MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE GOVERNING BOARD

SCOTTSDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 48

 

April 8, 2003

 

A Regular Meeting of the Governing Board of the Scottsdale Unified School District, #48, Maricopa County, was called to order at 7:03 PM, at the Scottsdale School District Education Center Board Room, 3811 North 44th Street, Phoenix, Arizona.  President Goldstaub called upon Ms. Beckvar to lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Board Members in attendance were David R. Goldstaub, President; Shari Avianantos, Clerk; Karen Beckvar; and Christine M. Schild.  Sandra Zapien-Ferrero arrived at 7:13 PM.  Superintendent Barbara F. Erwin, and Associate Superintendent Don Jefferies were also present.  A quorum was present.  President Goldstaub welcomed approximately 45 visitors.

 

President Goldstaub noted a correction to an Agenda Item, Consent Agenda Item IX. F. Approval of Minutes of March 25, 2003 Special Board Meeting.  The correction was to Page 2 of the Minutes, under the caption Action Item Approval of Early Exit Plan.  The second paragraph should read:  “Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero moved to accept the Early Exit Plan as presented, with the contingency that a minimum of 100 eligible employees teachers participate.  Mrs. Avianantos seconded the motion.”

 

Mrs. Schild moved to approve the Agenda, with the correction, and with Consent Agenda Items IX. G. Approval of Payment for Work Performed by Lewis & Roca, and IX. O. Personnel Actions both pulled to be heard separately.  Ms. Beckvar seconded the motion as stated.

 

The motion, as stated, was approved with a vote of 4 – 0 (Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero had not yet arrived at the meeting).

 

Public Comment

Leslie Cantrell spoke in regard to proposed reduction in force of teachers.

 

Deborah Cookson and Terry Benson jointly spoke in regard to budget issues.

 

Action Item(s)

President Goldstaub asked the Board Members if an Executive Session was required for discussion or consultation for legal advice with Board Attorney James Martin, who was present at the meeting.  The Board Members indicated that an Executive Session was not needed. 

 

Ms. Beckvar moved to approve Action Item VI. A. Consideration and Disposition of Hearing Officer’s Recommendation Regarding Termination of David Renaud.  Mrs. Schild seconded the motion. 

 

The motion was approved with a vote of 5 – 0 (Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero arrived at the meeting at 7:13 PM, just prior to this vote).

 

Information/Discussion Item(s)

Don Jefferies introduced James Martin of the law firm of Lewis and Roca to review Information/Discussion Item VII. A. Proposed Policy Revisions.  Mr. Martin gave a PowerPoint presentation and discussed those policies that related to the issue of reporting child abuse.  Mr. Martin proposed recommendations to strengthen those policies and to clarify employee’s reporting responsibilities.  President Goldstaub requested that this item be on the Board Agenda for action on April 29, 2003.

 

Dr. Bill Johnson, the District’s Chief of Facilities and Operations, gave a PowerPoint presentation on Information/Discussion Item VII. B. SUSD Facilities Master Plan Update.  Dr. Johnson stated that the focus of the current phase is the District’s high schools.  Dr. Johnson introduced representatives from the architectural firms who presented their company’s proposals.  Tom Riley, from the firm of Gould/Evans, presented his firm’s proposed plans for Arcadia and Coronado High Schools and Sierra Vista Academy.  John Anderson, from the firm of HAD Architects, presented his firm’s proposed plans for Saguaro, Chaparral and Desert Mountain High Schools.  Discussion ensued on the timelines for the proposals as well as on cost estimates.  Discussion was also had on the need for community hearings and having a survey form on the District’s Web site for community input, perhaps with the help of the Yes to Children committee that worked so diligently on the March 2003 M&O Override election.  Board direction was given to the Administration to bring forward on the April 29, 2003 Board Agenda an item for consideration of a bond or capital override for the November 2003 election.  Dr. Erwin reviewed the direction given to her by the Board and also thanked Dr. Johnson for his diligent work with a variety of people and for his excellent presentation, which did not near reflect the time and energy spent on this project.

 

Information/Action Item(s)

Bob Flach, the District’s Chief Financial Officer, gave a PowerPoint presentation on Information/Action Item VIII. A. 2003-2004 Budget.  Mr. Flach reviewed the national, statewide, and District economic pictures.  Discussion was had on proposed non-classroom reductions, as well as on the process of zero-based budgeting.  Mr. Flach indicated that the zero-based budgeting process for 2004-2005 would begin in the fall of 2003, earlier than previously done.  The Board also discussed consolidating administrative positions, the level of testing in the District, and class size.  The Board further requested a report on the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) and asked for a report on the amount of funds contributed to that program.  Dr. Erwin indicated that she would present a report on EVIT at a future Board meeting.

 

President Goldstaub indicated he would like a motion to move forward with proposed administrative budget reductions that need notification by April 15, 2003, pursuant to the SUSD Administrative and Support Employment Agreement.

