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, January 22, 2002, 6:00 p.m.
Board Members Present
Mary Schuh,
Vice President/Clerk – Presiding
Dr. Kent
Barrabee, Member
Mike Prout,
Member – Acting Clerk
Nancy Young
Wright, Member (entered at 6:11 p.m.)
Board Member Absent
Dr. Kenneth Smith, President
Central Administrators Present
Dr. Vicki M. Balentine, Superintendent
Dr. Richard Hooley, Associate Superintendent
Todd A. Jaeger, J.D., Associate to Superintendent and
General Counsel
Constance Cigliana, Director of Finance
OPENING OF MEETING
Call to Order and Signing of Visitors Register
Mrs. Schuh
called the meeting to order and asked members of the audience to sign the
visitors register.
The first Public
Comment was moved to follow Item 4.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1.
Motion to Recess Open Meeting and Hold an Executive Session
Mrs. Schuh announced that the Board would recess open
meeting and hold an executive session for:
A.
Consideration
and Decision Upon Expulsion Hearing Officer’s Recommendation, Pursuant to
A.R.S. §15-843(F)(2);
B.
Determination
of Whether to Hold an Expulsion Hearing and Designate a Hearing Officer to Hear
Evidence, Prepare a Record and Bring a Recommendation to the Board, Pursuant to
A.R.S. §15-843(F)(2).
A motion was made by Mr. Prout, seconded by
Dr. Barrabee and passed unanimously, 3-0, that the Board recess into executive
session. The time was 6:01 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
Reconvening
of Meeting and Signing of Visitors Register
Following the
executive session, Mrs. Schuh reconvened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and asked
members of the audience to sign the visitors register. Procedures for addressing the Board were
described.
INFORMATION
2.
Announcement of Date and Place of Next Regular Governing Board Meeting
Mrs. Schuh
announced the next regular meeting of the Governing Board: Tuesday. February 12, 2002, 7:00 p.m., at La
Cima Middle School, 5600 N. La Canada Drive.
3.
Acknowledgement of Passing of Two Former Amphitheater Superintendents
Two former Amphitheater Superintendents who recently passed away were
recognized:
Dr. Marion Donaldson
served as Superintendent of Amphitheater District from 1951 through 1967. Donaldson Elementary School was named in his
honor. Dr. Donaldson continued his work
in the field of education at the college level in Scottsdale following his
years at Amphitheater, and would have been 92 years of age this month.
Dr. Robert Smith passed away at the
age of 56 years, having served as Superintendent of Amphitheater from March of
1996 through the 2000 school year. He
had served the District in several capacities, including counselor and football
coach at Canyon del Oro High School, Principal of Amphitheater Middle School,
and Associate Superintendent.
4.
Recognition of Tucson Conquistadors for Their Contributions to
Amphitheater District
For the past
several years the Tucson Conquistadors, through the Amphitheater Foundation,
have provided a grant to assist students with athletic fees. The Board
expressed appreciation to the Foundation for working on the District’s behalf
with the Conquistadors to provide funding for athletic waivers for District
students. Foundation officers were
recognized: Dave Gallaher, Current
President; Bob Workman, Past President; Kathy Workman, President-Elect. Mr. Gallaher spoke in appreciation of the
Conquistators’ program and introduced Mike McGrath, Conquistadors
representative. Mr. McGrath presented a
$12,000 check to the District and spoke of the Tucson Open, held in February,
which raises scholarship funds.
Members of
the audience addressed the Board regarding a trip to Washington, D.C. by Wilson
K-8 students: Eric Anderson, Ben
Dickey, Sonya Gauna, Rhonda Hageft, Kathy Saboda. Administration confirmed that a letter was being prepared to be
sent to Wilson parents regarding this matter.
Parents will meet with Mr. Jaeger for further discussion.
INFORMATION
5.
Review of 2002-2003 Budget Development and Monthly Budget Status Report
Ms. Cigliana
presented the monthly budget status report, through December 31, 2001; and
provided an update on Proposition 301 funds received through October 1.
Board
members requested that items be removed from the consent agenda for
discussion: Ms. Young Wright, item H;
Dr. Barrabee, G; Mr. Prout, M. (See
below for discussion and vote on these items.)
A motion was made by Mr. Prout to approve consent agenda items A-P, with
the exception of items G, H and M. The
motion was seconded by Dr. Barrabee and passed unanimously. Appointment of personnel is effective, provided
all district, state and federal requirements are met.
A. Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the January 8, 2002, 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. Review and Approval of the Research-Based
Systematic Phonics Instruction Training Allocations – FY 02
Board book
information: The Research Based
Systematic Phonics Grant is appropriated to schools to be used for training and
continued development of teachers in research-based phonics instruction, grades
K-3. This year the District was
allocated $27,219, based on the number of K-3 teachers in the District. The Board approved these training
allocations for FY 02.
G. Approval of Out-of-State Travel
Out-of-state travel was requested (source of funding indicated): Rayahn Horn of Prince Elementary, Alice Farley of Nash Elementary, Nancy Lyon of Title I, and Darlene Mansouri of Keeling Elementary, to attend the Success for All Experienced Site Conference 2002, in Louisiana in February (Title I funds); Robert Wendel of Canyon del Oro High, Robert Vinyard of Cross Middle, and Harold Doran of Harelson Elementary, to attend the International Baccalaureate Workshop/Training in Utah in March (site budgets, School Operations); Scott Linaker, Canyon del Oro High, to attend the National Athletic Trainers District Secretary/Treasurer Committee meeting in Texas in February (professional organization; substitute cost, District); Julene Robbins, Psychology, to attend the National Association of School Psychologists Annual Conference in Illinois in February/March (Ms. Robbins); Renee Wallner, Janis Festian, John Cirelli, Michael Powers, Armando Soto, and Debbie Melde, Amphitheater Middle, to take approximately 40 eighth-graders to California for Project Oceans in April/May (students assume expenses; substitute costs, District); Sharon Stewart, Rebecca Foreman, and Keith Koster, La Cima Middle, to take the choir and orchestra to California in April to perform at the Music Festival (students assume expenses); Copper Creek Elementary, to take fourth-grade students to California for Project Exploration-Sea Quest in May, three separate trips (students assume all expenses): (1) approximately 50 students, with chaperones Sheryl Tierney, Kimberly Robinson, Dale Flannery, and parents; (2) approximately 50 students, with chaperones Susan Screven, Jo Young and parents; (3) approximately 25 students, with chaperone Judy Shorrock and parents; Keith Francis and additional chaperones, Canyon del Oro High, to take the Boys Varsity baseball team to Southern California for a tournament in March/April (CDO athletics, registration fee; all additional expenses, club funds); Teresa Irwin and additional chaperones, Ironwood Ridge High, to take approximately 60 band/jazz/orchestra students and 60 choir students to the Music Workshop in California in February (students assume expenses); Darrell Prochaska and additional chaperones, Canyon del Oro High, to take approximately 85 band students to California in February for a marching band contest and workshops (students assume expenses); Karen Nolan and additional chaperones, Mesa Verde Elementary, to take 108 fifth-grade students to Project Exploration – Sea Quest in California in May (students assume expenses; David Torres, Marta Spears, Mary Tomey, Sean Siegel, and Ernie Galaz, Amphitheater Middle, to take approximately 40 seventh-grade students to Project Catalina in California in March (students assume expenses; substitute costs, District); Dennis Williams and additional chaperones, Cross Middle, to take approximately 85 seventh- and eighth-grade students to the Catalina Island Marine Institute in California in April (students assume expenses; substitute costs, District); Barbara Hurley and additional chaperones, Coronado K-8 School, to take approximately 40 seventh-grade students to Catalina Island Marine Institute in California in March (students assume expenses); Doug Kautz and chaperones, La Cima Middle, to take approximately 40 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students to Project Catalina in California in April (students assume expenses; substitute costs, District); Barb Casey, Mary Lee, Rick Roberts, and Sandra Smith, Harelson Elementary, to take approximately 105 fifth-grade students on a San Diego museum trip in February (students assume expenses); Teresa McCrory and six additional chaperones, Amphitheater High, to take AP Art History students to California to visit museums in March (students assume expenses; substitute costs, District); Carl Stoeckel, Canyon del Oro High, to take the CDO Student Key Club to Kamp Kiwanis in New Mexico in February (students/ club funds; substitute costs, District); Jennifer Lawrence and two coaches, Canyon del Oro High, to take the CDO Varsity and Junior Varsity cheerleading squads to California in March to compete at the national level (students/club funds; substitute costs, District).
Dr. Barrabee requested the administration review the communication procedures associated with the approval process, in an attempt to alleviate future problems. Referring to the Boys Varsity baseball team trip to Southern California to participate in a tournament, he expressed concern about the six missed school days. Dr. Balentine noted the academic standards students must maintain to be eligible to participate in interscholastics, and stated that there will be communication between administration and coaches to ensure that there is oversight on study tables. Mr. Prout requested that there be an explicit statement about academics on the approval request. Mrs. Schuh asked that Board members convey to the administration any matters they feel need to be addressed when considering District travel policy at the February 12 Board meeting.
