PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1

146 South Granite Street

Prescott, Arizona 86303

 

November 2, 2004

 

Minutes of the Governing Board Study and Voting Session of Tuesday, November 2, 2004, beginning at 5:00 p.m. held in the District Office Board Room.

 

Governing Board Members Present:

Mr. Steve Campbell (Acting President)

Dr. Joan Fleming

Mr. Gordon Maddux

Dr. Andy Newton

 

Absent:

Mrs. Dee Navarro

 

Also Present:

Mr. Kevin J. Kapp, Superintendent

Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Mrs. Renee Raskin, Business Manager

Miss Justine Bunger, Student Representative

Mrs. Andi Mayer, Assistant to the Governing Board

 

Others Present:   

         

          Jay Collier                     Kelton Aker                    Ed Yeager

          Jim Wahlstrom              Carol Yetman                 Bill Monroe

          Jim Williams                  Dorrean Walker             Nancy Martinez

          Cindy Brown                  Juli Dalton                     Marlo Norton

          Mark Netupsky              Cal Pepper                     Mary Anne Kapp           

          Joe Howard                    Jean McGee                  Connie German

          Don German                  Hilary Eller                    Marianne Brooks

          Mike Harlan                   Bob Williams                  Arn Lavington

                                                                                               

CALL TO ORDER

Acting President Steve Campbell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. He informed those present that President Navarro was absent due to the death of her father and that our thoughts and prayers were with her and her family.

 

He also noted that as a point of order, anyone would be able to speak to presentation items, as well as study/action items.

 

OPENING CEREMONY AND WELCOME

Miss Justine Bunger led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

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

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, and Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye.  The motion carried 4-0.

 

PRESENTATIONS

Dr. Reynols reported that at the Board Retreat in August, the Board had reviewed the calendar that was modified and approved two years ago. 

He noted that the Board had developed two questions for a survey to parents, staff and the business community regarding the two week spring break.  He reported those results through a PowerPoint presentation.  

 

Response Percentages

Parents

·        1160 out of 5074 households = 23%

·        1160 out of 3000 (approximate) families = 39%

 

Chamber and Community

  • 104 out of 1036 members = 10%

 

Employees

  • 447 out of 659 employees = 68%

 

Question #1

Would you support the continuation of a second week of spring break for the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school calendar?

 

Total from all surveys received = 913 (53%) said no; 795 (47%) said yes.

Parents = 602 (52%) said no; 555 (48%) said yes.

Chamber and Community = 54 )52%) said no; 50 (48%) said yes.

Employees = 256 (57%) said no; 190 (43%) said yes.

 

Dr. Reynolds then broke those groups down by schools.

 

Question #2

Would you support the addition of a second week to fall break for the 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 school calendar while maintaining the current two week spring break?

 

Total from all surveys received = 1132 (66%) said no; 575 (34%) said yes.

Parents = 762 (66%) said no; 396 (34%) said yes.

Chamber and Community = 63 (61%) said no; 41 (39%) said yes.

Employees = 306 (69%) said no; 138 (31%) said yes.

 

Dr. Reynolds then broke those groups down by schools.

 

Dr. Chris Reynolds distributed a report presented to the Governing Board back in March, 2002, regarding the history of the modified calendar and the results of the surveys conducted at that time. 

 

At this time, several people had signed up to speak regarding this agenda item.  Mr. Campbell reminded them that there would be a three minute time limit.

 

Marlo Norton addressed the Governing Board regarding support for a return to a traditional calendar.

 

Juli Dalton addressed the Governing Board regarding the support for a return to a traditional calendar.  She distributed information from the internet in support of a traditional school calendar.  She also distributed a copy of a “PUSD Independent Citizens’ Calendar Survey.”

 

Mrs. Dorrean Walker addressed the Governing Board and read a letter from Pam Kramer in support of the modified calendar with the one week break in the fall.

 

Mr. Jim Williams distributed copies of three Proposed Certified Salary Schedules.  He reported that the certified salary schedule is below the state average and that last year the new administrative salary schedule allowed every administrator to receive a step, while teachers still cannot.

 

He reviewed each proposal, noting that proposal number 1 was the ideal schedule, putting teachers on the same type of schedule as the administrators, but would cost $1.8 million to implement.  The formula for Proposal #1 was:  Career salary / Days worked = daily rate of Administrators.  Daily rate x 80% = Daily rate of career teacher.  Daily rate x days worked = career salary.  3% less for each step and column = starting teacher salary.  As with the administrator’s schedule, teachers would be place in the call closest to their present salary.  No teacher would be placed beyond step 3 in any column on the new schedule.  The greatest raise would be $12,000 and the smallest would be $1,000.  Thus, the earning potential of the teachers would keep pace with that of the administrators throughout the career of both.  Longevity would be 7% of MA-15, which is equivalent to the entry level on the administrator’s schedule.  The range of this schedule was from $36,292 to $66,741, with 7 columns and 15 steps.

