AMPHITHEATER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Tucson, Arizona
MINUTES OF REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING OF THE GOVERNING BOARD
Place, Date and Time of Meeting
Wetmore
Center, 701 West Wetmore Road, April 13, 2004, 6:30 p.m.
Board
Members Present
Nancy Young Wright, President
Dr. Kent Barrabee, Vice President/Clerk
Patty Clymer, Member
Jeff Grant, Member
Mike Prout, Member
Central
Administrators Present
Dr. Vicki McLeod
Balentine, Superintendent
Todd A. Jaeger, J.D.,
Associate to Superintendent and General Counsel
Patrick Nelson,
Associate Superintendent
Constance Cigliana, Chief Financial
Officer
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1.
Motion to Recess
Open Meeting and Hold an Executive Session for:
A. Discussion and
Consultation with Representatives of the Governing Board Regarding Negotiations
with Employee Organizations Regarding Salaries, Salary Schedules, or
Compensation, Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(5), Regarding Administrative,
Administrative Exempt, Certificated, Classified, Classified Exempt and
Professional Non-Teaching Employee Negotiations for 2004-2005 Contract Year.
Board
Book Information: At the time of the preparation of this Item, negotiations with employee
groups are on-going. The Governing Board
may wish to convene an Executive Session to discuss the status and content of
those negotiations, which are expected to conclude following the submission of
this Item.
The Administration recommends the
Board take action to convene an Executive Session to discuss the item listed
above.
A motion was made by Dr. Barrabee, seconded by Mr. Prout and passed unanimously, that the Board recess into executive session. The time was 6:38 p.m.
CONTINUATION OF
OPEN MEETING
Reconvening of Open Meeting and Signing of
Visitors’ Register
Following executive session, Ms. Young Wright reconvened the
meeting at 7:09 p.m., and asked members of the audience to sign the visitors’
register. Procedures for addressing the
Board were described.
Pledge
of Allegiance
No audience members addressed the Board.
INFORMATION
2. Announcement of Date and Place of
Next Regular Governing Board Meeting: Tuesday,
April 27, 2004, 6:30 p.m., Wetmore Center, 701 W. Wetmore Road
3.
Recognition
of AHS/CDO/IRHS Academic Decathlon Team Members
The following Academic Decathlon
Teams – their coaches and team members were recognized for their
accomplishments at Regional and State Competitions. Each was presented with a certificate of commendation.
Todd Comi won a third
place medal for his interview and the team won the trophy for Most Improved
Team.
Ms. Patricia Harris, Principal, introduced Ms. Patricia Merha, Team
Coach. She introduced the team’s
students: Nathan Venet, David Vargas, Gabriel Moreno, Ryan Wetterer, Krystle
Epum, Jeremy Wyatt, William Henry, Gia Vu, and Dillon Shaw (not present).
Amphitheater High School placed 8th in Regionals. Four students received medals for 3rd
place. At State level, AHS finished 37th.
Mr. Robert Wendell, Assistant Principal, introduced Mr. Chris Yetman,
Team Coach. He introduced the team’s
students: Sophie Anderson, Matthew Campbell, Lindsey Henriksen, Justin Hyatt, Jacob
Dennis, Madison John, Kirstin Neff, Evan Secan, Brian Seekatz, and Casey
Thomas.
The CDO team finished first at regional competition and second at state
competition. The students earned more
than 50 medals, $10,000 in cash and scholarship prizes, and each student on the
team has a full scholarship to Arizona State University (ASU).
4. Recognition of CDO/AHS/IRHS
National Merit Finalists
The following students were recognized for being finalists in the 2004 Competition for National Merit Scholarship Awards. Each was presented with a certificate of commendation.
Ms. Patricia Harris, Principal, recognized Veronica Przybyl, and
explained that she was not in attendance at this meeting because she is an
early graduate and is already attending the University of Southern California
in Los Angeles.
Mr. Robert Wendell, Assistant Principal, introduced Casey Catlin, Kerry
Lakin, Kirstin Neff, Andrew Pope-Rolewski (not present).
Ironwood Ridge High School
Dr. Mc Clung, Principal,
introduced Alexandra Farquhar.
