October 3, 2006
Minutes of the
Governing Board Study and Voting Session of Tuesday, October 3, 2006, beginning
at 5:30 p.m. held in the District Office Board Room.
Governing
Board Members Present:
President
Mrs. Dee Navarro
Dr. Andy Newton
Mr. Steve Campbell
Mr. Tom Staley
Also
Present:
Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent
Dr.
Mrs.
Mr. John Vanuk, Student Representative
Mrs. Andi Mayer, Assistant to the
Governing Board
Others
Present:
Nancy Martinez Lauren Millette
Jay Collier Chris Lawrence
Dave McGee Stephanie Hillig Susan
Clark
Barbara Van Fossen Frank Lawhead Jim Cowan
Joe Howard
Totsy McCraley Bill Munson
David Martin
Lauren Millette Isabel Creach Nicole
McNally
President
President
Fleming welcomed everyone and thanked those present for attending. Mr. John Vanuk led the audience in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
President
Fleming introduced Ms.
President
Fleming asked Mr.
Mr.
Mrs.
Dee Navarro voted aye, Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Tom Staley voted aye, Mr.
Dr. Chris
Reynolds introduced Mr. Tom Cosell from the Sunrise Lions Club
organization. He noted that the Lions
Club had donated $2,000 to the nursing fund and then read a list of the
equipment from each school that was bought with that donation. Dr. Reynolds thanked Mr. Cosell and the Lions
Club for their generosity and presented him with a plaque in recognition of the
donation.
Mr. Cosell
stated that he was pleased and proud to support PUSD, especially the nurses,
and that their primary mission is sight and hearing conservation.
Mr. Arn
Lavington gave a Bond Projects Committee update. He noted that the committee’s goal was to
prioritize those items that might not get done due to higher than anticipated
construction costs (up to 150% in some cases).
He distributed a handout noting that the prioritization was based on the
health, safety and well-being of students.
He stated that the committee is suggesting that the Board reserve
$467,000 or more of the money to be received from the sale of the
MV – Renovation of Restrooms $100,000.
MV – Cafeteria Floor Renovation $7,000.
MV – Field Renovation $90,000.
MV – Drinking Fountain Replacement $10,000.
TH – Field Renovation $110,000.
District-wide – Bus Loading Shelters $150,000.
$467,000.
He noted that at a later date the Board and committee
could defend the parameters used for the prioritization of these projects.
Mr. Lavington and Mr. Jay Collier answered questions from the
Board regarding the update.
SUPERINTENDENT’S
REPORT
Mr.
Mr. Kapp
introduced Mr. Chris Lawrence, the new Director of Discovery Gardens
preschools.
He reported
that he had been asked to apply to become a member of a teacher certification
advisory committee for the Arizona State Board of Education. He noted that he had applied, was accepted,
and will now serve on that committee. He
stated that he tries to be involved statewide.
He also noted
that Dr. Chris Reynolds was finishing up his year as President of the Arizona
School Personnel Administrators Association.
Mr. Kapp
distributed a copy of the latest enrollment report noting that the district was
up 123 students (2.2%), that the elementary level was up 48 students (2.1%),
that the middle schools were down 19 students (1.5%), and that PHS was up 5 students
and NELA was up 89 students for a total of 94 students (4.9%). He stated that he felt that Northpoint and
the ROTC program had brought in some students to the district. He noted that the numbers are becoming more
stable and predictable now.
Mrs.
Mr. Kapp
reported that the Welcome Back Barbeque for PUSD staff had over 350 staff
members and family members in attendance, as compared to 225 that attended last
spring. He thanked the Communications
Committee (Joan Fleming,
He announced
that this Thursday Northpoint would be receiving their laptop computers from
Apple and that Apple would be training the students and parents on how to use
these computers. He noted that this was
a big event since there are not many high schools in the country where the
students have laptops and he thanked the Board for their support.
He reported
that the PUSD staff contracts had gone out last Friday and thanked the Human Resource
personnel for their quick work.