 

The formula used for Proposal #2 was:  Starting with last step in each column of the current schedule, multiply each cell by 3%.  Each year the first step would be deleted, therefore raising the base each year.  After 12 years the salary schedule would have the same format as the current schedule.  This is the least expensive of the schedules to fund.  All teachers would be granted a step.  There would be no need to slide staff onto a new schedule.  Each year for twelve years a step would be deleted until the schedule consists of fifteen steps (out of 27).  The range of this schedule was from $24,786 to $65,016, with 7 columns and 27 steps, with the first step being eliminated every year for 12 years.

 

The formula for Proposal #3 was:  Starting with BA step 1, multiply each cell over and down by 3%.  Each year the first step would be deleted, therefore raising the base each year.  After 12 years this schedule would have the same format as the current schedule.  The 3% x 3% construction of the schedule would increase the cost of implementing this salary schedule.  Most teachers would first move to a new cell, then a step would be granted.  If teacher were not moved first they would not receive the full value of a step.  Each year for twelve years a step would be deleted until the schedule consists of fifteen steps.  The range of this schedule was from $24,790 to $64,131, with 7 columns and 27 steps, with the first step being eliminated every year for 12 years.  Mr. Williams then answered questions from the Board regarding the three proposals.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Mr. Kevin Kapp distributed copies of the November calendar of events and briefly highlighted different activities, such as the musical, “Bye, Bye Birdie.”

 

He reported that Governor Napolitano had visited Dexter Family Resource Center a week ago to present a grant for approximately $147,000 to fund training of AmeriCorps volunteers for reading for Prescott Unified School District, Humboldt Unified School District, Mayer Unified School District and Youth Count.

 

He noted that today was election day and that the high school girl’s varsity volleyball team had a regional playoff game at home.

 

STUDY AND VOTING SESSION:

 

CONSIDER APPROVING THE SALE OF P.U.S.D. PROPERTY ALONG WILLIAMSON VALLEY ROAD TO THE CITY OF PRESCOTT AS PART O THE WILLIAMSON VALLEY ROAD WIDENING PROJECT (Study Only)

Mr. Kapp noted that the City of Prescott was doing a lot of improvements around town and that one of those projects is the widening of Williamson Valley Road and Iron Springs Road.  He noted that this resolution involves the City of Prescott proposing to purchase property in front of Abia Judd and Granite Mountain for this widening project.  He noted that the proposed appraisal of the land was available in his office.  He noted that this was a preliminary study of this proposal and that it deserved some lengthy discussion by the Board, but needed to be done in a timely, but careful fashion.  He introduced Mr. Mark Netupsky from the City of Prescott and Mr. Cal Pepper from Tierra who were present to answer any questions the Board had regarding the proposal.

 

Mr. Gordon Maddux stated that he had a real concern since Abia Judd is such a small site to begin with and that he was concerned with taking away anymore playground space.  He asked if there was any way the land could be taken from the other side of the road.

 

Mr. Netupsky responded that he had had the same discussion with Mr. Munson and that the line had been moved back four feet.  He noted that this proposal would make the road less congested and safer.

 

Mr. Maddux asked how many feet of land was being removed from the playground?  Mr. Netupsky responded, 6.71 feet.

 

Dr. Newton asked what the $27,000 for improvements included.  Mr. Cal Pepper responded, for things like moving signage, the marquee, and playground surface.  He noted that the fencing can be replaced, but not the artificial turf – it will just be adjusted and gone.

 

Dr. Newton clarified that the district has the choice whether to use the money to hire someone to do those things, or have personnel from the service center do them.  He then asked, what if it costs more than you give us?  Mr. Pepper responded, have your maintenance people look at the estimate – we’re confident that there is enough money.

 

Dr. Newton asked, the $27,000 figure is an estimate?  Mr. Pepper responded that it was the appraiser’s estimate and would still be negotiable, however the land appraisal would not be.

 

Mr. Steve Campbell stated that in the past the district had to have voter approval to sell land and asked if that was not the case in this instance.  Mr. Kapp responded that the district did not have to have voter approval because it will be sold to another government entity.

 

Mr. Steve Campbell asked, if the Board does not feel the offer or appraisal is fair, what do we do?  Mr. Netupsky responded, submit another proposal to be considered.

 

Mr. Kapp asked Mr. Bill Munson or Mr. Mike Harlan if they had any comments.  Mr. Munson stated that it has been a pleasure working with the City of Prescott.  He noted that an important factor has been left out, which is the district just finished a $125,000 project to re-level the playground and correct the drainage and $150,000 to put artificial turf on a large portion of the playground.  He noted that the playground field is just over 30 feet and with 7 feet being removed will make it 23 feet, which will make it very difficult to continue using them for their intended use.  He noted that the school has put some contingencies in place with the bond, should it pass.  He stated that $18,000 for the land was not even close to the amount it would take to change the field to something else by relocating the asphalt and the artificial turf.  He stated that the district should look at what it will really cost.  He also noted that it would be over a year that there would be no use for that field.

