Lori Windels called the meeting to order.
Lynn Blewett, Site Council Secretary took attendance.
Present: Lori Windels, Lynn Blewett-Franken, Sherri Knuth, Roxanne Hart, Cleva Jobe, John Mayock, John Porter, Ann Oyen, Mary Reis, Jean Schwabacher, Jon Zats , Michael Wulf Absent: Tom Degree
Voting Privileges: Lynn Blewett (alt1) and Mary Reis (alt2) served as voting members for this meeting until late members arrived. Dawn Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes with minor edits, Sherri Knuth seconded the motion and the minutes were approved with minor edits.
Jeff Koon, past Capitol Hill parent, presentation and hand out, “Weighted Honor Points vs. Honors and Distinction Proposal Draft 2.” Proposal is to get rid of weighted grades in honor programs in high school. In March it will be presented by District, April the proposal will be worked on by the task force and in May the final proposal will be adopted. Timeline is fast and input is needed.
Agenda was amended to add discussion of Jeff Koon’s material during “New Business” and move Elizabeth Decourt’s presentation before the Principal’s report. Agenda was approved with minor changes.
PRESENTATION
Elizabeth Decourt’s presentation on District World Language textbook. She provided information on the French text book and the choices that they are considering.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
1. Plan for response to request for audit of African-American student discipline and achievement at Capitol Hill from parent: Brenda Bell Brown.
Louis reported that he has started compiling the data for the audit and plans to provide data for all the Capitol Hill students. He commented that there was a big drop in the number of disciplinary referrals but the percentages were similar in terms of race. Will have a more complete report ready for the next Site Council meeting. Will also look as passing and failing rates, plus attendance and number tardy etc.. Trying to get all the data pulled together.
Is there a committee to look at this with African American parents involved? Mary commented that Arcelle was to participate. Sherri supported the idea that there be a committee that involves African American community. What support does the District offer for helping schools that are struggling in this area? Louis responded: staff development but otherwise somewhat limited. If you have many reduced lunch students you get the resources that helps you buy staff time to work on this. E.g. Arcelle is working only part time. Tom Vellenga commented that this same issue came up at PTO, should we give this to a subcommittee to develop an action plan to take action on this item. Ann Oyen commented that this seems like a District-wide issue. That the District should help identify more African American students that are Gifted and Talented. The new test isn’t identifying enough African American students and the pool is much smaller than it has been in the past.
Jean commented that the SCIP committee should address this specifically. When you get this into the SCIP than it gets done. May be it’s the Climate Committee that is part of the SCIP process. Louis commented that we have identified this issue as part of the SCIP but also thinks the Outreach Committee should be plugged in. We should identify this as a priority in the SCIP. SCIP is a strong document that can be used to focus plans and activities.
John Porter commented that we need an action plan and data. (1 ) where are the Gifted and Talented African American kids and why don’t they come here and how can we get them to come here, (2) some of it’s the test and improve the test to identify more African American students, (3) why are African American children leaving, (4) why are some African American families staying. Julie and Stacy are working on some of this information.
Lori Windels commented that the District is working on testing. It’s a difficult process had have tried many tests. What about exit interviews and can Arcell do these interviews?
Louis suggested that he meet with Mary and a group of parents to discuss issues for the African American students. Ann Oyen, suggested we highlight those African American students that are doing well. Tom Vellenga suggested that we develop a formal statement/proposal to adopt an “Anti Racism” commitment of the Capitol Hill Site Council. Louis suggested that the group meet and come back with action plan that will be included in the SCIP. Lori made the motion that this happen and come back with action plan for next April meeting. Dawn seconded the motion.
