Minutes

September 10, 2004: Sacramento County Office of Education

President, Debbie Morris, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

Present: Debbie Morris, President, Dennis Wiechman, President-Elect, Frank Boehler, Jerry Hime and Dr. Donna (Southern section), Sherman Garnett (Southern Legislative Representative), Joe Taylor (Northern Legislative Representative), Tad Kitada (Special Projects), Sheri Hanni (President, Delta-Sierra Section), Tom Neeb (President, San Joaquin Section), and Jan Passama (President, Bay Section)

1. Welcome and Introductions

Debbie opened the meeting with introductions and thanked everyone for their participation in the summer retreat. Our goal is solidify our mission and work will begin on that during this meeting. Debbie also distributed "crab" awards to three special individuals within our organization who have gone above and beyond to enhance our association. One award went to Frank Boehler for his expertise in handling the State Conference, the second one went to Tad Kitada for his excellent facilitation at the Board Retreat, and the third went to Karen, Joe Taylor's Administrative Assistant at the Sacramento COE, for making room and refreshment arrangements for our meeting today.

Darlene Rourke has been assigned to serve in a new capacity within her district and resigned as CASCWA State Secretary. Election for this position was discussed and the fact that an appointment was permissible. After discussion Jerry Hime made a motion to appoint Jan Passama to this position and Dr. Donna seconded the motion. Motion carried, Jan Passama will serve as State Secretary for the remainder of the 2004-2005 academic year. Since Jan will serve the State Board in dual capacities, she may elect to appoint a section board member to also attend the State Board meetings.

2. Approval of Minutes

A brief review of the minutes took place. Upon motion by Dr. Donna and a second by Jerry Hime the minutes were approved. In the future, minutes will be emailed to members prior to our meeting for review.

3. Reports

Debbie thanked Tad for the excellent job he did as facilitator ­ the retreat was a tremendous success and should certainly be an annual event. Jerry Hime shared that the retreat was a very valuable use of time and those organizations that attended appreciated the networking opportunity. Debbie reported that the cost for this event was $450. Tom Neeb thought that it was held at a very conducive location and Joe Taylor said we should strive to have all section board members present in the future especially since the groundwork has been laid out and it will take time to accomplish all of our goals. Debbie said that timing was challenging and perhaps more advance notice could facilitate more attendees. Tad Kitada reported that now that we have set a baseline for goals and objectives it will be necessary to revisit necessary components and reviewing the strategic plan annually will maintain continuity.

Mission Statement: Debbie Morris compiled the ideas we gathered at the retreat and created a new version of the statement. Discussion ensued and the final result was: "CASCWA is an organization comprised of school and community professionals who are dedicated to improving school climate, safety, and increasing school attendance. Together, we create a network of professional support, mentorship, and education and we influence relevant legislation and advocate for the needs of students, families and schools."

Four breakout groups were formed to discuss the four primary areas of concern that were addressed at the Board retreat. The groups consisted of: 1) Membership ­ Frank Boehler, Dennis Wiechman and Jan Passama 2) Organizational Structure ­ Debbie Morris, Jerry Hime, Tom Neeb; 3) Legislation ­ Joe Taylor and Sherman Garnett; 4) Communication ­ Tad Kitada, Sheri Hanni and Dr. Donna

The groups reported back goals and objectives as follows:

Communications ­ Goal: Improving communication to the general membership. Objectives identified are: 1) section board to appoint a section communication chairperson to work with the membership chair 2) develop and maintain current list serve of members. The Webmaster to act at State level as Communications Chair. Sheri Hanni made a motion to appoint Section Committee Chair, Dr. Donna seconded, motion carried.

Legislation ­ Goal: To increase communication with members about legislative process. Objectives identified are:

1) connecting with ACSA Legislative Days and legislative policy council, 2) legislative advocacy training ­ Jamillah Moore as trainer. Jerry Hime is also available to do training, 3) Website "Ask the expert" access available to legislative reps via the website, 4) monthly newsletters "Hot Items" via email and 5) conference training. Discussion ensued on inviting David Kopperud, Jamillah Moore and Bret McFadden to our November 12, 2004 State Board meeting.

