CSTA BOARD MINUTES
March 7, 2009
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Attendance and Quorum
The following board members were present: Jeff Bradbury, Margaret
Burke, Deborah Farkas, Dean Gilbert, Jim Jones, Heather Marshall,
Rick Pomeroy, Susan Pritchard, Donna Ross, 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, program manager Jessica
Lewis, and administrative coordinator Connie Morrill. Sue
Pritchard served as Chair, and Jenny Wade served as Secretary.
Jessica Lewis served as secretary until Jenny Wade arrived
at 9:45 a.m.
Chris Andrews of the California Academy of Sciences welcomed
the board, noting that the Academy had recorded their one
millionth visitor this month.
Notice
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:30 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
Meg Burke moved to approve the minutes of the December 6,
2008 meeting; seconded by Donna Ross. Motion carried.
Old Business
Grants Committee
Deb Farkas recapped the recent work of the committee and reported
that the committee had drafted a solicitation letter to approach
foundations for funding, but that the board suggested that
that might not be the most effective way to secure funding.
It was also suggested that the focus of the grants may not
be the most important and that we might consider a new teacher
or mini-grant focus. The board suggested having the grants
committee work on a new focus for the grants at the retreat.
Policy on STEM
Dean Gilbert presented a draft CSTA Policy Statement on STEM.
Suggestions were made for refining the statement. Dean moved
that
the board adopt the following STEM position statement:
CSTA Position Statement on STEM Career Pathways
The California Science Teachers Association is committed
to supporting and advocating for initiatives that enhance
quality science teaching and the preparation of a literate
and diverse workforce in the areas of science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
CSTA urges:
• legislation and other initiatives that encourage individuals
to pursue careers teaching science, engineering, technology,
and mathematics subjects.
• state education policy makers to create multiple pathways
for preparing students of all ages to pursue STEM careers.
• the development of effective curricula and pedagogy
that appropriately integrate science and career technical
skills.
• opportunities for teachers of STEM subjects to work
with businesses and industry to gain practical understanding
of the application of science, technology, engineering and
mathematics in real-world settings.
• the development of incentives that would encourage teachers
of STEM subjects to remain in teaching rather than pursue
careers outside of education.
• the inclusion of a definition and the importance of
STEM career pathways as an integral part of the California
science framework.
Motion seconded by Deb Farkas; motion carried.
Zack Taylor Award
Dean Gilbert presented a request from Kathy Comfort that the
board consider presenting a posthumous annual award in honor
of Zack Taylor for his work for CSTA and science education
in California. Dean moved that
the Awards Committee add as a perpetual annual award,
the Zack Taylor Award and that no more than $100/year be
allocated to procure a plaque. The Awards Committee to detail
the criteria for the award.
Motion seconded by Rick Pomeroy. Motion failed. Dean requested
that the Awards Committee consider other ways that Zack might
be honored posthumously and report back to the board in June.
Programs
2009 Science Education Conference
Jim Jones reported on the progress of the conference planning,
sponsorships, and exhibitors.
2012 Science Education Conference Site Selection
Christine Bertrand provided options for possible sites for
the 2012 conference. The usual rotation would put us in San
Jose for 2012, and that is the venue recommended by staff.
Christine reminded the board that 2012 will be an adoption
year. Don Whisman moved, and Greg Schultz seconded, that
the 2012 Science Education Conference be held in San Jose.
Motion carried.
Policy and Organizational Issues
Discussion and Approval of Revised Budget FY 2008-2009
Treasurer Greg Schultz presented the proposed revised budget
for fiscal year 2008-2009 and commented that the revenue was
lower than expected, primarily due to the lower than expected
attendance at the 2008 Science Education Conference. Rick
Pomeroy moved, and Tim Williamson seconded, that
the board approve the revised budget for 2008-2009.
Motion carried. Kudos were offered to the committee for its
work in this effort.
Discussion took place regarding the expense of production
and distribution of California Classroom Science, and the
suggestion was made that perhaps a better distribution would
be to send it to teacher education programs rather than for
free to teachers. Deb Farkas suggested that a sticker be placed
on CCS the first issue of the year, inviting people to join
CSTA.
Discussion and Approval of Proposed Budget FY 2009-2010
Treasurer Greg Schultz presented the proposed budget for fiscal
year 2009-2010 and pointed out the 16-year budget history
that was included in the board packet. Rick Pomeroy moved,
and Jeff Bradbury seconded, that
the board adopt the proposed FY 2009-2010 budget.
Discussion took place on ways to reduce the cost of the annual
board retreat and reduce the cost of the annual board elections
by conducting the balloting online rather than by mail. Discussion
took place about how important California Classroom Science
is to attracting and keeping members and the effectiveness
of eliminating the Friday night board retreat. Rick withdrew
his motion. Meg Burke moved, and Bill Straits seconded, that
the FY 2009-2010 budget be adopted, leaving the final
details of the board retreat to the budget committee.
Motion withdrawn. Tim Williamson moved, and Don Whisman seconded,
that
the board adopt the FY 2009-2010 budget, adding the board
retreat Friday night back in and finding offset savings
elsewhere.
Motion carried.
Jeff Bradbury moved, and Dean Gilbert seconded, that
the board establish a committee to investigate new marketing
ideas for CSTA.
