ABC Board Meeting
March 21, 2008

Welcome: This second-to-last meeting of the year was called to order at 9:07 a.m. by ABC co-president Judy Yehuda. Parents new to ABC meetings introduced themselves.

Treasurer’s Report: Jeanine Konishi distributed a detailed report of recent ABC expenditures. She said that the ABC budget has $13,444.12 remaining. Some of these funds will be used for year-end senior scholarships, for classroom calculators, and for an American and California flag for the front flag pole. At the next ABC meeting, Judy Yehuda will propose how the balance of these funds might be spent. Recently, ABC paid for the Valentine’s Teacher Appreciation Luncheon and helped with Grad Night expenses. Parents suggested ways to notify teachers that ABC funds are available to them. These included placing request forms in the teachers’ lounge, encouraging teachers to e-mail Judy Yehuda, or contacting Dr. Alatorre with their requests.

Executive Director’s Report:
Gala: Dr. Opacic thanked parents for their support of the March 15 Gala. The event grossed $1.1 million, with net proceeds of $900,000 (as compared to $720,000 last year). Most of the funds—$700,000—will be used for conservatory expenses, with the balance to be held in reserve because of state budget cuts. The Gala’s financial highlights included eight auction items which sold for significantly more than they did last year; individual Fund-a-Dream donations of $20,000, $50,000 and $100,000; and $35,000 raised from the sale of approximately 150 online auction items, in addition to $80,000 from the nearly 150 silent auction items. Even more items may be moved to the online venue next year. Event attendance totaled 640 people, including approximately 100 parent couples. Two hotels are vying to book next year’s Gala: the Huntington Beach Hyatt on March 7, and the Irvine Hyatt on March 14. Prices will be negotiated and a decision will be made in the next 30 days.

Staffing & Enrollment: Dr. Opacic reported that OCHSA will likely survive the state funding deficit without laying off any teachers. This will be accomplished in part by increasing enrollment in the upper grades by 40 students, resulting in class sizes of 30:1 instead of 28:1, with a total enrollment of 1,385 students. This increase will provide $360,000 in additional revenues.

Property Purchase: To meet the school’s goal of improving the campus, the OCHSA Foundation has purchased the 40,000-square-foot annex and the property located south of symphony hall, which is currently a parking lot and the Marinello building. OCHSA had been renting the annex. This purchase secures the property to create a performing arts center. Preliminary plans include a 600-seat theater, a 100-seat Black Box, a complete renovation of Symphony Hall, additional instrumental rehearsal rooms, and eight practice rooms. These plans will be implemented over three years through a capital campaign, though the start date is currently affected by the economy.

Director of Curriculum’s Report: Sue Vaughn reported that 892 parents participated in the recent online survey, and she appreciates the specific input and positive suggestions. A detailed report is being compiled by Susan Brown, an OCHSA parent and expert in statistical analysis. Today Sue shared summary results from the academic portion of the survey (curriculum and instruction), which will be available on the ABC webpage in early April. Overall, parents stated that OCHSA exceeds their expectations, with 93.8% of parents rating the school as Good or Excellent.

Looking deeper into areas of improvement, parents identified the need for more variety in fine arts and academic electives. In response, OCHSA’s conservatory teachers may be able to offer fine arts classes to all students during the academic day, while online academic courses may soon be available through Santa Ana College for credit as both high-school and college-level electives. Seniors may be able to enroll in the online program on a late-start schedule.

The survey also revealed that struggling students need more support. This will be accomplished via:
1. Orientation: An orientation session is proposed for new 7th- and 8th-graders, so they can “walk” through their day before the school year starts. A similar orientation is proposed for new 9th-graders. Beginning in the fall, students of all grade levels will be provided information on how to succeed at OCHSA through time-management skills, study skills, how to use the planner, and a review of school rules.

