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 26, 2002, 6:02
p.m.
Board Members Present
Dr. Kenneth Smith,
President
Mary Schuh, Vice President/Clerk
Dr. Kent Barrabee, Member
Mike Prout, Member (present only for open meeting)
Nancy Young Wright, Member
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
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.
Agenda items 6, 7, 8 and 9 were continued to the next Governing Board meeting. There were no objections.
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:
A.1. Discussion and Consultation for Legal Advice with Legal Counsel Regarding Contracts for Video, Voice and Data Cabling, Clock, and Sound and Lighting Construction for Ironwood Ridge High School, Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3);
A.2. Discussion and Consultation with Legal Counsel in Order to Consider the District's Position and Instruct Legal Counsel Regarding the District's Position Regarding Contracts for Video, Voice and Data Cabling, Clock, and Sound and Lighting Construction for Ironwood Ridge High School, Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(4).
A motion was made by Mrs. Schuh, seconded by Dr. Barrabee and passed unanimously, that the Board recess into executive session. The time was 6:03 p.m.
CONTINUATION OF OPEN MEETING
Reconvening of Meeting and Signing of
Visitors Register
Following the executive session, Dr. Smith reconvened the
meeting at 7:02 p.m., and asked members of the audience to sign the visitors
register. Procedures for addressing the
Board were described.
Pledge
of Allegiance
Principal Chuck Bermudez recognized Amphitheater Middle
School leaders LaSondra Moten, Guillermo Valdez-Castro, Maria Ballesteros,
Schreen Raboza, Caitlyn Howard, Kayla Bridgeford, and Ashley Good. They led the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag and were presented with certificates of commendation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Adam Steiner requested that the Board consider naming the
Amphitheater Middle School field in honor of an AMS teacher. Dr. Balentine noted the process to be
followed for submission of the request, to be considered by the Governing
Board.
INFORMATION
2. Announcement of Date and Place of Next
Regular Governing Board Meeting
Dr. Smith announced the next regular meeting of the
Governing Board: April 9, 2002, 7:00
p.m., at Wetmore Center, 701 West Wetmore.
3. Review of
2002-2003 Budget Development and Monthly Budget Status Report
Ms. Cigliana presented the monthly budget status report as of February 28, 2002; and provided an update on progression of Proposition 301 funding. Related to the budget, Mr. Aho reported on cuts in State School Facilities Board funding which will affect the District’s maintenance programs. In further discussion, Dr. Balentine stated that prioritization of projects is now taking place.
4. Development of Legislative Lobbying Team
Dr. Smith reviewed recent actions in the House Education
Committee and pending Senate Bills.
Deanna Day spoke regarding Career Ladder program funding. Dr. Smith noted that legislative updates
were available at this meeting, as well as being posted on the District’s web
site, www.amphi.com. Everyone was encouraged to contact
legislators by phone:
1.800.352.8404.
Dr. Smith reported that there were continuing efforts being
made to develop a legislative lobbying team.
Dr. Balentine spoke of the need to provide education to all
of our community, to encourage people to take more individual responsibility to
become involved in these issues. Prior
to spring break, a short video specific to Career Ladder funding cuts was
presented to the schools that were still in session, for viewing during the
last day of school so staff members would be aware of the imminence of this
issue. The video will be shown at the
April 9 Board meeting. Forums are being
scheduled by state legislators which will include discussion of education
issues.
Ms. Young Wright expressed appreciation to Dr. Smith for his
efforts in Phoenix with the legislature, and for providing legislative
updates. Dr. Smith stated he would
continue to provide updates, and added that if he could be helpful to the
administration and association, his services were available.
CONSENT AGENDA
Ms. Young Wright moved approval of the consent agenda, with
the exception of item L, on which she had a question. Mrs. Schuh requested that items F and K be removed from the
consent agenda for discussion. Dr.
Barrabee seconded the motion to approve the consent agenda, with the exception
of items F, K and L. The motion was
approved unanimously, 5-0. Appointment
of personnel is effective, provided all district, state and federal
requirements are met.
Item F, Approval of Out-of-State Travel: Mrs. Schuh moved approval of all items under item F except for the resubmission of travel for the Canyon del Oro High School Counseling Department. She requested that the latter be voted on separately. Ms. Young Wright noted that the Board book information indicated that for Odyssey of the Mind travel, students on the modified calendar could miss up to six days of school for this trip. Ms. Young Wright seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
Mrs. Schuh stated that someone could make a motion to accept the resubmission of the travel for the CDO Counseling Department trip to the University of Illinois. Ms. Young Wright so moved; Dr. Barrabee seconded the motion. Mrs. Schuh stated she would vote no because she could not accept the travel as being appropriate, that such travel influences people’s opinions and behavior. The motion passed 3-2, with Mrs. Schuh and Mr. Prout voting no.
