Malibu High School PTSA General Associate Meeting

September 15^th, 2005

Heather Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM in the school library. Heather welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the year. She requested that questions be held for the end of the meeting to ensure we made it through the agenda.

A motion was made by Sandy Thacker to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Cathy seconded and they were approved unanimously.

The PTA board of 2005-2006 was introduced.

Michael Kiaser who is heading up the Shark Fund this year was introduced. He gave a brief history of the formation of the Shark Fund. In 2003-2004 the fund collected $750,000, in 2004-2004 they collected $541,000. This money though it seems a lot, only covers the basics. It does not include the ability to buy lockers etc. So far this year we have collected $220,000 from 200 families since mid-August. There are approximately 900 families in the school. Directors and volunteers have devoted enormous amounts of time and energy. Next meeting will be October 18^th. Location will be posted on the web site. The goal this year is $I million. For more information go to the MHS web site to find out who has donated and on what the money is spent. Please volunteer.

Heather Anderson noted that the group in attendance only represented 3% of the parents so please spread the word.

If your child did not receive a report card it is because library books were not returned. This will continue until the situation is corrected.

Sandy Thacker will be the Middle Schools representive on the PTSA. Heather will focus on the High School. This will means each school will have a PTSA President focused on their needs.

Sandy thanked everyone for their help on Get Your Stuff day and to those who helped in the events to welcome new families.

Please sign up to volunteer and join the PTSA.

Sport Key Club is collecting loose change for Katrina victims.

Bridgette Hanson 4^th VP – Tennis Tournament Fund Raiser expects to raise between $12,000 and $22,000. Please plan to join in. You do not have to play tennis. There is a wonderful lunch with boutiques so you can do your holiday shopping, live and silent auctions, meet with friends. Please plan to attend.

Ralph’s Program is an effortless way to give money to the school, once you join up. Ralphs gives 4% of everything you spend to MHS. They pay quarterly. Last quarter with only 40 people signed up we made $600.

eScrip - a separate program. Sign up your debit and credit cards and a percentage gets paid to the school. PC Greens gives 10% Its easy to register, log on to www.escrip.com. Failing this, please call Brigitte Hanson (310) 456-7540 and she will be happy to do it for you. Please sign up.

Karen Zethraeus 3^rd VP- Reflections Contest. A national art contest organized by the PTAs with the winner going on to district/state/national levels. This years theme is “I wonder why“ We are giving entries more attention this year. We have great judges and plan to display the work. Entries can be music, photography, poetry, writing and art.

Rhonda Mossor - Parents eyes- philosophy is more parents prevent any “foul plans” It is good to come and see for yourself. Have been working on the issues of cleanliness for a while. Today was clean. Once a week is good. We have been growing and are making a dent. Volunteers always welcome.

Kathy Egnar- Treasurer

Grant requests presented (see attached). Dr Kelly always clears the grants prior to being presented at a meeting.

A motion to approve the grants was made by Sandy and seconded by Chuck. Passed unanimously.

Budget (see attached) was presented by Kathy. Budget is very bare bones. Nothing glamorous. A query about teacher’s supplies was made from the floor. Teachers receive $400 for supplies if they teach 5 periods and $450 for 6 periods.

Nuts and Bolts

Heather gave an outline of how our school receives its funds. Property taxes used to pay for education. This caused a difference in money spent on students as wealthier areas had more money. Now every student in California receives the same amount of money no matter where they live. This is why some people ask why such a wealthy area as Malibu is so short of funds to fix basic things The Federal government gives money for economically disadvantaged students and minorities to help close the achievement gap. We get very little of that. Our cities Santa Monica and Malibu do give some money. The only other way to get money is a parcel tax, which we did 2 years ago. The district spends 90% on staff salaries and benefits. That leaves only 10% for everything else. This is why we need the Shark Fund and are continually asking for donations.

The PTSA have endorsed a “No” on proposition 90. This proposition would void proposition 76 that states 40% of California’s state budget must go to education. The Governor has suspended this proposition for the last two years and now wants to void it with Prop 90.

