No public comment.

Tabled until next meeting.

Supporting an VAPA Complex.
Arts Education is important
Introducing themselves to the new Board.
They realize that it takes an enormous amount of money.
Hoping for bond money, CTE money, grants from various foundations.
Showed a video, which explains the importance of such a complex and how Pali's current facilities.
Presented the renderings for a VAPA Complex
We have students at every top performing arts college.
Ellen Pfahler inquired about their opinion about the designs presented to the Board previously.
Rick Steil indicated that they are happy that a VAPA complex was included in the proposed designs.
The multi-purpose room is really that and not a legitimate theater.
Having a theater makes it more of a destination school.
There are alumni and others who are involved in the Palisades who can be called upon to help.  Rick Caruso and JJ Abrams were brought up as examples.
The VAPA faculty want the Board to know how important it is for the school.
Robert Rene arrived at 5:30 p.m.
They have had some events and shown the video but they have not had significant success in fundraising and the presentations Feeling that they may not have presented to the right target audience.
It would benefit the school and the community to have it.  And it would also be another rental space.
It was stated that fundraising has been difficult and they are seeking to get support from the Board.  
Nancy Fracchiolla pointed out that the field is getting a redo and that other programs need support as well.  
Ellen Pfahler brought up that it has to be included in the vision of the school. 
Rick Steil brought up that the fact that the renderings included the VAPA Complex made them feel like they were supported.
Sports and the arts are what bring people here.
Emilie Larew thanked all the participants for coming out and did assure them that there input will be sought before any plans will be made.
Monica Iannessa brought up that Vickie Francis is on LTSP and represents the VAPA team.
Susan Ackerman brought up that there is a long list of powerful people in Hollywood who have connections to the school.
Rick Steil brought up that getting the Board behind this is something that can help.  And getting one large donation from one of these heavy hitters can get the ball rolling.
 

Presented by Rocky Montz and Dave Riccardi.
Working on a track and field replacement for a couple of years.
The field is collapsing on itself and the track is delaminating.
Met with vendors for field and tracks.  Narrowed down to two vendors.
Also looking to upgrade ADA compliance when the modifications are made.
Powerpoint presentation by Rocky Montz
Field was finished in November of 2007, with ribbon cutting by Carl Lewis.
Field lasts 8 to 10 years.  It's like a carpet.
Technology is rapidly changing and there is a lot of turnover.  Company that installed our track and field is no longer in business.
The track should last longer than the field.  But in our case the track did not.  
The track may not have been installed properly.  If it had been we might be looking at a resurfacing right now but because of the poor installation we are looking at replacement.
Separation, holes, delamination, water getting under the field where the track has separated from the field.  Areas that have been fixed have problems.   The fixes are obvious and look terrible.  
The field seams are being pushed apart. There are holes.  There are dips between the track and the field and it is supposed to be level.  There is rippling and dimpling.  These problems are most likely due to a comprised base cause the it degrading.  It is safe enough to play on but not optimal.  
The field should not have a G-Max score of over 200g's.  Great fields have G-Max scores of 140g's.  Our field has a G-Max score of over 200g's for 3 out of the 10 places measured.
Replacement options.
Go back to the grass system for the field only.
Partially replace/repair parts of the field, which would be very patchy.
Completely replace the field and the track.  
Price range $650,000 to $950,000
Possible companies are:
Astro Turf
Field Turf
TurfMaster
Free Form.
Thinks that we get what we pay for if we go for the lower priced option.
Looking to use organic infill (no crumb rubber).
Concern that black crumb rubber may have health risks, although studies are inconclusive.
Cavalry just put in a field that may have a cork base.
Track replacement
between $250,000 to $450,000
Possible companies are:
APT
Beynon
Free Form
Funding options:  $200,000 is in budget for deferred maintenance for the track.  A $300,000 request for this year was denied. 
Each year money has been put aside for general deferred maintenance, which amounts to $600,000.  
Meaning that we should have $800,000 set aside.
Options for fundraising:
Fundraising with possibly a large donor who wants naming rights.
Prior payment plans for groups that rent it.
Bank Loans
Requesting $1.5 million to finish everything. 
Leslie Woolley asked how long we are able to use the current track and field.
Dave Riccardi indicated that he does not believe that we can use it another season.
And it needs to start right after graduation in order to get it done on time.
Groups who permit to use it have been notified that it won't be available over the summer.
Susan Ackerman brought up concussion concerns.
Dara Williams brought up shin splints as a problem.
Ellen Pfahler brought up that it really is a safety issue.
Once the work is completed, it won't be leased out for public non-sporting events.
Leslie Woolley inquired about the maintenance.
Dave Riccari indicated that there are maintenance plans
Track $7000 year and field $2000 a year with us doing some of the maintenance.
The better tracks and field require less maintenance.
Warranty on the field and track as well.
Robert Rene brought up as a safety issue we don't really have a choice here.  He also brought up that the Budget Committee needs to look long term at these types of items.
Emilie Larew brought up that if we are going to get it done by this summer, we have to vote in February.  
Dave Riccardi and Rocky Montz agreed that we should vote in February.
Rocky Montz said that LAUSD fields don't have the crumb rubber but they do have rubber.
To approve it would be best to have it on the Budget Meeting Agenda and to have the documents with the relevant information.
Gregg Wood brought up that what is actually in the deferred maintenance budget is $425,000, in part because of the pool construction and pool loan.
Last time we got $500,000 from AYSO and $200,000 from Pali Blues.  AYSO had use of the field for 3 years.
So we see if an organization can pay us up front for the permitted use and that can fund the field, as we did with AYSO.
LTSP has looked at this as well.  
Emilie Larew pointed out that we can move forward on it but it is just how it will be funded.
Dara Williams suggested that they also present the bids.  
Contractors may be available to come to the Board.
Greg Wood brought up that the prevailing wage issue because if paid for with public funds (general fund monies as opposed to fundraising monies), we have to pay the prevailing wage.