Item K, Acceptance of Gifts: Mrs. Schuh commented on the gifts to the Amphitheater High School Softball Team, commending Dr. Smith for his letter to the editor which clarified the fact the equipment was listed in inventory and the District is covered by insurance.
Ms. Young Wright moved to accept the gifts as presented. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Schuh and passed unanimously, 5-0.
Item
L, Approval of Vouchers: Ms.
Young Wright noted that the Board was approving a voucher
for a Canyon del Oro High School administrator who had attended the
International Baccalaureate Program, and inquired about the program. Dr. Balentine stated that a presentation of
this program is planned for a future Board meeting. The Board had not approved implementation of any particular
program; the Board approved the exploratory trip to the conference where the
International Baccalaureate Program was reviewed. Mike Gemma provided a brief overview of the world-recognized
program, founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1965, with the premise that
international high schools across the
world needed a common curriculum that would enable graduates to gain
matriculation into universities throughout the world. Over a thousand high schools in the United States currently have
the IB Program, with six schools in Arizona.
The program is now being expanded to some middle schools.
Ms. Young Wright moved approval of the vouchers. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Schuh and
passed unanimously, 5-0.
A. Approval of
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes of the March
12, 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. Approval of
Out-of-State Travel (See
discussion under Consent Agenda.)
Out-of-state travel
for staff was approved (source of funding indicated): Gail Bornfield, Special Services, to attend the Council of Chief
State School Offices (CCSSO) meeting in New Mexico in May (Special Education
funds); Michelle Barcanic, Canyon del Oro High School Counseling Department, to
visit the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in April
(University of Illinois); Terri Bible, Canyon del Oro High School, to take four
students to the national DECA Conference in Utah in April (travel costs, CDO;
substitute costs, Carl Perkins Vocational Grant).
Board book information:
Amphitheater School District has a tradition of participation in the
world championship of academic challenges.
The attached travel request is to enable teams to prepare for those
championships if they win at the state level where we expect our Odyssey of the
Mind and Future Problem Solving teams to be advanced to world competition. In order to attend, fundraising needs to
take place almost immediately. We would
like to obtain approval for these trips now to avoid waiting for a Board
meeting to begin the fundraising. Dr.
Hooley will report to the Board in a Friday memo the schools, teams, students,
teachers, chaperones, substitute costs, and travel costs as soon as we have
them.
Out-of-state travel
for students was approved (source of funding indicated): Karie Meyers, Carrie Bejarano, Matt Haverty,
Jean Johnson, and Taryn Burtison, Amphitheater High School, to attend the
Physics/Mesa trip to Magic Mountain in California in April (tax credits, club
fund raising, and student contributions); John Saintignon, Canyon del Oro High
School, to take the varsity boys basketball team (15 students) to Alaska in
December (air fair, club funds; meals, student activity fees; cost of lodging,
$1,000 stipend by tournament host).
During the 2000-01 school year, a Math Textbook Adoption Committee met to review math texts. Both elementary and middle schools were represented. Materials and textbooks by a number of publishers were reviewed by the committee, and they recommended four textbooks for elementary pilot and five for middle schools during this 2001-02 school year. The pilots were supported by visits from the vendor representatives and presentations to staff. The following is a list of full-scale pilots:
Elementary Schools
Copper Creek Everyday
Math, Harcourt, McGraw-Hill
Coronado Everyday
Math, Harcourt, McGraw-Hill, Saxon
Donaldson Everyday
Math, Harcourt, McGraw-Hill, Saxon
Harelson Harcourt,
McGraw-Hill, Saxon
Holaway Saxon
Mesa Verde Everyday
Math, Harcourt, McGraw-Hill
Rio Vista Harcourt,
McGraw-Hill, Saxon
Wilson Everyday
Math, Harcourt, McGraw-Hill, Saxon
Middle Schools
Amphi Middle Dale
Seymour, Harcourt, Prentice Hall
Coronado K-8 Glencoe,
Harcourt, McDougal Littell
Cross Middle Glencoe
La Cima Middle Glencoe, McDougal Littell
Wilson K-8 Glencoe,
Harcourt
In accordance with
Section 15-721 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, new textbooks must be placed on
display for a period of 60 days prior to official adoption by the Governing
Board.
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.
The Board earlier
approved Saxon Math and Everyday Math for District elementary
schools.
School Operations has
worked with our three high schools to establish use of the same textbooks for
all students in similar classes. As
schools purchase/replace texts, they will follow the Board- adopted texts.
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.
The Board approved the recommendation of the administration that the above textbooks be officially placed on display by the Governing Board as of this date, March 26, 2002.
