PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1
146 South Granite Street
Prescott, Arizona 86303
December
12, 2000
Minutes
of the Regular Session of the Governing Board, Tuesday, December 12,
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
Dr.
Joan Fleming
Absent:
Mrs.
Dana Womack
Also Present:
Dr.
Roger Short, Superintendent
Mr.
Kevin Kapp, Assistant Superintendent
Ms.
Kimberly Steward, Student Representative (excused at 6:28 p.m.)
Mrs.
Andi Mayer, Assistant to the Governing Board
Others Present:
Rod L. Cowin
Barbara Harber
Jay Collier
Steve Campbell
John Jetter
Sarah Pederson
Debbie Mortimer
Ruth Willson
Marylin Bunger
Tim Carter
Greg Campbell
Connie German
Worth Mallory
Mary Anne Kapp
Sandy Markham
Renee Raskin
Cindy Brown
Ann Sult
Pam Schmitt
CALL
TO ORDER
President
Delp called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
President Delp welcomed the members of the audience and the
media. Miss Kimberly Steward 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 replied that it was.
Dr. Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board approve the
agenda as presented. Mr. Denny Colgan seconded the motion.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye; Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye; Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye; and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
PRESENTATIONS
Dr.
Joan Fleming had plaques to present to the two out-going Board
members, President Vaughn Delp and Mrs. Dana Womack. It
was noted that in Mrs. Womack’s absence, her plaque would be mailed
to her. President Delp
was called to the podium where she was presented with a plaque for her
dedication and service to the district.
Mrs.
Sandy Markham also presented President Delp with a bouquet of roses
from the Prescott Area P.T.A. Council in recognition of her hard work
and willingness to serve on the Board during some difficult times.
Mrs.
Mary Anne Kapp requested that the Target Grant Check presentation be
postponed until later in the meeting and the Board agreed to her
request.
Mr.
Jay Collier, Principal of Prescott Mile High Middle School, gave a
report to the Board regarding the PMHMS Site Council.
He noted that the PMHMS Site Council works as a school
improvement council rather than a decision-making council.
Some of the things the council has worked on in the past
include: sending out
school report cards, defining school strengths and weaknesses,
communicating with parents and the community, the quarterly school
newsletter, and the improvement in supervision around the campus.
Certified
staff, classified staff, parents, students, and patrons presently
represent the Site Council. The
next meeting of the Site Council will be on January 23, 2001, and will
be targeting specific areas such as a conflict management program,
teacher lunch duty, a mural theme for one of the walls, addressing
upgrades of the Granite Creek project, starting intra-mural programs
during lunch time, reducing the amount of staff stress, increasing
counseling services from one and a half counselors back to two
counselors, increasing the PTA membership, having the Student Oasis
open for a longer amount of time, and putting together a homework and
tutoring program after school.
Mrs.
Mary Anne Kapp introduced Pam Schmitt from Target who was in
attendance to present the district with a grant check from Target.
She noted that the local Target store has been extremely
generous to our school district through a grant partnership and
reviewed the amount of money Target has given the district since 1998.
She noted that the money provides for workshop opportunities at
Dexter by providing refreshments and childcare that federal monies
cannot be used for. Mrs.
Kapp thanked both Ann Sult and Marylin Bunger for their work in
coordinating the workshops. Pam
Schmitt also presented a check for $290.81 to Abia Judd through one of
the other Target programs that benefit our schools.
SUPERINTENDENT’S
REPORT
Dr.
Roger Short noted that the $200 tax credit donations would be accepted
at the District Office, which would be open on Thursday and Friday,
December 28th and 29th, and at Prescott High
School on December 29th.
Tax credit donations decrease any tax liability an individual
may have dollar for dollar.
He
noted that the district schools will start Christmas Break on December
15th (after school) and will resume on Tuesday, January 2,
2001. The District Office
will be open during the break on December 18th and 19th
and December 28th and 29th.
PUBLIC
HEARING
President
Vaughn Delp asked for a motion to recess the regular meeting into a
public hearing for the purpose of discussing the 2000-2001 revised
budget.
Mr.
Denny Colgan moved that the Governing Board adjourn to a public
hearing from the regular session.
Mr. Gordon Maddux seconded the motion.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye, Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye, and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
Mr.
Denny Colgan moved that the Governing Board approve the Revised
Expenditure Budget for 2000-2001.
