Bullitt Central High School                           August 25, 2009

SBDM Minutes                                                              5:00 pm

 

 

Sited Based Decision Making Council

Christy Coulter, Chairperson

 

 

 

Members present:  Angela Marshall, Neal Cox, Ondrea Smallwood, Kina Vanmeter, Donna Napier

 

Guests present:  Tonia Wiggins, Youth Service Center Director

 

 

1.     Approve August Agenda

 

A motion was made by Angela Marshall to approve the Agenda, seconded by Donna Napier.  The motion carried by consensus 4-0.

 

2.     Approve June Minutes

 

A motion was made by Angela Marshall to approve the minutes with one correction, under item #5 the sentence “Make up Work Policy will only allow 50% credit for unexcused absence” was removed.  The motion was seconded by Donna Napier, the motion carried 4-0.

 

3.     Council of Councils/Parent Advisory Report

 

Discussion was held regarding attendance of monthly Council of Council meetings with Ondrea Smallwood volunteering to attend the first meeting. Other members will rotate attending the remainder of the meetings.

 

Parent representatives Donna Napier and Kina Vanmeter will take turns attending the Parent Advisory meetings.

 

 

4.     Code of Ethics & Council Bylaws (signatures required)

 

Discussion was given on various By Law Policies at which time these items were reviewed by each council member who then gave their signature for approval.

 

5.     Good News Report

 

The Building and grounds have been painted, as well as, most class rooms and doorframes.  There has been a Striving Readers Display Holder hung in the main lobby, to the left of the concession area.  This display will recognize student achievements and accomplishments.  Whiteboards have been installed, with all old bulletin boards and chalkboards being removed with the exception of rooms 23 and 24.

 

The Master Schedule is going well for the 2009 -2010 year.  After much discussion last year the decision to go to a 6 period day, changing from 90 minutes blocks to 72 minute classes, was made and is in place for this school year.  All classes seem to be very balanced with this schedule.

 

The Personnel for BC was discussed and the number of students would need to be 1,350 in order to have another assistant principal.  Two social studies positions were lost due to enrollment.  We are currently fully staffed and have a six hour a day clerical position ready to post.  We are opening to find someone with a technology background as well as the clerical abilities.  We will have a social studies position, a counselor’s position, and a ˝ position, which is not posted yet, due to the Band Director being split with Bullitt Lick Middle School.  Ms. Coulter feels that there is a need for a science teacher position, but will need the councils input.  It was suggested to use Ms. Marshall for hard course math tutoring and intervention.  It was also suggested to use the Pilot I class for gifted students that are bored and needing more classes, Ms. Marshall would oversee this.  It was agreed by council to post the ˝ time position for a Science teacher with consensus 4-0.

 

Ms. Coulter gave discussion on the System Changes which have been made in the building, mainly the front office.  She noted that the Excuse and Bus note boxes have been moved to the lobby area, just outside the door to the counselor’s offices.  These changes have allowed for less traffic in the office area and have made a noticeable difference.

 

Ms. Coulter gave an Opening Report regarding how the first weeks of school are going.  Cougar Connection is running very smoothly, some classes have 31 or more students which makes it difficult to get things going.  The Cougar Connection teachers are contacting each student’s parent to just say hello and let them know they are available and to please feel free to contact them with any questions or concerns.  Cougar Connection teachers were allowed to select their students.   Club meeting times were discussed with many different scenarios being presented.  The council discussed trying to provide meaningful clubs and a time to meet that would allow the most participation.  There are approximately 23 clubs, several not being as productive when a good time is not made available.  It was pointed out the student achievement is Bullitt Centrals number one priority.  Ms. Coulter suggested meeting in the morning, one day a month, at 7:00 am.  Dismissal time would be 7:50 am, the students are being unloaded from the buses and in the building beginning at 6:50 am.  A Plan A and B could be established to help insure that all clubs are given the opportunity to be available for the students to join and attend.  Any student not involved in a club would be in study hall in their Cougar Connection room.  Ms. Coulter also stressed the need to insure enough building supervision during club times.

