BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

February 2, 2006
Hyatt Regency, Garden Grove

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 A.M. by President Maureen Rippee. Other members in attendance included Member at Large Kathy Allen, Member at Large Michelle Berry, GSDCTE Representative Phil Bowles, California Department of Education Liaisons Beth Breneman and Ellen Jensen, CATENET Moderator Jim Burke, Member at Large Bob Chapman, Capitol Representative Angus Dunstan, Treasurer Anne Fristrom, Convention Coordinator Consultant Punky Fristrom, Resolutions Chair Tish Griggs, Convention Coordinator Teisha Hase, Secretary Carleen Hemric, Southland Representative Lisa Hernandez, Kern Representative Greg Johnson, CATEWebmaster Larry Jordan, Member at Large Jaimi Kreilaart, Member at Large Liz McAninch, Member at Large and CATE 2006 Chair Jo Anne Mitchell, Vice President Akiko Morimoto, CTA Representative Debra Martinez, FACET Representative Jeannie Oppliger, CATE 2007 Chair Pauline Sahakian, TUCATE Representative Carol Surabian, Membership Chair Joan Williams, and Four C’s Liaison Bill Younglove, and Policy Analyst Martha Zaragoza-Diaz. Absent: Upper Representative Bonnie Enmark, CALIFORNIA ENGLISH Editor Carol Jago, and Kern Representative Lee Prewitt.

Karpowicz moved and Surabian seconded the approval of the December 10-11, 2005,minutes. MOTION PASSED.

Berry moved and Karpowicz seconded the adoption of the agenda. MOTION PASSED.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS

PRESIDENT - Rippee reported that she had communicated with award winners, legislators, principals and superintendents across the state, board members, and convention committee members, and continued to collaborate and work toward the convention. On December 14 she attended UCIWP’s annual December conference where CATE 2006 flyers were distributed. Starbucks has agreed to provide raffle prizes for the convention.
P. Fristrom moved and Hernandez seconded to present Beth Breneman with an Award of Merit, expressing our gratitude for years of service on our board. MOTION PASSED.

VICE PRESIDENT - Morimoto reported that the Advisory Report had been emailed to all Board members. The May Board of Directors meeting will be held at the Embassy Suites in South San Francisco, May 6 and 7.

PAST PRESIDENT -P. Fristrom noted that the 2006 CATE candidates are President: Michelle Berry, Vice President: Charleen Silva-Delfino and Karen Martinez; Member at Large Secondary - Carol Clarke and Susan Dillon; Member at Large Small Council - Bob Chapman; and Member at Large Unspecified - Richard Hockensmith. Additional nominations may be made by petition until the beginning of the Annual Business meeting, February 6. Thanks to Jordan, an online voting system has been set up. Announcement of the election with candidate statements and a mail-in ballot will be in CALIFORNIA ENGLISH . Voters may also go to CATEweb and link to the online ballot which will have the candidates’ statements as well as a ballot to mark and submit. Their votes will be received from their email addresses and will contain their CATE identification numbers. A local committee will be formed to count the votes.

2006 CATE Awards to be presented at CATE 2006 include: CATE Distinguished Service Award - Mary Barr, San Diego; CATE Career Achievement Award - Mary Catherine Swanson; CATE Classroom Excellence Awards - Anne Biggs, Washington Academic Middle School, Sanger; Sheridan Blau, UC Santa Barbara; Dianne Bliven, Eastlake Middle School, Chula Vista; Milton Clark, CSU San Bernardino; Cynthia Cohen, Valle Vista Elementary School, San Jose; Joni Jordan, College of the Sequoias, Visalia; Ann Lew, International Studies Academy, San Francisco; Sandi Moon, Trinity Valley Elementary School, Spring Valley; Sally Williams, Divisadero Middle School, Visalia, and CATE Award of Merit - Violetta Jacobs, Art Outreach Program, Rancho Mirage; Central California Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and Education Center of the Salvation Army Kroc Center, San Diego.

