December 5, 2006
Minutes of the
Governing Board Study Session of Tuesday, December 5, 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:
David Martin Brian Moore Totsy
McCraley
Jay Collier Arn Lavington Lt.
Col. Peeples
Ed Yeager Jim Cowan Nancy
Martinez
Marianne Brooks Frank Lawhead
Joe Howard Bill Munson Tracey
Johnston
Barbara Van Fossen Robin Olson Connie Silva
Bill Monroe Brad Olson Ruth
Willson
Susan Clark
Sarah Patterson
President
President Fleming
welcomed everyone and thanked those present for attending. Mr. John Vanuk led the audience in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
President Fleming
asked Mr.
Mr.
Steve Campbell moved that the Governing Board approve the agenda as presented. Mrs.
Dee Navarro seconded the motion.
Mrs.
Dee Navarro voted aye, Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Tom Staley voted aye, Mr.
Mr. Jim Cowan introduced Robin Olson, Secretary for the
Transportation Department, who has been with the Transportation Department for
14 years, and Connie Silva, a Special Education Driver, who has been with the
district for three years. He then
introduced Sarah Patterson from the Arizona Association for Pupil
Transportation.
Ms. Patterson explained that this organization is a statewide
organization that has been in existence for 50 years. She noted that they hold their annual
conference in October, that PUSD would be hosting the conference next year, and
that the purpose for the conference is to elect board members, review DPS updates,
and provide workshops. She recognized
two statewide awards that were presented at the last conference. She noted that the Honorable Mention Award
for Special Education Driver of the Year had been presented to Connie Silva and
that the Transportation Person of the Year had been presented to Robin Olson.
President Fleming noted that these were two well-deserved
awards and recognized all of our district’s bus drivers for their hard work.
Updates were presented by the chairs of the Governing
Board goal committees.
Mr. Ed Yeager distributed a handout and gave an update
regarding the Academic Achievement Committee.
He noted that the committee had met four times and summarized the Board
goals and the recommendation from the committee on how to meet those goals.
Recommendation: The Governing Board adopted policy earlier
in the
fall that supports a new
Recommendation: Encouraging more after school clubs at all
sites with the
Recommendation: Establishing remedial programs during
Spring Break 2007 for students in grades
3-5, 6-8, and 1-12. Students would be invited into the program based upon
teacher recommendation. Each student would come into the program with
a written plan from a homeroom or
specific content area teacher. Areas yet to be addressed: administration, funding, staffing, and transportation.
Ms. Linda Ryan distributed a handout and gave an update
regarding the Professional Development Committee. She noted that the objectives of the committee
are:
She reported that the committee agreed that the
introduction to Data0-to-the-Desktop at convocation and with the DLT training
in August were both well-organized and received, thanks to Jaclyn Barrett and Beth
Zachary. The administrator’s version was
ready for use and sent to administrators in October. Principals and district leaders are able to
view AIMS performance level results over a number of years by grade level and
subject area. Teachers and administrators
used the Data-to-the-Desktop program to identify areas of strength and need for
student achievement while writing their school action plans and implementing
the plans this fall.
The committee also discussed a recommendation that the DLT
become a Professional Learning Support Team and meet as a learning community
once a month.
Professional Development in strategies for differentiated
instruction was introduced to the DLT in September with Linda Ryan presenting a
portion of a video produced by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum
Development entitled “Differentiating Instruction for Mixed Ability Classrooms”
that demonstrated how teachers can plan learning activities for three different
groups of students: those who need
concrete, abstract, or complex learning experiences of the same concept. Principals and district leaders agreed to
form a study group on the topic. The
book “Leadership for
Ms. Ryan reported that both objectives are in the process
of implementation and the committee will continue to encourage the use of
Data-to-the-Desktop by teachers and administrators for the purpose of setting
goals for student achievement. The
committee will now assist in organizing professional learning community
meetings of the DLT as they study practices in differentiating instruction and
communicate strategies for differentiation to the teachers.
