that looks several years into the future, but there is also a budget that was included that looks at the current school year as well as next year, which did not always line up with the budget included in the multi- year worksheets. the work sheets included assumptions for teachers and other personnel. they have different numbers than the ones included on the other budget. the fiscal year 11-12 budget only included non-personnel expenditures. it was hard to discern which one would be the appropriate document to consider. in any case, the numbers on the assumptions worksheet assumed an average future salary of approximately $54,000. to give you a comparison, the average teacher salary for us is predicted to be about $62,500.

so there is a question on our matrix about whether or not the market rates are in range. these do seem to be within range, but significantly lower. that could be because of experience level of the teachers or the mix of folks they have at their sites. there was a teacher pay scale included. however, it was dated 2007 and eight. that was obviously well below market rates at this point. the costs included for health benefits did not equal the amount listed, per employee times the number of employees in the worksheet. it is unclear. the costs listed seem to be a reasonable rate per person, but that was not what was budgeted, based on the worksheet. it is unclear whether the assumption was wrong or the amount budgeted was wrong. the amount budgeted seemed to be significantly lower than what would be required for the assumptions that were listed.

that was true for each of the years included in the multi-year budget. there are also paraprofessionals listed in the document at an average salary significantly lower than our rates in that category. there was a total ftp -- fte listed. i am not sure if that is a mistake in the actual rate or an error there. but it looked like the rate was significantly lower than the norm. the budget does show a strong reserve for 2010-11, but it does not seem to be that all of the costs were included in the budget worksheets, as i mentioned, especially with

health benefits. that is a concern i had about the multi-year budget. i would be glad to try to answer any questions you might have about the budget in general. president mendoza: just to note for the board, i did include the white budget pages at the end of the pink package. only if nancy were to refer to any sections of the budget. the challenge was around dates and potential missed regulations. it might lead to more confusion in reference to that. the scope of your comments were what we focused on. >> i just gave that to you. you have had copies of that since the petition was already sent. president mendoza: are the clarifying questions before i

invite the public to speak? commissioner fewer: i have one. i think i did not catch what you said about the ftes. i think you were saying the listed their per professional rate of pay at $26,000 and that we are at 39. you mentioned something after that about the ftes. >> there were a number of positions listed with that right. it did have a specific number of full-time equivalents. my thought was that they may have listed not actual full-time equivalents. i could not be sure that was the actual total pay rate for that position. it did look like that is what it was. but because it was significantly lower than the market rate, i was open to the possibility that it could have been a head count

rather than an fte. commissioner fewer: another clarifying question. the health care costs were not incorporated into this budget? >> health-care costs are incorporated into this budget, but the template is such that you would need to multiplied the number of full-time equivalents times the rate in your assumptions. that is not the number that is included in this budget for benefits. there is a different number that is significantly lower. that is the concern i have in that category. president mendoza: any other questions? commissioner murase: i am reading in the audit report from the accountants located in fresno that as of june 10 it was unclear about their tax-exempt status. do we know if there were able to secure tax-exempt status?

>> i do not know. commissioner murase: i believe they cited that in other sections of the petition. >> we also have members of the petitioner group here to clarify that. president mendoza: if there are no other questions, i invite the public to come up and speak. michelle levy, andrew toomey, christine reed, shannon weber, marie wang, sean whitney, bonnie centino. you have 1.5 minutes each. >> just as we did in the last meeting, we did merge the budget report with the reading of the amended language of the resolution.

if these comments are based on the general petition, i would have to read the amended resolution into the record prior to the comments, unless they are going to be speaking on the budget item only. president mendoza: can i get a sense from those that are speaking? >> if you would give me a few minutes, i will do it as quickly as i can. it is in your pick packet. it starts on the third page. superintendent's recommendation regarding thomas edison charter academy. resolution -- to deny the renewal petition for thomas edison charterer academy. the state board of education is the charter authorizes for the thomas edison charterer academy, which is set to expire on june 15, 2011.

pursuant to education code section 47605, section k three, they submitted a petition for renewal that was denied by the district board of education based on stuff written and factual findings. pursuant to education -- to the education code, the petitioner is submitted on march 30 of 2011 to the district their rise to try to recall petition for the renewal of the charter school petition. the board of education held a public hearing on april 12, 2011, as required by law. the board of vacation show consider the level of public support for the charter school and has reviewed the renewal petition and all information

received with respect to the renewal petition, including its appendixes. in reviewing the decision, the board of education shall be guided by the intent of the california legislature that truckers schools should become an integral part of the california education system, and establishment of tractors schools should be encouraged. after analysis of the petition, district staff determined that the proposed petition contains deficiencies. district staff and legal counsel to review the petition and prepared written findings regarding the petition for renewal. the staff findings are attached as exhibit a. based on the analysis by the district staff, the superintendent has recommended denial of the petition. therefore, be it resolved that the board of education hereby adopt the findings and fact step -- set forward in the staff findings.