A motion was made by Dr. Barrabee to approve item G. The motion was seconded by Ms. Young Wright and approved unanimously, 4-0.
Board book
information: There are currently ten
vehicles at the Warehouse as excess inventory.
Previously these vehicles would have been sold at a District auction
event. Another option had been
investigated whereby the District could use them as trade-in and receive credit
toward the purchase of new or used busses or repair services. An appraisal had been received from Auto
Safety House, a Mohave company from whom the District purchases buses. The total appraised value was $16,000, which
would be given as a credit and could be applied to the purchase of vehicles or
service and/or parts at the District’s discretion. At the request of Ms. Young Wright, Dr. Balentine elaborated on
this agenda item, noting, in reference to a tax savings, that the District
would be responsible only for the difference between the actual cost of the
vehicle less our credit.
A motion
was made by Ms. Young Wright to approve the trade-in of excess vehicles. The motion was seconded by Dr. Barrabee and
passed unanimously, 4-0.
J. Award of Bid: Remodeling of the Early Childhood Education Lab and Independent
Living Skills Classrooms at Canyon del Oro High School (Bid # 01-0536)
Bids for the remodeling of the Early Childhood Education Lab and Independent Living Skills classrooms at Canyon del Oro High School were opened on January 8, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. by Richard McCorkle, Interim Purchasing Manager. The Board approved the recommendation of the administration to award the base bid for the remodeling project at Canyon del Oro High School to LVH Construction, Inc., in the amount of $217,900. This base bid includes a $25,000 contingency fund allowance, which may be used for change orders.
Board book
information: The District determined
that the original plan to have Headstart tied into the same sewer system as
Coronado K-8 School was not feasible, due to elevation requirements set forth
by Pima County Wastewater. This can
only be accomplished by first installing a pump system; this is the District’s
least preferred option. Several
proposals were considered.
The
proposed option would allow Headstart to install a complete, separate sewer
system with a drainage field, in an area that would least impact the District’s
future growth/needs and would meet the size requirements. Headstart would incur any additional costs
to install this system. Pima County
Wastewater had given preliminary approval.
The Board approved the design revision to the Current Headstart facility
at Coronado K-8 School.
L. Approval of Intergovernmental
Agreement with the Town of Oro Valley Regarding Improvements to Naranja Drive
Adjacent to Ironwood Ridge High School
Board book
information: Pima County, the Town of
Oro Valley and the District had recently cooperated in the improvement of the
roadway conditions along Naranja Drive adjacent to Ironwood Ridge High
School. This had been an effort on
behalf of all three jurisdictions to address concerns of the District, parents,
and the community. The County had recently
paved the existing roadway, dramatically improving the condition of the road;
the Town had undertaken the construction of curbing and bicycle/pedestrian
lanes. The District would construct a
sidewalk within the right-of-way, running along the school campus frontage. The County’s improvements to the roadway
cost approximately $58,000, the Town’s improvements approximately $74,000. The sidewalk improvements to be constructed
by the District would approximate $35,000.
To provide for fairly even financial participation, the District and
Town had negotiated an agreement under which the District would reimburse the
Town in the amount of $16,000. Funding
of the District’s payment to the Town would come from the District’s adjacent
ways budget. The Board approved the
recommendation of the administration, authorizing the Superintendent to execute
the form of agreement as presented.
M. Approval of Sale of Approximately 1,806
Square Feet of Donaldson Elementary School Property to Pima County for Public
Right-of-Way Purposes; Approval of Temporary Construction Easement of
Approximately 7,894 Square Feet at Donaldson Elementary School to Pima County
to Facilitate Improvements to Public Right of Way and District Grounds
Board book
information: The Governing Board had
previously discussed (June 27, 2000 and July 1, 2000) the plans of Pima County
to widen La Cholla Boulevard, which borders Donaldson Elementary School to the
west. As noted at that time, Pima
County is planning to widen La Cholla Boulevard from Omar Drive (location of
Donaldson Elementary) to Magee.
Widening La Cholla is necessary, according to the County, because of
increased traffic arising from the additional commercial development in the La
Cholla and Ina Road area, continuing up to Magee. According to County Transportation information, La Cholla has an
existing carrying capacity of 16,000 average daily trips (“ADT”); however, it
already has an actual traffic count presently of approximately 17,000 ADT. Originally, the County planned to develop
design plans in the fall of 2000, with construction beginning in the fall of 2001,
and completion in 2002. Although
slightly behind schedule, work was about to begin.
