December 12th, 2007
BUSD Board Updates provides highlights of Board Meetings and other Board activitiesNote: 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 December 12th, 2007 the Board discussed the following items:
Report on Closed Session:
The Board approved a settlement in three Workers Compensation, Cases # 2006045657, 2005038079 and 200604492; received reports on six ongoing Expulsion cases, and approved a Suspended Expulsion in Case #0708-05-091194. The Board also discussed Anticipated Litigation with no action.
Election of Board Officers:
The Board elected John Selawsky as President,
Nancy Riddle as Vice-president and Michele Lawrence as Secretary. President Selawsky presented Director Rivera with a Board Resolution thanking him for serving as Board President for the past year. The Board also established a 2008 Board Meeting Schedule (listed at the end of this report).
Board Announcements:
President Selawsky reported that the Board has decided on a final candidate for Superintendent, and are communicating with community members and staff who will participate in a site visit in the next week. Pending confirmation from absent Board Members, there will be a Special Board Meeting on Wednesday December 19, 2007 at 7:30PM. Directors Issel and Hemphill were not present, and excused from tonight’s meeting.
Approval of Agenda:
The Board approved the agenda, pulling Consent Item 2.2-C Secretarial Position at B-Tech for further discussion prior to approval. Item 4.6-C Approval to Advertise to Solicit Bids was tabled and will return at a later date.
All consent items, including that pulled were approved.
Teaching and Learning Presentation:
Cragmont Principal Don Vu and Literacy Coach/Teacher Tasha Anestos made a presentation,
A Shift to deeper implementation: ULSS and Interventions.
Emergency Preparedness Presentation:
Margit Roos-Collins and the Emergency Container Committee made a presentation on the efforts being made by the committee and the District in the past months, as well as the steps needed in the coming months.
Action Items
8:32PM Public Hearing on Item 2.2-A
The Board opened a Public Hearing as required before approval of Action Item 2.1-A Receiving Berkeley
Federation of Teachers (BFT), Local 1078’s new contract proposals for Negotiations. There were no comments, and the Public Hearing was closed at 8:33PM.
2.1-A BFT Local 1078 New Contract Proposals
The Board accepted the new proposals for negotiation from the Berkeley Federation of Teachers (BFT), Local 1078. The articles and areas to be discussed at the collective bargaining table are included in the Board packet. This is the “Sunshine” of what is to be negotiated, required for public presentation before collective bargaining can begin. **
2.2-A Approval to Employ Teachers
The Board approved the employment of teachers on Provisional Internship Permit. The three permits approved are for Afro Haitian Dance and Special Education. **
2.3-A Approval of Annual Declaration of Need
The Board approved the Annual Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Teachers. This is required in order for the District to hire teachers whose assignment requires an Emergency Permit or Limited Assignment Permit. The permits may only be used by teachers who hold a valid California Teaching Credential, but are teaching outside of their specific credentialed area. **
4.1-A Certificate of First Interim Report for the Period Ending October 31, 2007
The Board accepted the Positive Certification of the First Interim Report, certifying that the District will be able to meet its financial obligations for the current and subsequent two fiscal years. **
4.3-A Approval of Interpreting and Consulting Services
The Board approved payment of an additional $100,000 for deaf interpreters for interpreting and consulting services. **
Informational Items
1.1-I, 1.2-I and 1.3-I AR 6163.4 Student Use of Technology, AR 4040 Employee Use of Technology and AR 6162.52 High School Exit Exam
The Board received AR 6163.4 Student Use of Technology; AR 4040 Employee Use of Technology and AR 6162.52 High School Exit Exam for information. **
3.1-I Report on Williams Textbooks
The Board received a report on the availability of textbooks and instructional materials on Oct. 24, 2007. Staff noted that there were 30 seventh grade English textbooks and four in Spanish at Willard Middle School, and 80 Spanish II textbooks at Berkeley High School. This report was to assure the Board and the public that these textbooks have now been delivered to the schools. **
3.2-I Report on Interdistrict Permits
The Board received the annual report on Interdistrict Permits for the 2007-08 school year. The BUSD received 677 requests, whose outcome was: 479 continuing students met the criteria to remain in the BUSD, 27 new permits were issued, and 171 requests for new or continuing students were denied. Students on permits represent 5.5% of the total BUSD student population. Currently there are also 164 Berkeley residents on Interdistrict permits outside of the District.
Note: Of the 27 new permits issued, 19 were children of BUSD employees (a provision of their collective bargaining agreements), and six were permits denied by the District, but over appealed to the County Office of Education. **
3.3-I Update to School Governance Council Election Diversity and Activity Report for 2007-08
The Board received an update to the School Governance Council Election, Diversity and Activity Report for the 2007-08 school year. The original report was received by the Board on November 14, 2007. **
3.4-I National School Lunch Program Report
The Board received the National School Lunch Program Report with the numbers and percentages of students qualifying for Free and Reduced Price Lunch. Districtwide, 40% of BUSD students participated in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, with nine schools above 50%. **
4.1-I Facilities Plan Update
The Board received an update on the Facilities Construction Plan approved by the Board in March 2006 and amended September 24, 1007. Data in the report is current as of December 3, 2007. **
4.2-I First Interim FY 2008 BB Financial Update Report
The Board received the First Interim 2008 BB financial report that updates Measure BB expenditures from July 1, 2007 through October 31, 2007. The projected income from Measure BB this fiscal year is $4,649,000. **
Approval of Minutes
The Board approved the Board Minutes for November 14, 2007 and November 26, 2007. **
** Complete information about these items is available for review in the December 12, 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
December 19, 2007 (Special Meeting)
January 9, 2008
January 16, 2008
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 for review in the office of the Superintendent.
All Board meetings are broadcast live on Berkeley
Community Media Cable Channel 33 re-broadcasted on channel 33 the following Thursday morning at 9AM and on Sunday December 16, 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.)