2) Membership ­ Goal: Increase and renew membership. Objectives identified are: 1) appoint one person in each section to update and keep list current, 2) purchase State CD of email addresses for distribution to all sections;

3) develop color brochure, 4) email address included on membership application. [Note: Frank Boehler will contact Webmaster to add this info to the application] Frank Boehler made a motion to purchase the State CD Rom, not to exceed $600. Dennis seconded the motion, motion carried. Joe Taylor made a motion and Tad Kitada seconded the motion to appoint a Membership Chair to the State Board, motion carried. Discussion also took place about issuing a membership card at annual conference. Development of a generic brochure that includes an insert that details current state level officers and individual section information was discussed. Sheri Hanni will email a sample of the insert for her section to all of us. Jan will obtain a cost estimate from the Alameda COE Publications Dept to determine price for 1,000, 2,500, and 5,000 copies of the color brochure to be produced at the ACOE. Discussion about a more comprehensive brochure was tabled for a future date.

Organizational Structure ­ Goal: Form an ad hoc committee to study in more detail. Objectives identified are:

1) look at existing boundaries and expansion, perhaps adding two more sections which would also add to more members at the Board level. 2) Jerry Hime will chair and asked for representatives from other sections. Joe Taylor volunteered from Delta Sierra. Jan Passama will ask Frank Valadez if he is interested in representing Bay Section on this ad hoc committee. The ad hoc committee will report back on March 18, 2005,

2) restructure State Board ­ ad hoc committee action tabled until boundary issue is addressed. Jerry suggested that next year's board retreat could focus on reviewing our Constitution and policies.

3) elected membership position discussed,

4) change legislative reps from appointed to elected position ­ discussion ensued and the positions will remain appointed position and the bylaws need to be revised to include the legislative reps will be appointed on an annual basis.

5) add CDE position to the Board. Tad Kitada made a motion to appoint a CDE position to the State Board and Joe Taylor seconded the motion, motion carried.

4. Legislative Update

Sherman reported on pending legislation including, SB 76: classified employees supervising in-school suspension rooms; AB1012 Pupil interrogation that requires parents permission for law enforcement officials to talk to students; AB2855 Ed Code changes that include caregiver affidavit that allows for no expiration; SB 1313 child abuse reporting laws. Another piece of legislation, number unknown, is pending regarding charter schools that will require charters to inform district level administration within 14 days if a student is no longer attending the charter school. Breaking news on truancy ­ upcoming legislation is being developed to hear truancy cases without going through the 601 process. CWAs need to get behind this effort. More details to follow.

5. Treasurer's Report

Jerry Hime gave the treasurer's report and we are healthy and in the black. Purchase orders have proven to be a useful tool. Jerry also reported on a "state of our schools community meeting" to be held on September 22, 2004. For more information go to http://www.greatpublichschools.org.

6. Membership

Tm Mangione has developed a CD disk and has forwarded each section a list to review, edit, and return. The Intercom is in the works.

7. Section Reports

Bay: Jan Passama reported that the Bay section is gearing up for its Fall conference to be held on October 29, 2004 at the Embassy Suites in Milpitas. Debbie Staub from the Casey Family Foundation will speak on foster care and Walt Kosta, retired Captain with San Rafael P.D. will make a drug presentation. All are welcome to attend. The Bay Section award winner for 2003-04, Ron Kinninger, has still not received his award and it is still a secret. Jan, V.P. Frank Valadez and Scholarship Chair Alan DelSimone, will go to Ron's district's expanded cabinet meeting to present him with his award on September 28, 2004. Pictures will be forthcoming.

San Joaquin: Tom Neeb shared that the section's Fall conference will be October 1-2, 2004 at Bass Lake. Items to be addressed are AB 490 McKinney Vento and legal update. A January workshop is in the planning stages as well as a workshop in Clovis on March 11, 2005. Tom receives between 50-100 scholarship applications for review (in his spare time) each year. Other projects include working on the section's list serve.

Southern: Jerry Hime advised us that the Southern Section met in Palm Springs and reviewed the four priorities covered at our Board retreat. The outcome was that more emphasis must be placed on communication. They also revised their Constitution and Bylaws. The law firm of Best, Best and Krieger will present a legal forum on November 19, 2004 and Jerry asked Debbie Morris to please attend. Tow more legal forums will be held this school year. The Section received $1285 from the state conference to add to their scholarship coffers. Sherman Garnett shared that free workshops are available at www.bbklaw.com and have proven to be very valuable in his work.

Delta Sierra: Sheri Hanni, President, and host of this year's annual conference, had a lot to share about the upcoming conference. "Delta Days in the River City ­ Bridges to Success" will take place on April 20-22, 2005. The section is looking into booking the Delta Queen for the President's Reception ­ details to follow.