The board meeting lasted about an hour and a moderate number of people were in attendance. Highlights as follows:
1) Interim Superintendent - Suzette Davis was introduced as the acting superintendent. Previously she served as superintendent for five years in Lucerne Valley. (Superintendent Keith Tomes was placed on administrative leave last week. No official explanation for this action has been provided.)
2) Board Member Comments - Build a Snowman Contest and Xmas Under the Lights - Two board members talked about these events. The Xmas Under the Lights event will be held on December 14th from 5-7 in the evening just north of Cedar Street near the Pioneer Point Market.
3) TTA - Teacher union president welcomed the new superintendent.
4) TCEA - Thanked board for approving new contract.
5) WASC Visit - HS principal told board about a document that needed to be approved in order to obtain accreditation. He also mentioned proposed board policies for continuation school.
6) ALICE Training - A teacher and the district counselor attended active shooter training in Cleveland, Ohio. Lots of events planned including Parents Night on January 23rd and a full day drill on January 30th. The most interesting remarks pertained to domestic terrorism. Supposedly there is a group being watched which has ties to the Death Valley area on the Nevada side of the park. I asked for follow up info and this group is called Atomwaffin and it is considered to be a white supremacist group.
7) Senior Class Field Trip - Three students made a pitch to the board for approval of their senior trip plans which include Disneyland and a place called GlowZone. All over-night trips require board approval and the board gave the seniors the go-ahead on this one.
8) Other items included approval of various job candidates, a transfer to funds, an LCAP federal addendum, and an employee resignation. One job approval was tabled and will be discussed at a special meeting to be held November 19th.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING - December 12th.