5.
Recognition
of Amphi School District Finalist Who Advanced to the County Spelling Bee
Dr. Balentine recognized the following District students for advancing to the Pima County Spelling Bee. Each was presented with a certificate of commendation.
Wilson
K-8 School: Jason Xu, Grade 8;
Coronado
K-8 School: Olivia Oglesby, Grade 8 (not present), Caleb Jones, Grade 7;
La
Cima Middle School: Jillian Ware, Grade 8, Debbie Clark, Grade 7 (not present);
Harelson
Elementary School: and Ian Farley, Grade 5 (not present).
6.
Recognition
of Nash Neighbors
Board Book Information: The Nash Neighbors Program was
developed by St. Mark’s UMC as a way to help Nash Elementary School fulfill
it’s mission. The Program which began in
November of 2002, provides 45 committed classroom volunteers, 25 volunteers who
record books on tape, 300 filled backpacks, 600 “Play School at Home this
Summer” bags filled with school supplies, back pack racks in every classroom, a
painted hall, a washing machine, a Kinder Desert Garden, and monetary donations
to fund these projects and support for the Uniform Bank and Family Advocate
Emergency funds.
Dr.
Balentine invited Mrs. Farley, Principal, to describe the Nash Neighbors
Program. She introduced Reverend Paul
Caseman and Mrs. Janet Camp and expressed appreciation to them and their
congregation for their many contributions.
St.
Mark’s UMC was presented with a certificate of commendation.
7.
Review
of Project Graduation (12/9/03)
Board Book Information: Project
Graduation co-chairperson’s B.J. Meyer, Canyon del Oro High School (CDO), and
Mary Snider, Ironwood Ridge High School (IRHS) are parent volunteers and will
provide an update to the Governing Board and Administration regarding plans for
the Project Graduation 2004.
Dr. Balentine introduced co-chairs Ms. Mary Snider and Ms.
B.J. Meyer, who provided an update.
Ms. Snider expressed appreciation to Mr. Doug Aho, Executive Manager,
for his assistance and commitment of support regarding facility-related needs
such as electricity, etc. The Ironwood
committee is actively recruiting needed volunteers. As a fundraiser, each school will be provided a vehicle to be
used as a grand prize for a lucky graduate.
Jim Click will provide the vehicle for CDO and Precision Toyota will
provide the vehicle for IRHS. This
year’s IRHS senior class will donate $1,000. to next year’s class/event. The committee is beginning to recruit the
junior class for participation in next year’s project. Student feedback has been positive. Ms. Meyer also added that CDO is also
recruiting volunteers, for three-hour shifts.
She expressed appreciation for support provided by students, families,
and local businesses with financial and other contributions of time and
supplies. Additionally, both schools
will benefit from the proceeds gained from the golf tournament hosted by the
Tucson Hilton in March.
In response to an inquiry by Mr. Prout, Ms. Meyer stated
that many of the volunteers already enlisted are from civic organizations and
churches. Volunteer forms are being
sent to the feeder schools for both participating high schools. Ms. Snider added that the Sun City newspaper
recently encouraged the community to become involved. Both Ms. Meyer and Ms. Snider expressed appreciation to the Board
for its encouragement of support for this project by District administration
and teachers.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Mrs. Clymer to approve consent agenda items A -S. The motion was seconded by Mr. Grant and passed unanimously, 5-0. Appointment of personnel is effective, provided all district, state and federal requirements are met.
A. Approval of
Minutes From Previous Meeting(s)
Minutes of the March
23, 2004 Regular Governing Board Meeting and of the February 17, 2004 Executive
Session Meeting were approved.
B. Appointment of
Personnel
Certified and
classified personnel were appointed, as listed in Exhibit 1.
C. Personnel
Changes
Certified and
classified personnel changes were approved, as listed in Exhibit 2.
D. Leave(s) of
Absence
Leave of absence requests were approved for certified and classified personnel, as listed
in Exhibit 3.
E. Separation(s) and
Termination(s)
Certified and
classified personnel separations were approved, as listed in Exhibit 4.
F.