Mr. Kapp noted
that over the weekend 70 of our JROTC students helped with the Air Show. He added that the Transportation Department
had provided shuttling services for which the district was paid and that
approximately 24,000 people attended the Air Show.
Mr. Kapp
distributed a handout regarding the prescribed burn schedule, reported that he
had met with Mike King and the new Bradshaw District Ranger, Laura Jo
West. He noted that the Forest Service
is trying to keep the community apprised of the schedule and any changes to the
schedule.
Mr.
Mr. Staley encouraged
anyone interested to write or e-mail the Governor’s Office and/or the Liquor
Board.
STUDY AND VOTING SESSION:
Voting Item: CONSIDER APPROVING THE 2005-2006 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
Mrs. Renee
Raskin reported that she was presenting the final numbers for 2005-2006 and
that it is a voting item because the deadline for the report is October 15th. She noted that this report looks at budgeted
vs. actual expenditures in the Maintenance and Operations budget, which
consists of regular education, special education, and transportation and the
Capital Funds, which consists of unrestricted capital, soft capital, and
building renewal. She noted that the transportation formula is being looked at
by the legislature, which something we need to support. She reported that they only paid the district
for 175 days last year and 180 days for 2006-07. She noted that the budget summaries would
appear in The Daily Courier. She reviewed the budget figures with Board
members and answered their questions regarding the budget.
A discussion
was held regarding the Kids & Co. deficit over the last four years and Mrs.
Nicole McNally updated the Board regarding the latest enrollment figures. She noted that they are currently at 267
students, as compared with 211 last December.
She noted that enrollment at the new site at
Discussion
also was held regarding benefits and the gifted and accelerated programs.
Mrs.
Mrs.
CONSIDER
APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF $11,122.55 FOR ADDITIONAL BOOKS NEEDED FOR THE
EXTREMELY LARGE SOPHOMORE CLASS AT
Mr. Kapp noted
that Mrs. McCraley was in attendance to explain the request and that it is not
just for the sophomore class and is a request for allocating some of the sudden
growth money.
President
Fleming asked, why was this not anticipated?
Mrs.
President
Fleming asked, why weren’t you allocated the extra $5,000? Mrs. Renee Raskin responded that they had
looked at the numbers and had chosen not to allocate that amount.
President
Fleming asked, you are given an allocation each year? Mrs. McCraley responded, yes, and I try to
raise it each year, but book prices have been raised faster than what I have
budgeted.
Mr.
Mr. Steve
Campbell noted that if the high school did that, then they would have the
opposite problem of too many sections offered, too many books ordered, and
possibly too many teachers hired.
President
Fleming noted that it would be out of growth money this year and then come out
of capital next year. Mrs. Raskin added,
unrestricted capital.
Mr. Kapp
pointed out that the more you roll over into next year’s budget, the less you
will have for IBN. He noted that for an
example, the special education numbers change so much, that we don’t
automatically roll those expenditures over every year – we try to balance in
order to give the Board more money for negotiations.
CONSIDER
APPROVING FOUR (4) NEW BUS DRIVER POSITIONS, FIVE (5) SPECIAL EDUCATION
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT POSITIONS AND ONE (1) HALF-TIME CUSTODIAL POSITION TO
BE PAID OUT OF 2006-2007 SUDDEN GROWTH
Mr. Kapp
reported that these are logical requests based on the enrollment numbers at the
end of September within the range of growth monies expected.
Mrs. Raskin
noted that the district can expect growth monies in the amount of $300,000 -
$350,000 and that last year we received $431,000. She added that she hoped to have the 40th
day numbers in order to give the Board a more accurate figure by the voting
session. Mr. Kapp noted that those were
conservative amounts.
Mrs.
Mr. Staley
noted that five special education instructional assistants would cost $65,000,
four bus drivers would cost $57,000, and the part-time custodian would cost
$11,000, for a total amount of $175,000 per year. He added that the Board should anticipate
that Taylor Hicks and
Mr. Kapp noted
that procedurally, the Board could do that when they make their motion next
week. He added that the pro-rated amount
of $123,000 would come out of this year’s sudden growth money and the total
cost for next year of $175,000 would come out of next year’s budget.
