Minutes

March 1, 2007: Marriott Hotel, Napa

Present: Tom Mangione, Dr. Donna Opoku-Agyeman, Frank Boehler, Dennis Wiechmann, Sheri Hanni, Jan Treff, Benita Washington, Debbie Morris, Sherman Garnett, Tim Erwin, David Kopperud, Frank Valadez, Kathy McConnell. Robyn Williams, Peggy Whithrow, Russell Sass, Jeff Owen and Jane Claar.

Minutes from the Jan. 12, 2007 meeting were approved as submitted.

Agenda: Additions to the agenda included a CDE/SARB update by David Kopperud.

New Business:

Phil Kauble book sales ­ Frank gave a brief bio of Phil who took over California Laws Relating to Minors.

The publishing company is giving the Southern section and the State Board $1,000 each plus $2.00 per book sold. The 2007 edition is also available on CD. The question for action was how the monies should be used. Phil does not want anything named after him but would like it to go to scholarships either section or state. The Board informally indicated it go to state scholarship. Frank Boehler made the formal motion for proceeds to go to State scholarships, Dennis Wiechmann seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Sherman Garnett stated he would like Phil to have a booth at no charge for the State conference. No motion was made. Dennis Wiechmann indicated that the San Joaquin section would be covering Phil's travel/hotel costs.

CDE/SARB report David Kopperud discussed the senate select committee meeting headed by Senator Steinberg with regard to addressing the state-wide dropout problem. Supt. Mejia of Sacramento City School District testified in support of attendance centers where kids found roaming are taken and suggested grants to develop more centers. When asked about SARB's, Mejia told the Committee to discourage SARB's ­ her experience has been poor and she sees SARB as being punitive rather than connecting families to resources.

Joe Taylor and David were present at the committee meeting. Joe offered to take her to other SARB's. NSSD was to be one but she wants to bring a number of people with her which could negatively impact the process. Steinberg's office will be attending NSSD SARB and Debbie has requested they meet with her prior to go over the process. Jane stated they have had Sacramento City District at meetings because of students attending in both districts but perhaps they were not the right people to address this issue.

David shared that Supt. Mejia has a lot of credibility right now because of her connection with law enforcement and the decrease in crime since the truancy center at Burbank High opened.

Sherman stated that the focus should be Senator Steinberg not Mejia. He suggested that CASCWA form a task force to work with Steinberg's office. Dennis added that it would be helpful to present data to show SRAB works. This needs to include the work that is done prior to a SARB Hearing which may not be part of the discussion that took place.

April 19th is the next State SARB meeting and we are encouraged to bring data at that time. Debbie suggested that someone needs to spearhead pulling this data together. Frank brought up the concern that if centers only target kids on the streets then they neglect those indoors. Centers may not work in smaller communities so the State would be putting money into a program that won't work state-wide. Steinberg is very adamant about reducing dropout rate.

SIA wants to develop a system to track effectiveness but this is dictated by input from schools. Donna moved that Sherman make a presentation at State SARB regarding this issue. Jane seconded. Discussion ­ Districts, COE's need to get data to Sherman to present by 4/12. Donna added that there ia a need to understand that the SARB process begins in classroom and is not just what happens at the meeting. Sherman and David stated that the SARB Report form has been revised and is on the CDE website for people to use in reporting numbers. Reports could include qualitative data as well. The motion approved unanimously.

Conference 2007

An overview of conference workshops was provided. Russ reviewed the format for the Board. There are 135 people currently registered. The Board went on a tour of the hotel facilities. The room block is booked but they are checking on availability of additional rooms at $199/night. Registrants will receive canvas bags, speakers will receive wine openers.

The home school panel will include an attorney and other representative/s from the National Home School Alliance, Sherman Garnett, representatives from State SARB, local districts and County Offices of Education. Rob Jacobson will be facilitating this panel. The first session will be panel members giving their side of the home school debate with the second session being a question/answer format.

The Board reviewed the agenda and speakers for the breakouts. Bay section has asked speakers for handouts ahead of time and are hoping to put everything on a CD for all registrants.

Jeff brought up the idea of PSA's that were discussed previously and where we want to go with that. Jeff will see about SIA covering some of the costs. The Board would like to pursue posters to have available at the State conference. The posters (approximately 300) would include the CASCWA and SIA logos and the CASCWA website. Dennis moved that Jeff proceed with the posters, Debbie seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Outstanding Service Award Nominations were submitted to Sherman Garnett by section Presidents. Sherman will let Frank Boehler know the winners.

A treasurer report was submitted although Jerry Hime was not in attendance. The current balance is $50,748.63.

