James Jordan Middle School Board of Trustees

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday October 15, 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), N. Mondragon (remote)

Trustees Absent

I. Farrior

Guests Present

Aaron Lemus (remote), Alvaro Pineda (remote), Angel Carmona (remote), E. Hodes (remote), G. Lara (remote), Iris Cruz (remote), J. Green (remote), M. Johnston (remote), M. Marsh (remote), Ms. Brooks (remote), Ms. Estrada (remote), P. Reyes-Guerrero (remote), Toree Hagenseiker (remote), ayala@jamesjordanms.com (remote), palisoc@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 Oct 15, 2020 at 7:05 PM.

C.

Take public comment

Dr. Marsh: Pre-Development planning has started and made progress. Dr. Marsh has been consulting with Ms. Smith. 

 

D.

approve minutes

B. Smith made a motion to approve the minutes from SPECIAL BOARD MEETING regarding LCAP for the COVID-19 Pandemic on 09-24-20.
A. Bierman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Smith
Aye
H. Blunt
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
N. Mondragon
Aye
I. Farrior
Absent

E.

Lead Teacher Report

Ms. Ayala: 8th-grade lead teacher. Topics to cover, 2 events covered in Q1, Quarterly Diagnostic, and survey.  Virtual bookfair $447 worth of books were sold. We have a fund created to offer free books for students by the end of Q2. Mrs. Minter created Padlets to encourage students to post and enter a raffle to receive a free book. 57 different students participated. Ms. Magana has a community spirit google classroom to encourage students to participate and earn merits.
Data- 7th Grade diagnostic increase in math from 29% to 36% at or above grade level.  Two or more grade levels below there was a decrease from 34% to 25%. Most growth in Numbers and Operations domain. The numbers are promising.  Reading from remained the same as 32% at or above grade level.  Two or more grade levels below there increased by 1%. 
6th Diagnostic- Current 6th graders are lower than last year. Last year we had 23% this year we have 11%.  The basement 34% for last year's students these students came in at 51%. Our current 6th graders a significantly lower than last years. Within 8 weeks our students are at 22%. They are about 8 weeks behind in comparison. 
Reading proficient readers is the same as last year but the basement is 63%. This is a big area of need. After 8 weeks the proficient has doubled. JJMS is helping make a difference for kids who have been with us for the first time. 
The Board appreciate the detailed presentation by the leads. 
Staff Survey- Teachers felt very positive to have the freedom to adjust online instruction. Q2 schedule is different. Study Hall was added to the target students. 
Grading system was also positive. 
Safety protocols- Mostly positive. Comments made about the number of students on campus. The inspection went well and made the staff feel better. 
Grade Level Leads- Necessary to have leads 
Communication between teachers and admin- The results were all over the place. Scattered data in different questions.
As teams creating solutions to communication problems.
Proposal for a new PD structure.  Check ins would be very helpful. 
 

II. Financials

A.

August Financial Report

Evan Hodes- Finances are very positive. When budgeting we assumed 7% budget cuts but it's different in what came through. Figuring out how to spend funds. There are a million more dollars in revenue. Lost mitigation funds are being spent. We have a positive net income. 2.4 million in cash. 122 days cash on hand. We are ready for deferrals if things go as planned. We will not have to borrow money against the deferrals as long as the state and federal government provide the funds that have been projected. Nutrition revenue has a decrease.
Higher for purchase of PPE, headphones, and Chromebooks are reflected due to distance learning. 
B. Smith made a motion to approve the August Financial Report including the cash flow, check register, and balance sheet as presented.
H. Blunt seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
H. Blunt
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
N. Mondragon
Aye
B. Smith
Aye
I. Farrior
Absent

B.

Revised budget for 2020-21

Dr. Marsh- We hope to see additional funding. The best way to get the board to approve the budget is to use the forecast just presented. We may need to review and revise the budget for 2020-21. We need a board approved revised budget as we are moving forward for a permanent home. We will need updated records of our budget. 
B. Smith made a motion to to approve the revised August budget for 2020-21 that includes new funding sources and expenses due to COVID-19 pandemic operations.
N. Mondragon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
I. Farrior
Absent
A. Bierman
Aye
H. Blunt
Aye
N. Mondragon
Aye
B. Smith
Aye

III. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT:

A.

Master Plan for English Learners

Dr. Marsh- Every year we approve a Master Plan for English Learners. The plan has been altered directly related to COVID-19. We have added overloads for teachers to provide additional instruction for ELLs. Both designated and integrated. 
H. Blunt made a motion to approve the Master Plan for English Learners for the 2020-2021 school year.
A. Bierman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
H. Blunt
Aye
N. Mondragon
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
I. Farrior
Absent
B. Smith
Aye

IV. Governance

A.

School Safety Plan

Dr. Marsh- We have added the entire description of the safety protocol for COVID-19. Added details for social distancing for Fire Drills and Earthquake drills. 
B. Smith made a motion to approve and adopt the School Safety Plan with the additions for COVID-19 pandemic procedures.
A. Bierman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
H. Blunt
Aye
N. Mondragon
Aye
I. Farrior
Absent
B. Smith
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

B. Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 pm.
H. Blunt seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
H. Blunt
Aye
B. Smith
Aye
I. Farrior
Absent
A. Bierman
Aye
N. Mondragon
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:22 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
G. Lara
Documents used during the meeting
  • JJMS 08.2020 Board Financials.pdf
  • 2020-21 Master Plan for English Learners.pdf
  • Comprehensive School Safety Plan 2020-21 (2).pdf