Comprehensive Review Community Relations

Compton Unified School District Community Relations Comprehensive Review February 2000 Administrative Agent Larry E. Reider Office of Kern County Superintendent of Schools Chief Executive Officer Thomas E. Henry 1.1 Communications Professional Standard Decisions and other information are communicated effectively throughout the system in a timely man- ner. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a. At its January meeting, the Advisory Board adopted a two-year Communications Plan with identified activities and tasks for various district staff. The plan has been disseminated to the school sites. Developed by a districtwide committee, the plan identified key communicators targeted to receive district information on a regular basis. These key communicators will help keep the community informed about district issues by relaying information to others in the community. They will also benefit the district by providing an avenue for feedback to make its way back to the district staff. The State Administrator has initiated Friday letters to the Advisory Board members to provide updates of ongoing programs and projects. FAX machines have been ordered for Advisory Board members so information from the district will be available to them in a timely manner. b. The employee newsletter has been revamped from two newsletters (one for staff and one for the community) into one newsletter for dissemination both internally and externally. The newsletter is scheduled to be published three times a year. The first is due in February. c. The district has not completed work on the Fact Sheets. A memo was distributed to staff to solicit information for a list of speakers, but response has been minimal. d. The district has updated its list of media and community agencies and local associations that will receive news releases. News releases are also disseminated to school site staff. e. A new video, “The Compton Comeback” has been developed for community outreach. Two more videos are planned and will include a compendium of news clippings and news shots. f. Regular meetings are held with district staff, i.e., monthly meetings with union representa- tives; meetings including plant managers with site principals and district staff; and district administrators present at District Advisory Council meetings (DAC, DBAC). 2. a. A “Great Ideas” program has been initiated. This program is composed of preprinted post- cards calling for suggestions from the community. The postcards are printed in English and Spanish and are displayed at district schools and community locales such as churches and businesses. The State Administrator is continuing brown bag lunch meetings at various schools through- out the district. Community Relations 1 b. The telephone system has been upgraded. The district also hopes to provide a telephone to each classroom through the E-rate program. A mini-telephone book is being developed that will include useful Spanish phrases for staff use. c. Staff have been involved in a communications training program, BLAST, that provides training in leadership and effective communication. d. Midyear and year-end performance evaluations for site principals include parent and commu- nity satisfaction with site leadership as a performance standard. Monthly meeting agendas note parent and community issues and communications. Key results visitations of various school sites are being conducted by district staff, and reports are provided to sites with feedback on the visitation team’s observations. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 3 August 1999 Rating: 5 February 2000 Self Rating: 7 February 2000 Rating: 7 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully 2 Community Relations ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1.2 Communications Professional Standard Staff input into school and district operations is encouraged. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a. At its January meeting, the Advisory Board adopted a two-year Communications Plan with activities and tasks for district staff. The plan, which has been disseminated to the school sites, was developed by a districtwide committee which included parents, staff and commu- nity members. News releases are disseminated to school site staff, as well as the media and community agencies, so staff are kept informed. Midyear and year-end performance evaluations for principals include parent and community satisfaction with site leadership as a performance standard. Monthly principals’ meeting agendas note parent and community issues and communications. b. The State Administrator is continuing brown bag lunch meetings at schools throughout the district. Staff are encouraged to attend and interact with administration on an informal basis. Regular meetings are held with district staff, i.e., monthly meetings with union representa- tives; meetings including plant managers with principals and district staff; district administra- tors present at District Advisory Council meetings (DAC, DBAC). School site teams are established at all schools to obtain input and representative involvement from stakeholders. Input and involvement varies in degree from site to site. These meetings should not be used simply to relay information to participants, but to include discussions of important issues. c. Staff members were participants in a committee that reviewed the district’s Board policies during the summer, preparatory to the Advisory Board approving the policies. e. A “Great Ideas” program has been initiated. This program is composed of preprinted post- cards calling for district suggestions from the staff and community . The postcards are printed in English and Spanish and are displayed at schools and community locales. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 3 August 1999 Rating: 3 February 2000 Self Rating: 7 February 2000 Rating: 6 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully Community Relations 3 ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1.3 Communications Professional Standard The Advisory Board has a proactive communications and media relations plan. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a. At its January meeting, the Advisory Board adopted a two-year Communications Plan with activities and tasks for district staff. The plan has been disseminated to the school sites. Developed by a districtwide committee, the plan identified key communicators targeted to receive district information on a regular basis. These key communicators will help keep the community informed about district issues by relaying information to others in the community. They will also benefit the district by providing an avenue for feedback to the district staff. The employee newsletter has been revamped from two newsletters (one for staff and one for the community) into one newsletter for dissemination both internally and externally. It is scheduled to be published three times a year. The first is due in February. The district has not completed work on the Fact Sheets. 2. a. Additional staff have been hired in the television studio to produce public relations videos. A new video, “The Compton Comeback” has been developed for community outreach. Two more videos are planned and will include a compendium of news clippings and news shots. b. Staff have been involved in a communications training program, BLAST. d. The State Administrator is continuing the brown bag lunch meetings at schools throughout the district. Staff are encouraged to attend and interact with administration on an informal basis. Key results visitations of various school sites are being conducted by district staff, and reports are provided to sites with feedback on the visitation team’s observations. Regular meetings are held with district staff, i.e., monthly meetings with union representa- tives; meetings including plant managers with site principals and district staff; and district administrators present at District Advisory Council meetings (DAC, DBAC). Midyear and year-end performance evaluations for principals include parent and community satisfaction with site leadership as a performance standard. Monthly principals’ meeting agendas note parent and community issues and communications. 3. a. The district has updated its list of media and community agencies and local associations that receive news releases. News releases are also disseminated to school site staff. A “Great Ideas” program has been initiated. This program is composed of preprinted post- cards calling for suggestions from the community for the school district. The postcards are printed in English and Spanish and are displayed at schools and community locales such as churches and businesses. 4 Community Relations 4. The effectiveness of the district’s communications plan has not yet been evaluated. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 3 August 1999 Rating: 4 February 2000 Self Rating: 6 February 2000 Rating: 6 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully Community Relations 5 ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1.4 Communications Professional Standard News releases are prepared and made available simultaneously to all appropriate news media. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. At its January meeting the Advisory Board adopted a two-year Communications Plan with activities and tasks for district staff. The plan has been disseminated to the school sites. Developed by a districtwide committee, the plan identified key communicators targeted to receive district information on a regular basis. These key communicators will help keep the community informed about district issues by relaying information to others in the community. They will also benefit the district by providing an avenue for feedback to the district staff. 2. The district has updated its list of media and community agencies and local associations who will receive news releases of district information. News releases are also disseminated to school site staff. 4. The district has not evaluated the effectiveness of its news releases by tracking coverage and column inches or measuring the degree to which coverage is positive or negative. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 3 August 1999 Rating: 3 February 2000 Self Rating: 8 February 2000 Rating: 6 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully 6 Community Relations ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1.5 Communications Professional Standard Media contacts and spokespersons who have the authority to speak on behalf of the district have been identified. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a., b. A Crisis Response Plan for responding to the public and media in the event of a campus crisis has been developed. The plan has the initial approval of the State Administrator and the Chief of the District’s Police force, and is being reviewed by the districtwide committee for revi- sions. Efforts are being made to consolidate the Crisis Response Plan with an existing Crisis Intervention Plan that focuses on handling the impact of tragedies on students at staff. 2. a. The district contracted with the California School Boards Association to provide training in “boardsmanship” for the district Advisory Board. As of October 1, 1999, five training ses- sions had been held in such subjects as vision, roles and responsibilities, finance, community leadership, boardsmanship, and policy development. Board members must continue to respect the role of the district’s spokesperson in presenting messages on behalf of the district. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 3 August 1999 Rating: 3 February 2000 Self Rating: 7 February 2000 Rating: 7 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully Community Relations 7 ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2.4 Parents/Community Relations Professional Standard Charges or complaints against any employee will be addressed in a timely manner. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a. A new complaint policy for complaints against employees has been written and was approved November 9, 1999 (Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 4144). This policy allows employees to make complaints against employees, providing an internal process to address concerns and complaints which are not contract violations involving the grievance process. The district should evaluate the effectiveness of this new policy over time. b. The State Administrator keeps Advisory Board members informed about complaints against employees and the district’s investigation of these complaints through the weekly Friday letters to the Advisory Board. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 3 August 1999 Rating: 3 February 2000 Self Rating: 6 February 2000 Rating: 5 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully 8 Community Relations ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2.7 Parents/Community Relations Professional Standard Parents and community members are encouraged to be involved in the schools. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a. A revised Board Policy on parent involvement was approved in November, 1999. Parents and staff have met to develop plans to improve parent involvement. A handbook, “Volunteers in Public Schools,” has been developed by the Parent Involvement Committee and distributed to school sites and parent groups. A report on the district’s parent involvement programs was made to the Advisory Board at the December 1999 meeting. Flyers and notices of meetings held at school sites were presented to indicate efforts made to involve parents in discussions of topics of interest to parents and community members, e.g., the Facilities Master Plan. c. A districtwide Parent Involvement Committee has been established, and includes parents and staff. The committee meets monthly. d. Parent representatives of various district and state categorical programs participate as mem- bers of the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC). e. At its January meeting the Advisory Board adopted a two-year Communications Plan with activities and tasks for district staff. The plan has been disseminated to the school sites. Developed by a districtwide committee of staff, parents and community members, the plan includes a section on improving parent involvement in the schools. The plan should be coor- dinated with the district’s plan for parent/community involvement. f. Parent centers are reported to be available at 14 sites (Carver, Emerson, Kelly, Walton, McKinley, Tibby, Bunche MS, Dominguez, Davis, Enterprise, Roosevelt MS, Willowbrook, Centennial, Compton HS). The district’s intent to reinstate parent centers at all schools was included in their application for Modernization and New Construction Hardship funds and will be included in the revised Facilities Master Plan. 2. a. The office of Personnel provided staff development to classified staff, community aides and administrators with the BLAST program, which provides training in leadership and effective communication. b. The Special Projects Department provides coordination and support to the community assis- tants. Regular meetings are held in the district parent center. c. Job descriptions for principals and teachers include working with parents and the public. d. Evaluations for classified staff and principals include effectiveness in working with parents and the public. It is not a criteria on the teacher evaluation instrument. Community Relations 9 3. A volunteer handbook providing guidelines and responsibilities for volunteers has been developed. Monitoring the activities of volunteers is the responsibility of the Parent Involve- ment Committee and the parent centers. The district should track the number of volunteers and make an annual report to the board. 4. a. The State Administrator or designee should evaluate the effectiveness of the district programs that support parents and families. b. Parent centers are reported to be available at 14 sites (Carver, Emerson, Kelly, Walton, McKinley, Tibby, Bunche MS, Dominguez, Davis, Enterprise, Roosevelt MS, Willowbrook, Centennial, Compton HS). All schools have identified a designated area for parents to congre- gate. Workshops for parents are provided, such as development of effective parenting skills, access to desired school and community services, English as a second language, and skills for more effective school involvement. Four school-based health clinics operate daily and provide access to health care. Services for a continuum of care are provided through partnerships established between Martin Luther King Hospital, Drew University, L.A. County Department of Health Services, and L.A. County Mental Health. Vision and dental service needs are referred to appropriate agencies. c. The district and County Systems of Care have entered into a partnership to provide support for students and families in mental health, special education, homelessness, immunizations and other health related needs. The district Regional Occupational Program (ROP) trained and certified 69 community direct support professions. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 2 August 1999 Rating: 4 February 2000 Self Rating: 7 February 2000 Rating: 6 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully 10 Community Relations ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2.9 Parents/Community Relations Professional Standard Board members are actively involved in building community relations. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a. The district contracted with the California School Boards Association to provide training in “boardsmanship” for the district Advisory Board. As of October 1, 1999, five training ses- sions had been held in subjects such as vision, roles and responsibilities, finance, community leadership, boardsmanship, and policy development. The district also provided workshops for Advisory Board members in areas such as the district budget. Training sessions have been well-attended. In addition, several advisory Board members attended the CSBA conference in December. 2. The State Administrator has initiated Friday letters to the Advisory Board members to provide updates and status of ongoing programs and projects. FAX machines have been ordered for Advisory Board members so they can receive district information in a timely manner. Advi- sory Board members and staff members receive copies of news releases to ensure a common knowledge base of appropriate, current information. 