BOARD UPDATES September 5th, 2007
BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICTBOARD UPDATES September 5th, 2007
BUSD Board Updates provides highlights of Board Meetings and other Board activities
Note: Board Packets & associated documents are available at our website and all Berkeley public libraries
Public Information Office (510) 644-6320
BUSD Web Site: www.berkeleypublicschools. org
At the board meeting on September 5th, 2007 the Board discussed the following items:
Report on Closed Session:
The Board approved one Liability Claim by a classified employee and discussed Consideration of Student Expulsions with no action.
Superintendent’s Announcement:
Superintendent Michele Lawrence announced her
intention to retire from the District on February 1, 2007.
Reflecting on a wonderful career of 36 years in public
Education, Superintendent Lawrence began her
comments by saying, “Six years ago, after being
selected as the new superintendent, I confessed that I
had quit buying lottery tickets because I used all my
good fortune being chosen to come to Berkeley. To this
day I still feel that my lucky number was picked.” Board
President Joaquin Rivera advised the community that
The Board would begin the search for a replacement
immediately, using the firm who found Superintendent
Lawrence, Leadership Associates. “They will be
meeting with staff and the community to survey what
we want and need in a new superintendent.”
Approval of Agenda:
The Board approved the agenda, pulling Consent Items 2.2-C Approval of MOU with BFT on Special Education and 3.4-C Approval of Non-public School Placement for public recognition.
Asst. Superintendent Neil Smith advised the Board that they should be aware of a late Field Trip Request for Cragmont School’s Mosaic Project, which will take place before the next scheduled Board meeting.
Note: Director Nancy Riddle Recused herself from Consent Item 4.2-C and Action Item 4.2-A because they included construction projects at Jefferson Elementary School,which is in close proximity to her residence.
All consent items were approved.
Teaching and Learning Presentation:
Berkeley Adult School Principal Margaret Kirkpatrick and Vice Principal Tom Orput presented a report on the BAS Basic Skills Benchmarks. Learn more about the Berkeley Adult School and how they may serve your family at: http://bas.berkeley.net/
[Marker]Action Items
1.1-Resolution No. 08-05 Outstanding Legislator of the Year
The Board approved the selection of Assemblymember Loni Hancock as their nominee for the 2007 Outstanding Legislator of the Year. Nominations for the 2007 California School Boards Association (CSBA) Legislator of the Year must be submitted by September 7th. The nominee must meet a list of 10 criteria that demonstrate significant commitment and legislative contributions to public education. **
4.1-A 2006-07 Unaudited Actuals
The Board approved the filing of the 2006-07 Unaudited Actuals, which provide the most accurate to date financial information on revenues, spending and fund balances for the 2006-07 Fiscal Year. **
4.2-A Approval of Revised Facilities Allocation
The Board approved the revised facilities priorities for the expenditures of Measure AA Bond Funds: nine High Priority Projects, seven Deferred Maintenance Projects and nine projects which may be deferred or added to the list. **
4.3-A Approval of American Logistics Contract
The Board approved a contract with American Logistics to provide, administer and manage the District’s Non Public School (NPS) transportation for special education students who cannot be served in the District. **
Information Items
1.1-I Enrollment Update
The Board received a report on the 2007-08 enrollment as of Tuesday September 5th, when the schools reported 100% of the projected attendance.
3.2-I Berkeley Adult School Basic Skills Benchmarks
The Board received a written report containing the data presented in the Teaching and Learning Presentation at the beginning of the meeting. **
3.2-I Gate Plan Approval
The Board received and approved the District’s Plan for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE). The plan has been approved and funded by the California Department of Education and funded for a period of three years (approximately $70,000 annually). **
3.3-I Report on Adequate Yearly Progress
The Board received a report on Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) indicating the achievement scores of students on the annual state test. **
4.4-I Facilities Plan Update
The Board received an update of the Facilities Construction Plan approved by the Board on March 15, 2006, and amended on February 7, 2007. The data in the report is current as of August 27, 2007. **
Approval of Minutes
The Board approved the Board Minutes for August 22, 2007 with minor changes.
** Complete information about these items is available for review in the September 5, 2007 Board packet, located in the Board Meeting section of the BUSD website:
[ http://in the Board Meeting section of the BUSD website: www.berkeley.k12.ca.us ]www.berkeley.k12.ca.us
Schedule of Upcoming Board of Education Meetings
September 12, 2007 (Special Closed Session)
September 19, 2007
October 10, 2007
October 24, 2007
November 14, 2007
November 28, 2007 (Tentative)
December 12, 2007 (Organizational)
All Board packets are available electronically for review in all five branches of the Berkeley Public Library, and are available on the BUSD website: [ http://www.berkeley.k12.ca.us ]www.berkeley.k12.ca.us and hard copies are available in the office of the Superintendent.
The 2006-07 Unaudited Actuals are available for review in all five branches of the Berkeley Public Library.
All Board meetings are broadcast live on Berkeley
Community Media Cable Channel 33 and KPFB Radio
89.3, and re-broadcasted on channel 33 the following
Thursday morning at 9AM and on Sunday September 9, 2007 at 2PM.
Further schedule information can be found at BCM’s
website: [ http://www.betv.org ]www.betv.org (Note: Channel 33 is currently
broadcasting over 200 hours of BUSD activities and
events every month.)