PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1

146 South Granite Street

Prescott, Arizona 86303

 

September 14, 2004

 

Minutes of the Governing Board Voting Session of Tuesday, September 14, 2004,

beginning at 6:00 p.m. held in the District Office Board Room.

 

Governing Board Members Present:

President Dee Navarro

Dr. Joan Fleming

Mr. Gordon Maddux

Mr. Steve Campbell

Dr. Andy Newton

 

Also Present:

Mr. Kevin Kapp, Superintendent

Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Mrs. Renee Raskin, Business Manager

Miss Justine Bunger, Governing Board Student Representative

Mrs. Andrea Mayer, Assistant to Governing Board

 

Others Present:   

                                                                                     

          Bill Monroe                    Totsy McCraley              Bruce Taylor

          Linda Ryan                    Nancy Martinez              Jim Williams

          Marianne Brooks           Dessa Patton West         Hilary Eller

                                               

CALL TO ORDER

President Dee Navarro called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

 

OPENING CEREMONY AND WELCOME

President Navarro welcomed everyone in attendance.  Miss Justine Bunger led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

 

Dr. Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board approve the agenda as presented.  Mr. Steve Campbell seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye and President Navarro voted aye. The motion carried 5-0.

 

PRESENTATIONS

None.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Mr. Kevin Kapp reported that four out of the five Board members had attended the ASBA Law Conference last week and that it was a very good conference.  He noted that a report from those who attended would be on one of the October agendas.  He stated that he appreciated Board members taking the time to attend.

 

He distributed information on the National School Board Association and noted that our district is now a member.  He also distributed an invitation from Discovery Garden in celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

 

Dr. Chris Reynolds reported that the sick bank did not have to charge employees a day to join, that 66% of employees were members last year and 75% were members this year.

 

VOTING SESSION:

 

CONSIDER ADOPTING THE “CHOOSING THE BEST” CURRICULUM AND MATERIALS FOR SEX EDUCATION INSTRUCTION AT PRESCOTT MILE HIGH MIDDLE SCHOOL AND GRANITE MOUNTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL

 

Dr. Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board adopt the “Choosing the Best” curriculum and materials for Sex Education instruction at Prescott Mile High Middle School and Granite Mountain Middle School.  Mr. Gordon Maddux seconded the motion.

 

Mrs. Dessa (Patton) West addressed the Governing Board and stated that she has been dealing with sex education with her children for the past six years and did not have time to view the proposed curriculum.  She noted that as a parent, this is a very important topic and that she sees kids in the elementary schools dealing with some of these issues.  She stated that when it comes time to review materials for the high school level, she would like to serve on the committee that chooses the curriculum.

 

Mr. Kapp noted that this is the year the committee will look at high school curriculum and asked Ms. Linda Ryan to talk about the process.

 

Ms. Linda Ryan reported that the committee had reviewed four programs for the middle school curriculum and that the proposed curriculum was the most comprehensive and met the needs of the community.  She noted that it is an abstinence only program at the middle school level.  She stated that Mrs. McCraley had some new ideas regarding the curriculum delivery system to be used at the high school and that the program the district is now using has not been revised since 1997.  She noted that the committee will begin looking at curriculum for the high school this spring.

 

Mr. Kapp asked how many people had actually reviewed the proposed curriculum.  Ms. Ryan responded, two – one parent and one Board member.

 

Mr. Steve Campbell stated that he liked this curriculum, but would suggest that the real teacher stay in the classroom during delivery of this information to verify what happens during that class.  He noted that in the past he has had parents report concerns and it would be nice if another teacher were present to verify what took place.

 

President Navarro asked if that would be possible.  Mr. Kapp responded that it could.  President Navarro stated that she liked that idea.

 

Mr. Jim Williams reported that at the elementary level the teachers do usually stay in the classroom.

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye and President Navarro voted aye. The motion carried 5-0.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING A 20% “BUY-OUT” PROGRAM FOR QUALIFYING PARTICIPANTS WITHIN APPROVED PARAMETERS FOR THE 2004-2005 SCHOOL YEAR

 

Mr. Steve Campbell moved that the Governing Board approve the 20% “Buy-Out” program for qualifying participants within approved parameters for the 2004-2005 school year.  Dr. Joan Fleming seconded the motion.

 

Mr. Campbell clarified that he had proposed approving it for this year only since they had met with representatives from Arizona State Retirement at the conference and that the state will be looking at these programs very carefully and may charge if it affects the actuarials.

