AMPHITHEATER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Tucson, Arizona
MINUTES OF REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
OF THE GOVERNING BOARD
Place, Date and Time
of Meeting
Coronado K-8 School, Multipurpose Room, 3401 East Wilds
Road, June 11, 2002, 6:43 p.m.
Board Members Present
Mary Schuh, Vice President/Clerk – Presiding
Mike Prout, Member – Acting Clerk
Dr. Kent Barrabee, Member
Nancy Young Wright, Member
Board Member Absent
Dr. Kenneth Smith,
President
Central
Administrators Present
Dr. Vicki M.
Balentine, Superintendent
Todd A. Jaeger, J.D.,
Associate to Superintendent and General Counsel
Constance Cigliana,
Director of Finance
OPENING OF MEETING
Call to Order
Mrs. Schuh called the meeting to order.
Change of Agenda
The Consent Agenda was moved to follow item 5.
The following items were rescheduled for future meetings:
7. Review of
Draft Revisions to Student Directory Information Policy; Approval of Resolution
Expressing Governing Board Concerns Regarding Revisions to Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act Under the USA PATRIOT and No Child Left Behind Acts
8. Study of Cost Savings Utility Plan in the District
9. Determination of Governing Board Position on Arizona School Boards Association’s Vision, Beliefs, and Actions Agendas; Direction to Governing Board Delegate and Alternate on Voting at ASBA Delegate Assembly
Reception for Newly Appointed
Administrators
Dr. Balentine welcomed newly appointed administrators, and invited those present to join in a reception for Andrew Heinemann, Principal, Harelson Elementary School; Marco Dominguez, Assistant Principal, Amphitheater High School; Shannon Smith, Assistant Principal, Ironwood Ridge High School; and Robert Stoner, Assistant Principal, Amphitheater Middle School.
Call to Order
and Signing of Visitors Register
Mrs. Schuh asked members of the audience to sign the
visitors register. Procedures for
addressing the Board were described.
Pledge
of Allegiance
1. Recognition of Odyssey of the Mind World
Champions
On May 25, 2002, the Amphitheater High School Odyssey of the Mind Team won first place in the international competition at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The Board recognized coach Dr. Karie Meyers and team members R.G. Colvin, Francis Motta III, Grant Shreve, Jon Katz, Rebecca Goldstein and Paul Merritt. Deanna Day and Dr. Meyers provided additional information on the academic problem solving competition, honoring the students for their outstanding achievement. They were presented with certificates of commendation.
2. Amphi Foundation Update
Kathy
Workman, Amphi Foundation President, provided an update on Foundation
activities, including recent fundraising events, the bowlathon and golf
tournament. Funds raised under the
direction of the Board of Directors enhance programs benefiting District
students. This year the Clothing Bank
served 800 families; and medical and dental emergency care was provided through
Northwest Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Clinic. Board members expressed their appreciation for their dedication
to the Amphi community.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
3. Study of 2002-2003 Budget – Overview of
Estimated State Funding
Board book information:
Funding for school districts in
the State of Arizona is driven by Arizona Revised Statue and funding variables
established by the Legislature and various state agencies. Attached is the fiscal year 2002-2003
projected funding for the District for Governing Board review.
Ms. Cigliana provided an overview of the estimated state
funding capacity. Related to the
2002-2003 budget, Ms. Cigliana presented:
Calculation of Estimated M&O Budget; Calculation of Estimated
Transportation Support Level; and Calculation of Capital Outlay Revenue
Limit. Audience member Peggy Woods was
provided clarification on the charts.
4. Announcement of Date and Place of Next
Regular Governing Board Meeting
Mrs. Schuh announced the next regular meeting of the
Governing Board: Tuesday, June 25,
2002, 7:00 p.m., at Wetmore Center, 701 West Wetmore. A special Governing Board meeting was scheduled for Monday, June
17, 2002, 6:00 p.m., at Wetmore Center, 701 West Wetmore, at which time the
Board would be asked to approve the budget in the format in which it would be
published.
