1. Employee of the Month

Background: Each month the District honors an employee of the month. this month three employees from Ruby Bridges Elementary School were honored. They are:

• Sharon Bertolino, SPED Paraprofessional, Ruby Bridges
• Charolette Smith, SPED Paraprofessional, Ruby Bridges
• Willie Stewart, SPED Paraprofessional, Ruby Bridges

Strategic Significance: Goal #12 Communications and Community Engagement

2. Recognition of 2006-07 Teacher of the Year

Background: The AUSD Teacher of the Year Committee is proud to announce the 2006/07 Teacher of the Year, Terry Elkin. Terri Elkin, a Chipman Middle School math teacher on special assignment to coach 5th-8th grade math teachers across the district, has been selected as the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Teacher of the Year for 2006-07.

Terri, and four finalists, will be recognized. Terri's colleagues are Carlton Grizzle, a math teacher at Alameda Community Learning Center; Rebecca Marciniak, a kindergarten teacher at Franklin Elementary School; Nga Nguyen, a math, science, and Japanese teacher at Chipman Middle School; and Debbie Opperud, a P.E. teacher at Otis Elementary School, and a teacher-on- special-assignment for PE and health curriculum; drug, alcohol, and tobacco education; and Special Olympics.

Teri received $1000 from the PTA Council and the other four finalists received $250.

Prior winners include:

Strategic Significance: Goals #12 Communications and Community Engagement

Background: At the June 13, 2006 BOE meeting, the Alameda Family Services Health Center gave their annual report. At the time, a student research team was preparing a study on student perceptions regarding health and wellness. Tonight the research presented their research findings.

The project title for the student research was: Students Helping Educate Everyone on Sexual Health (SHEESH). The project question was: Why are some Alameda High School students engaging in unprotected sexual activities? The primary methodology used to examine this question was a survey. After receiving parental permission (parents of 20 students opted out) 359 students participated in the survey. Here is a recap of their findings:

For 100 students here is a breakdown of sexual activity:

• 76 students had not engaged in sex
• 15 students who engaged in sexual activity used protection
• 5 students who engaged in sexual activity used protection most of the time
• 4 students who engaged in sexual activity used protection sometimes
• 1 student who engaged in sexual activity never used protection

The research team presented eight recommendations:

1. Condoms should be available at Alameda High School or at the School-Based-Health Center WITHOUT a prescription so that students are able to access them when they need them, especially since sexual active students said they would be more likely to use condoms if they could get them at school.
2. The school should be sure teachers are trained on how to discuss sex-related issues with teens so that they don't feel uncomfortable if students ask questions, and they will know where to refer them for more information.
3. The AFS School-Based Health Center should advertise more and remind people they are here so that students will be more aware of the services. They should do more than just presentations to freshmen once a year - maybe they should create posters, etc.
4. Have a school-wide assembly with information on sex and protection that is run by students because students both get their information from and feel most comfortable talking with their peers about sex-related issues.
5. Train a group of students to do peer education on sex-related issues because students are willing to talk and listen to people thier own age.
6. Make health educaiton brochures more available and visible on campus.
7. Have themed day or week set aside at Alameda High School to talk about and raise awareness about sex, abstinence, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and protection. For example, a poster campaign, quick facts, and/or PA announcements.
8. Teachers and curriculum should be very clear and precise about which methods protect against STIs and pregnancy and which do not so that students are properly informed.

Update

In an Email dated December 12, members of the student research requested that a clarification be posted to better reflect their position regarding recommendation made at the meeting. Here is the text of thier Email:

"Thank you for having us at the School Board meeting and for accurately portraying on your website what we believe to be a very important topic for teens. We realize that there is a clarification that we'd like to make about our recommendation. We would like condoms to be available to students only after they receive education on how to use them properly."

The Board President requested this item be bought to the Board by the end of February for action. The Superintendent did not want to commit to that date and indicated she would work on providing a timeline.

Here is additional information about the impacts of condom availability at schools.

