Minutes of the Governing Board

Minutes of the Arvin Union School District Board of Trustees Special Meeting held on November 23, 2010 at El Camino Real Cafeteria, 911 El Camino Real, Arvin, California.

The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Rubio at 5:39 p.m.		Call to Order

Members Present: Mrs. Anabel Rubio, President Mr. William Stoner Mrs. Joycene Tarver, Clerk Mr. Tim Owens		Members Present
Members Absent: None		Members Absent

Staff Present: Dr. Michelle McLean, Superintendent Mrs. Laurie Bowden, SV Vice Principal Mrs. Kathie Kouklis, Assistant Superintendent Mrs. Georgia Rhett, ECR Principal Ms. Geneva K. Banks, Administrative Secretary Mr. David Bowling, HD Principal Mrs. Ludim Llanes, District Receptionist Mr. Chris Davis, District Accountant		Staff Present
Others Present: Total of 104 persons in attendance.		Others

Mr. Owens led the Pledge of Allegiance.		Pledge of Allegiance
No changes to the agenda. No comments. Dr. McLean announced the district will receive a $10,000 ERRA grant that will be used for Haven Drive in the Avid program. She thanked Angie Summers and everyone involved in writing the grant. Mr. Davis presented ten factual findings of the charter school petition in regards to budget information. Mrs. Kouklis presented some of the educational concerns. Dr. McLean concluded with the areas of governance, conflicts of interest, and other issues, including lack of identified site, validity of signature and concerns regarding conflict of interest Government Code Section 1090. At this time Mrs. Rubio gave the opportunity for the petitioner to present. Ms. Lisa Corr, Legal Counsel for the petitioner, began the petitioner’s presentation. Mrs. Barbara Grimm-Marshall thanked the board for giving her the opportunity to speak prior to making their final decision with regard to the Grimmway Academy Charter Petition. Mrs. Grimm-Marshall thanked the board for their time and effort they have put in to make their decision. She commented that most of you have worked on the school board for many years, working hard to develop a strong education program for the children of Arvin. I know that you are also long time residents of this community and that you will cast your vote based upon what you sincerely believe is in the best interest of the children and future of Arvin. At this time Mrs. Rubio gave the opportunity for public comment with a minimum of three minutes and a maximum of twelve minutes. Parent (did not give her name or address) spoke in support of the charter petition. Ms. Dolores Huerta, President of Dolores Huerta Foundation, Arvin, opposes the charter petition. Resident of Arvin (did not give her name or address) opposes the charter petition. Dr. Jim Young, resident of Arvin, spoke in support of the charter petition. Ms. Petra Villanueva, 1117 Chula Vista, Arvin, opposes the charter petition. Ms. Dawn Ellison, 9651 Sycamore, Arvin, spoke in support of the charter petition. Mr. Dan Gyll, 11900 Manorwood Street, Bakersfield, thanked the board for the time spent on the charter petition and asks the board to decline the petition. Mr. Jose Lara, resident of Arvin, opposes the charter petition. Ms. Susanna Velasquez, 472 Hood Street, Arvin, opposes the charter petition. Mr. Bill Hornback, Schools Legal Service, informed the board he has reviewed each of the findings and he is prepared to argue each and every one of them should that ever become necessary. Mr. Hornback asked if there were any questions from the board, he would be happy to address them at this point. Mrs. Rubio stated to the community of Arvin that the choice made tonight will be in the best interest of all 3298 students, and she wanted to assure all that the decision made tonight will be the best decision that made to benefit all the students in Arvin. Mrs. Rubio announced that we will have one board member that will abstain from voting in this matter due to a potential conflict, per Legal Counsel, Mr. Tim Owens. 3.1 Consider approval of the petition by Grimmway Academy Charter School. There was no motion to approve. Mrs. Rubio asked if she had a motion to deny the Charter for the Grimmway Academy, for the reasons set forth in the draft findings, and adopt the draft findings as the written factual findings of this board. On motion of Mrs. Tarver, seconded by Mr. Stoner, the board unanimously denied the Charter for the Grimmway Academy. Vote taken was Yes – 3, No – 0, Abstain – 1. On motion of Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mrs. Tarver, the board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m. Clerk_______________________________ Secretary____________________________		Adoption of the Agenda Communications from the public Dr. McLean Mr. Davis/Factual Findings Mrs. Kathie Kouklis/Educational Concerns Dr. Michelle McLean/Governance/Conflicts of Interest/Other Issues Ms. Lisa Corr, Legal Counsel for Petitioner Mrs. Barbara Grimm-Marshall Communications from the public Parent Ms. Dolores Huerta Resident of Arvin Mr. Jim Young Ms. Petra Villanueva Ms. Dawn Ellison Mr. Dan Gyll Mr. Jose Lara Ms. Susanna Velasquez Mr. Bill Hornback, Schools Legal Service Mrs. Anabel Rubio Board Member Abstention Vote on Charter Petition Adoption of Draft Findings Adjournment