5. Review of Arizona Legislative Actions
In discussion of Arizona legislative actions, Ms. Young Wright referred to Dr. Kenneth Smith’s guest editorial published in the June 10, 2002, Tucson Citizen.
CONSENT AGENDA
Ms. Young Wright requested that items A, I, K and M be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion. (See items below for discussion/vote.)
Dr. Barrabee moved approval of the Consent Agenda, with the exception of items A, I, K and M. 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.
A. Approval of
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes of the May 14 and May 28, 2002, Governing Board
meetings were presented for approval.
Ms. Young Wright
referred to the May 14, 2002 minutes, agenda items 9, 10, 11, and 12 (Salary/
Compensation and Fringe Benefits Packages): motions for those items contained the wording “. . . and
continued funding for the old early retirement program.” She requested, for clarification purposes,
that a parenthetical insertion be made:
(for existing participants only).
A motion was made by Ms. Young Wright, seconded by Mr. Prout and passed
unanimously, 4-0, to approve the minutes as presented, making the above change
to the May 14, 2002 minutes.
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
Participation of Eligible Employee in Early Retirement Phase-Out Program and
Withdrawal of Employee Previously Designated
Board book information:
On May 14, 2002, the Governing
board approved 23 employees for participation in the Early Retirement Phase-Out
Program, beginning in the 2002-2003 fiscal year. Priority rules, specified under the negotiated plan and based on
the employee’s age and years of service in the District, were utilized in selecting
the 23 individuals. Two individuals
tied for space 22 at 79 “points” of age and years of service in the
District.
Due to a clerical error, another individual, Frank Spencer,
was credited with 78.5 points. The .5
represented a half-year of service in 1974-1975. Research of contract documents for that year confirmed that Dr.
Spencer actually worked the entire 1974-1975 school year. With the added half year of credit, Dr.
Spencer’s points total 79, making a three-way tie for space 22. Another employee, approved for the Early
Retirement Phase-Out Program on May 14, Henry Niezabitowski, has submitted a
resignation letter, which invalidates his participation in the Early Retirement
Phase-Out program. The effective date
of Mr. Niezabitowski’s separation is May 21, 2002.
The Board approved the participation of Frank Spencer in the Early Retirement Phase-Out Program, starting in fiscal year 2002-2003, and removed Henry Niezabitowski from participation in the program.
The Board approved the following textbooks, which had been on display to the public for 60 days, in accordance with Section §15-721 of the Arizona Revised Statutes:
TEXTBOOK: Harcourt
Math
Publisher: Harcourt
Author: Farr, McLeod
Price: $16.95
- $40.90
The estimated cost of
purchasing student books and resource packages for the elementary schools,
which are recommending Harcourt, is $140,000.
This estimate is based on 3,275 students and 131 teachers.
TEXTBOOK: Mathematics: Applications & Connections
Publisher: Glencoe
Author: Collins, Howard, et.al.
Price: $44.50
The
estimated cost of purchasing student books and resource packages for the middle
schools is $225,000. This estimate is
based on 3,960 students and 92 teachers.
TEXTBOOK: World
Civilizations: The Global Experience
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Author: Stearns, Adas, Schwartz, Gilbert
Price: $54.97
Ironwood Ridge High
School will purchase 70 textbooks, totaling $3,847.90. Canyon del Oro will purchase 50 textbooks,
totaling $2,749.
TEXTBOOK: American
Odyssey
Publisher: Glencoe-McGraw Hill
Author: Nash, Gary
Price: $55.98
Ironwood Ridge High
School will purchase 450 textbooks, totaling $25,191. Canyon del Oro will purchase 400, textbooks totaling $22,392.
TEXTBOOK: World
History: The Human Experience, The
Modern Era
Publisher: Glencoe-McGraw Hill
Author: Farah & Karls
Price: $51.99
Ironwood Ridge High
School will purchase 250 textbooks, totaling $12,997.50. Canyon del Oro will purchase 400, textbooks
totaling $20,796.