Strategic Significance: Goal #9 Student Involvement and Engagement

4. Secondary Counseling Plan

Background: The State of California included new ongoing Proposition 98 funds. In order to access this funding, the Board must adopt a counseling program that includes the following components:

• Identify students who are at risk of not graduating with their class thorugh insufficient credits or not passing one or both parts of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)
• Individual review of student's academic records
• Individual counseling to students and parents/guardians if practicable to discuss: academic records, educational optiosn, courseowrk, and academic progress necessary for satisifactory completion of high schoool passage of the CAHSEE, and options in career technical education and postsecondary plans

Staff is proposing 3.5 additional FTEs for middle and high school counseling. Here is a breakdown by site:

The Board approved the plan.

Fiscal Implications: District will receive $71 per student prior year CBEDs enrollment data in grades 7-12 which approximately $352,728 to hire 3.8 counselors. This will be ongoing funding each year.

Strategic Significance: Goals: 5 At risk students and #6 High School Graduation

5. Resolution 60-4074 Approval of Revisions to Board Policies BB9270 and BP E9270 Regarding Conflict of Interest

Background: Changes are needed to match new job titles.

The Board approved the changes.

Strategic Significance: Goal #12 Communications and Community Engagement

6. Approval of Substitute Teacher Rate Adjustment

Background: Staff is recommending increases to subsitute pay. Neighboring districts pay up $135 a day.

The current rate is : $90 per day increasing to $95 per day after ten days and after 30 days the rate is $100 a day.

The proposed rate would be $100 per day for the first 20 days and $110 per day after 21 days.

The Board approved the changes.

Fiscal Implications: The 2006/07 had $180,000 budgeted for this anticipated change.

Strategic Significance: Goal #2 Staffing

7. Approval of School Focus Substitute Pool

Background:The District is creating a pool of ten (10) substitute teachers who will be designated for specific schools with critical needs. They will receive additional training in order to become more knowledgeable about school programs and specific curriculum.

Strategic Significance: Goal #2 Staffing

Background: On June 27, 2006 the Board approved a balanced budget with an ending balance of $5,000,000 that met 3% required reserve level, and left an available balance of $2,700,000 for spending priorities. On July 19, 2006 the District lost an arbitration decision and costing the District $2,100,000 per year retroactive to July 1, 2005. In the current fiscal year (06/07), the arbitration decision will cost $4,200,000 ($2,100,000 for FY05/06; $2,100,000 for FY06/07). The impact of the arbitration decision to the District will be a shortfall of $1,500,000.

Since the school year began, the Disrict has made budget revisions to add staffing as required by contractual obligations ($550,000) and to pay for various special education settlements ($100,000). The budget revisions to date total $700,000 and result in an additional decrease to the District's reserves. The impact of the arbitration decision ($1,400,000) and the budget revisions ($700,000) is total shortfall in our reserves of $2,100,000.

Our goal is to replenish the District fund reserves for Fiscal Year 2006/07 to meet the 3% level required by the State to avoid sanctions. The District must take spending reductions by February 27, 2007 to fund on-going costs. Staff will review the spending revisions aimed at replenishing the Fiscal Year 2006/07 reserves and the timeline to identify and approve the spending reductions for Fiscal Year 2007/08.

Please note, the shortfall in the reserve results from on-going costs. These costs require on-going funds. The AUSD must make spending reductions for FY07/08 to fund the ongoing costs. The timeline to identify and approve the spending reductions for FY07/08 is detailed below.

The Board approved the changes.

Fiscal Implications: The approval of the 2006/07 budget revisions will balance the budget and provide for a 3% reserve at year end.

Staff Recommendation: Approve

Strategic Significance: Goal #1-12

Miscellaneous

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Last modified: November 19, 2006

Disclaimer: This website is the sole responsibility of Mike McMahon. It does not represent any official opinions, statement of facts or positions of the Alameda Unified School District. Its sole purpose is to disseminate information to interested individuals in the Alameda community.