Mr. Gordon Maddux seconded the motion.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye, Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye, and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
Mr.
Denny Colgan moved that the Governing Board reconvene back to the
regular session from the public hearing.
Mr. Gordon Maddux seconded the motion.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye, Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye, and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
CONSIDER
APPROVING A REVISED EXPENDITURE BUDGET FOR 2000-2001
Dr.
Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board approve the Revised
Expenditure Budget for 2000-2001.
Mr. Denny Colgan seconded the motion.
Ms. Renee Raskin noted that in
accordance with A.R.S. 15-905, a district is allowed or required to
revise its budget limits. Because
our fiscal year 1998-99 audit expenditures were underestimated by
$679, we can now increase our M & O budget by that amount.
Our soft capital in 1999-2000 was $9,274 more than estimated.
We also had $2,242 more interest than projected in soft
capital. Therefore, we
are required to revise our budget down by $7,032.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye, Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye, and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
CONSIDER
APPROVING THE DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO MR. ARN LAVINGTON, DIRECTOR
OF PURCHASING, TO USE THE MOHAVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES COOPERATIVE
CONTRACTS FOR PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES
Mr.
Gordon Maddux moved that the Governing Board approve the delegation of
authority to Mr. Arn Lavington, Director of Purchasing, to use the
Mohave Educational Services Cooperative contracts for procurement of
goods and services. Mr. Denny Colgan seconded the motion.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye, Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye, and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
CONSIDER
APPROVING DR. ROGER SHORT – SUPERINTENDENT, MR. KEVIN KAPP –
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, MS. RENEE RASKIN – DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS
AND MR. ARN LAVINGTON – DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING AS DESIGNATED PERSONS
BY THE GOVERNING BOARD AUTHORIZED TO USE “EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT”
FOR GOODS AND SERVICES WHEN AN EMERGENCY CONDITION EXISTS
Mr. Denny Colgan moved
that the Governing Board approve Dr. Roger Short – Superintendent,
Mr. Kevin Kapp – Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Renee Raskin –
Director of Business and Mr. Arn Lavington, Director of Purchasing as
designated persons by the Governing Board authorized to use
“emergency procurement” for goods and services when an emergency
condition exists. Mr.
Gordon Maddux seconded the motion.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye, Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye, and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
CONSIDER
APPROVING A “SEALED REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL #070100C” FOR
MISCELLANEOUS BUS AND AUTO PARTS
Mr. Gordon Maddux moved
that the Governing Board approve a “Sealed Request for Proposal
#070100C” for miscellaneous bus and auto parts.
Mr. Denny Colgan seconded the motion.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye, Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye, and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
CONSIDER
THE REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF SPONSORSHIP BY PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT NO. 1 OF A MIDDLE SCHOOL CHARTER SCHOOL OPERATION
Dr. Joan Fleming moved
that the Governing Board approve the sponsorship by Prescott Unified
School District No. 1 of a middle school charter school operation.
Mr. Denny Colgan seconded the motion.
Mr.
Denny Colgan stated that he was supportive of the program, but was
still concerned about taking students away from the district
enrollment for the program and asked for any assurance regarding
recruitment for the program.
Mrs.
Betty Ann Campbell stated that she would ask the parents what concerns
they had regarding their students and would make sure it would be
appropriate for the student and in their best interest.
Dr.
Fleming asked whether this program would accept students that had been
suspended from school. Mrs.
Campbell replied that it would depend upon the infraction. A school cannot refuse a student enrollment unless there is a
safety issue, which is the same rule our district schools must follow.
President
Delp noted that this is a cooperative venture and not totally a
financial venture. The
hope is that we will salvage these students and they will return to
our system at a later time.
Dr.
Roger Short read a letter from Mr. Robert Diedrich with the following
suggestions and concerns: that
a survey be done as to why P.U.S.D. students do not finish high
school; how students for this program would be identified; concern
with the mixture of students and the problem of “labeling”; and
that parental involvement is important, as is the selection of staff.
Dr. Short noted that Mr. Diedrich is a retired teacher from
Paradise Valley who now resides in Prescott.
Mrs.
Campbell stated that regarding a survey, it was her opinion that
students did not finish high school because of dropping out for
reasons that include illnesses, failing, not showing up, and home
schooling. She stated
that perhaps Mr. Carter or Mrs. Harber would like to speak to that
issue.
