ABC Board Meeting
May 18, 2007

Welcome: This last meeting of the year featured breakfast. Meeting called to order at 9:07 a.m. by ABC co-manager Judy Yehuda. Those present introduced themselves, and the parents of graduating seniors were acknowledged.

Dr. Opacic’s Report: A focus for next year will be more collaboration between conservatories. Production and Design will be moving to the School of Theatre; MT voice students will do more work with the Opera Conservatory; the different dance departments will work together more; the creative and media arts (writing, and TV & Film) will work together.
In addition, OCHSA will continue to seek a collaboration between academics and the arts—through the arts, making academics come to life.

Cambria Morgan, Vice President of Marketing and Special Events, spoke about the Encore membership drive. Encore provides social events for parents and supporters of OCHSA; membership costs between $100 and $1,000. The group is seeking leadership to take it to the next level.

Treasurer’s Report: Jeanine Konishi reported that we are well under budget. Plans for the additional funds will be discussed with Dr. Alatorre. An expense for the last month of school is for scholarships for 10 graduating seniors, which they will receive on May 31.

Principal’s report: Dr. Alatorre spoke about the various positions that the school is seeking to fill for next year; OCHSA receives many applicants for these positions. He recognized assistant principals, Mike Ciecik and Sue Vaughn for all they do—they work for the best interests of the students in a real team effort.
OCHSA is gaining more notoriety; GATE coordinators have visited the school. Next year, in February, GATE is having a convention in Anaheim and OCHSA students will perform. We may be used as a demonstration school. Since we are a charter school, we don’t receive GATE funds; we have a block grant.

Sue Vaughn, assistant principal: Academic electives for next year will include Marine Science and Zoology. The much requested Animation course will be an elective during the academic day. Ballroom dancing will also be an elective. Seniors can take the “Unlit” class, which features books like Dracula. AP Statistics will be offered, along with regular Statistics. All the AP science classes will be offered—this is difficult because they are all singleton classes, meeting just once during the day. For foreign languages, we will continue to offer just Spanish and French.
She expressed appreciation to Dr. Alatorre for how smoothly and effectively he became part of the OCHSA leadership team.

Mike Ciecik, assistant principal: Recapped STAR testing—1,400 students took the tests with 100% completion of all testing.

Conservatory report:
Film & TV: Taryn Stickrath reported that the department is looking forward to increased collaboration with other conservatories, as film is about collaboration; it’s not really a one-man or one-woman show. They will be working with Creative Writing, Production & Design and Music and Theatre on writing, directing and acting. A class on Media and Film will be open to other conservatory students as an elective. They will be doing more writing for TV. There’s lots of opportunities.
The program is growing; next year one half of the total in the conservatory will be new students.
The Film Conservatory does Art Attack in the mornings. They are participating in a Film Festival next week at Chapman University.

ABC Committee Reports:
Grad Night: Vivian reported that donations are still being accepted for gifts for the seniors at Grad Night. Registration for next year’s Grad Night will be available during registration. This year, out of 222 graduating seniors, 201 signed up for Grad Night—a record response!

Parent Education: Pilar reported that next year Parent Ed will look at ways to develop Café Walk/Parent Forum, and at bringing in special speakers on topics of interest.

Hospitality: Outgoing members in charge of Hospitality, Terri and Janet, received thanks from Judy.

ABC Board for next year: Judy Yehuda and Shelby Barron, co-managers; Jeanine Konishi, treasurer; Karen Gleason, secretary; Marla Shaw and Lori Solomon, hospitality; Kelly Aguilar, Pilar O’Cadiz and Linda Shafer, Parent Education; Rose Co, Elise Trasoras and Lisa Sakrison, parent volunteer coordinators; Grad Night, Shelby Barron.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 by Judy Yehuda. Next year’s first meeting will be Friday, Sept. 21 at 8:45 a.m. in Room 707.