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Politics & Government

SCHOOL BOARD: Approves '11-'12 Budget, Awards Measure K Funds

The board adopted the 2011-2012 Budget, discussed surveillance at Half Moon Bay High School and approved a balanced Measure K bond-funded project.

The adopted the 2011-2012 Budget and discussed surveillance issues on during Thursday night's Board Meeeting.   

The board adopted the many parts of the 2011-2012 Budget unanimously.  

“The good news is that Cabrillo’s budget is balanced for 2011-2012,” said Chief Business Official Wael Saleh. “However, the district needs to plan to cut $3.5 million over the next two years.”

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Saleh advised that the district should plan on cutting $700,000 on average annually, to cover the cost of step increase and the increasing cost of health coverage. This is without adding any new positions. He also recommended the board approve operating and expenditure reduction of $1.2 million in 2012-2013 and $1.2 million in 2013-2014.

The board also discussed the Revised Board Policy 3515, dealing with security cameras at .

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The board initially approved the trial installation of security cameras at Half Moon Bay High School on June 24, 2010. On the , the board decided to at the high school.

The revised policy states that students, faculty, parents and community members should be informed about the cameras through noticeable signs, annual notification, placement in student handbooks and classroom visitation. If any new cameras are to be added the community is to be given opportunity to voice their opinion.

A concern that was brought up that the video could be used for personnel monitoring. This is not the case, according to Board President John Moseley. 

“The surveillance is not job-performance related and will not be used to monitor employee behavior,” said Moseley.

The board discussed what the change in wording would mean for the students at Half Moon Bay High School.

“Honestly, the students don’t care what the wording is. They see the cameras that were put in without them knowing,” said Student Representative Kathryn Nassar. “They will still feel like they are being watched and not trusted.”

The board took no action on the matter of security cameras during this meeting. They will renew the discussion at the next meeting for a second reading of the revised policy.

The board discussed possible Measure K bond-funded projects. Several options were offered to help decide what to do with the remaining bond money.  

-Option 1: Match Boys and Girls Club of the Coastside

$700,000 from district plus $700,000 from Boys and Girls Club for a total of $1.4 million

$250,000 to finish work at Cunha

$300,000 for technology

$300,000 for contingency and future needs

 

-Option 2: No match with Boys and Girls Club

$400,000 to rebuild sod

$250,000 to finish work at Cunha

$500,000 for technology

$400,000 for contingency

 

-Option 3:

$100,000 bare minimal safety related work (leveling the field, filling in gopher holes)

$700,000 for technology

$500,000 for contingency

After some discussion a decision was made approving: $700,000 to match the Boys and Girls Club of the Coastside, $250,000 for finishing work at Cunha, $380,000 for technology and $220,000 for contingency.

The next board meeting agenda includes discussion of the Summer School Intervention Program Report, Transitional Kindergarten Program Report and Superintendent Evaluation Report. It will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2011.

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