Approval of
Vouchers Totaling and Not Exceeding Approximately $1,698,000.00 (Revised Total)
Vo. 595 $424,482.51
Vo. 596 241,166.32
Vo. 597 131,870.95
Vo. 598 28,491.39
Vo. 599 220,526.66
Vo. 600 390,489.26
Vo. 601 260,350.77
G. Acceptance of Gifts
Donations were
accepted by the Governing Board, as listed in Exhibit 5.
Board
Book Information: Arizona Revised Statutes §15-1121 and 15-1125 provide for the operation
of Student Activity and Auxiliary Operations funds, respectively. The Uniform System of Financial Records for
Arizona School Districts (USFR) outlines procedures to be followed by school
districts in the disbursements of monies from either of these funds. One requirement for the operational
compliance is to provide a report to the Governing Board summarizing the
transactions for the month.
The
Board received the report of the School
Auxiliary and Club balances.
I. Approval of
Out-of-State Travel
Out-of-state travel was approved for staff (source of
funding indicated): Mike Bejarano,
Interscholastics Department, to attend the National Education Service/Professional Learning Communities
at Work Institute in Lincolnshire (Chicago) Illinois, August 2-5, 2004 (grant
funds);
David Martinez, Interscholastics Department, to attend the
Athletic Equipment Manager’s Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, June 8-12,
2004 (Interscholastics Department); Joyce Gifford, Career Ladder, to attend the
IRA 49th Annual Convention in Reno, Nevada, May 1-6, 2004. (grant funds); Deanna Day, Odyssey of the
Mind World Finals in College Park, Maryland, May 27-June 2, 2004 (AZ State
Odyssey of the Mind); Robyn Weiser, Rio Vista Elementary School, to attend the
7th Annual National School Social Work Conference in San Francisco,
California, April 15-17, 2004 (grant funds); Scott Linaker, Canyon del Oro High School, to attend the National
Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Directors meeting in Park City, Utah,
May 13-16, 2004 (Athletic Trainers’ Association).
Out-of-state travel was approved for students (source of
funding indicated): Paul
DesJarlais and Karie Meyers, Amphitheater High School, to take 35 AHS students
to the Physics Day Field Trip at Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, April
23-25, ($2,000 contribution from the U of A MESA Program, tax credit donations
and fundraising); Gail Toal, Ironwood Ridge High School, to take 2 IRHS
students to the National DECA Competition in Nashville, Tennessee, April 30-May
5, 2004. (grant funds, tax credit
donations, club donations); Juma Massinga, Amphitheater High School, to take 7
AHS students to the DECA National Competition in Nashville, Tennessee, April
30-May 5, 2004 (tax credit donations, fundraising, club donations); Tassi Call,
Monica Nelson, Barbara Kohl, and Lisa Yurkanin, Coronado K-8 School, to take 51
Coronado National Junior Honor Society students to Disneyland in California,
April 30-May 1, 2004 (tax credit donations, fundraising); Darrell Prochaska and
Kelly Runk, Canyon del Oro High School, to take 11 CDO students to the
Winterguard competition in San Diego, California, April 15-18, 2004 (club
funds, student fundraising, tax credit donations).
J. Approval of Request for Proposals for Acquisition of Athletic Scoreboards
Board
Book Information: Interested vendors
who provide scoreboards to educational institutions have contacted the
Amphitheater Interscholastics Department expressing willingness to provide
sophisticated, state of the art scoreboards to some of our schools at no cost
to the schools or District. In
exchange, the vendors would place advertising on the scoreboards and collect
revenue from the same. Some vendors
that place scoreboards in this manner even share revenues received from the
advertising with the Districts and schools involved.
The Administration would like to explore the opportunities for
improving our scoreboard equipment through this mechanism. Many of the District’s scoreboards need
updating or replacement. The variety of
complicated issues involved with such an approach warrants issuance of a
request for proposals, so that each potential vendor’s terms can be examined in
detail.
