Education Sub-Committee Meeting Minutes from 9/16/09

Agenda for DRNC Education Sub-Committee Meeting
7:30 pm – 8:30 p.m. Sept. 16, 2009, Mar Vista Family Center, 5075 S. Slauson Ave, Del Rey, California, 90230

Agenda
I. Call to Order and Roll Call; 7:32
II. Welcome and Introductions (3 min)

In attendance: Eric DeSobe, Brett Flater, Mike Stafford, Marlene Savage, John Buckley Aixle Aman, Loren Oranski, Francine Julius Edwards, Sandi Figge, Lydia Lucciola, Christine Ferreira

III. Reading of Mission Statement (1 min)
IV. Discussion of grant application process, motions possible (20 min)
• Review of grant vetting process
• Applications will be available at the meeting
• If meeting attendees have ideas for their school’s grant application committee will discuss and advise how to proceed with application

Discussion: Talks centered around desire of Del Rey’s traditional public schools to the grant application process to fund about $1,500 per school (four total) of necessary items for the 5K Run. As Ms. Savage and other Council members pointed out the DRNC passed a motion giving the four traditional public schools an opportunity to use the grant process for up to $4,500 this school year. Representatives from the 5K run and the schools argued that they deserved the right to use their grant application opportunity to fund part of the 5K run. Mr. Flater, DRNC treasurer, explained that the timeline for funding proposals would be tight as the applications would have to be properly vetted and passed by the Exec. Committee and then the full Board. The earliest date for a funds request to be made, if all applications were approved, would be Friday, Oct. 9th. This leaves about 7 weeks for the money to come through for appropriate requests for the 5K run. The representatives were unhappy with past Council decisions related to the 5K and the inability of the Council to state with certainity that the funds would be approved in time. Mr. Flater made it very clear he would work aggressively and frequently with the representatives advising them on their grant applications. Mr. DeSobe, education sub-committee chair, also offered his time and support and strongly encouraged the groups to submit the applications to at least give the DRNC a chance to vote and approve it. He also stated he would double check the motion’s language related to the 5k Run and grant applications for more clarity.

V. Discussion regarding recently passed school choice resolution by LAUSD Board, motion possible (10 min.)

Participants said:
- Ocean charter school doesn’t represent our community; only 2 percent are from Del Rey; long waiting list for Del Rey residents; lotteries of charters are not fair; often not even LAUSD kids; taking away enrollment and facilities;
- Stoner – issues with capacity … 5 bungalows being removed in order to avoid Prop. 39 issues.
- Short Ave. – lost parent center to avoid Prop. 39; told that empty space could mean a charter could move in
- Playa Vista school being built regardless of low enrollment in Del Rey
- Are charters truly serving special ed students? Are they using subtle ways of eliminating students from the lottery?
- Further discussion tabled

VI. Upcoming events in the community (not DRNC sponsored events) (3 min)
• Educational Forum featuring LAUSD Board Member Steve Zimmer on Tuesday, Oct. 6; Oct. 10 Short Ave. beautification event; Oct. 24, Saturday, Community Green Day (welcome everyone)

VII. Other items and DRNC sponsored events: Del Rey Day (5 min)
*Mr. Flater also suggested that for the next Education Sub-Committee meeting that the group make a list of other grants and opportunities that schools can access. People can bring a list and make a list during the meeting.

VIII. Adjournment (no later than 8:30 p.m.); meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.