January 9, 2007

 

Minutes of the Governing Board Study Session of Tuesday, January 9, 2007, beginning at 5:30 p.m. held in the District Office Board Room.

 

Governing Board Members Present:

 

President Joan Fleming

Mrs. Dee Navarro

Dr. Andy Newton (arrived at 5:45)

                                           Mr. Steve Campbell

Mr. Tom Staley

                    

Also Present:

Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Mrs. Renee Raskin, Chief Financial Officer

Mr. John Vanuk, Student Representative

Mrs. Andi Mayer, Assistant to the Governing Board

 

Others Present:   

         

          David Martin                  Brian Moore                   Totsy McCraley

          Jay Collier                      Arn Lavington                Bruce Yeager

          Ed Yeager                       Jim Cowan                     Nancy Martinez

          Marianne Brooks           Frank Lawhead              Shari Lopatin

          Joe Howard                    Bill Munson                             Justin Yeager

          Barbara Van Fossen       Jim Williams                  Stephanie Hillig

          Bill Monroe                    Linda Ryan                    Dave McGee

          Susan Clark                   Geneva Saint-Amour      Mike Kabbel

          Chris Lawrence             

                   

                                                                            

CALL TO ORDER

President Joan Fleming called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. after reconvening from an executive session.

 

OPENING CEREMONY AND WELCOME

President Fleming welcomed everyone and thanked those present for attending.  Mr. John Vanuk led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

President Fleming asked Mr. Kevin Kapp if the agenda was in order.  Mr. Kapp responded that it was in order.

 

Mr. Steve Campbell moved that the Governing Board approve the agenda as presented. Mrs. Dee Navarro seconded the motion.

 

Mrs. Dee Navarro voted aye, Mr. Tom Staley voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, and President Fleming voted aye.  The motion carried 4-0.

 

PRESENTATIONS

Mr. Kevin Kapp noted that the district has always enjoyed a very good working relationship and high level of cooperation from the Prescott Police Department and gave an example when Deputy Chief Mike Kabbel had gone above and beyond.  Mr. Kapp then presented a certificate of recognition to Deputy Chief Mike Kabbel and the entire Prescott Police Department.

 

Deputy Chief Kabbel stated that he appreciated the recognition on behalf of the entire department.  He noted that he has been with the Prescott Police Department for 17 years and throughout all of those years there has been a wonderful relationship with the schools in Prescott.  He added that the town has grown, crime has increased, yet the department is trying to keep programs such as the School Resource Officer and D.A.R.E. in the schools despite a manpower shortage.  He ended by saying that he valued the relationship with the schools, the children and staff members and that the good relationship shared between the two entities would continue.

 

Mr. Kapp reported that Dr. Joan Fleming was currently ending her sixth term as President of the Governing Board with our school district and presented her with a plaque in recognition of the years she has served on our Governing Board.

 

Dr. Fleming stated that it was a real honor to serve the district and that she was starting her 13th year as a Board member.  She added that it has been a wonderful experience and has enjoyed working with everyone in the district.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Mr. Kevin Kapp distributed the January Calendar of Events noting that there are lots of things going on in the month of January, that we just came back from a two-week break, and encouraged everyone to attend and enjoy as many activities in the schools as possible.

 

He reported that the district administration has planned on going to every school and site for a one-hour open forum as part of their goals.  He noted that they have already done this with three of the schools, and that it is an attempt to get out in the schools more and answer questions for staff members.

 

He noted that new bus routes went into effect yesterday, after the Board approved four additional bus drivers earlier in the year.  He added that Mr. Jim Cowan would be giving a report to the Board at a later date.

 

Mr. Kapp reported that snow is predicted for Friday and that the procedures are in place to either call a 2-hour delay or a snow day.  He added that snow day information letters were sent home with all students.

 

He reported that on Saturday, February 24th, the district would be holding its annual School Fair at the Gateway Mall, which will also officially kick off registration for next year.  He noted that February 7th is the Board Retreat – an all-day planning session that will take place at the Mountain Club Clubhouse.

 

Mr. Kapp reported that the district has received approval from the School Facilities Board for an additional building at the high school, or a building at a separate site, of 62,000 square feet that would accommodate 500 students.  He noted that the SFB is willing to work with the Board and staff on what we want to do with that space.

 

Mr. Tom Staley suggested that it would be a great idea to get as much public input as possible regarding a new high school.  He reported that the work on the tennis courts at the high school is progressing through a cooperative effort with the City of Prescott.  He noted that Taylor Hicks is waiting for a transformer before tile can be put down on the floors in the new Gym/Multi-Purpose Building and that the building would hopefully be ready for use in mid-February.

 

Mr. Steve Campbell noted that the district has encouraged Abia Judd students to ride the bus due to the road work.  He asked if that has helped the traffic situation in that area.  Mr. Jim Cowan responded that there has been no increase of students riding buses at Abia Judd and that the traffic has gotten worse, with 5-6 minute delays getting up Iron Springs and entering either Abia Judd or Granite Mountain, which affects the rest of the bus routes.

 

STUDY AND VOTING SESSION:

 

Voting Item:  CONSIDER NOMINATIONS FOR THE REORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD

President Fleming noted that the Board reorganization usually takes place at the first meeting in January, or before January 15th as required by law.  She asked for nominations for the position of President of the Governing Board.

 

          Mrs. Dee Navarro moved to nominate and elect Mr. Steve Campbell          as President of the Governing Board.  Dr. Andy Newton seconded the nomination.

 

President Fleming asked Mr. Campbell if he would accept the nomination.  Mr. Campbell responded that he would.

