MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 3:40p.m. by Vice Chairperson
Ms. Dellepiane. The following changes were made to the
December minutes: 1) on page 2 under Budget Adjustments,
the amount requested to be transferred from “instructional
material” to “office supplies” was corrected
from $5,000 to $15,000. 2) on the bottom of page 2, the
next Council meeting was corrected from February 8th to
January 25th.
No other corrections were noted and the remaining minutes
were approved and the agenda confirmed.
Administration Report/Calendar
Ms. Dellepiane reported that the banner for the “Count
Me In” attendance program was in front of the school.
She reported on the school’s AYP (Adequate Yearly
Progress), a federally mandated report. Based on this
report, schools are determined to have an autonomous status
or required to be classsified as a “Program Improvement
School”. Verdugo Hills is in good standing now,
after attending to a sub-group (Asian) that had just missed
its target rate of improvement. VHHS is NOT a Program
Improvement School. The AYP is based on the High School
Exit Exam, and the students are highly motivated to pass.
There are quite a few incentives and assistance for those
taking the test. School Site Council member Jocelyn Morales
was asked by Will Kernkamp if she had taken the exit exam.
She did in 10th grade and passed it. No one was surprised!
Verdugo’s API (State report) met all its targets
including its most significant sub-groups, 1) Hispanic/Latino
2) Caucasian, and 3) socio-Economically Disadvantaged.
Faculty Update
The committee was reminded that letters to Roy Romer and
the Board would always be helpful to urge for 1) pay raises
for instructors, and 2) smaller class size.
Old Business
Jean Hoelscher asked about whether to pursue getting student
translators for Back-to-School Night. There was great
concern about trying to give families every possible way
to communicate effectively on this evening. Jean will
look into the possibility of translators.
Alice Debbaudt asked about the results of Leadership’s
visit to the School Board regarding revenue loss from
soda sales. (Administrative report December 14, 2004 SSC
minutes). Verdugo students Jessica Garcia, Jessica Torres,
and Jocelyn Morales presented their ideas to the Board.
They were told that if they can find foods that meet the
standards, the can sell it. The Board did not offer ideas
on how schools can replace the money that they no longer
earn. The District’s goal is to negotiate with vendors
to get the best deal it can for the schools. A very lively
discussion followed about the quality/healthiness of all
foods available to students. Cafeteria food does not seem
to be under this initiative by the Board. Is it necessarily
right that the attempt at controlling or influencing our
students to eat better is coming at the expense of our
own athletic department’s source of added income?
The teams are the ones who will suffer the most from the
lack of revenue. No one is questioning the logic of eating
better, but there is concern over how Verdugo can overcome
its reliance on this old source of revenue.
Jocelyn Morales reported that there had been a sample
taste-testing of some new salads at the Board meeting.
She said there was a great Chicken Caesar Salad, a Southwest-type
Salad, and some fruit salad. It would be wonderful if
these items could be offered to students in the cafeteria.
New Business
No new business was reported.
Categorical Programs
No new recommendations from committees.
The next School Site Council meeting will be Tuesday,
February 8th at 3:30 in room 157.
Minutes prepared by Alice Debbaudt