Mr. Kapp noted that he thought with Data-to-the-Desktop,
we will see a higher level of usage next year in goal setting. He also noted that he has asked IT to develop
a way for principals to check on teacher usage of this program.
Mr. Arn Lavington distributed a handout and gave an update
on the Completion of Bond Projects. He
reported that bids would be sent out in February, be due in mid-March, and then
presented to the Board in April. He
noted that construction in our area has been slowing down, which will make the
bids more competitive. He reported that
things are on scheduled.
Abia Judd - 4-Classroom Addition
Abia Judd - Parking and Field
Renovation
Mr. Lavington noted that we will have a better idea of
where we stand regarding bond money left.
Mrs. Nancy Martinez gave an update on the Growth
Committee. She reported that they have
met several times and that they divided into sub-groups for the development of
the One Year, Three Year, and Five Year Plans.
She noted that they all have recommendations and timelines that they
will have for the Board after the next meeting.
She stated that all members would be in attendance at the February Board
Retreat and that at this point they have more questions than answers.
Dr. Joan Fleming distributed a handout and gave an update
on the Communications Committee.
1. Welcome Back
BBQ – Sign-up at individual schools helped a great deal and door prizes were a huge success.
2. District
signage completed.
3. Radio spots
more current and using more personnel.
4. Postcards
sent out reminding parents of first day of school date.
5. More
pictures in Let’s Talk.
6. Ads in Prescott Woman magazine.
7. Focus groups
with outside facilitator are in progress.
8. New
“on-hold” messages with several scripts regarding snow days, winter break, etc. – not done yet.
9. Lou and
Tonya Show – Denny Peeples with cadets
10. All press
releases now go through Janice Snyder.
11. Tax Credit
Brochures – mailed city-wide last week and included all schools, as well as Kids & Co.
12. School Fair –
planning in progress.
13. Added Abbie
Roses to the committee in order for Communications and Marketing to work together.
14. Farewell BBQ
is planned for “Quatro de Mayo” at Granite Creek Park.
SUPERINTENDENT’S
REPORT
Mr. Kevin Kapp
distributed the December Calendar of Events, as well as the Show Choir
schedule.
He reported
that he and Dr. Fleming had attended a meeting in
Mr. Campbell
asked, what other districts would be involved?
Mr. Kapp responded, PUSD, HUSD, CVUSD, Ashfork, Bagdad, Seligman, and
Mr. Kapp reported
that the PHS Badger Varsity Football team made it to the final four in the
playoffs, but then lost to
He reported
that the We the People Team won the regionals and will be going to state in
January. He recognized Mrs. Dorrean
Walker for all of her hard work with this group of students.
He noted that
PUSD had several entries in the Christmas Parade last Saturday. President Fleming thanked the parade
announcers: Mr. and Mrs. Kapp and Mr.
and Mrs. Raskin.
Mr. Kapp reported
that he and several Board members would be attending the ASBA Annual
Conference in
He announced
that it is tax credit time is here, that it’s a win-win situation that helps a
lot of great programs with every dollar going directly to student
programs.
He noted that
the first focus group was held with and outside facilitator and eight high
school parents who shared their viewpoints on different topics. He added that the meeting had lasted for two
hours and that no district people were involved so parents could feel
comfortable talking. He noted that the
middle school focus group would take place before the winter break and that he
would be giving a full report at the Board Retreat.
Dr. Andy
Newton asked how parents were recruited.
Mr. Kapp responded that the principals gave a list of parent names to
the facilitator and were asked not to pick those parents that were happy with
everything.
Mr. Tom Staley
reported that the
Mr. Kapp
reported that one of his goals was to hold an open forum at all district sites
with attendance being voluntary. He
noted that they had already held one at Taylor Hicks with about 85% of the
staff attending, and that another one was planned for tomorrow at
PUBLIC
HEARING
Dr. Andy Newton moved that the
Governing Board recess the regular meeting
to hold a public hearing to discuss the 2006-2007 Revised Expenditure Budget. Mrs. Dee Navarro seconded the motion.
