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, December 9, 2003, 7:00 p.m.
Board
Members Present
Nancy Young Wright, President
Dr. Kent Barrabee, Vice President/Clerk
Patty Clymer, Member
Mike Prout, Member
Board
Members Absent
Jeff Grant, 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
Call
to Order and Signing of Visitors’ Register
Ms. Young Wright called the meeting to order and asked
members of the audience to sign the visitors’ register. Procedures for addressing the Board were
described.
Pledge
of Allegiance
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Tom Moser addressed the Governing Board regarding budget
relating to the next increase in revenue through a successful override.
1. Announcement of Date and Place of Next
Regular Governing Board Meeting
Ms. Young Wright announced the next regular meeting of the
Governing Board: Tuesday, January 13,
2004, 7:00 p.m., at Wetmore Center, 701 West Wetmore.
2.
Review
of Project Graduation
Board Book
Information: Project Graduation is a program that provides an opportunity for
parents, faculty, and community volunteers to work together to create a safe,
substance-free celebration for graduating seniors.
An
update will be provided regarding plans for Project Graduation – which is currently scheduled to begin at Amphi
with the 2004 graduating classes from Ironwood Ridge and Canyon del Oro high
schools.
At
the March 11, 2003 Governing Board meeting, the Board approved their endorsement
and support for the District’s participation in Project Graduation by its
approval of a resolution.
Dr. Balentine introduced Project
Graduation co-chairperson’s B.J. Meyer, Canyon del Oro High School (CDO), and
Mary Snider, Ironwood Ridge High School (IRHS). Both Ms. Meyer and Ms. Snider are parent volunteers who
addressed the Governing Board and audience members to provide an update about
this year’s Project Graduation celebration plans at
their schools. They hope to recruit
Amphitheater High School for next year’s event. They reviewed donations and contributors. To date, the schools’ committees have
received $27,000 as a result of joint fundraising efforts. This amount will be split between both
schools. Each school is also fundraising independently. In-kind donations,
such as paint and lumber, etc., are also promoted and accepted. The Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort is
hosting a golf tournament on March 26, 2004; all monies collected from this
event will be contributed to the project.
One long-term goal for the Project Graduation program is to recruit
long-lasting fundraising partnerships with local businesses and community
leaders.
Each school’s
committee has selected its’ theme; “Get your Kicks at Route 66” was selected by
CDO’ and “Illusion Island” by IRHS.
Both schools are benefiting from an “army of parents” who are
volunteering time and effort. It is
important to recruit parents from freshman, sophomore, and junior students
thereby encouraging future participation and also relieving parents of seniors
busy with family obligations. Student
feedback is integral in representing their wishes to achieve a successful
event. They responded well to the
announcement that food would be served free throughout the night’s event. Opportunities are sought to partner and
include other school departments. One
example -- the culinary instructor incorporates committee requests into his
curriculum, which results in students preparing and serving food. Ticket sales have begun but expectations are
that most students will wait until just before the event to purchase their
tickets.
The committee is
seeking assistance with their short-term storage needs. (Specific information/needs will be
specified at a later date.) Media support
has been positive. Another community
fundraiser challenges “100 Businesses for $100. Cash” and has generated $5,700.
in contributions. The Northwest EXPLORER has begun a weekly column, which
acknowledges all of those businesses participating in this challenge. The
Arizona Daily Star has committed to donating “space” following
both events. The Oro Valley Town
Council and many town leaders have been helpful – special acknowledgement was
given to Mr. Danny Sharpe, Oro Valley Police Chief. Service organizations are also beginning to offer time, labor,
and networking support and are expressing interest in an on-going commitment of
support.
The committee has
been invited to become members of the Southern Arizona DUI Task Force. This is Arizona’s leading agency working to
reduce drunk and under-age driving incidents.
Dr. Barrabee
expressed appreciation to Ms. Meyer and Ms. Snider for their efforts and the
Project Graduation program.
