PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1

GOVERNING BOARD

BOARD BRIEFING

NUMBER 295

September 13, 2005

Item No. 1

Date:  09/13/05

In Consideration of:  The approval of compensating eligible certified staff in December 2005, utilizing the instructional improvement fund carry-over money based on either a tiered method or a flat rate.

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

Relevant Information:

Proposition 301 monies are divided between three funds.  The upper 20% is applied to the teacher’s salary schedule.  The middle 40% is dedicated to performance pay for teachers.  The lower 40% is paid out to eligible certified staff compensation and applied by the sites using the menu options.  Once again, we will be taking $85,000 off the top of the lower 40% and paying this to eligible certified staff.  The balance of the lower 40% is then divided equally between site funds and teacher compensation.

This year, the amount per pupil is estimated by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) to be $353 per weighted student count.  This amount includes $70 of carry-over money that should be used on one-time expenditures.  We can pay the one-time money out in December to eligible certified staff.  This amount could be added to the normal flat rate of $250 that is paid out in December.

We would like to distribute the one-time carry-over portion of the upper 20% and the lower 40% to eligible certified staff in December.  The distribution could use a tiered model or a flat rate model.  The amount of pay on a tiered model would be between an estimated $350-$750.  The flat rate model would be an estimated $500-$550.

The middle 40% of performance pay would be paid out as usual at the end of the school year and upon completed of individual goals.

Exhibits:   Please refer to Enclosure #1.

Item No. 2

Date:  09/13/05

In Consideration of:  Approving the utilization of 2004-2005 growth funds and 2005-2006 growth funds to accommodate student enrollment growth needs as presented.

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

Relevant Information:

Student enrollment has again increased within the school district, primarily at the high school and elementary levels as well as within Special Education.  It is proposed to utilize 2005-06 current year growth funds to hire teachers and staff to accommodate student enrollment growth at the high school and within Special Education.

It is also proposed to lease another portable building for Miller Valley Elementary School for this school year to expand capacity at the school and locate several small programs in a more appropriate environment.  Costs associated with the transportation and set-up of this portable building can be covered completely or nearly completely with remaining 2004-05 growth funds.  Any set-up costs not covered by 2004-05 growth funds and the subsequent rent for this school year could be covered with 2005-06 growth funds.  This portable building along with the first portable building will most likely be needed again for the 2006-07 school year until the new classrooms are built at Miller Valley.  The cost of renting these portable buildings for another year would then roll into the 2006-07 regular budget as an “off the top” expense.

Exhibits:

Administrative staff will be present at the September 6^th Study Session to offer additional information to the Governing Board and answer questions. Please refer to Enclosure #2.

Item No. 3

Date:  09/13/05

In Consideration of:  Approving the utilization of approximately $7,200 from 2004-2005 “overflow” money to complete the reclassification of selected classified positions, retroactive to July 1, 2005.

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Relevant Information:

We have reviewed current overflow money from 2004-2005 and find that we have approximately $60,000.  The $7,200 being requested reflects the reclassification of the four remaining groups, which was the last prioritized item of the overflow list.  An approval of this consideration would move these groups to the top of the priority list and allow us to successfully fund the reclassification of all approved groups.

Exhibits:

A copy of the overflow money priority list is attached for your review.  Please refer to Enclosure #3.

Item No. 4

Date:  09/13/05

In Consideration of:  Approving a 20% “Buy-Out” program for qualifying participants within approved parameters for the 2005-2006 school year.

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Relevant Information:

In an attempt to create additional revenue for the M&O Budget for 2006/2007, a 20% buy-out program is being proposed to the Governing Board at this time.  It is believed that there may be PUSD staff members who wish to participate and retire/resign at the end of the 2005/2006 school year. 

The following parameters are proposed for implementing a 20% buy-out program at this time:

1.  The Prescott Unified School District Staff member must have at least 15 years of service with PUSD.  Only years of .5 FTE (half-time) or greater service are counted.

      OR

At least 10 years of service with Prescott Unified School District and a 2005/2006 salary of at least $42,000.  Only years of .5 FTE (half time) or greater are counted.

2.  The PUSD staff member cannot have participated in a previous buy-out   program.

3.  The PUSD staff member must submit a letter of resignation/retirement   to the Personnel Department no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2005.

4.  The PUSD staff member would receive 20% of their total salary for 2005/2006 based on written contracts/agreements.

5.  If the PUSD staff member is a teacher, their base salary (which included Proposition 301 monies) would be included in the 20% calculation.  However, Proposition 301 monies from the “lower 40” and Performance Pay would NOT be included in the 20% calculation.  Indian Gaming (Proposition 202) would NOT be included in the calculation.