New Business

National Truancy Prevention Association Conference

The Board discussed the motion made by Debbie Morris at the January Board meeting regarding State/Section sponsorship of conferences which passed. The Southern Section later expressed that they were not in favor of that motion. Jan met with representatives from the Southern Section last week to discuss their concerns. Frank Boehler shared the concerns of his section with the State Board as being that once the motion was reviewed members of the section were unhappy with the wording of the motion and felt it was unclear in some areas. What does the State oversee and what do sections pursue on their own as section events? There needs to be some governance of CASCWA activities. Frank handed out a request to review the motion with draft language. He clarified that the State logo was on the majority of materials for the Palm Springs event. Southern Section is meeting tomorrow and will have some discussion on this.

Dennis clarified that the motion is only to look at possible changes to the Constitution. Actual changes need to be made through a formalized process. Rob is looking at the legalities of sections making financial commitments that would involve the State Board. These issues will continue to be looked at.

Sherman has continued talking with other National organizations who would like to partner with CASCWA for future conferences such as NSSE, and the International Dropout Prevention Assoc. Sherman would like to see more people besides him and Joe involved.

CD burner ­ Frank Boehler recommended we purchase a CD burner not to exceed $2,500 for sections to use for conferences, etc. Discussion included whether CD or flash drives were more efficient/economical. At this point CD's are cheaper. Frank made a motion to approve the purchase up to $2500 for a CD burner for sections to use. Frank Valadez brought up the idea of selling the CD's to help offset costs of upgrading, etc. Dennis suggested it could be a benefit of membership as was discussed at the retreat. The question of selling other people's information was brought up. Dennis seconded the motion. The motion approved unanimously. Frank will purchase the burner, cd's , etc.

There was some discussion on looking each year at purchasing standard equipment that is used at conferences such as microphones, projectors, etc. The topic will be added to Retreat topics. Tom Mangione made a motion to set aside money to purchase a piece of equipment this year. Jeff Owen felt it should be discussed at the Retreat prior to allocating funds which most Board members agreed with. It was discussed that members could bring equipment to utilize at the State conference to offset costs. Frank Valadez is coordinating equipment and a list will be sent out of what is needed. The motion did not go forward.

Section Reports

Bay Section continues to work on the State Conference.

Delta Sierra is holding a SARB best practices workshop in Shasta County at the end of the month as part of a regular Board Meeting. The section did some of the planning through a teleconference which was very successful and may look at that for some future Board meetings.

San Joaquin section is planning a workshop for May 18th on Bullying with Randy Sprick which is free to members. The Section scholarship luncheon will take place after the workshop. Southern ­ Had second topical conference on hate behaviors which was free to membership. The Section is planning the October Truancy workshop and 2008 State Conference "Don't miss the Boat." Their annual scholarship luncheon will be in June.

Treasurer

Dennis suggested we have Jerry start doing a line item addition to show where we are with the approved State Budget. Sherman asked about distribution of monies for the State scholarships. Sections need to get names to Dennis and the State will make out checks to the recipients.

Newsletter

Frank is working on the next Intercom. He distributed the CASCWA Connection to all members and school superintendents. He will make final additions to the Intercom after today's meeting which he will send to all members and school superintendents. If people have items for the Intercom they need to email them to Frank. In order for it to be representative of the State all sections need to submit items. He hopes to have it out in 2 weeks. Dennis will have them printed and mailed.

Legislation

Debbie reported there are numerous items specifically pertaining to budgets. Bills include 1802 monies, AB 68 spot bill to hold place won't get funding until next year. There is a proposals for Community Day Schools which is looking at an to increase from 3 to 6 days per year for staff development which schools will get dollars for-no legislative rep is currently carrying this.

Sherman talked about the Steinberg bill that is looking at the age for identifying dropouts, an addition to education code for 48900 u to include other items and the Inter-district transfer bill which is up for renewal with no opposition currently.

There is a legislative change for incoming kindergarten students to have dental screening. There is information on CDE website.

Debbie reported that the Legislative committee has been formed. The San Joaquin representative has left so there needs to be a replacement identified. Benita will identify someone and contact Debbie.

Membership

Tom reported current member numbers. Bay 67, Delta Sierra 58, San Joaquin 184, Southern 229 He has sent out postcards for the last time for non-active members to renew.

Website

Section presidents need to look at section information and send Tom updates/changes. Tom will be doing marketing for next year's state conference and would like ideas for linking with other organizations and getting information out.

At the close of our meeting the Marriott Hotel said they will have 20 rooms available at $199/night but they need to be reserved through Jan.

The Bay Section will be meeting on April 24th at the hotel to stuff bags if anyone wants to help. There will be a dinner meeting for the State Board at 6:00pm

The State Board will reimburse board members for one night at the hotel.

Dr. Donna's son Ross gave a bottle of sparking cider and Dr. Donna made a toast to CASCWA.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sheri Hanni, CASCWA State Board Secretary