3.
Recognition of
Amphitheater High School and Head Football Coach, Vern Friedli, for being the
Recipient of the Boyd B. Baker Sportsmanship Award
Board Book Information: For the past five years, the Tucson Football Officials
Association has presented the Boyd B. Baker Sportsmanship Award to a high
school in the AIA Southern Region. This award, named in honor of the late Boyd
B. Baker, a long time Tucson resident, highly respected basketball official,
and Southern Area AIA Commissioner for Officials, honors a high school that
epitomizes the qualities of sportsmanship fondly cherished by Boyd B.
Baker.
This award has special meaning because in today's society
the emphasis on sportsmanship, fair play, and "victory with honor" is
often overshadowed by the focus on winning at all costs.
The Tucson Football Officials Association has selected
Amphitheater High School as the 2003 award recipient. The Tucson Football Officials Association paid special tribute to
Amphitheater High School at their annual banquet on November 16, 2003.
Under the guidance and direction of school administrators
and coaches, especially Head Football Coach Vern Freidli, District Athletic
Director Mike Bejarano, and Principal Patsy Harris, Amphitheater High School
student‑athletes, coaches, and fans demonstrated honorable and ethical
behavior as participants and spectators throughout the 2003 football
season.
Amphi is very pleased and proud to recognize Coach Vern
Friedli and Amphitheater High School for their accomplishments in being awarded
the Boyd B. Baker Sportsmanship Award.
Dr. Balentine invited Mr. Mike Bejarano to provide a brief
summary about the award and to introduce Coach Friedli. Also in attendance for this presentation,
Mr. Frank Amaparano, President, Tucson Football
Officials Association and Mr. Steve Ganson, AIA Southern Area Commissioner of
Officials. Mr. Bejarano
expressed appreciation for their efforts in honoring Amphitheater High School
and Coach Friedli.
Mr. Bejarano introduced and recognized Coach Friedli for his
leadership and guidance in the success realized by Amphitheater High School in
receiving the Boyd B. Baker Sportsmanship award. The Governing Board presented Coach Friedli with a certificate
of commendation.
Dr. Barrabee and Ms. Young Wright acknowledged Coach
Friedli’s accomplishment in achieving his motto and goal of ‘Great Effort with Amphi Class’ in
his 27-year history with Amphi students.
4. Recognition of
Recipients of National Board Certification
A. Hank Rowe
B. Cathy Crockett
C. Polly Kimminau
Board Book Information:
Hank Rowe, Cathy Crockett, and
Polly Kimminau will be recognized for receiving National Board
Certification. This program is open to
teachers who have a BA or BS and three years classroom experience in a
public/private school. The program is
very rigorous, challenging and as of 2002, only 187 teachers in Arizona have
become certified. The cost is $2,300
(which was subsidized in part by the Bank of America) and the certification is
valid for ten years. The program
focuses on five core areas:
effectiveness, disposition, knowledge, skills, and commitment to
education. Teachers who apply for
National Board Certification must compile a portfolio documenting student
growth and achievement, analyze their own teaching strengths and weaknesses
through self-evaluation, and take six written assessments to test their
knowledge of subject matter.
Receiving this certification moves a teacher to the level of Education
Specialist on Amphitheater’s pay scale.
For the benefit of audience
members and recipients’ family members, Dr. Balentine provided a brief overview
of The National Board Certification program.
She recognized and acknowledged Mr. Hank Rowe, Ms. Cathy Crockett, and
Ms. Polly Kimminau. Each teacher was
presented with a certificate of
commendation.
Additionally, Ms. Gail Gault,
Principal, La Cima Middle School, highlighted and recognized Ms. Kimminau’s
pinnacle achievement of professionalism in achieving this award for middle
school mathematics and successes at La Cima.
Ms. Barbara Kohl, Assistant Principal, Coronado K-8 School introduced
and recognized both Mr. Hank Rowe and Ms. Cathy Crockett for their achievements
and provided highlights of congratulatory comments made by their students.
