PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 1

GOVERNING BOARD

 

BOARD BRIEFING

NUMBER 242

August 7, 2001

 

 

Item No. 1                    

Date:    08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Approving an out-of-state travel request for the Prescott High School Badminton Team to travel to Orange, California, to watch the finals of the U.S. Open of Badminton, Saturday and Sunday, September 15-16, 2001.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin Kapp, Superintendent

Relevant Information:  According to policy, out-of-state travel requests require Governing Board approval. 

 

Expenses for the trip will be paid from the Badminton tax credit account and from individual students and families.  Coach Rick Bothell and parents will supervise all activities.

Exhibits:    A copy of letters from Mr. Tim Carter and Mr. Rick Bothell are attached.  (Please refer to Enclosure #1.)

 

Item No. 2 

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Approving student I.D. #0001 through #0013 be granted or denied for early entrance into kindergarten.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin Kapp, Superintendent

Relevant Information:  The parents of 13 children, 10 with September 1996, birth dates and 3 with October 1996, birth dates have requested early entrance into kindergarten.  In accordance with Governing Board Policy JEB, Entrance Age Requirements, each child has participated in early entrance screening.  The children recommended have shown to be ready academically, emotionally, socially and developmentally for kindergarten.  Screening results have been shared with the parents, building principals and the superintendent.

Exhibits:  A copy of the policy is attached.  (Please refer to Enclosure #2.)

 

Item No. 3 

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Approving the Classified Auxiliary Salary Schedule as presented, effective July 1, 2001.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin Kapp, Superintendent, and Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

 

Relevant Information:  The proposed Auxiliary Salary Schedule will allow the placement of our classified directors, computer staff and high school head custodian on a salary schedule formulated after surveying similar-sized school districts with regard to salaries for these positions.  The proposed salary schedule resembles the certified salary schedule in the number of steps and career salary potential.  In addition, the Meet and Confer team have endorsed the proposed salary schedule.

 

This salary schedule was originally on a previous Governing Board agenda, but was removed from the agenda to allow time for the financial implications of Proposition 301 to be fully understood, as well as the implications of Proposition 301 with regard to staff eligible for Performance Pay.  With the opinion of the Attorney General being favorable, the administration now feels comfortable in recommending this proposed salary schedule to the Governing Board for approval.

 

The overall cost of implementing this proposal is approximately $4,000.

 

Exhibits:  A copy of the proposed salary schedule is attached.  (Please refer to Enclosure #3.)

 

Item No. 4 

Date:  08/07/01

Consideration of:  Approving a School Psychologist Salary Schedule based on a salary factor of 1.10 of the individual’s salary placement on the Certified Salary Schedule, effective July 1, 2001.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin Kapp, Superintendent, and Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Relevant Information:  After surveying 14 similar sized school districts, it has been determined that Prescott Unified School District’s school psychologists are 47% below average with regard to annual salary.  this proposal of multiplying each school psychologist’s salary from the Certified Salary Schedule by a factor of 1.10 is a compromise solution to lessening the disparity between PUSD school psychologists’ salaries and other districts.

 

Each school psychologist’s base salary is determined by education and experience in relation to the Certified Salary Schedule.  This salary would then be multiplied by a factor of 1.10 (110%) to determine the final salary for each individual.

 

The cost of implementing this proposal is approximately $13,000.  The Meet and Confer team has endorsed this proposal and the administration feels this proposal can fit within our budget parameters.

 

Exhibits:  A copy of the current Certified Teacher Salary Schedule is attached.  (Please refer to Enclosure #4.)

Item No. 5                    

Date:    08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Approving funding for Ann Clare Learning Academy student enrollment based on PUSD prior year enrollment and review of contract.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin Kapp, Superintendent

 

Relevant Information:  The Governing Board did approve a contract with the Ann Clare Learning Academy on April 4, 2001.  Within that contract, state funding needs to be transferred to the charter school per state statute.  The District Office has recommended non-transfer of state funding due to declining enrollment.

 

Exhibits: A copy of a letter received from the Ann Clare Learning Academy and the approved contract is attached. (Please refer to Enclosure #5.)

Item No. 6 

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Approving the Title I Evenstart/Family Literacy Grant for the Arizona Family Literacy Program.

