Open Forum:

Pat Gemma’s response to our letter expressing his intention to meet w/ us in late April or early May.  We aren’t sure whether the Board will respond separately.  Winter Formal was held Saturday night and was a success.  Friday night basketball games also went well.  Leslie With was present at events both Friday and Saturday and deserves commendation for her efforts.  Dancing by some wasn’t appropriate and perhaps a refresher is needed prior to next dance.  It was suggested that we provide photographs that serve as examples of what is/ isn’t appropriate in terms of dress, etc.  Millard Fillmore is this weekend. 

Minutes:
Minutes from the meeting of January 14, 2008 were approved. 

Agenda Items:
The agenda was approved.

Summary of Staff Feedback for Staff Development: Overall positive response from staff; David Reilly provided a page of highlights of staff’s comments.

Draft GATE Survey:The intention is to gather more information about the 400 GATE students at WHS.  Some rewording was suggested.  A series of concerns were then raised:  Have we looked at the test scores of these students?  Could survey ask more pointed questions?  Do students really know how they were identified as GATE?  Could we look at students’ cumulative folders rather than surveying?  How will survey be administered?

Sent back to Task Force w/ the following suggestions:

• Tone of #2 could be made more positive;
• Data should be looked at, so that more targeted questions can be posed;
• Task Force needs to report on how survey will be administered and to whom;
• Question #3 could be broadened to include philosophy, etc.;
• Resubmit for approval.

Task Force Changes: Allowed only after the 1st semester.  Two requests: Chris Logue would like to move from Advisory  to the Write Stuff or Same Page (there is currently no Foreign Language member on either Task Force) and Pam Ranganath to Greenies.  Both changes were approved.

Cycles of Inquiry from Math, Science, English, Social Studies: Today we focused on U.S. History by reviewing CST scores from 2007.  The following “facts” were observed:

• Our AP students are scoring below the District’s average.
• Our Academy students are performing above the District’s average.
• Concern that test’s wording is problematic leading to more of a vocabulary test than one of historical knowledge.  Dana also raised: 1) the issue of not enough time afforded during school year to cover the standards; 2) the need to know test’s contents in order to adjust lessons accordingly.

We need to get data more quickly in order to make it available and relevant to students. 
* Next time we will focus on the Math Department’s findings.

Budget/ SLIP Funds: Arlene Kolber provided an update.  Site Discretionary Block Grant: $46,150 is available.  The suggestion was made to spend this money to replace supplemental books.  Departments could determine what is needed.  Some type of criteria is needed to determine what books will be purchased/ replaced.  The District is obligated to provide core textbooks to students.

Slip Funds allocated for Staff Development are nearly spent; therefore it was suggested that some of the Block Grant’s funds be allocated for Staff Development.  David Reilly proposed that MAA monies totaling $35,782 be combined w/ Block Grant monies.

It was decided that:

1. Arlene Kolber will research how District allocates/ spends replacement monies (when students pay book replacement fees, what does the District do w/ the money collected?) and will find out from Anne Ken what replacements are currently needed;
2. David Reilly and Diane Mazzei will report at our next meeting on how much money is needed for Staff Development for the remainder of the current school year;
3. Budget discussion will continue on February 11, 2008.

Snacks for the February 11, 2008 meeting will be provided by Brian Murphy and Karen Peterson.
Process Group – Gay Buckland
Next Agenda:
Advisory task force survey
Cycle of Inquiry – math
Budget – book replacement and funding report
Art dept. proposal
Task force updates
Dress code issue/concern
Data profile
Small learning communities

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