5. Periodic
Legislative Update
Dr. Balentine stated that
discussion with the Board has identified a focus and a desired direction
beginning with this school year. The
goal is to develop a stronger relationship with local legislators and
legislative members and Amphi’s ability to influence policy-making regarding
areas of concern.
Dr. Balentine reviewed a listing
of six items of concern being considered and invited Board Members to offer
comments or ask questions. The intent
is to present a final listing of these items at the January 13, 2004 Governing
Board Meeting resulting in agreement and an established listing of legislative
focus items; thereby providing direction for administration.
1.
Maintain
K-12 current levels of funding
2.
Maintain
Career Ladder program
3.
Maintain
Desegregation funding
4.
State’s
trust land reform process (support resulting reform leading stabilization of
Prop 301 monies)
5.
Support
through adequate funding for English Language Learner (ELL)
6.
School
Facility Board (SFB) and the Student’s First program (unreliable sources of
funding).
7.
Retain
Textbook Selection Authority at the District level. (This item was added
following discussion, shown below.)
Dr. Balentine added a new item of
concern for consideration -- textbook standardization throughout the
state. The Superintendent of Public
Instruction is reportedly supporting and forwarding a concept that the State
Board of Education approve a list of standardized textbooks. This appears to be
another ‘loss of local control’ example and issue of concern.
Dr. Barrabee expressed disfavor
of centralized education. He also
suggested that another area of attention might be directed towards federal
legislators, as often states must conform to their ruling. He expressed concern about the testing
assessments being suggested for Special Education students.
In further discussion, Board
Members expressed displeasure about the standardization of textbooks and added
that this should be added to the aforementioned list. Mr. Prout suggested a concern about the SFB’s funding criteria
regarding “capacity.” Mrs. Clymer
suggested also bringing the textbook concern to the attention of the Business
and Education Roundtable membership.
Ms. Young Wright requested a copy of the newspaper article regarding
textbook standardization.
6.
Monthly Status
Report for the Fiscal Year 2003-2004 Expenditure Budget and Classroom Site
Funds Inflow
Board Book
Information: A continuing discussion
of the status of the District’s 2003-04 monthly expenditures versus annual
expenditure budget and an update on the funding status of the Classroom Site
Fund.
Dr. Balentine reviewed budget spreadsheet charts that were visually projected explaining the District’s expenditures through November 30, 2003. These charts were broken down to report this year’s Budget Capacity, and expenditures for M & O, Dropout Prevention, Desegregation, Transportation, all Special Education, and Excess Utilities. Last year’s to-date activity was shown for comparisons.
Totals shown for 2003-2004, as of November 30, 2003,
are as follows:
Budget Capacity …..
$76,335,248.00
Total Expenditures as of 11/30/03 ….. $27,559,954.09
Total Encumbrances Outstanding as of 11/30/03 …..
$44,061,191.16
Total Combined Encumbrances and Expenditures as of
11/30/03 ….. $71,621,145.25
Remaining Budget (unspent and un-encumbered monies)
11/30/03 ….. $ 4,714,102.75
Totals Comparisons:
Expenditures as of 11/30/02 …..
$28,452,964.27 M & O Budget
Capacity for 2002-03 ….. $75,249,279.
Expenditures as of 11/30/03 …..
$27,559,954.09 M & O Budget
Capacity for 2003-04 ….. $76,335,248.
Dr. Balentine stated that there is no new
information available regarding Classroom Site Fund receipts, monies received
through Proposition 301. To date
(December 9, 2003) the only monies the District has received are from sales
through July 2003. A bar chart was
offered as comparison with last year’s activity. The July 2003 receipts were
slightly less than that of July 2002.
The budget remains at $230. per student.
Dr. Balentine responded to Dr.