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 unanimously 5-0.
No one had
signed up to speak at the Public Hearing.
Mrs. Dee Navarro moved that the Public
Hearing be adjourned and that the
Governing Board reconvene back to regular session. Mr. Steve
Campbell seconded the motion.
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 unanimously 5-0.
STUDY SESSION:
CONSIDER APPROVING
A REVISED EXPENDITURE BUDGET FOR 2006-2007
Mrs. Renee
Raskin reported that this was the fourth time the Board has seen this budget
and will see it again in May. She
reported that the M & O budget decreased by $5,363, which included
adjustments that were made to our student counts, daily route miles and student
transported on our buses. She noted that
the Unrestricted Capital had a decrease of $224 due to the final calculation of
expenditures in 2005-2006 and that the Soft Capital budget would be increased
by $6,645 due to the final calculation of expenditures in 2005-2006. Mrs. Raskin then answered questions from
Board members.
CONSIDER
APPROVING A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
Mr. Kapp reported
that he had brought this resolution to the Board last month and the Board had
requested that it be put on the December agenda for both a study and voting
session. He noted that representatives from the ACT were present to
share information and answer any questions from the Board.
Mr. Kelly Johnston
addressed the Governing Board and distributed a packet of information that he
reviewed with the Board. Mr. Johnston
reviewed the proposed 2007 Partnership Agreement and the Cost/Benefit Analysis
with the Board.
Mrs. Dee
Navarro questioned the difference between the cost of utilities. The ACT had listed $500 for utilities, while
the district showed the utilities cost to be between $5,400-$9,200. She also asked, of the students that you
serve, is there an evaluation process?
Mr. Johnston responded, that there was direct feedback from teachers, as
well as audience and student surveys. He
noted that they often have high school students working with them and noted
that a high school student had designed the sets this year and that the lights
and sound both last year and this year would be done by students. He added that this was a great opportunity
for students to work with a professional production. He stated that between 15-20% of the workers
were high school or middle school students.
Mrs. Navarro
asked if these surveys could be available by the next meeting? Mr. Johnston responded, yes.
Mrs. Navarro
asked, do you rent out other sites? Mr.
Johnston responded, we use the
Mrs. Navarro
asked, how much did you make last year?
Mr. Johnston responded, I’m the creative director – I have no idea.
Mr. John Vanuk
noted that he had participated in the discussion with the troupe last year and
that it was really the only thing he remembered about Shakespeare. He stated that it’s a good program and that
he had heard good things from other students and supported the program.
Mr. Staley
noted that last year there were 12 performances and asked if it would be the
same this year. Mrs. Johnston responded,
yes.
Mr. Staley
asked, at the professional workshops, how many students participated in those
two workshops? Mr. Johnston responded,
82 students came free, with 500 attending the four periods of scenes.
Mr. Steve
Campbell stated that he would be interested in here the views of Totsy McCraley
and the English Department Chairperson.
Mrs. Totsy
McCraley stated that we will lose money is you’re just looking strictly at the
dollars and cents, but when you look at the educational value, we are getting
our money’s worth. She reported that ACT
had met with her and Mrs. Lisa Sandberg, the English Department Chairperson,
and they wanted to know what they could do to improve their services to
students. She noted that Lisa Sandberg
had distributed a survey to teachers that participated last year.
Mr. Campbell
stated that he’d like to hear from the English and Fine Arts teachers. Mr. Staley suggested that if they can’t come
in person, maybe they could give input through e-mail or through Mrs. McCraley.
Mrs. Navarro
stated that she appreciated all of this work and that this was the most
information she had seen. She noted that
she did have a concern allowing one entity to have free space over other
entities. She stated that she knew of
another entity that had been turned down and was concerned with fairness and
consistency.
