Call to Order: 12:14pm. Informational up until a quorum was reached.

Old Business: SB 644 – Is a wash and not going to happen according to what Tony Prestby told Ana Jara.

Code of Ethics - follow-up: A past Code of Ethics can’t be found. Tom Carter doesn’t remember ever approving one in the past as a Senate representative. Ana said we’d look into it further in the future.

New Business: There are five (5) vacant Senate positions. The Senate “E” Board met and approved Giovanni Vela for one of the vacancies. We are accepting nominations for the others.

Action Items: a) The Senate “E” Board requests filling the one vacancy with Giovanni Vela. Adam moved we take a vote to approve his filling the vacancy. Jeannette Goolsby seconded this. Lee Peterson questioned whether we had ballots ready to vote secretly. Ana stated there were ballots ready. Phil Hendricks let the Senate officers know that as a committee, we’ve actually moved and seconded the selection and the only thing left to do was for the Senate as a body to vote on accepting Giovanni as a new member.

Tom passed out the ballots while Craig Walters asked how many absences a Senator must have before he/she is asked to vacate the position. The answer given was three (3) unexcused absences.

While ballots were being counted by Tom, we moved on to Action Item b) Establishment of a Master Plan Committee. A hand vote was taken to decide if we wanted to do one. Yes – 12; N – 0; A – 0. The committee would act only in an advisory capacity reporting back to Senate. Lee said the Master Plan is discussed during the July Board of Trustees’ retreats and, typically, approved in August. They first begin discussing it in June. Suggestions usually go to the Coordinating Council where they are hashed out.

Craig asked if the Senate is represented in the Coordinating Council. It is by Maria Bonin (now on maternity leave) and Ana Jara. Usually Lee or Adam would sub for anyone unable to attend the sessions.

Lee volunteered for the Master Plan Committee, as did Ana, believing that this is an area where we as Classified could have some input prior to anything being set in ‘concrete’ without our knowledge or ideas.

Decision on Giovanni came back: Secret ballot vote was 11 to 3 for his appointment as a Senator.

Informational: Former Mayors of Santa Monica and City Council members Dennis Zane and Michael Feinstein joined us to discuss their positions on more funding for Santa Monica schools. Dennis represents a group of concerned citizens working on a Charter amendment they are trying to get on the next ballot for funding – “CEPS” – Community for Excellent Public Schools by allocating money from the Santa Monica City general fund. Feinstein is opposed to the initiative. The discussion was heated and quite animated as both men aired their positions and viewpoints on public school.

Adam Phillipson finally interrupted to make a motion to adjourn, as the discussion would have continued. Gayle Sosa seconded the motion

Adjournment: 1:03pm

Attendees: Tom Carter, Linda Davis, Jim Galligan, Carl Gettleman, Marilyn Goodrich, Jeanette Goolsby, Joanne Guercio, Phil Hendricks, Ana Jara, Lee Peterson, Adam Philipson, Robert Ponce, Bernie Rosenloecher, Gayle Sosa, Craig Walter.

Excused: Maria Bonin, Carol Evans, Martha Jimenez, Jackie Portal-Purdy, Alex Siefert, Mark Stemock

Unexcused: Herb McNeely, Barbara Siegel, Amelia Trejo

Guests: Dennis Zane, Michael Feinstein +

Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 10, 2004, Noon, B-111