CSTA BOARD MINUTES
March 17, 2007
San Mateo County Office of Education
Redwood City
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the California
Science Teachers Association, a California non-profit corporation,
was called to order at 9:35 a.m.
Attendance and Quorum
The following board members were present: Jeff Bradbury, Karen
Carroll, Amy Coppenger, Deborah Farkas, Susan Garcia, Dean
Gilbert, Sharon Janulaw, Jim Jones, Greg Potter, Susan Pritchard,
Greg Schultz, Diana Takenaga, Jenny Wade, Tim Williamson,
and Karen Withey-Smith. A quorum was present. Also in attendance
were executive director Christine Bertrand and CTA liaison
Lisa Marroquin. Dean Gilbert served as chair, and Jenny Wade
served as secretary.
Notice
The chair called the meeting to order 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.
The chair welcomed and introduced host Gary Nakagiri who gave
a history of the facility and invited the board to check out
the building. Gary also put forward a proposal that the board
consider establishing closer collaborations with the local
math/science teachers organization, CMSESMC, and their annual
conference. Gary also indicated that BABEC (Bay Area Biotechnology
Education Collaborative) would like to offer workshops and
a biotech strand for the 2008 conference. Gary was thanked
for his hospitality in hosting the meeting.
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was amended to include a Payne Grant Update, Legislative
Update, and Environmental Education Advisory Council information.
Greg Potter moved to approve the agenda as amended, seconded
by Tim Williamson; the agenda was approved as amended.
Approval of Minutes
Corrections were made to the minutes of the December 2, 2006
board meeting. Sharon Janulaw moved to approve the minutes,
seconded by Karen Carroll; the minutes were approved as amended.
Old Business
Extended Professional Development Program
Christine Bertrand reported that there are no further events
being offered through the Extended Professional Development
Program, which is meant to include events throughout the year
offered through other organizations for which teachers can
earn professional development hours. She reported that the
program will be removed from the website at this time.
Student Chapters
Jeff Bradbury and Laura Henriques reported on their discussions
on establishing student chapters for CSTA. They reported that
they are considering different ways to get preservice teachers
involved in CSTA at an early stage of their careers through
student chapters at universities. Sharon Janulaw indicated
that NSTA has an extensive application process and will forward
that information to Jeff and Laura. They indicated that they
will present a formal proposal to the board at the June meeting
and will have a working group looking at this at the September
retreat. Lisa Marroquin suggested a connection to CTA student
chapters.
Programs
2007 California Science Education Conference
Tim Williamson, chair of the 2007 conference, reported that
the program is in outstanding shape. He praised the work that
Jessica Lewis has done to make the committee’s job easier.
Tim indicated that the committee is still working to finalize
arrangements for the dance planned at the Aquarium for Saturday
night, and requested that any suggestions for a band be forwarded
to him as soon as possible.
Dean Gilbert reported on the program for Administrator Day,
which will be held on the Saturday of the conference.
2010 Conference Location and NSTA 2011 Conference
Christine Bertrand presented options for sites for the 2010
conference. She indicated that San Francisco would be next
in the usual rotation, but that NSTA plans to hold its annual
convention in San Francisco in spring 2011. Christine indicated
that NSTA needs agreement of the CSTA board to do so. She
reported that it was unclear at this time whether the Bill
Graham Civic Auditorium would be available in 2010. Other
options for the northern location are Sacramento, which is
courting CSTA, Santa Clara, and San Jose, which is the location
for the 2008 conference.
The board discussed the potential impact of the NSTA convention
on attendance at CSTA’s fall conference and determined that
the impact was likely to be significant, and that it would
not be a good idea to hold the conference in San Francisco.
The board requested that CSTA negotiate a mitigation fee with
NSTA now, as opposed to just prior to the NSTA convention,
as is NSTA’s usual procedure. Pros and cons of the other northern
California sites were discussed.
Tim Williamson moved that
the 2010 CSTA Science Education Conference be held in Sacramento.
Seconded by Susan Garcia; motion carried with 1 opposed,
1 abstention. The board suggested that the conference committee
plan for high profile speakers and events for that conference
to try to ensure good attendance.
