Recognitions
Jennifer Overdevest, West Ranch High School teacher - National Board Certification
Girls Cross Country, Saugus High School - CIF Southern Section and California State Division II Champions
Hart High School Marching Band - State Championship-Division 4A
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Resolutions
Resolutions were passed recognizing February 1-5, 2010 as National School Counseling Week and February 2010 as Career and Technical Education Month.
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Albert Einstein Academy for Letters, Arts and Sciences Charter School Petition
The Governing Board held a public hearing (Education Code 47605) on a petition from the Albert Einstein Academy for Letters, Arts and Sciences to become a charter school in the Hart District. After further study and review by legal counsel, the Board may take action on the petition at a future meeting.
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Diversity Action Plan Progress Report
Greg Lee, Coordinator of Diversity, said that the District began tracking bias incidents data in 2006, and in the first semester of that year, 48 incidents of various types were tallied. For first semester and last school year, that number has decreased by half. Diversity programs continue to be widely supported by staff and students, and the District enjoys a continuing collaboration with the City of Santa Clarita, although both the City and District have been forced to reduce the scope and scale of some activities due to the budget crisis. Highlighted were an African American parents’ partnership night held at La Mesa Junior High School, which was well attended and appreciated by parents. The District is also expecting coaches and advisors to continue to develop ways of reducing costs associated with participating in co-curricular programs.
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2008/09 Audit Report
The Governing Board accepted the 2008/09 Audit Report, which was completed by the certified public accounting firm of Jeannette L. Garcia and Associates. No findings were reported in the financial statements or the federal and state awards sections. The management letter comments on certain procedural matters related to fixed assets, purchase orders, and associated student body accounting procedures.
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Board Spotlight
Valencia High School – Dr. Paul Priesz, principal of Valencia High School, reported on collaboration and intervention programs related to student achievement, which included school-wide goals and staff development.
Rio Norte Junior High School – Principal John Costanzo reported on collaboration and intervention activities such as establishing SMART goals, developing assessments, After School Academy, and supporting team intervention in regards to student achievement.
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Personnel Matters
Congratulations and welcome to the following staff members:
January 20, 2010 Regular Governing Board Meeting
Classified Position - Site
Brittany Benike, Inst. Asst. I/Special Ed., Valencia
William Hopkins, Inst. Asst. I/Adaptive PE, Admin Center
Elaine Barker (promotion), Lead Campus Spvr, Saugus
Lourdes Isaacson (promotion), School Receptionist, La Mesa
Best wishes and congratulations to retiring staff member Jeanette Jaramillo (Inst. Asst I/Special Ed, La Mesa JHS), 10 years of service. She will be recognized at the retiree celebration in May 2010.