10-2010_Minutes

Minutes: October 14, 2009 Meeting was called to order at 6:15p.m. by James Mitchell, Co-President.
 * El Cajon Valley High School Site Council**

Marlene Ames, Raychel Andrews, Bassemah Darwish, Paul Dautremont, Rebecca Ecker, Mirna Fatho, Matt Kershaw, Morena Mehka, James Mitchell, Randy Montesanto, Steve Montgomery, Ken Myron, Marysue Nydam, Marie Ochi, Yuki Ochi, Susan Oxford, Nathaniel Payumo, Maxine Sagapolutele, Chris Saunders, Vanessa Sliwa, Teri Sprecco, and Natalie Vasquez. James Mitchell asked to move Wayne Weightman to our first order of business. Motion passed by all in attendance. Motion to approve minutes made by Yuki Ochi/Second Marie Ochi/Motion Passed. Bassemah Darwish explained the process of making motions and approving things. Nathaniel Payumo asked if there is time allowed for discussion and Steve Montgomery and James Mitchell answered that there is time.
 * __Members in Attendance__:**
 * __Agenda Approval:__**
 * __Minutes Approval:__**


 * __New Business:__**

Yearbook Advisor, Wayne Weightman, explained that 30,000-40,000 dollars is the typical budget for yearbook yearly and that they have tried to scale it out. He explained that Yearbook’s debt is $16,000, and that they have now switched companies. He further explained that this will be the first year that Yearbook is producing an all color yearbook with the same amount of pages and the same cost. Wayne Weightman also explained that the reason he is at this School Site Council Meeting is to ask for financial aide to help purchase two cameras. He also stated that he has paid for other cameras using his own money and that it is expensive ($1500). He is asking for help in purchasing two F5000 2-Zoom NIKKOR Lenses with VR Image Stabilization cameras which are $950 plus tax. He explained that students are now using cameras that he has purchased. And he further added that E.C.V.’s Yearbook has earned 1st place from the Del Mar Fair 6 years in a row for their yearbooks. He stated that cameras are not purchased with yearbook funds because that money goes to yearbook production. He also stated that we have over 2,000 students on campus and right now we have only sold 211 yearbooks. He explained that he cannot continue to subsidize the yearbook program with cameras and batteries without some help. Nathanial Payumo asked if yearbook is only limited to selling our yearbooks to our school and Wayne Weightman answered that anyone can buy a yearbook. Chris Saunders asked if there are any corporate sponsorships and Wayne Weightman explained that he is working on and has worked on getting corporate sponsorship and that he is having trouble getting this sponsorship. Marlene Ames asked what the particular amount he is asking for is and Wayne Weightman answered that he is seeking $950 times two, and that he would pay for the difference. Wayne Weightman explained that he also allows students to use his own personal camera. Ken Myron asked if someone was to donate a camera if Yearbook could use it and Wayne Weightman answered //yes// and added that he has the Grossmont Tax ID # that he could give the camera donator; Ken Myron offered to donate a $2,000 camera to Yearbook. Steve Montgomery asked Wayne Wightman what other kinds of needs yearbook has because it seems as if Wayne Weightman is only asking for the bare minimum. Steve Montgomery further added that 3-5 times a month alumni come to the library to look at past yearbooks, and that the yearbooks are an invaluable piece of history and that they allow us to archive events at our school and that Wayne Weightman has done everything in his power to sell yearbooks. He also asked how other schools pay for their yearbooks. Wayne Weightman answered that the best way to assist the Yearbook Program is to encourage students to purchase a yearbook. Wayne Weightman further answered that he does not need printers or computers, and that all of the schools in the Grossmont District are down in terms of yearbook sales. He added that a lot of students wait until they’re a senior to purchase a yearbook. Randy Montesanto added that at other schools students are buying ads and pages in the yearbooks. Wayne Weightman added that to ask our students to pay $200 for a page is pretty steep. Chris Saunders suggested an installment plan to allow students to pay for the yearbook and Wayne Weightman answered that they have tried this and it was very difficult for the Finance Clerk to manage this because parents would pay a deposit and then be upset because yearbook prices increased by the time they paid for their books. James Mitchell asked if it is an option for Jostens to manage payments online and at an extra charge of $3 or $4. Yuki Ochi asked if the SSC budget of Title I funds can be used to support one class and Wayne Weightman replied that it’s not for one class it’s for the whole school. Matt Kershaw asked if the Finance Clerk accepted Visa, MasterCard, or Debit Cards and Paul Dautremont answered that he does not think any of the schools are accepting cards and Wayne Weightman answered that this may be something the administration would have to decide. Paul Dautremont stated that this is something that Linda Frieze, Finance Clerk, should be asked about. Teri Sprecco added that Granite Hills has an online payment program. Randy Montesanto added that some schools do have this service, but that there is a monthly fee attached to these services and that since we are a school that would not use this service very often it would not be worth the price. Wayne Weightman added that it’s the same reasoning with the deposit plan- he added that last time they tried this only 15 students used it. Matt Kershaw asked the SSC students why they don’t buy yearbooks and Morena Mekha answered that it is because yearbooks are not a main priority. Nathaniel Payumo answered that students will probably not want to buy yearbooks unless their parents encourage them too. Matt Kershaw suggested targeting the freshman more. Nathaniel Payumo asked if students are shown the yearbooks during evens such as Freshmen Orientation and Wayne Weightman answered that they advertise at orientation with cards. James Mitchell asked that the SSC wrap up the conversation in the best interest of time. Wayne Weightman thanked Ken Myron for his donation.
 * Funding Request- Yearbook Equipment:**

