Bell High School

School Based Management Council Meeting

Faculty Cafeteria

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Having established a quorum, Mr. La Rosa called the meeting to order at 3:40pm.

Members present included co-chairs Mr. La Rosa and Dr. di Stefano, teachers Ms. Falls, Mr. Robles, Mr. Barzaga, Mrs. Salanoa, Mr. Defer, and Mr. Casañas, parent members Ms. Ortiz and Ms. Sanchez, and student members Genesis Chacon and Carlos Jimenez. Absent members included teachers Mrs. Algozzini, Mr. Hernandez, Mr. Gallegos, and Ms. Vargas, and parents Ms. Gutierrez and Ms. Ochoa. Guests included teachers Ms. Cho and Ms. Kimura, PSA Counselor Ms. R. Gonzalez, and Assistant Principals Ms. Davis, Ms. Ledbetter, and Mr. Janssen.

The minutes from July 12, 2007 were approved with no amendments.

Subcommittee Reports

Calendar Committee – No Report

Discipline Committee – Mr. Casañas

More than thirty teachers completed a survey at the Opening Week meeting on July 3, 2007. A total of 75 teachers across all three tracks have submitted their surveys. The results have been tallied and will be distributed to staff. A and B Track students also completed a survey. 9^th grade B and C Track students will be surveyed in early August. All other C Track students will be surveyed at a later date. Ms. Sanchez asked about how the tardy room is run and what students do while in the tardy room. Mr. Casañas stated that the room is used both for tardies and for behavior as the referral room. Students are not sent back to class for tardies because of the distraction it could cause to the instruction taking place in the classroom. Students are typically working on math problems or writing assignments while in the tardy/referral room. For students who are habitually tardy, the Dean’s Office has set up the following policy: 1^st tardy – one hour of detention; 2^nd tardy – one additional hour of detention; 3^rd tardy – sent to Dean’s Office and placed on an attendance contract; 4^th tardy – parent conference; 5^th tardy – involve counselor or PSA counselor and given Saturday detention. Students members stated they feel the tardy room is a waste of time and should be given an extra minute to get to class. SBM members came to a consensus that the Discipline Committee should look at the issue of the tardy room at their next scheduled committee meeting.

The next Discipline Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 3:30pm

Professional Development Committee – Ms. Falls and Mr. Barzaga

The committee met off campus at a full day workshop at Monterey Hill Steakhouse on July 19, 2007. Banked Days were allocated to Departments, SLCs, and for WASC. The discussion on designing an SLC PD Institute began as well as the design of Buy-Back days for A –Track. Professional Development attendance forms/applications have been delivered to all staff members. The BHS professional development framework applies to all staff members because we all impact student achievement in multiple ways. The full committee is now divided into three separate sub-committees, each one working on professional development for Departments, SLCs, and the Whole-School.

Equipment Committee – No Report

Budget Committee – No Report

New business

The question of resuming faculty dues was discussed as a way to provide for materials that could improve school morale.

School Site Council elections – self nomination forms have been distributed to all teachers. The election will take place on August 7, 2007. Ms. Rafalowitz, Ms. Salanoa, Ms. Kimura, Ms. Algozzini, and Mr. La Rosa have submitted nominations. It is very important that teachers sit on this council because of the discussion on categorical funds. SB1133 needs a strong SSC to ensure that funds are being used for instructional purposes that support student learning. Self nominations will be available until August 3^rd.

Old business

Approval of 4170 funds – a budget was presented at the last SBM meeting. SBM has purview over 4170 funds. Ms. R. Gonzalez explained that she would like to use the funds to purchase a button making machine for perfect attendance students. This helps as an incentive for students on a monthly basis. Total cost for machine and buttons is estimated at $700.00 to $800.00. A question as to how much 4170 funds the library was eligible for was raised. Ms. Salanoa recalled that a request for books for $30,000 has been made but never approved. Dr di Stefano stated he will speak with Mr. Fuentes to investigate the status of the request.

Financial reporting database reports from all three funds that SBM has purview were distributed. $126, 335 is the total money. We have encumbered $50,068.48. Current encumbered monies include what has been spent by departments and other areas on campus. Members agreed that the next time a budget is presented to SBM for approval there should be someone who can give a clear explanation as to how the money was allocated so as to not delay the purchases of essential items or equipment. Dr. Di Stefano stated that the budget will be made public by asking asking Mr. Fuentes to make that happen. Dr. di Stefano also mentioned that it would be wise for SBM to be trained as to how to read budgets.

Motion by Mr. Defer to approve budget, Second by Ms. Falls … Motion Approved

Open Forum

Linda Algozzini, Howard Hernandez, Jose Robles are the newest members of SBM as well as the two students referenced above. New parent members were mentioned as well.

A question was raised as to how teachers are being paid for work they perform while off-track or after the regular day. Why the Prof. Expert pay versus the 10thly rate? According to Mr. Janssen ad Mr. La Rosa, the official LAUSD/UTLA language states that the 10thly rate should be used for work that involves direct student interaction. Administrators should be responsible for making sure this is happening.

Parent members requested that a calendar which includes all activities on campus (events, meetings, Banked Days, etc.) be distributed to all parents as well as being housed in a location that is easily accessible to parents and community members.

Meeting adjourned at 4:52pm.

Next SBM meeting scheduled for August 16, 2007 (changed to this date because of Open House scheduled on Thursday August 9, 2007)