Arvin Union School District

737 Bear Mountain Boulevard

Arvin, CA 93203

 

Minutes of the Governing Board

  

Minutes of the Arvin Union School District Board of Trustees Regular Meeting held on April 15, 2008.

 

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Stoner at 6:35 p.m.

 

Call to Order

 

 

 

Members Present:  Mr. Bill Stoner, President

                               Mr. Tim Owens                        

                               Mrs. Joycene Tarver, Clerk                                                                                                                         

 

Members Present   

 

 

 

Members Absent:  none

 

Member Absent                                           

 

 

 

           Mrs. Jerelle Kavanagh, Superintendent

           Mrs. Marilyn Thompson, Assistant Superintendent

           Mr. David Bowling, HD Principal

           Ms. Aurora Moran, BME Principal

           Mrs. Georgia Rhett, ECR Principal

           Mrs. Debbie L. Hearron, District Secretary

           Ms. Leticia Vaca, District Receptionist

           Mr. Ryan Culberson, HD Teacher

           Ms. Michelle Davidson, ECR Teacher

           Mr. Jose Garcia, Warehouse Assistant

           Mrs. Amanda Torres,  HD Instructional Aide

           Mr. Rey Ramos, ECR Custodian/Driver

 

Staff Present

 

 

 

Others Present:  Pat Alexander, KCSOS Instructional Services; Pete Carton, KCSOS Schools Legal Services; Linda Leary;  Anabel Rubio; Fernando Torres; Micelas Gonzalez; Maria Ortiz; Maria Hernandez; Rosalba Lopez; Yullu Lopez; Justina Bautista; Leonor Lopez; Isabel Jimenez; Maria Renoso; Timoteo Prado; Kati Ramirez; Veronica Montelongo; Maria Gaina.

 

Others

         

 

 

Mr. Owens led the pledge of allegiance.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

 

 

Mrs. Kavanagh asked the board to adopt the agenda with the following changes:

 

Move item 7.1.1 – “Consider approval of the re-employment of certificated staff for the 2008/2009 school year” before item 5 - Consent Agenda and following item 4.5.  Also, item 7.4.1 - should read CLOSED SESSION - Discussion of Sierra Vista Elementary Principal selection.

 

Adoption of the Agenda

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Tarver, the board unanimously approved the minutes of the March 11, 2008 Regular Board Meeting and Special Board Meeting of March 25, 2008.

 

Minutes – Approved

 

 

 

Mrs. Kavanagh greeted the board and gave a report of the Categorical Program Monitoring review that is in progress in the district and specifically at Haven Drive Middle School, Bear Mountain Elementary and the Arvin State Preschool. 

 

The review team assigned to Arvin by the State Department of Education started Monday, April 14 and will conclude on Thursday, April 17th.  Last, but not least, Mrs. Kavanagh extended a thank you to Mrs. Michelle Leggett who spent countless hours preparing and leading the team for the review. 

 

 Mrs. Kavanagh recommended  convening a special board meeting on April 22, 2008.  The purpose of the meeting will be to consider Classified School Employee Association (CSEA) Lay Offs.  A time of 6:30 p.m. was agreed upon.

Mrs. Thompson introduced Ms. Pat Alexander, Kern County Superintendent of Schools.  Ms. Alexander then gave a brief overview of the District Assistance and Intervention (DAIT) review.  Arvin Union School District is in Year Three of Program Improvement.  Ms. Alexander emphasized that any school that hasn’t met AYP by Year Three is subject to the DAIT process.  The process is monitored by a state approved provider, and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office will be that provider.  The DAIT team will consist of a leader and members who are selected from board members, administrators, parents and principals.  Through corrective action and technical assistance with the aide of the DAIT provider, the School Board of Education will see that the district team reviews and revises its LEA Plan.  The DAIT process takes two years to implement.

 

Mrs. Kavanagh introduced Mrs. Georgia Rhett, El Camino Real School principal.  Mrs. Rhett then introduced to the board Ms. Michelle Davidson a 6th grade teacher at El Camino Real School.  Ms. Davidson was assisted by one of her students, Dalan Emery.  Dalan’s mother, Ms. Kati Ramirez, was also in the audience. Ms. Davidson explained to the board that her students had written and published a book titled “ABC’s of ECR”.  Ms. Davidson shared that each student created a page of the book by choosing a letter from the alphabet and drawing or writing about a word beginning with that letter.  Dalan then read the page he had created.  Ms. Davidson presented the “ABC’s of ECR” to the board president, Mr. Stoner.

 

Mr. Stoner gave opportunity at this time to the members of the public to address the board regarding items of interest within the board’s jurisdiction.

