LOS OLIVOS SCHOOL DISTRICT
OLIVE GROVE CHARTER SCHOOL
ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES
MONDAY, February 24, 2014  9:30 A.M.
(Olive Grove Office Conference Room or remotely)
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
Gina Phillips – VP & Secretary (Parent)
Jennifer Cloud – (Lead Teacher)
Lisa Simard – (Lead Teacher)
Beth Dowhower – President (Lead Teacher)
Mike Fair – (Teacher)
Marsha Filbin – (Superintendent)
Christina Camacho – (Parent)
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Kyrstynne Barritt–(School Secretary)
GUESTS
Candis Cuevas – (Lead Teacher)
Karolyn Liljeberg – (Teacher)
Mike Rasey – (Teacher)
MEMBERS ABSENT
Valerie Allen – (LOSD Trustee)
Joe McCollum – (Teacher)
1. The meeting was called to order at 9:36 a.m. by Council President, Beth Dowhower.
Roll Call: 6 voting members present.
Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Public Comment / Parent’s Corner
None
3. Approval of Action Agenda
Motion to approve the Action Agenda.
MOTION: Marsha Filbin
SECOND: Jennifer Cloud
APPROVED: 6/0
4. Approval of Minutes
Jennifer Cloud was unable to vote due to difficulty viewing the document.
Motion to approve the minutes from the January 27, 2014 Advisory Council Meeting.
MOTION: Mike Fair
SECOND: Gina Phillips
APPROVED: 5/0
5. Budget Process
None
6. Instructional Planning / Goals & Objectives
A. Teacher Presentations: Proposed New Electives
Candis Cuevas – Art History
Candis informed the council that students enrolled in the Art History course will be graded
based on quizzes, tests, and essays (CP only). She is thinking about using the book “Art
through the Ages” by Helen Gardner.
Katrina Homer – Health
Katrina was unable to attend the meeting so Beth Dowhower presented Katrina’s
slideshow for her. Katrina chose the book “Health” published by Prentice Hall. Students
will be graded on quizzes, a midterm, a final, discussions, and a course project. Christina
Camacho requested that Olive Grove put together a Health packet for the lower grade
students.
Mike Rasey – Film Studies
Mike’s class will be one semester long and students will receive credit towards their
Visual and Performing Arts requirement. Student grades will be based on their quizzes
and short essays.
Mike Rasey – Psychology
Mike’s class will be one semester long. He is still deciding on which book to use.
Karolyn Liljeberg – Humanities
Karolyn presented that students enrolled in Humanities will be required to read the text,
watch videos, look at artwork, take virtual tours of museums, write responses, take
quizzes, a midterm, and a final. The group was concerned that this class would overlap
with Candis’s Art History class. Candis and Karolyn will communicate with each other to
make sure there is no overlap.
Mike Fair – Mathematical Measurements
Mike presented the new math class that he will be creating to replace the Real World Math
course. This class will be for students that want to go directly into the workforce or
Tech/Vocational school and have completed Algebra 1 however do not want to go on to
Geometry or Algebra 2. Mike planned on the course being one semester long (worth 5
credits), Marsha suggested spreading the assignments out while adding in more projects to
offer two semesters (10 credits). Mike said he could easily do that. He will be using Key
to Measurement student workbooks published by McGraw Hill.
Karolyn Liljeberg – Writing Revolution I
This 5 credit/one semester long course is for students that struggle with writing. The class
will focus on writing and reading sentences, paragraphs, and essays. There was a
discussion on making this class a graduation requirement.
Karolyn Liljeberg – Writing Revolution II
This 5 credit/one semester course is for students that have difficulty writing essays. The
class will focus on writing the varieties of essays. Marsha suggested tying this course to
another, such as history, to correlate its writing assignments. There was a discussion on
making this class a graduation requirement.
7. Student Achievement
Mike Fair informed the council that the Olive Grove Rock Climbing team is doing well.
Student, Camron Baker won the boys intermediate division competition.
8. Programs
A. Program Structure Committee Report
The committee had not met yet – item on hold.
B. Part-time Prep Hours
Marsha informed the council that with the unionization of teachers, prep hours will most
likely be negotiated for both part-time and full-time staff anyway.
C. Olive Grove’s participation in Region 6 ROP funding grant – Career Pathways
Education and “Get Focused/Stay Focused” course
Marsha told the group that there is a grant being offered for a one semester Get
Focused/Stay Focused course to be offered at schools. The course would be a requirement
for 9th graders and our school could possibly receive money to purchase the necessary
curriculum. If staff is interested, there is a workshop in Carpinteria April 11th and 12th,
April 25th and 26th, or May 2nd and 3rd. Teachers are welcome to e-mail Marsha if they are
interested in attending the workshop.
9. Governance / District Connections
A. Charter Renewal
Marsha stated that Olive Grove’s Charter is in effect until June 30, 2016 as it was last
updated in 2011 and is effective for five years. Beth said she might be interested in
updating it before 2016 due to the changes that have been made to our school. She would
like staff to look over the Charter to get ready for the renewal.
B. Need to Replace Resigned Parent Council Member
Beth asked teachers to continue to speak to their parents to see if anyone is interested in
becoming an Advisory Council parent member and to let them know that we offer the
option of attending virtually with a webcam.
C. Discussion of February 20, 2014 Special School Board Meeting
Marsha said that she has been asked by the School Board to find a third party business
services company to find the best structure for the Los Olivos School District. The
company will be asked to draw a study and inform Marsha and the Board members what
the best option for the district is.
10. Mailbox Items
None
11. Call for Future Agenda Items
 Debriefing Team progress (April and March meetings)
 Elective course follow-up
 School Calendar
12. Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned by Advisory Council President, Beth Dowhower
The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
Next Advisory Council meeting: Monday, March 24, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. virtually and/or in Olive
Grove Office, Room 701.
Respectfully submitted:
Attest: _______________________________
Beth Dowhower, President
Attest: ____________________________
Gina Phillips, Vice-President and Secretary