James Jordan Middle School Board of Trustees

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday September 17, 2020 at 7:00 PM

This Board Meeting is open to the public.IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDERS FROM GOVERNOR NEWSOME, THIS BOARD MEETING WILL BE ONLINE.  James Jordan Middle School ("School") welcomes your participation at the School's Board meetings. 


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The purpose of a public meeting of the Board of Trustees ("Board") is to conduct the affairs of the School in public. We are pleased that you are in attendance and hope that you will visit these meetings often. Your participation assures us of continuing community interest in our School.

To assist you in the ease of speaking/participating in our meetings, the following guidelines are provided:
1. Agendas are available to all audience members on the home page of www.jamesjordanms.com.  
2. ONLINE Board meetings will still have time reserved for PUBLIC COMMENT.  If you wish to make a public comment, expect to be limited to 3 minutes.  To speak, send an email to bsmith@jamesjordanms.com with a Subject of PUBLIC COMMENT.

a. Non-agenda items: any person may address the Board concerning any item not on the agenda provided that no individual presentation shall be for more than 3 minutes (or 6 minutes with translation) and the total time for this purpose shall not exceed 20 minutes (provided that the President may grant additional time if circumstances permit). Ordinarily, Board members will not respond to such presentations and no action can be taken as the Board is allowed to take action only on items on the agenda. However, the Board may give direction to staff following a presentation or calendar the issue for further discussion. Individuals may also request that a topic related to school business be placed on a future agenda and once such an item is properly agendized and publicly noticed, the Board can discuss, respond, and possibly act upon such an item. 
b. Agenda Items:The presentation to the Board shall be made at the time a specific item is under discussion.  Any person may address the Board concerning any item on the agenda provided that no individual presentation shall be for more than 3 minutes (6 minutes with translation) and the total time for this purpose shall not exceed 30 minutes (provided that the Board Chair may grant additional time if circumstances permit).  Speakers are requested to state their name and address and adhere to the time limits set forth herein. Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes in English and 6 minutes with translation. Spanish translation will be provided by the school at every board meeting. If you need translation for another language, please contact the school 48 hours in advance to allow us to find a translator. 
4. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, the School may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require appropriate alternative modification of the agenda in order to participate in Board meetings are invited to contact the Principal (lara@jamesjordanms.com, 818-882-2496)

Trustees Present

A. Bierman (remote), B. Smith (remote), H. Blunt (remote), I. Farrior (remote), N. Mondragon (remote)

Trustees Absent

None

Guests Present

A. Pineda (remote), Aaron Lemus (remote), Ashley Franco (remote), G. Lara (remote), Iris Cruz (remote), James Chavez (remote), Jessica Lam (remote), Kristine Minter (remote), Leslie Gameros (remote), Lorena Saldivar (remote), M. Marsh (remote), Martha Espinoza (remote), Sandra Aquino (remote), Sohail Bhatri (remote), guerrero@jamesjordanms.com (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

B. Smith called a meeting of the board of trustees of James Jordan Middle School Board of Trustees to order on Thursday Sep 17, 2020 at 7:12 PM.

C.

Take public comment

Dr. Marsh: The majority of teachers have informed that teachers do not want to be on campus. JJMS will need to review all procedures. Students who need in-person services such as ELL, kids with IEPs, and students with 504s. 
Mr. Pineda: Teacher report. Challenging report. 40% of staff members. Instructions 7/10. High attendance. Students have been learning. 76.6% of students have felt like they have been learning. Challenge length in being online. The same students who are struggling were struggling before. The drive-thrus have been successful. Not all staff members were following social distancing. Air quality was reported as poor due to fires. 
75% of staff members are worried or hurt about coming to campus. Staff members requested to follow university protocols.  Worried to be on campus. Some have illnesses or family history. 95% of Latino have been impacted by COVID-19. Staff members expressed concerns to come to campus. Quotes from staff were expressed during the meeting. 
Martha Espinoza (Parent): Her opinion to wait a bit longer due to COVID-19. 
The Board Chair has determined that an emergency board meeting will be held as soon as possible. 
Dr. Marsh can make the decision to not continue with the optional on-campus days. 
Mr. Bierman: Agrees to the emergency board meeting to be thoughtful about everything. Consider all perspectives to make this year successful. Appreciated the participation. 
Ms. Mondragon: Agrees to the emergency board meeting
Ms. Blunt: Agrees to the emergency board meeting. Facts for the board are very important. 
Ms. Farrior: Echos the rest of the board members. The Health and safety of students and staff are important. Make an informed decision. 
Dr. Marsh: A special board meeting will need to be arranged within 24hrs. We will invite an attorney to meet legal obligations about the in-person services for vulnerable groups. Dr. Marsh has issued the order to cancel the on-campus days in September. 
Ms. Smith: Potential days for special board meeting: Mon 9/21 or Tues 9/22 or if needed Thurs 9/24 at 7pm. 

D.

approve minutes

B. Smith made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 08-20-20.
A. Bierman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
I. Farrior
Aye
N. Mondragon
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
H. Blunt
Aye
B. Smith
Aye

II. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT:

A.

Board approval of the Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan

B. Smith made a motion to to table the Board approval of the Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan at the special board meeting prior to September 30th, 2020.
H. Blunt seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Smith
Aye
I. Farrior
Aye
H. Blunt
Aye
N. Mondragon
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye

B.

Small group in-person services for prioritized students.

Tabled for special meeting

C.

Key indicators from our implementation of the Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan

Board Meeting 9-17-2020
Principal Report
 
1. Current rate of attendance for online sessions
  • August attendance rates: 97%
  • September attendance rates: 94%
    • Up to Date: 96%
2. Current number of students passing their classes compared to student grades in Fall of 2019. 
  • Fall of 2019 Progress Report Card
    • Students with 2 NCs
      • 8% of students
    • Students with 3 or more NCs
      • 7% of students
    • Combined 
      • 15% of students
  • Fall of 2020 Progress Report Card
    • Students with 2 NCs
      • 7% of students
    • Students with 3 or more NCs
      • 14% of students
    • Combined 
      • 21% of students
 
3. Data on current grade level proficiency in ELA and MATH  Fall 2020 compared to Fall 2019. 
iReady Diagnostic Data
ELA Data Fall 2019

ELA Data Fall 2020


Math Data Fall 2019

Math Data Fall 2020

III. Governance

A.

Add new principal to bank accounts as a signer

B. Smith made a motion to move the financial governance to Add new principal to bank accounts as a signer to the next board meeting.
A. Bierman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
I. Farrior
Aye
H. Blunt
Aye
B. Smith
Aye
N. Mondragon
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye

IV. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

B. Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 pm.
H. Blunt seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Smith
Aye
N. Mondragon
Aye
I. Farrior
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
H. Blunt
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
G. Lara
Documents used during the meeting
  • JJMS_lrngcntntyatndncpln_BoardApproved_9.14.20.pdf
  • Sept LACDPH school order .pdf
  • ExposureManagementPlan_K12Schools.pdf