I.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.

II.

Roll Check

A roll check was taken and all board members were present.

III.

Welcome Visitors and Acknowledgments

A.

Vision and Mission Statement

Director Skuratowicz read the vision and mission statements.

Wendy Werthaiser introduced some of the Speech and Debate State champions.

B.

Speech and Debate Team

Wendy Werthaiser introduced some of the Speech and Debate State champions.

IV.

Consent Agenda

A.

Approve minutes of Food Service Advisory meeting of February 8, 2010, executive and regular sessions of April 12, and executive session of April 29, 2010.

B.

Approve Bonding of Superintendent and Business Manager

Currently, the superintendent and business manager are each bonded in the amount of $100,000.  The premiums on these bonds are $275 each.  It was recommended that the Board approve the bonding of the superintendent and business manager as presented and that the business manager be responsible to acquire those bonds.

The minutes of the regular session of April 12, 2010 were corrected to reflect the votes of Jill Turner and Jill Williams during the Food Services Advisory Committee meeting of March 8, 2010.

Director Alexander moved that the consent agenda be approved as amended.  Director Parker seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

C.

Personnel    

I.

Leave of Absence Request

Jamie Haden, Ashland Middle School Health Teacher, requested a half-time miscellaneous unpaid leave of absence for the 2010-11 school year.  She would continue to be a half-time health teacher.  It was recommended that her request be approved as presented.   

Amy Kneeland, Walker Elementary Teacher, requested a miscellaneous unpaid leave of absence for the balance of this school year and for the 2010-11 school year.  It was recommended that her request be approved as presented. 

V.

Hear Public Requests not a part of the agenda

VI.

Reports

A.

Report on Jeff Schlecht's Retirement Celebration

 
Lori Fried reported on the retirement celebration being planned for Jeff Schlecht.  The celebration has been scheduled for Sunday, June 6 at 3:00 p.m. at the high school football field and the small gym.  There will be a barbeque and activities.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  More information may be obtained by emailing jsretirementparty@gmail.com. Donations may be sent to the Ashland High School Office in care of Jeff Schlecht Retirement Party.

B.

Student and Staff Representative Reports

There were no staff and student representative reports.

C.

Ashland Schools Foundation

Susan Bacon reported on the fundraising activities of the Ashland Schools Foundation.

D.

Ashland High School Commencement Activities

Jeff Schlecht reported that graduation will be held on Friday, June 7, at 7:00 p.m. in Lithia Park.

E.

Ashland Middle School Reorganization

Steve Retzlaff and Ken Kigel reported on the reorganization pattern for Ashland Middle School beginning in the 2010-11 school year necessary because of the current year’s of staff reductions and increased class sizes.  The reorganization will restore the 2-year Spanish program; provide an alternative program for 25 – 30 students; will reduce class sizes; provide a common home room period at the end of every day; additional Cultural Arts Team (CAT) classes of drama, after school choir, and leadership; and allow band students to participate in other CAT courses.

F.

Cohort Graduation Rate

Samuel Bogdanove reported that, in the past, our state's graduation rate calculations have been based on the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) formula which divides the number of graduates with regular diploma by the sum of the number of graduates with a regular diploma plus the number of students who dropped out from all grades 9-12 that year.  This year, in line with federal guidance, the Oregon Department of Education will release the Cohort Graduation Rate which follows the same group of students through their four years of high school.  

Samuel Bogdanove reported that it is anticipated that the Cohort Rate will result in a 10% lower graduation rate.  The goal is for all districts to have a 90% graduation rate by the year 2020-21.

G.

Superintendent Report

Juli Di Chiro announced that the Oregon Supreme Court will be convening at the North Mountain Theater on May 19 at 9:30 a.m.  Students will have an opportunity to observe the court’s business.  She further announced that the district will receive a historic award at the Community Center at Noon tomorrow for its work on both Bellview and the High School.  Juli Di Chiro reported on the Ashland High School redesign process.  She also announced that Gema Soto has been hired as the Food Service Director. 

