August 24, 2011 Southeast Community Facility Commission
ADOPTED MINUTES
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY FACILITY COMMISSION
Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 6:00 PM
1.0 CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND CONSENT CALENDAR
Commission President Willie B. Kennedy called the Wednesday, August 24, 2011
meeting to order at 6 pm in the Alex Pitcher Community Room at
1800 Oakdale Avenue .
1.1 CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM PRESIDENT
Commission President Willie B. Kennedy announced the Sunshine Ordinance.
1.2 ROLL CALL
6:02 pm roll was called by Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary.
Commissioners Present: Willie B. Kennedy/ Karen Chung/ Brigette R. LeBlanc/ Al Norman/ Theo Ellington (arr.6:15)
Excused: Bobbrie Brown
Absent: Armina Brown
Staff Present: Toye Moses, Executive Director/ Francis Starr, Senior Management Assistant/ Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary
1.3 CONSENT CALENDAR
Commission President Willie B. Kennedy read the Consent Calendar.
1.4 PROPOSED ACTION
Commissioner LeBlanc moved to accept the July 27, 2011 minutes with corrections.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Norman and passed.
Commissioner LeBlanc made a motion to move Item 6.0 (Presidents Report) and 7.0 (Advisory Committees Reports & Updates)
ahead of Item 5.0 (Presenters). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Norman and passed.
2.0 PUBLIC COMMENT & ANNOUNCEMENT OF TIME ALLOTMENT
None.
3.0 COMMUNICATIONS
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary announced the following:
Statement: Mayor Lee’s Statement on Passing of Don Casper
Press Release: Mayor Lee Announces 50 Percent Milestone in
Bike Network Expansion San Francisco Press Release: Mayor Lee Announces Continued Drop In Violent Crime
Press Release: Mayor Lee Announces Lowering School Zone Speed Limits For Safer Streets & Pedestrian Safety
Press Release: Mayor Edwin Lee and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan Make Friendly Mayoral Wager On San Francisco-Oakland
NFL Exhibition Game
Statement: Mayor Edwin M. Lee & Oakland Mayor Jean Quan Statement On Violence At San Francisco-Oakland Game At
Candlestick Park Statement: Mayor Lee’s Statement On East Coast Earthquake & Reminder To San Franciscans To Be Prepared
Press Release: Mayor Lee Announces Opening Of Fresh & Easy Grocery Store In Underserved Bayview-Hunters Point Neighborhood
Flyer: Arts & Eats Festival,
5800 Third Street , Thursday, August 25th 4:30 pm to 7:30 pmFlyer: Harriet Tubman One Woman Show The Underground Railroad A Woman Called Moses, Saturday, August 27th 8pm
Royce Theatre
2901 Mariposa Street Flyer: Home Ownership Assistance Workshops sponsored by Lennar Urban on the following Wednesdays, August 24,
October 5 and November 9 all from 6pm – 7:30pm
Flyer: Homeless In The Hood Movie Screening and Gala, Thursday, August 25th 6pm – 10pm, Bayview Opera House
3.1 CORRESPONDENCE
Letter: Invitation to Marsha Pendergast to provide a report on health issues affecting the Southeast Sector
Letter: Invitation to Fresh & Easy regarding staffing of new store and Community Benefits Partnership
Letter: Invitation to Foods Co. to provide an update on employment for residents in the 94124, 94134 and 94107 communities
Letter: Invitation to Barbara Garcia, Executive Director, Department of Public Health regarding the health of the Southeast Sector residents
Ongoing:
Letter: Thank you letter to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission for their participation in the joint meeting with
the Southeast Community Facility Commission held on June 28th with a request for them to provide an update on the
percentage of sewage coming into the Southeast Sector and the odor.
6.0 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
None.
Chair Kennedy welcomed Southeast Community Facility Commission former Commissioner Louise C. Jones.
