BOARD REPORT for Board of Trustees Meeting February 13, 2007
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The Board Meeting was held at Homestead High School,
21370 Homestead Road, Cupertino, CA 95014
The Board of Trustees joined several Homestead High School students and parents for a dinner discussion prior to the Board meeting. Students openly expressed that they felt Homestead provides a wonderful environment for learning—great staff with stimulating classes. Some topics of concern included need for improved guidance services, moving finals before holiday break, and the desire for more recycling bins and fewer seagulls. The Board appreciated this opportunity to personally connect with students and parents.

COMMUNICATIONS
FEA President Tom Avvakumovits acknowledged Homestead High School Teachers: Shawnee Rivera (English) for coordinating Challenge Days to help bring the Homestead High School Community together and as co-coordinator and teacher in the AVID Program; Lela Miliredes & Christy Heaton (Social Studies) for introducing and organizing the “Sojourn to the Past” trip for ten students and seven teachers who will travel to the south and visit several national monuments and landmarks; Byron Lee (Business) for his FBLA leadership and for guiding his FBLA students in organizing the districtwide Dodgeball Tournament, which was a huge success and raised finds for the Sunnyvale Library; Lisa Clausnitzer (English) for her excellent work as WASC Coordinator and as facilitator to the five focus group leaders who contributed to the WASC Report; and of course, teacher-of-the year Steve Headley, whose impact has been felt (and heard!) throughout the halls of Homestead for many wonderful years. • Homestead High School Senior Justin Pegueros reported that the soccer fields are in desperate need of repair and asked what he could do to help.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Student Board Member Peter Lu, Monta Vista High School senior, reported on school activities at all five high schools. Peter stated that some IDC students will present their healthy food report to the Board of Trustees in April.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Polly Bove introduced Homestead High School Principal Graham Clark who recognized Teacher-of-the-Year Steve Headley and Classified Employee-of-the-Year Keri McArthur (see District Bulletin); the Girls Volleyball Team; Leadership Teacher Melina Miller, ASB Social Manager Jessica Wang, and first year Economics/Government Teacher Carrie Nakamura whose 3rd period class collected the most goods during the Holiday Donation Drive contest; Music Teacher John Burn and Homestead’s Honor Band and Honor Choir. Clark also recognized Homestead’s retirees for 2007: Math Teacher Steve Headley (40 years), Modern Language/Social Studies Ellen Anders (37 years), Math Teacher Linda Brown-Johnson (10 years), and Special Education Teacher Kathleen Whitney (10 years). The Board presented each retiree with a memento honoring their years of service in the District. • Superintendent Bove announced that Monta Vista High School Chemistry Honors Teacher Kavita Gupta invited 200 young women at MVHS to hear MIT Women’s Initiative presentation encouraging women to consider studies and careers in engineering. • Superintendent Bove announced that Aris Harutyunyan, senior at Cupertino High School, will also be honored at the National Football Foundation dinner next week. • Superintendent Bove recognized the accomplishments of the Homestead Math Competition Team led by Math Teacher Steve Headley. • Associate Superintendent Kate Jamentz announced that Welton Kwong, teacher on special assignment for the English Learner Initiative, was a speaker at a national bilingual conference and that an administrator from the San Mateo Union High School District called to say that Welton was a very inspiring speaker. Jamentz also reported that she attended a “revisioning of the Sunnyvale library” meeting with 40 community members and six Homestead High School students. She was thrilled to report that the meeting divided up for small group discussions and in three of the small groups, the Homestead students reported out and did a terrific job.

HOMESTEAD HIGH SCHOOL WASC REPORT
The WASC process at Homestead High School was built upon the School Plan, driven through focus groups, reviewed and edited by the School Planning Team with feedback from the School Site Council and the Leadership Team. WASC Coordinator/English Teacher Lisa Clausnitzer and Assistant Principals Paula Bassett and Liz Seabury presented an overview of the WASC report to the Board. Homestead’s 2007 WASC Action Plan includes three goals: #1 Students will participate in improved instructional practice in each class through the use of common, standards-based curriculum and assessments providing learning experiences aligned to the ESLRs; #2 Students will receive improved instruction in every class based on classroom assessments and schoolwide data analysis that will lead to improved GPAs for all students, especially those who are struggling academically; and #3 Homestead High School will continue building a learning environment with a support system that reaches all students, especially those who are struggling academically. The Board complemented Homestead on a very thorough, well organized report and presentation.

LEGAL EXPENSES RELATING TO DISMISSAL OF FORMER SUPERINTENDENT
As requested by a community member and a Board member, the District is reporting expenses connected with the dismissal of former superintendent Steve Rowley. There were no additional legal expenses since those reported on February 1, 2007. Board President Barbara Nunes stated some legal expenses are now born by the District’s JPA insurance.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES...
   • Awarded a contract, in the amount of $247,750 for the Base Bid including Lump Sum
      Allowance 1, to Fix Painting Company for the Building “D” Stucco Repair at Monta Vista
      High School. Work will begin in June and be completed one week before staff comes back
      in August.
   • Approved 2007 Summer School Dates: General Education June 18-July 27, Special Education
      June 18-July 13, Algebra Allies June 18-July 13, CASHEE Preparation June 18-July 20, and
      Just Do It & Empowerment June 25-July 20.
   • Approved revisions to 2007 Calendar of Board Meetings
   • Heard Retiree Benefits Actuary Presentation by Michael Blackburn of MidAmerica Actuarial
      Solutions, Inc.

FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS 2007
TUESDAY, March 6 — at FREMONT HS, Closed Session 4:30pm; Board Dinner w/Parents & Students 5:30-6:30pm; Dedication of Class Photos in Main Building Hallway at 7pm, then Open Session with Staff, Student, & Retiree Recognition in Library
TUESDAY, March 13 — Joint Board Mtg with SUNNYVALE SCHOOL DISTRICT at 7pm at SSD
TUESDAY, March 20 — at MONTA VISTA HS, Study Session Multi-Year Financial Projections; Closed Session; Open Session (times TBD)
THURSDAY, March 29 — Board Study Session on Governance Standards at ESC
WEDNESDAY, April 4 — Joint Board Meeting with CUPERTINO UNION & SUNNYVALE SCHOOL DISTRICTS at 6pm at Apple Computer
TUESDAY, April 10 — at LYNBROOK HS, Closed Session 4:30pm, Open Session 7pm
TUESDAY, May 8 — at CUPERTINO HS, Closed Session 4:30pm, Open Session 7pm

EDUCATING CAPABLE, CARING, CONTRIBUTING CITIZENS FOR LIFE