Mr.
Carter stated that for about a year and a half the Prescott High
School, Granite Mountain and Prescott Mile High Middle School Site
Councils have been working on this problem.
Part of the reason for some student failure is because of
transfer to the high school level for age appropriateness and not
necessarily academic readiness.
Mrs.
Campbell noted that parents also have the right to refuse retention at
the middle school level when their students have failed and they are
then promoted to high school very academically unprepared.
Regarding
the mixture of students leading to labeling, Mrs. Campbell stated that
it was her hope to reduce or eliminate those perspectives which would
lead to students being better prepared when they return to high school
or enter the work world. She
also noted that enrollment at her charter school would be on a
“first come, first served” basis until the maximum enrollment
level of 30 students is reached.
President
Delp noted that the PEAK program had a similar mixture of students
without the problem of labeling.
Mr.
John Jetter, President of the Kirkland School Board, addressed the
Board and stated that he became involved to help Mrs. Campbell with
her program because of transfer problems with 6th and 7th
grade students from Kirkland to Prescott being his district’s
biggest challenge and that every rural school has that same problem.
He noted that his district sends students “up the hill” and
then loses control over them and that he’d like to see this
“safety net” in place for those kids.
President
Delp clarified for the Board that the approval of this program would
be on a one-year trial basis with review at the end of the first year.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye, Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye, and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
CONSIDER
APPROVING A RECLASSIFICATION OF PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BUS
DRIVERS FROM THE CURRENT GRADE 8 TO GRADE 9 ON THE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE
SALARY SCHEDULE
Mr.
Denny Colgan moved that the Governing Board approve a reclassification
of Prescott Unified School District bus drivers from the current Grade
8 to Grade 9 on the Classified Employee Salary Schedule.
Dr. Joan Fleming seconded the motion.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye, Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye, and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
CONSIDER
APPROVING A 20% BUY-OUT PROGRAM FOR PARTICIPANTS DURING THIS 2000-2001
SCHOOL YEAR
Mr.
Gordon Maddux moved that the Governing Board approve a 20% Buy-Out
Program for participants during this 2000-2001 school year.
Dr. Joan Fleming seconded the motion.
Mr.
Kevin Kapp answered some questions raised by Mr. Colgan at the last
Study Session noting that the district cannot reduce salaries on an
individual group of employees. Regarding the re-hiring of retired
employees, the district can approve their contracts on a year-to-year
basis. Currently we have
five certified and three classified employees employed under the old
policy. He estimated that the district could save approximately
$30,000 if their contracts were based on the new policy and stated
that it was worth studying at a future time.
Mr.
Kapp noted that the proposed buy-out program has no limit as to the
number of participants because the auditors have informed us that the
district can pay the participants out of next year’s budget.
He also noted that the VIP Program is in its fifth year.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye, Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye, and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
CONSIDER
APPROVING THE LIST OF QUALIFIED EVALUATORS FOR THE 2000-2001 SCHOOL
YEAR
Mr.
Denny Colgan moved that the Governing Board approve the list of
qualified evaluators for the 2000-2001 school year.
Mr. Gordon Maddux seconded the motion.
Mr.
Kevin Kapp noted that based on some discussion from the last meeting,
the district is scheduling a one hour and fifteen minute workshop
regarding the current employee evaluation system with elementary
principals with a follow-up to include the secondary principal.
Dr.
Fleming stated that she thought that was great, but that she was
looking at a full-fledged workshop for everyone that would be for more
than one day.
Mr.
Kapp stated that he agreed, but that it was better than nothing.
He noted that he was looking at the ASBA for someone qualified
to do a longer workshop.
Mr.
Carter noted that because of the discussion last week, he had
contacted Mr. Bell to come and do a high school evaluation workshop
during the summer for evaluators and that he plans to repeat the
workshop every second or third year.
Mr.
Maddux noted that with the passage of Proposition 301, the district
really needed to look at the evaluation system.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye, Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye, and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
CONSIDER
APPROVING AN OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL REQUEST FOR DR. JOAN FLEMING TO
ATTEND THE FEDERAL RELATIONS NETWORK CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.,
FEBRUARY 4-6, 2001
Mr.