4.0 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Kennedy announced the following:
Chair Kennedy announced fresh vegetables and plants were provided by Cathrine Sneed, of the Garden Project.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Southeast Community Facility Commission will be Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 6 pm,
1800 Oakdale Avenue in the Alex Pitcher Community Room.
Chair Kennedy read a memorandum from City Attorney, Dennis Herrera regarding Political Activity By
City Officers and Employees. (To view a copy of the memorandum please contact the Commission Secretary)
7.0 ADVISORY COMMITTEES REPORTS & UPDATES
Governance Advisory Committee, (Chair Willie B. Kennedy, Co-Chair Brigette R. LeBlanc,
Deputy City Attorney John Roddy, Community Members: Alma Robinson, Kitty Morgan and Alternates
Dr. Harrison Parker and Greg Doxey)
No report.
Joint PUC/SECFC Advisory Committee, (Chair Theo Ellington, Co-Chair Bobbrie Brown,
PUC Representative and Alternate Commissioner Willie B. Kennedy)
Commissioner Ellington reported the meeting was being rescheduled and the date would be provided when available.
Health, Housing and Public Safety Advisory Committee, (Chair Bobbrie Brown, Co-Chair Theo Ellington,
Community Members <see Commission Secretary for List> and Alternate Commissioner Willie B. Kennedy)
Francis Starr, Senior Management Assistant reported a meeting took place on Tuesday, August 23rd and progress
was being made toward the Health Fair deadline. Approximately a half dozen booth applications are on file.
Chair Kennedy announced an art display would be provided by students who would be receiving certificates of honor
at the Health Fair for their efforts from the Board of Supervisors.
Director Moses announced the Commission would be honoring former Commissioner Louise C. Jones and Cathrine Sneed
at the Health Fair on September 24th. Commissioner Jones initiated the Health Fair during the time she was a Commissioner
at the Southeast Community Facility Commission.
Commissioner LeBlanc announced the Health Fair was posted on
Chair Kennedy announced the Red Cross and PG&E would be participating this year. She announced Bobbrie Brown,
Chair of the Health, Housing and Public Safety Advisory Committee had been rushed to the hospital and she requested
prayers for her speedy recovery.
Economic Development Advisory Committee, (Chair Karen Chung, Co-Chair Al Norman and Alternate Commissioner Willie B. Kennedy)
No report.
Facility Advisory Committee (Chair Willie B. Kennedy, Co-Chair Brigette R. LeBlanc, Member Al Norman and Alternate Armina Brown)
Chair Kennedy said there would be a meeting soon and deferred to Mr. Starr who advised he was awaiting additional information from Director Moses.
5.0 PRESENTER
Commission President Kennedy introduced and welcomed Dr. Patricia Gray, Assistant Superintendant,
San Francisco Unified School District and Superintendent’s Zone-Bayview.
Dr. Gray provided an update on the Superintendents Zone-Bayview and introduced her team as follows: Aileen Murphy, Executive Director,
Dr. Chang Wu, Mrs. Wade-Thompson, Michelle Duffy, Mae Sun, Health Coordinator, Mrs. MaryAnn Creighton,
Administrative Assistant and Karen Murray, Attendance.
Dr. Gray introduced the school principals and staffers as follows: Dr. George W. Carver Elementary School, Principal (P) Natasha Flint Moore/
Assistant Principal (AP) Stacy Afflick/ Parent Liaison (PL) Donna Smith/ Mr. Stewart, Dr.
Charles R. Drew Elementary School,(P) Tamitrice Rice-Mitchell, Paul Revere Elementary School, (P) Sheila Sammon, Malcolm X Academy, (P) Imani Cooley,
Bret Harte Elementary School, (P) Dr. Michael Bachicha, Thurgood Marshall Academic High School, (P) Marthaa Torres.
Dr. Gray introduced Tara Grayson and Loual from Partners In School Innovation which was written into the School Improvement Grant (SIG)
to work with the SIG schools to improve instruction. They have worked intensively with Carver and strategically with Bret Harte.
They will continue to work intensively with Carver and strategically with Paul Revere. They will also work with Bret Harte and Drew.
The principals meet monthly and are supported by Partners In School Innovation.
Dr. Gray reported the first day of school was wonderful. Regarding school progress from 2007 to 2011 there has been a small growth of 1.3
percent of proficiency in the Bayview and 1.1 percent in the District.