6.  The qualifying PUSD staff member would receive their 20% buy-out amount in July of 2006.

7.  A PUSD staff member’s resignation/retirement is final upon approval by the Governing Board on January 10, 2005.

8.  Any staff member may be considered for a position for which they are qualified with PUSD following their resignation/retirement within the parameter of the Arizona State Retirement System’s Active Retirement Program or within the parameters of statute governing retirees retuning to work one year following retirement. Any retiring PUSD staff member employed by the school district at a future date would be placed as a new employee with regard to salary and benefits to include coaching and addendum contracts.

Item No. 5

Date:  09/13/05

In Consideration of:  Approving the list of Qualified Evaluators for the 2005-2006 school year.

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Relevant Information:

Governing Board approval is required as delineated in ARS 15-537.

Exhibit: The individuals named below have been trained in Qualified Evaluator Level I and Level II.

Ms. Susan Clark – Tentative approval based upon completion of Qualified Evaluator Level I Training

Item No. 6

Date:  09/13/05

Consideration of:  Approving authorization for the district to initiate appraisals for district-owned property (the Nature Center adjacent to Granite Mountain Middle School and property adjacent to Prescott Mile High Middle School).

Submitted by:  Mr. Arn Lavington, Director of Purchasing

Relevant Information:

The Governing Board has expressed its desire to have an accurate appraisal conducted of specific properties within Prescott Unified School District.  These properties include the land adjacent to Granite Mountain Middle School (Community Nature Center) and two small pieces of property located behind Prescott Mile High Middle School.  The purpose of the appraisals is not to necessarily consider the sale of these properties, but to give the Governing Board accurate information as to the value of these properties.

Exhibits:

Mr. Arn Lavington, Director of Purchasing, will be available at the September 6^th Study Session to explain the process he will utilize to obtain a company to conduct these appraisals.

Item No. 7

Date:  09/13/05

Consideration of:  Approving the Declaration of Curricular and Instructional Alignment to the Arizona Academic Standards.

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

Relevant Information: 

School districts are required to affirm that their curriculum is aligned with the Arizona Academic Standards and that teachers are evaluated on their integration of these standards into their classroom teaching.  Prescott Unified School District is in compliance with this requirement.

Exhibits:

The ADE forms and teacher evaluation forms have been attached for your review.  Please refer to Enclosure #4.

Item No. 8

Date:  09/13/05

Consideration of:  Approving new procedures for the background checking and possible fingerprint requirements of personnel involved in providing purchased services for Prescott Unified School District.

Submitted by:  Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Relevant Information:

The Governing Board has expressed interest in tightening up our procedures for allowing contracted service providers to work within our school district and has also received legal advice from the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office on this topic.  A wide range of options exists for creating more stringent procedures for vendors providing contracted services for Prescott Unified School District.

The administration is requesting guidance and direction from the Governing Board as to the level of changes the school district should implement with regard to contacted service providers assuring the school district that their staff has undergone a background check to the satisfaction of the school district.

Exhibits:

A copy of the affidavit currently required is attached for your review.  Please refer to Enclosure #5.

Item No. 9     

Date:  09/13/05

Consideration of:  Approving a change in position title from Business Manager to Chief Financial Officer and placement of the position on an appropriate salary schedule.

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

Relevant Information: 

At a Board member’s request and with the approval of the Board President, this item has been placed on the agenda to initiate discussion and possible action with regard to changing the title and salary of the current Business Manager position.  It is proposed that the title of this position be changed to “Chief Financial Officer” and that the position be placed on an appropriate salary schedule.

In the mid-1990’s, this position was a Cabinet level position with regard to salary and responsibilities.  During the budget-cutting years this position was restructured as a Business Manager position with limited duties and responsibilities and lower salary.  The position is still a Cabinet level position but without the position’s previous responsibilities and salary.  With the growth of the school district back to the student enrollment and staffing levels experienced in the mid-1990’s, the changing of the title, salary and responsibilities for this position is warranted.

Exhibits:

Item No. 10

Date:  09/13/05

Consideration of:  Adopting the new “Worth the Wait” textbooks and materials that have been on 60-day preview for use beginning in the 2005-2006 school year.

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

Relevant Information:

The PUSD Health Education Advisory Committee has reviewed and revised curricular materials from "Worth the Wait" a nationally researched and recognized program.  We seek approval of this curriculum for 6th graders in PUSD. 

