BOARD REPORT for Board of Trustees Meeting March 4, 2008
***************************************************************

The Board Meeting was held at Monta Vista High School, 21840 McClellan Road in Cupertino. The Trustees, Superintendent Polly Bove and District staff joined several Monta Vista High School administrators, students and parents for a dinner discussion prior to the Board meeting.

COMMUNICATION
Ben Clausnitzer, President of the Fremont Education Association (FEA), congratulated Monta Vista High School Teacher of the Year Nancy Sullivan on this well-deserved award. He recognized: Jeff Thomas, the PE department chair, for his coordination of Monta Vista’s participation in the Governor’s Physical Fitness Challenge (MVHS was awarded $1,000 for its exceptional participation in promoting physical fitness for youth and is in the running to win a $100,000 fitness center!); Carl Schmidt for his work with his DECA students, who acquired, donated, and planted over 20 rose bushes at the entrance to the new administration building; Modern Language DC and Monta Vista’s Dodgeball team captain Molly Guadiamos for organizing and hosting an exceptional District Dogdeball Tournament—all proceeds went to the March of Dimes; Special Education and Community Leadership teacher Maureen Deal for guiding students in becoming contributing leaders outside the Monta Vista walls; Sharon Prefontaine for coordinating the WASC self-study efforts for the upcoming accreditation visitation in late March/early April; Michelle Balmeo, Andrew Sturgill, Stacey Cler and Bonnie Belshe for implementing the American Studies program; Lori Graham for not only developing a strong dance program, but for increasing the number of male students that are enrolling in the program; Brian Sullivan and Lori Graham for their leadership as athletic directors — an athletic website, newsletters, and DVDs of athletic events; Scott Catrette for his work with the MVHS chess club that recently hosted and won a tournament last month; and lastly, a special thanks to Jon Fey, Jon Stark, Carl Schmidt, Sheila Altmann, Bonnie Belshe, Supriya Moore, Emmett Powers, Chris Chiang, and Brian Dong for their FEA leadership.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Student Board Member JingJing Xia reported on recent activities and events at Cupertino, Fremont, Homestead, Lynbrook, and Monta Vista High Schools.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
As a slideshow of student life at Monta Vista High School flashed on a large screen in the library, Principal April Scott began her presentation by stating Monta Vista’s WASC Goals: #1—Professional Development and Collaboration; Goal #2—Target student groups of Algebra 1, ELD and the “middle student;” and Goal #3—Student stress and self-management. Scott then announced that on March 5th the high school will offer, for the first time, a Course Information Fair to current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. The fair will provide students an opportunity to gather information to help them make the best course selection choices for next school year. Also in the evening of March 5th, the school will offer a Core Elective Night that provides the same course selection information for parents. Principal Scott next recognized Teacher-of-the-Year Nancy Sullivan; Classified Employee-of-the-Year Cathy Nakamura; and

Varsity Girls Basketball Team and Coach Sara Borelli for an outstanding season with many young players

Perspectives Class taught by Don Vierra, Instructional Assistant Heather Jones, and Speech Language Pathologist Debbie Shahan, where students learn about becoming independent and practice communication skills through running the school’s recycling program and helping at the Mat Shack (student store) with help from Athletic Booster Mat Shack Coordinator Denise Montijo.

Scott introduced Annie Wu, MVHS FBLA Public Relations officer, and FBLA officers Evelyn Shaw, Jocelyn Shaw, Connie Wu, and Vini Mani who presented a check to Ms. Jamie Belknap from the March of Dimes. The money was raised at the Districtwide Dodgeball Tournament held January 17th. Scott presented Board members and Superintendent Polly Bove with a “gift of Monta Vista”... 2006-2007 El Valedor Yearbook—Jay Shelton, art teacher and yearbook advisor; El Estoque Newspaper—journalism students and Michelle Balmeo, English teacher and journalism advisor; American Studies Newspaper—teachers Michelle Balmeo, Andrew Sturgill, Stacey Cler and Bonnie Belshe; Health 2 Go Newsletter—FBLA students and Carl Schmidt, advisor; Photo of Monta Vista Campus—photography students and teacher Brian Chow; CD of Variations Ensemble—compiled by Shari D’Epiro, music teacher; CD of Instrumental Music Selections by MV students—compiled by Jon Fey and John Galli, music teachers; DVD of 2008 Dance Showcase—compiled by Lori Graham, dance teacher; DVD of Monta Vista Athletic Awards—compiled by Lori Graham, athletic director; and a Pen—made by Woodshop students and teacher Ted Shinta.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Coordinator of Curriculum & Assessment Bryan Emmert announced that the California High School Exit Exam will be taken on March 11th and 12th by all current tenth graders and 11th and 12th grade students that have not passed both sections. He stated that this is the last chance for seniors to take, pass and get their scores back before graduation. • Director of Educational Services Trudy Gross reported that Summer School is moving forward as planned with no cut to the length of the program.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES...
    • Approved Cupertino High School’s Ken-ya Dream Project with collaboration from the
       Rotary Club of Cupertino. Cupertino Rotarians, led by Rotary District 5170 Lieutenant
       Governor Cecelia Babkirk, have agreed to support the Ken-ya Dream Project as stewards
       of the money collection and transfer of the funds to a public school in Meru, Kenya.
    • Listened/discussed possible new course development procedure outlined by Deputy
       Superintendent Kate Jamentz and Coordinator of Curriculum & Assessment Bryan Emmert
       for 2008-2009 school year
    • Listened/discussed FUHS Foundation Request to, in lieu of its annual recognition dinner,
       recognize students at Board meetings held at each school site next year. Decided it was
       appropriate for the Foundation to contact each high school principal regarding this request.
    • Authorized Christine Mallery, Director of Business & Property Services, and John Treanor,
       Acting Coordinator of Facilities & Maintenance Operations, to declare and dispose of
       surplus personal property by sale; in addition, failing to dispose of the items through sale,
       authorized Mallery and Treanor to dispose of the items as authorized by the Education Code
    • Adopted Resolution #078-17 Reduction in Force of Certificated Management Employee

FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS
TUESDAY, March 18 — RECEPTION at District Office for Geoffrey Kiehl at 3:45pm;
move to Fremont HS — Study Session on Budget at 4:30pm; Closed Session at 5pm,
Dinner with Students & Parents at 6pm; Open Session at 7pm
TUESDAY, April 8 at Lynbrook HS — Closed Session at 4:30pm,
Dinner with Students & Parents at 5:30pm, Open Session at 7pm
TUESDAY, April 22 at District Office — Closed Session at 5pm for Superintendent’s Evaluation

EDUCATING CAPABLE, CARING, CONTRIBUTING CITIZENS FOR LIFE