Mr. Staley
stated that he didn’t think we should penalize one group because of another and
suggested that the district look at what has been done in the past, evaluate
other groups requests that may benefit students, and learn from that and press
on.
Mr. Kapp
pointed out that the district does receive some wonderful advertising through
this sponsorship.
CONSIDER APPROVING A 5% INCREASE TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY
KF-EB COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
Mrs. Raskin
reported that each year the district asks the Board to review this policy and
set the rates. She noted that last year
the district had asked for a 5% increase and that due to higher utility costs,
etc., we are asking for that increase again this year.
Mr. Campbell
stated that he would like to know the effects of last year’s increase.
Mrs. Raskin
responded that there was a decrease of $14,000, but pointed out that a church
was still located at the high school the year before.
Mr. Staley
requested the number of renters from each of the three categories. Mrs. Raskin stated that she would have to get
that information for next week.
Mr. Staley
asked, any idea of what it costs the district for category 1 people to use the
district facilities? He stated that he
felt 5% was rather an arbitrary figure.
He noted that his concern was that these are tax payer facilities, that
he understood depreciation, but felt that the difference between category 2
& 3 is too much and suggested looking at a decrease between categories 2
& 3.
Mr. Campbell
pointed out that category 1 &2 are for non-profit groups, while category 3
is for profit-making groups, and that it made sense to him.
President
Fleming stated that she agreed with Mr. Campbell.
Mrs. Tracey
Johnston addressed the Governing Board and stated that as the manager of the
Ruth Street Theater, she would like to remain competitive with
Mr. Staley
asked, who determines what category?
Mrs. Raskin responded, the principals have the discretion to work with these
groups and we do look at them individually.
CONSIDER
APPROVING AN OUT-OF-STATE
Mr. Kapp noted
that out-of-state travel must be approved by the Board and that the reason for
this conference is to keep educational issues in front of our legislators.
President
Fleming added that the association pays for the registration fee and the
district would pay for the hotel and airfare.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT
AGENDA:
Mr. Staley
noted that under personnel he noticed there were no new bus drivers. Mr. Jim Cowan responded that they have hired
three bus drivers, but that the training takes time and that he hoped to be
able to change the routes January 8th.
Mr. Staley
asked, how much are we paying the Indian Education Tutor? Mrs. Marianne Brooks responded, $16 per hour,
which comes out of the Johnson O’Malley grant and Title VII. Mr. Staley asked, how many students? Mrs. Brooks responded, there are 83 Native American
students that are eligible by a request from their parents and we also go by
AIMS scores.
Mr. Staley
thanked all of the donors who have contributed to the district and highlighted
some of the donations received.
Mr. Campbell
noted that there was an account under Northpoint that was in the hole and asked
if this was an account that could be affected by tax credit donations. Mrs. Raskin responded, yes.
Mr. Staley
asked what the $21,000 under gates was from.
Mrs. Raskin responded, sports.
Mrs. McCraley added that the referees, workers, etc. are also paid out
of that account.
Mr. Staley
asked, could that money be used for Pay to Play? Mrs. McCraley responded, yes we do use that
money for that.
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 OCTOBER 2006
CONSIDER APPROVING
THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FROM THE GOVERNING BOARD EXECUTIVE AND STUDY SESSION OF NOVEMBER
7, 2006, AND THE EXECUTIVE AND VOTING SESSION OF NOVEMBER 14, 2006
Mr. Kapp
distributed an intergovernmental agreement between the City of
Mr. Staley
asked, how much did we pay for servicing of this property? Mr. Kapp responded that he could find
out. Mr. Staley asked, how many gallons
per minute does the well pump, how deep does it go, and what repairs have made
to it? Mr. Kapp noted that he would ask Jay
Collier for the costs over the last 5-10 years.
Dr. Andy Newton moved that the
Governing Board meeting be adjourned. Mr. Steve Campbell seconded the motion.
Mrs.
The regular meeting
adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
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