Exhibits: 

Ms. Linda Ryan, Curriculum and Testing Coordinator, will be in attendance at the September 6^th Study Session to answer any questions and will also provide a list of the textbooks and materials to be approved.

Item No. 11

Date:  09/13/05

In Consideration of:  Approving the Trustees of the Employee Benefit Trust (EBT).

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

Relevant Information:

The Governing Board is required to annually approve the Trustees of the Employee Benefit Trust (EBT).

Exhibits:

The Trustees for fiscal year 2005-2006 are Jane Orr, Joseph Dombrowski, Jeff Coughlin, Jayne Krumbholz, and Dee Navarro.

Item No. 12

Date:  09/13/05

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 #6.

Item No. 13

Date:  09/13/05

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:

A microwave oven valued at $100 from Mr. Bucky Bates, to Granite Mountain Middle School.

A vacuum cleaner valued at $150 from Mr. Dave Fontes, to Granite Mountain Middle School.

Miscellaneous school supplies from Teresa Manning, Yavapai County Juvenile Probation Dept., to Miller Valley Elementary School.

A filing cabinet and paper shredder valued at $205, from Mr. Bill Deffenbaugh to Miller Valley Elementary School.

Miscellaneous school supplies from Gay Locking, Yavapai County Adult Probation Dept., to Miller Valley Elementary School.

One hundred backpacks with supplies and two boxes of Scholastic books from OPEN DOOR, to Miller Valley Elementary School.

A tire valued at $50, from Mr. Dave Fontes, to Granite Mountain Middle School.

An occasional table, lamp and gold-framed mirror valued at $975, from Design Traditions, to Lincoln Elementary School.

A lamp-top computer valued at $750, from Mr. Drew Alexander, to Lincoln Elementary School.

Fifty-four reams of copy paper valued at $243, from Prescott Jaycees, to Lincoln Elementary School.

Miscellaneous school supplies from MOM’S CLUB of Prescott to Miller Valley Elementary School.

Twenty backpacks and miscellaneous school supplies from Stephanie Dale & Colleen Turbyfill, of SCF of Arizona, to Miller Valley Elementary School.

A printer and scanner valued at $200 from Mr. Norm Pierson.

A paper-folding machine valued at $800 from Mr. Raul Gomez, Seitz-SW Business Essentials, Inc.

Seven hundred and fifty dollars from the Prescott Sunrise Lions Foundation to the art department at Washington Traditional School.

Item No. 14

Date:  09/13/05

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 #2                                     $201,146.14

Payroll Voucher #3                                     $607,852.66

Payroll Voucher #4                                     $872,106.59

Expenditure Voucher #6005                        $32,954.24

Expenditure Voucher #6006                          $5,400.95

Expenditure Voucher #6007                          $1,500.00

Expenditure Voucher #6008                        $53,394.12

Expenditure Voucher #6009                      $135,260.64

Expenditure Voucher #6010                      $215,447.62

Expenditure Voucher #6011                          $3,291.00

Expenditure Voucher #6012                          $1,279.88

Expenditure Voucher #6013                          $7,702.76

Expenditure Voucher #6014                      $214,905.89

Expenditure Voucher #6015                          $7,624.74

Expenditure Voucher #5107                          $4,394.31

Expenditure Voucher #5108                             $329.51

Expenditure Voucher #5109                          $2,137.90

Expenditure Voucher #5110                        $16,006.54

Expenditure Voucher #5111                        $59,639.35

Expenditure Voucher #5112                        $21,622.58

Expenditure Voucher #5113                        $33,817.59

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

Item No. 15

Date:  09/13/05

In Consideration of:  Approving the Auxiliary Operations and Student Activities Fund Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for the month of July 2005.

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

Relevant Information:

Exhibits:  A copy of the statements is attached. Please refer to Enclosure #7.

Item No. 16

Date:  09/13/05

In Consideration of:  Approving the previous minutes from the Governing Board Executive and Study Session of August 9, 2005, the Voting Session of August 11, 2005, and the Joint Board Meeting with Skyview Charter School on August 24, 2005.

Submitted by:  Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

Relevant Information:  Board Policy requires approval of minutes.

Exhibits:  Please refer to Enclosure #8.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

17.  Mrs. Raskin has prepared the School Board Summary Budget Report for your review.  (Please refer to Enclosure #9.)

18.  Attached for your review is a letter to the Governing Board from Robert D. Haws, Chair of the Education Law Practice Group at Gust & Rosenfeld regarding the district’s recognition by Standard & Poor’s School Evaluation Services.  (Please refer to Enclosure #10.)