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Mrs. Castrey welcomed members to the last meeting of the SCAC for the 2008-2009 school year.

• Bernardo Yorba Middle School is proud of Rita Watson’s recognition by the Orange County Board of Education as an “Outstanding Arts Educator” and “Secondary Instrumental Music Educator.”
• Bryant Ranch Elementary initiated Summer Bridges and Reading Log programs that earn students Brag Cards for reading books over the summer. Not only do the programs provide activities for children but encourage reading for fun. This program is supported by Borders book store which will stock books at the counter for any school that wishes to provide them with a reading list.
• Kraemer Middle School reported their Science Olympiad team placed third in the state competition. Also, their website has been updated and suggested everyone check it out. The web address is www.kraemerms/new .
• Mabel Paine Elementary recently earned approximately $2,000 at their Jog-A-Thon.
• Travis Ranch was proud to announce the tremendous growth this year of their Bands and Orchestras. Both the orchestra and band have participated in numerous performances this year highlighted by performances at district festivals, Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland.
• Valencia High School senior, Andrea White, was recently named Environmental Teen Champion for California. Fifteen students were selected as California’s 2009 Climate Champions, an award established last year by the California Air Resources Board. Andrea will be attending Yale in the fall.
• Senior, Candace Wu, was named CIF Athlete Scholar of the Year. Candace is a member of Valencia’s three time CIF championship tennis team as well as being named a National Merit Scholar. Candace will be attending Johns Hopkins University in the fall.
• Woodsboro Elementary had their Fancy Nancy book signing event on May 14 with approximately 200 books being purchased. The fifth grade GATE class held their “Band-aide” drive for CHOC hospital.
• Yorba Linda High School PTSA is having a meeting on June 4 when the PTSA Board will be elected and by-laws passed. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
• Rosemary Gladden, Public Information Officer, distributed copies of the School News which has several articles relating good news from PYLUSD schools.
  

There were no corrections to the April 20, 2009 minutes.

Dr. Smith expressed his appreciation to the council members for participating on the Superintendent’s Community Advisory Council this school year. It is an asset for the district to have community members share ideas, information and concerns with the district. Dr. Smith also expressed his appreciation to Board Member Eric Padget for taking time to participate in this forum.

Mrs. Beth Berndt, Assistant Superintendent, Personnel gave an update on staffing and personnel issues for next year. Mrs. Berndt reported that the district will have 91 fewer teaching/counseling positions for the 2009-2010 school year. With resignations, retirements and job-sharing the number of actual staff receiving lay off notices at this point is 27. The staff reductions were created primarily by increases in class size at the middle and high school level and by raising the 20:1 ratio in first grade to 24:1 and from 20:1 in second grade to 28:1.

In response to a question regarding other staff reductions, Mrs. Berndt responded that there have been additional reductions in the areas of transportation, support staff and management positions.

In response to a question regarding campus supervisors, Mr. Domene responded that the schools will retain campus supervisors for the 2009-2010 school year.

In response to a question regarding staff reduction notifications, Mrs. Berndt stated that all teachers affected have been notified. In response to a question regarding why names were published in the newspaper, Mrs. Berndt explained that the information is considered to be public record and the district was required to comply with the newspaper’s request.

In response to a question regarding seniority versus merit when considering layoffs, Mrs. Berndt responded that state law requires districts to layoff and rehire solely on hire dates of employees.

In response to a question regarding a parent’s right to question a teacher’s performance, Mrs. Berndt responded it would be appropriate to talk to the teacher regarding concerns and then, if necessary, to meet with the principal. If concerns are still not addressed after conferencing with the principal contact Mrs. Berndt.

In response to a question regarding the decision of a job-share position, Mrs. Berndt responded that the principal must sign a letter approving the job-share request and then it is forwarded to Jeanie Cash, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, to approve or deny the request.

Mr. Bob Blackney provided an update on “Smart Classroom” technology. Within 18 months every classroom in our district will be “Smart Classroom” ready and equipped with a projector, wiring and electrical, and distributive sound system. Once a teacher has completed training, an interactive white board, interactive response pads, web tablet, and document camera will be provided. By September every school should have two classrooms completed.

Mr. Domene added that teachers will use the technology in a variety of different ways to enhance individual teaching styles.

In response to a question regarding enrollment at Esperanza High School, Mr. Domene responded that Esperanza’s enrollment will decline each year for the next three years as students matriculate into Yorba Linda High School.

In response to a question regarding the district’s instituting a parcel tax, Dr. Smith responded that even though the law allows districts to place a parcel tax before the public for their approval that would be a matter for School Board consideration and it is has not been brought forward to the Board. In the current economic situation a parcel tax would be an added hardship for many families.

In response to a question regarding Yorba Linda High School accreditation, Dr. Smith indicated that Yorba Linda High School will be considered an accredited school. Yorba Linda High School administration is required to complete a WASC affiliation application for its initial first year. Following this submittal and a subsequent visit, the school will be accredited through the school’s first graduation class.

In response to a question regarding supervision of students who have coaches leaving to attend athletic events, Dr. Smith responded he would follow up on the procedures used to monitor students during a coaches’ absence.

In response to a question regarding Valencia High School’s enrollment remaining the same for the next several years rather then being downsized, Dr. Smith responded that Valencia High School’s campus is able to maintain an enrollment of that size. The new classroom wings to be constructed will house the students that are currently in portable classrooms. Portables will then be removed creating open areas on the campus. Also, Valencia High School’s “Primavera” program will be moving to El Dorado High School’s campus which will provide even more available space.
In response to a question of whether the district would deny transfers to Valencia High School’s IB or Val Tech programs to control the enrollment, Dr. Smith responded that the IB program is a specialized program which requires students to meet specific guidelines for entrance. If transfers had to be denied, first consideration for admittance would always be provided to student transfers from inside the district. At this time, the capacity of the school is appropriate for all the current program offerings and the district’s long-term projections show a stable enrollment pattern.

Dixie Shaw, SCAC guest, distributed a brochure, Orange County’s Guide to Used Book Stores 2009” which includes the Placentia and Yorba Linda libraries (items 20 and 23). Mrs. Shaw also reminded the SCAC that the Nixon library has free admission one day a month and this month the date is Monday, May 25, Memorial Day, and a free concert is scheduled for 2 p.m. Yorba Linda’s 10th Annual Celebration of the Arts is on Sunday, June 7 beginning at 11 a.m. Mrs. Shaw is also contacting Cal State Fullerton regarding a visual arts program called Music and Movement K-6 with the hopes of working out a partnership with PYLUSD. She will report back in the fall.

Mrs. Castrey adjourned the meeting by thanking everyone for their participation on the SCAC and expressed how much she enjoyed working with SCAC members and the PYLUSD staff. Mrs. Castrey wished everyone a wonderful summer with family and friends!