BOARD REPORT for Board of Trustees Meeting MARCH 6, 2007
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The Board Meeting was held at Fremont High School,
1279 Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
The Board of Trustees joined several Fremont High School students and parents for a dinner discussion prior to the Board meeting. Students and parents openly expressed that they are extremely frustrated that “some staff” in the feeder middle schools and realtors in the community project a negative image of Fremont High and that they must defend their school. All emphatically declared that any negative opinions about the school are “hearsay” and not from “experience” as all proclaim the school provides a wonderful environment for learning with academic rigor and an exemplary social environment. The Board appreciated this opportunity to personally connect with students and parents and agreed that any negative comments about the school are unwarranted. Superintendent Polly Bove stated she will speak with local realtors and discuss public relations ideas for Fremont High with staff. Student Board Member Peter Lu stated that the IDC exchange where about 40 students from the other four high schools attended school for a day at Fremont High was “amazing” and that “others need to experience Fremont to see for themselves.”

COMMUNICATION
FEA President Tom Avvakumovits acknowledged several teachers at Fremont High: Sonia Dass, English teacher, who was awarded a Fullbright Scholarship to Japan; Erik Duus and Bobby Soto, wrestling coaches, whose athlete Boris Novachkov won his second consecutive state title; Laurie Turner and other Science teachers for renovating their outdoor lab with help from a grant from Yahoo! Corporation; the DECA team, advised by business teacher Daryl Olsen, which has performed extremely well in statewide competitions with three students qualifying for national competition; Khir Johari’s efforts in creating Students for Success, a program that empowers the students in the National Honor society to give back to their community in a tangible, meaningful fashion; Math Teacher Chris Kennison who was recognized last fall by San Jose Magazine as an outstanding Educator; and Fremont’s “Rookies of the Year” awarded to first year teachers Adrienne Philippe (math) and Lena Jones (English). Avvakumovits also expressed his congratulations to Fremont’s Teacher-of-the-Year Joe Kelly, stating “Joe’s a whole lot more than a band director, he’s simply a fantastic educator in the big picture sense who I rely on repeatedly for thoughtful input and advice. Moreover, when the Fremont band went to Cupertino Middle School to perform, my son Kevin came home talking not only about the band, but the band director as well. Joe is at least partly responsible for the fact that my son now enjoys playing trumpet and looks forward to playing in the band next year.” • CSEA President Pam Coppel congratulated Su Kladstrup as Fremont High School’s Employee-of-the-Year stating, “I am very proud that you are a member of CSEA and obviously you do a great job at Fremont High.”

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Student Board Member Peter Lu, Monta Vista High School senior, did not report as he had to leave to attend a Lyons Club Speech Contest. Peter did return later in the evening.

FREMONT HIGH SCHOOL REPORT & RECOGNITION
The Fremont High School Report began with a slideshow of engaging photos of Fremont kids enjoying high school life thanks to Sue Larson, assistant to Principal Peggy Raun-Linde. Principal Raun-Linde’s report focused on the school’s goal to develop a group of teacher leaders to identify literacy skills that would help all students. She showed a video with student testimonials about the help and success they have experienced through skills learned in their Academic Reading classes. Principal Raun-Linde recognized Teacher-of-the-Year Joe Kelly, Classified Employee-of-the-Year Su Kladstrup, Students for Success Club, and the Key Club (see District Bulletin). With a photo from their first year of teaching projected on the large screen behind them, Principal Raun-Linde emotionally recognized, thanked, and embraced Fremont’s retirees for 2007 who she says have helped and guided her in many, many ways: ELD Teacher Teresa Endozo (6 years), PAR Teacher Patricia Hartley (39 years), Art Teacher Dan Keeslar (39 years), Math Teacher Chris Kenison (37 years), Living Skills/Leadership Teacher Ina Lynn Sakaguchi (37 years), Math Teacher Richard Steffen (40 years), and Special Education Teacher Pat Vieira (37 years). Retirees French Teacher Annick Balesteri and Registrar Carol Phillips were out of town and could not attend the meeting. The Board presented each retiree with a memento honoring their years of service in the District. In true Raun-Linde style, she closed her report by proudly announcing that Fremont High School Graduate Troy Tulowitzki will be the starting shortstop for the Colorado Rockies baseball team and Graduate Tully Banta-Cain has just signed as a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers. The Board complemented Fremont High School students, staff, and parents on a phenomenal evening of tradition, celebration, and recognition with an emphasis on success for all students both academically and for service to community.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Polly Bove provided the Board with the Cupertino Lunar New Year Unity Parade VIP Parking Pass and parade route. Communications Manager Cindy McArthur expressed the City of Cupertino and parade organizer’s delight in our District’s participation with Board Members, Superintendent Bove, and ASB Presidents marching in the parade. A new District banner was displayed that the students will carry in the parade this Saturday. • Associate Superintendent Kate Jamentz announced Cupertino, Lynbrook, and Monta Vista High Schools are 2006 Distinguished School Nominees. The next step in the award process is for the school to receive a site visit by a team of educators representing the California Department of Education.

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. Legal expenses directly related to dismissal total $94,631.75; those not directly related total: from law firm of Bennett & Sharpe, Inc. — $21,011.10 and from law firm Lozano Smith — $14,519.50.

COMMUNICATION
Community member George Hamma expressed concerns he heard from several Homestead High School parents that services in the Career Center were not available to students for several weeks in December, a critical time when students need answers quickly regarding their college applications, because it was closed.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES...
   • Authorized staff to file Notice of Completion for the Swim Complex at Monta Vista HS
   • Discussed and tabled a decision regarding Board Remuneration, Reimbursement and other
      Benefits per Education Code 35120
   • Approved revisions to Board Policies 4143.1/4243.1 Employer-Employee Relations Public
      Notice & 4119.11/4219.11/4319.11 Sexual Harassment and reviewed Administrative
      Regulations 4115 - Evaluation/Supervision and 4200 Classified Personnel
   • Designated Votes for 2007 California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly,
      Region 20 to Josephine Lucey, Nancy Newton, and Gloria Higgins

FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS 2007
TUESDAY, March 13 — Joint Board Mtg with SUNNYVALE SCHOOL DISTRICT at 7pm at SSD
TUESDAY, March 20 —at MONTA VISTA HS, Study Session 4:30pm; Board Dinner w/Parents
& Students 5:30-6:30pm; Closed Session 6:30pm; Open Session 7pm
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