School
Leadership Team Minutes
In attendance:
Rich Mozzini, Til Tribuzi, Cynthia Rapaido, Ron Beall, Martin Ortega, Jacquie McEvoy, Nate Johnson (recorder), Diane Termini, Steve Asp, Ruth Micheletti, Michelle Casale, Sally Seebode, Dan Kiely, Miguel Appleman, Sara Catalli, Gerry Mountain, Joyce Dickson
Summary of Actions
1. Jacquie gave an overview of the impact of the budget cuts here at SMHS. Changes have included moving the Dean into a PE teaching position, but other cuts (counselor and librarian) are still up in the air. It is all a house of cards. The 2 biggest classified issues include losing 2 custodians and office assistants (office and copy clerk). We’ll be trained to use Deanne’s big machine and provided with a code for it. There will be a fairly big shuffle of positions, such as ½ a campus aide position. The process for teachers will be done by Oct 16. Classified changes will occur over a 45-day period, through pink-slips and reassignment offers. Other changes include the loss of outreach coordinators. They are on a rehire list for a couple of years; the last time we did this we offered everyone on the rehire list a position at some point. This time, however, it may not work out like that, given that some changes are going to be permanent.
The dean’s position was discussed at some length. Nate pointed out that many members of the faculty are insecure with the sudden loss of Devie Nelson as Dean. Jacquie assured the SLT that Geoff will be trained and educated during the transition process. Rich assured all that Geoff’s transition was voluntary. Nate suggested the administration do a little PR to smooth the transition. In response to a question from Michelle about the prudence of placing Devie in PE, Jacquie offered anyone the chance to look at the seniority list and see if there is another way to configure the schedule. To Dan’s question about the permanence of the change, Jacquie responded that it will depend on the negotiations and budget in March.
Jacquie said that she was disappointed by the tone of last Thursday’s school board meeting over all, but she was very proud of the coherent and clear message offered by Edan Frieberger, the SMHS student who spoke. She also praised the level of professionalism and respect in evidence through this tough process. Boardmember Cohn Lyle also commended that professionalism of the faculty during her visit.
Jacquie is planning to host a “town hall” style meeting on Thursday to move forward with announcing the cuts. It will be a chance to inform more than confront, and will be delayed if we are not allowed to go public.
Miguel said that he does not entirely agree with absolving 7th period day of the budget cuts. While recognizing that we can’t scratch the 7 periods, he said that we do need to move forward. In order to move forward, we need full accountability. We can’t just go from here; we need to know what happened and why and build trust again.
Comments were made that the pilot of 7th-period day spent down the reserve, even if the implementation of the impact of the 7PD is debatable still. Jacquie said that we need to move ahead as a school, even if we can’t as a district.
Nate and Ruth expressed concerns about the lack of communication about department chair stipends. Jacquie also expressed her frustration at the lack of communication. Nate suggested that until the district begins communicating better, moving on at SMHS will be more difficult. Jacquie bemoaned the inconsistent level of communication during this crisis. Jacquie agreed to investigate the stipend issue with District administration, and expressed that she understood the position of people working without pay in this time of insecurity and miscommunication. Administration and teachers agreed that it’s not exactly realistic to work just on faith right now.
2. SWAT Proposals were distributed for review. Chairs are to review and express comments and concerns via email. Jacquie will do an email vote to approve. Sally distributed surveys on behalf of the Staff Development SWAT to give to department members. Michelle distributed a list for the Curriculum Partnership SWAT. Chairs should have their departments fill out the list at their next meeting.
3. Martin asked for clarification about the expectations on teachers about Schoolloop.com. Rich said that the expectation is that teachers will post homework daily, or as often as possible, but that grades are not expected right now. By next fall the expectation will probably be that we will post grades on-line in one form or another, whether through Schoolloop.com or another forum. Some teachers expressed concerns about technological issues, safety, and delays in data processing. Some teachers expressed success with having grades public. Jacquie said that it can only help with dealing with parents. Other comments followed about the problems and successes of posting online. Perhaps we will have to have a longer and larger discussion by the end of the year, so that the expectations of the fall are not a surprise.
4. Miguel raised the concerns of subbing for teachers at IEPs while on an ADP. We have not been graced with the substitute for teachers at IEPs, and we are not supposed to be asked to sub on our ADP. Miguel brought forth the suggestion that department chairs volunteer a Department Head day to pay for a sub and make life easier for people involved in IEPs, including our department members. Ruth raised the issue that DH days have been eroded over time, and we need to be concerned that the days are getting tossed around without prior approval. After some discussion, it was agreed that chairs would each give up one day to cover the first 9 weeks, after which we will revisit the issue.
