County Board of Education - Contra Costa County Office of Education

(UNADOPTED MINUTES)
County Board of Education
Ronald L. Stewart Center
77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, California
February 6, 2002
ROLL CALL: Pamela Mirabella, Area 1 Trustee; Cheryll LeMay, Area 2 Trustee; Daniel Gomes, Area 3 Trustee;
and Glenn Ruley, Area 4 Trustee
Absent: Daniel Borsuk, Area 5 Trustee (excused absence)
Others: Joseph Ovick, Ellen Elster, Ray Penning, Susan Magnone, Holly Brownscombe, Peggy Marshburn,
Bianca Bloom, Mary Lou Browning, Catherine Giacalone, Lindy Khan, Michael Grimes, Joe Chapot,
Valerie Gilbert, and Kerry Kilmer, County Office staff; and Craig Van Selow from Wells Fargo. A
partial list of attendees is on file at the County Office of Education.
Presiding: Glenn Ruley, Board President
The regular meeting of the County Board of Education was called to order at 6:48 p.m. with the
recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA REVIEW AND
ADOPTION The agenda was adopted with the following amendment: Item 5.1, Acceptance of Grants from Wells
Fargo, was added pursuant to Government Code section 54954.2(b)(2) (M/S: Mirabella/ Gomes;
Borsuk absent).
PUBLIC COMMENT None.
CLOSED SESSION None.
RECOGNITIONS
Wells Fargo Grants Peggy Marshburn, Communications Director, gave some background on this item and introduced
Craig Van Selow from Wells Fargo Bank. Mr. Von Selow shared with the Board that this
contribution is important to the committee, comprised of individuals who work for Wells Fargo in
Contra Costa County, because it represents a concerted effort -- in this 150 th year of Wells Fargo -- to
invest more contributions toward making a difference for the next generation through education. He
noted that $10,000 is being provided for the school violence tipline, which is a collaboration between
the Contra Costa County Office of Education and the Contra Costa Crisis Center, and that $40,000 is
bring provided for a Literacy project for underperforming schools with the Educational Services
Division. The Board thanked Mr. Van Selow and then voted unanimously to accept the two grants
totaling $50,000 from Wells Fargo (M/S: Mirabella/Gomes; Borsuk absent). Dr. Ovick mentioned
to Mr. Van Selow that both Wells Fargo and the Contra Costa County Office of Education (formerly
the Office of the County Superintendent) share a 150 th birthday this year; he then thanked Mr. Von
Selow for the donations.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND
APPEALS
WORK STUDY SESSION
Overview of Alternative Education
Department Programs
None.
Dr. Bianca Bloom, Director, Alternative Education, distributed a packet of the information that
would be presented in a PowerPoint presentation, as well as a folder containing flyers on the various
programs, an organization chart of programs and staff in the Alternative Education Program, and
copies of the Accountability Report. She thanked the Board for this opportunity to present the
programs of the Alternative Education Department and then introduced Shannon Swain, who
prepared the PowerPoint presentation. Dr. Bloom explained that her department's programs focus on
providing support and appropriate services to some of the most challenging

County Board of Education
February 6, 2002
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
youths and adults in the county and in the state. She then introduced Golden Gate Community
School Principal Joe Chapot, who gave an overview of his community school, which included the
number and types of students who use these programs, the sites involved, community partnerships,
improvement in student learning, and the various services provided to students. Mt. McKinley
Principal Lindy Khan then presented an overview of the programs for which she is responsible,
including accountability, improvement in student scores, community partnerships, graduation
information, technology, teaching strategies, and services provided to students. Dr. Michael Grimes,
Delta Vista High School Principal, shared information on the various programs offered at Delta Vista
High School at Byron Boys Ranch, including enrollment statistics, drug counseling, student transition
programs (e.g., job fairs, student portfolios, and transition plans), community partnerships, and senior
literacy tutors. On behalf of Cathy Basen, Program Administrator for Contra Costa Adults Schools,
Dr. Bianca Bloom gave an overview of the educational services and special programs offered at
Marsh Creek Detention Facility, Martinez Detention Facility, and West County Detention Facility.
