PUSD superintendent's district goals questioned

Though Porterville Unified School Board of Directors President, Pete Lara, called the standing-room-only meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, it was the last item on the agenda — the review of District Superintendent John Snavely’s goals — that led the trustees into a lengthy, spirited discussion.

The five goals in question were discussed at the Aug. 26 board meeting, at which time, the trustees were to offer comments and suggestions to Snavely.

Listed among the goals were that the district remain fiscally solvent; that the district accountability results and/or scores increase at the same rate as the State and Tulare County average scores as measured by the California Standards Test, the California High School Exit Exam and the Physical Fitness Test; that PUSD will seek the highest achievement for each student through a broad array of college placement, school to work, special education extracurricular and co-curricular programs; that the district’s high school course offerings and graduation requirements reflect a greater readiness for college and career; and that the superintendent provide greater communication with the governing board, staff, parents and the community.

Trustee Gregory Gillette called the goals ambiguous and said they did not show enough of a vision.

“I can’t see, by looking at that, where we will be in five years,” Gillette said. “I prefer a strategic plan for the district.”

As the discussion continued, it was suggested that a committee and study session be formed.

“I’m not asking for a committee. I’m asking for the administration to present the vision. To me, these goals are too shallow,” Gillette said.

Trustee David Itzenhauser made a motion to approve the goals as presented but that there be a study session. Gillette made a motion for Snavely to present a document on the vision of the district.

Itzenhauser’s motion passed 4-3, with Gillette, Pat Contreras and Sharon Gill voting no.
“Does my motion die because I was second,” Gillette asked.

Following an extended discussion, Gillette rephrased his motion, asking Snavely to prepare a vision statement that incorporates the five goals that were just approved. All of the trustees voted in favor of the motion.

During the public comments and oral communications segment, Jeff Bottoms, principal at Strathmore High School and coach John Hammelmann, with the help of two students, talked about the school’s new aquatic program and offered a brief history on the school’s water polo and swim season. Hammelmann thanked the district for making arrangements to practice at McDermont Field House in Lindsay, but also questioned when the school might gain an aquatic facility.

Because it was not on the agenda, the board only listened and was not able to take action.

Also during the meeting, John J. Doyle Elementary School Principal Lorenzo Cruz, introduced a group of young students from Reading Specialist Nancy Alvarado’s classroom who published a story “You can Recycle.”

Other items mentioned or discussed included the approval for out-of-state field trips for Monache and Strathmore High to the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis; the approval of a contract for auditor services, and the resolution to establish estimated appropriations limit for the 2010-2011 fiscal year and actual appropriations limit for 2009-2010 fiscal year.

According to Ken Gibbs, assistant superintendent of business services, the business office calculated the actual appropriations limits for 2009-2010 to be $68,713,928.96, and the estimated the limit for 2010-2011 to be close to $68,480,000.

Gibbs also offered refreshing news. The amount of money from H.R. 1586, a job-protection bill to help save or create teaching jobs, will bring PUSD about $2.6 million.

“It’s been posted. It will certainly help,” Gibbs said. “Let’s hope that’s true.”

A motion for the 2009-2010 Unaudited Actual Financial Report and Final Budget Revisions also had motions carried out, with all trustees voting yes.

Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.