Fremont Union High School District

BOARD REPORT for Board of Trustees Meeting October 4, 2005
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PUBLIC HEARINGS were held for: Sufficiency of Student Textbooks and/or Instructional Material—no comment; Fremont Education Association and the Fremont Union High School District Joint Proposal for Reopener Negotiations 2005-2006 School Year, including Compensation Protocol—no comment; and California School Employees Association and the Fremont Union High School District Joint Proposal for Interest-Based Reopener Negotiations, including Compensation Protocol—no comment.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT Helen Yang, Cupertino High School, gave an update on ongoing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts at the high schools. Yang also announced that this Friday is Fremont High School’s Homecoming and that Bob Stahl, FHS school facilities supervisor and graduate, is the Grand Marshall of the parade which begins at 3:30pm.

Stahl, who is on medical leave, is the tulip champion of Fremont High. Principal Peggy Raun-Linde is organizing a Bob Stahl Tulip Planting Party to honor him by planting more tulips than ever this fall—details soon.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Rowley announced that the first meeting of the new District Parent Advisory Committee will be held Monday, October 10th, from 7-9pm. • Dr. Rowley displayed the “Silicon Valley Moon Festival Certificate of Appreciation” given to the District for outstanding contribution and volunteer efforts during the Moon Festival held last September.

SEVEN PERIOD DAY AND AP CLASSES Superintendent Dr. Steve Rowley led a discussion regarding student access to 7th period and Advance Placement (AP) classes, a concern brought forward via several Lynbrook High School parents. He stated there is no doubt that the District is offering fewer sections at all our high schools now than in the past and also confirmed there is absolutely no intention of reducing the number of AP or Honors classes at Lynbrook High School in the future. In a written report to the Board, Dr. Rowley explained that the Board of Trustees clearly chose to preserve the seven period day during the District’s budget cuts, and with the help of the parcel tax, the District will be able to maintain it. But a seven period day can never be guaranteed for every student due to prudent staffing, student schedule conflicts, limited sections, and unforeseen changes in students’ schedules after taking summer school classes. Deputy Superintendent Polly Bove explained that as a result of the budget crisis in the District the past several years, a new formula is used to allocate class sections in each school’s master schedule to address serious overstaffing (the District does not have the financial resources to “staff a class simply because 17 students request it” as was common practice in the 90’s). The Board’s action to preserve the seven period day schedule allows the District to still guarantee that every student can access at least 240 credits or more during their high school career. District and school staff are constantly working hard to make the scheduling process work better and parents are urged to work through their high school principal with their specific schedule concerns. Lynbrook High School parents Surbhi Sheth-Shah, Anandi Lakshmikantha, and Liz Tadman spoke about their concerns that most students at LHS requesting a 7th period class did not get one, possibly jeopardizing their admission to college of choice and/or take several AP classes in senior year. They did report that Principal Mike White’s door is always open to parents. Homestead High School Parent George Hamma stated that he learned last year during his daughter’s college search that students are not at a disadvantage for college admission if it is made clear during the application process that they have taken as challenging a program as possible in their school district.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES . . .

COMMUNICATIONS Monta Vista High School Parent Cathy Helgerson stated her concerns regarding funding for athletics, theft issues, and lack of lockers during modernization. • CSEA President Pam Coppel thanked the Board for approving the salary increase and stated CSEA is making a personal effort to encourage all members to vote in the election. • FEA President Tom Avvakumovits thanked the Board for approving the salary increase and resolutions opposing Props 74 & 75. He commented on the teacher’s side of students taking seven classes and their concern about class size. If there are spots available in assigned classrooms that are under the contractual average, the District will add extra students because they deserve to have those spots. The teachers feel this makes sense and understand that there is a delicate balance between class size, financial stability, and being able to offer a rich curriculum. • Board Member Nancy Newton asked for the Board’s agreement to give the Board’s Community Service Award Medal to Patrick Klokow’s family during the memorial service for Patrick on Thursday evening, October 6, 2005 at Homestead High School. Unanimous agreement.

FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS
TUESDAY, October 18, 2005—Closed Session at 6pm, Open Session at 7pm
TUESDAY, November 1, 2005—Closed Session at 6pm, Open Session at 7pm
TUESDAY, November 15, 2005—Closed Session at 6pm, Open Session at 7pm
TUESDAY, December 6, 2005—Study Session at 4:30pm, Organizational Meeting at 5:30pm,
Closed Session at 6:15pm, Open Session at 7pm
EDUCATING CAPABLE, CARING, CONTRIBUTING CITIZENS FOR LIFE