PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1

146 South Granite Street

Prescott, Arizona 86303

 

October 20, 2000

 

Minutes of the Regular Session of the Governing Board, Tuesday, October 10, 2000, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom.

 

          Governing Board members present:

 

President Vaughn Delp

Mr. Gordon Maddux

Mr. Dennis Colgan

Mrs. Dana Womack

Dr. Joan Fleming

 

          Also Present:

Dr. Roger Short, Superintendent

Mr. Kevin Kapp, Assistant Superintendent

Ms. Kimberly Steward, Student Representative

Mrs. Andi Mayer, Assistant to the Governing Board

 

          Absent:

None

 

          Others Present:

                                      Dee Navarro                   Tim Carter

                                      Renee Raskin                Betty Ann Campbell

                                      Worth Mallory                May Mallory        

                                      Bob Williams                  Ruth Willson

                                      Jim Williams                  Dawn Knight

                                      Steve Campbell              Linda Ryan

                                                                                               

CALL TO ORDER

President Delp called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.  President Delp welcomed the members of the audience and the media.  Mrs. Dana Womack led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

President Delp asked Dr. Short if the agenda was in order as presented.  Dr. Short stated that the agenda was in order.

 

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

 

Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye; Mrs. Dana Womack voted aye; Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye; Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye; and President Delp voted aye.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

PRESENTATIONS

Dr. Roger Short noted that one of the goals of the Board was to have the different sites make presentations to the Board.  He introduced Mr. Bob Williams from Miller Valley School.

 

Mr. Bob Williams updated the Board on the Miller Valley Site Council.  He distributed a one-page outline to the Board.  He noted that the Miller Valley Site Council includes the P.T.S.A. Miller Valley has a shared governance rather than an exclusive decision making process, with an open door policy for parents and community members.  Mr. Williams reviewed the makeup of the core site council, which includes the P.T.S.A. Executive Board, Committee Chairs, Teachers, Classified staff, Grandparents/Patrons, and the Principal.  He noted that the Site Council has quarterly general meetings in conjunction with major school events, which are the September Parent Night, November Cultural Arts Fair, February Science Fair, and May Extravaganza.  Both he and the P.T.S.A. President preside over the formal meetings.  There are also weekly mini-meetings on Wednesday mornings.  Mr. Williams reviewed the current issues and challenges faced by the site council which include regrouping from the 99-00 budget cuts, technology, working to get the Accelerated Reader school-wide, streamlining routine procedures, and the direction of PUSD #1.

 

Dr. Roger Short introduced Mrs. Betty Ann Campbell who was present to update the Board on the progress of the proposed district sponsored charter school.

 

Mrs. Betty Ann Campbell read a letter to the Board as an update.  She stated that she had completed part of the application for the charter school and that she was currently working on a budget with Renee Raskin and an accountant.  The charter school would accommodate 30 at-risk students, grades 7-9.  She noted that the facilities and school site are undetermined at this time.  She is currently working on an intergovernmental agreement and anticipated that both the application and IGA would be ready for submission to the Board at the November meeting.  Once the Board approves the application and IGA, the next step would be to submit those documents to the Arizona Department of Education.  This process takes approximately 30 days. Once approved by the ADE, she could proceed with actually setting up the district sponsored charter school for operation in September 2001.  Mrs. Campbell asked the Board for a formal decision as to whether they have chosen to sponsor a charter school.

 

President Delp asked if the Board would receive paperwork prior to the November study session.  Mrs. Campbell replied yes. 

 

Mr. Denny Colgan noted that Dr. Street had raised several questions at the Board Retreat regarding the feasibility of a district sponsoring a charter school.  He noted that he would like more information and an in-depth discussion to decide whether to implement this plan as a program or a charter school.

 

Dr. Joan Fleming stated that she would like to see more projected figures to determine the economic feasibility for the district.

 

Mrs. Campbell stated that the district would receive money for purchase services (3% of the ADM and rental fees for the site).  She expressed concern regarding making her proposal completely public after all the work she had put into it, because then it would become public domain and someone could use her proposal. 

