Mare Island Technology Academy
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
March 16, 2011
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors was held on
Wednesday, March 16, 2011. 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, Cody Hazeltine, Joe Jones, Bonnie Katz, Kent Peterman,
Lynne Vaughan, and Gary Williams
Members absent: Chris Arriola
Others present: Matt Smith, Alex Insaurralde, Jillian Vogele, 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
Public Employee: Discipline/Dismissal/Release
Student Discipline
Conference with Labor Negotiator
4. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
The Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors reconvened in Open Session at 5:29
p.m. Announcements from Closed Session: The Board of Directors approved one student
expulsion and three student voluntary consents to discipline.
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On motion of Kent Peterman, seconded by Joe Jones, the Board of Directors approved the
agenda as printed.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On motion of Kent Peterman, seconded by Lynne Vaughan, the Board of Directors approved the
minutes of the regular board meeting on February 8, 2011, and the special board meeting on
February 28, 2011, as printed.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Kent Peterman introduced Debbie Lamb to the board, a prospective board meeting.
8. REPORTS
a. AVID Report: Micah Studer
Mr. Studer shared a power point presentation updating the Board of Directors on the AVID
program. He spoke about the various field trips the AVID students have participated in this year,
four in all, including Sac State, Cal Berkeley, Sonoma State and UC Davis. Mr. Studer also
spoke to the subject of MITAVID and how they are united in one mission with a focus on college
readiness. The AVID teachers have participated in a number of trainings throughout the year.
There has been a focus on changing the school culture regarding AVID students.
Mr. Studer talked about “what is AVID”? Some of the AVID strategies are already school-wide,
with a larger vision to see Socratic Seminar and WICR strategies implemented in all classrooms.
AVID chooses students who usually have one or more F’s. He then shared pass rates of students
participating in AVID. Data shows a higher percentage of AVID students passing subjects as
opposed to non-AVID students.
The implications of the AVID program are that it works. Students are being encouraged to take
advantage of the services the school has to offer, i.e. tutorials, ALEKS program, Algebra advisory,
etc.
Vision of AVID is to add an additional section to service more students. MIT expects to become a
demonstration school in the next five years, raising promotion and the image and perception of
our school. A letter from Annette Murray, AVID Region 1 Coordinator was distributed to the Board
of Directors to read. Ms. Murray stated in her letter, “The AVID program at MIT Academy is in its
second year of implementation and the results are stellar!...I am always impressed by your school
when I visit…The AVID students are focused on their work and participate in lessons without
distractions.”
Mr. Studer invited a grandparent of one of MIT’s AVID students to share his observations
regarding the AVID program at MIT. Mr. Studer will continue to bring updates to the Board of
Directors.
b. Director’s Report: Matt Smith
Mr. Smith announced Jillian Vogele was in attendance to report due to the absence of Chris
Arriola, Student Representative. He reported to the Board of Directors that Ms. Vogele has been
accepted to the following universities: Sac State, Chico State, San Jose State and Stanislaus
State.
Parents, once again, have been shared appreciation of Deb Castaneda and her efforts on behalf
of their students.
Parents are given an opportunity to complete Customer Satisfaction surveys in the office. Toni
Feller was the subject of a recent survey with comments that she is always courteous and helpful,
professional and friendly.
Recognition of Stock Market Game winners are as follows:
First Place: Gabriel Villela, Kyle Kokal, Alani Zivanovic, John Diaz
Second Place: Joseph Flores, Briana Burnett, Audrey Pangelinan, Karen Bastidas
Third Place: Alexis Zaragoza, Joel Barnes, Gabriela Manzo, Ra’Ya Menard
InvestWrite Essay Winner: Briana Burnett
(These students are in the top 1% of our nation’s 80,662 fall teams)
AcaDeca Team Medal winners are as follows:
Emily Abueg: Silver medal for Language and Literature, Bronze medal for Essay
Ziffuel Lewis: Gold medal for Music
Mr. Smith reported MIT has put out request for bids for a new auditor. There has been only one
respondent: VLS, our present auditor. An approval of auditor must be made by April.
Lottery projections were shared with the Board of Directors. Accounting for 8% attrition, projection
numbers stand at 399 enrolled at the middle school, 384 enrolled at the high school, for a total of
783 students to begin the 2011-2012 school year.
c. Enrollment/Attendance: Matt Smith
Mr. Smith reported that through January 2011, ADA at the high school is 97%, 3% higher than the
three previous years. Enrollment numbers at the high school were 296 in 2007-2008, and 295
during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Enrollment through January 2011 is presently 341 at the high
school.
ADA at the middle school through January 2011 is 97.5%, 1 to 2% higher than the three previous
years. Enrollment numbers at the middle school were 372 in 2007-2008, 351 during 2008-2009,
and 379 during 2009-2010. Enrollment through January 2011 is presently 417 at the middle
school.
d. Student Discipline: Matt Smith
During February there were 4 out of school suspensions and 12 in house suspensions at the high
school. All but one of those suspensions was for not showing for Saturday school.
There were 19 out of school suspensions and 8 in house suspensions of middle school students,
with the majority of in house suspensions being not showing up for Saturday school.
Administration is looking at Ripple Effects, a Character Education Program. There will be more
information regarding this program in the future.
e. Assistant Director’s Report: Alex Insaurralde
Mr. Insaurralde reported on Professional Development efforts:
PLC workshop took place today, the 3rd workshop in a series. Nine high school teachers
participated.
