Konawaena High School SCC Minutes - 9/25/2006 Meeting

Present: Karen Harrison, Norma Matsumoto, Lydia Woerner, Sherry Nagai, Shawn Suzuki, Randy Yamabe, Karen Heinecke

Meeting called to order at 4:05
Minutes from 8/31/2006 were reviewed with the following additions to the agenda:
- Results of the peer education survey
- Report of Konawaena Complex joint SCC Boundary meeting of 9/21/2006 to address enrollment issues.
Cell Phone & ipod use survey:
Presentation of the results of the cell phone/ipod survey by each component:
The detailed survey results/exact numbers are available from each of the components.
Norma (Teachers):
The majority of teachers feel that cell phone and iPod use is a problem on campus and in the classrooms, and would support a total ban during school hours.
Comments by Teachers: ban in classroom only, usage leads to undesirable activities-photographing test, text messaging, inattention & distraction, students use cell phone as calculators.
Sherry (Classified):
The majority of classified staff feels that cell phone and iPod use is a problem on campus and in the classroom, and would support a total ban during school hours.
Comments by Classified: OK for lunch/recess, don’t believe drastic measure needed, have rules for usage, should be off during class, how do we enforce ban, ban for students only?, what about employees, staff etc., devices are part of modern technology, will support policy.
Karen Harrison (Parents):
The majority of parents will not support a total ban of cell phone and iPod use by students, however, the same majority will support a ban during classroom time.
Parents want a school wide policy, not usage at the teacher’s discretion, and only 50%
of the parents would support a total ban should it become policy.
Comments: Students need phones for emergencies, most expedient way to contact my child, should be school wide policy imposed by administration, parents should pick up items if confiscation. Most parents wanted their child to be available to them via phone.
Lydia presented Student’s results:
1. Are they a problem? 100% said NO
2. Would ban be helpful or hurtful? 100% said Hurtful
3. Are you willing to support this policy? 100% said NO
Comments: While clearly students do not want a ban, there were positive comments for a ban during classroom time.
Shawn’s report: Spoke with Robert Dircks, Principal of Hilo High. Information passed out to Council regarding Hilo High’s definition of Contraband & letter to HH parents regarding enforcement of their policy. They use ziploc bags for confiscated items and security removes.
Shawn personally sat through 3 classes on 9/22/06 for observation of usage.
In one class – 2 students listened to iPods after their work was completed.
In one class - no usage
In one class – 1 student listened to personal device.
General lengthy discussion by Council members regarding survey results and information presented regarding this issue. Discussion of our current procedure/policy.
Motion: To create a policy by Oct. with procedures for confiscation of contraband items with implementation by the beginning of November.
Motion was seconded and passed by all members. Note: Policy will be based on Hilo High’s policy but with ban during classroom time only, however, with the caveat that should usage become more of a problem, a total ban will be seriously considered. Norma, a student and a V.P. will work on a draft policy.
Policy will be included in the mail out with the report cards on Oct. 16, 2006.
Norma will be available to answer any questions from parents.
Attendance Policy:
Handout was given to Council members regarding teachers’ responses to the Attendance Policy 083106 Draft.
Comments:
Teachers have strong opinions regarding this subject.
Under Policy, change percentage of attendance/participation from 85% to 90%
If going to standard based – then attendance policy doesn’t work. Standard based scheduled for implementation by 2012.
General discussion by Council regarding definition of unexcused absences, current lockout, teacher’s comments, consequences, and Sat. school make-up. Side issues to attendance policy – tutoring, motivation to learn, other concessions.
Bottom line: Attendance Policy will require a waiver exemption and has to be approved by DOE. Would be a formal procedure subject to Sunshine, and verification to all sectors. We will need a solid infrastructure and procedure for notification to parents and counselors regarding unexcused absences. Shawn reported that the automated phone system to call parents will be working very soon.
Lydia, Margaret Masunaga, Paul Daugherty, and a V.P. will continue working on this subject to finalize and bring results to the next meeting.
Report on SCC Boundary Meeting of 9/21/2006:
Norma reported that historical information was given regarding the middle and high
schools.
Shawn reported next year’s projection of students at KHS will be in the 700s.
Holualoa and Kahakai are on the boundary between Konawaena and Kealakehe.~ Konawaena Complex voted in support of a boundary change.
Motion: To support a boundary change to reflect that the Middle School and High School share the same boundary. Seconded and passed by all members.
Shawn also reported that our SCC would need to start working on the financial plan for next year very soon due to the potential loss of additional students next year.
Report on Life Skills Program:
Norma reported that out of 7 teachers (peer education), 5 said YES to the program with positive comments. There were 2 with No Response.
Open Discussion - Last 10 minutes of the meeting: Also present at the meeting was parent, Isabel Vinson, who wanted to speak of the computer situation at KHS. A copy of the KHS Technology Plan was passed out to all members by Isabel.
~ How are we addressing this plan? ~ Does the DOE have a tech person they can provide
for us ? ~ Can we get more computers for our library? ~ Moving mobile computers can have consequences/damage to computers. Isabel stated she had visited Kealakehe HS library and compared their computer situation to ours (they have 22 online computers and 17 “other” computers for word processing in their library).
Shawn reported: We have purchased 50 mobile computers. There is a small lab in G Building. Woody (librarian) will have a teaching station set up and before the end of the year, we will have 10 computers in our library. Grant Yamamoto is the island tech person (for all schools). Brief discussion of thefts this past year being a factor in our computer numbers and security in the library being a concern. Discussion of grant writing to obtain additional computers. Isabel will get information on the Healy Foundation grant to Shawn, as she feels they will look favorably at KHS.
Move all other agenda items to the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 P.M.
Next SCC meeting – Thursday, October 26, 2006 4:00 PM
Proposed Agenda items:
- Update on personal listening device/cell phone usage policy
- Update on final draft of Attendance Policy.
- Addressing the large class sizes in the math department.
- Community College classes held during the day on our campus
- Grant writing
- Security System
- Results of the Peer Ed. Class survey on the top ranked problems at KHS
- Update from Shawn on the financial/academic plan