Pam Magee indicated that after our discussion learned that LAUSD changed its school year calendar and now indicates that it will start on August 14th or near that date.  We have received survey submissions but the survey has been extended to this Friday to give some parents extra time.  We have also received emails from parents who may not yet have students at Pali.
Emilie Larew brought up her impressions:
Many families want to align with LAUSD.  Most seem to be comfortable with the August 14th start date.
LAUSD has only indicated that it will keep that calendar for one year.
We are possibly looking to adopt a calendar more longer term.
There will be a faculty vote as this effects their employment contract.
Ideally we want to approve of a calendar in February so that all stakeholders can plan for the future.
The teachers will consider a multi-year approach as well.
There is a desire that we not scramble to do this every year.  
We can consider changes farther down the road with regard to the breaks even if we choose a multi-year start date.
Robert Rene brought up some of the zeal expressed in the emails.  Additionally, some of the emails show that there is a misunderstanding of the process and the reasons for the discussion.  Would like to discuss some of the reasons behind things so that we can inform the parents.  Want the parents to have a better appreciation for the reasons.  
Dara Williams has responded to each of the emails.
Ellen Pfahler has responded to them as well.
Robert Rene believes that we should be explaining the process.
Leslie Woolley brought up that Robert brings up a good point.  We have discussed how do we respond to this. It may be helpful to respond in a way that is informative.  
Emilie Larew brought up that we have been working on the decision making process and that the communication piece is always a challenge.  
Robert Rene didn't know that other Board members were responding and that he thinks this is a problem.  
Robert Rene thinks it is important for Pam to respond with a letter to all of the parents.
Pam Magee agreed to do it.
Rocky Montz inquired as to whether the teachers have a date to vote on it.  Emilie Larew responded that the teachers do not yet have a date to vote on it.  But it will be before the February Board meeting.
Steve Klima is working on putting together the specific calendars, including possibly looking at a multi-year plan.
Rocky Montz brought up that it seems to be an issue bringing it up every year.
Obviously easiest if the Board is on the same page as the teachers.  In the past they have been aligned.  But not sure about this year.
 