 

Mr. Colgan stated that he would have to see more detailed information regarding the budget, a cash flow chart, etc., before he could make any kind of decision.

 

Mrs. Dana Womack expressed concern that the proposed charter school might drain the district of money.

 

Dr. Fleming suggested that these types of questions would be more appropriate at a later date since this was just a presentation on the agenda.

 

Mrs. Dana Womack requested that the administration retrieve the Mountain Oak Charter School proposal from past records to use as an overview and for comparative data.

 

President Delp directed Dr. Roger Short to meet with Mrs. Betty Ann Campbell to work out the details of the proposal and to have Mrs. Andi Mayer poll the Board for a separate meeting.

 

Ms. Linda Ryan gave a report to the Board regarding the AIMS testing results.  She distributed test results from 3^rd, 5^th, 8^th, and 10^th grade students who took the AIMS test last spring.  She also distributed a sample of a report that would be sent home to parents.  She reviewed the overall test results and noted that the most important class is that of 2002, who are currently juniors.  She reported that the math portion of the AIMS test was being revised and rewritten and that the math portion of the test would be available in the spring.  This new test will take one day, instead of two, and will be a multiple-choice test for scoring purposes.  The Class of 2002 will still need to meet the standards in reading and writing.  The district will be retesting again on October 24^th with the writing portion of the AIMS test.  The Arizona Department of Education will also be revising the reading portion of the AIMS test.

Ms. Ryan reported that the district is doing well according to the reading scores, but there is some concern regarding the writing scores.  The 8^th, 5^th, and 3^rd grade students were tested last March.  The 8^th grade scores look good and are above the state scores.  She noted that the scores go up for the lower grades. It is hoped that by the time these classes are in high school, they will have been working with the standards for a longer period of time and will need less remediation. She stated that she was very encouraged by the baseline scores.  There is a need for districts to receive the test results from the state department in a timelier manner and the district needs to work on some type of a remediation plan.

 

Ms. Ryan reported that the test results for last year’s 5^th, 8^th, and 10^th grade students would be mailed to parents.  Test results from last year’s 3^rd grade students can be picked up at the elementary schools by parents.  Any test results not picked up at the elementary schools by the October break will be sent home with the student.

 

Dr. Roger Short complimented Ms. Linda Ryan and Mrs. Janice Snyder for getting this information out to the schools and to parents.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Short requested that the student representative give a brief report on Homecoming activities.

 

Ms. Kimberly Steward reported that last Monday was the beginning of spirit week for Homecoming activities, with a parade on Thursday evening.  The football game was on Friday night, which the Badgers won.  The Homecoming dance was held on Saturday night.  She noted that it was a very fun week for the students and overall, a very successful Homecoming.

 

Dr. Short reported that the Fall Break was coming up and that there would be no school October 27-31, which is a Friday, Monday, Tuesday break.  He noted that this maybe the first attempt at moving to an alternative schedule.

 

He reported that the district had received their first query regarding snow days.  The district will follow the same procedure as in past years with three options:  a regular schedule, a two-hour delayed schedule, or a snow day.  Information will be sent home with students in the very near future.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING THE 1999-2000 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

 

Mr. Gordon Maddux moved that the Governing Board approve the 1999-2000 Annual Financial Report.  Mr. Dennis Colgan seconded the motion. 

 

Ms. Renee Raskin reviewed each page of the 1999-2000 Annual Financial Report with the Board with an overhead projector presentation.

 

Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye; Mrs. Dana Womack voted aye; Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye; Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye; and President Delp voted aye.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS FOR RECOGNITION OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND/OR PROGRAMS THROUGH THE ARIZONA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION

 

Dr. Short noted that the six different award categories had been outlined at the last study session.