With Governing Board approval, a Request for Proposal will be sent to
interested vendors requesting:
·
Equipment, the type of equipment offered;
·
Revenue, the annual revenue received
·
Acquisition Time, the time line for payoff before all advertising revenue reverts to
the District
·
Advertising Policy, the type of advertising to be sold and the
Districts ability to approve
·
Vendor References, a list of all installations completed
under this type of acquisition
program for the past 24 months
·
Contract Required, a copy of vendors contract for review and acceptance prior to award
The Governing Board authorized the issuance
of the Request for Proposals
for the Acquisition of Athletic Scoreboards, as submitted.
K.
Approval of
New Course Proposals
Board Book Information: The
attached course proposals are submitted for approval. These courses are proposed for offering at Ironwood Ridge High
School for the 2004-05 school year.
The
Governing Board approved two (2) new course proposals (Teen Court, College
Algebra/College Trigonometry) at Ironwood Ridge High School beginning with the
2004- 2005 school year, as submitted.
L.
Review and
Approval of YWCA Grant
Board Book Information: Amphitheater
Middle School and teacher, Rachel Sharp, received an $800 mini-grant from the
YWCA for “The Color of Education: Racism in Schools” project. The funds will be used to purchase a Sony
digital camera.
The
Governing Board approved the mini-grant sponsored by the YWCA, as submitted.
M.
Approval of
Textbook Adoption
In accordance with Section 15-721 of the Arizona
Revised Statutes, the Governing Board approved adoption of the textbooks listed
below and, which have been on display to the public for 60 days.
Publisher: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Author: Yvone Lenard
Price: $53.49
TEXTBOOK: Bon Voyage 1
Publisher: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Author: Schmitt, Lutz
Price: $54.96
TEXTBOOK: Bon Voyage 2
Publisher: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Author: Schmitt, Lutz
Price: $54.96
N.
Bid Award for
Auto Glass Replacement and Repair Based Upon Responses to Request for Bid
03-0025
Board Book Information: Request
for Bid 03-0025 for Auto Glass Replacement and Repair was mailed February 9,
2004 with a due date of February 24, 2004. Responding vendors were asked to
provide discount offered off the National Auto Glass (NAGS) Domestic &
Foreign Price Calculator. A price per square foot was also requested for five
types and sizes of replacement glass for the bus fleet currently not covered
under the NAGS price guide. The final
price requested was the cost per windshield for repair. Eight vendors were sent
copies of this RFB. Three responded; Speedy Glass, Diamond Glass Works and
National Auto Glass. The National Auto Glass bid was received late and returned
to the vendor unopened.
A spreadsheet listing the NAGS Discount, replacement of bus glass
costs, and the costs for windshield repair is provided.
The
Governing Board approved the award of contract to Speedy Glass for Auto Glass
Replacement and Repairs based upon the Response to Request for Bid Number
03-0025 for the balance of the current fiscal year (June 30, 2004), to include
renewal for one (1) additional fiscal year-ending June 30, 2005, upon mutual
agreement by both parties.
O.
Bid Award for
Radiator Repairs Based Upon Responses to Request for Bid 03-0038
Board
Book Information: Request for Bid 03-0038 for Radiator Repair was mailed March 9, 2004
with a due date of March 24, 2004. Responding vendors were asked to provide the
price for radiator repairs to seven sample vehicles and the price for
replacement heater cores for four sample vehicles.
Five vendors were sent copies of this RFB.
Two responded; HERCO Inc. and Industrial Radiator. A cost comparison
spreadsheet was provided.
The
Governing Board approved the award of contract to Industrial Radiator for
Radiator Repair Services based on Response to Request for Bid Number 03-0038
for the balance of the current fiscal year (June 30, 2004), to include renewal
for one (1) additional fiscal year-ending June 30, 2005, upon mutual agreement
by both parties.
P.
Ratification
of Superintendent’s Execution of Agreement with Canada del Oro Partners
Regarding Voluntary School Impact Donation Pursuant to Governing Board Policy
KLJA
Board
Book Information: Governing Board policy KLJA permits the district to solicit and
encourage real estate developers to contribute voluntary “educational
donations” to the district to offset the impact on the district’s schools of
their proposed developments. Especially in the growing northern part of the
District’s boundaries, increased enrollment resulting from developments may
result in over-enrollment, exceeding schools’ physical capacity.
