Teacher Contract Approved
The Governing Board has approved a contract with the Hart District Teachers Association for the 2010-11 school year, resulting in a shortened school year predicted to save approximately $1.7 million for the cash-strapped district. The school year is now scheduled to end for students on May 26, with May 27 designated as a pupil-free work day for teachers. The expected savings is due primarily to cutting the teacher work year by five days. One of those days, Nov. 12, was already on the school calendar as a non-teaching day. The agreement effectively reduced the school year to 175 days of instruction, as opposed to the former 180-day school year. There are two minimum days built into the contract for the purpose of teacher grade preparation. The one-year contract also calls for revision of the evaluation instrument which principals use to evaluate teachers, and creates a district Technology Committee composed of teachers and administrators.
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District Welcomes New Staff, Promotions
Pete Getz, an assistant principal at Canyon High School since 2007, has been named the new principal of Sequoia Charter School, effective next Monday. Getz first came to the Hart District as a teacher of biological sciences and business education at Canyon High School from 1998 to 2004. After serving in several administrative positions with the Antelope Valley Union High School District, he returned to Canyon as assistant principal in 2007. The Governing Board also approved the appointment of Gail Pinsker, a long-time Santa Clarita Valley resident and education advocate, as the district’s new community liaison officer. Pinsker served as vice president of marketing for Valencia Bank & Trust for 15 years and is active on the SCV Education Foundation, SCV Chamber of Commerce, Valley Industrial Association and SCV Council PTA.
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District Discloses Impact of Bargaining Agreement
As required by law, the Governing Board provided public disclosure of the impact of the collective bargaining agreement with its teachers prior to approving the contract. While the district is able to meet its financial obligations this year, there is a projected $9.5 million shortfall next year and a $28 million shortfall the following year. Since cost-saving measures in this year’s contract are for one year, the district is unable to use those savings for future year projections.
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ROP Classes Meeting Student Career Needs
Enrollment in the district’s Regional Occupational Program classes has grown to more than 1100 students enrolled in the career-oriented classes this fall. The figure was in a report to the Governing Board by Dave LeBarron, director of curriculum and assessment. He noted that the program currently covers more than 40 courses, most of them on evenings or weekends outside the regular school day. Classes are designed to meet academic standards, local labor market demand and potential for articulation with higher education. Career fields are represented by advisory committees composed of industry leaders who meet on an annual basis to help focus classes on the optimum career opportunities. He noted that ROP classes have an 88 percent completion rate, with many students receiving appropriate certificates or licenses upon completion.
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Personnel Matters
September 1, 2010 Regular Governing Board Meeting
Certificated Position Site
Sebastian Benavidez III, English/Physical Ed., Arroyo Seco
Mandi Sekly, Physical Ed., La Mesa
Classified Position Site
Heidi Czerniakowski, Instructional Asst I/Special Ed., TLC
Poppy Hutchens, Instructional Asst II/Special Ed., Arroyo Seco
Brian Ritter, Instructional Asst I/Special Ed., Placerita
Jennifer Ugaz, Instructional Asst I/Special Ed., Valencia
Rafiel Yaokum, Campus Supervisor, Valencia
Delinda Abbott (change of status), Attendance Tech, Valencia
Deanne Barton (change of status), Instructional Asst I/Special Ed., La Mesa
Cecilia Calabrano (change of status), Attendance Tech, Canyon
Judith Carter (change of status), Instructional Asst II/Special Ed., La Mesa
Emily Amstutz Frey (change of status), Instructional Asst I/Special Ed., Bowman
Barbara Hanson (change of status), Instructional Asst I/Special Ed., Valencia
Peggy Huff (change of status), Asst. Registrar, Learning Post
Cynthia Jaffe (change of status), Attendance Tech, Hart
B. Alicia Ruiz (change of status), Registrar, Arroyo Seco
Wendy Salkeld (change of status), Instructional Asst I/Special Ed., Saugus
Kevin Walker (change of status), Instructional Asst I/Special Ed., Valencia