Math growth from 2007 to 2011 in the Bayview has increased 3.6 percent and the District increased .3 percent. The math increase in the Bayview
was due to our focus on math because Partners In School Innovation was focused on English Language Arts. The Stanford EPGY computer based
math program was introduced last year and allows children to work at their own pace and to grow and practice the core curriculum. If the program
had been implemented with fidelity and started earlier in the year there would have been more growth. Michelle Duffy has been instructed to talk
to the principals and make sure they are going into the classrooms and know what to look for to insure the EPGY program is being implemented with
fidelity. It will help to have the teachers in the computer labs with the students which did not happen a lot last year. Additionally, SWAN math
has been adopted. Most elementary teachers do not care for math. They can do the basics however, SWAN math helps them to do more. It helps
them to involve the children in their own learning and to have a consistent method of teaching a particular strategy throughout the school.
Regarding English Language Arts African-American students in the Bayview did not improve as much as the African-American students in the whole
District. In math the African-American students improved 2.3 percent more than the District. The numbers are miniscule so more must be done.
The Latino students improved less in English and more in math. The API’s have not been computed but it is expected that four out of six schools
will improve.
Dr. Gray provided a graph showing all of the students that had been tested in 2010 and 2011.
Attendance is a big challenge and there is a problem with truancy. There are chronic truants at several schools. Ms. Karen Murray is assigned
to work with the principals, Ms. Wade-Thompson, SART Teams, Care Teams and reports to me weekly.
Priorities this year are the same as last year. Dr. Gray said the leaders will be supported in instructional delivery. The department has contracted
with Robert Marzano Laboratory to work with teachers and principals. There will be data driven decision making so when the children are
tested we will know how they are doing.
There will be a focus on school climate to make sure there are restorative practices in place so children are not being kicked out of class and school.
Dr. Gray said the #1 priority is Instructional Leadership –BBC Focus on AIM/ Assessment – Data Driven Decision-Making/ School Climate/Relationships.
This is a Dr. Lorraine Monroe practice from a school in
Harlem .
Three of the schools are using SWAM math and three are using Treasures. This year Bret Harte is Spanish immersion. There is an after school
Mandarin class at Malcolm X and plans for a Mandarin immersion program starting in the fall of 2012.
Virginia Marshall from Citywide Tutorial Program congratulated Dr. Gray on her presentation. She said kindergarten had the highest number of
absences and she asked the parents to help get the kindergartners to class.
Commissioner Chung asked why there was negative growth in English and math in 2008, what the drop out rate at
Thurgood Marshall High School
was and what percentage of students attended college after graduation from Thurgood Marshall.
Dr. Gray said she was at
in 2008 however principals said there was no support and no resources. Balboa High School
Dr. Gray advised she had been contacted by Dr. Henry Safreed who initiated the Meritous Scholarship Fund which has given out 66 $12,000
scholarships a year for 14 years. Dr. Safreed decided the audience he was looking for was not getting the money to go to school.
He resigned from that board and started the African-American Achievers which is an organization currently at two schools.
He plans to expand into Thurgood Marshall.
Commissioner LeBlanc was happy to see an attendance coordinator in place and noted the truancy starts at the elementary level.
While teaching at the YMCA during the summer the 8 week curriculum was different. She questioned whether African-American history
or identity was being taught. Commissioner LeBlanc said the children did not know the Negro National Anthem and were not aware of the
history that has gotten us to where we are today so there is no understanding or appreciation of where they should be going.
Commissioner LeBlanc said at the end of the 8 weeks all of the students at the YMCA did know the Negro National Anthem,
the history and the meaning.
Dr. Gray said some elementary schools teach more ethnic studies than others and budget cuts have eliminated ethnic studies in high schools.
Commissioner LeBlanc said a majority of the 50 8th grade students from the summer YMCA program knew what college was,
the difference between a 2 and 4 year college and knew what career they wanted. Starting those conversations at the elementary
school level is beneficial.
Dr. Gray noted banners from many colleges were displayed throughout the elementary and high schools.