 

Dr. Chris Reynolds reported that he and Ms. Raskin had just attended a workshop that gave the same information.  He noted that it would be the district’s intent to accept the program for this year, but to explore the implications a little further, and when the district has a better understanding, to decide whether to recommend whether it should become a regular employee benefit.

 

President Navarro asked, is it not happening immediately?  Dr. Reynolds responded, July 1, 2005.

 

Dr. Joan Fleming stated that she felt that was wise and that the Board should be cautious of binding future Boards to a decision regarding buy-outs becoming a regular employee benefit.

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye and President Navarro voted aye. The motion carried 5-0.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING THE LIST OF QUALIFIED EVALUATORS FOR THE 2004-2005 SCHOOL YEAR

 

Dr. Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board approve the list of Qualified Evaluators for the 2004-2005 school year.  Mr. Gordon Maddux seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Fleming noted that she was happy to see that all evaluators had received Level I and Level II training.

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye and President Navarro voted aye. The motion carried 5-0.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING A MARKETING BUDGET OF $75,000 FOR 2004-2005 AND FUTURE YEARS

 

Mr. Gordon Maddux moved that the Governing Board approve a marketing budget of $75,000 for 2004-2005 and future years.  Dr. Joan Fleming seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Fleming noted that at last week’s Board meeting, the Board had requested that quarterly reports be made regarding the marketing budget and would only be for this year.

 

Mr. Gordon Maddux stated that he wanted to reiterate that none of this money comes out of M & O or tax payer money.

 

President Navarro stated that she would be voting against this motion – not because she has a problem with advertising, but because the expenditures can not be tied to an increase in student enrollment.

 

Dr. Fleming stated that she thought that attracting students to the district was only a part of the reason for marketing and that the perception of the community is positive and could only help the district with the bond election.

 

Mr. Maddux stated that he respected President Navarro’s right to vote against the motion, but that he would also like to say that it is very hard to identify what advertising money does, but also very difficult not to do it.

 

Mr. Kapp gave an estimation of where the money would come from and that it would be split between food service and the Civic Center fund.  He noted that food service has a reserve of over $100,000 and that Mr. Jim Wahlstrom felt very comfortable using some of that reserve.  He noted that he felt comfortable using the Civic Center fund since the district will be receiving $750,000 in building renewal funds this year and that the district had received zero building renewal funds last year.  He noted that he would also present quarterly budget reports to the Board.

 

Mr. Gordon Maddux stated that he would like to amend his original motion by eliminating the words, “and future years.”  Dr. Joan Fleming seconded the amended motion.

 

President Navarro called for the vote on the amendment to the motion.

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye and President Navarro voted aye. The motion carried 5-0.

 

President Navarro called for the vote on the original motion (as amended).

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye and President Navarro voted nay. The motion carried 4-1.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING AN EXPENDITURE OF $5,000 FROM 2004-2005 CURRENT YEAR GROWTH MONIES TO PURCHASE 20 SITE LICENSES FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY PROGRAM

 

Dr. Andy Newton moved that the Governing Board approve the expenditure of $5,000 from 2004-2005 Current Year Growth monies to purchase 20 site licenses for students to participate in the Virtual         Learning Academy program.    Dr. Joan Fleming seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye and President Navarro voted aye. The motion carried 5-0.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING TWO FTE TEACHING POSITIONS (1.0 ENGLISH/AIMS INTERVENTION AND 1.0 MATH) AT PRESCOTT HIGH SCHOOL TO ACCOMMODATE STUDENT ENROLLMENT GROWTH UTILIZING 2004-2005 CURRENT YEAR GROWTH MONIES

 

          Dr. Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board approve two FTE         teaching positions (1.0 English/AIMS Intervention and 1.0 Math) at    Prescott High School to accommodate student enrollment growth utilizing 2004-2005 Current Year Growth monies.  Mr. Gordon           Maddux seconded the motion.

 

Mr. Campbell noted that he really appreciated the discussion last week regarding this proposal and the effort being made to target and help those specific students with the AIMS test.  He stated that he felt that it was really critical to bring class sizes down and to provide help to those students who really need it on the AIMS test.

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye and President Navarro voted aye. The motion carried 5-0.

 

CONSIDER REVIEWING AND ADOPTING POLICY SERVICES ADVISORY, VOLUME 16, NUMBER 4, FOR AUGUST 2004, REGARDING POLICY ADVISORY NUMBERS 237-244

 

Mr. Steve Campbell moved that the Governing Board adopt Policy Services Advisory, Volume 16, Number 4, for August 2004, regarding Policy Advisory Number 237-244.  Mr. Gordon Maddux seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye and President Navarro voted aye. The motion carried 5-0.