Board
book information: The Food Services
Department requires a Food Service Sanitation System to be implemented at
District kitchens. The service
specifications are: a training plan,
just-in-time delivery of pre-measured concentrate detergents, dispensing
bottles, and related items for a complete food service sanitation system. Award will be dependent on evaluation
factors other than price alone. The
evaluation criteria will consist of a syllabus outlining prospective vendor
programs, to include knowledge of OSHA guidelines, training tools used, and
on-site training proposed. Other
evaluation factors are quality and convenience of cleaning materials,
references, offered, and program cost.
Award will be for one year, with option to renew for two additional
one-year periods. It is the
recommendation of the administration that the Governing Board approve the
issuance of a Request for Proposal for kitchen sanitation services and
materials for the Food Services Department.
The Board approved the recommendation of the administration.
It
is the recommendation of the administration that the Governing Board approve
the sole source procurements.
J. Request for
Disposal of Unsold Auction Items
Board book information:
The auction sold over $10,000 in surplus materials, almost 500
lots. Two large lots remained
unsold. Unsold were overhead storage
bins, lot #158; and 34 pallets of used books, lot numbers 375/409. All the computers were sold, but 20 pallets
were abandoned by the purchasers. With
Governing Board approval, the books will be delivered to World Care Center, a
non-profit that collects used books for distribution to Mexico/South
America. The computers will go to
Desert Waste Not Warehouse, a non-profit which refurbishes computers for use by
schools and other non-profit agencies.
The overhead bins will be disposed of to a furniture reseller willing to
remove the dozen pallets from our lot at no charge. If no vendor can be found, they will be held for the next surplus
auction. Per telecom, the Auditor
General’s Office, Governing Board approval is required for disposal of salvage
materials. It is the recommendation of
the administration that the Governing Board approve the disposal of salvage
material from the surplus auction.
The
Board approved the recommendation of the administration
K. Acceptance of
Gifts (See discussion under Consent Agenda.)
Donations were
accepted by the Governing Board, as listed in Exhibit 5.
L. Approval of
Vouchers (See discussion under Consent Agenda.)
The following vouchers were approved as presented and payment authorized:
Vo.
209 $226,027.03
Vo.
210 72,777.36
Vo.
211 48,705.17
Vo.
212 3,096.97
Vo.
213 10,213.26
Vo.
214 72,850.49
Vo.
215 248,334.76
5. Approval of Pilot Extended-Day (Full-Day)
Kindergarten Site/s
Board book
information: The administration
recommends two Extended-Day Kindergarten Pilots: one at Copper Creek Elementary School, and the other at Donaldson
Elementary School. Both sites have
sufficient space to ensure that this pilot will not displace any current site
program. In addition, at these sites,
the pilot program would not be disrupted by additional growth. Finally, there is substantial teacher,
community and administration support for program implementation at these
schools.
It is the recommendation
of the administration that the Governing Board approve the Extended-Day
Kindergarten Pilots at Copper Creek and Donaldson elementary schools.
Dr. Balentine noted that at the preceding Board meeting the Board for the second time had looked at the potential of a pilot for an Extended-Day Kindergarten Program in the District, and approved that concept as well as potential fees for the program. The intention of the administration at this meeting was, as requested by the Board, to recommend pilot site/s for Board approval. In looking at the District as a whole, she was recommending that the Board choose to pilot the program at two sites, Copper Creek Elementary School in the far north, and Donaldson Elementary School in the center of the District, with the thinking that open enrollment opportunities might allow members of the community in those particular areas to take advantage of the pilot program. Keys to the recommendations were space availability, and support of parents, teachers and administration. The goal is to have a successful pilot, with the result being the potential to expand the following year. She stated that because of the interim administration at Harelson, she was unable to recommend that site. However, she stated that whatever the Board decided, the staff would work very positively to implement the pilot program, with the goal of being successful so that we can expand potentially.
In discussion, Dr. Balentine confirmed that Title I schools already have Extended-Day Kindergarten. The following persons addressed the Board in support of a pilot program at Harelson Elementary School: Katie Strumpf, Julie Kelly, Jenny Constenius. Jenni Pagano spoke regarding including more schools in the pilot program. Rhonda Ball addressed the Board regarding kindergartens, the size of first-grade classes.
Dr. Balentine noted that all schools would like this program, and four schools currently have sufficient space. Audience member Sandy Nichols asked that the Board consider all four schools that have adequate space. The Board acknowledged the enormous efforts required to meet this request of the community. Cindy Nickles spoke of the benefits of the pilot program, and asked the Board to consider all four schools. Peggye Springetti addressed the Board regarding implementing the program at Harelson.
Mrs. Schuh moved that the Governing Board approve an Extended-Day Kindergarten Pilot at Copper Creek Elementary School. The motion failed for lack of a second.
Dr. Barrabee moved to accept the recommendations of the administration. The motion failed for lack of a second.