Presented by Pam Magee.
The alternative programs are Virtual Academy and Temescal Academy.  
Want to have Temescal align with Pali.
Working with Tom Siler to ensure that we are consistent.
Charter Office wants students to be able to go back and forth.
Credit recovery and health reasons are some reason that students are there.  Some students prefer the smaller learning environment, which is also an advantage of the Virtual Academy.
Cap of 75 but we have about 60.  Economic efficiency is better achieved if we are closer to our enrollment cap.
Ways to make parents and students aware of the program.
CTE (Career Tech Ed) can be something that Temescal can also focus on.
 

Goal #4,
Update provided in materials at the meeting.
The Schoolwide Goal Update will be added to the materials for the meeting.
16 different things listed as the progress on the goals.
Dara Williams asked about the SHADES program.
Teen court seems like a great program.
The graffiti incident here went to Teen Court.
 

Pam Magee presented.
Discussed multiple policies, which will be brought to the Board.
Suicide attempts and even suicides have effected the school
Pali does have a crisis management team and policy and procedures in place.
Looking at LAUSD policies and our policies in place.
There will be more to come on this with regard to specific policies.
With regard to a Safe Zone that relates to immigration issues and making sure that our students feel safe.
LAUSD as well as other charter schools are also addressing this.
Want to ensure students feel protected and that this is not a place where students feel that immigration may come.
Safe Zone is more at a completion stage.
It is not on for a vote for this meeting but we can bring it back in February if we need to vote.
Ellen Pfahler asked if LAUSD's policy covers us.  
Pam Magee indicated that the charter schools think it needs to be made clear that this is important.

Budget & Finance Committee has not met.  So we need to table this until they have been able to vet this item.

Greg Wood presented.
Three times a year that the state requires us to submit updated budget information.
First report includes actual expenditures through October.  It also requires and added revenue or expenses so that if budget should be updated it can be.
There were modifications to the 1 to 1 Chrome Books, which was funded at a lower amount and a modification to the amount spent on salaries and benefits to accommodate the new contracts, which included a salary increase for faculty and staff.
Because these were offset, the budget is fairly on track.
Cash surplus was estimated at $73,000.
We did receive mostly favorable funding updates. Title I increases; lottery monies.
Revenue in total will go down but some of the expenses will also decrease.
Expectation for surplus would go up to $110,000.
ADA remains strong, which is the major source of our funding.
Trying to offset withdrawals from the 1st semester by adding new students for the second semester,
Overall positive about where we are going and where we will end up.
Obviously long term planning needs to be done for things like the Track and Field and a potential VAPA complex.
2017-2018 and 2018-2019 there will be some significant benefits increase, which may affect the estimated cash surplus.
Governor is talking about revenues slowing down so that could affect the surplus.
Robert Rene commented about the estimated revenue of $100k+.  Inquired about whether encouraged or discouraged about future years.  Greg Wood indicated that he is mildly discouraged.
Hoping for positive information from the Governor's proposed budget.  The numbers Greg has are fairly conservative.  
The May revise is what the Assembly will use to approve the budget.  (They usually do.)
That will give us better information and a sense of what one-time funding there is as well as the overall increase in funding.
Employment contract is factored in and that is a three-year contract so that is a known figure and knowing this assists us in planning the budget.
Real privilege to work with a group that can work with a budget that is a moving target.
Leslie Woolley pointed out that is why Greg Wood is winning business award from the Chamber of Commerce.

Greg Wood presented.
Title I and Title II funding.
In past Board has given authority to EDP to sign the 2016-2017 Consolidated Application subject to bringing the full application back to the Board. 

IRS mileage reimbursement is 53.5 cents.
If the Board will approve that our reimbursement rate is the same as the IRS rate then we won't have to vote on this every year.
Robert Rene indicated that we should zealously manage this because the reimbursement rate is so high.
Greg Wood indicates that there are checks in place (such as google maps) and required documentation.
 