Middle School teachers participated in a presentation from a Study Island trainer. MIT students
are enthusiastic about Study Island. Sixth grade ELAH, science and Algebra teachers are
interested in using Study Island in their classrooms.
A pilot program is being implemented at the middle school which enables students who have
completed all work during class to participate in a 20 minute break at end of the period. Those
students who have not completed class work, remain to receive help from teachers or finish work.
f. Student Representative: Jillian Vogele for Chris Arriola
Several Seniors have been accepted to colleges – Berkeley, UC Irvine, Sac State, East Bay, CSU
Fullerton to name a few.
Senior Internships: SET (Science, Engineering and Tech) program held a Youth Ag day at the
Solano County Fairgrounds. Eighteen of our seniors participated in educating and entertaining
Solano County’s Third graders with a range of presentations related to agricultural processes.
Upcoming Senior events: Carnivale Dance, Friday, March 18 at the Vallejo Naval Museum,
Casino Night – April 16 at the USA World Classics Museum. Cost is $25. Dodgeball X games –
May 27 at American Canyon Recreational Center.
Fifty students participated in the Teen Life Conference at Touro University. A big thanks to Ms.
Beland who has organized the majority of the senior fundraising events this year.
g. PTN: Julie Vogele
Ms. Vogele presented a plea for people to step up to work with the PTN program. Financially PTN
is committed to the senior class and will again help with expenses for buses to and from the
airport and other unforeseen expenses in connection with Destination D.C.
A Cookie Dough Fundraiser is scheduled to begin after spring break.
A painting party of the MPR is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 26.
School uniform possibilities will be brought to the painting party on Saturday, March 26.
Ms. Vogele expressed an interest in forming an alumni organization for former MIT students since
she will be stepping down from PTN responsibilities.
h. WASC: Matt Smith
Our WASC visit begins Sunday, April 10 with the Board of Directors batting first in the lineup at
4:00 p.m. in Room Z.
At 5:00 p.m. there will be a reception for the WASC team members and the MIT parent and
community group.
The self-study has grown to 200 pages. Paul Rogers, WASC Coordinator, will send the study to
the visiting team on Friday, March 18.
Teachers are scheduled to meet with the team on Monday and Tuesday, April 11 and 12.
9. CONSENT ITEMS:
On motion of Kent Peterman, seconded by Lynne Vaughan, the Board of Directors approved the
following Consent Agenda items:
Personnel Action Items
January and February Check Registers
Budget to Actuals
10. ACTION ITEMS:
a. 2nd Interim Report
On motion of Kent Peterman, seconded by Lynne Vaughan, the Board of Directors approved the
2nd Interim Report as presented.
11. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Proposed new TOE procedures – stipulated and suspended TOE’s
Mr. Smith shared how parents of students scheduled for expulsion can meet with student services
and the director instead of going through a hearing, and agreeing to an action. Parents become
partners in the expulsion recommendation. This will be an action item at next board meeting.
b, Summer School
A preliminary planning meeting for summer school has been held. Funds from the 21st Century
grant and ASES grant will be used to finance summer school. A total of 250 students, 125
students from each school could participate. The summer school would be a technology-based
program for the high school, perhaps Cyber High. All courses are UC approved. Students take
series of tests. Once they have taken all five tests, an average of the five tests result in final
grade.
Middle School summer school would consist of Study Island and ALEKS. This would be a
remediation program, not an enrichment program.
There are enough funds in order to pay a Coordinator or Summer School Principal.
c. Form 700
Brenda Franks will send the form to the board members this week with a completion and return
date of March 23 so they can be received April 1.
d. Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Smith would like our board to begin reciting the pledge of allegiance at each board meeting.
MIT employee, Toni Feller presented a written statement regarding the pledge. This will be an
action item the next board meeting.
e. Title change: “Parent Volunteer” to “Parent Commitment”
This will be an action Item at the next board meeting.
f. Policy Change – This will be an action item at the next board meeting.
1 – Commitment hours (40 hours first year in attendance and so on)
2 – Transferring or non-returning students/hours - Those hours will just be absorbed by the
school. No action is necessary on this part of the proposal.
g. Volunteer Coordinator position – MIT will not hire an additional person for this position.
12. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Curriculum: Matt Smith – There was no report.
b. Executive: Lynne Vaughan – The committee met today to discuss the Director’s evaluation.
c. Facilities: Lynne Vaughan – There was no report.
d. Fiscal: Lynne Vaughan - There was no report. Next meeting is scheduled for April 19.
e. VOORP: Cody Hazeltine/Gary Williams
The conversation regarding the school uniform originated at VOORP. Information has been
collected regarding a uniform and will be considered at the paint party on March 26
f. Board Recruitment: Kent Peterman – There was no report.
13. COMMUNICATIONS:
There were no communications.
14. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There were no announcements.
15. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
Summer School
16. ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION
The Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors recessed this meeting at 7:52 p.m. to
reconvene in Closed Session.
17. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
The Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors reconvened in Open Session at 8:41
p.m. There were no announcements from Closed Session.
18. ADJOURNMENT
On motion of Kent Peterman, seconded by Gary Williams, the Board of Directors approved
adjourning the regular board meeting at 8:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Franks, Recording Secretary