The new deadline announced for the NCTE Research Foundation Cultivating New Voices program is designed to provide support, mentoring, and networking opportunities for early career scholars of color. The two-year program focuses on cultivating scholars’ ability to draw from their own cultural/linguistic perspectives as they conceptualize, plan, conduct, and write their research.

Proposals are welcome for the 2006 Conference on English Leadership(CEL) Conference focussing on the five issues of teacher preparation, literacy, assessment, professional development, writing instruction, and examining the effectiveness of current practices and their implication for the future.

Resolutions from NCTE 2005 include Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, El dia de los ninos/El dia de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), and Supporting School and Community Libraries.

SECRETARY -Hemric reminded Board members to submit directory updates to her and to Jordan for inclusion in the secured area of CATEweb and give business card requests to her.

TREASURER - A. Fristrom reported a Checking Account balance of $125,228.35, a Memorial CD balance of $10,118.15, a Marilyn Kahl Memorial CD balance of $5,435.68, a Marilyn Kahl #2 CD balance of $10,395.93, a Vanguard GNMA Portfolio of $135,007.16, and a Vanguard Index Trust of $15,808.39. 1099 forms have been distributed.

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR - Williams reported that current membership totals are Capitol - 151, Central - 621, Fresno - 74, Kern - 28, Redwood - 36, San Diego - 187, Southland - 697, TUCATE - 20, Upper - 58, Libraries - 23, Out of State - 33, and Comps 3 for a total of 1960. Membership increased from 1754 in 1/05 to 1931 in 12/06. Membership numbers are still up, but accurate numbers will not be available until all convention memberships are processed. Care must be taken to make sure that no memberships are lost in the paper shuffle between registrar, Precision, and the membership chair. Williams is still working on a presentation for promotional purposes which will be placed on the website with copies on CD/DVD and will be previewed at the May meeting.
Membership gifts are orange luggage tags. Board members need to sign up for time in the CATE booth in the foyer. Lucinda and Read and Write pins will be sold at the booth. New membership brochures have arrived with the 2007 convention information. Council presidents should submit the name of a membership representative attending the convention so that person can be invited to a meeting in the presidential suite.

CONVENTION COORDINATOR - Hase reported that registration was nearing 1000 and commended all members who have helped with the convention. The Exhibits Managers, Jeff and Shauney Wilson, have done a tremendous job selling all available booth space. They have already submitted ideas for CATE 2007. DSL has made the registration process much easier. The room block requirement has been met. Invitations to the Exhibitors Reception were passed out for distribution to exhibitors.

CONVENTION CHAIR 2006 - Mitchell reported that everthing was in order for the convention and requested that all members sign up to work wherever needed.

PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES - Bowles reported that the council representatives had met Wednesday evening and worked through a number of the resolutions, forwarding suggestions to the Resolutions Committee. The December plan to contact CATE 2006 registrants did not materialize. Following the convention the council presidents would like to receive a list of all CATE 06 registrants identified with their local councils so that presidents and their designees could contact them by letter and invite them to become involved. Bowles will share his letter with other presidents as a sample.

CATEWeb - Jordan suggested that people having problems with Topica should set up a new email address with Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail, or another web-based email system. Board members are encouraged to check Board roster listings on CATEweb and inform Jordan of corrections. Jordan will send a message to all who post on CATEweb to show that material was received and posted. Letters to supervisors concerning attendance at CATE 2006 are now available on line.

CATENET - Burke reported that changing his email address had resulted in CATENET problems which are now resolved. Events sponsored by other organizations which compete with CATE sponsored events are not posted.