 

Mrs. Schild moved that the District notify the proposed administrative positions of a reduction in force by April 15, 2003, as outlined in Mr. Flach’s presentation:

 

1.       Reduction in Facilities/Building/Construction Services                                              

2.       Reduce Warehouse                                                                                                          

3.       Instructional Technical Specialist (1)                                                                             

4.       Information Systems Administrator (1)                                                                          

5.       Absorption of International Baccalaureate Program Responsibilities                    

6.       Adjust Sierra Vista Academy – first semester only                                                      

 

Mrs. Avianantos seconded the motion.

 

The motion was approved with a vote of 4 – 1 (Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero voted Nay).

 

Consent Agenda

Item IX. A. Acceptance of Gifts - $17,243.74

Item IX. B. Accounts Payable Vouchers

Item IX. C. Approval of Hearing Officer’s Recommendations

Item IX. D. Approval of Minutes of March 18, 2003 Regular Board Meeting

Item IX. E. Approval of Minutes of March 20, 2003 Special Board Meeting

Item IX. F. Approval of Minutes of March 25, 2003 Special Board Meeting – Corrected

Item IX. G. Approval of Payment for Work Performed by Lewis & Roca

Item IX. H. Approval to Increase Prior Board Authorization for Telephone Maintenance

Item IX. I. Approval to Increase Purchase Order for Food and Food Service Supplies

Item IX. J. Award of Bid #3108, Magazine Subscription

Item IX. K. Issuance of RFP for Banking Services

Item IX. L. Call for Bid for Field Grading and Drainage at Cochise Elementary School

Item IX. M. Chaparral High School Cafeteria Doors

Item IX. N. Payroll Vouchers

Item IX. O. Personnel Actions

Item IX. P. Student Activities Statement for February 28, 2003

 

Mrs. Schild moved to approve the Consent Agenda, as corrected, and with the exception of Items IX. G. Approval of Payment for Work Performed by Lewis & Roca, and Item IX. O. Personnel Actions, to be heard separately.  Mrs. Avianantos seconded the motion.

 

The motion, as stated, was approved with a vote of 5 – 0.

 

Mrs. Schild questioned Mr. Flach regarding Consent Agenda Item IX. G. Approval of Payment of Work Performed by Lewis & Roca.  Mr. Flach reported that a checks and balance system has been put in place to prevent a reoccurrence of any invoices being misplaced in the future. 

 

 

Mrs. Schild moved to approve Consent Agenda Item IX. G. Approval of Payment of Work Performed by Lewis & Roca.  Ms. Beckvar seconded the motion.

 

The motion was approved with a vote of 5 – 0.

 

Mrs. Schild requested clarification on Consent Agenda Item IX. O. Personnel Actions.  The teachers listed under “Separations” with the reason of “Reduced in Force” are on this Agenda due to the fact that notification must be made to these employees by April 15, 2003.  Discussion followed on who would be rehired if positions became available and the process involved.

 

Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero moved to approve Consent Agenda Item IX. O. Personnel Actions.  Mrs. Avianantos seconded the motion.  Further discussion was held regarding the community’s opinion on reduction of force.  Ms. Beckvar stated that what the Board is doing now is protecting the District from a “worse-case scenario.” 

 

The motion was approved with a vote of 4 – 1 (Mrs. Schild voted Nay).

 

Dr. Erwin noted that this item included the appointment of Dr. Katie Root as the new principal of Laguna Elementary School and congratulated Dr. Root and the Laguna community.

 

Governing Board Reports

Board Members Karen Beckvar and Christine M. Schild thanked the principals, administrators, and staff at the various schools and District sites for their hospitality during their visits over the last few weeks.

 

President Goldstaub announced he will be leaving Arizona and will be relocating back to the Northeast.  The exact date of his resignation had not yet been determined.

 

Dates of Upcoming Board Meetings and District Events

Tuesday, April 29, 2003 – 7:00 PM – Work/Study Meeting

Tuesday, May 13, 2003 – 7:00 PM – Regular Board Meeting

 

At 10:38 PM, Mrs. Schild moved to adjourn the meeting.  Ms. Beckvar seconded the motion.

 

The motion was approved with a vote of 5 – 0.

 

Dated this 8th day of April 2003.

 

The Governing Board of the Scottsdale Unified School District #48

 

 

 

 

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David R. Goldstaub, President

 

 

 

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Shari Avianantos, Clerk

 

 

 

__________________________________

Karen Beckvar

 

 

 

____________________________________

Christine M. Schild

 

 

 

__________________________________

Sandra Zapien-Ferrero

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Correction to Consent Agenda Item IX. F. Approval of Minutes of 3/25/03 Special Mtg.

 

 

 

 

Motion #107

Approval of Agenda as Corrected and as Stated

 

 

 

 

 

Public Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motion #108

Consideration and Disposition of Hearing Officer’s Recommenda-

tion re: Termination of David Renaud

 

 

 

Information/Discussion

•Proposed Policy Revisions

 

 

 

 

 

 

•SUSD Facilities Master Plan Update

 

 

Visitors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information/Action

•2003-2004 Budget

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motion #109

Approval of Administrator Reductions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consent Agenda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motion #110

Approval of Consent Agenda as Stated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motion #111

Approval of Payment of Work Performed by Lewis & Roca

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motion #112

Approval of Personnel Actions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Governing Board Reports

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dates of Upcoming Board Meetings and District Events

 

 

Motion #113

Adjournment