About 15 counselors and guidance technicians went before the San
Benito High School District Board Tuesday night to let trustees
know how they keep the school and district running as well-oiled
machines.
About 15 counselors and guidance technicians went before the San Benito High School District Board Tuesday night to let trustees know how they keep the school and district running as well-oiled machines.
The departments represented by the counselors and technicians cover guidance, workability and the career center. All work toward getting students into college, getting them financial aid and jobs, getting them to take and pass tests and to counsel students in times of crisis.
The departments are gearing up for graduation and summer school – helping students fill out paperwork for financial aid, finding jobs, ensuring they have enough units to graduate and registering students for and scheduling summer school classes.
Administrators anticipate about 1,700 SBHS students will attend summer school.
In other business:
Randy Logue was approved as San Benito High School’s new athletic director and Kelly Bianchi was approved as the new agriculture teacher.
Mary Von Urff was sworn in as the student representative to the board. Von Urff then gave a report to the board about campus and student activities.
Vice Principal Duane Morgan presented information on the district’s proficiency standard exam. Of the 462 potential graduates, two have not passed the test, excluding 38 special education students. Of those 38, all have completed the alternative requirements.
The proficiency test measures reading, language, math and writing. It is different than the California High School Exit Exam.
Morgan also presented summer school offerings, but noted that not all classes have teachers. More than 1,700 students have signed up and that the school needs 38 teachers for the summer session.
“We want to give a quality education, not just process them through,” Morgan said.
Summer school will offer day and evening classes for students who need to make up classes and for those who want to get ahead in their graduation requirements. There will also be classes focused on the exit exam material, which will be offered in July.
Superintendent Jean Burns Slater gave a report that included updated information about the state budget and Gov. Gray Davis’ May revision.
“We have to look at this as good news,” she said. “We still know it’s serious and it’s still just a proposal.”
Steve DeLay, director of finance and operations, presented the district’s financial report through April. The school year is 83 percent complete and the district has made 71 percent of its expenditures, according to the report.
The Board approved curriculum for U.S. History, English 9 and Metals I; approved a contract with Pepsi for beverage products; approved the purchase of student information software for $50,000 to replace outdated material; approved a Local Agency Plan for the No Child Left Behind Act; and approved a declaration of need of fully qualified educators for the 2003-04 school year so teachers can continue to serve on waivers and as interns.
The next Board meeting will be June 4 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.