 

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

 

Relevant Information:  Prescott Unified School District has been awarded an Arizona Family Literacy Program Grant for the 2001-2002 school year.  This grant will provide a new preschool program for 18 students and GED certification for their parents.  The purpose of the Arizona Family Literacy Program is to help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by improving the educational opportunities of the state’s low-income families by integrating early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy program.  “Family Literacy Services” are defined as follows:  Services provided to participants on a voluntary basis that are of sufficient intensity in terms of hours, and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a family, and that integrate all of the following activities:

 

·        Interactive literacy activities between parents and their children (often referred to as Parent and Child Together (PACT) Time).

·        Training for parents regarding how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their children.

·        Parent literacy training that leads to economic self-sufficiency.

·        An age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences. 

 

Exhibits:  A copy of the Notice of Contract Award Letter and relevant budget information is attached. (Please refer to Enclosure #6.)

 

Item No. 7 

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Conducting the first reading of the Policy Services Advisory, Volume 12, Number 3, for May 2001, regarding Policy Advisory No. 177 – IHAA/IGAAA – English Instruction and Policy Advisory No. 178 – IHBE/IGBF Bilingual Instruction/Native Language Instruction and Volume 13, Number 4, for July 2001, regarding Policy Advisory No. 179 – IC/IC – School Year and Policy Advisory No. 180 – JICFA/JFCF Hazing, with a second reading and request for adoption at the August 14, 2001, Board Meeting.

 

Submitted by:  Kevin Kapp, Superintendent

 

Relevant Information:   Governing Board Policy BGB requires first and second readings of all proposed policy adoptions and approval by the Governing Board.  These sample policies reflect changes to be made to existing policies due to legislative action. 

 

The policies to be reviewed include:

 

Policy Advisory No. 177 – English Instruction (IHAA)

 

Policy Advisory No. 178 – Bilingual Instruction/Native Language Instruction (IHBE)

 

Policy Advisory No. 179 – School Year (IC)

 

Policy Advisory No. 180 – Hazing (JICFA)

Exhibits:   A copy of the policy advisories is attached.  (Please refer to Enclosure #7.)

 

Item No. 8                                                          

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Approving a one-year medical leave of absence for Ms. Chris Myers, effective July 16, 2001.

 

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Relevant Information:  This leave is being requested due to a recommendation from Dr. George Bryan, the employee’s physician.  Ms. Myers is aware that some of this leave will be without pay.

 

Exhibits:  A copy of a letter from Ms. Myers and the physician’s recommendation is attached. (Please refer to Enclosure #8.)

Item No. 9 

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Approving a one-year leave of absence without pay for Mrs. Valerie Reed from Prescott High School.

 

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Relevant Information:  This leave is being requested due to an ill family member.  Mrs. Reed is aware that this leave will be without pay.

 

Exhibits:

 

Item No. 10                  

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Approving the release of Mr. Jack Jackson from his 2001-2002 teaching contract with Prescott Unified School District No. 1.

 

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

 

Relevant Information:  Prescott Unified School District has historically been supportive of staff members desiring to leave the school district to pursue other professional goals.  The search for a replacement for this individual has already begun and an update will be presented to the Governing Board as to progress in this area at the August 7th Study Session.

Exhibits:   A letter from Mr. Jack Jackson is attached.  (Please refer to Enclosure #9.)

Item No. 11                  

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Approving the release of Mr. Don German from his 2001-2002 teaching contract with Prescott Unified School District No. 1.

 

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

 

Relevant Information:  Prescott Unified School District has historically been supportive of staff members desiring to leave the school district to pursue other professional goals.  The search for a replacement for this individual has already begun and an update will be presented to the Governing Board as to progress in this area at the August 7th Study Session.

Exhibits:   A letter from Mr. Don German is attached.  (Please refer to Enclosure #10.)

Item No. 12                  

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Approving the certified and classified personnel actions as presented.

 

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

 

Relevant Information:

Exhibits:  A copy of the personnel report and letters from employees is attached.  (Please refer to Enclosure #11.)

 

Item No. 13                  

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  The acceptance of donations as presented.

 

Submitted by:  Ms. Renee Raskin, Director of Business

 

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

 

Exhibits: 

 

Art glass and supplies valued at $200, from Susan Spiers, Adventures in Glass, to the CASA Teen College Program.

 

A Canon BJC-3000 color printer valued at $125, from Connie Little.