Mrs. Navarro
asked, by hiring four new bus drivers, how will that affect wait times? Mr. Jim Cowan responded, that it would affect
the ride time for special needs students and the wait time at the secondary
schools in the afternoon. He added that
one driver would be used for special needs kids and the other three drivers
would be utilized as route drivers. He
went on to say that they anticipate that this would reduce the wait time at the
secondary schools by 15-20 minutes (depending on the road construction) and
that the ride time could be reduced for special needs kids having a maximum
ride time of 40 minutes.
Mrs. Navarro
noted that she had received letters from special needs kids’ parents saying
that some of those kids have ride times of one and a half hours? Mr. Cowan responded that
Mr. Staley
noted that the reduction in wait time could be by as much as 33%. He asked, would we be reducing both wait and
ride times? Mr. Cowan responded, yes, as
well as cutting down on the cost of fuel and would reduce the number of
transfers. Mr. Staley asked, and allow
for all field trips? Mr. Cowan
responded, not always – but will be greatly improved.
Mrs. Navarro
asked, have we looked at starting times at the different levels? Mr. Cowan responded, we have – Mr. Kapp has –
and there is no question that they have an impact on bus service. Mrs. Navarro noted that maybe that should be
addressed again.
Mr. Staley
stated that he thought wait time could be cut in half by extending some of the
dismissal times.
Mr. Steve
Campbell asked, what constitutes the need or requirement for a one-on-one
instructional aide? Mrs. Nancy Martinez
responded, it’s a health and safety issue, and the five students that I am
requesting this for are out of the six that I requested last year, and I may be
requesting an additional one for another student. She added that five of the seven are in
wheelchairs and that it depends on the severity of the special need.
Mr. Campbell
asked, and you feel they are absolutely necessary? Mrs. Martinez responded, yes – they were with
us last year and are back again this year.
Mrs. Navarro
asked, is this a federal mandate? Mrs.
Martinez responded, yes – it’s in their IEP’s.
Mrs. Navarro noted that if it is in the student’s IEP we are mandated to
provide that service.
Mr. Staley noted
that the Board had approved $30,000 per student last year for two
students. Mrs. Martinez noted that only
one of those students returned to our district.
Mrs. Navarro
noted that there would be no sudden growth money left. Mr. Kapp stated that was why he hoped to have
the 40 day count in order to give the Board more solid figures.
CONSIDER
APPROVING AN OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL REQUEST FOR THE
Mr. Shean
Hilton noted that this would be the third year he has requested out-of-state
travel to attend this tournament in
Mrs. Navarro
asked, how many students would be going?
Mr. Hilton responded, 18-22 players.
He added that the cost ($6,337.32) would be 100% covered through tax
credit donations and fund raisers.
Dr.
Mr. Staley
asked for the number of chaperones. Mr. Hilton
responded five.
CONSIDER
APPROVING AN OUT-OF-COUNTRY TRAVEL REQUEST BY MRS. ISABEL CREACH FROM PRESCOTT
HIGH SCHOOL FOR HER AND ONE OF HR STUDENTS, MICHAEL SHROADS, TO TRAVEL TO
CABORCA, MEXICO, FOR A CULTURAL VISIT AT THE INVITATION OF THE PRESCOTT SISTER
CITY ASSOCIATION FROM FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2006, THROUGH MONDAY, OCTOBER 23,
2006
Mr. Kapp noted
that this was the first out-of-country request that he has brought to the Board
for their consideration and introduced Mrs. Isabel Creach, Spanish teacher at
Mr. Creach
reported that one student and one teacher from each high school in the tri-city
area had been invited on this trip by the Sister City Association who would pay
all costs associated with the trip.
Dr. Newton,
asked will you be getting there? Mrs.
Creach responded, by bus.
Mrs. Navarro
stated that she has been to Caborca and that it’s an experience you don’t want
to miss and would be very educational for the students and adults. Mrs. Navarro asked, what about insurance –
would they be covered going out of the country?