 

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

President Navarro asked if there were any items on the Consent Agenda that Board members wished to remove and discuss separately.  There were none. 

 

Mr. Gordon Maddux moved that the Governing Board approve the Consent Agenda as presented.  Dr. Joan Fleming seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye and President Navarro voted aye. The motion carried 5-0.

 

APPROVING THE TRUSTEES OF THE EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TRUST (EBT)

 

APPROVING THE CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL ACTIONS AS PRESENTED

 

*Certified Staff Employments:  Janet Barrett, Richard Benson, Katie Fieglstok and Samual Stime.

 

*Certified Resignations:  Dennis Cigainero and Tanya Kennedy-DeGrazia.

 

*New Substitute Teachers: (Returning = 87, New = 11) Steven Brazell, Jeffrey Downs, Mindi Gagnon, Marek Majewskim, Lynsey Markey, Carol Jean McGinnis, Lisa Packard, Vicki Reich, Dan Rusing, Robin Tye and Stacy Zorich.

 

*Classified Staff Employments:  Amanda Caballero, Miriam deLevie, Diana Escobar, Rachel Fisher, Nate Gahn, Alison Hawkins, Jannette King, Jacqueline Langford, Sara Lienau, April Lopez, John Lorenz, Jean Maissen, Pascual Nevarez, Connie Parker, Cambria Quinn, Ann Raimonde, Lindsay VandeMotter, Elizabeth White and Carolyn Wright.

 

*Classified Staff Resignations:  Barbara Beebe and Sherise McClure.

 

*New Volunteers:  None.

 

*As reflected in the Enclosure in Board Briefing #282.

 

The acceptance of donations as presented:

 

Forty thousand dollars from an anonymous donor for miscellaneous items at Abia Judd Elementary School.

 

A computer, keyboard, monitor, speakers, mouse and printer from Mr. Bob Murray.

 

Microphones valued at $1,200, from Mr. Ron Cronkhite.

 

An Orion telescope valued at $700, from Mr. Daniel Luckman.

 

Monitors, keyboards, mouses and printer valued at $200, from Mr. Stanley J. Sweeney.

 

Computer, printer and scanner valued at $100, from Ms. Signe Lindquist.

 

Five hundred dollars from the PHS Soccer Booster for the Prescott High School football field.

 

A Macintosh computer valued at $400, from Mr. Paul Manz to Taylor Hicks Elementary School.

 

Computers, scanner, fax modem, typewriter and related accessories valued at $300, from Ms. Pamela Kramer, to Prescott High School.

 

Wood and paint to construct two large storage units with shelving and teacher supplies valued at $100, from Mr. Tim Carter to the art room at Washington Traditional School.

 

A Compaq Presario computer and HP Deskjet 725 printer valued at 2,000, from Mr. George Edlin, to Prescott High School.

 

A 1995 Pontiac Bonneville valued at $2,400 from Mr. Radovan Pletka, to the Prescott High School Auto Shop Program.

 

The ratification of vouchers as presented:

 

          Voucher #                                                     Amount

 

Payroll Voucher #2                                              $189,782.79

Payroll Voucher #3                                              $550,233.50

Expenditure Voucher #5006                                    $9,934.75

Expenditure Voucher #5007                                $102,397.33

Expenditure Voucher #5008                                  $11,440.58

Expenditure Voucher #5009                                  $18,141.40

Expenditure Voucher #5010                                $114,795.54

Expenditure Voucher #5011                                    $4,148.92

Expenditure Voucher #5012                                $248,387.08

Expenditure Voucher #5013                                  $44,932.80

Expenditure Voucher #5014                                $147,795.32

Expenditure Voucher #5015                                  $13,585.46

Expenditure Voucher #5016                                $137,749.23

Expenditure Voucher #5103                                  $13,739.45

Expenditure Voucher #5104                                    $3,469.48

Expenditure Voucher #5105                                    $8,083.85

Expenditure Voucher #5106                                    $2,687.11

Expenditure Voucher #5107                                    $1,413.06

 

Consider approving the Auxiliary Operations and Student activities Fund Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for the month of July 2004 as presented.

 

Consider the review and approval of previous minutes from the

Governing Board Study Session of August 3, 2004, and the Voting Session of August 10, 2004

 

ADJOURNMENT

President Navarro asked for a motion to adjourn.

 

Mr. Steve Campbell moved that the meeting be adjourned.  Dr. Joan Fleming seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye and President Navarro voted aye. The motion carried 5-0.

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.

 

___________________________________

Governing Board Member