PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 1

GOVERNING BOARD

BOARD BRIEFING ADDENDUM

 

PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1

GOVERNING BOARD

BOARD BRIEFING

NUMBER 301

MARCH 21, 2006

 

Item No. 1   

Date:  03/21/06

 

Consideration of:  Review and approval of the Preliminary Soft Capital, Unrestricted Capital and the Building Renewal Budget requests for fiscal year 2006-2007.

 

Submitted by:  Mrs. Renee Raskin, Chief Financial Officer

 

Relevant Information: 

As part of the budgeting process each year the Principals and Directors submit their Capital requests for your review.  Each school is given a soft capital and building renewal allocation per student.  Soft Capital may be used towards library books, textbooks, instructional aids, furniture and equipment, and technology.  Building Renewal is for major renovation and repairs of buildings; upgrading systems and areas that will maintain or extend buildings’ useful lives; and infrastructure costs.  The larger dollar items (usually over $5,000) are budgeted at the district-wide level and are not part of the allocation.

 

Some of the requests are based on cost estimates and may need to be revised over the next few months.  Experience with past budgets indicates that additional items may also be requested.

 

Exhibits:

Please refer to Enclosure #1.

Item No. 2           

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  Approving the lease purchase of a time clock system from Kronos Inc.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Arn Lavington, Director of Purchasing

 

Relevant Information:

The school district’s auditors, Heinfeld and Meech, have strongly recommended the use of time clocks throughout the district by all classified hourly personnel.  The use of time clocks would insure the district’s compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act by documenting all work hours by classified hourly personnel.  It would also insure the fair and accurate reporting of hours worked by classified staff, which the auditors also have strongly recommended.

 

Kronos is offering a 0% and 24 month financing option ($1.00 Buyout Lease) through March 31, 2006.  This applies to products (hardware and support), training and maintenance (for the term of the lease only).  Professional services are 0% interest with 7% down. All contracts signed after this date are subject to standard lease rates.

 

Based on price quote of $59,923 for the product, training and maintenance, the payment on a 24-month lease would be $2,496.79 per month.  The estimated 47 professional service hours are billed as you use them at $190 per hour.  They do require 7% down which would be $625. 

 

Exhibits:

Please refer to Enclosure #2.

Item No. 3

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  The approval of permitting the moving of the fence along the west boundary of the Prescott Mile High Middle School’s football field by three to five feet to allow the relocation of Liquor Barn to its new location on Goodwin Street, with all costs of moving the fence to be paid by Mr. Alfie Ware, owner of Liquor Barn.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

 

Relevant Information:

Mr. Alfie Ware, owner of Liquor Barn, wishes to relocate his business to the building to the south side of Goodwin Street, directly across from its present location. This new location would place Liquor Barn just within the 300 foot limit of a “fenced recreational area adjacent to such school building” for a business selling alcohol.  The 300 foot limit is part of Arizona State regulations that govern locations of businesses selling alcohol.  The proposed new location for Liquor Barn is not within 300 feet of a school building at Prescott Mile High Middle School, but does fall within the 300 foot limit for a fenced recreation area, i.e., the football field at Prescott Mile High Middle School

 

Mr. Ware is requesting permission from the Governing Board to pay the entire cost of moving the fence along the west boundary of the Prescott Mile High Middle School football field by 3-5 feet in order for the proposed new location for Liquor Barn to be in compliance with state regulations.  The length of fence needed to be moved is approximately 100 feet between the football field and Granite Creek.

 

Exhibits: 

Arizona State Regulation #4-207 is attached for your review.  Mr. Ware will be present at the March 7th Study Session to answer questions from the Governing Board. Please refer to Enclosure #3.

Item No. 4

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  Approving new academic courses at Prescott High School.

 

Submitted by:  Ms. Linda Ryan, Curriculum and Testing Coordinator; Mrs. Totsy McCraley, Principal – Prescott High School; Mrs. Cheryl Moran, Art Department Chairperson; and Mrs. Shelley Bunch, Social Studies Department Chairperson

 

Relevant Information:

Prescott High School Site Council and the Department Chairpersons have approved the following course proposals for Advanced Placement Art, Advanced Placement Government, and ROTC I and II.  Rationale for each of the courses, along with possible expenses associated with each, follows:

 

Advanced Placement ART (formally called Art 9/10)

Classification:

Elective Grade 12

Prerequisites:

Art 7-8, Portfolio or instructor's approval

Target Population:

Students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art; who wish to continue to improve their drawing and painting skills and  students who want to develop a portfolio for scholarship and job opportunities

Term and Credit:

One year course - one credit

Difficulty Level:

Difficult
Students must be self-motivated and able to follow demonstrations and directions
Writing skills are emphasized

Homework:

Estimated 10 hours weekly

Portfolio preparation, Thursday ‘sketches’, Tuesday Majors, oral or written reports on art history/artists (approved), diagrammatical analysis of approved artist; image produced in the style and technique of an instructor approved artist; 2 research/writing assignments per semester,  instructor assigned; Student generated lesson plan.

