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, March 12, 2002, 6:00
p.m.
Board Members Present
Dr. Kenneth Smith,
President
Mary Schuh, Vice President/Clerk
Dr. Kent Barrabee, Member
Mike Prout, Member (entered at 6:03 p.m.)
Nancy Young Wright, Member
Central
Administrators Present
Dr. Vicki M.
Balentine, Superintendent
Dr. Richard Hooley,
Associate Superintendent
Constance Cigliana,
Director of Finance
OPENING OF MEETING
Call to Order
and Signing of Visitors Register
Dr. Kenneth Smith called the meeting to order and asked
members of the audience to sign the visitors register. Procedures for addressing the Board were
described.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Motion to Recess Open Meeting and Hold an
Executive Session
Dr. Smith announced that the Board would recess open meeting and hold an executive session for 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 certificated employee negotiations for the 2002-2003 contract year.
A motion was made by Ms. Young Wright, seconded by Mrs. Schuh and passed unanimously, 4-0, that the Board recess into executive session. The time was 6:01 p.m.
Reconvening of Meeting and Signing of
Visitors Register
Following the executive session, Dr. Smith reconvened the
meeting at 7:07 p.m., and asked members of the audience to sign the visitors
register. Procedures for addressing the
Board were described.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Randy Ogden, Tucson Fire Department, and coordinator of
injury prevention and public education programs for the City of Tucson,
requested that the District offer the Tucson Hot Spots safety program in
District elementary schools. Dr.
Balentine will look into the matter and respond to Board members.
2. Announcement of Date and Place of Next
Regular Governing Board Meeting
Dr. Smith announced the next regular meeting of the
Governing Board: March 26, 2002, 7:00
p.m., at Wetmore Center, 701 West Wetmore.
Dr. Balentine welcomed Judith Imhoff, District Planner,
to the District. Dr. Balentine spoke of
the planner’s responsibilities, a primary part of which is serving as a direct
liaison with various entities regarding rezoning issues.
A motion was made by Ms. Young and seconded by Dr. Barrabee to approve consent agenda items A-N. The maker and seconder of the motion accepted a friendly amendment from Mrs. Schuh to approve items A-K, M and N, and to address item L separately. In voting on the consent agenda with the exception of item L, the motion passed unanimously, 5-0. Appointment of personnel is effective, provided all district, state and federal requirements are met.
Dr. Smith noted that the Board had accepted the resignation
of Dr. Harold Doran, Principal of Harelson Elementary School. He thanked Dr. Doran for the work he has
done with the District, and wished him well.
Out-of-State Travel:
Mrs. Schuh questioned the rationale for two proposed District-sponsored
trips: Canyon del Oro High School
counselor to visit the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, with
all expenses covered by the University of Illinois; the Canyon del Oro High
School varsity boys basketball team to participate in a tournament in
Anchorage, Alaska in December.
Discussion followed, with Dr. Balentine commenting on the proposed trips
as related to District travel policy.
She noted that trips are being requested in advance in accordance with
newly-revised student travel policy, which requires Board approval prior to the
money being raised. The Superintendent
will provide answers to questions raised by Board members.
A motion was made by Mrs. Schuh to approve two requests to
attend the International Reading Association Annual Conference; and one request
to attend the Towards Other Planetary Systems Workshop). (See item L.) The motion was seconded by Mr. Prout and passed unanimously, 5-0.
Dr. Smith stated that given that the two remaining travel
items had some unanswered questions, and given that the Board was dealing with
them well in advance, he would move to continue these items until the next
Board meeting. The motion was seconded by
Dr. Barrabee and passed unanimously, 5-0.
A. Approval of
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes of the
February 26, 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. Request for Waiver of Graduation Requirement
The Board approved
the request for waiver of a graduation requirement, one physical education
credit, for student 28203177, Canyon del Oro High School.
G. Review of Supplemental Texts
Board book information: In an effort to keep the Governing Board
abreast of supplemental texts used in District classrooms, School Operations
will prepare periodic reviews for the Governing Board’s information. Attached is a list of supplemental texts as
this point.
H. Approval of Fees for High School Science
In order to offset the rising costs of science supplies and equipment in upper level science courses, the District’s three high schools request that they be permitted to charge a fee of $5 for courses students take beyond the two years required by the State of Arizona. Students may have the fees waived, based on financial need or financial hardship. It is the recommendation of the administration that the Governing Board approve the $5 science fee as described.