 

6.     Public Comment

 

Open meetings law information was distributed for council review at which time the members provided signatures with their approval. 

 

7.     Student Services & Academic Achievement

 

 Ms. Tonia Wiggins gave discussion on the hand out she provided and explained the numbers and there meaning, there is some information still to be added for 2009-2010.  She also shared with the council the exciting news that the Bullitt Central Youth Services Center has been nominated and is a finalist for the “Most Outstanding Youth Service Center, this is out of a total of 268 centers statewide. 

 

The center is still working on the drop out rate here at BC and would like the council’s approval to continue with the Prevention Program, Ms. Wiggins is hoping to have two groups with eight students in each group.  Students completing this program would receive ˝ a credit.  The program encourages the students to make better grades and achieve a goal, based on attendance and grades various gift cards and incentives will be awarded.

 

Ms. Coulter gave discussion on measuring student achievement, explained the 2009-2010 goals sheet and Achievement Gap Report from 2008.  An explanation of how percentages are reached was given and much discussion on upcoming/incoming scores.  BC is on the upswing and things are falling into place.

 

8.     Truancy Diversion Team Report & Attendance Plan

 

A definite plan is in place to improve attendance, we are currently in a Truancy Diversion Plan with the courts, Mr. Pohlman is very committed.  Cougar Connection classes will help chart information, as well as STI keeping track and charting information.  Ms. Coulter asked that teachers forward any student names they are aware of with a current truancy problem to the appropriate grade level principal and/or counselor.  The council was of the consensus to approve The Truancy Team Report & Attendance Plan after reviewing the handout, at which time they signed their approval of this document.

 

9.     Monthly Learning/Literacy Walk Data

 

Ms. Coulter reported to council that data will be presented in September, administration will do or has done a walk through in order to track engaged freshman, sophomore, juniors and seniors.

 

10.                         Monthly PLC Monitoring Data

 

Ms. Coulter discussed that various staff are working in groups it is not just teachers, common assessment and CATS caluculator.

 

11.                         School Improvement Plan (CSIP) Review

 

Ms. Coulter discussed with council that the Think Link Scores are not being used any longer.  A new computer program is available, MAPS, and Ms. Coulter gave a discussion on the handout regarding this new program.

 

12.                          Budget

 

Ms. Coulter gave an overview/breakdown of specific information on the Budget handout.  Club funds are included on this report.  Ms. Coulter discussed how some things have been done the same for the past forty years, allotment to departments, which in turn was determined by numbers and affected the spending from year to year.  She would like to try to get in the mindset to put the money out into the hands of teachers.  Let’s purchase/spend sooner than later.  Each teacher was given $100 to spend on their classroom.  The whiteboards are also in place.

 

13.                        Committee Reports

 

Ms. Coulter reported to the council that a teacher committee will revisit and revamp the survey from last year.

 

14.                          New Business

 

Ms. Coulter would like to discuss dress code issues further.  She discussed  how the policy is working but would like to establish/incorporate some additional steps, which would include Youth Services Center more.  Create a log, announce expectations routinely on overhead, be very diligent.  Let students know log would show first offense clothes correction, second offense would be ISAP, future offenses to be dealt with more sternly.

 

Ms. Coulter asked council to look over the Policy Reviews from last year and be ready to discuss at September meeting.

 

Discussion was held to establish the best meeting times and days for the remainder of the 2009-2010 year.  It was decided by council to meet the last Thursday of the month at 5:30 pm.  Ms. Lanham will type this schedule and provide copies to the council as well as notify the Pioneer News and Board of Education.

 

15.                        Adjourn

 

A motion was made by Angela Marshall to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 pm, seconded by Donna Napier, the motion carried by consensus 4-0.