Upon hearing about a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) being discussed between SYVUHS and ABC+ (an academic booster club which has raised more than $140,000 in to reinstate the International Baccalaureate program at SYVUHS), board member Jeff Little commented, “I don’t feel like I’m involved in the process. Policy is being made and we are only getting to vote yea or nay. We’re not having enough discussion.”
Board President Holly Lindberg disagreed with Little, commenting on a recent “Mission and Vision” workshop that board members participated in, while defending the actions of Superintendent Paul Turnbull, who has initiated multiple conversations with booster groups such as ABC+.
Board member Bruce Porter validated Little’s concern for greater transparency but seemed to echo Lindberg’s approval of the superintendent’s role, stating, “It’s so important that we don’t stick our finger down into routine district operations and jam up the works.” Turnbull explained one reason for the MOU between Santa Ynez High and ABC+: “The idea is to show the community that two entities can work together cooperatively.”
The truth of his statement will be tested over the next few weeks, as ABC+ members continue to debate the risks of entering into such an agreement. They are preparing themselves for the Feb. 22 Special Meeting of the Board at 4 p.m., where the policies and expectations for SYVUHS booster clubs will be addressed. Club president Michelle de Werd is most concerned about the fact the money raised by ABC+ can’t guarantee that the International Baccalaureate program be reinstated, nor commit the board to continue support of the program in future years, even if it is reinstated for the 2010-11 school year. Club CFO Debbie Gioia joined de Werd in speaking to the board, reading emails from community supporters of the IB program, including one from the Dos Pueblos IB coordinator, who emphasized the high cost to a school of losing an investment of that ilk.
Refugio High School was another victim in 2009 budget cuts, and the possibility of increasing the current half-day schedule back to a full day program was discussed. An appearance by Esmeralda Medina and her family was a highlight of the meeting, as she was among four students awarded this month with a full diploma from Refugio.
Other presentations included a PowerPoint by the SYVHS physical education department, which emphasized current challenges in the program (locker room theft, oversized classes, and flawed state standards tests) and current successes. Educator Jennifer Rassmussen was enthusiastic about the use of new heart rate monitors, which enable her to more accurately determine if a student is exercising at the desired capacity and grade them accordingly. She expressed the importance of teaching fitness and instilling recreational life values in students, since “most of our students are not athletes.”
Another PowerPoint presentation was provided by school board business manager Nicole Evenson, who introduced the 2010-11 budget suggestions. Based on current information, Turnbull is hopeful that in contrast to the 17 percent cut from the 2009-10 funds, the 2010-11 budget allows “the ability to grow and reinstate a little bit at a time.”
The budget recommendations included using general fund money to retain faculty that are currently funded by one time funds, as well as maintaining staffing costs at expected levels. It also proposed $56,200 for facility maintenance and improvement, which includes a partial replacement of the failing Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning System.
At the conclusion of a list of expenses that left the general budget exhausted, board members Little and Porter expressed concern there would not be money sufficient funds available to cover “an emergency.” Evenson explained that if absolutely necessary, money could be taken from the Special Reserve Fund, though there might be undesirable consequences. She emphasized the difficulty in predicting State budget amounts, and her attempt to be “conservative” in estimating those. Of the nearly $951,245 expected, the budget recommendation was to set aside $300,000 for anticipated mid-year cuts from the state, and another $439,000 for state mandated reserves.
Although disagreements remained between SYVUHS board members over the amount of involvement needed between board members and the diverse public they are elected to represent, the board was united in many smaller decisions affecting the community. One of these was the decision to use District-provided email addresses in order to increase the community’s access to the District governance team; these will be available soon.
Although unavailable to comment Tuesday evening, Principal Suzanne Nicastro is officially resigning her position at the end of the 2009-10 school year. Turnbull did not disclose any further information about Nicastro’s decision, other than to confirm that her resignation is based upon “health reasons.”