BOARD ACTION January 25, 2016 Board of Trustees Meeting

Board Meeting Agenda at page 530 http://capousd-ca.schoolloop.com/file/1218998819331/1455438848279/1474344529390663222.pdf

Board Audio 75:50: http://cusd.capousd.org/cusdweb/audio2016-17/CUSDBoardMeeting.Jan.25.2017.mp3

TRUSTEE COMMENTS:

at 77:33 Trustee Jones

Trustee Jones would like to continue this item because the GATE parents are interested in having a definition of what the GATE program will look like going forward. Trustee Jones wants to better define the scope of work for this contract. Regarding Spanish Immersion, she wants to determine if the 2-way program is as successful for English Language Learners as traditional bilingual education for native spanish speakers. To provide fidelity on what the 2-way program is in middle school. Acknowledges that GATE parents are very concerned.

at 79:50 Superintendent Vital

Asked Dr Holiday to clarify the GATE issue

at 79:59 Dr. Susan Holiday

This study will allow us to see what is and is not working. We can push this out to the next Board meeting February 22, 2017. We are already underway on the two way immersion study. We are already underway on GATE and will give you an up-date next Tuesday.

at 81:22 Trustee McNicholas

I want to clarify that Staff did not pull funding from GATE - the State pulled funding from GATE. Clarification that we have NOT cancelled GATE.

at 81:49 Trustee Jones

Channeling Trustee Alpay - This contract should be governed by the laws of California, not Delaware.

at  82:06 Trustee Reardon

Why is this document referred to as a "Partnership"?

at 82:13 Dr Susan Holiday

Because we are working closely to share data, conduct surveys.

at 82:39 Trustee Reardon

I object to the idea that this is a "partnership" this is a consulting agreement.

BACKGROUND

Hanover Research provides tailored research through an annual, fixed-fee model.

Approval of the Hanover Research Partnership Agreement extension will allow the District access to research services provided by Hanover related to the evaluation of the District’s Spanish Immersion and GATE Programs to include quantitative and qualitative data analysis, primary research and stakeholder feedback, secondary research and peer benchmarking. The extension will run for a six month time period from February 26, 2017 to August 25, 2017. The $25,000 cost will be funded with general funds. 

At the November 16, 2016 BOT meeting Superintendent Vital stated on the record that District Staff without Board Approval made the unilateral decision to defund GATE and programing for High Achieving students in CUSD. At that time, Trustee Hatton-Hodson also expressed her opinion that research shows that class size and differentiated learning do not matter. 

How can the public be assured that the research being done will be objective and not skewed to prove the pre-determined opinion of this district who has already dismantled/practically eliminated programing for High Achieving students?

What is the focus of the research regarding the Spanish Immersion program. Is the District seeking to eliminate that program as well?