Helix Charter High School Board

Regular Meeting

August 20, 2001

6 p.m.

Helix High School Library

Board Members Present: Lori Free-Trout, Lisa Hamann, Cheryl Jones, Judy Kirk, Beth Leighton, Richard Sutton, Garry Wilcox.

Student Representatives Present: Cosa Bullock

Absent: Warren Ruis

5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Closed Session:

GEA Negotiations

Possible Litigation

6 p.m. Regular Meeting:

1.0 Report on Action Taken in Closed Session

No action was taken

2.0 Approval of Minutes of June 18, 2001, Meeting

President Kirk announced the minutes were approved as read.

3.0 Introduction of New Staff Members

Dr. Smith introduced John Lindhorst, Vocal Music Director, who was present and read the names of other new staff members not in attendance and gave a brief bio on them. The Charter Board introduced themselves to Mr. Lindhorst. A short reception with refreshments then followed.

4.0 Approval of Letter of Agreement with GEA Concerning Work Year for Helix Counselors and Summer School.

Member Leighton moved to accept the Agreement with GEA concerning the work year for the counselors and summer school, seconded by Member Hamann the motion carried with all in favor.

5.0 Approval of Agreement with Mission Federal Credit Union for a Purchase Card

Barbara Lenihan introduced Mark De La Cruz and his associate from Mission Federal Credit Union who gave a detailed description into the workings of the “purchase card”. Basically it works like a debit card, and can be monitored on-line. Members of the Board questioned how many cards and who would be handling them. Dr. Smith stated we would start small and eventually distribute these “purchase cards” to department chairs.

A motion was made by Member Leighton, seconded by Member Wilcox to approve the agreement with Mission Federal for the purchase card. Motion passed with all in favor.

6.0 Contracts - Approval for Work

Ed Cornett - Mailboxes in Reception Area

Ed Cornett - Library Counter, Bookshelf

Fordyce Construction - Racquetball Courts

Ian Saward - Paint

Jennifer Osborn - Public Relations Consultant

Barbara Lenihan gave a brief overview of the contracts. It was decided to taken each contract and ratify them separately. Moved by Member Hamann, seconded by Member Leighton to accept the contract with Ed Cornett for Mailboxes in the Reception Area. This passed with all in favor. Moved by Member Sutton, seconded by Member Hamann to accept the contract with Ed Cornett for the Library counter and bookshelf. This passed with all in favor. Moved by Member Leighton, seconded by Member Sutton to accept the contract with Fordyce Construction for work on the Racquetball Courts. This passed with all in favor. Moved by Member Wilcox, seconded by Member Hamann to accept the contract with Ian Saward for painting of the library. This passed with all in favor. Moved by Member Leighton, seconded by Member Hamann to accept the Public Relations Consultant Contract with Jennifer Osborn. The motion carried with five in favor, one abstention and one opposing.

7.0 Approval of Administration Team for 2001/2002

Moved by Member Wilcox, seconded by Member Sutton to make Martha Foncerrada an Assistant Principal and move her to a 214 day contract. With this change she will also be taking on the Title I responsibilities. Kevin Osborn, Dean of Students, days of service will be extended from 205 to a 214 day contract. The motion passed with all in favor.

8.0 Approval to Fund Additional Cocurricular Stipends

Mimi Test presented the Grossmont District’s plan to increase coaching stipends over a three-year period (10 per year). Helix is seeking approval to extend the amount by six additional stipends. (16 for Helix). Cathy Singer suggested that we include JV sports before Frosh sports. Member Hamann wanted to know the logic behind choosing of the six sports that Helix wanted added ( girls volleyball, girls wrestling, girls basketball, boys basketball, baseball, softball—all frosh). The anticipated financial impact is approximately $2000 per stipend. Moved by Member Sutton to accept the additional cocurricular stipends, seconded by Member Leighton. Six in favor, one opposed. Motion passed.

9.0 Summer Conferencing Report and Enrollment Update

Al Love gave a quick review on the registration process stating the student information system was a learning experience. Member Wilcox wanted to know how the counseling staff faired? Al Love was pleased to report that SIS was user friendly and works well with the quarter system. Cathy Singer stated the County Office of Ed. was on hand the first few days for assistance, and that after they got the hang of it the course numbers actually made sense. The parents seemed happy we were able to insert two addresses per household.

Al Love stated our enrollment is at: 579 ninth graders, 707 tenth graders, 597 eleventh graders, and 419 twelfth graders with a total enrollment of 2302. Dr. Smith stated our target number is 2348. The Board thank Al.

10.0 Facilities Report of Summer Projects

Mr. Britschgi wanted to commend his Maintenance Crew and the three Highlander Camp paid students for the outstanding job and what they accomplished in such a short time span. The following items were worked on:

l. Electrical power upgrades at the back of the school.

2. Storage sheds, roofing and doors still remain uncompleted.

3. Lights in the pool (Boys PE side).

4. Three island labs removed in the Science Dept.

5. Intercom system is 90 percent completed.

6. Bleachers have been repainted.

7. Room 1300 is painted.

8. Foyer painted and new furniture purchased.

9. Attendance office painted.

10. Nurses office painted.

11. AP offices painted.

12. Library painted

13. Lights replaced/repaired on the marquee.

14. Auto Shop/Rifle Range area cleaned up.

15. Flower beds planted.

16. School was power washed.

17. Floors waxed.

Four restrooms remain to be modernized, this will be accomplished after school starts and after school hours. The softball field conversion (District project) will commence in October. Ken will be going out for bids on having the bank (on the lower fields) cut. A very small portion of the back parking lot will be restripped.

11.0 Financial Report

2000/2001 Closing Report on Block Funding from 2001

2001/2002 State Budget Update

Barbara Lenihan distributed handouts of the “2000/2001 Actuals Balance” along with Statement of Revenue and Expenditures “ for July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001, and a “Statement of Revenue and Expenditures” for July 1, 2001 through July 31, 2001 (one month). She stated the Budget Committee would be meeting in September or October. Moved by Member Hamann, seconded by Member Free-Trout to accept the budget documents presented. Motion passed with all in favor.

12.0 Monthly Reports from Department Chairs

Member Free-Trout suggested it would be nice to have a monthly report from department chairs on what is happening within their departments. This could be done on a rotating basis. Member Sutton stated this would be very time consuming, adding additional work on the department chair. It was suggested by Member Jones that a copy of the Department Chairs minutes be included in their monthly packet. This was agreeable to all.

13.0 Student Representatives Report

Student Representative, Cosa Bullock, reported she attended a focus group meeting that the District had assembled, and she met with two students from Santana and two students from Grossmont to discuss school safety. She was informed on “Link Crew” and suggested this could be a senior project.

14.0 Principal’s Report - Staffing/Staff Development

Dr. Smith stated Tuesday, August 20, and Wednesday, August 21 we would be off campus meeting at the San Diego Marriott for two of our Staff Development days. All the Board members are invited to attend and we would be discussing organization and goal setting on Tuesday. On Wednesday we would be working on self-study for our reaccrediation and work within departments towards goals and objectives. Our third Staff Development day would be at the end of Term I.

Member Free-Trout announced a reminder that the PTSA Luncheon will be held on Friday, August 24 at 11:30 a.m..

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.