Sue Pritchard moved that
CSTA begin immediately to negotiate a fair mitigation amount
with NSTA to offset CSTA's anticipated loss of revenue due
to NSTA holding its 2011 convention in San Francisco. The
mitigation should be based on the revenue received from CSTA’s
last San Francisco conference rather than the two conferences
immediately before and after the NSTA convention, as is NSTA’s
usual revenue sharing arrangement.
Seconded by Susan Garcia; motion unanimously carried.
Field Experience Grant Program
Jim Jones reported on developments in offering a field experience
with the Savannah Africa program. The committee is obtaining
the requested references from previous participants, per the
board’s protocols, and will submit the full proposal at the
June meeting. Jim reminded the board that CSTA had committed
the initial $750 fee required by Savannah Africa, but that
the committee is to try to find corporate underwriting to
reimburse CSTA. Jim also indicated that the committee would
like suggestions for other opportunities to be offered in
subsequent years and requested that points-of-contact be sent
to him.
Payne Grant Update
Christine Bertrand reported on development of the preservice
strand funded by the Payne Foundation grant. The advisory
committee developed or identified 15 workshops and one focus
speaker for the strand, and suggested that the preservice
teachers who receive the $100 stipend be designated as “Payne
scholars.”
Policy and Organizational Issues
Discussion and Approval of Revised Budget, 2006-2007
Treasurer Greg Schultz presented the revised budget for FY
2006-2007 and reported on the encouraging net revenue anticipated
for year-end. He indicated that the materials adoption, as
well as the NSTA mitigation, influenced the good revenue results.
Greg also reported on the accounting adjustment made, per
our accountant’s suggestion. Sue Pritchard moved that the
revised 2006-2007 budget be accepted as presented. Tim Williamson
seconded; motion unanimously carried.
Discussion and Approval of Proposed Budget, FY 2007-2008
Treasurer Greg Schultz presented the proposed budget for FY
2007-2008 and indicated that the budget anticipates lower
conference attendance and advertising and fewer sponsorships
than the current year. Sue Pritchard asked about the $750
for the Savannah Africa program, which is not reflected in
the budget. The budget was adjusted to include that $750 as
an expense; the adjusted net revenue budget $47,843. Sue Pritchard
moved that the 2007-2008 budget be accepted as revised. Deb
Farkas seconded; motion unanimously carried.
Nominations Committee Report and Approval of Candidates
Sharon Janulaw reported that the nominations committee met
and recommended the following slate of candidates to stand
for election:
for President-Elect: Tim Williamson
for Secretary: Jenny Wade
for 2-Year College Director: Jeff Bradbury
for Middle School Director: Don Whisman
for Primary Director: Diana Takenaga
for Informal Science Director: Margaret Gould Burke, Joanna
Stark
for Region 1 Director: Eric Bull, Richard Pomeroy
for Region 3 Director: Jennifer Halls
Sharon Janulaw moved that the slate of candidates for the
CSTA board of directors be submitted for member vote. Greg
Potter seconded. Question and discussion ensued regarding
qualifications and experience required for board positions.
Question and discussion ensued regarding requirements for
incumbents vs. those who are applying for the first time and
need introduction; it was clarified that requirements are
identical for both groups. Motion carried, 10-0-5 (abstentions—4
on slate and recused).
Sharon Janulaw suggested that a session be presented at the
conference on how to become a board member.
Partnership /Sponsorship Requests
California Space Science Education and Workforce Institute
Christine Bertrand reported on a Memorandum of Understanding
proposed by the California Space Science Education and Workforce
Initiative, an arm of the California Space Authority. They
would like CSTA to agree to be a co-sponsor on all CSA and
CSEWI programs. The board declined to sign onto the MOU and
indicated that CSTA would consider each sponsorship on a case-by-case
basis. Christine will inform CSEWI.
Kids and Strangers – Child Safety DVD Project
Dean Gilbert reported on a request from Allan Nadohl of the
Kids and Strangers project for CSTA to become a sponsor of
the project. Sponsorships require monetary donations. The
board declined to become a sponsor, as members have not reviewed
the DVD and, while the project is a worthwhile project, there
is no direct link to science. Dean will inform Allan.
AIM K-12 Wired Educator Conference
Christine Bertrand reported on a request that CSTA co-sponsor
the AIM K-12 WIRED conferences, including use of the CSTA
logo on marketing materials and the WIRED website. The board
indicated that they need more information about the quality
of the program and expressed concern about the consequences
to teachers if a session is cancelled. The board declined
to co-sponsor the programs or lend our logo to the website
at this time but will promote the sessions on our website.