Mr. Kapp responded, if it’s approved by the Board and school-sponsored
it’s covered.
Mr. Staley
asked, whose bus, and who is the driver?
Mrs. Creach responded, the bus will be contracted through the Sister
City Association. Mr. Staley stated that
he’d like to see the insurance coverage in writing. He stated that he agreed that it would be
quite an experience, but that he had concerns about sending a student out of
the country – especially to
President
Fleming stated that she would have no problem with the request and that it
would provide a real cultural exchange.
Mrs. Creach
stated that she has been taking students to Caborca for 20 years and had never encountered
any problems and that she was taking 22 students each time.
Mrs. Navarro
requested that Mrs. Creach obtain the requested information prior to the next
meeting.
Mr. Kapp
stated that he would get the insurance information in writing.
CONSIDER
APPROVING AN OUT-OF-COUNTRY TRAVEL REQUEST BY MRS. GENEVA SAINT-AMOUR FOR THE
NORTHPOINT EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING ACADEMY STUDENTS TO TRAVEL TO YUMA/SAN LUIS,
ARIZONA, AND WALK ACROSS THE BORDER AS PART OF THEIR EXPEDITION ON OCTOBER
18-22, 2006, OR NOVEMBER 1-3, 2006
Mr. Kapp noted
that this has now become a non-out-of-country request – just an in-state field
trip.
Mrs. Geneva
Saint-Amour reviewed the itinerary with the Board and noted that she had met
with the principal of
President
Fleming asked how the trip would be paid for.
Mrs. Saint-Amour responded, through fees, tax credit monies (for which
the Gates Foundation paid for the advertising), and money from parents
($25/student).
She noted that
not all of the students would fit on the activity buses, so would have to ride
down with parents. Mr. Staley stated
that he was concerned about those students and recommended that a 6th
activity bus released for their use due to liability. Mr. Kapp noted that the recommendation was
not a Board action, but that he would talk with the Transportation
Department.
Mr. Staley
asked if PHS tax credit monies could be used for the trip. Mrs. Raskin responded, not if the donor
specified that the money should go to PHS.
Mr. Staley asked, do we have any undesignated money? Mr. Kapp stated that he would check with the
auditors, but that the intent if for community members to donate to the school
or program of their choice and that he would be cautious about that idea.
Mr. Staley
asked, how many chaperones? Mrs.
Saint-Amour responded, ten. Mr. Staley
asked, what if there are students who can’t afford to go? Mr. Kapp responded, no student is ever denied
based on economics.
Voting Item: CONSIDER APPROVING A TOP TEN PRIORITY LIST FROM THE 2007
POLITICAL AGENDA DEVELOPED AT THE ASBA DELEGATE ASSEMBLY
President
Fleming reviewed those checklists that were turned back in to her by reading
those most often checked and asked the Board how they’d like to arrive at a top
ten priority list.
President Joan Fleming moved that the
Governing Board allow her to combine the three lists that were turned in and to
take the majority of those items that were checked off. Mr. Steve Campbell seconded the motion.
Mrs.
CONSIDER
APPROVING NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS GIVEN THROUGH THE
Mr. Kapp
reviewed the ASBA awards: the Golden
Bell award, the photography award and scholarship, and the All-Arizona School
Board Award for current Board members.
He noted that Northpoint would be a good program to submit for the
Golden Bell Award, but that the program must have been in existence for two
years.
President
Fleming asked Board members to submit any nominations to her before the next
Board meeting.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA:
CONSIDER
APPROVING THE CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL ACTIONS AS PRESENTED
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 AUGUST 2006
CONSIDER
APPROVING THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FROM THE GOVERNING BOARD STUDY AND EXECUTIVE
SESSION OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2006, THE EXECUTIVE SESSION OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2006, AND
THE VOTING SESSION OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
Mrs. Dee Navarro moved that the
Governing Board meeting be adjourned.
Mr. Steve Campbell seconded the motion.
Mrs.
The regular
meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
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