchens are remodeled.

Evans provided a list of approved contracts to date, totaling $50,097,358. The District plans to issue additional bonds in summer 2010 subject to market conditions. Work on the baseball, softball and soccer fields at Fremont and Homestead High Schools is about two weeks behind schedule. This should not impact spring sports but winter sports will have to utilize alternative sites for longer than was hoped. Goal is to have the spring sports using their new fields when league games begin.

BOND MEASURE B CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT
Citizens Oversight Committee (COC) Co-Chair Mark Burns presented the COC’s first annual report to the District’s Board of Trustees at their November 17 Board meeting. The report covers fiscal year 2008-2009. Mr. Burns reported that the COC has held eight well-attended, active meetings to date and that the COC was very pleased with the execution of the Bond Program. Mr. Burns also reported that the COC recently reviewed the draft audit report of the Bond Program and that the COC will issue a second report covering 2008-2009 in February 2010 after the final audit report is available. INTERIM REPORT

STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM SELECTION RECOMMENDATION
Director of Educational Services Bryan Emmert announced that after an extensive search for a replacement Student Information System, the SIS Replacement Committee recommends that the District enter into a contract with Infinite Campus. Information detailing this recommendation was presented to the Board. The Board will be asked to approve the selection of Infinite Campus at its first meeting in December.

UPDATE ON STATE BUDGET
CBO/Associate Superintendent Christine Mallery stated that the District estimates a 1% growth in property tax revenue for  2009-2010  and 0% growth for 2010-2011 budget planning. Prop 13 requires that property tax rates must be changed based on the lesser of the October to October CPI or +2%. From August 2008 to August 2009, the CPI was -1.1%. However, because the CPI rose slightly in August and September 2009, the District is hopeful for a 0% change. If the current outlook of a negative CPI does come to fruition, it would be the first time since the passage of Prop 13 that this has occurred. Another major factor in our growth estimate is the continued high volume of appeals and assessments. The decrease in net property tax revenue roll corrections in Santa Clara County for July through October of 2009 was just over $22 million, which is more than triple the amount of last year over the same period. The volume of appeals and reassessments traditionally increases from November to June. The District’s First Interim 2010-2011 Budget Report will be presented to the Board at its meeting on December 15, 2009.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES . . .

  • Approved an Extension of Lease/Lease Back Agreements with Robert A. Bothman for the Construction of Increment 2
    of the Tracks and Fields Improvement Projects at Homestead and Fremont High Schools
  • Approved Cupertino High School Business Students’ Trip to China, February 13 to February 22, 2010. CHS International
    Business Math Teacher Chin Song explained some of the details and purpose of the trip and that no District funds are
     being used. The Board enthusiastically agreed that this trip is an exciting opportunity for students.
  • Adopted Resolution #910-08Authorizing Director of Educational Services Bryan Emmert to Sign and Execute all
    Agreements between the Department of Rehabilitation and the District
  • Adopted Resolution #910-09, ratifying the District’s engagement of Bright Horizons, Inc. to transition the space at
    Cupertino High School to an operational child care center for the benefit of District employees and the community
  • Review Quarterly Report on Williams Uniform Complaints - no complaints

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Student Board Member Christopher Chui reported on student activities at our high schools.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Polly Bove announced that Fremont High School PE teacher Ron DeMonner has been chosen as Coach of the Year. Bove also stated that the solar energy system energizing ceremony will be held on November 12th at Lynbrook High School.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES . . .
  • Approved the Cupertino High School Plan for 2009-2010