Present: Robert Rossman, Debbie Hedemann, Norma Matsumoto, Sherry Nagai, Lydia Woerner, Randy Yamabe, Shawn Suzuki, Karen Harrison. Non-member: Isabel Vinson

Meeting was called to order at 4:05 PM by Lydia Woerner.

Minutes from the 12/11/06 meeting were reviewed with the following clarification under Life Skills Program (Norma). The meeting attended by Norma on 12/12/06 was a Personal Transition Planning workshop on the new B of E requirement for current 9th graders. Motion to approve minutes with the above correction was made and seconded. Minutes accepted with correction. Minutes of 12/18/06 were reviewed. Motion to approve minutes was made and seconded. Minutes accepted.

Approve Amended By-Laws (Lydia)
Lydia shared the sign up sheet with Council members she created for visitors, guests, or those wanting to speak on an agenda item or during the open portion of our meetings. Handout to all members: “Amendment to Konawaena H.S. S.C.C. Bylaws”. Under Article VII: Meetings, Section 3, Paragraph 2 would be replaced with:
If a non-council member would like to give testimony regarding an agenda item, that person must sign in and state the item. That person will be recognized by the chairperson at the appropriate time and will be limited to three (3) minutes for input.
The last 10 minutes of the meeting will be open for public input regarding items not on the agenda; each person will be asked to speak within a three (3) minute time limit. Anyone wishing to be recognized during this time must sign in and state the subject which will be addressed.
Motion: To accept the amendment to the ByLaws under Article VII, Section 3, Paragraph 2 with the above language. Motion seconded and accepted by all members.

Update on Attendance Policy (Lydia):
Lydia, Joyce, Randy & Isabel got together last week to create the “First Draft 1/22/07 KHS Attendance Policy.” Draft was handed out to all Council members. This draft is a modified version of the Pearl City H.S. and old Konawaena H.S. attendance policies. Lydia discussed a main point of the policy: that poor attendance may result in no credit given for the course. Policy applies to any absence.

Lengthy council discussion regarding the attendance draft and the no credit aspect of the policy.
Discussion of the appeals process and how not to clog it up, the possibility of students “testing out” so not to repeat a class, keeping good records and paper trail, bringing notes in a timely manner, doctor’s slip for absences or parent ok?. Discussion of an exemption through Dept. of Ed. for an attendance policy waiver, public forums, and deadlines. Randy referred to the Board of Ed. Guideline on Student Conduct.
Discussion of targeting kids who are cutting, not those with legitimate excuses. Need to keep the school foundation strong, need serious consequences for absences, students need to understand the seriousness of taking away the credit, need the back up from teachers & administration. Does the infraction of being absent fit the consequence of taking away the credit?

More discussion about taking away the credit if student has earned the grade.
Under GLO, attendance is a separate issue. State standards are based on student’s ability. If policy is
implemented we need a good campaign. Students need to realize they would be making a conscious decision to miss class, perhaps we can require a signed acknowledgement from students. Campaign to inform parents after 3 rd absence. Discussion of absences reflecting on report cards, procedure to alert parents. We would need to complete a waiver request before Spring Break and it is due by March 31st.

For continuity of subject matter, the following paragraph and the Motion are inserted in the minutes here, although they actually happened towards the end of the meeting.
Lydia asked for a show of hands of who would support the draft / who would not. Council was divided on the issue of taking away the credit, and it is noted that our discussions on the attendance policy kept coming back to this issue.
Motion: To accept the 1st Draft (1/22/07) of the Attendance Policy and to present this draft policy for input to:
the faculty at the Feb. 16th meeting, the students in early Feb. (Shawn will do this), & the PTSA at the Feb. 12th
meeting. All feedback will be brought to the next SCC meeting. Then go to public forum. Submit to DOE before March 31st Motion was seconded and accepted.

Update on iPod and Cell Phone Policy (Norma):
Notice about the policy is in the Wildcat Roar. Report cards are going out tomorrow or Wed. (1/23 or 1/24/07). There will be two weeks of bulletin and teacher announcements for students. There has already been a lot of discussion regarding the new policy. Baggies and pens will be distributed to teachers, and parents will have to pick up the confiscated items. The policy should start on approximately Feb. 5, 2007, Feb. 12th, at the latest.

Update on Community College Program (Norma):
Construction Academy will have a 3-year curriculum – 3 levels of construction. Mr. Aramori has agreed to teach the class and will start on the Community College payroll in July. Norma passed out an informal print out of questions and answers from Jamie Nekoba just for Council members information and review.

Update on Technology (Debbie):
Debbie has contacted two people who are full time tech personal with other high schools and neither are in a position to help us. She talked with Craig Fuller and he says we need a ½ time position for a repair
person. Debbie has given Mary Beth Hilburn information on the Bill Healy Foundation as a source of grants, and perhaps this foundation can help us with the technology repair person. Mary Beth can also help with grants for Janis Weiss and Patty Kimball. Discussion of the need to clarify how Mary Beth receives payment for her services. Woody is also a good grant writer and perhaps can be used for smaller grants. Shawn or Joyce will contact Mary Beth to clarify how she gets paid.

Recognition of Waiver Day (Shawn):
Each SCC Council member received a SCC Handbook II. Shawn reviewed the Waiver/Exception Request Form and Processing Procedure on page 86 #1 and page 87. Also noted on page 90 B that the required number of minutes of instructional time per week for high school is 1285. Shawn passed out the long form, “School Community Council Exception Request Form, Form A” and reviewed same with emphasis on Section D, our Academic Plan goals and objectives: academic rigor, teacher’s need for professional development, consistent focus on improving teaching which will improve test scores. Shawn reviewed last years Waiver & PC Days and next years dates and desired outcomes of the staff development activities. Shawn passed out the 2007-2008 School Calendar and noted PC & Waiver Days. (PC Day - all 6 schools will have the same days for continuity. Waiver Day – each school will pick their own). Council approved the four P.C and two Waiver Days.

Discussion of school improvement and student performance. Is it skill or will? Discussion of teacher’s meetings. What are the teacher’s interests? Do teacher’s ask for help with lotus notes, phone system, operational items? Shawn tries to stay away from operational items during meetings, looks at our vision, teacher accountability, and rigor. Discussion of 9th grade performance and preparation for 10th grade testing. We will be using classrooms for testing instead of the cafeteria -more comfortable atmosphere.
Prepare kids for the test, tips on test taking from teachers, have juice and crackers. Other idea: 2 weeks before testing, do Brain Gym with teachers so they can teach the students.

Handout by Norma regarding pre-testing for 9th graders. She will present this information at the Wed. meeting. Discussion of working with 8th graders to develop a 4-year plan.

Reminder: Feb 1st joint meeting with other SCC members in our complex at the Christ Church Hall 6:00 P.M.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:15 PM

Feb. SCC meeting – Feb. 22, 2007 4:00 PM

Proposed Agenda Items:
? Update on Attendance Draft from different components (Lydia)
? Update on Grant Writing (Debbie)
? HSA test Action Plan (Shawn)
? Look at Student Performance Data (Shawn)
? Report on Complex-wide Feb. 1st meeting (Attendees)