It was also projected that the County needs to acquire some
of the District’s property at Donaldson for the expanded right-of-way necessary
to widen La Cholla. At the time the
Board last discussed this matter, however, it was not clear how much property
would be required. Survey work had now
been completed and the requisite amount and location of property identified by
the County. The County requires two
property conditions from the District.
The first is the County’s purchase of a small amount of property for
expanding the public right-of-way on La Cholla. The second involves the County’s acquisition of a temporary
construction easement on the District’s property that will enable the County to
enter the District’s property during construction of the improvements. As the name suggests, this easement is
temporary and expires after 12 months, unless extended on a monthly basis.
Diagrams showing the exact locations of the land to be
purchased and temporarily restricted by construction easement were included in
the Acquisition Agreement. The legal
description of “Right of Way RW6, 7 & 8” and the corresponding map detailed
the land to be sold to the County.
There was a separate diagram and legal description for “Temporary
Construction Easement TCE 34.” The
County had appraised the District’s property for purposes of determining just
compensation. For the small amount of
land to be permanently taken, the appraisal sets a value of $2,889; for the
temporary construction easement, the appraisal sets a value of $9,689. A copy of the Appraisal Summary Report, less
its appendix, was available for the Board’s review. This item also attached the documentation pertaining to the
County’s offer to purchase in lieu of exercising eminent domain, which includes
the warranty deed required to convey title to the land to be used as
right-of-way. The administration
recommended approval; upon approval, the administration would execute all
necessary documents.
Upon inquiry by Mr. Prout as to where these funds would be
held, Mr. Jaeger responded that, as designated by law, funds the District
received through the purchase of this land and the temporary easement would be
placed in the fund set aside for improvements to school facilities, the
construction of new facilities, and the purchase of land for new facilities.
A motion was made by Mr. Prout to approve item M. The motion was seconded by Dr. Barrabee and
passed unanimously, 4-0.
Donations were accepted by the Governing Board, as listed in
Exhibit 5.
O. Approval of Vouchers
The following vouchers were approved as presented and payment
authorized:
Vo.
181 $141.438.08
Vo.
182 101,587.00
Vo.
183 144,432.68
Vo.
184 45,205.61
Vo.
185 36,502.93
Vo.
186 7,317.99
Vo.
187 236,700.40
P. Approval of Loan Agreement Between Pima
County and Bank of America, N.A., Relating to Line of Credit Issued to Pima
County for Benefit of District and Maintenance of Cash Flow; Authorization of
Execution of Loan Documents
Board
book information: In order to avoid
having to register warrants, Pima County established a revolving line of credit
with the Bank of America, N.A. The
original agreement had been in effect since October 1996 and was previously
amended, with no change in language, in July 1998 and April 1999. This revision of the agreement would not
change the financial provisions of the original agreement. The revision in language had been made at the insistence
of the Office of the Pima County Attorney to bring the language of the
Amphitheater agreement into conformity with the language used in the revolving
line of credit agreements for other political subdivisions within Pima County. This agreement is for the benefit of
Amphitheater Schools and covers the overdrafts on accounts when District cash
outflow exceeds the inflow from state equalization funds. Bank of America was seeking to renew the
agreement for the period of July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2004.
It was the recommendation of the administration that
the Governing Board approve the Agreement and authorize execution of all
necessary loan documents, including the Governing Board Request for
Funding. The Board approved this
recommendation.
6. Approval of District Modified and Traditional Calendar for School Years 2002-2003 and 2003-2004); Review of Draft Revisions to District Policies IC and ICA Regarding School Year/Calendar Requirements.
Mr. Jaeger
reported that Proposition 301, aside from providing additional revenues to
schools through a sales tax increase, imposes requirements upon school
districts, including an increase in the number of instructional days under
which a school district must operate.
It specifies the addition of one day per year over the course of five
fiscal years, beginning with the current fiscal year. When the law previously required 175 instructional days, District
policy required 176 school days, providing a day to allow for any emergency
that might arise. When the requirement
of 176 days went into effect for the current fiscal year, an extra day had not
been added to provide the continuing cushion of one day.
For the
2002-2003 school year, 177 school days are required; for 2003-2004, 178
days. The calendars as presented were
designed to mirror the requirements of Proposition 301, with the addition of
one cushion day per school year. This
was reflected in the policy as presented.