The Board approved the fees for high school science courses.
I.
Approval to Lease-Purchase Four (4) Buses
Board book information: Several of the buses from the fleet within
the Transportation Department are in need of replacement. We are focusing on replacing buses that are
between 24 and 26 years old (1978-1982) and that range in mileage between
275,000 and 340,000. Also to be considered
is that these older buses will require major repairs, such as engines and
transmissions. It often takes a long
time to return these buses into operation due to the nature of the repair and
the difficultly in locating spare parts.
Leased vehicles are covered under full
warranty for the length of the five-year agreement, thereby eliminating any
additional maintenance costs during that time.
This five-year agreement would allow us that length of time to fully pay
for the new buses, transferring ownership of them to the District at the end of
that five-year period.
This five-year lease-purchase agreement is with Auto Safety House, authorized supplier of Blue Bird Buses. The agreement is for four (4) Blue Bird rear-engine, 84-passenger, year 2003 buses. The total cost per bus, including all taxes, et cetera, is $409,284.96, or $20,464.25 per year. It is the recommendation of the administration that the Governing Board approve the lease-purchase contract with Auto Safety House.
The Board approved the recommendation for the lease-purchase of four buses.
J.
Authorization of Coronado Little League to Construct New Batting Cage at
Coronado K-8 School
Board book information: The Coronado Little League is requesting
permission from the District to construct a new batting cage on the Coronado
K-8 School playing fields. This cage
would be the second on the property and would be sited immediately adjacent to
the existing cage. Construction would
consist of chain-link fencing and posts that conform to Pima County and
District specifications. Details on
materials and a construction drawing are attached. A small amount of trenching would also be required to bring power
to the cage. Blue staking has already
been arranged by the League for that purpose.
Once constructed, the batting cage will become the property of the
District and be available for use by students.
The Governing Board’s approval of construction is required before it may
proceed. The administration recommends
approval.
The Board approved this request, authorizing the Coronado Little League to construct a new batting cage at Coronado K-8 School.
K. Adoption of Governing Board Meeting Schedule
for 2002-2003 Fiscal Year; Discussion Regarding Location(s) of Board Meetings
for the 2002-2003 Fiscal Year
Board
book information: A proposed schedule
for the Governing Board’s 2002-2003 fiscal year is attached. Traditionally, the Board has had a regular
meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, unless the date fell
on a holiday. The Board may meet, however, on such days as it determines in its
discretion, so long as it meets the minimum requirement of having one regular
meeting per month during the regular school year. A.R.S. §15-321(D). The proposed schedule follows that traditional
schedule, with exceptions where meetings would conflict with District-wide
vacation breaks and other calendar conflicts.
The Board may also designate the location of its regular and
special meetings. State law does
provide, however, that regular meetings are to be held “at the most
convenient public facility in the school district.” A.R.S. §15-322(C). Presently, the Board holds one special
meeting per quarter at a school site.
The administration recommends approval of this item.
The Governing Board
approved its meeting schedule for the 2002-2003 fiscal year, as presented.
L. Approval of
Out-of-State Travel
Out-of-state travel for staff was approved (source of funding indicated): Diane Schlieder, Wilson K-8 School, to attend the International Reading Association (IRA) Annual Conference in California in April/May (Wilson PTO/Wilson School/Title VI); Nancy Lyon, Title I, to attend the International Reading Association (IRA) Annual Conference in California in April/May (Title I); Brenda Wolpa, Canyon del Oro High School, to attend the 2002 Towards Other Planetary Systems (TOPS) Workshop in Hawaii in June (Transportation, Title II; all other fees, National Science Foundation).
M. Acceptance of
Gifts
Donations were
accepted by the Governing Board, as listed in Exhibit 5.
N. Approval of
Vouchers
The following vouchers were approved as presented and payment authorized:
Vo.
203 $242,718.93
Vo.
204 100,400.52
Vo.
205 60,926.41
Vo.
206 10,777.13
Vo.
207 432,746.14
Vo.
208 55,824.75
3.
Review/Approval of Pilot Extended-Day (Full-Day) Kindergarten Option
with Registration Fees from Parents; Approval of Fees for Extended-Day
Kindergarten
Board book information: After the initial review of the Extended-Day
Kindergarten Program, School Operations convened a committee to develop
correspondence and schedules for parents to advance the pilot at one or two
school sites for the 2002-2003 school year.
If successful, additional sites may be identified based on available
space and capacity in the future.