Barrabee’s inquiry about the delay in receiving current Classroom Site Fund
receipts information by saying that it is a lengthy process in data collection
from vendors to the state treasury and back to local counties for notification
to school districts. Because it is a
revenue stream source of income, the delay requires the capacity to cover
costs.
CONSENT AGENDA
Ms. Young Wright asked to have Item J considered separately for discussion. A motion was made by Mrs. Clymer to approve consent agenda items A-I and K-L. The motion was seconded by Mr. Prout and passed unanimously, 4-0. Appointment of personnel is effective, provided all district, state and federal requirements are met. See below for discussion of Item J.
A. Approval of
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes of the
November 18, 2003 Governing Board 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 $1,425,000.00
The following vouchers were approved as presented and payment authorized:
Vo. 549 $
268,344.55
Vo. 550 93,472.56
Vo. 551 13,123.64
Vo. 552 174,598.26
Vo. 553 5,626.23
Vo. 554 311,847.40
Vo. 555 155,297.06
Vo. 556 394,172.45
G. Acceptance of
Gifts
Donations were
accepted by the Governing Board, as listed in Exhibit 5.
H. Approval of
Out-of-State Travel
Out-of-state travel
was approved for students (source of funding indicated): Scott Lauz, Chip
Stratton and Zane Lieber from Ironwood Ridge High School to take the varsity
baseball team to Henderson, Nevada to compete in a Regional Tournament April
5-7, 2004 (Baseball Booster Club); Nicole Akins and Mandi Hering from Canyon
del Oro High School to take 38 CDO cheerleaders to compete in Las Vegas, Nevada
February 20-22, 2004 (tax credit contributions and fundraising); Keith Koster
and Robin Riggers from Canyon del Oro High School to take approximately 66 CDO
choir students to San Francisco, California April 22-24, 2004 to perform at the
music festival (tax credit contributions and fundraising).
Out-of-state travel was approved for staff (source of funding indicated): Michellel Aron, Ernie Galaz, Cathy Eiting, Deb Romancho and Sandi Sherman to attend the ASCD 2004 Annual Conference in New Orleans, March 17-22, 2004 (grant funds); Diane Gutierrez from Language Acquisition to attend the Sheltered Instructional Observation Protocol Institute in East Bay, California March 25-27, 2004 (Language Acquisition Department); Nancy Lyon, Brenda Kreidler and Diane Guitierrez from Title I, SEI, and Rio Vista to attend the Jensen Learning Corporation workshop in San Diego, California February 17-21, 2004 (Title I funds and grant funds).
I. Approval to
Waive High School Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards Requirement for
Graduation
Board Book
Information: On May 14, 2002, the Governing Board approved placing AIMS scores
on the transcripts of students as an incentive requirement. A particular date
for that to happen was not established, only “as soon as possible”. Since AIMS was intended as an exit exam,
multiple opportunities for students to pass it were intended. Issues of fairness arose because students were
not provided the additional opportunities originally planned by ADE. Technical
issues also arose, since a student could conceivably wait until their senior
year to take the AIMS. The student could graduate without a score on their
transcript since results are not received until the fall. This year’s
sophomores, the class of 2006, are now required to pass the AIMS for graduation
from high school.
The Governing Board
approved to waive the incentive requirement for graduates in 2004 and 2005 and
make this incentive requirement applicable to the class of 2006, as presented.
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 Oro Valley area, the
district is concerned that increased enrollment resulting from certain proposed
developments may result in over-enrollment within the northern part of our
district.
Presently, the State School Facilities Board (SFB) does not
provide funding for school construction in growing local neighborhoods if
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 preclude a neighborhood school
philosophy.
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 the policy. 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 has met success in its discussions with La
Canada Hills Limited Partnership. 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.
In consideration of the Partnership’s donations, the District has agreed
that it will not object to the specified project.
Ms. Young Wright asked Dr. Balentine to share some background regarding
this issue for the benefit of the audience and to recognize the firm (La Canada
Hills Limited Partnership) for their
cooperation.