TEXTBOOK: The
Language of Literature
Publisher: McDougal Littell
Author: Applebee, et al.
Price: $56.79
Ironwood Ridge High
School will purchase 450 textbooks, totaling $25,555.50. Canyon del Oro will purchase 400 textbooks,
totaling $22,716.
TEXTBOOK: Biology
Publisher: Addison Wesley Longman
Author: Campbell, Reece, Mitchell
Price: $74.97
Canyon del Oro will
purchase 400 textbooks, totaling $29,988.
H. Approval of Agreement for 2002-2003 Fiscal Year with Corporation for National Service (AmeriCorps*VISTA) for Volunteer Support of Human and Social Services for District Students and Families
Board Book
Background: Amphitheater Public School has been awarded a grant for the 2002-2003
fiscal year from AmeriCorps*VISTA, a program of the Corporation for National
Service. Under this grant, VISTA
members will work as part of Project ACHIEVE at eleven District schools: Amphitheater High School, Coronado
Elementary/Middle School, La Cima Middle School, Amphitheater Middle School,
and Holaway, Keeling, Nash, Prince, Rio Vista and Walker elementary
schools.
Over the next three years, the ACHIEVE
programs will serve approximately 2,500 students in the lowest academic
quartile, as well as up to 1,900 parents/guardians. The programs will address not only academic needs, but also those
of poverty and disadvantage. VISTA
members will work with each of the programs, with a focus on recruitment and
training of other volunteers and supporters of the programs. (Attached is a form of contract that will be
executed by the administration upon authorization by the Board.)
The Board approved this
agreement for the 2002-2003 fiscal year.
I. Approval of Addendum Salary Schedule and Partial Implementation for 2001-2002 Fiscal Year
Board Book
Background: At the close of the negotiation cycle for 2001-2002, it was agreed that
an improvement should be made to the addendum salary schedule. A committee was formed for the purpose of
restructuring the District’s addendum salary schedule. The Addendum Committee utilized the Interest-Based Negotiations Process and
included three team members representing the Amphitheater Education
Association; three team members representing the district; and one
facilitator. The work of this group
represents the first time the addendum schedule has been studied and adjusted
in over twelve years. The Addendum
Committee’s final recommendation was presented to the members of the Certified
Salary Negotiations Committee, who voted on February 28, 2002, to bring the
package forward to the Governing Board for approval and implementation.
The resulting new addendum schedule accomplishes the
following:
v
Establishes separate scales for athletic and
non-athletic positions
v
Establishes criteria for placement of positions into
groupings, which include risk factors, number of students served, length of
season, and hours
v
Establishes a rating scale tied to criteria for
placement
v
Establishes addendum scales tied to percentages of
certified base salary
Individuals have been placed in appropriate
groupings and on steps on the new scale, with the assurance that no reduction
in salary will occur for anyone occupying an existing addendum position. The estimated cost for placement of
individuals on this scale in SY 2001-2002 was $61,500 plus employee-related
expenses ($69,200). This exceeded the
District budget projection of $60,000.
Consequently, the amount of the recommended schedule was reduced by 12%
for the 2001-2002 school year, to ensure that employee-related expenses as well
as salaries were included in the project projection of $60,000.
However, it is recommended that the schedule be
fully funded for the 2002-2003 year.
With the inclusion of seventeen new addendums for Ironwood Ridge High
School, additional costs are projected at $91,710. With employee-related expenses, the additional cost is projected
at $100,088. Total costs for the fully funded 2002-2003 addendum schedule are
projected at $880,000
All individuals on the addendum scale will receive
additional compensation this year as a result of the adjustment of the scale. Adjustments of less than $5.00 will not be
awarded during the 2001-2002 fiscal year.
Any further adjustments to the addendum salary schedule, which may
include recommended increases, step movement, or other changes, may be
considered annually by the Salary Negotiations Committee.