Per the discussion in the initial
presentation to the Governing Board, the administration requests permission to
charge a fee of $10 per day for the Extended-Day Kindergarten Program. The fee structure is designed to ensure that
the program is self-sustaining.
Therefore, the fee is charged for each school day without regard to
whether a child is in attendance that day or not. Additionally, in order to ensure that classes are in place for
the fall, parents will be required to make a non-refundable deposit toward the
program fees once the child is accepted into the pilot.
It is the recommendation of the administration that the Governing Board approve the Pilot Extended-Day Kindergarten Program and the associated fee schedule for the 2002-2003 school year.
Audience member Bobbe Oosterbaan addressed the Board, requesting that extended-day kindergarten be offered at all District schools that have available space and are interested in implementing the program.
Dr. Hooley reviewed details of the proposed pilot program, the packet sent
to parents of K-3 students, and the fee schedule. He stated that following completion of the pilot program, the
District hopes to move forward with additional sites. Dr. Balentine noted that approval was being requested for the
program and the fee schedule; following approval, at the next Board meeting, a
recommendation would be made for implementation of the program at one or two
specific schools for the 2002-2003 school year.
The administration believes it wise to focus on a pilot program for the coming year. In discussion, Dr. Balentine confirmed there is no guarantee that a program will continue at a certain school; this could change from year to year, as space availability and other circumstances change.
Costs/fees were reviewed. Dr. Hooley reviewed the requirements of a community schools program, under which the pilot program would fit. In discussion of curriculum, Dr. Hooley stated that parents are paying a fee for extension activities -- in practice, extending the work the students do in the curricular kindergarten paid for by the state.
A motion was made by Ms. Young Wright and seconded by Mrs. Schuh to approve the pilot extended-day (full-day) kindergarten option and the associated fee schedule for the 2002-2003 school year. The curriculum was further discussed. The motion passed unanimously, 4-1, with Mr. Prout voting no.
A recess was taken from 8:32 to 8:47 p.m.
4.
Review of Draft Revisions to Governing Board Policy BEDH and Review of
Policy BEDB Regarding Call to the Audience at Governing Board Meetings
Board book information: The Governing Board has adopted policies for
governance of its public meetings which allow for participation of the public
through the means of “call to the audience.”
Call to the audience allows members of the public attending a meeting to
publicly address the Board.
There are two types of call to the audience
established under the current Board policy.
The first is “open” call to the audience, which allows the speakers to
address matters within the jurisdiction of the Board which are not actually
listed topics on a meeting agenda. Open
call to the audience is presently scheduled twice during each meeting – one at
the beginning of the meeting and another at the end of the meeting, pursuant to
Policy BEDB. The second type of call to
the audience established by policy is “item specific,” which allows speakers to
address the Board regarding a specific item that is listed on an agenda at the time the item is
considered by the Board.
Policy BEDH, relating to “Call to the
Audience” at Governing Board meetings, was reviewed by the Board at its meeting
of February 26, 2002. At that time,
discussion centered on a desire to allow people wanting to discuss an item
which is listed on an agenda to address the item during open call to the
audience, rather than having to wait until the item came up for Board
consideration.
The draft revision as presented would allow individuals to speak to an
item which is on the agenda, either during open call to the audience prior to
the item being considered or during item-specific call to the audience at the
same time the item is considered. The
revision would not allow an individual to do both. The item is presented for the Board’s review and study and will
be presented for adoption on March 26, 2002.
It was suggested that Policy BEDH specifically state that one person may not cede time to another (ceding unnecessary, since policy contains ample provisions for speaking). Under “Time for public comment shall be allotted at each public meeting of the Board as follows,” subheadings are to read “Agenda Items” and “Issues Not on the Agenda.” Under the subheading, “Agenda Items,” the phrase “and not additionally” is to be removed.
Board members discussed whether a person might speak to an agenda item more than once, and whether an agenda item could be addressed under call to the audience as well as at the time the item is considered by the Board. Dr. Balentine recommended, if this were permitted under call to the audience, that the Board not interact and there be no response to the agendized item, thus avoiding confusion between agenda and non-agenda items.
There was discussion of the provision for observing rules of propriety, decorum and good conduct at Board meetings. Mr. Prout will provide staff with a definition of decorum. The item will be brought back to the March 26, 2002 Board meeting.
