Recap of Tuesday, 21 Januarys Board Meeting 1) The consent agenda items included item #21, 2013-14 Schools on Priority Improvement or Turnaround Unified Improvement Plans (eDCSD and HOPE Online). Director Judi Reynolds requested that this item be pulled off the consent agenda with my second. We asked the system performance officer, Dr. Morgan, about these plans and the options for both schools going forward. Given the fact that the states convoluted methodology for determining performance levels--depending on standardized tests and the proportion of kids who take them, not actual overall performance--I am keenly interested in the future of these schools who are doing far better than their scores or ratings would imply. After having questions answered about this item, I voted yes on the entire consent agenda. 2) The first of four action items on the agenda was the revised budget resolutions. The recently completed audit of the district enabled us to create new budget documents. The new resolutions include a) Audited beginning fund balance, b) October 2013 pupil count revisions, c) Budget of carry over, and d) Revised Interfund transfers. WIth more certainty in these numbers, the district can provide an updated budget with actual counts instead of estimations. I voted yes to update these budgets. 3) The second of four action items was the Board of Education Resolution Regarding State-Mandated Testing. This was moved to earlier in the meeting by a vote of the Board. It is well-known that state-mandated tests and assessments have gotten to be burdensome for teachers, parents, students and administration. It takes time away from teaching and does not always present an accurate picture of student performance. I would like to encourage the state to re-examine this (hopefully unintended) consequence of its mandates. I would also like parents to be able to opt their children out of such testing if they so choose, without penalty to the teacher, district or student. Currently, the state only recognizes parent refusal, because the term opt out implies that there is an option to remove the child from testing. Parent refusal results in harm to district and teacher ratings due to state law. I find this inappropriate in a state that professes to value local control. I voted yes on the resolution. 3) The third of four action items was the Board of Education Resolution Regarding a Director Vacancy. Director Justin Williams resigned from the Board to pursue personal endeavors, and the Board officially declared his seat vacant. I voted yes on this resolution. 4) The fourth of four action items was the new Board policy, BEDH Public Participation at Board Meetings. I originally planned to vote no on this policy change, as it contained a provision to restrict public comment to items appearing on the agenda. I was also concerned about the change in the frequency of board meetings; less frequent meetings might make the remaining ones longer and make the Superintendents job more difficult. I recognize that the proposal to have Board Unplugged public forum meetings is meant to foster increased meaningful engagement with the public, but if there are no action items at these meetings, it will still possibly create a backlog of business. With public discussion, I voiced my concerns and the rest of the Board agreed to lift the restriction on making public comment on an agenda item only. The Board also agreed to revisit the matter of less frequent meetings in May, with feedback from the Superintendent and the cabinet on the efficacy of the new meeting schedule. WIth these changes, I voted yes on the resolution.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 04:21:14 +0000
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