Present: Lydia Woerner, Karen Harrison, Randy Yamabe, Sherry Nagai, Bob Rossman, Debbie Hedemann, Margaret Masunaga. Non-member: Isabel Vinson

Meeting was called to order at 4:10 PM by Lydia Woerner.

Minutes from the 2/22/07 meeting were reviewed with the following corrections noted:
Under: Teacher update/General discussion: Name of Family Court judge is: Judge Auna
Under: Update on Grant Writing/Technology - Discussion/Comments: Change “S” Building to CSAP (portables).

Update on Attendance Policy Draft and Finalization (Lydia):
Lydia passed out the “Second Draft” of the KHS Attendance Policy revised by the committee, and noted that there are a few changes in the wording from the 1st draft to the 2nd draft. One addition: under Attendance Procedures & Attendance Letter, the 2nd Draft includes the addition of a SECOND letter to be sent after the 6th absence. NG (no grade) could hold us up as we would need a waiver, whereas the NC (no credit) we wouldn’t need a waiver. With the NC, students would still receive the grade, which cannot be changed due to contractual issues. Absences are 10 per semester course, and 20 per year course.

General council discussion: How do students know they don’t get credit if they receive a grade? Discussion of the logistics of notifying students, parents, and teacher awareness regarding the attendance of their students. It won’t get to the point of 10 absences without a general awareness by everyone. Letters will go out after the 3rd & 6th absence. Letters will be assumed received by parents. Documentation by the attendance clerk of sent notifications will be sufficient proof of receipt, unless the mail is returned as “undeliverable.” Policy will be discussed at all levels, notification of policy in school publications, website etc. If there are legitimate reasons for the absences (sick, etc), the appeal process will kick in. Concept is good, but is this policy the “bat” to make students stay in class? This policy is for those students who are cutting class because they can – we need to get them back in class.

Lengthy discussion of whether we need a waiver – for either NC or NG. Lydia read an excerpt from the Board of Education School Attendance Procedures & Polices regarding the separation between grades and attendance. General discussion that we should write a waiver for the NC to be safe. Our policy needs to be defendable. We are still giving the grade, just not the credit. There is a consequence with this policy, but not necessarily punitive. Randy read an excerpt from the Supreme Court of the State of Connecticut regarding Campbell High School. Their policy tends to be educational, rather than being punitive. Attendance is part of the bigger picture. Does it support academic success? What is the direction and vision for our school? Discussion of a vote being necessary by the teachers regarding this policy. At the last survey, teachers were concerned about whether the grade would or would not be reflected into the GPA. Lydia is willing to lead a discussion at the teacher’s meeting, would pass out the 2nd draft, and get a consensus. Brief discussion of having a committee to make up the appeals form, having an advocate for the student at the appeal.

More discussion of the waiver and the need for data to support it (trend report). Shawn talked with Art Souza and Art felt we do not need a public hearing, just notification/publish in Wildcat Roar, website etc. It was generally agreed by the council that we should write a waiver, & check the old wording on the previous waiver.

Motion: To accept the 2nd draft of the Attendance Policy and present it to the faculty for their vote.
Discussion: A more detailed discussion of the Operational aspects, how does registrar reflect grade and NC, how are teachers notified of letters being sent to parents, etc. How is it going to work? Discussion of the definition “Tardy” (D). Sherry had a problem with the tardy definition and wants something added to reflect that a student is not to be considered tardy if they are on “school business.” More discussion of it being time for a change, needing to support all students on all levels.
Vote: 5 YES (Randy, Margaret, Lydia, Debbie, Shawn), 2 NO (Sherry, Bob)

New Direction for the School (Shawn): Shawn distributed “Guiding Principles” handout and discussed the “culture” of KHS – what we do, what we believe, stand for and practice. Is it skill or will?
Our Mission: “Achievement, Character and Success for Life” (ACS)
Our Vision: “A Community School of Excellence, A Model for All”
Our Value Statements: Share the Work, Celebrate the Success, Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow, Value Everyone, Everyday, Everywhere, Community Built on Character, Committed to Continuous Improvement.

General Directions:
Insure Equal Access to Improve Student Learning
Improve Communication with All Members of the School Community
Foster and Develop the Growth of the Whole Child
Establish and Maintain a Safe and Secure Environment
Enhance the Professional Development of all Members of the Learning Community

Shawn recently went to a conference given by Dr. Richard DuFour, and has also attended several meetings recently dealing with a new direction for our school. Council members were shown the video, “Through New Eyes - Examining the Culture”, by Dr. DuFour, about Stevenson High School, and two different scenarios about how to approach opportunities/choices for students. In one scenario the school had little interest in supporting the student. Some of the concepts mentioned in the supportive scenario were: student mentoring (upper classmen mentoring freshmen), all students asked to join 2 activities (club, sport), student support team, review of student goals, guided study classes, specific analysis of student’s work, NO OPTION for failure.

Discussion of video/concepts: We need to organize our support, re-define our jobs, and need to focus on achievement, character and success. Focus on directional, being timely and systematic, and no choice for failure. Discussion of changing the bell schedule, hooking up with the future, supporting the teachers and students. Let’s move ahead !

Table agenda item “Update of Contacting Grant Writer” to the next meeting.
Reminder – Elections need to be done by end of April.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:20 PM
April SCC Meeting – Monday, April 9, 2007 4:00 PM

Proposed Agenda Items:
*Update on Attendance Policy/Waiver (Lydia)
*Update of Contacting Grant Writer (Shawn)
*Bell Schedule (Shawn)