 

          Mrs. Dee Navarro voted aye, Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Tom   Staley voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, and President Joan    Fleming voted aye.  The motion carried.

 

At this point in the meeting, Mr. Steve Campbell presided over the meeting.  He stated that he appreciated the opportunity to serve as Board President.

 

Voting Item:  CONSIDER APPROVING THE DAY AND TIME FOR GOVERNING BOARD MEETINGS FOR THE YEAR 2007

 

          Dr. Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board continue to hold        Board meetings on the first and second Tuesday of each month with     a start time of 5:30 p.m.  Mrs. Dee Navarro seconded the motion.

 

          Mrs. Dee Navarro voted aye, Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Tom   Staley voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye, and President Steve      Campbell voted aye.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING THE SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF A REPRESENTATIVE TO SERVE ON THE WEST YAVAPAI COUNTY JOINT TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION DISTRICT STEERING COMMITTEE

Mr. Kapp reported that Mr. Tim Carter, Yavapai County Superintendent of Schools, has taken the initiative of moving forward with the idea of forming a joint technological education district, which has been favorably discussed for more than 15 years.  He set up a meeting with seven other districts to discuss this idea.  He noted that Arizona law allows for school districts to form a new joint district, but there has been a moratorium placed on forming any new districts for several years.  He added that the moratorium is scheduled to end in June 2007, if passed by the legislature.

He noted that Humboldt, Chino Valley, Mayer, Bagdad, Ashfork and Seligman were the other districts involved in these meetings and all of the districts showed an interest in forming a JTED.  He reported that it’s a complicated process and that the first step would be to meet regularly and brainstorm ideas.  He stated that he believed the community would be very interested in this concept to prepare those students who are not college bound to prepare and develop skills for work after high school.  He noted that Mr. Carter has requested that each of the seven districts elect someone from their district to serve on the committee and attend the meetings. 

 

Dr. Joan Fleming noted that she had talked with Senator Bennett and that the moratorium had been placed because they were losing money.  She added that there are a couple of good legislators who could possibly assist us.  She noted that Senator O’Halleran was involved with the Senate education committees.  She noted that she had also talked with the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Economic Development regarding this concept, which consists of a lot of business people.  As an example, she noted that Bagdad is interested in heavy equipment operators.  She noted that a student would go to their home high school in the morning for core classes and then attend the JTED in the afternoon for vocational classes.  She added that she would be interested in serving on the committee that Mr. Carter is forming.

 

President Campbell reported that he had attended an ASBA break-out session regarding this concept and that one of the models uses junior college facilities for the vocational classes.  He added that with Yavapai College located in Prescott, Chino Valley and Prescott Valley, it’s an interesting idea.

 

Dr. Fleming noted that Dr. Horton serves on the Mayor’s advisory committee and seemed very interested.

 

Mr. Kapp noted that there are different models – having a separate campus, which would involve bond money from each district, using facilities on an existing campus, or developing a program with a junior college.

 

Mr. Tom Staley stated that working with Yavapai College would be a great idea.  President Campbell noted that in some of these programs that worked with a junior college, students were able to receive dual credit for some of the classes.

 

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA:

 

CONSIDER APPROVING THE TEACHER EVALUATION SYSTEM VERIFICATION STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE FOR 2007

Mr. Staley asked, regarding teacher evaluations, do we continue to be in compliance with both statements?  Dr. Chris Reynolds responded, yes, we are in compliance with both statements.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING THE CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL ACTIONS AS PRESENTED

 

CONSIDER ACCEPTING THE DONATIONS AS PRESENTED

Mr. Staley acknowledged the generosity of all the donations made to the district and highlighted some of the donations made to the district.

 

CONSIDER RATIFYING THE VOUCHERS AS PRESENTED

 

CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE AUXILIARY OPERATIONS AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES FUND STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2006

Mr. Staley noted that there was over $680,000 of tax credit donations from last year sitting in various accounts and that he was concerned that this money was not being spent for our students on extra-curricular activities.

 

He stated that he would like to see every line item above $5,000 and how it’s going to be spent or an accounting of some type on how the principals plan to spend this money.

 

President Campbell suggested putting this on the February agenda as a presentation by the principals and directors to update the Board on these accounts.

 

Mr. Staley noted that they Board may want to vote and tell them to spend a certain percentage of this money.  President Campbell noted that we would know more after the presentation.  Mr. Kapp noted that each principal can make a report to the Board.  Mr. Staley stated that he would like to hear from the principals how they are planning on spending those funds – an action plan.  He noted that tax credit money must stay in the accounts they are designated for.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FROM THE GOVERNING BOARD SPECIAL SESSION AND STUDY SESSION OF DECEMBER 5, 2006, AND THE EXECUTIVE AND VOTING SESSION OF DECEMBER 12, 2006

 

ADJOURNMENT

President Campbell called the Board’s attention to the information items provided in the Board Briefing.  He then asked Dr. Reynolds to introduce a guest.  Dr. Reynolds introduced Mr. Bruce Yeager, a Board member from Humboldt Unified School District, and his son, Justin.  He noted that Mr. Yeager was interested in information regarding our student representative and was here to observe how our student representative interacts with the Board.

 

          Dr. Andy Newton moved that the Governing Board meeting be        adjourned.  Dr. Joan Fleming seconded the motion.

 

          Mrs. Dee Navarro voted aye, Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Tom   Staley voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye, and President Steve      Campbell voted aye.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

The regular meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

 

___________________________________

Governing Board Member