Minutes- Sept 25 2008.doc - Vista Unified School District

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OFFICIAL COPY ITEMS HELD FOR DISCUSSION PRESENTATIONS BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS STAFF COMMITTEE REPORT TO THE BOARD Item 7.A., 2007-08 Vista Unified School District Accountability Progress Report Item 7.B., Board/District Goals and Strategic Plan Item 10.A., Approve the Local Educational Agency Plan for the Vista Unified School District Item 11.A., Approve to take Action to Grant or Deny the Charter Petition for the Classical Academy, Vista, As a New Charter School in the District Item 12.A., Items Not on the Agenda/Items for Future Discussion Ron Ferreirae teacher of Rancho Buena Vista High School stated that schools have improved over the past five years and the gains are nothing new. Mr. Ferreirae mentioned surrounding school districts and their gains and stated that individual schools have improved. It takes a lot of hard work. It’s the teachers, staff and most of all students who help in this effort and not a program. Member Gibson stated the District will always celebrate success and hard work. 7.A. 2007-08 Vista Unified School District Accountability Progress Report 1. State Accountability – Academic Performance Index (API) 2. Federal Accountability Report – Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and 3. Program Improvement (PI) Status Steve Green, Coordinator of Research and Assessment, presented information on the Academic Performance Index the State growth model and the progress of individual schools. The Districts API increased by 16 points. Mr. Green presented API growth by subgroups. The largest subgroup to grow was the Pacific Islander subgroup. Shared API scores of elementary, API growth of middle and high. Member Hubbard addressed his concerns on the API drop of Alta Vista High School (AVHS). Mr. Green stated he is speaking with Principal David Gordon to work on this and stated that AVHS is a very small school with a small student population with students who may be struggling academically compared to other schools in the District. Member Hubbard would like a report back on AVHS to see if they have moved in a positive direction. Mr. Green will be working with Principal Gordon. Federal Accountability Report – Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Mr. Green explained the Adequate Yearly Progress is the Federal accountability report under the No Child Left Behind Act. He shared information on the AYP targets for unified districts and the criteria that needs to be met in English Language Arts and math. Reviewed Vista Unifieds 2008 AYP summary and the criteria they met and percentage proficient. Page 4 of 8 9/25/08 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
OFFICIAL COPY Further information shared on students with disabilities and what that includes, AYP for English Language Learners and targets subgroups have met. Shared statewide summary of schools. Bobier and Grapevine Elementary met their AYP target and if they meet them at the end of this year will exit PI status at the end of this year. Reviewed the Safe Harbor Clause which states if schools can reduce by 10% the number of students below proficiency they satisfy the Safe Harbor criteria and meet their AYP. Reviewed how Bobier and Grapevine have met the safe harbor criteria. Member Lilly stated he did not see why we couldn’t make Safe Harbor next year. It’s an achievable goal for schools striving to make progress. Mr. Green continued to share information on the Districts Safe Harbor 2007-2008 Data and Safe Harbor targets for 2008-2009. Member Lilly stated he is satisfied with the strategy with students who are English Learners. He stated his concern with students with disabilities and would like a staff analysis and plan to bring back on academic performance. Discussions continued on students with disabilities. 5 minute break Member Gibson moved that item 11.A. be moved forward, seconded by Member Hubbard. All in favor passed unanimously. Item 11.A. Approve to take Action to Grant or Deny the Charter Petition for the Classical Academy, Vista, As a New Charter School in the District Alejandro Sanchez spoke to an issue about field use by the City of Vista. This was not the right item for 11.A. Mr. Sanchez will be called back up. Silvia Peters addressed her many concerns about charter schools GPA and SIATech. She stated the most important issue is the health and safety of students. She expressed her concerns about regulation of current charter schools and the Districts oversight of them. Jill Parvin spoke on behalf of North Star Academy teacher Gregg Rolfsmeyer. Ms. Parvin read a letter by Mr. Rolfsmeyer on his objection to the approval of the Classical Academy and his various concerns. Classical Academy is selective in their student enrollment. Alejandro Sanchez is opposed to this charter school. There will be another time and another place. We have had problems in the past on previous charter schools. Page 5 of 8 9/25/08 Regular Board Meeting Minutes Dina Harris of Best Best & Krieger stated the District has submitted two alternative resolutions based on staffs review as well as Ms. Harris. Ms. Harris gave a brief background on past information and stated the Classical Academy resubmitted their petition based on concerns that were brought up at a previous meeting. Ms. Harris stated the two options presented are to deny the petition based on the Finding of Facts or to approve granting with conditions. Ms. Harris reviewed some issues of concern, such as academic issues, special education issues, budgetary concerns and location of a facility.
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Minutes- Sept 25 2008.doc - Vista Unified School District

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