I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

J. Sparks opened the floor to the public input. No public input was given.

J. Sparks, this is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge some of our teachers.  It was Mr. Coats idea, he was visiting one of our schools and had an interaction with a couple of teachers, who had a concern about report cards.  He had suggested that we should invite these and other teachers.     We have some money in the budget to provide gift cards for the teachers, from a private donation from Mr. Coats.  
T. Miller – Regularly reached out to teachers, parents, alumni, administrators, that have moved on.  As a board recognize the people that might have left. If the schools would recommend about 10 people, I would take a week and make a couple of calls each day. 
J. Sparks – Think of other ways to thank people (have a box of thank you cards). Have the board sign them.

A. Atlihan – A 4th-grade student had stolen a pair of Airpods from a teacher.   Grandma was present at the meeting.  The grandparent mainly talked about the expulsion and was it an appropriate action item.  The parent did not feel that the theft was important.  They wanted to know how they could appeal her expulsion. 
Thinking about it now, we might have given a shorter time or done something differently.  It would give the student a chance to learn something.  The student did not have any other incidents prior to this one.  We don’t do many expulsions, so the staff members were not fully prepared. 
The steps for expulsion will be put in a document and we will follow these steps during an expulsion. Also talking about the expulsion prior to making a decision. 
C. Frazier – Asked if this was the standard procedure for theft?
A. Atlihan - Yes
T. Miller – Does the parent sign our code of conduct?  The parent was not looking at the certified letter error.  I am concerned about the culture of the process.  I would like to see the handbook, do parents actually sign off on them.  I have also talked about us having a culture demonstrating sensitivity and embraces a sense of restorative justice.   
D. Coats – I Received an email from the mother, then contacted Mr. Arslan.  A couple of letters went to the Mayor’s office and the Mother.  We then received a letter of non-compliance from the Mayor’s office and we got together to discuss what we would do. 
T. Miller – We dodged a bullet but didn’t resolve the problem.  This call could have gone to the media instead of David.  We need to invest some resources into studying Positive School Discipline. Having the parent feel good about the meeting vs. that we crossed our t’s and dotted our I’s.  How do our policies respond to this? 
C. Frazier – We also have the population of the students we serve.  They are underserved, 10 days out of school is way too long.  We are taking away the students learning opportunities.  They should have something that rebuilds trust.  The length of the time out of school is way too long. 
Our policy should address these challenges
Dr. G – We should have the parents sign the handbook form and this and return
A. Atlihan – During the summer the parents come in and get the paper during orientation
T. Miller –Does it say in our policy, that we are getting them their work, counseling, and other items that share this.
C.Frazier – At our retreat, we talked about sending our kids out to be productive citizens
J. Sparks – I am picturing a matrix, in our handbook.
O. Secen – Since the retreat, we have been working on these items
We had a senior that was selling items out of their locker, the first reaction was to suspend him for the maximum.  We did suspend him for a couple of days, then had them give an apology in the morning announcements, we also moved him out of the 2 periods he was a TA for and put him in the class.  We always look to see if the kid needs counseling. 
D. Pierson – Recommends that we review the policy and see what we can do to make it more restorative. Suggest an annual policy review.  We need to have the policy in front of us to review. Maybe at the next meeting? 
C. Frazier – I do think our discipline policy should be more visible to our parents and students.  Send it in an email and hand it to them.  So that the parents are working with the school to help the students. 
T. Miller – we need to continue to support the schools and not micromanage the Principals.
J. Sparks – We are interested in the policies & procedures and get it on the agenda for an upcoming agenda.
M. Arslan – We have started reviewing the policies and we will add the learning piece, we will try to have it by the March meeting.
D.Coats – We will include Toby in the next review meeting.
Dr. G. – Should we involve the board
M. Arslan – If there is an appeal, we do notify the board.
Dr. G. -  The staff member that had the Air Pods, the staff should be more mindful and careful of the things they bring to school. 
T. Miller – We need to make it clear to the students that you can’t find anything on the floor.  Anything you bring should be safe at school.  
Dr. G – Teachers should not bring things that the kids can’t. Should the teachers be told not to bring them?
A. Atlihan – We have cameras in the classrooms,
Mrs. Brown will send the handbook out to board members

T. Miller -  No major challenges, we have received approximately 50% of our funding and have used about 44% of the expenses.  We still have those larger payable amounts that are due to front-loading items, such as textbooks.  We will have a budget review in March. 

The committee recommended approval for both November and December financials.

T. Miller - No major challenges, we have received approximately 48% of our funding and have used about 45% of the expenses.  We still have those larger payable amounts that are due to front-loading items, such as textbooks.  We will have a budget review in March. 

T. Miller - Good news to share – because we have scored a “C” or above grants were received at West about $400,000 – They have ideas to use the money to enhance the education at West.  

The committee recommended approval for both November and December financials.

Cancelled, the teachers did not come.

A. Atlihan – We are currently going through the STEM certification with the DOE.  They gave us about a month to resend the application, but we decided not to submit a 2nd time for this year.  We did apply for a STEM acceleration grant,  we received that grant, and will be using it to improve our STEM programs before we reapply for the certification next year.
D. Pierson – Left @ 12:30
Dashboard – Parent home visits, need some works. 
Dr. G – Suspension rate, is up at North
O. Secen – The 19% is less than last year’s 22%, we are internally tracking the data and last year the rates were less this year is higher earlier and decreasing as the year goes by.
O. Secen – Mr. Andac received a grant to build a rocket and compete to get money for the school.

Yes = C. Frazier, Laura Orcutt, Jim Sparks
No = Dr. G
Maybe = Toby Miller