Ms. Di Chiro reviewed the proposed staffing enhancements for the 2010-11 school year.  She explained the process for hiring additional elementary teachers for next year.  Public input was received as follows.  Several parents urged the Board to hire teachers with Spanish proficiency.  The elementary openings provide an opportunity to the district to move in that direction.   A sample resolution was given to the Board focusing on hiring Spanish-proficient teachers.   Director Alexander recalled the strategic plan which included the second language program.

She gave a report on the Athletic Drug and Alcohol Policy Committee.  In conclusion she reported on an i3 Grant from the federal government.

VII.

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

VIII.

New Business

A.

Ballot Measures 68 and 69

Juli Di Chiro reported on Ballot Measures 68 and 69 will be on the ballot for the primary election of May 8, 2010.  She explained ballot measure 68 and Chair Massie explained ballot measure 69. 

It was recommended the following resolution supporting Ballot Measure 68 be adopted as presented. 

Resolution #2010-16

WHEREAS, Oregon’s public school facilities are facing serious disrepair that threatens the safety of our students and deprives them of the facilities needed to attain a quality education; and

WHEREAS, some districts are facing severe overcrowding of current classrooms and open new schools at or above capacity, and

WHEREAS, existing state law severely limits local districts’ ability to fund critical repairs and needed improvements to Oregon’s local school buildings as well as new construction; and

WHEREAS, Measure 68 will empower local communities to fund repairs at their local schools, reversing decades of disrepair; and

WHEREAS, Measure 68 will allow local districts to use matching state funds to make local dollars go farther and allow greater flexibility in the expenditure of dollars raised locally; and

WHEREAS, the Ashland School District is facing a facility crisis of its own with aged buildings, and

WHEREAS, a YES vote on Measure 68 will provide an ability to make needed repairs and modernizations, a way to make improvements to student health and safety and enhance local control and help to lower local financing costs.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ashland School District Board of Directors fully supports Ballot Measure 68, the Safe and Healthy Schools Amendment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ashland School District Board of Directors strongly urges parents, staff and community members to vote YES on Ballot Measure 68 and to actively support the measure.

Director  Davis moved that the Board adopt Resolution #2010-16 supporting Ballot Measure 68 as presented. Director Alexander seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

B.

Resolution #2010-17 Regarding Teacher Appreciation Week

Juli Di Chiro recognized that the following resolution regarding Teacher Appreciation Week was not timely because Teacher Appreciation Week occurred last week.  However, she shared the resolution with the Board.

RESOLUTION #2010-17

WHEREAS, teachers mold future citizens through guidance and education; and

WHEREAS, teachers encounter students of widely differing backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, our country’s future depends upon providing quality education to all students; and

WHEREAS, teachers spend countless hours preparing lessons, evaluating progress, counseling and coaching students and performing community service; and

WHEREAS, our community recognizes and supports its teachers in educating the children of this community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ashland School District Board of Directors proclaims May 3-7, 2010, to be TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ashland School District Board of Directors strongly encourages all members of our community to join with it in personally expressing appreciation to our teachers for their dedication and devotion to their work.

IX.

Board Report

Board members reported on phoning for Ashland Schools Foundation, a film called Fresh, Sexual Assault awareness training,  AHS Site Council parent speaker, the Speech and Debate Team, Butler Ford’s test drive donations to athletic teams,  the Han Ban Chinese luncheon.

X.

Announcements and Appointments

A.

A Budget Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Board Room to receive the proposed 2010-11 budget document.

B.

A Work Session will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010, at 9:30 a.m. at 1516 Peachey Road to review the superintendent's evaluation.

C.

A Budget Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Board Room.

D.

A Budget Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Board Room.

E.

The next regular session will be held on Monday, June 14, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the Ashland Council Chambers.

XI.

Adjourn

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.