CSTA BOARD MINUTES
March 1, 2008
CSTA Office, Sacramento
Meeting was called to order by President-Elect Tim Williamson
at 9:55 a.m.
Attendance and Quorum
The following board members were present: Jeff Bradbury, Margaret
Burke, Karen Carroll, Deborah Farkas, Dean Gilbert, Jennifer
Halls, Laura Henriques, Jim Jones, Susan Pritchard, Greg Schultz,
Diana Takenaga, Jenny Wade, Don Whisman, Tim Williamson, and
Karen Withey-Smith. A quorum was present. Also in attendance
were executive director Christine Bertrand and administrative
coordinator Connie Morrill. Sue Pritchard arrived and served
as Chair, and Jenny Wade served as Secretary.
Notice
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:55 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
Corrections were made to the minutes of the December 1, 2007
board meeting. Meg Burke moved to approve the minutes as amended,
seconded by Deb Farkas; the minutes were approved as amended.
Old Business
Member Survey
Jeff Bradbury reported on the online survey; 642 responses
were received. Jeff summarized the results and suggested areas
for closer analysis:
• Administrator day should be scrutinized to make it worthwhile
to attend and should be marketed better.
• Two things to get from data: conference impact and CSTA
membership issues
• Number of elementary teachers has direct impact on conference
regarding variety of workshops offered. Need a broader selection
of workshops to meet their needs.
• As a K-12 organization, how do we address college level
instructor needs and other science folks
• Articles in CCS—use data to strategically market CSTA with
advertising to show connections for elementary level.
• Do a data analysis from elementary teachers. Can teachers
select more than one credential area in the survey? This will
impact the analysis.
• Diversity in urban vs suburban/rural
• Ethnic background somewhat parallels state statistics, but
diversity is more than meeting needs of diverse learners.
• Equity and universal access in California has begun, but
more needs to be done: workshops, membership, presenters—actively
recruit in order to represent all students in California.
• Need breakdown of teacher ethnicity in state vs CSTA membership.
Ed Data has these statistics. CBEDs information is on CDE
website.
• How do we identify potential teacher leaders and get them
involved early?
• Few see themselves in a leadership role in CSTA.
• We have people in our database although they may not be
a current member.
Jeff Bradbury moved that
an ad hoc committee be appointed to analyze the data from
the survey and bring a proposal to the board at its June 7
meeting. The committee should discuss (1) ways to meet the
needs of members at our conference and ways to market CSTA;
(2) whether the way we spend our money supports these needs;
(3) whether our legislative activities and resources need
to be brought to members’ attention; and (4) membership demographics.
Motion seconded by Deb Farkas; motion carried.
Members of ad hoc committee were appointed: Jeff Bradbury,
Deb Farkas, Jim Jones, Don Whisman, Karen Carroll, and Laura
Henriques, alternate. Jeff will chair.
Lab Equipment Lists
Discussion ensued about the purpose and content of the equipment
lists. Sue Pritchard requested that all the equipment lists
be published in the same format using the high school data
table as an example. She reported that the lists were sent
to the CISC science subcommittee for input and only two people
responded. Karen Withey-Smith offered to send the high school
template to the other committee members to use in reformatting
their lists. Diana Takenaga asked to be part of the elementary
group to address primary issues. Jenny Wade and Christine
Bertrand offered to work on an opening statement for the document.
Lists are due to Christine by April 30, for inclusion in the
June board meeting packet.
Corporate Representation on CSTA
Dean Gilbert updated the board on the work of the corporate
advisory board ad hoc committee. Discussion ensued about the
purpose of and best way to organize the advisory board. Dean
Gilbert moved to approve the written proposal, included in
the board packet. Seconded by Tim Williamson. Motion withdrawn.
Dean Gilbert moved that
CSTA convene two focus groups, one in northern and one in
southern California, of business people to give input into
the advisability and function of the advisory board; and to
allocate $1000 for travel and refreshments for the focus group
meetings.
Seconded by Tim Williamson; motion carried. Don Whisman
volunteered to organize a San Diego facility for June 6, prior
to the June board meeting. Board members were requested to
email Christine Bertrand the names and contact information
of key organizations and people to be invited to the focus
group meetings by Friday, March 7.
CSTA Chapters
Dean Gilbert reported that regional directors were working
on contacting chapters in their regions to ascertain which
are still viable and would like to maintain an association
with CSTA. Jennifer Halls indicated that she had contacted
chapters in Region 3 and will provide a report to Christine.
Karen Withey-Smith provided a Region 4 report. Deb Farkas
indicated that she will email her Region 2 report. There was
a consensus that new teachers do not generally join organizations;
it is not in their mindset as beginning teachers. It was suggested
that, as the California Standards for the Teaching Profession
require professional growth, a connection with BTSA could
help, and communication with BTSA directors to get information
out about the conference and CSTA could help.
Programs
2008 Science Education Conference
Christine Bertrand reported for Rick Pomeroy, conference chair,
that 278 workshop proposals had been received and that 170
noncommercial workshops had been accepted. She referred board
members to the written report.
Field Experience Grant Program
Deb Farkas reported that two people so far have applied for
the Savannah Africa program and that more are expected to
apply. It was suggested that the committee consider programs
closer to home for the next opportunity.
Policy and Organizational Issues
Discussion and Approval of Revised Budget, FY 2007-2008
Greg Schultz, treasurer, presented the proposed budget revision
for 2007-08 and reported that we are doing very well with
regard to revenue this year. Greg Schultz moved to accept
the revised budget for 07-08; seconded by Don Whisman. Motion
carried.