Commissioner LeBlanc asked if the English proficiency had improved at Thurgood Marshall and had the $10,000 requested for a reading
room been acquired.
Dr. Gray responded the request was for a reading intervention and it is currently in place at Thurgood Marshall.
Commissioner LeBlanc had a question regarding the displaced students from
. Willie Brown Academy
Dr. Gray responded they were allowed to attend the school of their choice. 25 went to
Visitation Valley , 20 went to Martin Luther King,12 went to
and the rest went all over the city. Everett
Commissioner LeBlanc asked if Bret Harte was the school that had a population of fewer than 100 students.
Dr. Gray said Malcolm X was that school however now they have 122.
In closing Commissioner LeBlanc asked the Assistant Superintendant her view on Proposition H.
Dr. Gray said she was not supposed to provide opinion on legislature.
Commissioner Ellington asked if there was a sustainability plan for the Spanish and Mandarin immersion classes.
Dr. Gray said since it was being implemented with no money there was no where to go but up
Commissioner Ellington said there is another component to a child’s success in school and that is the parents.
Dr. Gray responded restorative practices were mentioned and are a focus of the District which include not only working with the
students but working with the parents and the community.
Commissioner Chung had a question regarding summer school for special education students.
Dr. Gray said the District provided summer school for special education students and some schools had their own such as
Carver for Carver and Bret Harte students.
Chair Kennedy thanked Dr. Gray and the teachers present for their participation and she invited them to attend the Health Fair.
She then invited questions from the audience.
Donna Smith,
, commented regarding student attendance and parent participation. Parent Liaison Carver Elementary School
Imani Cooley,
, invited the Commissioners to visit the schools and see for themselves the Principal Malcolm X Academy wonderful things that are happening in the schools in the Bayview.
Natasha Flint Moore,
, spoke in support of Dr. Gray. She noted Dr. Gray’s reference to Principal Carver Elementary School School Climate as a part of the #1 priority of the Zone schools and encompassed engaging parents and the community in the
decision making process of the school.
Ms. Moore offered a response to Commissioner Ellington’s question regarding the reason for testing four times throughout the school year.
The reason children are assessed four times a year is so they do not fall through the cracks. The schools do not want to wait until the CST’s
to figure out a child can not read. If in November it is found there is an issue with fluency, reading comprehension or phonics it can be addressed.
In response to Commissioner LeBlanc’s statement regarding the need for cultural literacy in the community Ms. Moore said it is known
that engagement needs to be increased and one of the ways this is being done is by implementing more culturally responsive teaching
practices as well as through the curriculum. Classroom libraries are being created that are more culturally responsive.
Commissioner LeBlanc requested staff provide contact information for the schools.
Dr. Gray advised it would be forwarded.
Ms. Tamitrice Rice-Mitchell, Principal Drew Elementary, said a survey was done the previous year and parents were asked what
they wanted to see happen at the school. The response was they wanted to get a GED. Ms. Rice-Mitchell wanted to know how to
partner with
, Southeast Campus and have the campus provide courses so when the children are in school the parents can City College attend school as well.
Jill Hudson, Bayview parent, had questions regarding the policy for school selections within the Bayview.
Dr. Gray said the
uses a computerized formula based on the seven choices provided by the parent. Educational Placement Center Some of the information considered affecting the formula would be sibling placement. Dr. Gray offered to help Ms. Hudson with her request.
Ms. Hudson said Bayview parents were told they had first preference because of the low testing scores.
However, her requests were denied 4 times so now her son is attending KIPP and doing well. She felt a lot of promises are made to
the parents but they are not fulfilled. Ms. Hudson and Dr. Gray discussed IEP’s and Dr. Gray noted there was limit to the number
of IEP students each school could take.
Ms. Hudson said the focus in the Bayview was on money and not the needs of the community and the children were suffering.
Dr. Gray and Ms. Hudson discussed the afterschool programs and Ms. Hudson said the children are bringing home work that is not
completed, or is done incorrectly. Dr. Gray said some schools had reevaluated the afterschool programs and they would continue to
evaluate the programs throughout the District.
