a.       Motion called for approval of minutes as written; motion carried and minutes were approved.

a.       BEX Construction – Phase I is beginning now. The principal and Tina Tudor are the primary communicating agents between the District and the contractors. Staff will be “protected” from ongoing project tumultuousness. The back parking lot is closed. Right now there is drilling to look for geothermal energy sources. We should be a little lenient with students looking for parking places until they grow accustomed to this new situation.

c.       We are interviewing this week for our two open positions in the building (World Language and Special Education.)

d.      We are receiving a Federal Grant: “Serve and Learn.” On May 5th visitors will see this in action with our blood drive and the biodiesel club.

e.       May 13th is Culminating Project presentation night.

a.       Fine Policy – a subcommittee is being convened            

b.      Professional Development/Late Start – initial responses of a teacher poll were presented but will be further discussed in the Transformation Committee and re-presented to Senate.

i.            Parent groups reported that they see that time as working with, or having training for, students with ADD, ADHD, or IEP’s (special needs); working with threat assessments; “mini-vacations for kids-but not with a negative voice;” support for parents and students with drug, alcohol and truancy issues. Parents appreciate late start having a consistent schedule. Time could be spent developing a consistent understanding of mentorship and reading.

  ii.            Students like to visit elementary schools during late start mornings—could this be tied to service learning projects?

  iii.            Counseling Dept – this is an opportunity to look at specific departmental/professional concerns at a student level.

The Professional Development Committee will put together a proposal for a Professional Development Calendar, including late start days and CFG’s, to bring to Senate that would then be brought to the staff at large for discussion and later vote.   

a.       Membership of Senate – We are reviewing the Bylaws and considering changing the membership of Senate.  Currently membership is twenty six and fifteen is quorum.

   i.            Change membership as follows:  delete 11/12 at large, 9th grade Academy, 10th grade IS.  Combine CTE and Fine Arts into one representative:  Elective.  Adjust quorum to 12

   ii.            Leave membership alone.  Change quorum language to:  A quorum shall be 50% + 1 of the sitting members in September of any given year.

b.      Security Camera – It is possible that we have spent $50,000 cleaning graffiti from our buildings this year. We can get a security camera from Costco for $400 with a grant from the PTSA and stop this from happening. There were many questions raised: who would monitor and maintain the equipment, what is the quality of the equipment and the ability to recognize offenders from the tapes; and, what about lighting; what other options do we have? What other ways can we work against graffiti (a graffiti wall?) What about a reward policy for turning in offenders? What about students who aren’t from Hale? Where would be mount one camera?