Fee:

$30.00 per semester

Textbooks:

Creating and Understanding Drawing
Art in Focus
Exploring Visual Design
Exploring Drawing

AP Studio Art is not based on a written examination instead; students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year. The AP program offers three portfolios: The portfolios share a basic, three-section structure, which requires the student to show a fundamental competence and range of understanding in visual concerns and methods.  The three sections are Quality, Concentration and Breadth.  All three sections are required and carry equal weight, but students are not necessarily expected to perform at the same level in each section to receive a qualifying grade for advanced placement. This is designed as a continuing course in portfolio preparation. The students will compile a record of high quality art works completed in this art class and in any previous art classes. Students must turn in this record under one of the following forms: 35mm color slide (recommended format), paper prints from digital photos, video tape or black and white and/or color prints. A handout is included listing the necessary materials to include in this portfolio: 24 slides, a slide inventory page, letters of recommendation and a student resume.  Five actual works maximum size of 18” x 24”. Students do much of their work independently, as approximately 25 pieces will be due each semester. They will develop objective criticism about their work, as well as the work of their peers. Independent discussions with faculty, as well as group critiques, aid this development. In addition, art history assignments (assigned individually by instructor) will be included to challenge the study and writing skills of the student. The portfolio will be evaluated by a minimum of three and a maximum of seven artists-educators. Each of the three sections is reviewed independently based on criteria for that section and each carries equal weight.

 

The rationale for a new offering under a new name is two fold.  First to be able to offer an advanced placement class that will enhance the high school visual art program and allow for the students to take an AP Art class that helps them in college preparation and scholarship applications.  The second rationale is that for years we have offered a class called Art 9-10 for students who enter into PHS art and are fast tracked.  This gave them a 4th year of a studio art class.  Often times these students were disbursed among Mr. Murphy’s other classes.  In the last few years we have put Art 7-8 & Art 9-10 together during the same hour.  The class load has reached 44. 

 

Expenses:  The adding of a class would require Mr. Murphy to be paid a stipend for teaching an extra section of art and giving up his prep hour.  This would avoid a new teacher to be hired, for the time being.

 

The class is a fee based class and textbooks are provided as class sets, therefore no additional monies would be needed for the class.       

                                     

Rationale for ROTC I:  Frontiers of Aviation History

 

This course is the first course found in the JROTC program.  This is a course studying the historical development of flight and the role of the military in history.

 

This is a one-year course, with ½ credit earned at the end of each semester.  It is an elective credit open to grades 9 through 12.

 

Rationale for ROTC II:  Science of Flight

 

This is the companion course found in the first year in JROTC.  There is no pre-requisite for this course and it may or may not be taken simultaneously with Frontiers of Aviation History.

 

This course acquaints the student with the aerospace environment, the human requirements of flight, principles of aircraft flight, and principles of navigation.

 

This is a one-year course; with ½ credit earned each semester.  Depending on the credentials of the instructor, the student may earn science credit meeting science requirements for graduation.  However, it is not a lab science for university requirements.  It is open to grades 9 through 12.

 

Rationale for Social Studies Courses

 

The AP U.S. Government and Politics Course will provide Prescott High School students with the opportunity to take a college level course.  The students that complete the course will qualify for college credit by taking the Advanced Placement national examination given in the spring of each academic year.  The students will not only have the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the U.S. system of government and the realities of the American political system, but will develop the keen skills and thought processes that are required of college students.

 

The course provides a challenging academic opportunity where students can also qualify for a tuition waiver at any of Arizona’s three universities.  A three-part program established criteria to qualify for the waiver beginning with the class of 2006.  The following is a summary of each of the parts of the program that a student must accomplish to qualify for the tuition waiver.

 

  • The student must complete all sixteen Core Competency Courses by graduation with a B or better in each course.

  • The student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on an unweighted 4.0 scale or the student must graduate in the top 5% of their graduating class.

  • The student must exceed the standards on all three of the AIMS Tests or exceed the standards on two of the AIMS tests and meet the standard on the remaining test.  If the student needs to meet the former option, then they also need to receive a score of 3 or better on two Advanced Placement tests.

 

By offering the AP Government and Politics course at Prescott High School, the institution is not only preparing more students for the academic challenges of college, but also providing an additional opportunity for a tuition waiver at one of Arizona’s universities.

