Item #

Agenda Topic

Presenter

Item

1.

Adoption of Agenda

R. Akers

Adopted by consensus

2.

Adoption of Minutes:

April 19, 2008

R. Akers

After review of the April 19 minutes, three additional names were added to the guest present. (Ms. Lea Martin, Mr. King and Ms. Barrows).  One spelling mistake was corrected and the last line was deleted from scheduling.  Minutes adopted with changes by consensus.

3.

Public Participation

Ms. Martin questioned the sudden time change of the SBDM meeting from 4:30 to 7:00 and asked how this was relayed to the public.  Mr. Akers responded by saying that the new time was posted on the front marquee and the revised time was added to the buzz mail.  Mr. Akers stated that the change is usually reported with more notice; however, the time had to be adjusted to accommodate portfolio scoring.

4.

Report from Writing Committee

S. Carey

Ms. Carey presented the council with a handout summarizing what the writing committee’s suggested changes are.  (1) The generation of portfolio writing pieces will be the responsibility of all Freshman & Sophomore required classes with the help from electives largely taken by this age of student.  Suggested the Health/PE not be required to participate given their 9 week timeline.  Teachers responsible will be trained.  (2)  The refinement of open-response writing becomes the primary responsibility of all classes required in the junior year.  (3)  On-demand & portfolio polish & assembly will become the responsibility of courses taken in the senior year. The proposed changes were based on a 4 x 4 block, so any other schedule may require some tweaking.  Ms. Jacobs asked about the tech kids composing some pieces.  Mr. Akers advised that they could write a piece based on their tech experience, but that we could not ask the tech school to have the kids compose a piece for portfolio.  Also, Ms. Carey stated that it would be great if they could see what a distinguished piece of writing looks like for each subject.  The writing committee has not talked to the faculty and they have not discussed these items amongst their own departments.  Mr. Akers added two things to the committees charge.  (1)  He asked that the committee come up with a time line for when pieces would be due and (2) to come up with some common open response questions.

5.

Finalization of staffing schedule

R. Akers

Mr. Akers advised that as of right now, the high school is looking to lose three positions.  Ms. Cleveland will be making rounds to each of the schools in the district to find out exactly what their staffing needs really are.  If we are able to get two of the three eliminated positions back, we would add back the business position and the Famco position.  After all is said and done for next year’s schedule, we will possibly be looking into a five period trimester for the following year.

Mr. Fannin asked about the additional books needed and where the money for those will be coming from.  Mr. Akers advised that the board could use some of the money that they have set aside from the sale of the old middle school.  Needing new books will be expensive and the high school may have to increase the book fee for students.

Mr. Wilson asked if we go to a trimester in the future, how will the credits be awarded.  Mr. Akers indicated that each trimester would be awarded ½ credit. (Further discussion will take place on this at a later date).  Depending on the final staffing decision of the board, if the high school is able to get the two eliminated positions back, then we would stay on a four by four block and we would change Algebra 2 to a year long class.

If we are not able to add back the two positions, then we will have to proceed with a 6 period day.

The council reviewed both options and all were in agreement.  Consensus was reached.

6.

Other Business

None presented.

7.

Personnel

R. Akers

SBDM went into closed session to discuss personnel issues at 7:45.

8.

Adjourn