SITE GOVERNANCE MEETING MINUTES - 2003/2004

1. The meeting was called to order at 5:20 pm.
   Site Governance Council members present were: Amanda Amir, Janine Avner, Anette Bolan, Zeenat Bhamani, Patricia Figueroa, Shirin Hashim, Steven McWright, Sara Milstein, Andrew Powers, Laura Simone, Joyce Smith, Debbie Soleymani, Brian Stecher, and Ilene Straus.
   
   Members of the public present were: Margarita Gonzalez.
   
   
2. Public Comment. There was no public comment.
   
   
3. Action Items
   A. Minutes. The minutes from the February meeting were approved as presented, and the minutes from the March meeting were approved as amended.
   B. Security cameras. Ilene Straus began the discussion of security cameras on campus.  Her recent conversations with the Superintendent suggest that the Board of Education will want to review any proposed actions on the part of Samohi.  Among their concerns are the disposition of recorded images in the event of criminal activity and relations between the district and the police department.  Joyce Smith presented information she obtained from a conversation with an administrator at Glendale High School, which has had security camera for at least six years.  The Glendale cameras are located primarily on the exterior of the buildings but there is one interior camera, as well. The cameras operate during the school day as well as after school.  The cameras were installed to address troubling student-to-student confrontations, and the administrator thinks they have been very helpful.  The overall cost was about $30,000.
   
   The security camera subcommittee had not obtained any additional information from other high schools.
   
   The Council took a series of votes concerning the installation of security cameras on campus.  The initial motion to support the installation of security cameras was made by Janine Avner and seconded by Joyce Smith.  There was a lengthy discussion, including such things as whether the cameras would photograph the exterior or the interior of the building, when they would operate, how much they would cost, who would have access to the images, what kind of atmosphere they would create, and how students would feel about them.  The Council agreed that the primary purpose of the cameras would be to deter vandalism, graffiti and illegal activities. 
   
   The Council decided to vote separately on a number of issues related to the use of security cameras.  The general motion to support the installation of security cameras passed on a vote of 12-1.  Next, the Council considered the location of security cameras.  By a vote of 13-0, the Council favored the installation of cameras to view the exteriors of buildings and the campus.  Security cameras in interior hallways were favored by a vote of 8-6.  The Council then considered when the cameras should operate.  Considering the exterior cameras, six council members were in favor of having the cameras operate all the time; eight were in favor of having them operation before and after school, evenings and weekends, and 12 were in favor of having the operate before and after school, during the morning break, during lunch, and evenings and weekends.  Considering the interior cameras, nine members of the council preferred having them operate all the time, one opposed, and two abstained from the vote.
   
   
4. Principal’s Report. This is a very busy time at Samohi, and Dr. Strauss highlighted some of the ongoing activities, including testing, the Jackson Brown concert, music events at the Santa Monica Pier, enrollment projections for next school year, teacher layoffs, staff openings (including three House principals, athletic director, and a number of teachers), a new skateboard policy, and a proposal from the SCORE committee to have first semester of 2004-05 end before the winter break.  She concluded by telling the Council that the High Place survey would be administered again at Samohi this spring.
   
   
5. Student Report. Patricia Figueroa reported that the tardy sweep had been quite effective. She said that students were concerned about morning drop-offs at 7th and Michigan. Apparently a number of parents are stopping for extended periods near the entrance rather than pulling forward onto 7th street to drop of students.  This is causing delays and interfering with the safe movement of students onto campus. She also raised a concern about the timing of the block schedule for testing which went into effect this week. Unfortunately this is the last week of the six-week grading period, and it is not a good time to start testing.  It would have been better to wait another week so students could complete the grading period without the stress of the exams.
   
   
6. Old Business. There was no additional old business.
   
   
7. Public Comment. Margarita Gonzalez raised a concern about student participation on the CAT/6 test and whether this should be counted toward student grades.
   
   
8. New Business.  No new business was discussed.
   
   
9. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 pm.
   
   Respectfully submitted,
   Brian Stecher, Recording Secretary.