[BHS etree] SUPT: BUSD Updates of interest to BHS

[bhs at idiom.com]

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT  BOARD UPDATES of interest to BHS

1. The Board approved the Credential Waiver for Darin Michael-Houston, a
mathematics teacher at Berkeley High School. Education Code allows school
boards to approve waivers with employee consent to enable the employee to
perform duties outside of their credential area. This is for specific areas
requiring a special credential. There is a nationwide shortage of
credentialed teachers in specialty areas such as science, math, special
education and libraries. **

2. The Board approved a new Supplemental School Counseling Program that will
serve pupils in grades seven through twelve. The program is part of the
state dollars coming into the District from recent legislation.  **

3. The Board approved a five year lease-purchase agreement for 198 computers
at Berkeley High School, where nearly all of the computers are five to seven
years old. Part of the funding will come from the recent Microsoft
technology settlement.

4.  Student enrollment for September 2006 totaled 8,917, with an absence
rate of 5.03%, costing the District $239,647 (in lost revenue) in projected
ADA. Each student absence results in $31.86 per day in unearned revenue for
the District.
Since 1997, school districts can no longer claim any absences, including
excused absences, for apportionment attendance.

5. BUSD Board Updates provides highlights of Board Meetings and other Board
activities
Note: Board Packets & associated documents are available at our website and
all Berkeley public libraries
Public Information Office (510) 644-6320
BUSD Web Site: www.berkeleypublicschools. org


Mark A. Coplan
Public Information Officer, BUSD
510-644-6320
Mark_Coplan at berkeley.k12.ca.us
Berkeley Unified School District
2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, Ca 94704-1180