5. Review of District Policy
BCB Regarding Board Member Conflicts of Interest, Review of Draft Revisions to
Policies DJ Regarding Purchasing Ethics, GBEA Regarding Staff Ethics, and GBEAA
Regarding Staff Conflicts of Interest, as Each Relates to Acceptance of Gifts
Board book information: Several District policies and regulations
address in some manner issues relating to the acceptance of gifts by the
District, its employees or the Board. A
number of these were reviewed at the Board’s meeting of February 26, 2002.
Policy BDB addresses Governing Board member
conflicts of interest and provides, generally, that Board members refrain from
voting upon any contract, sale, purchase, or service to the District in which a
Board member’s relative has a substantial interest. Modification of this policy is not recommended, as it directly mirrors
Arizona statutes applicable to the issue. Arizona law requires school district
governing boards to adopt policies that comport with state statutes.
Policy DJ, the District’s purchasing ethics policy, prohibits Board members and District employees from accepting any valuable thing or benefit which could substantially and improperly influence their decision-making in the course of their District duties. A prepared revision would set a nominal value threshold at less than $20.
Policy Exhibit EF-E is the Food Services
Department’s Code of Standards. Similar
in nature to Policy DJ, this exhibit sets forth specific prohibitions on those
who handle school food or moneys and the potential punishment for violation of
the prohibitions. The nominal value threshold
of less than $20 has also been added here.
Policy GBEA sets forth the ethics expected
of all employees, including an expectation that actions taken by the employee
not be for personal gain but for the benefit of the District. Requested revisions have been made to the
administrator section of the policy.
Policy GBEAA, which specifically addresses
gifts from vendors, has been revised to include the $20 threshold also.
This item is presented for the Board’s consideration and discussion. The revisions will be presented for adoption on March 26, 2002.
Dr. Balentine cautioned the Board about the specificity of the $20 threshold. There are occasions when Board members/administrators/teachers, in being honored are provided with a dinner, or provided with a packet that might exceed this threshold. We would not want to put a person in the position of not being recognized as s/he rightfully should be because of a dollar amount. Dr. Balentine stated her preference would be to not include a specific dollar amount. Board members suggested that this policy not be overly restrictive and that it allow for the performance of one’s professional responsibilities and duties. It was additionally suggested that poorly-written portions of the policy be redone.
A motion was made by Mr. Prout, seconded by Mrs. Schuh and passed unanimously, 5-0, to continue the agenda item to the next Board meeting. Related to this agenda item, Mr. Prout requested that Regulation KCD be brought back for further discussion.
6.
Review of District Policy BBA Regarding Board Powers and
Responsibilities
Board book information: Policy BBA provides general statements
regarding the authority and function of the Board. It includes, among other things, a description of the basic functions of the Board: legislative, executive and appraisal.
Legislative function essentially consists of the policy-making role of
the Board. Executive function, in
short, is the implementation of policy and is, in large measure, delegated to
the Superintendent. The appraisal
function is evaluative in nature, the Board making appraisals of the district’s
compliance with policy and the district’s performance of educational
objectives. This item is presented at
this time, at the Board’s request, for discussion and direction.
Board members indicated an interest in deletion of this entire policy because it is redundant. State law outlines what the Board’s responsibilities are, and every time state law changes, the policy must be updated. The policy will be brought back to the Board for final decision at the next meeting.
It was noted that Amphitheater District policies are on the District’s web site: www.amphi.com. No password is necessary; the policy site may be accessed by indicating “Amphitheater District.”
7. Review of Legislation Pending in 45th Arizona Legislature
Board
book information: The President of the
Governing board will review bills that are being considered in the Arizona
legislature this year. Contact
information will also be provided to meeting attendees who are interest in
making contact with legislators regarding the legislation.
Dr. Smith reported on the Arizona School Boards Association
meeting with legislators that he attended, and provided an update on pending
legislation. Legislative Updates will
be placed on the District web site, www.amphi.com. The link connects to pending bills.
A legislative lobbying team will be developed, and the
matter brought back to the Board as an agenda item. Board members stressed the
importance of contacting legislators (1-800-352-8404) regarding pending bills
and funding for schools.
BOARD MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mrs. Schuh: Review of lobbying practices/funding, ASBA dues and results.
Dr. Barrabee:
Information on AIMS, the approach that eliminates the final exam as a
motivational device.
No audience members addressed the Board.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Mrs. Schuh, seconded by Ms. Young
Wright and passed unanimously, that the meeting be adjourned. The time was 10:19 p.m.