James Mitchell introduced the members of the council including New Members, Current Members, Outgoing Members, and Advisory Members. These present staff members included Marlene Ames, Bassemah Darwish, Paul Dautremont, Matt Kershaw, James Mitchell, Ken Myron, Randy Montesanto, Marysue Nydam, Vanessa Sliwa, Teri Sprecco, and Natalie Vasquez. The present parent members included Rebecca Ecker, Yuki Ochi, and Chris Saunders. The present student members included Raychel Andrews, Mirna Fatho, Morena Mehka, and Nathaniel Payumo. The present Outgoing Members included Steve Montgomery, Marie Ochi, Susan Oxford, and Maxine Sagapolutele.
 * School Site Council Election Results/Introduction of New Members and Recognition of Outgoing Members:**

James Mitchell asked the Council to review the //Bylaws of the School Site Council of El Cajon Valley High School//. James Mitchell asked the Council for recommendations for revisions. Steve Montgomery stated that we refer to this plan as a School Improvement Plan in Article II and then we refer to it as Comprehensive School Plan as well. Steve Montgomery moved that we substitute the term Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) in articles two and three. Ken Myron seconded the motion and the motion was passed. Nathaniel Payumo asked what student achievement we would be looking at and Teri Sprecco answered that we will be looking at grades, graduation rates, etc. James Mitchell further added that we are looking at groups and not students individually. Yuki Ochi stated that in Article IV’s //Council Composition// he does not fit into any of the categories, and Teri Sprecco went online to clarify and verify and found that we can change the wording. Ken Myron motioned to change teacher to certificated staff and add community members and the motion was seconded by Marlene Ames- Motion passed by all in attendance. Vanessa Sliwa asked if we could change the wording in the categories to certificated staff because she as a counselor does not fit into any of the categories. Paul Dautremont asked if we are allowed to just go through the Bylaws and make changes and Steve Montgomery answered that we are allowed to make changes, but that they have to be presented 10 days prior, and so at this point we are just discussing and that at the next meeting we can vote on the discussed changes. Ken Myron asked who the voting and non-voting members are and Teri Sprecco answered that she is not a voting member and that she is verifying if a Vice Principal is or is not a voting member. Ken Myron asked how many teachers we are allowed to have and James Mitchell answered that we have 6 classroom teachers, 1 certificated member, and 2 classified members. Ken Myron asked how many voting members we have in total and James Mitchell answered that we have 19 voting members including parents. Bassemah Darwish asked why we have two year terms and Teri Sprecco added that we try to stagger elections to have some experienced members along with new members. James Mitchell asked if the Council liked having the elections in September and the Council agreed to keep it in September. Nathanial Payumo asked what the obligations of the council members are and how members are dismissed. James Mitchell answered that mostly you have to be here and that we are glad that the students are here and that if someone wants to continue to be in office, they will have to be nominated. Ken Myron asked if we have any obligation to provide minutes to the entire school. James Mitchell stated that we do publish the minutes but could do a better job getting them out to staff. Ken Myron asked about informing the staff of the minutes. Teri Sprecco stated that in answer to the previous question regarding administrative members that she is not seeing anything in the Education Code that states that the principal or vice principal can’t be in office and wanted the group to be aware of that. Teri Sprecco further added that for certain circumstances we are allowed to vote online. Steve Montgomery asked if we need to be more specific about which special circumstances allow voting online. Teri Sprecco answered that typically it has been used for things that just come up that we just don’t know about. James Mitchell added that we should be as vague as possible and if needed be more specific later. Steve Montgomery made a motion that we add that electronic voting by members is permissible to the special circumstances in Article 6 section 4. Ken Myron seconded and the motion was passed by all in attendance. Ken Myron stated that we should add sending out of the minutes electronically so that others know what is going on to Article VII. Chris Saunders asked if a general email could just be sent out. James Mitchell stated that we will add this community access of minutes to Section 3 of Article VII. Teri Sprecco added that we could post it to the website and then it will be available to everybody. Bassemah Darwish made a motion that the minutes be emailed to all staff monthly. Teri Sprecco asked if this email is in addition to posting it on the website. Paul Dautremont added that if you look at the Bylaws our Council is made up of more than just staff so we should also post it on the website as well as email it out to staff so that it is available to all representatives of SSC. Paul Dautremont added that in expediency we can put it on the front page. Bassemah Darwish amended her motion so that the minutes are emailed to all staff and parents as well as posted online. Nathaniel Payumo seconded the motion and the motion was passed unanimously by the council.
 * SSC Overview: Bylaws, Meeting Dates, Communication, etc:**