Board
members expressed satisfaction with the calendars/policy as presented, and
indicated they wished to keep the cushion day.
This item would be presented for approval at the February 12, 2002
meeting.
7. Consideration and Discussion Regarding
Request to Construct Wireless Communication Facilities on School Grounds,
Including Ironwood Ridge High School
Board book
information: This item was delayed from
the November 13, 2001 Board meeting. A
private vendor had contacted the District to inquire as to the possibility of
constructing wireless communications facilities on the campus of Ironwood Ridge
High School. These facilities might
include base stations, antenna structures and/or cabling/equipment runs. Requested provisions of any similar agreement
might include permission to mount antennae arrays onto football field light
poles which would rise ten to fourteen feet above each light and/or the leasing
of land, building interior and/or building exterior space. Specific structures or equipment needs are
determined on a per-site design basis; however, two carriers had contacted the
vendor to express interest in leasing separate 25’x 25’ areas for their
individual ground equipment and space on or near existing football field light
poles for their antennae. In exchange
for permitting the placement of wireless communication equipment at Ironwood
Ridge High School, this particular company had offered to pay a monthly rental
fee and to construct and donate facilities or provide equipment to the District
pursuant to a negotiated agreement. No
negotiations or other agreements had been sought or reached between the
District and any vendor regarding this issue.
Prior to contracting this type of facility, an electromagnetic
environmental impact study is completed to determine whether any risk of harm
is presented by a proposed project.
This item was presented to allow for discussion and direction by the
Governing Board regarding the District’s position on the potential use of
District property.
Mr. Jaeger
provided more details about the specific inquiry regarding the possibility of
placing a cellular phone antenna at Ironwood Ridge High School. Various issues were raised by the Board,
including safety and the need for independent studies, site configuration,
impact on the community, and District costs/compensation. Mrs. Schuh requested information on
county/state/federal codes, and how other districts may have handled such
requests. Mr. Jaeger stated that if
this was something the Board wished to explore, and if after exploration it was
decided to proceed, the procurement process would then be followed. The administration would further research
the matter and bring it back to the Board.
8. Discussion of Extended-Day (Full Day)
Kindergarten Option with Registration Fees from Parents
Board book
information: School Operations had
received numerous requests from parents and principals to offer extended-day
kindergarten. Currently, schools that
qualify for Title I funding offer a full-day program. Although the research on improved achievement of students who
attend extended-day programs is mixed, there are several other factors that
might compel a district to offer such a program. As the program commenced, the District might want to look at a
pilot at one or two sites. Factors such
as classroom capacity and community interest would help determine where the
pilots would go. (Board book
information included costs, state funding and other limitations, class
capacity, application process, admission of students, staffing, planning time,
food services, transportation, and contingencies.)
Dr. Balentine reported that she and the Department of School Operations
had had many conversations with parents who are requesting a full-day
kindergarten option, which would allow them to pay a registration fee for the
afternoon portion. Dr. Hooley had
investigated this matter and would give a presentation, to determine whether
this was something the Board wished to explore further.
Dr. Hooley
noted that “full-day kindergarten” implies a fully-funded program from the
state. We differentiate from this by
calling it an “extended-day” program.
The state of Arizona at this time funds only half-day kindergarten. Therefore, the extended-day program would
need to be self-sustaining, through fees charged to parents who wish to have
their children in this program. Dr.
Hooley elaborated on fees and the curriculum that would be offered. He stated that a class would be offered only if there were 25 students signed up,
meaning that five of those 25 would be on a waiting list. Discussion followed. Mrs. Schuh suggested that Board members
submit any further considerations to the administration.
A recess was taken from 8:56 until 8:08 p.m.
9.
Review of Student Code of Conduct
Board book
information: This item was to allow for
Governing Board discussion and direction regarding current District policies
and regulations relating to student discipline, including the Student Code of
Conduct. The item was brought forward
at this time to allow for the presentation of appropriate revisions to the
Board on a timelier basis, thereby making an earlier publication of the Code of
Conduct possible.
Dr. Balentine
noted that previous Board suggestions had been incorporated in the Student Code
of Conduct. There was agreement that Board members would individually present
additional suggestions to the administration before the next Board meeting,
when this item would be discussed.
There were
no requests for future agenda items.
Audience
member Kim Lauger addressed the Board regarding obtaining Board approval of
trips.
A motion
was made by Dr. Barrabee, seconded by Mr. Prout and passed unanimously, that
the meeting be adjourned. The time was
9:15 p.m.