Mare Island Technology Academy
Board of Directors Special Meeting
January 15, 2013
1. CALL TO ORDER
A special meeting of the Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors was held on
Tuesday, January 15, 2013. The meeting was called to order by Board President, Bonnie Katz at
4:38 p.m.
ROLL CALL AND ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Members present: Jaime Guzman, Bonnie Katz, Debbie Lamb, Luis Rosales, Lynne Vaughan
Members absent: Paul Roberts, Gary Williams
Others present: Matt Smith, Alex Insaurralde, and Brenda Franks (Recording Secretary)
2. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors recessed this meeting at 4:39 p.m. to
convene in Closed Session.
3. CLOSED SESSION
STUDENT DISCIPLINE
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Employee Organization: MITATA
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: VCUSD
4. ADJOURN TO OPEN SESSION: Announcements from Closed Session
The Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors reconvened in Open Session at 5:35
p.m. Announcements from closed session: The Board of Directors approved four student
terminations of enrollment.
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Smith led the Board of Directors in the Pledge of Allegiance.
6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On motion of Jaime Guzman, seconded by Lynne Vaughan, the Board of Directors approved the
agenda as printed.
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the Minutes was tabled until next month’s board meeting in order to clarify the wording
on a curriculum committee action item.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Ryan Cole – Negotiations are ongoing. Mr. Cole wanted to bring to the attention of the Board that
is has been a very long time since staff have received a COLA increase. He wanted to remind the
Board that money is now available to schools because of the passing of the recent ballot measure
and he hopes the board will consider extending a COLA increase to all staff. Mr. Cole also
expressed a concern over large class sizes for some teachers. Either there needs to be properly
balanced classes or teachers need to be compensated for classroom overages. The new HVAC/
heating thermostats recently installed in all buildings are greatly appreciated.
9. REPORTS
a. Director’s Report: Matt Smith
There was no report at this time.
b. Enrollment/Attendance Report: Matt Smith
Year to Date Enrollment/Attendance percentages are as follows:
Grade 6 is 97%, Grades 7/8 is 97%, and Grades 9-12 is nearly 97%. Current enrollment is 790
students. Our budget is based on 820 students. Enrollment is at its highest number in school
history. Also our Free and Reduced numbers are higher than they have ever been.
c. Discipline Report: Matt Smith
Mr. Smith shared suspension information with the board. There have been a total of 136
suspensions over the course of the year. Referrals through December stand at 1800. This is a
7% reduction from last year with a slight up-tick in December. In House Suspensions are mostly
Pyramid related. Saturday School is worse at High School compared to the Middle School. There
are approximately 20 students on SARB contracts. If the students do not meet the requirements
of their contracts, there is a possibility of termination of enrollment.
Although suspensions are down, they are significantly high among our Latino students and our
African American students. There is definitely an ethnicity gap in our suspensions and
administration will continue to look at this data.
There have been 7 Termination of Enrollments to date with 4 being Latino students and 2 African
American students.
d. Assistant Director’s Report: Alex Insaurralde
Mr. Insaurralde shared information about the upcoming efforts to support our 10th graders in
preparation for the CAHSEE. Math and Science teachers will allow students to use Study Island
for CAHSEE prep during their classes. English/Social Science teachers will also use Study Island
in their classes for 10th grade students. He will be distributing a list of 11th and 12th grade students
who have yet to satisfy the requirement of a score of 350 in one or both parts of the exam to their
respective math and English teachers. Those students will also have a chance to work on Study
Island as preparation for CAHSEE in March.
ALEKS software – We have 15 or 16 students who have completed at least 90% of the ALEKS
course. This is being used during workshop classes as well as regular 6 th grade math classes.
Mr. Muller and Ms. Saldana have students using it during regular math classes.
e. PTN: Tamara Brewer
PTN is very small, 5 to 6 parents, with no officers. PTN would like to change the night of their
meetings. Mr. Smith and Mrs. Brewer will look at possible dates for future meetings. PTN is
interested in helping the 10th graders in their fund raising efforts.
f. MITATA: Ryan Cole
There are numerous grant opportunities through CTA. Mr. Cole will bring information to the next
board meeting.
g. Student Representative: Luis Rosales
Mr. Rosales shared updates on current fundraising efforts as well as information regarding future
events. Penny Bomb netted approximately $600 in profit. Winter Fest/Posadas profited
approximately $600.00. The iPad raffle was a success with a $1600.00 profit.
Bingo Night/Taco Feed will take place on February 1. Other future events include: Casino Night,
Pasta Feed for Honor Roll students, Technology Day, and Mountain Mike’s Coupon sales.
Different approach for donations: seniors will be making phone calls to parents asking for
donations in return for volunteer hours as well as promoting upcoming events. Seniors will also
be sending letters to parents and local businesses to solicit donations on behalf of the senior
class.
Mr. Rosales reported, as of January 8, the senior class account has a balance of $22,993 and
Destination DC account has a balance of $5468.
10. CONSENT ITEMS:
On motion of Lynne Vaughan, seconded by Jaime Guzman, the Board of Directors approved the
following Consent Agenda items:
December 2012 Check Register
Budget to Actuals through December 2012
11. ACTION ITEMS:
a. 2013-2014 Academic Calendar
On motion of Lynne Vaughan, second by Debbie Lamb, the Board of Directors approved the
2013-2014 Academic Calendar as presented.
b. Naviance Career and College Preparation Software
Naviance is a web-based software to help students in college preparation. Initial cost is less than
$5,000. On motion of Debbie Lamb, second by Lynne Vaughan, the Board of Directors approved
the purchase of the Naviance Career and College Preparation Software.
12. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. 8th Grade Promotion/Walk Policy - Smith
Mr. Smith expressed the need to open a discussion about the criteria for our 8th graders’
participating in walking the stage for promotion.
Question: How actively do we want to enforce the promotion policy for 8 th grade?
It was decided, by consensus, the Curriculum committee will meet to discuss the matter and bring
back a recommendation to the board next month.
b. Strategic Planning Update - Smith
Strategic planning will take place on Saturday, January 26. The meeting will be facilitated by Tony
Adams. One of the agenda items will be attaching smart goals to the existing goals of the
strategic plan. There will be a formal review of progress made toward the goals established last
year. Mr. Smith encouraged board members to attend as well as members of the audience. All
participants who attended the meeting last year will be encouraged to participate again. There will
be others asked to join in the process.
13. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Curriculum: Smith
There was no report.
b. Executive: Vaughan
There was no report. The committee will set a date for a meeting in the near future.
c. Facilities: Roberts
The committee met last week and discussed a wide range of items. The committee developed
some approaches Mr. Smith is working on, some related to VCUSD.
d. Fiscal: Katz
The committee met prior to the board meeting and brought recommendations to the Board of
Directors during this meeting.
e. VOORP: Williams
Debbie Lamb reported there was brief discussion about Facebook, CafePress, and Google Ads.
Majority of discussion centered around families who haven’t started their commitment hours for
the year. The numbers are positive and encouraging. Probably only 5% of MIT families have not
begun their hours. VOORP takes their job seriously.
14. COMMUNICATIONS:
Black History month happens in February. There will be a door decorating competition between
the advisory classes.
15. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There were no announcements.
16. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA
Approval of December minutes
17. ADJOURNMENT
The special board meeting of the Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors was
adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Franks, Recording Secretary