MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE GOVERNING BOARD

SCOTTSDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 48

 

June 10, 2003

 

A Regular Meeting of the Governing Board of the Scottsdale Unified School District, #48, Maricopa County, was called to order at 7:05 PM, at the Scottsdale School District Education Center Board Room, 3811 North 44th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, by Mrs. Shari Avianantos, Clerk of the Board.

 

Organization of the Governing Board

Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero moved to nominate Mrs. Avianantos as President of the Governing Board.  Mrs. Schild seconded the motion.

 

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

 

Ms. Beckvar moved to nominate Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero as Clerk of the Governing Board.  Mrs. Schild seconded the motion.

 

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

 

President Avianantos called upon Ms. Beckvar to lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Board Members in attendance were Shari Avianantos, President; Sandra Zapien-Ferrero, Clerk; Karen Beckvar; Joel S. Feldman; and Christine M. Schild.  Superintendent Barbara F. Erwin, and legal counsel for the Board, Jack LaSota, were also present.  A quorum was present.  President Avianantos welcomed approximately 50 visitors.

 

President Avianantos welcomed new Board Member Joel S. Feldman, who was appointed to the Governing Board, replacing David Goldstaub, by Dr. Sandra Dowling, Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools.  Mr. Feldman thanked the Board for the welcome and stated that he had a “steep learning curve” and, hoped that he could make a good contribution to the Board and to the District.

 

Before asking for a motion approving the Agenda, President Avianantos addressed items of business before the Board, noting that Board Member Schild had informed the Superintendent that she was requesting that Consent Agenda Items X. U., X. Y., and X. GG. be pulled from the Agenda.  Regarding Item X. U. Award of RFP #3062, Legal Services, Mrs. Schild had indicated she would like this item pulled from the Consent Agenda to be heard separately.  President Avianantos asked Mrs. Schild for her reason for this request, pursuant to Board Policy BEDBA.  Mrs. Schild responded that her intent in pulling Item X. U. from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion was in regard to the appropriateness of issuing an RFP from a budgetary perspective and that she would like to discuss alternatives to the proposal at this time, and to ask the Board to not approve Item X. U. at this time.  With respect to Consent Agenda X. Y. Fees for Community School Services, Mrs. Schild stated that she had questions with regard to the pilot program referred to in the description of the materials.  With respect to Item X. GG. Monthly Financial Report, Mrs. Schild stated that she had questions on whether this Item was something the Board was legally required to approve and thought there should be discussion on this Item.

Mrs. Schild further requested that Information/Action Item VIII. A. Approval of Governing Board Meeting Schedule for 2003-2004 be moved to the end of the Agenda, in consideration of those constituents present at the meeting to hear Information/Discussion Item VII. A. Cheyenne Traditional School Uniform Standard of Dress, and Information/Action Item VIII. B. 2003-2004 FY Budget Review.

 

President Avianantos responded to Mrs. Schild, asking legal counsel for the Board, Mr. Jack LaSota, to respond.  Mr. LaSota stated that the Board Policy for removing items from the Agenda could be appropriately applied to moving those items for regular discussion, as requested by Mrs. Schild for Items X. U. and X. Y.  As to Item X. GG., asking if the Board was legally required to approve the Monthly Financial Report, Mr. LaSota stated that it was appropriate for the Board to have a discussion along that line.  At this point, Mr. LaSota stated that it was appropriate to remove those Items from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and if the Board does vote to hear those Items separately, which would be at the Chair’ s discretion, Mr. LaSota would comment on each Item separately, if the Board thought it appropriate for him to do so.

 

President Avianantos stated that at this time the Chair would go through the process of having the Board vote on whether these Items should be pulled or not because the Board Policy quoted by Mrs. Schild states “the Board needs to vote on whether the Items will be removed or not removed.” 

 

President Avianantos asked for a motion on pulling Consent Agenda X. U. Award of RFP #3062, Legal Services.  Mrs. Schild moved to pull Item X. U. for separate consideration. 

 

There being no second, the motion failed and Item X. U. remained on the Consent Agenda.

 

President Avianantos asked for a motion on pulling Consent Agenda X. Y. Fees for Community School Services.  Mrs. Schild moved to pull Item X. Y. for separate consideration. 

 

There being no second, the motion failed and Item X. Y. remained on the Consent Agenda.

 

President Avianantos asked for a motion on pulling Consent Agenda X. GG. Monthly Financial Report.  Mrs. Schild moved to pull Item X. GG. for separate consideration. 

 

Ms. Beckvar seconded the motion for the purpose of having any legal questions answered on this Item. 

 

The motion failed with a vote of 2 Yes votes (Ms. Beckvar and Mrs. Schild) - 3 No votes.  Item X. GG. remained on the Consent Agenda.

 

Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero moved to approve the Agenda, with Information/Action Item VIII. A. Approval of Governing Board Meeting Schedule for 2003-2004, to be heard after Item VIII. B. 2003-2004 FY Budget Review.  Ms. Beckvar seconded the motion.

 

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

 

Public Comment

Scott Barker, President of the Scottsdale Education Association (SEA), welcomed Mr. Feldman to the Board.  Mr. Barker also thanked the Board for its recent collaborative decisions regarding the District’s teachers.

 

Molly Holzer spoke in support of Cheyenne Traditional School Uniform Standard of Dress and asked the Board to review its budget with regard to Middle School programs.

 

Lisa Cvach spoke against Cheyenne Traditional School Uniform Standard of Dress.

 

Nancy Buel spoke in support of Cheyenne Traditional School Uniform Standard of Dress.

 

Mary Sanicola spoke in support of Cheyenne Traditional School Uniform Standard of Dress.

