CSTA BOARD MINUTES
June 5, 2010
CSU Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Attendance and Quorum
The following board members were present: Jeff Bradbury, Meg
Burke, Deb Farkas, Michelle French, Dean Gilbert, Rick Pomeroy,
Sue Pritchard, Donna Ross, Greg Schultz, Jim Jones, Tim Williamson,
Valerie Joyner, Karen Withey-Smith, and Heather Marshall.
A quorum was present. Also in attendance were newly-elected
board members David Budai, Peter A’Hearn, and Eric Lewis,
CSTA executive director Christine Bertrand, and CTA representative
Lisa Marroquin. Tim Williamson served as chair, and Rick Pomeroy
took notes.
Notice
The chair called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. and announced
that the meeting was
held pursuant to written notice to all members of the Board
of Directors of the corporation. A copy of the notice was
ordered entered into the minutes book following the minutes
of the meeting.
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was amended and approved as amended.
Approval of Minutes
Dean Gilbert moved to approve the minutes of the March 6,
2010 board meeting; seconded by Meg Burke. Motion carried.
Old Business
Presidential Awards
Dean Gilbert recapped past discussion of the Presidential
Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST)
and explained that very few applications for the science award
are received each year and that the board had brainstormed
ideas for getting more science teachers to apply for these
awards. Tim Williamson suggested that Dean work with a small
committee on ideas to bring back to the board at the September
meeting. Donna Ross and Sue Pritchard volunteered to work
with Dean on a proposal for the board.
Search for New Office Space
Tim Williamson asked if there was any information on the board’s
request to obtain office space at a lower rent level. There
was no new information on this item.
Programs
2010 Science Education Conference
Conference chair Rick Pomeroy distributed a report indicating
the current status of the program, registration, housing,
exhibits, and sponsorships. It was pointed out that CISC is
scheduled to meet on Thursday, October 21, the same day as
the board retreat. It appeared that the conflict would affect
only one or two board members.
2011 California Science Education Conference
2011 conference co-chair Dean Gilbert reported on preliminary
planning for the 2011 conference in Pasadena, centering on
several offers of support for the conference by marine artist
Wyland. Dean reported that Wyland has offered to co-present
a session with Sylvia Earle; to paint a limited edition portrait
to auction off, with proceeds to be split between CSTA and
his foundation; to bring his mobile science center to Pasadena
for the event; to hold a session, perhaps a short course,
where he can distribute his curriculum and promote environmental
education; and to set up a gallery at the conference as a
way of increasing exposure. His staff is working on an MOU.
It was suggested that schools in Pasadena be contacted to
promote the ways school children can be involved in the protection
of the oceans, and possibly have a student poster presentation
with the Wyland materials. Dean asked for people to email
ideas for the conference to him by the end of June 2010.
Awards Committee Report and Approval of Nominations
Sue Pritchard presented the recommendations for the 2010 CSTA
awards by the awards committee. Sue Pritchard moved that
the 2010 Margaret Nicholson Distinguished Service Award be
awarded to Larry Malone and Linda De Lucchi as one award,
and the 2010 Future Science Teacher Award be awarded to Angela
Lewis.
Seconded by Deb Farkas; motion carried.
Sue indicated that the committee urges the regional directors
to encourage the colleges and universities in their areas
to nominate future teachers for this award and suggested that
the Payne mentors should be encouraged to nominate people.
Electronic CCS Update
Rick Pomeroy reported on the progress made to develop the
new electronic version of California Classroom Science and
presented three design options developed by Wolfe Design.
Discussion centered on several issues:
Frequency—Every two weeks vs. monthly. It was suggested
that getting new content every two weeks was too ambitious
and burdensome for staff, but a monthly publication might
not be timely or fresh enough, especially for the generation
of young teachers who react better to constantly changing
content. Concern was voiced that we need to balance timeliness
and freshness of content with the ability to do something
of quality every two weeks. A consensus appeared to develop
that a monthly publication might be enough, as that is twice
a frequent as the current CCS publication schedule.