the board of education finds that the petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition, and the petition does not contain comprehensive decisions -- descriptions of aspects of the program and operations, as required by the education code. the board of education hereby denies the charge to school petition. >> -- president mendoza: thank you. first speaker, please. >> it was my understanding we had two minutes each. president mendoza: you typically would, but we have had a lot of public comment tonight. >> can we have two minutes? president mendoza: let's see how you go. please state your name first. >> i am the executive director, thomas edison charterer academy. as you know, i entered in

february of last year, retaining a relationship with the past administrator. i was amazed with the professionalism and abilities of the teacher and stuff. i found a school that had been functioning for close to 10 years, in collaboration with the community and the department of education. when i inquired about their lack of association with usfd, i was told there was a history. the board recognized the opportunity to strengthen education in the city of san francisco by joining together. we have attempted to show our good faith. we have expressed in writing and in person the desire to be part of sfusd, but we have been denied. we went to the state, and were told to wait for a response from their legal division. we waited and were told we should resubmit this month.

based on that directive and the understanding that this needed to be exactly what was expected, we went back to our charter. the updated every section we had been told was deficient, and reduced the charge of three other approve a charter schools of preferences. two were provided by the schools themselves. one was provided by ms. richards. this was given for review. again we have been denied. we were informed of this approximately five hours ago. we are here tonight in part to address the denial, since we were not afforded the question and answer sessions that are a part of the process. we realize you had a committee look at this charter and to view the recommendation. we hope you will look at it yourselves, because we know it is complete. other traders school administrators have looked at our charter and have agreed it represents and even if but -- even exceeds their approved charter. our 10 year history of

functioning, our test scores, and everything else you will hear about tonight proves we are a highly successful school and would be a tremendous asset to your district. thank you. >> i am a first grade teacher at edison charter academy. i have a letter from a parent to read. "i am the mother of two third grade students. date and my family are happy to be part of such a wonderful school. we like the way classes have been designed with the professional, compassionate staff that gives their all to the students. they create tools to make them better students. our school covers the academic and creative part of the students with the arts program. i believe this combination creates a good balance and will help them to be more eager to learn and to have better discipline.

i love the way the staff interact with students and parents, making this open communication for all. the parent community has been working hard to help create additional income. the hard work brings this community together. i would love if everyone would see how great the school is and come see for yourself that our kids are wonderful." thank you for your time. >> i am from the board. i am the finance minister, of edison charter academy. after reading the staff findings and recommendation, i have to respect to the say that i do not agree with the recommendations at all. i was regional controller for edison learning for five years. i provided assistance and services related to financial planning and budgeting to all the california and hawaii charterers schools.

i taught budgeting courses in nba programs. -- mba programs. i do not agree there was a lack of budgetary assistance and engagement. i went back to review all of the reports we submitted. i could not find any discrepancy at all. unfortunately, i have not been given any opportunity from anyone to clarify any questions for the staff might be concerned. previous recommendations have been incorporated in the financial planning and budgeting. the planning assumption for the budget is covered in pages 61, 62, and 63. we provided information for how we select an independent auditor, the scope of the audit, and how we address exceptions in pages 37 through 38. the profile is in appendix 11.

the scope of audits is in appendix 12. it was mentioned in the staff report that we have strong reserves not only for 2011-12, up for the entire five-year focused. we always look for additional funding sources, but we plan conservatively and only include funding we definitely know is secure. our projection at the end of 2016 will be 758,000. i have provided the latest audited statements, which incorporate financial data. i included a five-year forecast. i am very puzzled about the statement that we provided out of date data. the historical data will always be out of date. but we need to know the history before we can make meaningful and accurate forecasts for our future. thank you.

>> good evening, commissioners. superintendent garcia and deputy superintendent. i am a parent. i am an educational consultant. i am a community member. i would like to address the recommendation around lack of diligence to the petition process. in preparing for the charter renewal process independent of edison inc., the tractor renewal team, made up of site administration, teachers, parents, and community members found there was no clear process to be followed. as petitioners, we expected to have a process to follow, but

there really was none. there was a matrix that was given to us. we were given an example of a successful trader, which we used among other resources, some of which are from california tartar schools association, legal counsel, other petitions, and various other resources. and we relied on the guidance of the san francisco unified school district torture school's director. in the absence of a clear and defined process to follow, how can any petitioner be expected to demonstrate an understanding of an absent process? i would also like to say that the recommendation for denial is vague and offensive. some of the examples shown of our lack of understanding and

preparation are unclear, one of which states it appears that the comments and recommendations were inserted without a deep understanding of their value. how could you know that if we were never able to come and talk to you about our understanding and how we are implementing what we perceive to be those particular things? i would also like to quickly say one more thing. the petition says that we are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program. but as a parent and community member at edison charter for 10 years, i have seen policies in place, in fact policies the recommendation says are absent, such as the student discipline policy. i have seen them in place. i have seen that they adhere to state and local law, and federal