 

President Vaughn Delp moved that the Governing Board nominate the Samaritan Nursing Assistant program at Prescott High School for the Golden Bell Award.  Mr. Dennis Colgan seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye; Mrs. Dana Womack voted aye; Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye; Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye; and President Delp voted aye.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

Mr. Dennis Colgan moved that the Governing Board nominate Dr. Joan Fleming for the 2000 All-Arizona School Board Award.  Mr. Gordon Maddux seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Joan Fleming abstained; Mrs. Dana Womack abstained; Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye; Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye; and President Delp voted aye.  The motion carried 3-2.

 

Dr. Joan Fleming noted that she had abstained because she was being nominated for an award.

 

Mrs. Dana Womack noted that she had abstained because she was unable to read the packet of information before the meeting.

 

Dr. Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board nominate Mr. Bill Munroe from KPPV and KQNA for the Media Award. Mr. Dennis Colgan seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye; Mrs. Dana Womack abstained; Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye; Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye; and President Delp voted aye.  The motion carried 4-1.

 

Mrs. Dana Womack noted that she had abstained because to vote in the negative would imply that she felt Mr. Munroe was not worthy of the award, which is not true.  She stated that she felt it was inappropriate for a Board to nominate individuals for these awards.

 

CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF ISSUANCE OF SECOND CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS REFLECTING A 1% INCREASE TO ALL PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1 STAFF FOR THE 2000-2001 SCHOOL YEAR

 

Dr. Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board approve the issuance of second contracts and agreements reflecting a 1% increase to all Prescott Unified School District No. 1 staff for the 2000-2001 school year.  Mr. Dennis Colgan seconded the motion.

 

Mr. Kevin Kapp noted that he had spent some time in the past giving background information to the Board regarding this process and had provided a packet to Board members at the last study session.  He noted that the majority of funds available for second contracts were second trigger monies.  He noted that when the Board approved first contracts back in May, they had also approved a second 1% for teachers at that time, depending on whether the second trigger monies came in.  He noted that asking for a second approval may seem “overly redundant,” but he felt it was important to symbolically approve the issuance of second contracts.  Funding for second contracts for classified staff and administrators has come from further budget cuts.  All cuts are painful, but if we’re going to try to raise salaries for staff and try to get out of the bottom third, it’s a necessary strategy.

 

Mrs. Womack noted that over the past four years, every time the question of salary increases has come up for Board approval, she has asked members of the Board to separate out the different categories of employees, i.e., classified, certified, and administrative.  This motion is asking for a 1% increase for all district staff, including the teachers, which we’ve already done.  She felt this was inappropriate, without cause, to vote on an item that had already been voted on as a symbolic gesture.

 

Mrs. Dana Womack moved to amend the original motion to read in two parts:  1) that the Board approve a 1% salary increase to P.U.S.D. classified personnel; and 2) that the Board approve a 1% salary increase to all P.U.S.D. administrators.  Dr. Joan Fleming seconded the motion.

 

The vote on the amendment to the original motion was as follows:

 

Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye; Mrs. Dana Womack voted aye; Mr. Denny Colgan voted nay; Mr. Gordon Maddux voted nay; and President Delp voted nay.  The motion was defeated 3-2.

 

The vote on the original motion was as follows:

 

Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye; Mrs. Dana Womack voted nay; Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye; Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye; and President Delp voted aye.  The motion carried 4-1.

 

Mr. Denny Colgan stated that he felt the administrators in this district deserved a standing ovation for their hard work and that they deserved a raise.  President Delp stated that she was happy to see a team effort and not exclude anyone for raises.

 

Mr. Jim Williams, P.E.A. representative, addressed the Board and thanked them for their hard work and success with salary increases.  He stated that the staff was very appreciative.  He noted that the process would be starting over again and hoped that Proposition 301 passed to help the process for next year.