She noted that the DEUCE curriculum, which was designed by CDC Project Manager Mary Lou
Browning and many COE teachers, is locally, nationally, and internationally recognized for its
curriculum. CDC Project Manager Mary Lou Browning then presented an overview of the statewide
CDC Project, which included historical background, services available to parolees, the programs
offered through the 51 classes located in parole offices (i.e., literacy and substance abuse), the
intensive STAR curriculum, and collaborations that have helped to reduce the return-to-custody rate
from 80% in 1990 to 55% currently. Catherine Giacalone, Youth Development Services Project
Manager, explained to the Board that her department works in communities to develop local
partnerships to find local solutions to health, social, economic, and education problems. She then
gave an overview of the programs and services offered through her department that address teen
pregnancy, foster youths, and home instruction for preschoolers based on a successful international
model. Ms. Giacalone also discussed the services offered through the local Council for Childcare
Development as well as the Professional Development Program, which is a program that is designed
to improve the quality of early childhood education. She also works with the Grant and Workforce
Development Board, which partners with local community organizations to focus on long-term
intervention and provide students with opportunities to participate in academic counseling,
preparation for post-secondary education, tutoring, internships, career exploration, and job
assessments so that they can be placed in jobs in careers in which they have shown an aptitude. In
response to a question from Mrs. Mirabella regarding any concerns that may exist, Dr. Bloom
addressed the matter of downsizing, which is reflected in lower ADA. The Board thanked staff for a
very comprehensive presentation.
BUSINESS SERVICES
Staff Report Deputy Superintendent Ellen Elster informed the Board that she would be providing the Bay Point
Municipal Advisory Committee with a sample petition for when they begin gathering signatures.
STUDENT PROGRAMS AND
SERVICES
Staff Report Ray Penning, Associate Superintendent, Student Programs and Services, reported that the tipline
went active this past week, and he informed the Board that data will be collected on the usefulness of
the tipline to determine whether or not the COE would like to continue providing it next year. He
then shared with the Board that one of the students who is eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship
based upon his scoring higher than 95% of the students in the statewide STAR Assessment is
currently a Community School student and that he is available to appear before the Board at a future
meeting to be recognized if the Board wishes to meet him and his father; President Ruley asked Mr.
Penning to invite the student to the next meeting. Mr. Gomes mentioned to Mr. Penning an article
published by the National School Boards Association he had read that concerned the responsibility of
school boards to protect students and teachers against the threat of terrorism at nearby chemical
facilities; he asked Mr. Penning if the COE has been working on this matter. Mr. Penning reported
that he has been addressing this issue and noted that, because of the number of spills and releases
from local refineries, Contra Costa
County is fortunate to have more hazardous materials experts than any of the neighboring counties.
Also, he reported that an organization (CAER) has been formed to set up an emergency notification
system and that National Weather Service radios are currently being distributed to various school
sites throughout the county for the purpose of notifying local communities of toxic releases from the
refineries. The system was successfully deployed recently when there was a refinery release at Point
Richmond.
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County Board of Education
February 6, 2002
INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES
Staff Report Dr. Susan Magnone, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, distributed and reviewed
information on low-performing schools and the various services provided by the COE to assist them.
She also noted that, while other COEs generally charge up to $50,000 per school for these services,
the leadership of Contra Costa County Office of Education has decided that such services shall be
provided free of charge.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Staff Report Holly Brownscombe, Director, Human Resources, reported on two recent substitute job fairs, and she
noted that there has been an increase in the number of qualified candidates. She is anticipating that
the February 23 job fair will draw a large pool of candidates, as well. Ms. Brownscombe then
reported on the EdJoin on-line recruiting Web site, which is now housed at the San Joaquin County
Office of Education and utilizes generic job applications acceptable to participating school districts
and COEs for available certificated and classified positions; this service has enhanced recruiting
efforts by giving educational agencies the ability to have a number of people paper-screen the
applications prior to scheduling interviews.
COMMUNICATIONS
Staff Report Communications Director Peggy Marshburn reported the following: she received a copy of a Fact
Book from the California Department of Education, which included a copy of the 2002 Calendar of
Events; she distributed copies of the Calendar to the Board. Mrs. Marshburn and Dr. Ovick
mentioned that Board members might wish to review the events to determine whether they would
like to propose adopting supportive resolutions in connection with them.