James Mitchell asked for nominations or volunteers for the office of secretary. Steve Montgomery suggested that there should be the option of Co-Secretary. James Mitchell said that shouldn’t be a problem. Teri Sprecco stated that minutes could be an overview. James Mitchell asked the council for volunteers and nominations for secretaries. Morena Mekha asked who was allowed to run and James Mitchell answered that all members are allowed to run. Nathaniel Payumo volunteered for Secretary. The council voted and Nathaniel Payumo was approved as Secretary unanimously. James Mitchell asked the council for volunteers for Vice President. Chris Saunders volunteered for the position of Vice President. The council voted and Chris Saunders was approved as Vice President unanimously. James Mitchell asked the council for volunteers for President. Nathaniel Payumo, Rebecca Ecker, and Matt Kershaw nominated James Mitchell as President. James Mitchell accepted the nomination. The council voted and James Mitchell was approved as President unanimously. James Mitchell handed out the Meeting Dates and Times.
 * Elections of School Site Council Officers for 2008-2009:**

Yuki Ochi asked what the next step for Yearbook is. Teri Sprecco answered that Wayne Weightman did an excellent job, but that it’s not part of the venue of SSC to support a Yearbook class and that Wayne Weightman’s best bet his to become part of the Career Pathways to get the support. Ken Myron asked for clarification regarding Yearbook having to support an academic class and Teri Sprecco added that Yearbook would have to support an academic class which is measured by the CST’s, but that he could get funding support from the Q.E.I.A. grant if he joined the pathways. Paul Dautremont added that he believes Yearbook is coded as an English class. Yuki Ochi asked if we wanted to continue on with this conversation during the next meeting. Steve Montgomery asked if we can just have an update on this at the next meeting and Paul Dautremont volunteered to look into this. Rebecca Ecker volunteered to look into a private donation. Morena Mehka asked how you bring up an issue at the meetings and James Mitchell explained the process. James Mitchell moved item four -Review of Single Site Plan for Student Achievement to the next meeting. Nathaniel Payumo asked how students will be able to know the guidelines California Education Code 52012 and Teri Sprecco mentioned we should send a link out. James Mitchell agreed to send out a link.
 * Items From Members (Discussion Only):**

Meeting adjourned 8:00pm

Respectfully Submitted, Natalie Vasquez, Secretary