Think Tank Minutes
1/30/17
Members in attendance: Kat Hughes, Marin Velarde, Lisa Lieppert, Blanca Ruiz-Moreno, Joe Rubio,
Jenna Harden, Lou Rodarte
Members missing: Darcy Dunlap, Stuart Rhoden, Esthella Ranger
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VII.
Approve 1/9/17 Minutes
a. Minutes were approved by everyone in attendance
Resignation of Esthella Ranger
a. Mrs. Ranger submitted a resignation in writing to Ms. Hughes effective immediately
since she has chosen to have her children attend another SUSD school.
b. Last year’s election did not have any other parents in line to take her spot.
c. Think Tank decided to offer a parent who was in attendance the spot for the remainder
of the year.
d. Jillian Hagen will replace Esthella Ranger for the remainder of the term (through the end
of the 2016-2017 school year)
Approve amended bylaws
a. Amended bylaws were approved by everyone in attendance.
b. Principal will act as secretary and meeting will be recorded to ensure accuracy.
Presentation on Formative and summative assessment
a. Tabled to next meeting to allow more time for discussion on looping and name change
Approve general Tax Credit Expenditures
a. Academic Competition Battle of the Books- Awards for students $50
b. Approved by everyone in attendance
Looping Presentation
a. Ms. Hughes presented how the looping conversation began with teachers and the
results of the teachers’ survey
b. Mr. Rubio asked why the community was not a part of the deliberation on the looping
model, but shared that the community would support the teachers. He expressed that
the community would have liked to been more informed during that discussion.
c. Ms. Hughes presented information about the meeting with Cabinet- where the question
came up about changing the school name.
Name change discussion
a. Ms. Hughes presented the three pages of school name suggestions submitted by the
staff, students and community members.
b. Ms. Hughes shared the timeline of having the recommendation to cabinet for discussion
and decision at the 2/14 board meeting. Community meetings are planned for after the
board meeting.
c. Mr. Rubio asked if the decision could be delayed from 2/14 to allow the community to
have time to learn more.
d. Mr. Rubio requested a community meeting prior to the 2/14 board meeting in addition
the three meetings scheduled after the board meeting.
VIII.
IX.
X.
e. Ms. Hughes said she would reach out to cabinet and see if there was any flexibility with
the timeline, but made no guarantees to honoring the request.
f. Think Tank proceeded to go through all of the name submissions to limit to three
suggestions
i. Arcadia Gardens K-8
ii. Camelview K-8
iii. Citrus Grove K-8
School colors discussion
a. Think Tank likes the purple and black of the school and is willing to drop the teal.
b. Asked to post pone the colors and mascot until the name decisions
c. Ms. Hughes said she would have to investigate to see if that is possible, but requested
the team come up with one more color choice just in case.
d. Think Tank recommended blue and black to align with Arcadia High School’s colors
Mascot Discussion
a. Discussion about the pros of keeping Jaguars
i. Tradition
ii. One element of consistency
b. Discussion about the pros of changing
i. New start
ii. New marketing
iii. New branding
c. Team decided to put forth bees, javelinas, coyotes, and bobcats
d. Staff will be surveyed beginning on 1/31 through 2/1
Future Agenda Items Request
a. Discussion on Formative and Summative assessments will be moved to the 2/23
meeting