BOARD
Legislative Update President Ruley reported on the information that he, Mr. Gomes, and Mrs. Mirabella would be
distributing to state legislators during their visits in Sacramento on Tuesday, February 12. He also
distributed handouts listing an impressive array of notable speakers for the PTA's Legislative Day,
which is also scheduled for February 12, and mentioned that he would bring this matter to the
attention of CCBE and CCSESA.
CONSENT ACTIONS
Minutes of January 23, 2002;
Series 5141; and Public Gifts
CORRESPONDENCE/
EVENTS CALENDAR
The Board voted to approve/grant/accept the following Consent Actions: minutes of Janu-ary 23,
2002; Students - Health Care and Emergencies (Series 5141); and the following public gifts donated
to the Contra Costa County Office of Education: $100 from Debrah Wilson to North Central
Regional Programs for Oak Grove Middle School Special Day Class; $50 from Diablo Valley Speech
and Language Clinic (Richard R. Outman) to North Central Regional Programs for Oak Grove
Middle School Special Day Class; $50 from Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Dalton to North Central Regional
Programs for Oak Grove Middle School Special Day Class; $50 from Lisa Bartley to North Central
Regional Programs for Oak Grove Middle School Special Day Class; $25 from Lance Munday to
North Central Regional Programs for Oak Grove Middle School Special Day Class; $25 from Ms.
Robin Humphreys to North Central Regional Programs for Oak Grove Middle School Special Day
Class; garden supplies (approximate value $250) to Far East County Regional Programs for Liberty
from Bond Manufacturing Company (Daryl Merritt); one Irish mail car and scooter (approximate
value $250) to Far East County Regional Programs for Oakley Elementary from Mr. Schrader of
Schrader's Tours; a Macintosh 6200 Power PC with added RAM (approximate value $250) to Floyd
I. Marchus School from Amy Bell; a Macintosh 6400 computer with zip drive, tower, and an Epson
600 printer to Floyd I. Marchus School (approximate value $300) from Diana Perkovich; pizzas
(valued at $171.18) to Far East County Regional Programs at Liberty from Round Table Pizza; and a
personal computer and computer books to East County Regional Programs for Kimball Elementary
Special Day Class from Vivian Dondero (M/S: Mirabella/ Gomes; Borsuk absent).
Correspondence : None.
Calendar of Events : Feb. 11-12 - CCBE Annual Legislative Conference, Sacramento; March 5 - "On
Your Own" - Central County; March 14 - Transition Fair - Marchus School; April 11 - "On Your
Own" - East County; April 23 - Transition Fair - Marchus School; May 22, noon - CCCOE
Graduation Luncheon (Far East, Central, and North Central County Programs), Liberty Hotel
Restaurant, Pittsburg; June 7, noon - Marchus School Graduation and Awards Ceremony.
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County Board of Education
February 6, 2002
BOARD REPORTS OF
ACTIVITIES
No written reports of activities were submitted by Board members. Mrs. Mirabella reported that
Daniel Gomes and she attended the Youth and Race Issues and Solutions Summit sponsored by
Assemblywoman Dion Aroner, and she attended a clinic entitled, "Books, Not Bars," at the summit
on alternatives to jail; she also attended another clinic on high-stakes testing and exit exams, which
she found very interesting; she particularly enjoyed an articulate presentation made by a high school
student regarding his concerns about these tests. Mr. Gomes also reported on the Youth and Race
Summit and described an interesting ice-breaker that demonstrated common experiences among the
participants (e.g., being raised in poverty, having experienced violence, etc.); he also attended a clinic
at the summit on Violence Prevention at which the youths did most of the presenting and the adults
did most of the listening. Dr. LeMay reported that she is scheduled to attend the CCBE Board of
Directors meeting on Monday. Mr. Ruley thanked Ellen Elster and Holly Brownscombe for
presenting the second part of the CQI training to the Alameda County Food Bank.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Board adjourned in the memory of Maxine Borsuk, Trustee
Daniel Borsuk's mother, at 8:25 p.m. after a moment of silence.
4
Joseph A. Ovick, Ed.D., Ex Officio Secretary
County Board of Education
Pursuant to Board Bylaw 9326(a), a tape of this meeting is considered a part of these minutes. Copies of all resolutions adopted by the Board are on
file in the Office of the Superintendent, Ex Officio Secretary of the Board of Education.
These unadopted minutes are summaries and excerpts from the regular meeting of February 6, 2002, and are subject to amendment and/or correction
prior to the approval of the County Board of Education.