 

CONSIDER THE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE POLICY SERVICES ADVISORY, VOLUME 12, NUMBER 5, FOR AUGUST 2000

 

Dr. Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board approve Policy Advisory No. 172, 173, 174, 175, and 176.  Mr. Gordon Maddux seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye; Mrs. Dana Womack voted aye; Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye; Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye; and President Delp voted aye.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A REQUEST FROM MRS. CAROLYN PETERS FOR A MATERNITY LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM APPROXIMATELY JANUARY 16, 2001, THROUGH JUNE 6, 2001

 

Mr. Gordon Maddux moved that the Governing Board approve the request from Mrs. Carolyn Peters for a maternity leave of absence from approximately January 16, 2001, through June 6, 2001, and that Mrs. Peters is aware that some of this leave may be without pay.  Mr. Dennis Colgan seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye; Mrs. Dana Womack voted aye; Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye; Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye; and President Delp voted aye.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED

 

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

 

Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye; Mrs. Dana Womack voted aye; Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye; Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye; and President Delp voted aye.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

Consider approving the following Certified and Classified personnel actions.  CERTIFIED EMPLOYMENTS:  Patricia Collins.  CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS:  None.  CLASSIFIED EMPLOYMENTS:  Sarah Alberico, *Lawrence Brooks, *Deborah Butler, Jeanette Carey, **Margarita Castillo, *David Chontos, Karen Christopher, *Leslie Cleary, Kathleen Cornella, Tammy DeJoseph, Margaret Gallegos, *Julie Gwyther, Virginia Heller, Lori Hernandez, Joe Herron, *Josh Hiam, Erin Lewis, *Kimberly Love, Julien Magallanez, Judi Mares, *Anne Morgan, Patrice Nissen, Josie Nodal, *J. David Reid, Helen Sedan, Cheryl Smith, Chrissy Vinett, and Helen Wiant. *Funded by 21^st Century grant monies.  **Funding through Yavapai College Work Study Program.  CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS:  Katie Howard and Rhonda Snyder.  NEW SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS:  Ljiljana Battista, Rebecca Bockrath, Jennifer Guy, Richard Harlow, Marisela Maldonado, and Sarah Walker.

 

Consider accepting the following donations:

 

Roses from By Request Floral valued at $250, for the Prescott High School Renaissance Program for gifts at faculty meetings.

 

A Pro Form treadmill valued at $700 from Ms. Georgia Rusing, to the Prescott High School Special Education Program.

 

Fifteen hundred dollars from the Prescott Auto Enthusiasts, to set up a fund for learning disabled students at Taylor Hicks Elementary School.

 

An Arcer Computer System valued at $500, from Mr. Doug Walker, to the Prescott High School Technology Program.

 

Three thousand dollars from Prescott High School Alumni Badger Open Golf Tournament, to be used as follows:

 

PHS Music Department                 $500.00

 

PHS Sports Department                $500.00

 

PHS Art Department                      $500.00

 

PHS Advisement Department     $1,500.00

 

One thousand dollars from Mr. John C. Vallentine, II, for student assistance at Granite Mountain Middle School.

 

Matt board valued at $800, from Ben Franklin Crafts, to the Prescott High School Fine Arts Program.

 

Sixteen thousand dollars from Mr. Rick Fee, for the reading intervention program, Soar To Success.  This program will be targeted toward intermediate and middle school students.

 

Gift certificates valued at $2,000 from Jostens, for the Prescott High School Renaissance Program.

 

Gift certificates valued at $100 from Fazoli’s Restaurant, for the Prescott High School Renaissance Program.

 

Gift certificates valued at $100 from The Promised Land, for the Prescott High School Renaissance Program.

 

Miscellaneous books valued at $60.60, from Mrs. Paulette Phillips, to library at Granite Mountain Middle School.

 

Seven hundred and thirty-five dollars from Rhodes Enterprises, for the music program at Granite Mountain Middle School.

 

Seventy-five dollars from Dr. Mark Hayden, for the Prescott High School Renaissance Program.

 

Consider ratifying the vouchers as presented.

 

                                     

Consider the review and approval of the Auxiliary Operations and Student Activities Fund Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for the month of August 2000.

 

Consider the review and approval of previous minutes from the Study and Voting Session of September 5, 2000, and September 12, 2000.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Dr. Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board adjourn. Mr. Dennis Colgan seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.