Highlights from Cypress School Board meeting on March 8

The following information was released by the Cypress School District.

Presentation by King School

King fourth grade students performed several selections on the recorder, led by teacher Gordon Hild.

Recognition of PTA Reflections Awards

PTA Council President Candi Kern and PTA Reflections Chair Kathleen Travis shared PTA Reflections contest winners, noting that five Cypress students went on to the Fourth District PTA level.

Recognition of CAC Honorees

Dr. Troy Hunt recognized the District’s Community Advisory Committee Honorees for 2011/12: Sandy Corza, Vessels RSP teacher, and Valeri Peters Wagner, Board member.

Principal Assignments

The Board approved principal assignments for the 2012/13 school year as follows:

Arnold SchoolKing SchoolLandell SchoolLuther SchoolMorris SchoolVessels School

Denine Kelly

Carol Erbe

M.J. Beatty

Jacki Teschke

Jeannette Lohrman

Jane Snyder

Week of the School Administrator

Trustees adopted Resolution 112-14 designating the week of March 4-10, 2012 as the “Week of the School Administrator.” President Erickson thanked Educational Leaders for their service to the children of the District.

MOU with Orange County Health Care

The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding authorizing a Letter of Intent to Contract for Provision of Educationally-Related Mental Health Services with the Orange County Health Care Agency. This will allow Proposition 63 funds to be used to fully fund the District’s mental health services for students for 2011/12.

Wide Area Network

The Board approved a contract with Time-Warner Cable for the District’s Wide Area Network, which will increase speed by ten fold over what we currently have.

New Website

The Board of Trustees approved a contract with School Loop to host our website, at no cost to the District. Staff will continue to be responsible for the content and updating information.

Reduction or Elimination of Certificated Services

Trustees adopted Resolution No. 112-15, Reduction or Elimination of Certain Certificated Services, initiating, as required by Education Code, preliminary notices of certificated layoff prior to March 15, 2012. Trustee Wagner noted that it is with regret this action is taken.

Certification of Second Interim Report

The Board approved a Positive District Certification of the Second Interim Report, certifying it was reviewed in accordance with state adopted criteria and standards. Dr. McLellan reviewed the District’s financial situation, noting that the budget assumptions assume the governor’s tax initiative will be passed in November. Passage will mean a loss of $898,695 in revenue for Cypress. He also anticipates continuing declining enrollment, an increasing deficit factor, and continuing flexibility of the Class Size Reduction program. He will keep the Board informed.

Common Core State Standards

Dr. Hunt presented information to the Board regarding the new Common Core State Standards, which will replace the current California State Standards. Learning in the 21st Century will not require more worksheets, more work, or more homework; it will require teaching students to think, plan, assess, and apply. The standards provide a paradigm shift for teaching, learning, and assessment, with an emphasis on the process used to learn. Our leaders are moving students away from recall and building support, core curriculum, and staff development. The transition to Common Core State Standards will be complete with full implementation in 2014/15, at which time our current kindergarten students will participate in the new testing as third graders.

Measure M Master Program Schedule and Funding

District consultant Lynne Merrick presented information to the Board regarding the Measure M Master Program Schedule and Funding. The new schedule calls for modernizing Luther in 2012/13, Arnold 2013/14, and Landell 2014/15. Future funding will be affected by the growth of home values, a successful statewide school bond measure, and the District’s ability to complete a bridge financing program in 2013, to advance funds to complete Arnold and Landell on the current schedule. If these factors are not met, the program schedule may have to be again extended.

Luther Modernization

Merrick continued with a presentation on the Luther modernization design, sharing plans for the school site that include demolition of interior walls, an expanded multipurpose room with a stage and raised ceiling, and a new kitchen and hard cover lunch shelter.