 

Required Textbooks and Estimated Costs

 

American Government, 10th Edition – High School AP Version

          McDougal Littell

          $79.17 per textbook

 

The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity – Third Edition

          Ann Serow and Everett C. Ladd

          $33.00 per textbook

Item No. 5

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  Approving the selection of ___________________________ as Principal of Granite Mountain Middle School for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

 

Relevant Information:

The Principal Selection Committee for Granite Mountain Middle School presented Mr. Kapp with three finalists for the interview process, which took place on March 3rd.  The name above is the person recommended by Mr. Kapp to be the new principal for Granite Mountain Middle School.

 

Exhibits:

Item No. 6

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  Approving the following cooperative purchasing contracts for the 2006-2007 school year:  AZ State, MOHAVE, SAVE, TCPN, and GSA.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Arn Lavington, Director of Purchasing

 

Relevant Information: 

Every year PUSD utilizes one or more of these contracts for the procurement of goods and/or services.  Annual Governing Board approval is required.

 

1.  AZ State – Contracts are bids issued by the state procurement office.

 

2.  MOHAVE – Contracts are bids issued by Mohave County Educational Services Cooperative, and can be used state-wide with a 1% administrative fee applied to the purchase.

 

3.  SAVE – Contracts are bids issued by various school districts in the State of Arizona that belong to this Co-op.  Member districts can piggy-back on to the SAVE contract.

 

4.  TCPN – Contracts are bids issued by the Maricopa County Education Service Agency.

 

5.  GSA – Contracts are federal government bids.

 

Exhibits:     

Item No. 7

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  Approving Mr. Kevin Kapp – Superintendent; Dr. Chris Reynolds – Assistant Superintendent; Mrs. Renee Raskin – Chief Financial Officer; Mr. Arn Lavington – Director of Purchasing; and Mr. Jay Collier – Director of Facilities, as designated persons authorized by the Governing Board to use “emergency procurement” for goods and services when an emergency condition exists for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Arn Lavington, Director of Purchasing

 

Relevant Information:

In order to follow correct “emergency procurement” procedures, the Governing Board must name those authorized to utilize emergency procurement on behalf of Prescott Unified School District.

 

Every year, emergency procurement is used to remedy everything from lightening damaged fire alarm and phone systems, to a bus breaking down out of town.  Health and safety issues also call for immediate correction, such as mold or asbestos concerns.  These are examples where emergency procurement has been used to solve problems.  Sometimes insurance covers the cost of the problem and sometimes the problem has to be taken care of within the district budget.  If the problem requiring emergency procurement is above a normal maintenance budget, the Superintendent advises the Governing Board of the corrective action.  Coordination between the Business Office, Facilities Department, Purchasing Department and administration assists in the resolution of any problems.

 

Exhibits: 

Item No. 8

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  Approving a Painting Bid #020806A from Century Painting using bond money for Miller Valley, Lincoln, and Prescott Mile High Middle School.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Arn Lavington, Director of Purchasing

 

Relevant Information:

 

Bond Budget:                 $  78,000 – Miller Valley Elementary School

                                                          Paint Maintenance

                                      $  15,000 -  Lincoln Elementary School

                                                          Paint Maintenance

                                      $  15,000 - Prescott Mile High Middle School

                                                          Paint Maintenance

                                      _________

                                      $108,000

 

Century Painting

Low Bid:                         $  95,355

 

Exhibits:

The Tally Bid Sheet has been attached for your review.  Please refer to Enclosure #4.

Item No. 9

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  Approving 2005-2006 Tuition Services for two students with Metro Care/Depue and Associates.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Arn Lavington, Director of Purchasing

 

Relevant Information:

Metro Care is “sole source” for this particular service in the tri-city area.  Cost per child is $32,000 annually.  Funding is through Special Education.

 

Auditor’s recently made the Purchasing Department aware that Governing Board approval is required for “sole source” service agencies providing services above the bid limit.

 

Governing Board approval will keep Prescott Unified School District in compliance with Purchasing rules and regulations.

 

Exhibits:

Mrs. Nancy Martinez, Director of Child Study Services, will be available to answer questions for the Governing Board.

Item No. 10

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  Approving the certified and classified personnel actions

as presented.

 

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

 

Relevant Information:  A copy of the personnel report is attached.

 

Exhibits:  Please refer to Enclosure #5.

Item No. 11

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  Accepting the donations as presented.

 

Submitted by:  Mrs. Renee Raskin, Chief Financial Officer

 

Relevant Information:  Board Policy requires acceptance by the Governing

Board of all donations.

 

Exhibits:

 

Five hundred dollars from Kiwanis Club of Prescott to the “Hands on Health” program.

 

Fifty dollars from Ms. Letty Hanna, Hole in the Wall Subs, to the Brian Gianelli Scholarship Fund.

 

Two thousand dollars from the McIntyre Living Trust, Kathleen M. Kelly for the Harvard Book Award program at Prescott High School.

 

Four thousand dollars from the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe, two thousand to the girls athletic department and two thousand to the boys athletic department at Prescott High School.

