No action taken in closed session.

A. Schlenk just wanted to comment on the difficulties of teaching 30 students and not being able to attend and give attention to each student individually.

N. Stewart provided an update on the February budget.

C. Chilcott advised that some additional contracts that are not reflected in the budget is the EdTec/Vertex contract as well as the updates to some of the schedule salaries that were previously not adjusted.

A McGeorge presented the mid year academic report.  

J. Whatley  commented that the pressures of new staff or staff leaving mid year and needing to fill in to compensate  for them has impacted their teaching of the kids.  She advised that the data has not shown all that they have been doing thus far.  She also wanted to show that the increments showed as well as the starting points are different.  She also wanted to know if they can get more information on the demographics on page 11.  She noted page 15 does not explain the 84% mentioned on there; on page 16 it ends with winter 25 and was curious to know this year data was included.  She also mentioned it states 70% math proficiency (page 23) but stated the most she has seen 50%.

A. McGeorge stated that this is what was pulled from the star website directly and would not know why it is different.  They said there may be a difference in the graph and the numbers.

A Schlenk stated that with being stretched as thin as they are this may lead to great teachers leaving.

A. Price asked if the 85% is a coding thing or if it was from the SPED database.  They will see where the data came from.  She also stated that this year we have had 6 maternity leaves, which is the reason why we have so much spent on subs.  C. Chilcott also advised you can not fully plan or calculate that accurately ahead of time.

A. McGeorge spoke of the changes of all the work the Deans do now and how it has evolved over time. 

A. Price asked if all the changes were made for financial cuts or if some were due to actual positions and what they do.  A. McGeorge advised not all has been due to financial cuts but rather what is the best to benefit our students. 

R. Rentschler spoke about the effects that a downturn in the market to happen and how it can affect the future.  He wanted to know if the benefits of going into the reserves would benefit or affect us more. He said the budget conversation requires more respect and should be spoken about it a bit more in depth.

J. Laird spoke about how the supports can also affect the budget and would like to speak more about how it affects.

C. Chilcott advised that we have seen the problems last year were black absenteeism and hispanic suspensions as some of the problem areas.  She also advised if going into our reserves to make up for one or a few students will really be beneficial.

A. Price also spoked about how compliance is part of our mission and vision for the school.  She wanted to know what could the board do to try to help move the needle to benefit AoA the most.  She added it seems that the problem areas have been found and would like to know in a future day what those areas are and how the board can help.

A. McGeorge just wanted to echo all the great job that the Deans have done and how everyone has stepped up to the plate and is taken so much on and nothing else fits on anyone's plate so far.

W. Schaff wanted to confirm that the board is committed to helping make this school the best it is.

J.  Laird stated that the work being done here is the most important job in the country and thanked the team for all they do. 

Financial Committee- spoke more about the issues that will be seen due to budget constraints.  He stated that there is more uncertainty and that the numbers are constantly changing and he does not have confidence in them. He stated it is a precarious situation for everyone but having said that our students still need to be taught as they are the future and it can affect that.  We cannot control the future and we can only control the now.  He also advised that he would rather use some of the reserves than save them for a rainy day and it never comes but because it was never used the result is that we have failed the students.

Student Success Committee- did not meet.

Governance Committee- did not meet but are meeting tomorrow for lunch.

C. Chilcott advised that a former girls inc finance manager was arrested for embezzlement and he was our bookkeeper here (helping with payroll) from mid December to about 2 weeks ago.  EdTec checked and nothing was amidst in our budget and a few staff members (Sharon) have also checked and nothing was embezzled here.  Per our lawyers he is on unpaid leave from us.

C.Chilcott got an award from the Peralta PTA, outstanding administrator, and a lot was due to bringing the PTA back to AoA.

She also advised that the AoA basketball team won the championship.  They only won one game on their regular season and the winning game.