I.                    Approval of Minutes

a.       Motion called for acceptance of minutes as corrected; seconded. Motion carried and minutes were approved.

                                                               i.      Correction from 3/25/2008:  Section III a. 

In Senate we are looking at the Book Fine Policy.

Some questions we came up with:

   Are we following through?

What happens after your name goes on the book fine list? (Report card withheld, can't pick up yearbook)

   Are there other more appropriate consequences?

   How is the money returned to the department?

   How do we buy new (replacement) books or uniforms?

   How do we make sure we are holding the right kids accountable?

   What about the kids who leave?

   Is there any way we could do a bar-coded system?

 

Do you have answers?  More questions?  Comments?

 

II.                 Principal’s Report

 

III.               Old Business

a.       Book Fines – What is our policy?  The Fiscal Clerk responded with the current policy: I feel I should respond to this.

 

·         No, I don’t think everyone is carrying through with the few policies we have.  Also not all teachers or coaches turn in fine cards.  I can tell this at the end of the year when lockers are cleaned or kids return books or uniforms to me and they do not have a fine.       

·         In the past report cards were held sometimes, but then the holds got farther apart.  Since Sharon came this year we got a big stamp “Fines due call Nathan Hale immediately”, and my telephone number is on the stamp.  She stamps this on the report cards if they have fines.  This has helped some.  Getting the yearbook is the biggest factor in clearing fines.  Also Seniors cannot pickup their cap and gown with a fine.

·         No one is supposed to be out for sports or cheerleading with a fine but it happens they get to participate anyway??

·         I collect the fine money.  I keep track of which department I am collecting for or if it is a sport, it is deposited accordingly.  The fine money in the past was deposited in the school’s general fund and the money didn’t come back until the next year.  This year all fine money goes into the Self Help account, so it can be used now.  Within the Self Help account, I keep track of which department’s money I have collected.

·         To purchase books, art supplies or uniforms, purchase orders need to be made through me.

·         Right kids accountable?  I do not see how there would be a mistake on this, the teachers or coaches make out the fine cards and they know the kids.  The only case is when there are two kids with the same name. We have held the wrong report card or stamped it fine due.  We have had a couple of those.

·         If a kid leaves the District, Patty will not send their transcript to the new school until the fine is paid.  If they change schools within Seattle School District, she does send the transcript and nothing is done.  The ones that just disappear and never come back, nothing is done.  (I have to add to this. I myself do not know when students leave the school.  I have to check the Student Locater periodically to see if I am carrying fines for kids who have left.  I don’t know if the teachers are told when a student is dropped, so they could put in a fine if there is one due at that time. I know at the end of the school year I get some fines for kids who have been dropped months before.)

·         Bar-coded system – I don’t know about this, maybe it could work.

·         Some schools won’t let students with fines go on field trips.

·         A few years back volunteers from the PTSA came in and made calls to the homes about the fines.  I thought that helped.  I think holding the report card helped some too.

·        How about we restrict kids on book fine list from the following:

1.      -attending dances

2.      -participating in sports (brought up in Senate)

3.      -picking up yearbooks

4.      -signing out library books

5.      -getting a locker

·        How about we have a form letter that can be mailed to parents that outlines "Your child has a fine of __________ and will be restricted from ____ until it is paid."

The fine list is distributed at the beginning of the season, but it is difficult to manage and follow through. Report cards are being stamped indicating that fines are outstanding. There are several areas for improvement: 1) turning in the fine cards, 2) collecting fines, 3) Departments Heads reviewing procedures with staff, 4) following through with any sanctions we choose to impose, 4) if we decide to commit to stamping report cards what is the process; should we design a form letter or have a phone call home? Should we develop a tip sheet for teachers which include ideas like “don’t give out the final unless the book has been turned in (Mollette”) it was moved, seconded to table the topic. A subcommittee will be formed.

 

IV.        New Business

a.       Review Senate Bylaws – Senate memberships. Today we are not a quorum; we only have 15 members present. Some positions are not filled.  2004 was the last time the Bylaws were reviewed. We want a balance of staff/student/parent that meets the needs of Hale.

b.       Professional Development 2008-2009 – Discuss with constituents the Late Start days and CFGs for the next calendar. What do people have to say?

V.  Announcements

 

Adjourned 3:55

Next meeting 4/22/2008