3. Advisory Board members feel their visibility in churches and community groups has in- creased. The Advisory Board acknowledges the district’s business partnerships at Advisory Board meetings. District staff confirm that Advisory Board members have been visible, attending various school events, conferences and several training workshops. The district’s Communications Plan attempts to identify key messages for staff and Advisory Board members to share with the community. However, no coordinated strategy or coordi- nated school board message is evident for Advisory Board members to use in community forums. No coordination of Advisory Board members’ presence in community functions is evident. The Advisory Board initiated a collaborative partnership with the Los Angeles County Office of Education by meeting with the LACOE Board and presenting the new video “The Compton Comeback.” Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 2 August 1999 Rating: 2 February 2000 Self Rating: 4 February 2000 Rating: 5 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully Community Relations 11 ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3.1 Community Collaboratives, District Advisory Committees, School Site Councils Professional Standard The Advisory Board supports partnerships with community groups, local agencies and businesses. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a., b. The district has worked with community agencies to become part of the school community. A number of partnerships with community agencies have been established through the divisions of Guidance and Counseling, Health Services, Homeless Education, Child Welfare and Attendance and Mental Health Services. The Advisory Board acknowledges the district’s business partnerships at Advisory Board meetings. The district recently established an After School Partnership Program. c. CSBA was contracted to provide a series of workshops for Advisory Board members. The trainings have been well-attended. 3. a. The Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) office coordinates activities with community agencies. Service Provider Agency Region 6, which includes the district and family service agencies, meets monthly to share information. An annual Resource Fair is sponsored by CWA, involving many of these agencies. The district collaborates with the county mental health agencies, the Student Attendance Review Board, Shields for Families, Systems of Care and the Greater Long Beach Child Guidance Center. The CWA Director will make reports to the State Administrator and Deputy Superintendent, with an annual report to the Advisory Board. Collaborative partnerships have resulted in the award of a Medi-Cal Outreach contract for Mother Net L.A., which will enhance the district’s outreach services and increase health insurance enrollment. Parents will be trained and hired as insurance assistors. b. The CWA Director and the Deputy Superintendent are responsible for providing evaluations of the district’s collaboratives to the State Administrator. It is reported that Medi-Cal and Healthy Start are operating to ensure that services are non-duplicated and needs-focused. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 3 August 1999 Rating: 4 February 2000 Self Rating: 5 February 2000 Rating: 5 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully 12 Community Relations ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3.4 Community Collaboratives, District Advisory Committees, School Site Councils Professional Standard The district encourages and provides the necessary training for collaborative and advisory council members to understand the basic administrative structure, program processes and goals of all district partners. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a., d. The district has enhanced training for advisory council members and parent participants. A District Advisory Council (DAC) conference was held November 19-21, 1999. Evaluations from participants were overwhelmingly positive. Information on the roles and duties parents are expected to perform as members of school-site advisory groups are part of the district’s ongoing training. c. Training for site administrators and community aides on the roles/responsibilities of school site councils and committees should be provided. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 4 August 1999 Rating: 4 February 2000 Self Rating: 6 February 2000 Rating: 5 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully Community Relations 13 ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3.11 Community Collaboratives, District Advisory Committees, School Site Councils Legal Standard The school site council annually reviews the school plan and the Advisory Board annually approves or disapproves all site councils’ plans. [Education Codes 52853, 52855] Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a. The district has revised its Board policies and regulations to comply with current law. The Deputy Superintendent, the Director of Special Projects, and the District Parent Coordinator are responsible for revising regulations related to school site councils. School site plans and budgets are reviewed annually by district staff. b., c. School site councils annually review and approve all school plans before submitting them to the State Administrator. School site plans must be approved by the State Administrator and submitted to the Advisory Board for ratification. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 6 August 1999 Rating: 6 February 2000 Self Rating: 7 February 2000 Rating: 7 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully 14 Community Relations ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4.2 Policy Professional Standard Policies and administrative regulations are up to date and reflect current law and local needs. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. The district contracted with California School Boards Association (CSBA) to produce an updated policy manual for the district. Four days were scheduled in August to review drafts of revised policies and regulations. The policy review committee included site and district staff, parents and representative Advisory Board members. The entire set of revised Board policies was adopted on an interim basis early in the school year. The Advisory Board has since scheduled the review and adoption of sections of the policy review manual at each of the monthly Advisory Board meetings, and will continue to do so until all policies have been thoroughly reviewed and adopted. A process for the continual review and revision of policies must be maintained. 