Discussion and Approval of Proposed Budget, FY 2008-2009
Greg Schultz presented the proposed budget for 2008-09 and
indicated that the state budget crisis may impact the budget
a great deal. Dean Gilbert suggested that the anticipated
revenue figures should be reduced in anticipation of the state
budget crisis. Dean moved to decrease the proposed conference
revenue by five percent. Jim Jones seconded; motion carried
with one abstention.
Meg Burke asked whether we should adjust the corresponding
expense budget as well. Dean Gilbert recommended that the
finance committee adjust the expense budget by five percent.
It was also suggested that the distribution of CCS to directors
be reduced to save money. It was requested that the budget
be adjusted accordingly and brought back to the June meeting
for approval.
Nominations Committee Report and Approval of Slate
of Candidates
Dean Gilbert reported that the nominations committee had met
and recommends the following slate of candidates to stand
for election:
for Treasurer: Greg Schultz
for High School Director: Heather Marshall
for Intermediate Director: Jim Jones
for Region 2 Director: Deb Farkas
for Region 4 Director: David Budai
Karen Withey-Smith
He indicated that no nominations were received for 4-year
college director. Dean Gilbert moved to accept the slate of
candidates; seconded by Tim Williamson. Motion carried.
Christine Bertrand reviewed the procedure for appointing someone
to fill the 4-year college director position. The board is
to recruit qualified persons and have them send a letter of
intent and their resume to the CSTA office. The executive
committee will review all applications and make a recommendation
to the board. The board will make the appointment at the June
meeting, or may make the appointment via action by mail or
conference call so that the new board member can attend the
June meeting. Recommendations are due to Christine by the
end of March.
Legislative Update
Christine Bertrand referenced the report in the board packet
and indicated that two additional bills have come forward
since the report was written which the board might want to
take positions on. AB 908 would require the topic of climate
change to be added to the environmental education concepts.
The board declined to take a position on the bill. Christine
also reported on a bill introduced by Assemblymember Gene
Mullin, chair of the Assembly Education Committee, which would,
among other things, extend the textbook adoption cycle by
two years, from six to eight years; allow districts 48, rather
than 24, months to purchase materials on the list, both propositions
which CSTA opposes; and remove the curriculum commission from
the adoption process.
TEACH California
Sue Pritchard reported on a request from TEACH California
to become a partner. As CSTA already has a link to TEACH California
on our website, Sue will follow up to get clarification of
their request.
Availability of Animal Specimens
Christine Bertrand reported that she had been contacted by
a vendor of animal specimens asking if the scarcity of animal
cadavers was an issue for K-12 science teachers, as it is
for universities. The board indicated it was not an issue
and declined to become involved in a solution.
Presidential Awards for Excellence
Christine Bertrand received a request from CDE to nominate
six members to participate on panels to review applications
and recommend candidates for the awards. Diana Takenaga, Jim
Jones, and Laura Henriques volunteered.
American Chemical Society
Christine Bertrand reported on communications she’s received
from the American Chemical Society about their desire to “help”
in California with STEM issues. ACS has decided to become
involved in five states: Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania,
and California, and is apparently looking for access points.
Christine explained California’s situation and pointed out
the many STEM associations already existing in California.
ACS did not realize that California was ahead of other states
in standards and accountability issues. The board suggested
that ACS become involved in one of the focus groups to meet
this spring.
California League of Middle Schools
Dean Gilbert and Tim Williamson reported on their participation
as presenters in the CLMS conference. They reported that the
conference attracted small vendors and appeared to be of lower
energy than the CSTA conference. They indicated that the participants
said they liked the smaller vendors at the CSTA conference,
where they can purchase items. Dean and Tim reported that
they had over 80 attendees at their workshop on science inquiry
at 4:00 on a Friday afternoon.
Reports
President
Sue Pritchard reported on her work on the 2008 conference,
including short course and workshop proposal reviews. She
reported that she worked with the Orange County Middle School
Advisory Council, organizing ideas for future teacher activities.
She reported on her presentation at the Curriculum and Instruction
(CISC) Leadership Symposium in Asilomar, where she presented
on integration of the four core subjects, two content, science
and social science, and two skills, math and language arts.
Treasurer’s and Executive Director’s Reports
Both reports were in the board packet.
Directors' Reports
Don Whisman reported on his work in his local area to develop
a river park science program.
Diana Takenaga reported that LAUSD is aware of CSTA and the
CCS article highlighting the district’s 90-minute science
instruction requirement. She indicated that the district was
very proud of the article.
Jim Jones indicated that he would like to continue his series
of articles in CCS about the history of CSTA. He also reported
that he had nominated two people to run for the board.
Laura Henriques reported on her attendance at the Berkeley
science teacher research project meeting.
Jeff Bradbury reported that he spoke at UCLA to recruit science
teachers and that he is working with the teaching scholar
program in math and science.
Meg Burke reported that the official grand opening for the
California Academy of Sciences is September 27, so she will
not be attending the board retreat.
Jenny Wade reported on her attendance at the CASEL conference
in January, where she represented CSTA.
Greg Schultz reported that he is working with a new teacher
professional development program in Stockton and will send
information to be published in CCS.
Adjournment
Tim Williamson moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by
Jim Jones. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
Next Board of Directors Meeting: June 7, 2008 at SeaWorld,
San Diego
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