>> you probably think you know

all about the exploratorium. but have you ever been after dark? did you know there was a monthly party called after dark? science mixes with culture and adults mix with other adults. no kids allowed. every week there is a different theme. to tell us about the themes is melissa alexander. tell us about some of the previous themes we have had. >> we have had sex ploration, sugar, red, blue. many things. >> what is the theme tonight? >> rock, paper, scissors. we are having a tournament tonight, but we have also used as a jumping off point to explore lots of different ideas. you can find out about rock,

paper, scissors as a game as a reproductive strategy. you can interact with a piece of art created by lucky dragon. you can get your hair cut from a cool place called the public barber's salon. they use scissors only. you can find out about local geology, too. >> that sounds like fun. let's check it out. >> this is the most common rock on the surface of the earth. interesting thing is, most of this rock is covered over by the ocean. >> error congested a cool presentation on plate tectonics. tell us about what we just saw. >> we wrapped up a section of a lesson on a plate tectonics, here at the exploratory and -- exploritorium.

>> are you excited to see people here having fun and learning about science? >> the people that come here are some selected to begin with, they actually enjoy science. i teach teachers to have fun with their kids. the general public is a great audience, too. they're interested in science. >> we have a blast every time. they have different names. >> they have a bar and a cafe. everything i need. we are excited for the speaker. >> it is nice to be in the exploratorium when there are not a lot of kids around. >> before tonight, i never knew there were major league rules to rock, paper, scissors. i am getting ready to enter into a competition. sarah's here to give me some tips. what do i need to do to win it? >> this is a game of chance, to

a degree. one of the best ways to bring it home is a degree of intimidation, maybe some eye contact, maybe some muscle. it is a no contact sport. sheer i contact is a good way to maybe intimidate to see if you can set them off, see if they throw something they did not mean to. >> i am going to see what happens. >> i got kicked out in the first round. [applause] >> given up for sunni. the rock, paper, scissors champion. >> what are you going to do now? >> i have been having so much fun. i got my tattoo. before we go, i want to thank melissa alexander for having us here tonight. how did you know san francisco needed a night like tonight?

>> thank you for coming. everybody loves the exploratorium. we are reluctant to push the kids out of the way in the day, so i knew we needed to create one evening a month just for the rest of us to have a good time, the adults. >> absolutely. where can we find out what is coming up after dark? >> that is easy, exploratorium .edu/afterdark. >> thank you. thanks for watching

>> okay, let's get started. welcome. this is the regular meeting of the board of education of the san francisco unified school district for february 28, 2012. it is now called to order. >> [roll-call] >> please join me in the pledge of allegiance. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america

and to the republic for which it stands one nation, under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> let's move on to item a, approval of the board minutes from february 8, 2012. >> so moved. >> second. >> any corrections? roll-call. >> [roll call] 5 ayes. >> presentations to the board of

education, superintendent's report. superintendent garcia? >> on a positive note, as of this week, we have the opportunity to acknowledge school administrators and later on we will recognize them. the first week of march is identified as the week of the administrator and we want to send out kudos to the principals who are critical to make innovation and exciting things happen and i hope to be extremely supportive of our teachers and everyone who creates the magic at a school site and the ones who won the bureaucracy as well. -- who run the bureaucracy as well. it takes a big team and we appreciate it. [applause] this meeting, i think i can speak for the entire board -- we

hate having this meeting every year. talk about the tradition i think the state of california would break, it's the tradition of layoffs. we're finally closing the achievement gap in the school district and showing phenomenal result out there. our whole community is coming together to make sure we care about all children and then we have to give out layoff notices. it's a tragedy the state cannot find the resources to care about our young people. today, as you know, and the last couple of years, we cut over $113 million of our budget. this year we are faced with the potential of having to cut another $83 million over the next two years. that's even as the governor's tax initiative passes. if not, it gets up into the $120 million range. the budget was based on a $9.2

million deficit. as you read, the state revenues are projected to fall even shorter and the estimate would be an additional $6.5 billion. -- we used to say don't worry, things could get worse, but you almost hate to say because everytime we say it, they do get worse. when you look at all the different things we are having to do to get through these financial budgets, we are in the midst of negotiations and we are looking at next year, what are we going to do, and if you have a clear out of the woods, we've got to tough years ahead of us. the layoff procedures are not any thing dictated appear by anything standing before you. we have to look at if worse comes to worse, and even if these things passed, we have not negotiated any thing.

we have to come up with a number that has to be large enough that we can show fiscal solvency. we just had our bond rating last week. we have managed to stay with a good bond rating and the bond traders looked at whether you can handle your debt. what's the plan when you are going to have an $83 million deficit coming your way? it's a horrible situation, but at the same time, we will get through this. it is going to take time and a lot of energy. if the entire state of california was as good as san francisco as supporting students and if everybody did that in the state, we would not be in this mess. unfortunately, we are our own

country and san francisco where people care enough to support us. everybody, all of the -- all of the parents -- the real enemy in this situation where we have to focus to make a change is we have to get a structural situation that actually focuses on education. we are now 48 or 49th in the country on how much we spend per student and we cannot keep doing this. i need to tell you that we apologize for having to go through this. this is by no way talking about this honoring the work everyone is doing out there. we know that you are doing a fabulous work but we unfortunately have no choices. i'd read this evening, but it is something we have to do to show we are fiscally solvent, but

otherwise we open the door. there are over 122 districts right now already under watch and may be taken over by the state because they are physically and solvent. if it is tough to solve things ourselves, i imagine having the state come in to try to solve the problems. they can't solve their own problems. it is tough, but we have to stick together to make this happen. thank you very much. [applause] incidentally, tomorrow, i'm spending a couple of hours with a group of superintendents in sacramento with the governor to share with him what's going on in the state and how really does affect the schools in our communities and above all, what it does to our children. we are going to have a lively discussion tomorrow. >> thank you.

let's go to the next item, recognition and resolutions of commendation. we are going to be picking up the school administrator resolution here. is there a motion? >> so moved. >> second. >> a reading by the superintendent. >> it is my pleasure -- [laughter] it is my pleasure to read this recognition. whereas the school administrators are passionate, lifelong learners to believe in the value of quality public education and whereas the title

school administrator is a broad term used to define its many educational leadership posts and others are considered a will legislators and whereas the san francisco unified school district has principles, assistant principals, supervisors, program administrators, and child development site managers and, whereas, providing quality service for student success is paramount for the profession and, whereas most school administrators began their careers as teachers, the average administrator has served in the administration for a decade and most experience is beneficial to effectively lead public education and improve student achievement and, whereas, public schools operate with lean management systems across the nation. public schools employ f