2. Several Advisory Board members participated in a series of workshops provided through a contract with CSBA to enhance their skills in boardsmanship and leadership. The Advisory Board must be knowledgeable about current educational issues. 3. An organized system for the distribution of the revised policy manuals for staff and public viewing was not evident. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 0 August 1999 Rating: 1 February 2000 Self Rating: 7 February 2000 Rating: 7 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully Community Relations 15 ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4.3 Policy Legal Standard The Advisory Board has adopted all policies mandated by state and federal law. (Refer to the February 1999 assessment documentation). Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. The district has adopted policies mandated by state and federal law. The district contracted with California School Boards Association (CSBA) to produce an updated policy manual for the district. Four days were scheduled in August to review drafts of revised policies and regulations. The policy review committee included site and district staff, parents and repre- sentative Advisory Board members. The entire set of revised Board policies were adopted on an interim basis early in the start of the school year. The Advisory Board has since scheduled the review and adoption of sections of the policy review manual at each of the monthly Advisory Board meetings, and will continue to do so until all policies have been thoroughly reviewed and adopted. 2. An organized system for the distribution of the revised policy manuals for staff and public viewing was not evident. 3. As all Board policies are newly-adopted, the district has also subscribed to a continuing contract with CSBA to identify new mandates in order to continue to keep policies current. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 4 August 1999 Rating: 4 February 2000 Self Rating: 7 February 2000 Rating: 7 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully 16 Community Relations ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4.4 Policy Legal Standard The Advisory Board annually reviews its policies on intra-district open enrollment and extracurricular and co-curricular activities. [E.C. 35160.5] Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a. The district annually reviews its policies on intra-district open enrollment and extracurricular and co-curricular activities. The policies were reviewed in June, 1999, and were reviewed during the 1999-2000 school year as part of an update of all district policies and regulations. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 0 August 1999 Rating: 5 February 2000 Self Rating: 7 February 2000 Rating: 7 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully Community Relations 17 ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4.5 Policy Professional Standard Existing Board policies are regularly reviewed with the involvement of the staff. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. The district has adopted policies mandated by state and federal law. The district contracted with California School Boards Association (CSBA) to produce an updated policy manual for the district. Four days were scheduled in August to review drafts of revised policies and regulations. The policy review committee included site and district staff, parents and repre- sentative Advisory Board members. The entire set of revised Board policies were adopted on an interim basis early in the school year. The Advisory Board has since scheduled the review and adoption of sections of the policy review manual at each of the monthly Advisory Board meetings, and will continue to do so until all policies have been thoroughly reviewed and adopted. 2. As all Board policies are newly-adopted, the district has also subscribed to a continuing contract with CSBA to identify new mandates in order to keep policies current. A process for the regular review of policies and the adoption of proposed policy changes needs to be made a continuing part of the Advisory Board meeting agenda. 3. District staff will be involved in the review of proposed policy changes based on new man- dates. The district has not clarified how staff might be involved in initiating needed policy changes. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 0 August 1999 Rating: 0 February 2000 Self Rating: 7 February 2000 Rating: 5 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully 18 Community Relations ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.2 Board Roles/Boardsmanship Professional Standard Advisory Board members participate in orientation sessions, workshops, conventions and special meet- ings sponsored by board associations. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. The district contracted with the California School Boards Association to provide training in “boardsmanship” for the district Advisory Board. As of October 1, 1999, five training ses- sions had been held in subjects such as vision, roles and responsibilities, finance, community leadership, boardsmanship, policy development. The district provided a training workshop for Advisory Board members in the area of the district’s budget. The training session was well-attended. In addition, several Advisory Board members attended the CSBA conference in December. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 2 August 1999 Rating: 3 February 2000 Self Rating: 5 February 2000 Rating: 5 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully Community Relations 19 ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.3 Board Roles/Boardsmanship Professional Standard Pertinent literature, statutes, legal counsel and recognized authorities are available to and utilized by the Advisory Board to understand duties, functions, authority and responsibilities. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. The district contracted with the California School Boards Association to provide training in “boardsmanship” for the district Advisory Board. As of October 1, 1999, five training ses- sions had been held in subjects such as vision, roles and responsibilities, finance, community leadership, boardsmanship, and policy development. The district provided a training workshop for Advisory Board members in the area of the district’s budget. The training session was well-attended. In addition, several Advisory Board members attended the CSBA conference in December. 