Format—Interactive or static pdf. There was confusion and
concern over whether the electronic CCS would be more like
a website or a newspaper, and some preference was voiced
for a pdf of CCS. An initial advisory vote concluded that
most (8) wanted a static version with hot links, and two
wanted an interactive version, but the overriding consensus
was that e-CCS should be distinct from the website.
Content—Original work or “borrowed” content. Support was
voiced for continuing original written articles, but these
can be augmented by cited links or by borrowed content from
other sites. It was suggested that content be grade-level
specific where appropriate and that grade level content
be rotated every third issue (i.e. not every grade level
would be in every issue). Concern was voiced that the paper
not be a clearinghouse for other people’s or organizations’
work. Include teasers about what’s coming in the next issue.
Depending on frequency of publication, perhaps include only
five to eight articles per issue, more if it is published
monthly or bi-monthly. It was strongly suggested that we
be realistic about what people are really able to produce,
so we should keep it simple, which also keeps costs down.
Put off consideration of adding blogs, making apps, or making
it mobile-ready for now.
Responsibilities—Board vs. staff vs. Wolfe. Board members
were asked to volunteer for one (or more) topics for the
year, as opposed to signing up for a different content area
for each issue, and to stockpile articles so there is always
new content at the ready. Concern was voiced that updating
content every two weeks would be burdensome for staff. It
was pointed out that there is no money to pay Wolfe or any
other outside source to do the updating after the initial
issue. It was pointed out that, once the format and boilerplate
are set, editing and uploading new content is not as labor
intensive as it sounds.
Getting the word out—How people find out about e-CCS. It
was agreed that CCS needs to go to the reader, not the reader
going to CCS. Staff will work on a format for email notice
of each new issue, and perhaps give options of how often
they want to receive it. “Subscriptions” could be every
two weeks, every four weeks, or five times per year.
Archive past issues—Complete issue as produced as well as
articles archived by subject. Question whether this is members-only
service.
Advertising—How will this affect our relationship with K-12
Alliance. If they piggyback on CCS, how much do we charge
them? Staff will work on this with Wolfe.
Design—There was a consensus in favor of the first design
option, and a caution was voiced that whatever we do, it
must be great from the beginning, the first issue, or people
may not come back; that would hurt our credibility.
A second advisory vote was taken: online static newspaper,
i.e., CCS in a pdf format every other month, vs. electronic
version. The majority voted for electronic version. The frequency,
design, and content were delegated to the ad hoc committee
to determine.
Policy and Organizational Issues
Committee Appointments
Tim Williamson distributed the committee roster for the upcoming
year. Valerie Joyner moved to accept the committee appointments
as presented; seconded by Jeff Bradbury. Motion carried.
Legislative Update
Christine Bertrand referred to her report in the board packet
and mentioned that the only new information is that ACR 88,
which would create a legislative STEM task force, is again
moving and will be heard in the Senate Education Committee.
Discussion ensued about the Race to the Top application,
whether or not California will adopt the Common Core standards,
and whether common core standards would be developed for science.
Christine clarified that a state must adopt the common core
standards as written but can add up to an additional 15 percent
to those. There is a question whether the state will accept
the common core standards as written, because California would
like algebra at the 8th grade level but the common core standards
do not require that.
Online Banking Resolution
Christine Bertrand presented a resolution establishing a process
by which most of the association’s banking can be done electronically.
Meg Burke moved to adopt the resolution as submitted; seconded
by Karen Withey-Smith. Motion carried.
Task Force on Legislation
Dean Gilbert presented an idea for establishing a task force
to give input to legislators on legislation that will make
a difference and will chart the future of the state in terms
of science education. Questions were raised as to the function
of the task force and whether it would propose legislation.
It was suggested that the board could be the task force without
a specific charge. One area for consideration for new legislation
would be mandatory minutes for science instruction in elementary
schools. It was pointed out that CSTA already has a white
paper that is concise and to the point that addresses many
of the issues a task force might take on. Tim Williamson asked
Dean to head up this group and asked anyone interested in
working with Dean to email him within a reasonable amount
of time.