CTA - Martinez noted that CTA is supporting the following candidates: Governor - Phil Angelides, Lieutenant Governor -John Garamendi, Attorney General - Rocky Delgadillo, Secretary of State - recommendation postponed until candidate interviews, Controller - neutral, Treasurer - Bill Lockyer, State Superintendent of Public Instruction - Jack O’Connell, Insurance Commissioner - Cruz Bustamante, Board of Equalization Seat 1 - Betty Yee, and Board of Equalization Seat 4 - neutral. CTA.org can be contacted for packets for Read Across America.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - Beth Breneman introduced her replacement as CDE Liaison, Ellen Jensen (ejensen@cde.ca.gov). Jensen reported that the revised draft Reading/Language Arts Framework had been approved by the Curriiculum Commission on January 27 and referred to the State Board of Education for adoption at the March, 2006, meeting. The Commission defined the scope of work in updating the Framework as the core will be kept intact while looking for ways to enhance and improve by incorporating recent research, changes in relevant legislation, and State Board mandates. Most of the changes are in Chapter 9:” Criteria for Evaluating Instructional Materials, K-8.” This chapter includes a call for five types of programs including a basic Reading/Language Arts Development Program, a primary language program, and two types of intervention programs for Grades 4-8. The criteria also strengthens the requirements for vocabulary development, writing, and including more support for English learners.

The Mathematics and Reading Professional Development Program (AB 466) will become inoperative July 1, 2006. Funding is still available for 40 hours of intensive training and 80 hours of follow-up. New legislation, SB472, has been written to reauthorize the program. Training would then focus on state adopted instructional materials, highlight instructional strategies that support the content standards, and emphasize appropriate instruction for English language learners and pupils with special needs.

SB517 exempts students with disabilities from the requirement of passing the CAHSEE under certain circumstances for one year only.

The Secondary Literacy Summit, sponsored by the Association of California School Administrators, the California Department of Education, the Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee, and the California Comprehensive Assistance Center at WestEd, will be held in Burlingame March 28-29. The theme is “Fulfilling the Promise,” which addresses the needs of middle and high school students who require intensive or strategic inervention.

The group divided into committees and returned for the initial presentation of the resolutions drafted by the Resolutions Committee.

Griggs moved and Surabian seconded approval of the Board Resolution - Commendation of the Convention Committee. MOTION APPROVED.

The group adjourned for lunch at 12:30 P.M.and returned to finish the resolutions and reconvene for affiliate reports and committee meetings.

AFFILIATE REPORTS

CAPITOL - Dunstan noted that Capitol will be working with the other northern councils on the Napa Conference.

CENTRAL - McAninch reported on line that receptions for CATE and NCTE contest winners will be held in the Bay area and in Modesto in tthe spring. The winners will read their writing and receive certificates, gifts, and monetary prizes. Gabrielle Rico, Harry Noden, Carol Booth Olson, and poet Joshua McKinney will present at the Napa Conference April 28-29.
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FACET - Oppliger reported on line that FACET had met in January and made a timeline for activities through February, 2007.
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GREATER SAN DIEGO - Bowles reported on linethat GSDCTE will host the Spring Promising Practices on Saturday, March 4, at the Marina Village Conference Center, featuring Nikki Grimes and Carol Jago. The CATE Creative Writing Contest winners will be recognized on Friday, February 24, at the San Diego County Office of Education with special speaker Sam Turner, a master storyteller, retired college professor, and former GSDCTE president. The annual Arrowhead Retreat is scheduled for April 21-23 at the UCLA Conference Center. The annual Awards Dinner will be Wednesday, May 31, at the University of San Diego.

REDWOOD - Chapman encouraged everyone to attend the Napa Conference.

SOUTHLAND - Hernandez reported on line that Nancy Himel had agreed to serve as the CATE 2008 Convention Chair in Long Beach following CATE Board approval. The SCTE Board agreed to host the CATE Convention at the LAX Marriott in 2010. The Conference of the Living Tree was held at the Pierpont Inn in Ventura in January. Next year’s Fall Conference will be held at the Whittier Radisson October 14. One of the speakers will be poet Ralph Angel, and Firoozeh Dumas is being approached as a speaker. SCTE’s celebration of NCTE writing awards will take place at a luncheon at West Hills High on March 12. SCTE’s Spring Fling, “A Duesy of a Day,” will be held April 8 at the Nethercutt Collection Museum and the Odyssey Restaurant.

TUCATE - Surabian reported on line that Tucate looks forward to a stronger council and to having the convention in Fresno.

