PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1

GOVERNING BOARD

BOARD BRIEFING

 NUMBER 290

April 5, 2005

Item No. 1 (Voting Item)                                              

Date:  04/05/05

In Consideration of:  Holding a formal student expulsion hearing in open session, if so requested by the student’s parents/guardians, of the student, if emancipated.

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

Relevant Information:

According to Governing Board Policy JKE – Expulsion of Students, a parent or guardian has the right to request that the formal hearing be held in open session.

An executive session has been scheduled for this hearing prior to the study session.  In the event that the parents/guardians opt for the hearing to be held during open session, this item was placed on the agenda to cover that option, in order to meet the timelines of the student’s due process rights.

Exhibits:

Item No. 2 (Voting Item)

In Consideration of:  Approving the selection of Mr. Cole Young as Principal of Taylor Hicks Elementary School for the 2005-2006 school year.

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Relevant Information:

The Principal Selection Committee for Taylor Hicks Elementary School presented Mr. Kapp with three finalists for the interview process, which took place on March 8^th.  The name above is the person recommended by Mr. Kapp to be the new principal for Taylor Hicks Elementary School.

Exhibits:

Item No. 3                                                                    

Date:  04/05/05

In Consideration of:  Approving the expansion of the Partners for Healthy Students Program to Prescott High School.

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

Relevant Information:

Partners for Healthy Students, a free program provided to Prescott Unified School District by Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Arizona Public Service, currently offers free health services to preschool, elementary, and middle school students one day a week.  This program has been in place since 1999 and has provided much-needed health services for families unable to afford health insurance and who do not qualify for ACESS health care.

Partners for Healthy Students would like to offer the same level of services to students at Prescott High School in an effort to assist families with health care.

Exhibits:

The Nurse Practitioner and other staff from Yavapai Regional Medical Center will be in attendance at the April 5, 2005, Study Session to discuss the possible expansion of the program and answer questions from the Governing Board.

Item No. 4                                                                     

Date:  04/05/05

Consideration of:  Approving the following expenditures $___________________ utilizing 2004-2005 sudden growth monies.

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent, and Mrs. Renee Raskin, Director of Business Services

Relevant Information:

According to Arizona Revised Statute 15-948, a district may apply for sudden growth money in the same year they experience growth.  We will be receiving an estimated total of about $595,000 in sudden growth monies.  We have expended some of the growth money on Virtual Learning Academy ($5,000), Title I teachers at Miller Valley Elementary School ($19,570), two teachers at Prescott High School ($40,076), 1^st grade instructional assistants ($31,822), special education teacher ($15,000), and a special education preschool assistant ($6,261).

The following is a list of additional needs that could be met with the remaining $477,271 of growth money.

Elementary PE                         $145,000

Classroom Supplies                 TBD

Buy-Out                                  $170,000

Capital Needs                          TBD

Maintenance Supplies             TBD

Signage                                   $50,000

Employee Benefit Trust           $130,000

Exhibits:

Item No. 5                                                                    

Date:  04/05/05

Consideration of:  Approving a method of distribution for the Instructional Improvement Fund money (Proposition 202) for teacher compensation.

Submitted by:  Mrs. Renee Raskin, Director of Business Services

Relevant Information:

According to A.R.S. 15-979©, school district may utilize up to fifty percent of the amount of monies in Proposition 202 for teacher compensation and class size reduction.  The remaining money may be used for dropout prevention programs and instructional improvement programs.

This year we used the money for 1 FTE English teacher, .5 FTE business teacher, and .5 FTE physical education teacher at the high school.  The approximate cost for this year is $70,000, including benefits.  The remaining money will be used for teacher compensation.

This year, the amount per pupil was estimated by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) to be $24 per unweighted student count.  There have been no estimates of how much is actually coming in at this point.

Exhibits:

A copy of A.R.S. 15-979 has been attached for your review.  Please refer to Enclosure #1.

Item No. 6                                                                    

Date:  04/05/05

Consideration of:  Approving a new Teacher Salary Schedule for possible implementation pending funding for the 2005-2006 school year.

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Relevant Information:

Current certified teacher salaries in Prescott Unified School District are well below certified teacher salaries in similar-sized school districts around Arizona.

The proposed certified teacher salary schedule would establish a reasonable and appropriate salary schedule for certified teachers in Prescott Unified School District. PUSD has adopted new salary schedules for all other certified staff and the classified auxiliary staff.  This proposed certified teacher salary schedule would greatly improve the potential career earning power for the teaching staff.  