Motion carried. Sue Pritchard appointed Dean Gilbert, Jeff
Bradbury, and Deb Farkas to serve on the committee; Dean will
serve as chair.
Nominations Committee Report and Approval of Slate
of Candidates
Sue Pritchard presented the report and recommendations of
the Nominations Committee of candidates for election. The
committee moved, and Tim Williamson seconded, to approve the
following slate of candidates to stand for election to the
board:
for President-Elect: Ron Hughes
Rick Pomeroy
for Secretary: Marian Murphy-Shaw
for Middle School Director: Bonny Ralston
Don Whisman
for Primary Director: Michelle French
for Informal Science Director: Meg Burke
for Region 3 Director: Debbie Bereki
Dean Gilbert
Motion carried. Sue thanked the committee.
Legislative Update
Christine Bertrand provided a handout with updated information
on legislation.
CABAP Project
Tim Williamson reported that CSTA has been requested by the
CISC science subcommittee to consider taking over the administration
of CABAP (California Building a Presence for Science), which
is currently administered by Art Sussman at WestEd and consists
of a 6000-person email list to which information is periodically
sent. Christine Bertrand reported that the CABAP database
is owned by NSTA and that there is no funding available from
NSTA to continue administering CABAP. She explained that sending
out periodic messages is not difficult or time-consuming,
but that the original goal of maintaining a contact in every
school in the state and finding new addresses for people who
have dropped out of the system is time-consuming and would
require funding, in the neighborhood of $5000/year. Dean Gilbert
moved, and Heather Marshall seconded that
CSTA accept the responsibility of sustaining the current
CABAP database and build on the database contingent on obtaining
outside funding sources and only if the listserve is not
owned by NSTA.
Motion carried with four abstentions. Heather volunteered
to help should CSTA take on the responsibility.
Presentation on Environmental Education Initiative
Tim Williamson updated the board on the initiative; there
will be 85 lessons in total, but only 50 or so have been written
so far. He reported that the lessons will be going out for
field testing by September and that all pictures have been
obtained from National Geographic. Tim reported that Andrea
Lewis of Cal EPAhas been appointed to guide this project and
that further information will be emailed.
Proposal for ELA Materials-Science Alignment
Christine Bertrand reported on a request she received from
Kathy DiRanna that the board consider taking on a project
to review the adopted ELA materials and assess how well they
address the science standards. The board declined to participate
in this process in order to prevent any district from thinking
that the ELA program is sufficient enough to address science
content standards.
Appointment of 2010 Conference Chair
Tim Williamson moved, and Greg Schultz seconded, that
Rick Pomeroy be appointed chair of the 2010 Science Education
Conference in Sacramento.
Motion carried.
Supporting Presidential Award
Dean Gilbert reported that a concern was raised at the CISC
science meeting that few teachers were applying for the Presidential
Award. Dean requested that the board consider ways that CSTA
can assist in promoting the program. Meg Burke suggested that
we have a poster at the CSTA booth at the conference.
Reports
President’s Report
The president’s report is attached. Sue offered thanks to
Meg Burke for organizing the meeting and events today.
Treasurer’s Report and Executive Director’s Reports
Reports are in the packet.
Director’s Reports
Jeff Bradbury reported that he will be going to Tulsa for
AAAS.
Deb Farkas reported that the San Mateo chapter has a conference
today, and that she attended the high school summit.
Greg Schultz reported that he is teaching a class for extension
to those going into teaching, that he is the newly-elected
regional director for ASTE Far West Region, and that he is
attending the NSTA conference.
Jim Jones reported on his work on the conference and getting
more local support. He reported that he is working on the
new journal on teaching critical issues, and that he will
present at the CMLS conference.
Heather Marshall reported on resources on the website.
Rick Pomeroy reported on the lesson study conference in Asilomar,
on the UC Davis workshops this summer, and the numerous science
activities taking place. He reported that he will be presenting
in Reno on data for science teachers.
Donna Ross reported on the activities taking place in San
Diego for the Month of Science, March. She reported on the
“Nifty Fifty”: scientists who will go out into the community,
promoting science, and on the April 4 Science Festival for
the public. Donna mentioned that universities in her area
are interested in starting student chapters, but are intimidated
by the number of events required to be held. She suggested
that we may want to rethink the number of events required.
Don Whisman reported that he will be presenting next week
at the CMLS conference and that the Celebrating Science event
has started in San Diego.
Diana Takenaga reported on her work promoting what really
good science is. She mentioned that GLATSA is restructuring
and will be doing an interest survey.
Bill Straits reported on his work reaching out to two-year
college individuals.
Karen Withey-Smith reported on a new course that she is offering.
Dean Gilbert reported on his work on the planning committee
for the High School Summit and mentioned that organizers will
create a blog to share ideas and serve as a platform for high
school teachers to focus on reform. Dean reported that he
has been approved to present at the CMLS workshop, and that
he will be attending the two-day symposium at Beckman Center
focusing on promoting elementary science education across
nation.
Other Business
Dean Gilbert asked where we are in regard to chapters and
ways to support chapters, and asked what are next steps in
working with chapters. Christine Bertrand indicated that there
was no consensus from the chapter meeting at the conference
as to what chapters want from us. Dean asked that we go back
to the original request from our survey.
Adjournment
Motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 1:29 p.m.
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