UPPER - no report

The Resolutions Committee returned for the second reading of the resolutions.

Fleetwood moved and Oppliger seconded the approval of Resolution 1 - Keep Novels at the Heart of the English/Language Arts. MOTION PASSED.

Higbee moved and Karpowicz seconded the approval of Resolution 2 - Keep Flexibility in Remedial English/Language Arts Classes. MOTION PASSED.

Martinez moved and Allen seconded the approval of Resolution 3 - Electives Support the English Literature Curriculum. MOTION PASSED.

Cecil moved and Chapman seconded the approval of Resolution 4 - Teacher Credentials. MOTION PASSED.

Cecil moved and Chapman seconded the approval of Resolution 5 - Stakeholder Input Timing. MOTION PASSED.

REPORTS OF LIAISONS

LEGISLATIVE ANALYST - Zaragoza-Diaz reported that the state’s economic situation is better. Governor Schwarzenegger proposed in his “Strategic Growth Plan” a $4 billion increase in education funding over the 2005-2006 state budget, including immediate repayment of $1.6 billion in Prop 98 funds, $428 million for After School Programs established as a result of the passage of Prop 49, and elimination of the increased tuition and fees in higher eduction scheduled to take effect this year as part of the 2006-2007 budget. The governor proposed $4 billion increase in K-12 education brings the total education spending to approximately $11,000 per student. Specific funding includes $65 million to support a required third year of induction for beginning teachers in deciles one through three schools and, at district discretion, a voluntary year for experienced teachers who are new to deciles one through three school sites, an increase of $428 million for Prop 49 after school programs, and an additional $40 to help students get the instruction and support needed to pass the CAHSEE. The Education Coalition feels a good start has been made but would like to see existing programs funded rather than new ones started.

Since this is the second year of a two-year legislative session, no new bills have been introduced. Senator Scott is proposing a bond for facilites and career tech facilities off site.

Secretary of Education Alan Bersin spoke to the state board concerning his plans for an outcomes-based teacher development program focusing on teacher preparation and assessment.

The majority of the state board supports charter schools. A current proposal for the first time allows the CBE, rather than their districts, to be the host for the charter schools. These schools may then enroll students from districts other than their own.

CALIFORNIA ENGLISH - Jago reported online that the spring issue of CALIFORNIA ENGLISH will feature a tribute to Jim Gray. Articles in this issue will feature genre theory written by members of the University of Calfornia Literacy Consortium, and articles on this topic may appear in future issues also. The CATE election ballot and voting instructions will also be included. For the summer issue Jago is working with Norma Mota Altman who directs a National Writing Project group focusing on English Language Learners. Teacher research has been conducted, and individual teachers will shape their findings into articles. The NWP may choose to pay for an extra 500-1000 copies to distribute to every writing project site in the country.

Future calls for manuscripts include: Summer, 2006 (deadline April 1) Focus on English Language Learners; Fall, 2006 (deadline August 1) - Mayhem in the Middle?

CALIFORNIA WRITING PROJECT - The Pre-Convention sponsored by the CWP is taking place today. The “California Stories” now called “California Writing” project is continuing.

CYRM - Morimoto noted that she had held a conference call with the other CATE CYRM Commitee members. An application for committee appointment in May is being created and will be on CATEweb.


COMMITTEE REPORTS

CONVENTION COORDINATING - (Hase, chair; Berry, A. Fristrom, P. Fristrom, McAninch, Mitchell, Rippee, Sahakian,and Williams). Pauline Sahakin updated the committee on CATE 2007. Menus have been received so that pricing can be set for CATE 2007 at the May Board meeting. Issues of finances and communication in CATE 2006 were discussed.
Hase moved and Berry seconded the approval of Jeff and Shauney Wilson of Wilson Consulting as Exhibits Manager for CATE 2007. MOTION PASSED.
Hase moved and Mitchell seconded the appointment of Nancy Himel as CATE 2008 chair. MOTION PASSED.

Hase reminded Board members to volunteer at the registration and membership booths.