2. Advisory Board members receive news of the district’s activities and programs in a timely manner. Friday newsletters and media releases are regularly sent to Advisory Board members. The district has ordered FAX machines for their use so that district information will be avail- able to them in a timely manner. Advisory Board members indicate they receive information immediately and are therefore able to respond knowledgeably to community concerns. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 2 August 1999 Rating: 3 February 2000 Self Rating: 6 February 2000 Rating: 5 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully 20 Community Relations ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.4 Board Roles/Boardsmanship Professional Standard Functional working relations are maintained among Advisory Board members. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. At its recent December reorganization meeting, the Advisory Board elected one of its members president through an unanimous vote (6-0), demonstrating more cooperation as a body than previously evidenced. Recent Advisory Board meetings have been reported as less contentious. 2. Advisory Board members remarked that the Advisory Board appeared to be working together better and were treating district staff in a more professional manner. Advisory Board members must also communicate with each other in a professional, respectful manner and focus on the common interest of serving students. 3. Advisory Board members have been attending a number of workshops together to learn how to more effectively perform their roles and duties. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 0 August 1999 Rating: 1 February 2000 Self Rating: 5 February 2000 Rating: 5 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully Community Relations 21 ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.7 Board Roles/Boardsmanship Professional Standard The Advisory Board publicly demonstrates respect and support for district staff. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a. Advisory Board members remarked that the Advisory Board appeared to be working together better and were treating district staff in a more professional manner. Concerns that Advisory Board members have about individual staff members are shared with the State Administrator. The district contracted with the California School Boards Association (CSBA) to provide training in “boardsmanship” for the district Advisory Board. As of October 1, 1999, five training sessions had been held in subjects such as vision, roles and responsibilities, finance, community leadership, boardsmanship and policy development. The district provided a training workshop for Advisory Board members in the area of the district’s budget. The training session was well-attended. In addition, several Advisory Board members attended the CSBA conference in December. Advisory Board members indicated that as they have been attending a number of training workshops together they have been interacting with each other in a more cooperative manner. d. All Advisory Board members have joined the State Administrator in celebrating staff suc- cesses in the public recognition portion of the opening of the Advisory Board meetings. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 3 August 1999 Rating: 3 February 2000 Self Rating: 4 February 2000 Rating: 4 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully 22 Community Relations ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.1 Board Meetings Legal Standard An adopted calendar of regular meetings exists and is published specifying the time, place and date of each meeting. [E.C. 35140] Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. a. The Advisory Board has published, publicly noted, and made available its meeting schedule by distribution throughout the district by fax, in the media, and on cable television. b. District staff has developed and posted meeting schedules both in hard copy and on the television station. c. The Advisory Board has amended and approved its bylaws to be consistent with current practice. The Advisory Board’s approval of the amended bylaws was smoothly and coopera- tively accomplished. Standard Implemented: Fully – Substantially February 1999 Rating: 0 August 1999 Rating: 6 February 2000 Self Rating: 9 February 2000 Rating: 8 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully Community Relations 23 ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.2 Board Meetings Professional Standard Agendas, minutes and other pertinent data are available to the public during regular working hours. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. The Advisory Board has published, publicly noted and made available its meeting schedule by distribution throughout the district by FAX, in the media, and on cable television. District staff has developed and posted meeting schedules both in hard copy and on the television station. 2. The district is current in its publication and approval of Advisory Board meeting minutes. Standard Implemented: Fully – Substantially February 1999 Rating: 5 August 1999 Rating: 7 February 2000 Self Rating: 9 February 2000 Rating: 8 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully 24 Community Relations ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.4 Board Meetings Professional Standard Board meetings are conducted according to a set of bylaws adopted by the Advisory Board. Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps 1. The Advisory Board has amended and approved its bylaws to be consistent with current practice. The Advisory Board’s approval of its amended bylaws was smoothly and coopera- tively accomplished. 2. Board meetings are held in different district schools, beginning at 3:30 p.m. A school recogni- tion program is presented during the first hour from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. District staff indicate that the number of attendance in the audience is growing. Standard Implemented: Partially February 1999 Rating: 0 August 1999 Rating: 1 February 2000 Self Rating: 6 February 2000 Rating: 6 Implementation Scale: Not ➤ Fully Community Relations 25 ➤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10