This was on the agenda last month but not for a vote.  
Now this is an action item to be approved by the Board.

No new members to approve.

Compliance with each of the 19 categories.
Very time consuming to prepare this documentation.  Time intensive and quite a lot of it.
So big thanks to those who work on this every year.
 

We do not have a Board level attendance policy.
We have looked at it over the years and have tried to work with other charter schools and come up with a plan.
Emilie Larew would like to see us come up with a Board level policy to address this.  
So we need to address a policy as to what is considered an attendance problem and how to address it.
Want to look into to addressing this and also the reasons behind the attendance problems.
We do have alternative programs that can possibly address attendance problems and we may need to figure out how to use these programs to perhaps address some of these problems.
Need to look at supporting students with attendance issues where the alternative programs might be a good match.
So need to develop policies as to these alternative programs.
Challenge where we are not part of a district where we have a SARB (School Attendance Review Board).
Getting kids here benefits our ADA.
Emily Hirsch did not realize that we don't have a SARB.
Robert Rene also did not realize that we did not have a SARB.  Believes we would benefit from having this.
LIsa Corr has worked on this as well.  
Dara Williams brought up that she has had experience with SARB and has sat on boards in the past and currently serves on a SARB.
Leslie Woolley brought up that we have an attendance policies.  So we need to figure out what other programs we have to benefit these kids.  So inquiring are we talking about the number of days you can miss or how to help these kids succeed.
Dara Williams described some of the aspects of a SARB.
Susan Ackerman brought up that it is not always black and white with the consequences of attendance issues and that maybe it should be. But Emilie Larew brought up that we are not here to micromanage.
Just may want to develop Board general policies so that it is clear to everyone what the policies and processes are.
Currently we don't have these processes in place.
Either a SARB or the equivalent.
Having a student just continuing to fail is not a great option.
Need some level of intervention.
Dara Williams asked that we have a board resolution agendized that we task Virtual Academy and Temescal to come up with a plan to take students with attendance issues.
Each kid is different.
Leslie Woolley suggested an ad hoc committee.
Dara Williams brought up the Brown Act.
So there will be an administrative committee but Board members can be invited to give input since Emily Hirsch and Dara Williams have expertise in this area.

Tabled until next meeting.

Report stands as submitted.  
PCHS Points of Pride for Fall Semester 2016-2017
Shelby Ladnier is a Pam Magee's new assistant
Louie is also a new front office staff member.
 

Working with other conversion charters to coordinate with CBOs to combine knowledge and possibly going to LASUD as a group of combined voices.
Other than that the report stands as submitted.

Report stands as submitted.

Report stands as submitted.

Mike Rawson presented
Summary of funds raised is included in the materials.
Will be reaching out to AYSO and to parents of the students on the various teams that use the track and field in order to raise some of the funding for the field.
He has been attending VAPA meetings and has stressed to them that fundraising efforts need to be coordinated.
There are certainly alumni who we can approach to see about giving donations.
Honoring alumni is something that he is going to do.
Want to find out from the parents with a survey about fundraising, including whether they are being properly thanked and if their feelings about the way fundraising is conducted.  
Robert Rene inquired about whether there are any constraints with regard to naming rights.
Pam Magee indicated that there are none.  Typically if someone is given naming rights it is for donating half of the cost.

Students are coming in from break refreshed.
Winter inFormal will be in February.
First time doing it at Pali.
Basketball event coming up.
Blood drive coming up on Thursday - small gym 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 

Dara Williams brought up that we have gotten emails from parents about the school calendar.

Some grumblings about signing in and out.

Amanda Campbell's baby was born on Christmas Eve.

Nothing to report.

Nothing to report.

February 15th at 3:30 is when the meeting is planned.  It will be held in the library.

Nothing to report.

Meeting is scheduled for January 25th at 4:30 p.m. in the staff cafeteria.

Nothing to report.

Nothing to report.

Nothing to report.

See above.  Consent agenda passed unanimously.

8:28 going into closed session.

Board went back into open session at 8:48 p.m.

No reportable action taken.