POLICY/CENSORSHIP (Oppliger, chair; Chapman, Griggs, Hernandez, McAninch, Martinez, Younglove, Zaragoza-Diaz) Oppliger reported on her visit to Sacramento. She indicated that the focus of the Curriculum Commission is still primarily K-8, and secondary issues need to be addressed. The focus should also be the big picture as opposed to compartmentalizing and looking at discrete items such as vocabulary instead of real issues faced by sub-groups such as African American learners and Special Needs learners. The committee also discussed the shift in the role of community colleges as remedial writing providers since CSU’s are disenrolling students who have not passed EPT’s. Oppliger will attend the March 8 and 9 State Board of Education meeting.

LEADERSHIP - (Karpowicz, chair; Allen, Bowles, Delfino, Dunstan, Hemric, and Surabian) The orange sheet provided by Hase and the Presidents’ Handbook outlines duties of council presidents and all Board members at the convention. Bowles will remind presidents of these duties.
Candidates for CATE Board offices should be continually recruited in local councils. To encourage the development of new leaders, budget priorities should include funding for local council members to attend Board meetings in their areas and funding to supplement the Prentice Hall Leadership Award winner at NCTE. Board members are again encouraged to sit at different tables to talk about CATE and encourage involvement with attendees. Local council officers are asked to follow through with the information cards returned to the Membership Booth as a means for finding and encouraging new leaders and to continue working with local teacher education programs to recruit membership.

PUBLICATIONS (Chapman, chair; Berry, Bowles, Dunstan, McAninch, Younglove, Krielaart, Jordan, Burke) Kokino’s flyers for the Professional Writing Contest are stuffed in convention bags. The CATE Creative Writing Contest winners are 3-4 - Emma Russell (GSDCTE), 5-6 - no winner; 7-8 - Paul Tran (GSDCTE), 9-10 - Mary Felice Chavez (Central); 11-12 - Emily Bookstein (GSDCTE), and College - Clark Coleman (Central). Next year’s contest dates are local deadline - November 1, 2006 and CATE deadline - December 1, 2006.

Allen will assist Jordan in correcting information on the web site. The President’s Handbook will be on line by May.

CATENET is slow right now. The costs are stable, and Burke still enjoys doing it.
Policy 8.9 was corrected to read:: 2006 - GSDCTE; 2007 - CCCTE; 2008 -Capitol, FACET, Kern, Redwood, TUCATE, and Upper., and 2009 – SCTE.
Kreilaart’s power point project will be on display at the registration desk.

MEMBERSHIP (Williams, chair; Allen, Griggs, Hemric, Hernandez, Karpowicz, Oppliger, and Surabian) Williams will meet with membership representatives on Friday from 3:00 to 4:00 in the Hospitality Suite, Room 354, North Tower. Address changes should get to Williams through CATEWeb or otherwise, and if changes are not made, she should be informed. All Board members are asked to sign up for a session at the CATE Booth. Pins, brochures, leadership pencils, and convention gifts will be available. Williams needs help in setting up the booth Friday morning and taking it down Sunday.

Ideas for increasing membership include surveying membership about their needs, providing opportunities for socializing as well as professional growth, providing networking opportunities, and increasing media presence. All information cards turned in by CATE attendees should receive a follow-up from their local council. Committee members discussed ideas for the CATE 2007 membership gift.

EXECUTIVE/FINANCE (Morimoto, chair; Delfino, P. Fristrom, A. Fristrom, Hase, Mitchell, Rippee, and Sahakian) The committee reaffirmed that there are no complimentary meals. They agreed that registration should be provided for program chairs and program designers. New laptop computers will need to be bought in the near future, and consideration should be given to providing substitute pay for some days off for the convention coordinator immediately prior to the convention.

Delfino moved and Morimoto seconded that a substitute day should be paid for Bonnie Enmark whose plane was cancelled following the December meeting. MOTION PASSED.

Karpowicz moved and Morimoto seconded adjournment at 5:30 P.M. MOTION PASSED.

Respectfully submitted,

Carleen Hemric, Secretary