 

Maria Hernandez addressed the board as a concerned parent of the Arvin Union School District.   Ms. Hernandez is associated with the Delores Huerta Foundation and asked the board of trustees to consider installing water filters on all drinking fountains in the school district.  She read from a report dated March 2008 that revealed high levels (53 units parts/billion) of arsenic in the community wells #1 & #8 in the City of Arvin.  She is worried because the report stated there are many health risks to the students and families of Arvin.  The filters will improve the quality of the water and life of the students and families.  Ms. Hernandez asked the board to consider her request and would like a response at the next board meeting.

 

Timoteo Prado greeted the board and explained that he works with the Hispanic community in the City of Arvin.   He felt there was a problem when bottled or filtered water was being provided for the staff and not the students.  The Delores Huerta Foundation has collected 746 signatures in support of this concern.  He did mention that they would have all been in attendance had there been enough room to house them. He also asked the board to consider moving the meetings to a larger facility to accommodate their supporters.

 

Rosalba Lopez, also a parent, addressed the board with the same concerns regarding the quality of water in Arvin.

 

Reports and Communications

Mrs. Kavanagh

Reports and Communications

Mrs. Kavanagh

 

 

 

 

 

Assistant Superintendent - Mrs. Thompson

Ms. Alexander/

KCSOS DAIT Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Rhett/Ms. Davidson – ABC’s of ECR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reports from the public

 

 

M. Hernandez

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T. Prado

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Lopez

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Kavanagh introduced Mr. Pete Carton – Kern County Superintendent of Schools Legal Services.  Mrs. Kavanagh shared that Mr. Carton would be available to answer any legal concerns regarding the process of Provisional Appointment of Trustee.  He then explained the voting process the board would follow.

 

Candidates were given the opportunity to address the Board.  There were four candidates who submitted letters of interest and met the requirements that allowed them to be considered eligible.

 

Mrs. Amanda Torres greeted the board and told the board that she would not be addressing the Board but asked that her letter of interest be considered as submitted for the provisional appointment.

 

Mrs. Virgie Witte addressed the board asking that she be considered as a candidate for the provisional appointment.  She has been a resident of the city of Arvin for five and one half years.  She also was a member of the Board of Trustees in an earlier appointment almost two years ago.  She feels her education and previous experience would bring insight to the board and she would enjoy sharing in the victories in the future.

 

Mrs. Linda Leary addressed the board expressing her interest and dedication to the community of Arvin.  She was raised in Arvin and has raised her family in Arvin.  Her children attended the Arvin Union School District.  She has great respect for the community, and has served in many positions of leadership throughout the years in various community and school organizations.  She asked the board to consider her as the provisional appointee and she would be honored to serve alongside all of them.

 

Mrs. Anabel Rubio greeted the board and chose to read her letter of interest that she submitted to the board to be considered as the provisional appointee.  Mrs. Rubio shared her passion for the community and education as a former student, current parent and employee of a neighboring school district.

 

  Board Business

Provisional Appointment of Trustees

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. Torres

 

 

 

V. Witte

 

 

 

 

L. Leary

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. Rubio

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Stoner announced he would abstain from the vote; therefore Mr. Owens and Mrs. Tarver would discuss and need to agree upon one candidate to be considered to fill the board vacancy.  Under the Dry Creek rule his vote will go with the majority.

 

On motion of Mrs. Tarver, seconded by Mr. Owens, the board unanimously approved Mrs. Virgie Witte to serve as the provisional appointee of the Arvin Union School Board until the November, 2008 election.

 

  Appointment Vote

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Kavanagh administered the Oath of Office to Mrs. Witte, and immediately Ms. Witte was seated as the fourth member of the Board of Trustees for the Arvin Union School District.

 

Oath of Office

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Kavanagh led a discussion to consider filling the vacancy of the fifth member of the Board of Trustees.  She gave a timeline that would include the posting of a public notice for two weeks in the Arvin Tiller and holding a special board meeting before the regular meeting in May to fill the vacancy.

 

 

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Tarver, the board unanimously approved to hold a special board meeting on May 13, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Arvin Union School District board room.

 

 Special Meeting/

 May 13, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7.1.1 - “Consider approval of the re-employment of certificated staff for the 2008/2009 school year” was recommended to be tabled until a later meeting.

 

 Item Tabled

 

 

 

On motion of Mrs. Tarver, seconded by Mr. Owens, the board unanimously approved the following consent agenda items.