Christine will inform AIM.
Earth and Space Science Petition
Susan Garcia presented the California Earth and Space Science
Initiative which is being circulated to get space science
added to the approved list of specified lab science courses
for UC admissions. The board suggested that an article about
the petition be printed in California Classroom Science, with
the full petition posted on the CSTA website.
Legislative Update
Christine Bertrand reported on the recent introduction of
several pieces of legislation impacting science education.
Environmental Education Advisory Council
Dean Gilbert reported that Dave Ficke, chair of the Environmental
Education Advisory Committee which oversees the CREEC Network,
has asked CSTA to become involved in advocating for funding
for the network. Dean indicated that the state is reexamining
the effectiveness of CREEC and whether the dissemination of
information is the best way to utilize resources. He indicated
that the Environmental Education Initiative has become the
focus of the state’s environmental education activity and
suggested that any request to refocus activity to CREEC would
likely be futile. The board concurred and declined to take
a contrary position at this time. Dean will inform Dave.
Reports
President’s Report
Dean Gilbert reported that the CISC science adoption toolkit
is being rolled out around the state and is being very well
received. He reported that the CISC math group has adopted
the science toolkit format and is creating its own toolkit.
Dean reported on the STEM meeting he attended in Washington
D.C., at the request of Sue Neuen, in an effort to form a
California STEM coalition. He indicated that Washington did
not have advice to offer, due to the diversity of California
and the issues we are dealing with surrounding science education
in this state.
Directors’ Reports
Tim Williamson reorted on activities in Region 3, including
the toolkit rollouts, the LACOE Science Fair, the Environmental
Education Fair, and Science Olympiad next week.
Sharon Janulaw reported on a training she did on the toolkit,
and her promotion of CSTA’s legislative efforts.
Greg Potter reported on the new RAFT Center opening at the
former McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento.
Jeff Bradbury reported that he took students to the math conference
and noticed that community college instructors attended, even
though content sessions were generally high school level courses.
Jeff requested that 10 minutes be devoted on a future board
meeting agenda to discuss a way to get a community college
presence at our conference.
Greg Schultz reported on early field opportunities for students
being offered through the Space Sciences Lab.
Susan Garcia reported on her attendance at the UC Berkeley
evolution conference, the COSEE West workshop, the JPL-NASA
climate change workshop, and athe CTA urban issues conference,
where she presented and promoted the earth and space science
initiative petition was presented. She reported that her principal
and school site council have approved funding to send 10 K-8
teachers to the CSTA conference.
Diana Takenaga gave an update of the GLATSA Conference: 200
teachers attended. She also indicated that she and colleagues
submitted sessions for a K-3 strand for the Long Beach Conference,
designed to show primary science as it should be.
Karen Carroll reported on her work for the GLATSA Conference
and mentioned that most of the attendees, who are from LAUSD,
already know about the Long Beach conference.
Karen Withey-Smith reported on cancellation of the San Diego
Science Educators conference, which she had planned to attend
for CSTA, and on plans for a summer workshop on action research.
Deb Farkas reported that she will be attending a meeting of
San Francisco Collaborative, which is trying to get community
organizations to work with SFUSD. She also reported on her
attendance at the evolution conference.
Amy Coppenger reported on the February California Association
of Museums conference, where she presented two sessions with
Dean. She reported on efforts to promote links with museum
school partnerships. She mentioned that she is probably going
to be elected to the American Association of Museum Education
board.
Jim Jones indicated that he was successful in getting several
people to submit nominations for the board positions.
Sue Pritchard thanked everyone for their support when her
father died. She reported that her district is at impasse,
and that CSU Fullerton is starting a National Board Certification
group. She also reported on her representation at the State
Board of Education meeting and at the Orange County Middle
School Council, where she explained the “200” score on science
test issue.
Other Business
Dean Gilbert suggested that Time-Warner cable will do five-minute
PSAs for free, so those board members in northern California
with Time-Warner cable can contact the company to promote
the CSTA conference.
Dean Gilbert reminded the board of his challenge, made at
the conference, for every member to bring in one new member,
who will likewise bring in one new member.
Thanks were offered to Amy Coppenger for hosting the June
board meeting at the Aquarium.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
|
