| May 2, 2005
Capitol Hill Magnet School Library Conference Room
Quorum was reached and Roxanne called the meeting to order at 5:45.
Attendance
Members Present: ( Parents): Hart, Blewett, Johnson, Roberts, Yang, Vellenga (6/8) Windels (NV); (Teachers): Oyen, Mayock, Pedersen, DeCourt, Mariucci (5/7)
Members Absent (Parents): Dzik (alt), Langworthy (NV) (Teachers): Mergens
Guests: Stacy Waskosky (SCIP Presentation); Prospective Parent; and Matt S (new Site Council member ’05-’06)
Meeting agenda was approved. Meeting minutes will be passed out next meeting.
Announcements
1.Discussion of Brenda Brown appointment. John Mayock of the Membership committee made recommendation for the parent representative appointment of Brenda Brown.
** Motion was made for appointment of Brenda Brown as parent representative **
The Site Council voted unanimously in favor of the appointment.
-Roxanne commended the Membership Committee for their efforts on getting representation of diverse populations at Capitol Hill.
2. Meeting Topics and Dates
- June 6: new site council members introduced, election of ’05-’06 officers and committee chairs; 2005-06 meeting schedule; final report 04-05 SCIP and updates to 05-06 SCIP
Administration’s Report
(1) 2005-06 SCIP Plan Presentation: Stacy Waskoski and Louis Mariucci.
Site members commented that a lot of the comments raised at the last meeting were incorporated into the new SCIP document.
Lori Windels commented on Goal 4 on data issues – that the issues of the identification plan will be discussed at the GSAC committee to develop alternative ways to increase diversity in the identification process. Brenda asked about the publication of gifted and talented programs at neighborhood and other magnet schools. Lori said yes, this is going to be discussed. Roxanne suggested that Lori should come back to June meeting with an update. Brenda’s main concern about the junior high and feeding into the high schools and making sure they are prepared and there is follow through.
Louis suggested we tweak the document to add to the activities that the junior high connect with programs available at the secondary school level.
Lynn commended Lori on running for the School Board and wished her luck in the upcoming elections.
Ann asked how the document gets updated – Stacy commented that the SCIP committee continues to meet throughout the year and that Louis assigns committees to work on each section of the work plan.
** Motion was made to approve the updated SCIP plan and seconded. **
SCIP plan passed on unanimous vote.
Site Council members commend the SCIP committee for the many hours of work of the SCIP plan and thank them for their efforts. SCIP committee members included Parents - Dawn Johnson, Roxanne Hart, and Principal: Louis Mariucci; Teacher: Julie Woodman and Stacy Waskosky.
2004-2005 Capitol Hill Budget (Handout)
Louis presented the budget for next year based on the Governor’s proposal of about a 3% increase. Lynn asked about when the legislature makes final decisions we may be able to buy back the cuts.
Brenda Brown raised concerns about the educational assistants. This position is currently funded at the district level at .4. This may be an area to increase if we do get additional funds.
Louis went through the line item budget organized by source of revenue: General Fund, Compensatory Funds, Referendum Funds; Integration Funds, and Title One Funds (Capitol Hill gets no Title 1 Funds).
Louis raised concerns about technology updates and need to update the computers. Right now there are $0 dollars allocated but still need to update computers with Junior High as priority.
Melissa raised the issue of whether there were partners who would donate computers or grant writing to buy new computers. Louis commented that many times the old stuff costs more to upgrade. But there may be times when this happens. Also, most the grant money is targeted to schools with more student populations with free and reduced lunches. LoriW suggested we go for the “Reform Grant” and Louis said yes that we would. The reform grant is $100,000 for new curriculum model development – Capitol Hill has not been targeted for this grant but now may be the right time. Ann suggested we should have someone look into this further. Lori said she would find out more.
Louis commented that the General Fund funds only very basic FTE teachers and without the additional funds we wouldn’t have the teachers that we have. For example for junior high, General Fund funds only 8 positions; the other funds add an additional 5.4. The General Fund should be used as the core funding.