 

Mr. Campbell noted that when we reduce the size of the playground, it won’t be used as a playground any longer and suggested putting the basketball courts in the front and change the present basketball courts into the playground.

 

Mr. Campbell asked where the children would play during the construction period.  Mr. Munson responded that he wasn’t sure. 

 

Mr. Maddux stated that even if you flip flop the usages there still would not be enough room.  Mr. Munson noted that we really don’t have enough room to expand much. 

 

Dr. Newton stated that it sounded to him like the improvements might cost more than $27,000.

 

Mr. Kapp asked the Board if he could be allowed to work with these groups and that after election night they would have more information regarding the bond.  He suggested putting this back on the December agenda. 

 

CONSIDER APPROVING A DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE DELEGATE TO REPRESENT THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE 2004 ASBA ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN DECEMBER

 

Mr. Gordon Maddux nominated Mr. Steve Campbell to serve as the delegate and himself as the alternate delegate.  Dr. Andy Newton seconded the motion.

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, and Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye. The motion carried 4-0.

 

Dr. Joan Fleming noted that the only voting that takes place at this conference is for the election of officers and any by-law changes.

 

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Mr. Campbell asked if there were any items the Board wished to discuss separately.  There were none. 

 

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

 

Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, and Dr. Joan Fleming voted aye. The motion carried 4-0.

 

 

CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL ACTIONS AS REQUESTED

No discussion took place regarding this item.

 

*Certified Employment:  None.

 

*Certified Resignations:  None.

 

*New Substitute Teachers:  Gary Giannangelo, Oliver Morgan and Nita Richey.

 

*New Classified Employment:  Katrina Bosco, Rae Ann Carrillo, Michelle MacIntyre, Edwin Maier, Gilbert Osborne, Gloria Rose and Mary Walker.

 

*New Classified Resignations:  Evelyn Carol Carr, Ann Halvorson, Lynda Harris, Sharon Lentz, Glenda Prueter, Michael Robbins, Denise Satterlee and Patricia Tolbert.

 

*New Volunteers:  Samuel Epperson.

 

*As reflected in the Enclosure in Board Briefing #284.

 

CONSIDER ACCEPTING THE DONATIONS AS PRESENTED

No discussion took place regarding this item.

 

Two thousand dollars from Mr. Lou Silverstien, to the Prescott High School Swim Team.

 

Art material from Ms. Eleanor Bostwick valued at $500, to the Prescott High School Art Department.

 

The following have donated to the Prescott Mile High School Band Program:

 

                                  Dave Wilson                  $93.50

                                  Lisa Kirshbaum          $144.50

                                  Kerri Zeirke                  $86.00

                                  Will Hpeburn              $253.00

                                  Glenn Howden              $80.00

                                  Don Sulltrop               $195.50

 

A monitor, zip drive, scanner, keyboard and speaker set valued at $315, from Mr. Miguel Phelps, to Granite Mountain Middle School.

 

Four thousand dollars from the PHS Alumni Badger Open Golf Tournament to be divided among the music department, athletic department, art department and advisement center at Prescott High School.

 

Two Dell Trinitron monitors from Mr. Roger Antony.

 

A cap, gown and collar valued at $24, from Ms. Sandra Hall to Prescott High School.

 

A computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse valued at $300, from Joyce, to Granite Mountain Middle School.

 

Miscellaneous books from Mr. Larry Shermer, valued at $250, to the library at Prescott High School.

 

CONSIDER RATIFYING THE VOUCHERS AS PRESENTED

No discussion took place regarding this item.

 

                   Voucher #                                           Amount

Payroll Voucher #7                                              $847,187.53        

Payroll Voucher #8                                              $834,875.37

Expenditure Voucher #5024                                  $41,268.26

Expenditure Voucher #5025                                $133,462.25

Expenditure Voucher #5026                                  $27,437.54

Expenditure Voucher #5027                                $106,793.98

Expenditure Voucher #5028                                $472,739.85

Expenditure Voucher #5029                                $114,478.74

Expenditure Voucher #5030                                  $83,698.21

Expenditure Voucher #5031                                  $17,456.69

Expenditure Voucher #5032                                  $48,234.50

 

CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE AUXILIARY OPERATIONS AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES FUND STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2004

No discussion took place regarding this item.

 

CONSIDER THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES FROM THE GOVERNING BOARD STUDY SESSION OF OCTOBER 5, 2004 AND THE VOTING SESSION OF OCTOBER 19, 2004

No discussion took place regarding this item.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Steve Campbell reminded Board members to review the other information items in the packet and then adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

___________________________________

Governing Board Member