A question from the floor regarding giving money straight to the teachers rather than go through the Shark Fund. The shark fund encourages everyone to give directly to the Shark Fund as they fund the teachers. You may also make a request when donating designating exactly where you would like the money to go. The Shark Fund is then able to keep account of where the money goes.

Suzanne –Middle school vice principal gave a mini version of the rules she discussed with the students. (see attached) An hour was spent with each grade. These rules are also in their agenda books.

Parents were encouraged to use The Discovery Zone Hub to keep track of homework. For people who are having difficulty logging on, step-by-step directions will be post on eMHS.

Suigen Constanza is heading up the community service program. For middle school 10 hours must be done a year. For High School it is 20 hours a year but they can be carried forward. Forms can be download from the school website. Please keep a copy.

Dr. Mark Kelly – Principle “State of the School”

The opening of the school year was very smooth. HS school students had the opportunity to meet with counselors to adjust their schedules by appointment, rather than last year when they lined up and waited, missing class. Students were quickly into place.

Enrollment is approximately 1300 students. There is an increase in the high school with a slight decrease in the middle school. The incoming 6^th grade class was smaller and there are large classes in 8th and 9^th grades. Some students returned to Malibu High School.

Nine new teachers have been hired, a new administrative assistant Nedra Gray and a new campus security person Grace Vasquez.

Still looking to hire an attendance office staff and a few instructional aids.

The first week of school we hit custodian problems. The day custodian hurt herself, and another is facing family needs in New Orleans. There were no subs to fill the void. The situation has been resolved and we have also picked up a temporary sub to assist with day duties. Dr Kelly has also met with the custodian staff and reviewed assignments and expectations. It was noted that improvements has been seen.

This year we have managed to achieve more even class sizes in the Middle School. Also not the extremes in the High School as compared to last year. It is difficult to achieve this in a small population school offering a comprehensive program.

New Programs.

Regional Occupations Program aimed at students who may not be going to college. It taps into existing classes. Bill Bixler with music exploration, audio technology, Jodi Plaia with expanded stagecraft technology and professional actors contract students with people out in the industry.

Santa Monica College duel enrollment program.

SMC has a college art program at Malibu High School. It gives college credit and is for adults and students. If we can increase the enrollment we would be able to offer more programs like this.

Safe School Ambassadors- a program that identifies a set of middle school students who have “social capital” and trains them to address negative behaviors and to be leaders amongst their peers. Partnered with UCLA to help evaluate the program.

Two new classes- guitar and AP environmental studies.

Learning Resource center- a program targeted to help students where general strategies have not worked.

SMMUSD Independent School. A small program for students who are home schooled. It will be housed in the High School. For more information contact the principle of Olympic High School, Jamie Gates.

Staffing Changes- Athletic Director-Alredo Silva

HS ABS- Jodi Plaia

MS ABS- Brigette Leonard

Before school opened the staff had three days of professional development. Work included revisiting the standards and on the work for the year.

Testing

The state testing showed MHS was on a strong footing. API increased to 831.

Advanced Placement was a success. 50 more students were able to take AP classes this years compared to last and still we had an increase in students who received a 3 or higher. This is surprising, as you would expect a decrease with more students being eligible.

California Standard Tests, continue to see modest growth in most areas, strong growth in some, and mixed in Biology, 8^th grade Algebra and Special Ed.

MHS continues to show growth amongst Latino and African American students, yet there is still a gap. Gains for students on free and reduced lunch were also seen.

Dr Kelly thanked everyone for their hard work, new tables, the Gardening Angels dedication, Kathy Egnar for doing his office and all who helped at the 6^th grade breakfast.

Overall a good picture for MHS but Dr. Kelly feels there are still lots of room for growth. On this positive note and no questions from the floor the meeting was adjourned at 9:00

Next meeting October 20^th, at 8:30 AM

Respectfully submitted

Fiona Corrgian