2.Principal’s Budget Presentation and Budget Handouts: Current enrollment is 936 students and projected enrollment is 946 for next year. We have to have this many or else we lose money. Louis walked through the budget pages and explained sources of funds. Moved from funding staff to per pupil allocation. This was phased in over time to ease the adjustment for some schools. We have higher compensatory aid from last year but other schools with more lower income children get much more resources. We had 32 children this year beyond our projected enrollment which added $65,000 plus other adjustments totally $89,195 adjustments to the $3.374 million budget for Capitol Hill. Louis presented the projected budget with current staffing levels and increased salaries and cost of benefits etc. Our current 2004-2005 budget deficit is at $219,862. With additional considerations, including picking up an additional 10 students this leaves $154,607 in deficit (see back on Budget Sheet for Year 2004-2005). The Area Superintendent decides when the classroom and/or the school are at the maximum number of students.
Dawn asked about when we get the placement numbers from the applications. We should get those after Spring break and will have more information at that time.
Timeframe is that next meeting we will develop a preliminary plan and then it’s due to the District on May 4th. How do we get other parents informed/involved?
Louis suggested that he do a short survey to go out at conference time. Louis will bring back recommendations to next committee meeting and staff comments.
St. Paul public school has on their website for data collection and includes a fee that goes to the company that is collecting the money. Roxanne suggested that their be an announcement that the budget will be discussed at the next Site Council meeting. Maybe go into the Site Council Elections.
PARENT COMMENTS
SCHIP Report: Dawn reported that the committee met for a full day. The form is new and has worked on new entry and new formatting of the budget. Another day will be devoted to putting this together. Then will share with Site Council when new SCIP is ready. Will need to get website for people to have access to the reformatted version.
Outreach and Communications: Roxanne reported on the last meeting and new role for Arcell as a formal member of the committee. Reported that the amount of work that needs to be done by the committee is great and that there needs to be priorities as well as expectations of volunteer committees and administrative support.
Membership Committee: Need members of the Site Council who are not running to help staff the ballot box during conferences. Wednesday, Thursday 5-8 and Friday during the day. Office staff will help on Friday during the day 8-3 unless we get more volunteers. John Mayock worked up incentive for classrooms to win a gold medallion for the most voting by parents of the student classroom. John Porter commended the committee on their hard work.
Reform Committee:
Ann Oyen reported that teachers are still talking about the two curriculum programs – IB and Parallel Curriculum model. Have had presentations on both models. Advantage of the Parallel model is a lot of what we already do can fit in. Advantage of IB is that especially for the junior high, it would feed into the high school IB programs and can be used for marketing purposes. In addition, the SEM model is still being considered. Still trying to figure out what we are looking for and what model fits this goal the best.
PTO Report: Carolyn reported on the acoustic expert that came and talked about the material and suggestions for getting the acoustics fixed in the lunchroom. The PTO allotted $5,500 to put to the cost right away. The idea would be that they be done in a design and get the district carpenters to do the labor. There are so many hard surfaces in the lunchroom and just by having some corners to bounce the sound off will help right away. And maybe at some point the ceiling tiles are replaced. Also, the PTO does provide funds for students with need to have support for History day and Science Olympiad and those going on to Regionals. Talk about tying in the PTO and Town Hall meeting at the same time. Some months would be better than others – maybe end for February/early March and add candidate forum for Site Council. Movement toward an “Anti Racist” initiative and to formally invite the African American parents to the PTO meeting. Also, maybe develop and African American student group.
ANNOUNCMENTS
GSAC LIAISON
Lori Windels commented on last months meeting. Look at what services/courses and pullouts that elementary schools were offering their students to see how varied the District is across schools. Not a lot of schools are consistent across grades or across programs and some schools every grade gets touched. Depends on how long the SEM specialist has been their, parent involvement and other factors. GSAC is submitting a proposal to centralize the SEM specialists to make the allocations more logical and focused on the Gifted services and not reassigned to other duties.
OLD BUSINESS
- Student Drop Off: The snow is gone and that helps. Not sure the school patrols are out there. Louis is going to send another letter and than send the police in to write tickets.
- NEW BUSINESS – No time for new business. Will submit items for next month’s agenda. Will move Jeff Koon’s items to next month and also policy and procedures; Site Council By-Laws Subcommittee.
Dawn Johnson made a motion to adjourn, Roxanne seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.
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