 

Consent Agenda

 

 

 

              Purchase Order Numbers   080816 – 080922 and 13007153 - 13007173

Bill Payments – 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104

Payroll Numbers 37, 38, 39, 40

                                                               

Interdistrict Attendance Requests for the 2007/2008 school year based on parent request. (*indicates renewal)

            Zoe Altamirano – Kgn – Arvin to Lamont

            Sandra Rodriguez – Grade 8 – Panama to Arvin

            Stephanie Rodriguez – Grade 8 – Panama to Arvin

 

Interdistrict Attendance Requests for the 2007/2008 school year based on parent employment. (*indicates renewal)

            Joshua Buchanan – Grade 8 – Panama to Arvin

 

Intradistrict Attendance Requests for the 2007/2008 school year based on parent request. (*indicates renewal)

            Allyson Jodiey Louise Johnson – Grade 6 – BME to ECR

    

Field trip for Bear Mountain Elementary School fifth grade students to visit the Los Angeles Zoo on May 5, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

 

Purchase Orders

Bill Payments

Payroll

 

Interdistrict – 07/08

Parent Request

 

 

 

 

Interdistrict – 07/08

Parent Employment

 

 

Intradistrict – 07/08

Parent Request

 

BME Field Trip/ L.A. Zoo- 5/5/08

 

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Tarver, the board unanimously approved the Bear Mountain Elementary School Site Safety Plan for the 2008/2009 school year.

 

BME Elementary School Site Safety Plan

 

 

 

On motion of Mrs. Tarver, seconded by Mrs. Witte, the board unanimously approved the Haven Drive Middle School Site Safety Plan for the 2008/2009 school year.

 

Haven Drive Middle School Site Safety Plan

 

 

 

On motion of Mrs. Tarver, seconded by Mrs. Witte, the board unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Kern High School District/Bakersfield Adult School and Arvin Union School District – English as a Second Language, EL Civics, Community Based English Tutoring, Citizenship and Bi-lingual GED, 2008-2009.

 

MOU-Kern High School District/Bakersfield Adult School/AUSD- EL, CBET

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Tarver, the board unanimously approved the revision of the 2008 Bear Mountain Elementary Parent Compact, the Program Description of the Bear Mountain Single Site Plan and the Bear Mountain Parent Involvement Policy.

 

Revised 2008 BME Parent Compact/Site Plan/Parent

 Involvement Policy

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Tarver, the board unanimously approved the following employment, resignation, retirement, leave of absence, change of status, and termination of the following certificated staff for the 2007/2008 school year:

 

Substitute Teachers:  

Samer Alnimri                      Jose Ayala                           Rosalea Garcia

                Itandegui Martinez              Mayra Martinez                   Carolina Nunez

 

 

Change of Position:

Ma. Ruby Calderon – changed from Certificated Speech Therapist to Classified Speech Therapist Assistant – effective March 27, 2008.

               

Addition Assignments:

                Esmeralda Hernandez – 4th Grade Migrant Saturday School Teacher

                Michael Castaneda – SV Tutor for Passing of CBEST Test

               

Resignations:

Tammy Treadwell –HD Reading/L.A. After School Teacher –

              resigned  effective March 27, 2008

                Eva Leon – SV Migrant Extended Day Teacher – resigned March 25, 2008

 

Certificated Personnel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certificated Personnel

 

 

 

 

On motion of Mrs. Tarver, seconded by Mr. Owens, the board unanimously approved the submission of application for a Provisional Internship Permit to California Department of Education on behalf of Ana Leon as a Special Education Teacher at Haven Drive Middle School whose assignment began March 25, 2008.

 

Ana Leon –Provisional Internship Permit

 

 

 

On motion of Mrs. Witte, seconded by Mr. Owens, the board unanimously approved the Annual Statement of Need – 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permits and Designated Subjects Vocational Education 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permits.

 

Annual Statement  of Need-30-Day Substitute Teaching Permits

 

 

 

On motion of Mrs. Tarver, seconded by Mr. Owens, the board unanimously approved Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators for the 2008-2009 school year.

 

Declaration of Need-Fully Qualified Educators

 

 

 

On motion of Mrs. Witte, seconded by Mr. Owens, the board unanimously approved employment, resignation, retirement, leave of absence, change of status, or termination of the following classified staff for the 2007/08 school year:

 

New Staff:

                Gabriela Ramos – BME 2-1/2 hr. Noon Duty Aide

                                Ludim Llanes –3-1/2 hr. Part Time Migrant Clerk

                                Gloria Cisneros – BME 2 hr. Noon Duty Aide

                                Gridelda Martinez - HD 2 hr. Noon Duty Aide

                                Samantha Webster – HD 2 hr. Noon Duty                                    

                               

Additional Assignments:

                Jeff Pounds – HD 7th grade Boys Softball Coach

                Lissett DeLeon – Migrant Pre-K Tutor

                Maricela Tamayo – Migrant Pre-K Tutor

                Maria Garcia – Substitute Noon Duty Aide

                Maira Peralta - Substitute Noon Duty Aide

                Maria Sanchez - Substitute Noon Duty Aide

                Dena Anfield - Substitute Noon Duty Aide

                                 

Resignations:

                Elizabeth Meza – BME Instructional Aide – resigned April 4, 2008

                Veronica Munoz – SV Noon Duty Aide – resigned March 7, 2008

                Marsha Samura – HD Custodian/Driver – resigned March 13, 2008      

 

Classified Personnel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Tarver, the board unanimously approved the job description for District Accountant.