The revised Addendum Schedule for SY 2001-2002 was
voted upon in its entirety and approved unanimously by the Salary Negotiations
Committee on February 28, 2002. The
administration recommends approval of the proposed addendum salary schedule and
partial implementation for the 2001-2002 fiscal year.
Dr.
Balentine reviewed the process followed in restructuring the District’s
addendum salary schedule. Mr. Prout
noted that this $880,000 is part of the total compensation plan. In discussion, administration noted rating
scales for factors that were considered when reviewing the addendum
schedule.
Ms. Young Wright moved
approval of the Addendum Salary Schedule and partial implementation for the
2001-2002 fiscal year as presented. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Prout and passed unanimously.
J. Approval of Increase in Classified Employee Hourly Rate Shift Differential
Board
book information: During the 2002-2003 classified employee negotiations cycle, it was
recommended that an increase be made in the shift differential currently paid
to classified employees who work the second or third shift. Current and proposed new rates are as
follows:
Current Proposed
Second
Shift $0.15 $0.25
Third Shift $0.45 $0.55
The current practice will continue as
follows: (1) When computing overtime
pay for employees assigned to the second or third shifts, the hourly shift
differential will be increased in computation, regardless of whether the employee
is required to report to work early or stay late; (2) Employees who are
assigned to work the first shift are not eligible to receive second- or
third-shift differential pay, regardless of whether their overtime requires
that they work a portion of the time period normally worked by second- or third-shift
employees; (3) Employees who are assigned to work the second shift are not
eligible to receive third-shift differential pay, regardless of whether their
overtime requires that they work a portion of the time period normally worked
by third-shift employees. The
administration recommends approval of the proposed hourly schedule on the
conditions set forth above.
The Board approved the recommendation of the administration for the
increase in classified employee hourly rate shift differential as
presented.
K. Acceptance of Heritage – Schoolyard Grants
Board book
information: Wendy Falco, Harelson Elementary School teacher, has applied for and
received a $10,000.00 grant for Harelson’s Nocturnal Pollinator Habitat. The administration recommends approval.
Ms. Young Wright
expressed appreciation for Wendy Falco and Susan Grover’s dedication to this
project.
Ms. Young Wright moved
approval for acceptance of the Heritage – Schoolyard Grants for Harelson’s
Nocturnal Pollinator Habitat.
In discussion, Dr.
Balentine stated that the District’s obligation to maintain the habitat for
five years presents no problems. The
administration had reviewed the application; any changes that occur would be in
consultation with Mr. Aho and the Facilities Support staff to ensure that the
system is used appropriately and maintenance is not an issue.
The motion was seconded
by Dr. Barrabee and passed unanimously, 4-0.
L. Approval of
Out-of-State Travel
Out-of-state travel
was approved for students (source of funding indicated): Patti Schmalzel and one Culinary Arts
student, Canyon del Oro High School, to attend the Culinary Institute of
America Workshop at Greystone campus in California in June (student’s expenses,
CCAO National Culinary Competition; Ms. Schmalzel’s travel, vocational funds);
Gail Toal, Ironwood Ridge High School, to take six students to San Diego State
University for a yearbook informational workshop (auxiliary yearbook
account).
Out-of-state travel
was approved for staff (source of funding indicated): Gail Bornfield, Martha Rooney, Barbara Martinez, and Nancy
Hojnacki, Department of Student Services, to attend the Association for Direct
Instruction Conference and Institute in Oregon in July (special education
funds); Catherine Land, Department of Student Services, to attend Supervisors
Leadership Training in New Mexico in June (all expenses, Corporation for
National Science); Judi LeWinter, Georgina Alvarez, and Alan Maness,
Amphitheater Middle School, to attend the Gear-Up National Convention in
Washington, D.C. in July (Gear-Up Grant).
M. Acceptance of
Gifts
Ms. Young Wright noted donations in support of the District from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and the Mesa Verde PTO.
Ms. Young Wright
moved to accept the donations as listed (see Exhibit 5.) The motion was seconded by Dr. Barrabee and
passed unanimously.