 

Nine hundred and forty dollars from the Phelps Dodge Foundation to Washington Traditional School.

 

Fifty dollars from Hassayampa Hotel, L.L.C. to Washington Traditional School.

 

Five hundred dollars from the Yavapai County Education Foundation to Jody Brown at Washington Traditional School.

 

Five hundred dollars from Arizona Character Education Foundation to Washington Traditional School.

 

Five hundred dollars from Wal-Mart Foundation to Lincoln Elementary School.

 

Mat board valued at $65 from Betsy Miner to the art program at Washington Traditional School.

 

Lumber valued at $130 from Mark Kaus to Miller Valley Kids & Co. for computer desks.

 

A box of file folders from Staples to Kids & Co.

 

A live tree from Watters Garden Center to Miller Valley Kids & Co.

 

Four soccer balls from All Star Sport to Kids & Co.

 

The following have donated to the Prescott High School Jimmy Kretzmann Memorial Fund:

 

                   Casey’s Plastering Inc.             $150.00

                   Parks and Rec.                        $2,505.00

                   Robin Granite                          $100.00

                   Donna Miller                           $65.00

                   Circle C Construction              $250.00

                   Yavapai Indian Tribe                $500.00

                   Monti and Shari Aldrich          $10.00

                   Rex and Judith Becker           $40.00

                   Yvonne Morgan                        $250.00

                   William and Joan Vallely         $100.00

                   Double G Mobile Home Park   $30.00

 

A HP all-in-on Officejet printer, fax and scanner, ink cartridges, a Samsung DVD home theatre system and Acer/Prinsa scanner valued at $550.00, from Mr. William Lynam.

 

A HP printer valued at $50 from Mr. Drew Alexander to Lincoln Elementary School.

 

An IPOD valued at $329.99 from Ms. Sarah Bowers for a fundraising item for the Prescott High School Academic Decathlon.

 

An ice-maker from Mr. and Mrs. Pat Pruitt for the staff lounge refrigerator at Lincoln Elementary School.

 

Craft and sewing materials valued at $1,000 from Mr. Robert W. Fields Jr. to the Prescott High School art and drama departments.

 

Three hundred dollars from Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign to Lincoln Elementary School.

 

Two hundred and fifty dollars from Sunup Rotary for the reading incentive program at Abia Judd Elementary School.

Item No. 12

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  Ratifying the vouchers as presented.

 

Submitted by:  Mrs. Renee Raskin, Chief Financial Officer

 

Rationale:  Arizona Revised Statute requires approval/ratification of all vouchers.

 

Exhibits:

 

                   Voucher #                                           Amount

 

Payroll Voucher #15                                   $901,863.22

Payroll Voucher #16                                   $931,508.32

Payroll Voucher #17                                   $921,213.64

Expenditure Voucher #6049                      $160,036.98

Expenditure Voucher #6050                        $17,131.35

Expenditure Voucher #6051                      $154,287.87

Expenditure Voucher #6052                      $382,426.47

Expenditure Voucher #6053                      $177,680.00

Expenditure Voucher #6054                      $329,528.96                

Expenditure Voucher #6055                        $11,727.19

Expenditure Voucher #6056                      $106,830.70

                  

 

Documentation for warrants is available for inspection from Business Services, located at 146 South Granite Street, Prescott, AZ  86303.

Item No. 13

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  Approving the Auxiliary Operations and Student Activities Fund Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for the month of January 2006.

 

Submitted by:  Mrs. Renee Raskin, Chief Financial Officer

 

Relevant Information:

 

Exhibits:  A copy of the statements is attached. Please refer to Enclosure #6.

Item No. 14

Date:  03/21/06

 

In Consideration of:  Approving the previous minutes from the Governing Study Session of February 9, 2006, and the Voting Session of February 14, 2006.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

 

Relevant Information:  Board Policy requires approval of minutes.

 

Exhibits:  Please refer to Enclosure #7.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

 

15.  Mrs. Raskin has prepared the School Board Summary Budget Report for your review.  (Please refer to Enclosure #8.)

 

16.  The Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) minutes from January 26, 2006, have been attached for your review.  (Please refer to Enclosure #9.)

 

17.  The following are continuation grants that have been awarded to Prescott Unified School District – submitted by Marianne Brooks.

 

                        Compensatory Instruction for English Learners (ELL) Grant

                        2004-2005 Allocation:  $7,497.47

                        2005-2006 Allocation:  $13,915.58

 

The Flores Consent Order and State Legislation has established that compensatory instruction should be given to English Language Learners (ELLs) who are not progressing toward achieving proficiency in the English language or making progress toward the Arizona State Standards.  The compensatory Instruction for English Learners Grant is to provide salaries for supplemental education, after school, before school, intersession and summer school.  Please refer to Enclosure #10.