Presently, the State School
Facilities Board (SFB) does not provided funding for school construction in
growing neighborhoods if physical enrollment capacity exists elsewhere in a
school district. Instead, the SFB requires
districts to bus children where capacity exists or to redraw school boundaries
to adjust enrollment patterns, both of which substantially interfere with the
neighborhood school philosophy our district and community have long
embraced.
In a proactive effort to avoid
overcrowding and negative impact on the district’s students, the district has
entered into negotiations with real estate developers pursuant to Policy
KLJA. In each case, the district has
sought an educational donation of $1,200.00 per home, due at the close of escrow
of each home, or the donation of land to be used for school construction.
The district concluded favorable
negotiations with Canyon del Oro Partners related to development of 76.5 acres
on which approximately 175 homes will be built near North First Avenue at
Lambert Lane in Oro Valley. This
development will impact the enrollment of Painted Sky Elementary School,
Coronado Middle School and Ironwood Ridge High School. The result of this negotiation was the
developer’s commitment to pay the District $1,200 per residence built on a
platted lot in its proposed development.
The Governing Board ratified the execution of agreement with Canada del Oro Partners, as shown (Exhibit 6).
Q.
Ratification
of Superintendent’s Execution of Agreement with Stella Homes, Inc. Regarding
Voluntary School Impact Donation Pursuant to Governing Board Policy KLJA
Board Book
Information: Governing Board policy KLJA
permits the district to solicit and encourage real estate developers to
contribute voluntary “educational donations” to the district to offset the
impact on the district’s schools of their proposed developments. Especially in
the growing northern part of the District’s boundaries, increased enrollment
resulting from developments may result in over-enrollment, exceeding schools’
physical capacity.
Presently, the State School Facilities Board (SFB) does not
provided funding for school construction in growing neighborhoods if physical
enrollment capacity exists elsewhere in a school district. Instead, the SFB requires districts to bus
children where capacity exists or to redraw school boundaries to adjust
enrollment patterns, both of which substantially interfere with the
neighborhood school philosophy our district and community have long embraced.
In a proactive effort to avoid overcrowding and negative
impact on the district’s students, the district has entered into negotiations
with real estate developers pursuant to Policy KLJA. In each case, the district has sought an educational donation of
$1,200.00 per home, due at the close of escrow of each home, or the donation of
land to be used for school construction.
The District concluded favorable negotiations with Stella
Homes, Inc., related to development of 10.77 acres on which twenty-seven homes
will be built in Rancho Vistoso Neighborhood 5. This development will impact the enrollment of Painted Sky
Elementary School, Coronado Middle School and Ironwood Ridge High School. The result of this negotiation was the
developer’s commitment to pay the District $1,200 per residence built on a
platted lot in its proposed development.
The Governing Board ratified the execution of agreement with Stella Homes, Inc, as shown (Exhibit 7).
R.
Career &
Technical Education New Program Approval
for 2004-2005
Board
Book Information: CTE Programs for Amphitheater students in 2004-05 will include the
following new and redesigned course offerings. This list is revised from the
list given out last November because of continual program assessment, alignment
with CTE competencies and Administrative Information Systems being sunsetted at
the state level. As a result, some
programs have been renamed and realigned at all three high schools:
At Amphitheater High School,
Marketing Management and Entrepreneurship will supplant AIS because the
competencies more closely align with course descriptions. The Hospitality
Program will replace Culinary Arts.
At Canyon Del Oro High School,
the Fashion Design and Merchandising course is being expanded into a full CTE
Program, to address a wider range of competencies.
At Ironwood Ridge High School,
Business Management and Administrative Services will supplement Business
Information Technology Systems. The
Hospitality Program is being added to offer a wider scope of opportunities for
students.