Ms. Young Wright moved to pilot the program at four sites. Dr. Barrabee seconded the motion, speaking of the necessity for providing additional support/funding if the four were approved. Dr. Barrabee proposed an amendment to the motion, to provide some additional support for administration. Discussion followed regarding the difficulty of providing these funds, as well as the necessary additional support that would make it more feasible from an administrative point of view. Mrs. Schuh stated that the demographics of the Donaldson area would benefit more from the extended-day program. Dr. Barrabee said that without the additional support, he would withdraw his second to the motion. In discussion of which school would benefit the most, Dr. Balentine confirmed that there is more demographic variability at Donaldson, in contrast to the other three schools.
Dr. Barrabee moved to pilot the program at Donaldson next year. Mrs. Schuh seconded the motion. Ms. Young Wright amended the motion to add Harelson. She noted Harelson’s declining enrollment, and how hard they have worked. Mrs. Schuh withdrew her second to the motion. Dr. Smith stated there was no motion on the floor.
Dr. Barrabee moved to implement the program at Donaldson and Harelson elementary schools. Ms. Young Wright seconded the motion.
Mr. Prout stated he felt this would multiply the potential problems by two. He said he was arguing for one or no schools. Mrs. Schuh stated that “pilot” means one, and suggested implementing one program and doing it well.
In voting on motion, the motion passed 3-2, with Mrs. Schuh and Mr. Prout voting no.
A recess was taken from 10:07 to 10:17 p.m.
Dr. Smith stated that with no objection from the Board, he would continue items 6, 7, 8 and 9 to the next regular Governing Board meeting. There were no objections.
6. Approval of Revisions to Governing Board
Policy BEDH Regarding Call to the Audience at Governing Board Meetings
(Continued to the April 9, 2002 Governing Board meeting.)
7. Review and Approval of Revisions to
Governing Board Policy BBA Regarding Board Powers and Responsibilities
(Continued to the April 9, 2002 Governing Board meeting.)
8. Approval of Revisions to Policies DJ
Regarding Purchasing Ethics, GBEA Regarding Staff Ethics, and GBEAA Regarding
Staff Conflicts of Interest
(Continued to the April 9, 2002 Governing Board meeting.)
9. Review/Approval of Governing Board Policy
KCD and Its Accompany Regulation Regarding Public Gifts/Donations to Schools
(Continued to the April 9, 2002 Governing Board meeting.)
10. Review of Governing Board Policy JJF and Its
Accompanying Regulation Regarding Student Activities Funds
Board took information: State law specifies that funds raised
through the efforts of students are “student activities funds” and must be
dealt with accordingly. A.R.S. §15-1121,
attached, sets forth this definition of student activities funds: “All monies raised with the approval of the
governing board of a school district by the efforts of students in pursuance of
or in connection with all activities of student organizations, clubs, school
plays or other student entertainment other than funds specified in sections
15-1125 and 15-1126 are student activities monies.”
Attached for the Board’s
convenience is a description of types of student activities funds receipts from
the Uniform System of Financial Records for Arizona School Districts (“the
USFR”), issued by the Arizona Auditor General.
Among the requirements for the control of student activities funds is the general requirement that all such funds be deposited in the revolving student activities fund account of the District. Further, the students must determine how to disperse those funds and must, in fact, initiate a disbursement.
In 1984, the Attorney General
ruled that funds raised through the joint efforts of PTO’s and students were,
to some degree, student activities funds and had to be apportioned, based on
each groups relative efforts. A copy of
the Attorney General’s opinion (I84-032) is also attached for the Board’s
reference. Principals are authorized to
make this determination, being fair and rationale in their approach. Governing
Board Policy JJF and/or its accompanying Regulation address all the
requirements noted above.
Governing
Board Policy JJH regarding student travel (revised February 26, 2002) also
provides that “Meals and lodging will not be paid by the District. School and/or student activity funds may be
used for this purpose if approved by the principal or designee.” This item is presented for the Board’s
consideration and discussion.
Dr. Balentine reported that potentially this item was only a review, to ensure that the Board is clear on the policy and regulations, as well as the accompanying statutes and Attorney General’s opinions related to student activity funds. There were no comments or questions. The item will be returned to the next Board meeting.
11. Study of Utilization of Parent Volunteers
Board Book Background: Amphitheater Public Schools is fortunate to have large numbers of volunteers generated from four separate sources and processes: OASIS volunteers, site-based volunteers, community volunteers, and the Amphitheater Foundation project volunteers. These volunteers give large amounts of time to serve our families and students. The District uses volunteers to work directly with students as well as for many other activities. Established district policy and procedures exist relative to volunteers.
Dr. Smith noted that this was an informational item that would be returned to the Board.
BOARD MEMBER REQUESTS
FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There were no requests for future agenda items.
There were no public comments.
A motion was made by Dr. Barrabee, seconded by Mr. Prout and
passed unanimously, that the meeting be adjourned. The time was 10:28 p.m.