Reports
President’s Report
Tim Williamson distributed his president’s report, thanked
Christine Bertrand, and recognized the three outgoing members.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Greg Shultz reported that the financial picture
has gotten worse since our last meeting. He reported that
for the year-to-date after 11 months, we are over our projected
deficit budget amounts by about $6000. Greg indicated that
this is eating into our cash reserves and that we are below
the board policy mandate of six months’ operating expenses
in reserve by about $40,000. Greg indicated that we have to
gird ourselves for things currently being bad but hope that
it is going to get better. Dean Gilbert asked about recommended
changes in the conference expenditures and whether they were
being done. Christine Bertrand reported that some of them
have been done. Tim Williamson thanked Greg for all he has
done as treasurer.
Executive Director’s Report
Christine Bertrand indicated she had nothing to add to the
report included in the board packet.
Director’s Reports
Heather Marshall reported that she has arranged with band
and dance groups at Roseville High School to perform on the
opening night of the conference. She reported that she is
moving to Morgan Hill this summer but will continue in her
role as high school director.
Meg Burke reported that the California Academy of Sciences
is not immune to the budget problems, as they receive some
funding from the city. She reported that the academy is also
involved in the California Stem Initiative (CSI) meeting and
that she attended a meeting about the new environmental education
curriculum that has been developed.
Deb Farkas said she is sad to be going off the board but
looks forward to working with CSTA on the conference and other
projects in the future.
Jeff Bradbury reported on a grant he is working on for at-risk
community college students.
Michelle French reported that she is working with region
1 director Valerie Joyner on ways to engage more primary teachers
in the organization.
Dean Gilbert reported on the Intel International Science
and Engineering Fair which was recently held in San Jose.
He indicted that he is the local arrangements chair for their
2011 meeting in Southern California, March 8-13, and that
he would like to see CSTA affiliated with the organization
and their work. Dean challenged the board to figure some way
for CSTA to get involved with the science fair and gave some
examples of their projects.
Greg Schulz thanked everyone for all of the good times professionally
and personally.
Donna Ross reported that she has gotten some buzz from faculty
and students about articles they have read in CCS.
Jim Jones: Thanks for the memories.
Sue Pritchard reported on her presentation at the Gold Coast
Science Network conference at Oxnard College, where she also
promoted the Sacramento conference and distributed flyers
describing the latest opportunities for CSTA membership. Sue
reported that she is working on the planning committee for
an upcoming math and science assessment symposium for Cal
TAC which will coincide with the conference in Sacramento,
on October 21.
New Board Members’ Reports
David Budai and Peter A’Hearn indicated that one of their
main goals would be to get science back in elementary schools.
Eric Lewis reported that he would like to see mandatory
minutes for elementary science, and that he is working with
teacher preparation programs to bring new teachers into the
fold.
Other Reports
Lisa Marroquin reported that, from CTA’s perspective, CSTA
is doing better than many other organizations and that some
are reorganizing.
Other Business
Dates and Formats for the Upcoming Meetings
Christine Bertrand reminded the board that they had suggested
holding the September board meeting via videoconference and
requested that the board decide whether or not a videoconference
was possible, or whether the meeting should be held via teleconference.
It was suggested that board members gather regionally at a
site with video capability, or, alternatively, to try to hold
the meeting via Skype or a similar program. It was suggested
that some sites, such as county offices of education, may
have video capability but not available on weekends. Dean
Gilbert indicated he would check on videoconferencing options
at LACOE, and Rick Pomeroy will check of capabilities at UC
Davis. Staff will research free or low-cost Internet conferencing
programs to see if that would be a possibility.
Dean Gilbert moved to accept the 2010-2011 board meeting dates
as recommended. Seconded by Heather Marshall; motion carried.
Rick Pomeroy moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Jim
Jones. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
Thank you gifts were given to the outgoing board members
Jim Jones, Deb Farkas, and Greg Schultz. | 
