Consultation Minutes July 7, 2009

Submitted by Darilyn Krieger

Meeting called to order at 4:37 P.M with discussion of board item D-17 reducing the size of the ACP program due to reduced participation. Program is self-sustaining and as the numbers of applications have dropped then the program needs to be reduced to align with the number of candidates that are on line. All staff will be reduced; persons dropped from the program will be found a place in the district. There are 29 other ACP programs in the area. Four are major competitors; the other 25 programs are less competitive.

Board item D-20; grading policy highlights of the changes are:

1. intervention is still in
2. guidelines for grading have been changed
3. responsibilities are basically curriculum based
4. faculty approval required 2/3 majority
5. recording failing grade cannot be mandated by any one
6. 15% for final
7. resolution of incomplete
8. extenuating circumstances for long term absence
9. must be published to parents within first three weeks of school

Every school must have a grading policy. What if 2/3 majority cannot be attained? What is the default then?

Principals must develop this policy with SDMC and faculty approval. There is really no need for this policy. State law requires intervention, but the rest of this policy is is not necessary. This policy will cause serious issues and grievances due to principals who do not follow the rules.

How are we going to calculate semester grades with the change to 15% final? Can we find out what the state EOC will cover? Is it possible to drop the A/B designation and go whole year course?

The issue of the incomplete, could this have a committee similar to the attendance committee to rule on extending time? Contract year would interfere with incompletes that end after school is out in the spring. Principal and teacher should confer on this and reach a consensus on removing an incomplete.

Board item G-10 establishes a policy for paying emergency personnel who work during emergencies.

Board item H-1 Changes to the code of student conduct

Addition of language to reflect state law on gang –free school zone. Clarification of factors, which must be considered in disciplinary action involving suspension, explosion, or removal to AEP are, made.Statement made that mandatory may not be mandatory. Define cyber-bullying and “sexting” as forbidden and punishable activities.Zero tolerance reports to law enforcements listing offenses are removed.
Special Ed students whose parents refuse Special Ed services then HISD is deemed to have no knowledge of special ed status. Special Ed students who are disruptive, seriously disruptive in the classroom and the building need to be thoroughly documented so that removal can take place. There needs to be a place for these children. We need good options for these children. We need a real program not a patch. The reality is that there are many of these children in the district

Consultation SPM will be brought back next meeting

Question from CHT Literacy coaches funded for two school year 9-10 and 10-11 school years. Funding will cover one coach for each school with more than 400 students
It is a teacher position with no stipend or extra pay.

They are not eligible for teacher ASPIRE as they are considered instructional support. It is a teacher contract position.

HFT question Wellness program district is still looking at program for transportation only. It becomes an issue of cost. We are looking a negative funding for benefits next year. Probably will be funded for transportation only.

Meeting adjourned at 5:42 P.M.