 

One thousand three hundred and twenty-five dollars from Mrs. Marjie J. Hillerman, PHS Class of 1970, for the Prescott High School Circle of Excellence Program.

 

A Panasonic VCR valued at $200, from Jim and Valerie Liberti, to Miller Valley Elementary School.

 

Item No. 14                  

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  The ratification of vouchers as presented.

 

Submitted by:  Ms. Renee Raskin, Director of Business

 

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

 

Exhibits: 

 

                   Voucher #                   Amount

Payroll Voucher #32 $372,243.47

Payroll Voucher #33 $249,191.50     

Payroll Voucher #34 $246,188.95

Payroll Voucher #38 $278,726.93

Payroll Voucher #1 $224,397.82

Expenditure Voucher #5093 $5,933.99

Expenditure Voucher #5094 $23,289.65

Expenditure Voucher #5095 $18,208.50

Expenditure Voucher #5096 $56,200.16

Expenditure Voucher #5097 $12,612.75

Expenditure Voucher #5098 $84,658.43

Expenditure Voucher #5099 $6,330.85

Expenditure Voucher #5100 $34,233.62

Expenditure Voucher #5101 $56,894.01

Expenditure Voucher #5001 $733,140.90

Expenditure Voucher #5002 $49,371.31

Expenditure Voucher #5003 $36,674.18

Item No. 15                  

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Approving the Auxiliary Operations and Student Activities Fund Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for the month of June 2001.

 

Submitted by:  Ms. Renee Raskin, Director of Business

 

Relevant Information:

 

Exhibits:  A copy of the statements is attached. (Please refer to Enclosure #12.)

 

 

Item No. 16                  

Date:  08/07/01

 

Consideration of:  Approving the previous minutes from the Study and Voting Session of July 10, 2001.

 

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin Kapp, Superintendent

 

Relevant Information:  Board Policy requires approval of minutes.

 

Exhibits:  A copy of the minutes is attached. (Please refer to Enclosure #13.)

INFORMATION ITEMS:

17.     Ms. Raskin has prepared the School Board Summary Budget Report for your review.  (Please refer to Enclosure #14.)

 

18.     The following are continuation grants which have been awarded to Prescott Unified School District No. 1.  Submitted by Mrs. Mary Anne Kapp.

 

          IASA Grant – Improving Americas School Act – P.L. 103-382

 

The Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.  The primary purpose of this grant is to improve the teaching and learning of all children and in particular those in high-poverty schools, to enable them to meet challenging academic content and performance standards.  Please refer to Enclosure #15.

 

Title I Part A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Education Agencies)

 

To provide compensatory education services to educationally disadvantaged preschool, elementary and secondary school children (including private school pupils) in low-income areas.

 

Title II (State and Local Programs Professional Development)

 

To provide grants to states for state and local programs to improve the skills of elementary and secondary school teachers and to improve the quality of instruction.  Program funds may be spent on professional development activities in all of the core academic subjects as well as math and science.

 

Title VI (Innovative Education Program Strategies)

 

To improve elementary and secondary education by providing formula grants to states to support a broad range of state and local school improvement programs.

 

Early Childhood State Block Grant

 

Early Childhood State Block Grant funds are used to serve income eligible preschool students.  The classrooms must be licensed by the Child Care Licensure division of the Department of Health Services.  This state-wide program emphasizes flexibility in delivery of services to enable young children to meet challenging state standards.  Please refer to Enclosure #16.

Class Size Reduction Grant

 

The Class Size Reduction funds were released to the states from the United States Department of Education on July 1, 1999.  The purpose is to enhance student learning through recruitment, hiring and training of highly qualified teachers in grades 1-3.  Class size must be reduced in those classes to no more than 18 children per classroom.  Two teachers will provide the reduced class size instruction:  a first grade teacher at Washington Traditional School and a kindergarten teacher at Lincoln Elementary School.  Please refer to Enclosure #17.

 

School Safety Program

 

The School Safety Program provides salary and travel for a School Resource Probation Officer for Prescott High School, Granite Mountain Middle School and Prescott Mile High Middle School.  This program assists in teaching Law Related Education for a safe school environment. Please refer to Enclosure #18.

 

DES (Department of Economic Security)

 

Funding is for school-based prevention programs to address academic failure, substance abuse or behavioral problems.  Children and their families will be provided with the necessary skills to promote a successful school experience.  Please refer to Enclosure #19.