Gordon Maddux moved that the Governing Board approve the out-of-state
travel request for Dr. Joan Fleming to attend the Federal Relations
Network Conference in Washington, D.C., February 4-6, 2001.
Mr. Denny Colgan seconded the motion.
Dr.
Joan Fleming abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest, Mr.
Denny Colgan voted aye, Mr. Gordon Maddux voted aye, and President
Delp voted aye. The motion carried 3-1.
CONSIDER
APPROVING AN OFFER FOR THE SALE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE PROPERTY, 146
SOUTH GRANITE STREET, PRESCOTT, ARIZONA
Dr.
Roger Short noted that the offer never came through from the
interested party and that the Board needs to discuss potential plans
for the sale of the District Office in the future or reconsider the
issue due to the increased usage of the Dexter facility.
CONSIDER
THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED
Dr.
Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board approve the consent agenda
as presented. Mr. Denny
Colgan seconded the motion.
Dr.
Joan Fleming voted aye; Mr. Denny Colgan voted aye; Mr. Gordon Maddux
voted aye; and President Delp voted aye.
The motion carried 4-0.
Consider
approving the following Certified and Classified personnel actions.
CERTIFIED
EMPLOYMENTS: *Jeanette
Strangman and **Frances Summers. CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS:
Jeannene Henry.
*Replacement
for Ken Henson who is on extended sick leave through the remainder of
this school year. Ms.
Strangman’s contract is for the remainder of the 2000-01 school
year.
**Replacement
for Mrs. Carolyn Peters who has been granted a maternity leave of
absence beginning January 16, 2001, through the end of the school
year.
CLASSIFIED
EMPLOYMENTS: Pat Blevins,
Susan Kelly, Cynthia Kruse, Karen Lopez, GeraldMossburg, **Gloria
Purce, Julian Renteria, Ron Ventress and Gina Winters.
**Federally
funded new position for the remainder of the 2000-2001 school year.
CLASSIFIED
RESIGNATIONS: Jeanette
Carey, Theresa Creekbaum, Beth Duncan, Steve Masters, and Ali
Schroeder.
NEW
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS: Jacqueline
Jetton.
VOLUNTEERS:
Dana Caracciolo and Danielle Mackin.
The acceptance of donations as presented.
One
hundred dollars from Ms. Betty J. Banno, for the P.E. program at
Granite Mountain Middle School.
Three
hundred dollars from an anonymous donor, for the Book Fair at Prescott
Mile High Middle School.
A
portable basketball goal valued at $100, from Mr. and Mrs. Phil and
Betty Alexander, to Prescott High School.
A
Cannon BJC 6000 bubble jet printer and computer supplies valued at
$160, from George and Lucille Geib, to the Prescott High School
Technology Program.
Gift
certificates valued at $325, from Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers,
to the Prescott High School Renaissance Program.
Fifty
dollars from Mr. Calvin Cordes, in memory of Rudy Espitia, to the
Prescott High School Wrestling Program.
The
following schools have received twenty five hundred dollars from the
Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe:
Prescott Mile High Middle School
Prescott High School
Taylor Hicks Elementary
School
Lincoln Elementary School
Granite Mountain Middle
School
Miller Valley Elementary
School
Five
thousand dollars from the Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe, to Abia Judd
Elementary School.
Seven
hundred seventy-six dollars and seventy-three cents from Target, to
the Prescott High School Student Incentive Program.
A
Toshiba VCR valued at $350, from Mrs. Christine Lane, to Granite
Mountain Middle School.
Consider
ratifying the vouchers as presented.
Voucher
# /
Amount
Payroll Voucher #14
$738,345.97
Payroll Voucher #15
$727,931.47
Expenditure Voucher #5033
$14,854.00
Expenditure Voucher #5034
$395,356.66
Expenditure Voucher #5035
$51,594.19
Expenditure Voucher #5036
$48,526.70
Expenditure Voucher #5037
$31,016.89
Expenditure Voucher #5038
$159,021.85
Consider
the approval of the Auxiliary Operations and Student Activities Fund
Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for the month of October 2000.
Consider
the review and approval of previous minutes from the Study and Voting
Session of December 5, 2000, and December 12, 2000.
ADJOURNMENT
Dr. Joan Fleming moved that the Governing Board adjourn. Mr.
Denny Colgan seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
The
meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.