In closing Ms. Hudson asked why
was changing the PAG to the PTA. Carver Elementary School
Dr. Gray advised consistent structure was needed throughout the Bayview and the District.
Greg Doxey, Employment Specialist, Renaissance Parents of Success, commented regarding the 80 percent of male inmates that
could not read and were products of the public school system. He said quality schools were needed across the whole city.
He stated it was not the fault of the teachers, but of the union. He invited the Commission to view the documentary “Waiting On Superman”
which depicts the plight of a parent that wanted to send his son to public school but could not get the school of his choice.
There was further discussion regarding the paper trail that followed school assignment and Mr. Doxey said there should be a way to return
the power back to the people and away from the unions.
Dr. Gray noted because of union negotiations teachers were allowed to opt out and some of the best teachers left. Dr. Gray said she was
charged with making sure every school was a quality school and all children are taught the same thing.
Mr. Doxey referenced the work of Michelle Rhys in
who initiated a program where teachers would be rewarded Washington D.C. monetarily on the merit of successful classes and the union stopped the teachers from voting. He encouraged everyone present to
look at the issue.
Commissioner Norman thanked the teachers and principals for their hard work. He commented the community needed to step up
and support the teachers. He invited the teachers to advise the Commission of their needs.
Commissioner LeBlanc reminded those present the purpose of community meetings is to respectfully share information.
Ms. Wade-Thompson, Superintendent’s Zone, reported the SWAN math workshop would begin September 12 at
. Carver Elementary School Childcare will be provided as well as dinner. Flyers were provided along with announcements of various events occurring in the Bayview.
Ms. Wade-Thompson requested assistance securing the Alex Pitcher Room on January 18th to facilitate a competition between Bayview
third graders with SWAN math. Mr. Swan will provide the food, trophies and monetary donations to the children that participate.
Chair Kennedy advised Ms. Wade-Thompson to secure an application and follow the application process.
Greg Doxey, Renaissance Parents of Success and Commissioner Norman agreed to disagree on some of the information presented.
Chair Kennedy thanked the teachers and public for their attendance.
Donna Smith,
Parent Liaison Carver Elementary School , announced she started a men’s group that would meet every 1st Fridayof the month at
from 9am to 10am. She invited the Commissioners to attend and said Mr. James Martin Carver Elementary School from the YMCA would be coming to speak to the men’s group.
Chair Kennedy acknowledged Mr. Larry Martin, long time union supporter and thanked him for attending.
8.0 STAFF/DIRECTOR REPORT
Director Moses reported
was in session. Staff has been working closely with the new tenants and Dean Augustine has retired. City College
Francis Starr, Senior Management Assistant reported audio recordings of the Commission meetings would not be uploaded to the
web until we receive broad band capability.
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary announced upcoming presenters:
Ms. Lena Miller, Hunter’s Point Family - September 28
Mr. Ben Chan, PUC Communications - September 28
Mr. Torrance Bynum - October 26
Director Moses reported he would be on vacation for a week and Francis Starr will be in charge.
9.0
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION STAFF REPORT SAN FRANCISCO AND UPDATES
Sam Murray, Public Relations Officer advised a full report would be provided the following week.
10.0 ONGOING BUSINESS
Commissioner Kennedy advised suggestions and recommendations from the retreat would be more fully discussed at the next meeting.
11.0 NEW BUSINESS REQUESTS
Commissioner LeBlanc requested a letter of invitation be forwarded to Tempe Priestly, CEO, Renaissance Parents of Success
to provide a presentation to the Commission regarding the services offered by Renaissance.
Commissioner LeBlanc requested a letter of invitation be forwarded to Regina Davis, Executive Director, San Francisco Housing
Development Corporation a community based company that helps people get in homes, repair credit and practice maintaining savings.
12.0 PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
13.0 ADJOURNMENT
Director Moses requested adjourning the meeting in the memory of Charles Alfred Williams, brother of Commission President Kennedy.
Commission President Kennedy adjourned the meeting in the memory of Charles Alfred Williams at 8:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________
Carla Vaughn
Southeast Community Facility
Commission Secretary