It is proposed that all current staff would slide on to the new schedule to a cell in their experience column that is closest to their current salary.  New hires would be phased on to the new salary schedule in the following manner:

a.       All new hires for 2005-2006 would be placed on the 2004-2005 salary schedule using current hiring practices, granting no more than five years experience.  They would then slide onto the new salary schedule   (2005-2006) with all current staff.

b.       All new hires for 2006-2007 would be placed on the new (2005-2006) salary schedule at no higher than Step 2 in their experience column.

c.       All new hires for 2007-2008 would be placed on the new salary schedule (2005-2006) at no higher than Step 4 in their experience column.

d.       All new hires in 2008-2009 would be placed on the new salary schedule (2005-2006) with up to five years experience and the current hiring practices would then resume.

Longevity would be covered in the same manner as was used for the administrative salary schedule.  All other policies pertaining to the salary schedule would remain in place from 2005-2006 on.

Exhibits:

A copy of the proposed salary schedule will be presented to the Governing Board from the PEA at their April 5, 2005, Study Session.

Item No. 7                                                                    

Date:  04/05/05

Consideration of:  Ratifying a mini-grant of $5,000 from the Foundation of the Sunup Rotary.

Submitted by:  Mrs. Mary Anne Kapp, LEA Grants Manager

Relevant Information: 

The Foundation of the Sunup Rotary Club has awarded Prescott Unified School District $5,000.00.  This will provide a facilitator and workbooks for Social Responsibility Training (SRT) for parents in Spanish.  Classes will take place during the spring, summer and fall of 2005 during after school hours.  SRT is designed to help students understand and create healthy relationships.  Parents work out of a workbook titled Personal Responsibility Parenting that has 21 cognitive exercises.  Parent support classes are held in the evening.  They are open-ended and parents can join at any time.  Parents are invited to join the program while their youth attend SRT during after school hours. 

Exhibits:

Please refer to Enclosure #2.

Item No. 8                                                                    

Date:  04/05/05

In Consideration of:  Ratifying two mini-grants from the Education Foundation of Yavapai County.

Submitted by:  Mrs. Judy Paris, Director of Preschools

Relevant Information:

The Education Foundation of Yavapai County has awarded Prescott Unified School District’s Discovery Gardens Early Childhood Center two mini-grants of $250.00 each to improve literacy in young children and their families.  This will assist in providing a student literacy and parent library.

Exhibits:

Please refer to Enclosure #3.

Item No. 9                                                                    

Date:  04/05/05

In Consideration of:  Approving a 60-day preview of textbooks and materials for Science K-12.

Submitted by:  Ms. Linda Ryan, Curriculum and Testing Coordinator

Relevant Information:

A committee of K-12 science teachers was formed in September 2004 to review and revise the science curriculum based on the Science Standards approved by the State Board of Education, May 24, 2004, and select textbooks and materials for teaching the revised curriculum.  Publishers were contacted requesting sample materials for each grade level and science courses offered at Prescott High School.  Up to four publishers per grade level or course submitted sample materials for review.  Committee members evaluated textbooks and materials based on a common evaluation instrument, attended publisher presentations, and surveyed other teachers at their schools before selecting the textbooks and materials presented for preview.

Exhibits:

The list of textbooks and materials selected by the K-12 committee for use in the 2005-2006 school year will be submitted as a separate handout at the Governing Board Study Session of April 5, 2005.

Item No. 10                                                                  

Date:  04/05/05

In Consideration of:  Approving the submission of legislative action proposals for the Arizona School Board Association for the 2006 Legislative Session.

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

Relevant Information:

The Arizona School Boards Association allows for local input from school Boards by April 15, 2005.  The entire delegate assembly of ASBA reviews this input on June 25^th.

Exhibits:  A letter from ASBA and a form for proposal submission is attached.  Please refer to Enclosure #4.

Item No. 11                                                         

Date:  04/05/05

In Consideration of:  Approval of the following staff members request for a full or partial Leave of Absence for the 2005-2006 school year.

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Relevant Information:

These staff members have submitted letters requesting a full or partial leave of absence for the 2005-2006 school year by the March 15, 2005, deadline.  They have until May 1^st to rescind their request.

Exhibits:

NAME:                    POSITION:               LOCATION:             AMOUNT OF               REASON:

                                                                                                LEAVE:

Kelli Bradstreet      English                     PHS                         Full Leave                   Professional

Jesus Felix             Spec. Ed.                   PMHMS                   Full Leave                   Personal

Cassie Habeck       Lang. Arts/              GMMS                     Full Leave                   Professional

                                Social Studies

Harvey Habeck       Computer/Staff       GMMS/DX              Full Leave                   Professional

                                Development

Katie Huffaker       First Grade               AJ                           Full Leave                   Personal

Colleen Jonovich   Second Grade           MV                          Full Leave                   Personal

Kim Kloos               Science/SS             GMMS                     Full Leave                   Medical

Pamela Mar            Fourth Grade           TH                           Full Leave                   Personal

Ginger Nolte           Kindergarten           AJ                           Full Leave                   Medical

Diane Pecharich    Math                         PHS                         Full Leave                   Personal

Kelly Poynter          Second Grade           MV                          .5 FTE Leave               Personal

Julie Rockwell        Spec. Ed.                   LN                           Full Leave                   Personal

Kelli Rogers            Math/Science         GMMS                     Full Leave                   Personal

Robert Schamber   Fifth Grade               TH                           Full Leave                   Personal

Item No. 12                                                                   

Date:  04/05/05

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. 13                                                         

Date:  04/05/05

In Consideration of:  Accepting the donations as presented.