law. in the past four years since deciding to disconnect, the school has moved to great inclusion at the local level, greater communication and transparency, and to a more democratic locally-based model more relevant to students and their families. in fact, all of these changes have benefited the school and its students, as shown in various data presented in the charter petition. i'd just want to say one more thing. president mendoza: i need you to wrap up. thank you. >> good evening. i am the seventh grade teacher and an elected official of the edison charterer teachers' union, which represents all the teachers including our special ed teachers. i appreciate the opportunity to address the concerns raised about the difference in teacher

compensation. when the current salary schedule was ratified in 2007, the schedule represented a significant increase in salaries, including retroactive pay and the creation of a transparent and fair schedule for all the members. we referenced the uesf schedule. our unit members are quite aware of the difference in our salary schedule. however, we do understand a few things. our current schedule allows for specialist classes, including art and dance. it allows for the maintenance of low teacher to student ratios. in dire economic times, we understand our schedule is averting layoffs and furlough days. currently, the majority of the staff falls in the middle of the range of years of service.

the majority of members will experience increases in compensation. our members can improve compensation with additional academic credit. it is the continued objective of our union to improve the composition of our members. in these economic times, we understand we must share the burden. the retention rate of more than 90% of our staff speaks to the union commitment to the success of the charter academy. if you look at the budget, our parents are not full-time employees. their hourly rate is $2 higher than the current rate offered by uesf. thank you. >> my name is sean whitney. i am the special director at edison charterer academy. tonight, i will speak on the

committee recommendations based on student discipline. they stated that we make broad references to certain topics and that we lack a comprehensive plan on page 39. but if you are all able to review the entire charter, pages 4344 include details of all of the plants and the behavior matrix. it outlines responsibilities of staff members, what will happen for very specific infractions that students make, minor to severe. it outlines when parents are supposed to come in and meet with the executive director. on page 40, it specifically outlines all of the actions to take place for a student who is being recommended for suspension. we used the education code forms when notifying parents of a possible suspension. that is also included, page 42.

when we are looking at the expulsion of the student, that is outlined and timelines are included on page 43. it is all there. when looking specifically at the discipline of a student with special needs, that is also outlined with timelines on page 44. there was a comment in the committee's response or recommendations to you that we were a little general in a statement that says we may seek the advice and guidance of or worked in conjunction with [unintelligible] in the event there may be a litigious case, the offer their support. we have not had to use them. we have been successful in taking care of business. thank you.

>> my name is shannon webber. my children are in seventh, fifth, and third grade. this is our fourth year at the school. i was impressed with edison the first time i toured there. there is a huge focus on works -- on what works for kids -- not parents or teachers, but kids. staff focused on helping individual kids reach their potential. the culture and braces children's backgrounds, both their strengths and weaknesses. both of my kids have struggled and succeeded. there has been an edison teacher by their side. the have a disciplined system and it works. i got to experience it weekly one school year. edison is a vital part of the village that is helping to raise my children. it is surprising for me to come here and see you do not want them to be part of your system. edison has experienced many changes during our four years at the school.

the current board are some of the greatest examples of leadership in the city we have seen. something that has not changed much at all is the teaching staff. edison teachers are not only phenomenal educators, but they are dedicated to the school community and organized themselves to help the school maintained its purpose. with our new governance structure, parents have an opportunity to participate in the school functioning. from this, children are thriving, and more parents are involved. i implore you to accept edison charter's renewal petition and let edison continue to educate children and feed this community as long as they can. thank you. >> good evening, superintendent, board. my name is christine reed. i am a grandparent of two.

my grandson's are eight and five. -- grandsons are eight and five. i have had to take parenting of them. the five year-old just became a student last year. might a-year-old needed speech therapy. i have been blessed with the fact that edison has provided that need for my grandson. he has had the same speech therapist since he has been attending that school. from that, he has become one of the top leaders of his class. he looks forward to receiving one of these every week. this is from the spelling test that he gets every week, 100%. as well, he was involved in a spelling bee the school started recently. he won that as well. the 5-year-old had a problem because this is kindergarten and

he did not want to be there. he had a problem for a couple of months. he looks forward to bringing this home every day. this is what my grandson's bring home every day. this is what they look forward to every day, being 100%. more importantly, what the school does -- they deal with the soul. they don't just do with cognitive skills. they deal with the soul. as we know, we have students at these schools who are going out and hurting other students. but has anybody really dealt with there sold at an educational level? this school brings all of that and some. i would like you to please look a little bit deeper as to what this school does. please come to edison. don't make a determination based on site not seen.

please come to edison academy. thank you so much for your time. [applause] >> i am a long time mission resident and a fairly new parent to edison school. i wish i had taken my son there many more years ago. i have been aware of edison school because of my work with mission cultural center. i was on the board for 10 years. i am on the board of mission community market. i work also with san francisco chronicle -- carnivale. i was very impressed. for six years, i saw the kids, parents, and faculty from the school through their heart and soul