Mr. Jaeger responded by providing an overview. He stated that districts are no longer able
to build schools based upon their growth trends through the passage of school
construction bonds. Districts are now
dependent on the SFB, which uses a strict formula in determining where and when
schools are built. Consequently, if a
district has capacity at a school in one part of the district then a new school
cannot be built in a growing neighborhood within the district until the growth
has been absorbed into space available elsewhere. This is contrary to Amphi’s “neighborhood schools” concept and
tradition. Thus the District has sought
other means of funding sources for schools and specifically, in this case, the
donation of capital funding from developers building in areas where the SFB
will not fund the building of facilities.
Mr. Jaeger also added that this developer contacted Amphi. Mr. Carl Winters, representing La Canada
Hills Limited Partnership, was proactive in participating in this program. These monies assist the District in planning
for, and funding the costs associated with, expansion of facilities, as
needed. This development is located at
the southwest corner of La Canada and Moore roads.
Mr. Prout expressed appreciation to the developers who are cooperating
with the District on this level and inquired about the possibility of
recognizing their contribution. Dr.
Balentine stated that this type of recognition is in process; plans are to
establish a standard acknowledgement practice.
Ms. Young Wright invited audience members to read the next day’s
(December 10, 2003) edition of The
Northwest EXPLORER as Dr.
Balentine and Mr. Prout have offered information concerning the need for school
facilities and funding.
Dr.
Barrabee asked about Amphi’s obligatory commitment relating to the developer
agreement (referenced above). Mr.
Jaeger responded that under the agreement, Amphi’s obligation specifies that it
will not object to the La Canada Hills Limited Partnership project. Amphi has already attended, and addressed,
the Oro Valley Town Council regarding the developer and to publicly express
appreciation to the developer for their participation. Dr. Barrabee confirmed that the other
alternative being considered in the event of overcrowding is: student bussing
(to schools with available space) or
pocket-reboundarying.
For the sake of audience members, Ms. Young Wright asked Mr. Jaeger to
explain the pocket reboundarying proposal.
Mr. Jaeger stated that rather than re-drawing boundaries for a school’s
entire population or attendance area due to a lack of capacity resultant from
new construction, the District would draw up these “pocket boundaries” for the
new, incoming students. This would allow the currently-attending student to
remain at his/her local school but would introduce new-to-the-District-students
to a lower-enrollment school. In some
cases, negotiations with developers have included assurances that
pocket-reboundarying would not be obligatory.
Mr. Prout
asked for clarification regarding long-term assurances to developers
participating in the donation program.
Dr. Balentine responded that pocket-boundarying is just one of many
strategy options that the District is considering to alleviate capacity issues
– developer donations is another. It
was agreed that these two scenarios and the greater subject of capacity be
introduced at a future meeting and possibly considered in Executive
Session.
Ms. Young Wright expressed appreciation to the La Canada
Hills Limited Partnership and its representatives for their cooperation in this
endeavor.
A motion was made by Mr. Prout to ratify the attached agreement with La Canada Hills Limited
Partnership (Exhibit 6), as presented. Dr. Barrabee seconded the
motion and passed unanimously, 4-0.
K.
Approval
of Intergovernmental Agreement Between Amphitheater and the University of
Arizona Regarding Cooperating Teacher Training Project. (Exhibit
7)
Board
Book Information: The Cooperating Teacher Training Project is a service program operated
by the Pima County School Superintendent.
Presently in a pilot stage, the program provides training to elementary
teachers. Four district teachers would
participate and receive specialized training to assist them in coaching and
mentoring student teachers. This, in
turn, can improve the District’s ability to recruit and retain new
teachers.
The bulk of costs incurred by the
District under the Agreement through to the provision of substitutes for
participating teachers will be reimbursed by the Pima County School
Superintendent’s office. Reimbursement
is contingent upon execution of this Agreement.