Hospitality
Life Connections Fall 2004
Hospitality Management Principals Fall 2004
Hospitality Management
Applications Fall 2005
Allied
Health
Medical Foundations Fall 2004
Allied Health Applications Fall
2005
Allied Health Medical Imaging Fall
2006
Marketing,
Management and Entrepreneurship
Marketing Fall 2004
Advanced Marketing Fall 2004
Work Based Learning Fall 2004
Web Page Design Fall 2004
Desktop Publishing Fall 2004
Fashion
Design & Merchandising
Life Connections Fall 2004
Fashion Design and Merchandising Fall 2004
Fashion Design and Merch Advanced Fall 2005
Interior Design and Merchandise Fall
2005
Business
Information Technology Services
Web Page Creation and Design Fall
2003
Web Development and Administration Fall 2003
Business
Management and Administrative Services
Desktop Publishing Yearbook I Fall
2001
Desktop Publishing Yearbook II Fall
2002
Desktop Publishing Yearbook III Fall
2003
Hospitality
Life
Skills Fall
2004
Hospitality/Tourism I Fall
2004
Advanced Hospitality/Tourism II Fall
2005
Business
Information Technology Services
Adv Computer Maintenance/A+ Fall
2005
BITS Coop/OJT Fall 2005
The Governing Board approved the new and redesigned
CTE course programs as listed above to begin with the 2004-2005 school year,
effective this date (April 13, 2004).
S.
Dropout
Prevention Resolution
Board Book Information: Amphitheater
Public Schools has participated in the Dropout Prevention Program provided by
the Legislature (A.R.S. § 15-901, Section 32). These funds are used to support
the middle school SOAR programs and alternative programs, e.g., El Hogar and
San Joaquin. The State Board of Education requires a governing board resolution
to continue participation in the Dropout Prevention Program. The Board approved
the Dropout Prevention Resolution.
The Governing Board approved adoption of the resolution to continue
participation in the Dropout Prevention Program for the 2004-2007 school years,
as shown (Exhibit 8).
8. Study of Potential Override Election; Formation of Blue Ribbon Committee Process to Undertake Additional Study; Selection of Committee Members; Development of Committee Charge
Board
Book Information: The Governing Board, as requested by a number of
constituents, has explored the potential for a budget override election on
several occasions over the last year-and-a-half. The Board’s study to date has included review of statutory
requirements and restrictions affecting overrides, the District’s override
history, the status of school funding statewide, and the success of override
elections in other districts. One
factor which appears to be a significant predictor of override success, both in
terms of election outcome and serving programmatic needs of a district, is
broad-based community involvement and leadership in the process preceding a
governing board’s call for an override election.
In most successful
override situations, community involvement also obviously continues following
the call for an election as well, but the commitment and participation of the
community is essential well before that moment of Board action. Many districts, which have found success
with overrides, have enabled the participation of the community through
steering committees, which serve to reflect the communities’ attitudes and
interests regarding override considerations.
At the Board’s February 24, 2004 meeting, the
Administration proposed a timetable for the continuing exploration of a
potential override for the District utilizing a “Blue Ribbon Committee”
composed of community members. This
committee would have the responsibility for examining the costs and uses for a
budget override and for assessing the support for the same, before making a
recommendation to the Board as to whether to call for an override and as to
what to seek an override for.
Recognizing that the
next possible override election dates (in practical terms) are March 8, 2005 or
May 17, 2005, an appropriate timetable for such a committee, beginning on April
13, 2004, would be:
April 13 Board approval of committee and charge; initiate community survey
April 20 Review of Open Meeting Law
Requirements; review of Process and charge with committee; review of override
requirements
May 6 Overview of District voting history
and survey results
May 20 Review of required override timeline
June 10 Overview of District Budget Review
of efficiencies and cutbacks over the past five years
June 24 Review
of current staffing district-wide
August 12 Overview of
Tax Base & Assessed Value
August 26 Study of potential tax Increases
resulting from override approval
September 9 Review of staffing needs; Review of
current salary schedules for District, with comparison to other districts
September 23 Determination
of recommended uses for override funds
October 7 Development of a recommendation to
the Board to call for (not to call for) and override, together with recommended
uses if recommendation is to call.
October 21 Finalization of recommendation to
the Board
November 9 Review of committee process &
recommendation to Governing Board; Board dissolution of committee
Please note that
elections on either of these dates, if successful, would provide override
budget capacity for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
Composition of
Blue-Ribbon Committee
The Board is requested to recommend individuals for membership on the
Blue Ribbon Committee. There are
several recommended guidelines for the composition of this group:
·
approximately
fifteen (15) persons