2. Study Hall: Sue Vaughn reported that 250 students (1:5) at OCHSA struggle academically, and many students require more time to complete homework because of conservatory commitments. However, only 18 students/day take advantage of teacher assistance during the voluntary Zero Block. Administration is looking at many different models to address this issue. The leading proposal is an 8:00 a.m. school starting time to accommodate a mandatory study hall block. Discussion on this topic consisted of:

Benefits:
• Providing regular assistance to struggling students
• Offering quality homework time to busy conservatory students
• Giving extra help to AP students
• Creating additional time for college-prep counseling, teaching time management skills, etc.
• Encouraging students not to ignore their homework
• Facilitating the success of all students, which is a public school mandate
• Continuing to end the academic day at 2:00 p.m. to allow for outside activities
• Maintaining the state’s required minutes of instruction
• Working within the space limitations of the school during the academic day

Disadvantages:
• Some feel that the need for extra academic support does not apply to all students.
• Students might not want to attend a study hall.
• The school day is already very long.
• An 8:00 a.m. start time would make commuting schedules more difficult for some families.
• OCHSA families may decide against returning to the school.
• This would compound the problem that students don’t get enough sleep.
• Overtired students may not have the energy to participate in outside activities.
• New student drivers shouldn’t be overtired.
• A mandatory study hall provides less one-on-one time for the few students that currently take advantage of Zero Block.

Alternatives: (Not all suggestions are logistically possible.)
• Require struggling students to use Zero Block.
• Require most teachers to be present during Zero Block.
• Require study hall only for struggling students (2.5 GPA or below).
• Offer a late-start option for those who don’t want to participate.
• Provide struggling students with a list of tutors in their geographic area.
• Gather tips from the instrumental students who are generally successful academically.
• Require study hall two days per week only.
• Shave time from conservatory blocks to create a study hall.

Student Lifestyle Survey: The “Healthy Kids” student survey is currently being evaluated. Dr. Alatorre will report the results.

Student Leadership: Student body leaders were working on Grad Night details and did not attend the ABC meeting. They will report at the next meeting.

Principal’s Report:
New Fence: Dr. Ron Alatorre reported that students expressed concerns about the new “Berlin Wall” fencing in the parking lot, until he explained that it was erected to keep them safe. Students have suggested that the fence posts be painted. More discussions will take place with students.

Opera Master Classes: A premier, international male vocal ensemble called Chanticleer will be providing master classes for opera students on Wednesday, March 26.

Published Creative Writer: The work of an OCHSA creative writing student was recently accepted for publication, with two publishers bidding.

Upcoming Events: End-of-year performances take place soon, and conservatories end in May.
Next year’s calendar has been published online. The Gala date is TBD.

ABC Committee Reports:
Grad Nite: Shelby Barron reported that $14,000 must be raised for this event by May 15. The (secret) location has been selected and the deposit has been paid. Buses have not been paid for yet. Individual and corporate sponsors are needed for donations of $25 and up. Donation forms are available at the front desk. The Grad Night parent committee is currently running an Italian ice fundraiser at 3:30 p.m. beginning 3/31 in the breezeway. Other upcoming events include these lunchtime activities: teachers vs. students dodge ball game, a senior talent show in the Black Box, Cultural Day (food donations are requested), and a Talent Day. Leadership is also going to launch a host of fundraisers.

Parent Education: Judy Yehuda reviewed the success of Café Walk/Open Forum. She said that attendees found it to be a worthwhile event, but considering the low attendance (comparable to last year), some feel it may not be worth the effort. It is possible that the online parent survey may suffice. Low attendance may have resulted from a confusing name for the event or the fact that public performances took place at the same time. It was also suggested that parents may have been reticent to discuss their concerns when staff members were present during sessions. Optional events might be a parent picnic or parent-teacher conferences.

Hospitality: No report.

O’Shop: No report.

Vice Principal’s Report:
STAR Testing: Mike Ciecek announced that STAR testing starts April 15, which is one day after students return from Spring Break. Testing lasts for two weeks.

Registration: Administration is considering moving registration in August from an in-person activity to online enrollment. After online registration, students would come to OCHSA on a specified date and time to pick up their schedule and books and to take their photograph. Online registration stations were modeled with students recently and took only as long as 22 minutes. Mike invited parents to test-drive and comment on the online registration system following today’s ABC meeting. Several parents volunteered.

Next Meeting: There will not be an ABC meeting in April, because Room 707 will be used for STAR testing, and there is no other available room. The next and final ABC meeting of the year will be a breakfast that will take place on Friday, May 16, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 707 and will include a Smart Board presentation. Please bring one or more paperback books that your student has read for academic classes and would be willing to have you exchange for literature that will be required in the upcoming academic year.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:50 by Judy Yehuda.