Submitted by:  Mrs. Renee Raskin, Director of Business Services

Relevant Information:  Board Policy requires acceptance by the Governing Board of all donations.

Exhibits:

Wireless system components valued at $150, from Mr. Drew Alexander, to Lincoln Elementary School.

Fifty dollars from Ms. Vivian Davenport for the Brian Gianelli Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Twenty-five dollars from the staff at Prescott High School for the Brian Gianelli Memorial Scholarship Fund.

One hundred and forty dollars from unknown donors for the Brian Gianelli Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Water and juice valued at $65 from Prescott Pepsi Cola, for the Creative Arts Day celebration at Granite Mountain Middle School.

Fourteen dollars and fifty cents from Robert DeArmond, to help restore the 1947 Dodge bus.

Four hundred dollars from the Rotary Club of Prescott, to Discovery Garden Preschool.

Two thousand dollars from the Prescott High School Class of 2005, to the Brian Gianelli Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Seven hundred and fifty dollars from Prescott Summer Pops Symphony to the music department at Granite Mountain Middle School.

Item No. 14                                                                  

Date:  04/05/05

In Consideration of:  Ratifying the vouchers as presented.

Submitted by:  Mrs. Renee Raskin, Director of Business Services

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

Exhibits:

                   Voucher #                                           Amount

Payroll Voucher #17                                   $856,408.33

Payroll Voucher #18                                   $843,169.37

Expenditure Voucher #5061                        $51,665.89

Expenditure Voucher #5062                        $40,703.49

Expenditure Voucher #5063                        $32,107.06

Expenditure Voucher #5064                      $283,514.57

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

Item No. 15                                                                  

Date:  04/05/05

In Consideration of:  Approving the Auxiliary Operations and Student

Activities Fund Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for the month of

February 2005.

Submitted by:  Mrs. Renee Raskin, Director of Business Services

Relevant Information:

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

Item No. 16                                                                  

Date:  04/05/05

In Consideration of:  Approving the previous minutes from the Governing

Board Study Session of March 1, 2005, the Executive Session of March 8, 2005, and the Voting Session of March 8, 2005.

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

Relevant Information:  Board Policy requires approval of minutes.

Exhibits:  Please refer to Enclosure #7.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

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

18.  Attached for your review is an article that appeared in the Daily Courier regarding Michael Owens, Jr., a student at Prescott High School.  (Please refer to Enclosure #9.)

19.  Attached for your review is a letter from the Arizona Department of Education regarding the approval of our district’s NCLB Final LEA Consolidated Plan.  (Please refer to Enclosure #10.)

20.  The following are continuation grants that have been awarded to Prescott Unified School District and submitted by Mary Anne Kapp.

Compensatory Instruction for English Learners (ELL) Grant - 2003-2004 Allocation:  $9,763.67; 2004-2005 Allocation:  $7,497.47

The Flores Consent Order and State Legislation have 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 #11.

Title IV (Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities)

2003-2004 Allocation:  $26,728.00; 2004-2005 Allocation: $31,600.00

To support comprehensive school and community-based programs designed to make the nation’s schools safe and free of drugs in order that the climate is conducive to the achievement of high standards for all students.  Please refer to Enclosure #12.

State Chemical Abuse – 2003-2004 Allocation:  $1,664.00; 2004-2005 Allocation:  $1,767.00

To support the Title IV (Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities) in the tobacco and drug use prevention program. Please refer to Enclosure #13.

Johnson O’Malley Indian Education – 2003-2004 Allocation: $9,360.00; 2004-2005 Allocation:  $9,360.00

The Johnson O’Malley Indian Education Grant provides educational opportunities for Native American children to learn challenging content through supplemental programs, serving such children who are enrolled in schools.  This grant supports professional development, tutoring and the employment of a liaison to coordinate services in order to better serve the Native American population.  Please refer to Enclosure #14.

Career and Technical Education Priority Grant

2003-2004 Allocation:  $25,817.41; 2004-2005 Allocation: $23,950.59

The Career and Technical Education Priority Grant provides funds to enhance supplemental vocational education programs at Granite Mountain Middle School, Prescott Mile High Middle School, and Prescott High School.  Please refer to Enclosure #15.