CHS Site Council Minutes

February 21, 2006

Members Attending: Dianna McMahon, Shelley Fox, Don Gwyther, Heather Scott, Devan Isenhour, Ginny Hoke, Bill Martin, Jan Ophus, Sue Bowers

Guests: Wendy Zacharias, Darrelle Fiorito, Mark Risen, Mike Arnold, several Ag/FFA students and parents.

Dianna McMahon called the meeting to order at 3:20 p.m.

With an overall budget update indicating that CHS will have the same level of program funding for next year as there was this year (rather than being asked to cut around $135,000 as was thought at the time of last week’s meeting), Mr. Ophus asked the Council members to focus on two specific questions for decision at today’s meeting:

1. Should CHS recommend that the Agriculture Science position and the associated FFA stipend remain in the budget for 2006-2007?

2. Should CHS recommend that the Music f.t.e. be expanded? If so, should the money needed be taken from another part of the budget or should this request be put on a “wish list” to be submitted to the District?

As additional background to the discussion, Mr. Ophus noted that currently the approximately $60,000 paid to head coaches is part of the general fund and the $45,000 for assistant coaches has been raised privately. He is not asking the Site Council to address the question of funding additional sports, as the District is working on a policy for dealing with that question.

Moving to the two specific questions, Devan made a motion, seconded by Heather, that the Ag. position and FFA stipend remain in the budget for next year. Bill Martin began discussion by recalling that, while he wasn’t sure about TSPC rulings (the teacher licensing system), information had been shared that the Ag. Science teaching certification allows a broad range of curricula to be taught. He said he could support the motion if it included flexibility to offer different courses to best meet school and student needs. He used the examples of a math class, which could help decrease class size in other freshmen math classes, the Ag/Technology class that was included in our Curriculum Guide, and possibly other science classes. Ms. Fiorito agreed that other courses, both to cover math or science requirements, and as electives, could be planned. She shared the example from Canby, where she student taught, of an Ag. Science course offered as an option to biology for the required life science credit. Mr. Ophus said he would support approving such courses as meeting our local graduation requirements. He did note it was not clear whether the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program would consider an Ag. Science teacher “highly qualified” to teach all these classes under its definitions. This could become an issue in the future if it does not.

At this point, Devan and Heather agreed to include the concept under discussion as a “friendly amendment” to their original motion. The motion was restated as:

The Site Council recommends that the Agricultural Science position and the associated school-year FFA stipend remain in the budget for 2006-2007, with the flexibility to offer various electives and/or required core classes to best match both student interests and school needs. This motion was passed unanimously.

Moving to the music f.t.e. question, Mr. Martin suggested that the questions posed should use the word “restore” rather than “add” or “expand,” as we are operating at a much reduced music staffing level from what we had just three years ago, when two full-time teachers were shared between CHS and CMS. He also shared the opinion that we need to have a “bigger pie” rather than trying to divide one that is clearly too small.

Mr. Ophus talked with Mrs. Burrus and they have agreed, especially given continuing interest and growth in the program, that more music staff is needed. Having difficulty identifying what might be cut from the current program, especially with CMS losing a position due to an expiring grant, they have discussed including this on a “wish list” to the District. Mr. Ophus suggested that the Site Council endorse that request.

Council members agreed with the need to restore Music f.t.e., but had concern that the “wish list” approach might not be successful. This led to discussion about other budget items on the Questions/Choices list Mr. Ophus had prepared. The following points were made/discussed:

· An Assistant Principal would likely cost around $30,000 more than we are currently spending for the Campus Supervisor and Athletic Director positions. The position would be expected to cover the duties of those positions as well as other responsibilities. Mr. Ophus now feels we are another year away from being able to fill such a position.

· Our current Campus Supervisor has been an asset to the school, but she will not be available in the fall, as her “retired” status limits her work hours.

· We would likely need about $30,000 to provide .5 additional Music f.t.e. here

· Summer school costs between $5,000 and $6,000. If that were not offered, there are other options for students to recover credits through independent study, but they would be more expensive for the students. Last summer, 8-9 students participated and they paid $25 per class taken.

· The detention program costs about $2,000. Mr. Ophus feels it is a valuable tool.

· Is there any grant money that might be sought for music staff? Mr. Ophus cautioned against counting on this. Don Gwyther recalled that local Music Boosters had raised money toward this need a few years ago.

· The success of the sports auction could possibly free up a bit more from the General Fund for other needs.

Following this discussion, the Site Council unanimously adopted the following motion:

The Site Council recommends that CHS restore a second .5 f.t.e. of Music staffing (hoping to share this position with CMS, as we currently do Ms. Green’s position). While our preference is to obtain additional funding from the District, should that “wish” not be fulfilled, we are asking Mr. Ophus to carefully review trade-offs within other budgeted programs and try to free sufficient funding for this position.

Mr. Ophus let the group know that, while his initial budget input is due on March 1, there should be opportunity for further Site Council review before a final budget is adopted.

The next Site Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21 at 3:20 in the Commons.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:15.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bowers, Secretary