Brenda Brown raised concern about the 2.0 junior faculty funded from the Integration Fund and do we have any faculty targeted to the students who are failing the BSTs which show great disparities for persons of color. There is some dedicated time but not necessarily Cultural Specialist (.4) has been working with families and teachers and gets the curriculum together for these students. Brenda suggested we should increase the specialist time to focus on the disparities in the BSTs and work with the students who are failing. Louis would also like to guy back the Hmong Educational Assistance-the funding for this position comes from the Districts. She works with children in small groups, does translations and works as liaison with parents.
Fundraiser is on June 3rd for $30 a plate for 300 people and would like to use this fund for the library services, particularly the assistance.
Ka Yang asked if there was any way to buy the Hmong education assistance back. Louis said, no not to date but maybe we could work on that. Priorities include: (1) focusing on disparities for the BSTs; (2) minimum for Hmong educational assistance; and (3) restore library services.
Louis would like to see if we could buy the nurse up from 90 to 100%. Whether we could fund raise or get someone to support it. Ann raised concerns about using raising funds for a needed staff position. There is a lot of need and a lot of support for this position. The nurse is .4 from CH, .5 from special ed.
Roxanne asked specifically about why the District cut the Hmong liaison. The District made this decision to meet budget targets. Depends on the number of ELL students and what level of services they need. Lori W. talked about they way the levels are organized. Incoming immigrants are at the lowest level and they target the limited funds to those most in need. Ann commented that Hmong students quite well in the classroom but the difficulties are in communication with the parents. The students bear the brunt of these issues.
Brenda asked about reinstituting a .5 educational assistant.
Louis then went through the extra curricular activity sheet and budget allocations. The library aid did help in the cafeteria so will need to replace this person.
Louis presented a balanced budget to the Site Council. There is however, $90,000 short of what he wants to fund – but he thinks that with the additional $36,000 hold back plus 23 new students that this should make up the $90,000. We won’t see this $90,000 until October 10, 2005.
** Motion was made to pass the proposed Capitol Hill Budget and seconded **
Site Council voted unanimously to approve the proposed budget.
GSAC Committee (Hand Out)
Curriculum Committee Discussion (Hand Out)
Lead Committee Members - Grace Raymond, Ann Oyen
Q. How long will it take?
A. Change occurs in cycles but it will take about 5 years to fully implement. Systemic change takes five years.
Q. There was a two-day seminar at St. Thomas Did any one attend?
A. Eight people attended. Last year a group of teachers attended a national conference.
Q. Brenda asked about whether there was time to discuss gifted and talented within different cultures?
A. Yes. The group has addressed this and will continue to address it. To bring in the world view.
Q. What was the cost of the consultant and training and staff development required for selecting a model? What are costs into the future? Will there be on ongoing cost?
A. Some of Grace’s time, some staff development funds and some of this comes from the District. This is a separate pot of money and is categorically spent.
Q. Will there be a plan?
A. Yes, there will be a work plan that the consultant will prepare and Louis will present this in August.
TomV talked about the tension between the leadership that wants change to happen sooner and that it always takes twice as long as suggested. In order to not lose momentum and not lose urgency and excitement, Tom suggests that leadership put a tight timeframe – 2 yrs – and set targets and this presses people to work hard and keep moving and not adopt the five-year plan. It will likely take twice as long but putting higher expectations on the workforce – this is the practical implementation.
JohnM pointed out the National Meeting of Gifted Education is in Minneapolis in 2007 and this provides motivation for getting early results.
TomV made two comments (1) to make sure faculty and Site Council are brought along, and (2) he liked the rationale and he liked the focus on the emotional growth of children and would like to see this incorporated into the roll out of the curriculum.
Roxanne encouraged the committee to look at different change models and incorporate more implementation applications including rapid change. She also encouraged instilling by design the excitement and motivation of the model.
Melissa suggested making sure to pull in the diverse perspectives of populations in capitol and make sure these perspectives are brought into the process and for feedback along the way and not at the end of the project. It will also be important to have a good evaluation plan and data and information to show the difference that it made or impact that it had.
BeckyP students at Capitol Hill were in the Pioneer Press on their project that was presented at the Senate Committee on use of bacterial soap. Other press coverage includes student new editor of the New Moon publication and Brainerd press on Ann Oyen’s history day.
Meeting Adjourned 7:50
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