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MINUTES
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
6:00 P.M.
1800 Oakdale Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
1.0 Call to Order
Commissioner Bobbrie Brown called the Wednesday, May 23, 2007 meeting to order at 6:17 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Avenue.
Commissioner Brown read the Sunshine Ordinance aloud.
1.2 Roll Call: Commissioners Present: Brown, Fuentes, Churchwell, Jones, Kennedy, Parker; Sampson
Staff Present: John Roddy, Deputy City Attorney, Toye Moses, Executive Director; Joseph Singh, Mgmt. Assistant, Annette Price, Commission Secretary.
1.3 Consent Calendar
RESOLUTION (SECFC-2007-81) Be it resolved that the minutes of the Southeast Community Facility Commission meeting of Thursday, May 10, 2007 were approved as submitted.
2.0 PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment at this time.
3.0 COMMUNICATION:
There was no communication at this time.
4.0 PRESENTATION:
Superintendent Gwen Chan began by introducing senior staff, Mr. Hoover Liddell, Special Assistant, Mr. Rudy Jones, Director of Secondary Operations, Ms. Dee Dee Desmond, Executive Director of the Reform Department.
Superintendent Chan announced her impending retirement as of July 1st and reported that the final candidate for school superintendent has been selected and will be announced in 2 weeks.
Superintendent Chan reviewed the challenges faced by the District a year ago and decisions made to address those challenges as related to the needs of underperforming schools.
Superintendent Chan reported with the passage of Propositions H and A, the District will be able to increase programs in the arts, music, athletics, counseling, nursing, teaching/learning, and violence prevention as well as allow the renovation of school facilities to health, safety, instructional and accessibility standards throughout the district.
The District also plans to improve school leadership by conducting professional growth activity programs for principals and assistant principals. Superintendent Chan ended her presentation by stating that the District would also focus on teacher recruitment in the challenge areas such as special ed, bilingual ed, science/math programs.
With respect to BVHP Dream schools, Mr. Hoover Liddell distributed a school enrollment summary, reviewed statistics, and discussed the challenge of low enrollment faced by the District. He reported that Dream schools (Drew, Brown, the Academy @ Thurgood Marshall) initially designed as pathway schools had to be reconfigured to enable the transition of students from kindergarten through 12th grade. He noted more emphasis would be placed on cultural competency programs for all students.
Mr. Liddell reviewed state/federal academic performance statistics for the Dream schools, which overall has improved but are still ranked at a 1:1.
Commissioner Jones voiced concern that there has been an instance in which a very competent psychologist had been removed from a school without the principal’s knowledge and replaced by a psychologist who was less competent. She went on to explain this has happened in more than one instance. She asked for statistics on the number of psychologists, social workers, and nurses that would be hired by the District and what the District has done for the past 17 months to address some of the needsof the children.
Ms. Chan stated she did not know specifically which school this occurred but requested to be provided with that information after the meeting to do follow up.
Mr. Liddell spoke of the difficulty in placing school psychologists in BVHP schools, some flat out refusing to report, delays in the implementation of Individualized Placement Programs (IEPs), and the need to hire truant parent liaisons. He assured the Commission that he would forward specific statistics on number of psychologists, nurses, and social workers placed in the Dream schools, and also look into the removal of the psychologist referred to by Commissioner Jones.
Ms. Desmond interjected that a new position called Learning Support Consultant would be hired at each Dream school in addition to a full time nurse. Star schools will have a part-time consultant/nurse.
Commissioner Jones asked whether the “I Rise Program” would be brought back into the schools. Mr. Liddell stated the District would re-examine that program to determine in what way it might be re-instituted.
Mr. Ricky Jones discussed plans to restructure the Pupil Services Department, which will be staffed with an administrator to address discipline and truancy issues.
Commissioner Kennedy voiced concern regarding the fate of African American children and teachers who are so quick to label them.
Commissioner Fuentes asked if underachievement continues, what would be the outcome. Ms. Desmond explained that Dream schools would be addressed on a local level whereas state and federal accountability systems could come under sanctions (school closure and/or replacement of school administrators).
Commissioner Brown asked how many African American principals are present in BVHP schools. Mr. Liddell stated there are seven principals in the BVHP.
Dir. Moses asked whether an exit plan is in place to ensure that continuity is maintained at Dream schools with the imminent arrival of the new superintendent. Ms. Chan stated an exit plan is in place and committed to personally bringing the new superintendent to address the Commission.
Commissioner Churchwell commented about weekly lesson plans and the hiring of additional counselors. Ms. Chan said lesson plans are required and stated the District would provide to the Commission a distribution of how most underserved schools would be supported with counselors.
Ms. Dorris Vincent voiced concern re: children with special needs who require special settings. Mr. Jones stated the District will be hiring 24 new counselors and will use certain criteria for their placement on school site campuses.
Ms. Alma Robinson voiced concern regarding the seeming elimination of programs offered at Hilltop School with regard to pregnant minors. Ms. Chan stated although there would be staffing changes, services would not be reduced.
Dr. David West expressed concern regarding instructors being taken out of the district for professional development training and suggested an integration of a comprehensive curriculum be instituted that addresses all groups.
Commissioner Brown asked whether African American culture/history has been included in school textbooks. Ms. Chan reported recently adopted textbooks by the Board do include cultural competency/ethnic studies and will be on site for the coming school year.
Mr. James Calloway requested that the Commission periodically meet with the new superintendent, board members, and teachers/principals to discuss failing academic performance by students.
Mr. Michael Chappie Grice commented on expectations, urgency, motivation of students, and elevate/monitoring of school leadership.
Ms. Virginia Marshal announced the opening of the citywide tutorial after school program Monday - Thursday from 4 to 6 located at five sites, 1551 Newcomb, Providence Baptist Church, San Francisco Christian Center, Ingleside Presbyterian Church, Third Baptist Church, and Chin Lee Academy.
Ms. Emily Wade Thompson commented about mental health issues, IEPs, sensitivity training, and truancy.
Superintendent Chan said she would send a list of all African American students who have received scholarships in the District.
In light of the late hour, Ms. Jannette Fisher’s presentation will be rescheduled to a future date.
4.0 Health & Housing Report
Commissioner Jones reported: Health issues of focus: Cancer and asthma.
- Action Plan: 1) List of providers in the Southeast sector that address cancer/ asthma. 2) Plan health awareness fair (tentatively scheduled for September). 3) Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 12th.
MOTION: Moved by Jones, seconded by Parker to accept the Director’s Report. Motion passed unanimously to accept report as presented (7-0).
5.0 DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Dir. Moses reported the following:
a. Follow-up meeting will take place re: jurisdictional transfer on Friday June 1st to finalize the transfer of the childcare centers. As of July 1st DHS will take over the facilities; however, SECF will continue to schedule auditorium usage and ensure quality childcare services are being provided to BVHP residents. CCSF is on vacation and all is quiet.
MOTION: Moved by Jones, seconded by Sampson to accept the Director’s Report. Motion passed unanimously to accept report as presented (7-0).
7.0 INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS BY COMMISSIONERS:
There was no new business introduced at this time.
6.0 PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mr. Tony Caruso suggested someone from teachers union and 1st or 2nd year teacher from district be invited to present.
7.0 ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Dir. Moses stated a memo from Mayor’s office invited the Commission to a swear-in @ 3:30 on Thursday.
8.0 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________
Commission Secretary
