Helix High School

A California Charter School

Charter School Board

Regular Meeting

October 15, 2001

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: Warren Ruis

 

1.0  Report on Action Taken in Closed Session

 

There was no closed session.

 

2.0  Approval of Minutes of September 17, 2001

 

President Kirk moved to accept the minutes, seconded by Member Leighton. Motion carried with all in favor.

 

3.0  Approval of Agenda

 

President Kirk moved to accept the agenda, seconded by Member Leighton. Motion carried with all in favor.

 

4.0  Summer School Report

 

Martha Foncerrada distributed a report of attendance and revenue. She also reported there were 500 actual student no-shows for summer school and that those students would eventually have an impact on the master schedule when they took the classes in regular session. Dr. Smith stated that potentially, next years summer school teachers’ salaries will be included in their retirement.

 

5.0  Report on Public Relations Program

 

Our public relations officer, Jennifer Osborn, presented an overview of the groundwork she has been doing. She’s planning on publishing a publicity kit “folder” with material that would advertise what a charter school is and why Helix is different. This kit will contain highlights of the school. She would like to include quotes from formers students, and short bios on the administration staff.

 

The question arose “Is Helix actively looking for more students?” Student representative Warren Ruis stated that as a student “knowing there was a waiting list to get into Helix would make one work harder”.

 

 

 

6.0  Budget Update

 

The Board received a Statement of Revenue and Expenditures for the first three months of this school year. Barbara Lenihan reported that the CBED count is lower than last year, and that Title I will be lower. Member Free-Trout moved to accept the budget as presented, seconded by Member Leighton, this passed with all in favor.

 

7.0  Designated Percentage of Previous Undesignated Reserves into New Designated Reserves

 

Dr. Smith presented the Administrators Recommendation for Undesignated Reserves, more accurately Doug Smith’s recommendation. After a lengthy discussion it was moved by Member Wilcox to slightly change the recommendation to 40 percent of reserves going to Long Range Facilities Planning for Remodeling; 20 percent towards Facilities Improvement; and 40 percent to Strategic Educational Program Implementation. Seconded by Member Hamann. Motion passed with all in favor.

 

8.0  Annual Report of Academic Progress to the GUHSD Board

 

An information item presented by Dr. Smith to inform the Charter Board of a report to be presented to the GUHSD Board on November 7, 2001. He is still compiling information and is in the process putting the report together, he will share the report at the next Charter Board meeting.

 

9.0  Discussion of Teacher Sabbatical Leave Request

 

Presented by Dr. Smith as an information item but to take action on at a future meeting.  Dr. Smith stated he would be meeting with GEA representatives later in the week, they would discuss this issue to see if they wanted to stay with similar wording the District offers, or write our own policy. This item will be brought back at a later meeting.

 

10.0          CDE Waiver – Carl Perkins

 

Barbara Lenihan reported we had been notified from the state that funding for Carl Perkins funds for 2001/02 would be $9,545. Last year (2000/01) we received $15,049.  In order to receive full funding, it is Helix’s intent to file a Request for Waiver with the California Department of Education. It was moved by Member Leighton to approve this item, seconded by Member Sutton, and passed with all in favor.

 

11.0          Carl Perkins Application 2001/2002

 

Barbara Lenihan presented an application prepared by Gif Asimos, School-to-Career Coordinator, for Helix to participate in the Carl Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Program. It was moved was Member Leighton to approve this item, seconded by member Sutton and passed with all in favor.

 

12.0          Contracts Approved

Audio Visual Contract

Consultant Agreement with Joan Hayes

 

 

Moved by Member Leighton to accept an Audio Visual Contract with the San Diego County Office of Education. Seconded by Member Sutton. Motion passed with all in favor.

 

Moved by Member Leighton to accept contract with Joan Hayes for services rendered as a Librarian. Seconded by Member Sutton. Motion passed with all in favor.

 

13.0          Acceptance of the Walton Family Foundation Grant $90,000

 

Dr. Smith asked the Board to accept the (one time only) $90,000 from the Walton Family for a position currently being developed for a coordinator of assessment and articulation. This will be a certificated position. We will be reporting annually to the Walton Foundation describing the outcomes achieved through the use of these funds. Moved by Member Hamann to accept the funds. Seconded by Member Leighton. This motion passed with all in favor.

 

14.0          Student Representatives Report

 

Student Representative Warren Ruis presented his and Cosa Bullock’s Student Report. He reported from their last student council meeting that students are still interested in having picnic tables purchased for the campus. Their ASB report defines Homecoming 2001 and a fundraiser to help support victims of the September 11 WTC assault.

 

15.0 Principal’s Report – CBEDS and Family/Student Resource Center

 

Dr. Smith stated he would be serving on an accreditation November 4 through November 7, 2001.

 

The GUHSD Board at their last meeting took action on implementing the Pledge of Allegiance to be conducted daily. As a charter school do we deem this appropriate? According to legal opinion charter schools do not have to participate. Staff does need to be aware of student rights. We will make a determination at the next charter meeting, if no other policy, move ahead with District policy.

 

Doug passed out CANEC brochures and asked the Board to think about participating in the convention to be held March 14 – 16 in San Francisco. Members Wilcox, Hamann, and Free-Trout expressed an interest in attending.

 

16.0 Board Communication/Public Input

 

Member Free-Trout requested that an item be placed on next month’s agenda  regarding Helix Charter showing support in favor of the GUHSD bond issue.

 

Member Wilcox commented on how successful, he felt, the new connections class was.

 

Member Free-Trout felt that the list of committees and their member names be posted on our web site to entice community members to join various committees at Helix.

 

Member Jones wondered if enforcement and consequences had been set for students not wearing the new name badges. Dr. Smith stated this would be an ongoing discussion as to what to do if students don’t wear their badges. Assistant Principal, Mimi Test stated that contracts would be going home alerting parents that students would have to wear these badges daily.

 

17.0 Adjournment

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.