BOARD REPORT for Board of Trustees Meeting MARCH 20, 2007
*******************************************************************

The Board Meeting was held at Monta Vista High School, 21840 McClellan Road, Cupertino.
The Board Meeting opened with the Variations Choir singing the National Anthem.

BUDGET STUDY SESSION
Chief Business Officer/Associate Superintendent Geoffrey Kiehl reported no significant fund balance change in the 2006-2007 Second Interim Budget Report since the Adjusted Budget and First Interim Report given last December. He reported that the estimated growth in property taxes for next year is about half of this year’s (4% versus 7.9%). Kiehl does expect that the District’s reserve levels will have a modest increase. The District reports a stable environment due to modest property tax increase, parcel tax revenue, revenue sharing process with all employee groups, residency verification process, and staffing efficiency.

BOARD DINNER WITH STUDENTS AND PARENTS
The Board of Trustees joined several Monta Vista High School students and parents for a dinner discussion prior to the Board meeting. Students openly expressed that they are very aware of the “pressure to succeed” in school but most feel the stress helps them focus and make priorities. They pointed out that study groups help alleviate stress by merging social with learning. Some parents pointed out that “family time” suffers as students are so involved in academics and extra activities but all agreed that having finals before holiday break helped tremendously. The Board appreciated this opportunity to personally connect with students and parents and listened carefully as students expressed a need for more course selection choices. The Board stated the District is working on improving guidance services districtwide including getting students more help with their course selections.”

COMMUNICATIONS
FEA President Tom Avvakumovits acknowledged several teachers at Monta Vista High: Drama teacher Holly Cornelison for her direction of Much Ado About Nothing – a modern interpretation with video and music embedded into it...one colleague referred to this as “Shakespeare 2.0;” Matt Tait, PE teacher and varsity basketball coach, for guiding the rejuvenated boys basketball team to league championship and for being a great role model for the boys on and off the court; Dale Barcellos, art and ROP teacher, for partnering with business, drama and art to really push interdisciplinary curriculum to new levels; Michelle Balmeo, Andrew Sturgill, Stacey Cler and Bonnie Belshe for collaborating to create an American Studies class for next school year; Music and Choir teachers John Galli, Jon Fey, and Shari D’Epiro who will be taking 122 students in choir, band, and orchestra on a concert tour traveling down the state for performances plus taking a college level clinic at Fresno State University; AP Biology teachers Pam Tsai and Debbie Frazier for their leadership in creating an AP biology program that is recognized as one of the best nationally; PE teacher Sara Jensen and English teach Jeremy Ebbink for their leadership in bringing a new sport—boys volleyball—to MVHS; Maureen Deal; for developing a new student leadership program that expands beyond the high school, focusing on global outreach; English teachers Lauryn Gahagan, Kerry Hosmer, and Sharon Prefontaine for focusing on course-alikes and to Sharon for agreeing to be WASC lead teacher next year; Ted Shinta for ensuring that the Woodworking program maintains the high level that it is reputed for and for instilling newfound energy into an electronics class that effectively serves students at Monta Vista; I-Heng McComb and Colin Anderson for their to Bike and Walk to School Program designed to motivate kids and faculty to not rely on their cars; and to Jeff Mueller who was named 49er coach of the week earlier this year and in addition to coaching the Matador varsity football team to its most successful season in years, was selected by his peers as coach of the local all star game. • CSEA President Pam Coppel congratulated Sulin Yeh as Monta Vista High School’s Employee-of-the-Year stating, “Congratulations from your friends at the ESC I am very proud that you are a member of CSEA and obviously you do a great job at Monta Vista High School.”

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Student Board Member Peter Lu, Monta Vista High School senior, reported on school activities at all five high schools. Peter announced that the IDC Talent Show will be held this Friday at Monta Vista High School.

MONTA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL REPORT & RECOGNITION
As a slideshow of student life at Monta Vista High School flashed on screens at both ends of the library, Principal April Scott began her presentation by stating “Welcome to our home and this is my family” as she gestured to the 100+ students, parents, and staff in the audience. She stated that the focus this year and last couple of years at Monta Vista is “what happens in the classroom matters.” This means that during collaboration time, staff has been working on course-alikes in small teams and has been given permission to let things go, to change, to think about what homework is meaningful and valuable, to revise curriculum... She concluded by stating that staff is focusing on giving students the personalized attention that they deserve and on providing them opportunities to be successful. Principal Scott recognized Teacher-of-the-Year Michelle Balmeo, Classified Employee-of-the-Year Sulin Yeh, Special Education teacher Maureen Deal, PE teacher Matt Tait, parent/girls soccer coach Alan Kute, AP Biology Teachers Pam Tsai and Debbie Frazier, ROP Engineering Technology Teacher Bruce Kawanami, and City of Cupertino Volunteer Coordinator Angela Tsai and MVHS Graduate Sherman Wang (See District Bulletin). Scott also recognized the work of MVHS facilities supervisor Gilbert Zamora and custodians districtwide for preparing the planting areas around campus. Principal Scott then recognized Monta Vista’s three retirees for 2007 stating that combined they have over 110 years in teaching, all in the Fremont Union High School District: Social Science Teacher Mike Laurel (37 years), Science Teacher Joanne Shimoguchi (38 years), and Assistant Principal/Coordinator Fred Keep (38 years). Scott presented Board members and Superintendent Polly Bove with a “gift of Monta Vista”... 2005-2006 El Valedor Yearbook—Jay Shelton, art teacher and yearbook advisor; El Estoque Newspaper—Michelle Balmeo, English teacher and journalism advisor; Poetry by US History students—Maria Carter-Giannini, social science teacher; Photo of Monta Vista Campus—photography students and teacher Brian Chow; CD of Vocal and Instrumental Music Students—compiled by Jon Fey, music teacher; DVD of Dance students—compiled by Lori Graham, dance teacher; DVD of Monta Vista Student Life—produced by ASB Leadership; and a Pen—made by Woodshop students and teacher Ted Shinta. The Board complemented Monta Vista High School students, staff, parents, and the PTA on a exceptional evening and thanked them for the opportunity to experience the Matador pride, spirit, and success of Monta Vista High School.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Polly Bove acknowledged Angela Tsai for her detailed work as volunteer coordinator of the City of Cupertino’s Beautification Day; she also thanked Ray Ramsey, facility managers and custodians for their support of this project. • Bove announced that Tom Avvakumovits will represent the District in San Jose Magazine’s “Educators of the Year” issue to be published in September. • Bove stated that the District’s Teacher Recruitment Fair will be held this Saturday, March 24th, at Fremont High School. Staff will be interviewing for approximately 50 teaching positions with mathematics being the most in need.

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. No additional expenses to report at this time.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES...
   • Discussed whether CAHSEE non-passers should participate in graduation. On a 4-2 (Lu
     & Newton) vote, the Board agreed to maintain its policy that only students who have
     been granted a diploma participate in graduation. CAHSEE non-passers do not
     receive a diploma.
  • Approved Second Interim Report and certified that the District will be able to meet its
     obligations for the current fiscal year and subsequent two years
  • Adopted Resolution #067-08 Certifying District Employees to act as District Representatives

FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS 2007
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,
Board Dinner w/Parents & Students 5:30pm, Open Session 7pm
TUESDAY, May 8 — at CUPERTINO HS, Closed Session 4:30pm,
Board Dinner w/Parents & Students 5:30pm, Open Session 7pm

EDUCATING CAPABLE, CARING, CONTRIBUTING CITIZENS FOR LIFE