The board meeting lasted about one hour and was attended by board members, school employees, one student, and one spouse of a board member. A few people left early, but most people stayed for the full meeting. Highlights as follows:
1) Superintendent’s Report - Explained that our attendance rates are down from last year. The rate was 262.95 per day last year and 180.02 per day this year. She said that this is “very detrimental” since funding is based largely on attendance. She also stated that the district will need to examine the current incentive strategy being implemented and some changes may need to be made. Additionally, the superintendent stated that the school board will be attending another study session in the near future and that the focus will be the Brown Act (JAN 30, 3-7 p.m.).
2) Maintenance Report - Discussed measures being taken by the district to recover from the earthquakes and explained that the “review process” will take a bit longer than expected. Also briefed the board regarding plumbing issues being experienced at the round school. All restroom facilities had to be closed at the round school just before Winter Break. Over the break plumbers from Bakersfield inspected the pipes exiting the round school and found broken pipe down by the swimming pool parking lot and along the way there were many sections of sagging pipe. Basically all the pipe from the round school to the pool will need to be replaced. Additionally, a company has been hired to analyze the stability of the soil under the old high school. They will use a technique called “core penetration” to determine the degree of stability, but this will not be done until March since the equipment needed is already booked until then. The results of this analysis will help determine the feasibility of repairing the old high school. On top of all this, a contractor is generating a cost estimate for repairing the old high school. It was noted that estimates made by contractors vary wildly when it comes to these projects, making it difficult to decide on the best way to go about the earthquake recovery process.
3) State Testing - The K-12 Principal explained what measures were being taken to prepare for state testing. He explained that some teachers will complete state testing using classroom one-to-one devices and that a computer lab is being created to accommodate the needs of other teachers. A few new computers will need to be purchased to replace computers damaged in the earthquakes.
4) High School Boost Period - This period will return to the high school daily schedule beginning in the Second Semester. This is a time when students who need extra help can engage in remediation activities and where students who are caught up with their school work can enjoy enrichment activities.
5) California Dashboard - New test results are available for public perusal. Steady growth in almost all areas was accomplished during 2017, 2018, and 2019. A new data category is being tracked on the dashboard: chronic absenteeism.
6) SARB - Discussion of measures being taken to deal with chronic absenteeism. The district works with a district attorney to deal with students and their parents who fail to attend school on a regular basis. It was stated that it’s difficult to motivate people who have nothing left to take away.
7) J13A Waiver - The district started the school year late due to earthquake recovery efforts. It is expected that the waiver allowing the district to have only 170 students days (rather than the normal 180 days) will be approved since the state declared a state of emergency in response to the earthquakes.
8) Royalty Issues - Possible changes in royalty income and measures being taken to deal with this problem were discussed.
9) Time Capsule - Time capsules will be buried in a ceremony the date of which will be announced when it is determined. One will be opened in thirteen years and the other in thirty years.
NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETING: February 13th