The Governing Board approved the agreement between
the University of Arizona and Amphitheater Unified School District regarding
the Cooperating Teacher Training Project (Exhibit 7), as presented.
L.
Approval
of Intergovernmental Agreement Between Amphitheater and the Pima County
Juvenile Court Regarding School Safety Program, Pursuant
to A.R.S. §15-154 through §15-155. (Exhibit 8)
Board Book
Information: In 1997, the Arizona legislature created a School Safety Oversight
Committee on School Safety (the “Committee”) for the purpose of approving
funding for school safety programs and law related education programs. In
furtherance of these programs, the Amphitheater District has previously entered
into an agreements with the Pima County Juvenile Court. A new contract for the current fiscal year
was only just recently received from the Court and is presented for approval
this evening.
This School Safety Program
Agreement includes the assignment of four probation officers to District
schools to perform various duties including, but not limited to, teaching
law-related education classes, acting as liaisons between the school and the
courts regarding juvenile court actions, and facilitating conflict management
groups. Specifically required and
permitted duties of the probation officers are outlined further on page 2 of
the attached Agreement.
Currently, the Probation Officers
made available through this program are located at the following schools:
Amphitheater High School, Amphitheater Middle School, La Cima Middle School,
and Coronado K-8.
The Agreement obligates the
District to provide the officers with office space, basic office equipment, and
annual training. Costs associated with
the implementation of the program within the District will be funded by a grant
to the District (through this Agreement) of $297,957.92.
The original version of this
Agreement was effective from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002. That version and this one contain a clause
providing that extensions may be made for up to three additional one-year
periods, providing funding is available.
The Court and the Board agreed to such an extension for the 2002 – 2003
fiscal year.
Again, this Agreement is provided
for the Board’s consideration after the effective date of July 1, 2003, because
we only recently received it.
The Governing Board approved the intergovernmental agreement between the
Pima County Juvenile Court and Amphitheater
Unified School District regarding the School Safety Program, Pursuant to A.R.S. §15-154 through §15-155 (Exhibit 8), as presented.
7.
Revision
of 2003-2004 Expenditure Budget
Board Book Information:
The Fiscal Year 2003-2004
Expenditure Budget was adopted using estimates for the final expenditure
figures. In October, the District’s
Annual Financial Report (AFR) for the year ended June 30, 2003 was completed
and approved by the Board. In this December
amendment to the Fiscal year 2003-2004 Expenditure Budget, the Finance Department
has replaced estimates with the AFR actual dollars.
Dr. Balentine
stated that the budget revision is required at this time of year and another
revision will be necessary before the end of the school year. She provided a brief review and noted some
changes of interest to the “Calculation of FY 2003-04 General Budget Limit (A.R.S. §15-947.C)” document. Dr. Balentine indicated the importance of the change shown by the
State Department of Education, which allowed an adjustment for growth of
$1,539,822. thus increasing the adjusted revenue control limit to
$64,447,993. Amendments are forthcoming
to make necessary adjustments in carryforward totals; however, Amphi is
expecting an increase in capacity of $77,931,445. Administration continues to work with the State Department of
Education in revising SAIS and enrollment numbers and may result in further
changes to the adjustment for growth number.
Regarding the on-going variances with the 2002-03 SAIS data, the State
Department of Education has stated that they will continue to investigate
variances but have established a March 2004 deadline and will then accept
school district’s figures with documentation.
A motion
was made by Dr. Barrabee to accept the recommendation of the Administration
regarding the December revision of the Expenditure Budget for 2003-04. Mrs.
Clymer seconded the motion and
passed unanimously, 4-0.
Mr. Prout: Pocket Boundaries and Developer Donations.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No audience members addressed the Board.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Mrs. Clymer, seconded by Mr. Prout and
passed unanimously, that the meeting be adjourned. The time was 8:33 p.m.
_________________________________
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Harris
_________________________________ __________
Ms. Nancy Young Wright, President Date