 

Confidential  Personnel

Job Description

The Board of Trustees went into closed session at 8:09 p.m. to discuss the Sierra Vista Elementary Principal selection.  Upon reconvening at 8:24 p.m. the following action was taken.

 

Administrative Personnel

Closed Session

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Witte, the board unanimously approved Mrs. Angelica Salinas as the new Sierra Vista Elementary Principal of the Arvin Union School District.

 

Administrative Personnel

  SV Principal

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Tarver, the board unanimously approved the second reading of the following board policies.

BP=Board Policy                AR=Administrative Regulation                 E=Exhibit

BB 9224              Oath or Affirmation

BB 9230              Orientation

BB 9240              Board Development

BB 9250              Remuneration, Reimbursement and Other Benefits  

BB 9260              Legal Protection

BB 9270              Conflict of Interest

BB 9310              Policy Manual

BB/AR 9311        Board Policies     

BB 9312              Board Bylaws

BB 9313              Administrative Regulations

BB 9314              Suspension of Policies, Bylaws, Administrative Regulations

BB 9320              Meetings and Notices

                              Government Code 54954 Provisions

E 9320                 Regarding Meetings Outside District Boundaries

BB 9321              Closed Session Purposes and Agendas

BB 9321.1           Closed Session Actions and Reports

BB 9322              Agenda/Meeting Materials

BB 9323              Meeting Conduct

BB/E 9323.2       Action by the Board

BB 9324              Minutes and Recordings

 

Second Reading -Board Policies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Witte, the board unanimously approved Board Policy AR/BP/E 4112.42, 4212.42, 4312.42 – All Personnel – Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers.  Due to the timeline of these required policies, the first reading was waived.

 

AR/BP/E 4112.42, 4212.42, 4312.42 –

All Personnel – Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers

 

 

 

Mrs. Kavanagh informed the board there had been no complaints reported for the Williams Settlement Uniform Complaint Quarterly Report for the period of January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008.  No Action was necessary.

 

Williams Settlement Uniform Complaint Quarterly Report

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Witte, the board unanimously approved the Arvin Union School District Revised Five Year Plan – Deferred Maintenance Program.

 

Revised/Five Year Plan – Deferred Maintenance Program

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Tarver, the board unanimously approved the 2008/2009 school boundaries for the Arvin Union School District.

 

2008/09 School Boundaries

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Witte, the board unanimously approved a Proclamation for Day of the Teacher, May 6, 2008.

 

Proclamation/Day of the Teacher

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Witte, the board unanimously approved a Proclamation for Classified School Employee Week, May 18 – 24, 2008.

 

Proclamation/Classified Employee Week

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Tarver, the board unanimously approved Resolution #9:2007/2008 – California Cash Reserve Program/Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRANs).

 

Res.#9:2007-08 TRANs

 

 

 

On motion of Mrs. Tarver, seconded by Mr. Owens, the board unanimously approved the following Budget transfers:

080024 – Results of 2nd Interim Report                          $725,578.53

080025 – Results of 2nd Interim Report                          $428,446.29

080026 – Results of 2nd Interim Report                          $843,991.41

080027 – Results of 2nd Interim Report                          $163,616.00

080028 – Results of 2nd Interim Report                          $  64.950.82

 

Budget Transfers

 

 

 

On motion of Mrs. Witte, seconded by Mr. Owens, the board unanimously approved Resolution #10:2007/2008 – Declaration of Emergency Requiring Contract for Repairs, Alterations, Work or Improvement without advertising for or inviting bids.

 

Res.#10:2007/08 – Declaration of Emergency

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Witte, the board unanimously approved  authorizing the Arvin Union School District to go to bid for a Piggy-Back bid for School Furnishings, Office Furnishings and Accessories.

 

Authorization to go to bid for Piggy-Back Bid

 

 

 

The board went into closed session at 9:02 p.m. for discussion of the Superintendent’s evaluation. Reconvened at 9:55 p.m. No action was necessary.

 

Closed Session- Superintendents evaluation

 

 

 

The Board mentioned the property next door and asked the progress of the demolishtion.  Mrs. Kavanagh explained that a letter had been written to the Arvin Redevelopment Agency asking for aid in the demolishing.

 

Also, a continued concern is the overhang on the north side entrance of the Haven Drive Cafeteria.   Mrs. Kavanagh will discuss this issue with David Zamarron.

 

Board Reports

 

 

 

Board Reports

 

 

 

On motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Tarver, the board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 9:56 p.m.

 

Adjournment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk                                                                                               Secretary