N. Approval of
Vouchers
The following vouchers were approved as presented and payment authorized:
Vo.
247 $ 157,516.20
Vo.
248 216,145.44
Vo.
249 256,371.32
Vo.
250 432,789.96
Vo.
251 12,097.24
Vo.
252 78,749.82
Vo.
253 112,646.95
Vo.
254 332,584.94
6. Review of Accountability Legislation and Implementation; No Child Left Behind Act and Arizona LEARNS; Discussion of Student Achievement Plan for Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment and Professional Development
Board book information:
On January 8, 2002, President Bush
signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Public Law 107-110,
also known as the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. The Act contains approximately 684 pages of provisions affecting
public education, and is diverse and complex. Much of the law centers on new accountability measures that
must be met by any school district receiving federal funding. Key provisions include: (1) Highly Qualified Teachers; (2)
Paraprofessional Qualifications; (3) “Safety” Standards; and (4) Academic
Standards and Accountability Measures.
The Arizona LEARNS Act, House Bill 2658, is Arizona’s response to NCLB and provides many of the provisions mandated by the federal law. Among other things, it requires that the achievement profiles for
K-8
schools include specified school academic performance indicators, including the
Arizona measure of academic progress and the AIMS test. It requires that the achievement profile for
high schools include the AIMS test, the annual dropout rate, and the annual
graduation rate.
Arizona
law establishes five classifications of schools under the achievement profile,
including the following: (1) an
excelling school; (2) an improving school; (3) a maintaining school; (4) an
underperforming school; and (5) a failing school. It mandates that the classification for each school and the
criteria used to determine the school’s classification be included on the
school report card.
Staff made a presentation to the Board regarding the No Child Left Behind Act, Arizona LEARNS, elaborating on implications for Amphitheater schools and its student achievement plan. Requirements for underperforming schools were outlined.
Patrick Nelson, Executive Director for
Curriculum/Instruction, presented the Student Achievement Plan, focusing on the
Curriculum section of the report and speaking of the implementation of the
various provisions of law. This will be
placed on an agenda in the fall for detailed discussion. Dr. Balentine encouraged Board members to
contact Mr. Nelson for further dialogue.
A break was taken from 9:10 to 9:22 p.m.
STUDY/ACTION
7. Review of Draft Revisions to Student Directory Information Policy; Approval of Resolution Expressing Governing Board Concerns Regarding Revisions to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Under the USA PATRIOT and No Child Left Behind Acts
(To
be rescheduled for the June 17, 2002, Board meeting.)
8. Study of Cost Savings Utility Plan in the District
(To
be rescheduled for the June 17, 2002, Board meeting.)
9. Determination of Governing Board Position on Arizona School Boards Association’s Vision, Beliefs, and Actions Agendas; Direction to Governing Board Delegate and Alternate on Voting at ASBA Delegate Assembly
(To
be rescheduled for the June 25, 2002, Board meeting.)
STUDY
10. Review of Proposed and Negotiated Revisions to Certified Policies and Regulations; GCGB, Arrangements for Substitute Staff Members; GCD, Professional Staff Vacations and Holidays; GCCC, Professional Staff Leaves of Absence Without Pay; GCK-R, Professional Staff Assignments and Transfers; GCCB-R, Professional Staff Personal/Emergency/Religious Leave
Board
book information: Over the course of the last several months, the District and the
Amphitheater Education Association have met and conferred regarding several
District policies and regulations which primarily affect certificated
personnel. The work of the committee is
attached and consists of revisions to the policies and regulations listed in
the above title. This item is being
presented for discussion and study only.
Board members will contact the Superintendent with
any clarifications/concerns regarding these policies. Since these proposed revisions were part of a negotiated package,
no substantive changes would be made.
It will be presented at a future Board meeting for adoption.
BOARD MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There were no requests for future agenda items.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Dr. Barrabee, seconded by Mr. Prout and
passed unanimously, that the meeting be adjourned. The time was 10:15 p.m.