 

Patti O’Neil spoke in support of Cheyenne Traditional School Uniform Standard of Dress.

 

Robyn Abels, of the pilot program, Power Paws, which trains service dogs, spoke in favor of the program continuing next year at the District’s Sierra Vista Academy.

 

Information/Discussion Item(s)

Dr. Erwin introduced Mario Ventura, principal of Cheyenne Traditional School, who along with members of Cheyenne’s site council presented Information/Discussion Item VII. A. Cheyenne Traditional School Uniform Standard of Dress.  Discussion ensued on the proposal to have a mandatory uniform program as opposed to a voluntary program.  The Board also discussed the Site Council’s findings through surveys sent to all Cheyenne parents, the exemption policy and the philosophy of Cheyenne Traditional School.  The Board discussed the consequences for infractions to the standard of dress and emphasized the need to be sure that any consequence was in line with the District’s Student Code of Conduct.  Dr. Erwin requested that Mr. Ventura, as current principal of Cheyenne, work with the incoming principal of Cheyenne, Mr. Mike Duff, and with the District’s legal council, to be sure that all elements of the standard of dress policy are in line with the District’s Code of Conduct, and are legally correct.  The Board directed the Administration to bring this item back as an Action Item on the June 24, 2003 Board Agenda.

 

Dr. Erwin further noted that Mr. Ventura was leaving the District and wished him well.

 

Information/Action Items

Mr. Robert Flach, the District’s Chief Financial Officer, presented Information/Action Item VIII. B. 2003-2004 FY Budget Review.  Mr. Flach gave a brief review of Desegregation Funding and also discussed with the Board the District’s need to proceed with its budget on two counts.  First discussed was a “best-case scenario budget.”  Mr. Flach stated this was necessary because the State of Arizona allows the Governing Board to reduce the budget at any time after they advertise an adoption.  Mr. Flach went on to discuss a “worse-case scenario budget,” stating the necessity of approving such a budget if the State Legislature did not complete its budget.  This would give the District the opportunity to inform its Classified staff if their position would be eliminated.  After discussing both scenarios, and those items that teachers, staff, and parents felt were the most desirable to be reinstated, the Board directed Mr. Flach to prepare budgets reflecting those scenarios and reinstatements for Board approval as an Action Item at its June 24, 2003 Governing Board Meeting.

 

Dr. Erwin presented Information/Action Item VIII. A. Approval of Governing Board Meeting Schedule for 2003-2004.  Dr. Erwin stated that it was the intent to get this Board to a once-a-month meeting schedule, as directed by a previous Governing Board.  Dr. Erwin discussed the issues that the Governing Board must deal with in the upcoming 2003-2004 school year.  All issues were placed on the schedule.  The Board expressed some concern as to the lateness of some of the 2002-2003 Board Meetings, stating the desire to not have a meeting go beyond 10:00 PM. 

 

Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero moved to approve the Governing Board Meeting Schedule for 2003-2004.  Mrs. Avianantos seconded the motion. 

 

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

 

Action Item

Ms. Beckvar stated she would volunteer to attend the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) Delegate Assembly, Action Item IX. A.  Other Board Members would not be available.

 

Mrs. Schild moved to appoint Karen Beckvar as Delegate to the ASBA Delegate Assembly on June 28, 2003.  Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero seconded the motion.

 

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

 

Consent Agenda

Item X. A. Acceptance of Gifts - $188,624.45

Item X. B. Accounts Payable Vouchers

Item X. C. Appointment of New Trustees for the Insurance Trust

Item X. D. Approval and Adoption of the Saxon Math Program for Cheyenne Traditional School, Grades K-6

Item X. E. Approval of Academic Content Skill Development Classes Receiving Repeated Course Credit

Item X. F. Approval of Renewal of Intergovernmental Agreements

Item X. G. Approval of Designation of Sole Source Vendors

Item X. H. Approval of Hearing Officer’s Recommendations

Item X. I. Approval of Readmission for Students

Item X. J. Approval of Minutes of May 8, 2003 Special Board Meeting

Item X. K. Approval of Minutes of May 13, 2003 Regular Board Meeting

Item X. L. Approval of Minutes of May 15, 2003 Special Board Meeting

Item X. M. Approval of Renewal of Contracts

Item X. N. Approval to Purchase Science Supplies and Equipment Through GPPCS

Item X. O. Approval to Purchase Sealant Services Through MOHAVE Contract

Item X. P. Approve the Purchase of Art Supplies Through GPPCS

Item X. Q. Approve the Purchase of Instructional Aids and Supplies Through GPPCS

Item X. R. Approve the Purchase of Library Books Through GPPCS

Item X. S. Approve the Purchase of Used Textbooks Through GPPCS

Item X. T. Award of Bid #3139, Installation of Fire Department Turnaround

Item X. U. Award of RFP #3062, Legal Services

Item X. V. Award of RFP #3067, Foods, Snack Bar Cake and Candy and Approve the Issuance of RFP for Foods, Candy

Item X. W. Award of RFP #3098, Construction/Technical Reprographic Services

Item X. X. Cancellation of RFP #3138, Employment Screening and Approve the Issuance of RFP

for Employment Screening

Item X. Y. Fees for Community School Services

Item X. Z. Issuance of RFP for Janitorial Supplies and Equipment

Item X. AA. Issuance of RFP for Lab Management Software

Item X. BB. Issuance of RFP for Maintenance and Repair of Food Preparation Equipment

Item X. CC. Payroll Vouchers

Item X. DD. Personnel Actions

Item X. EE. Student Activities Statement for April 30, 2003

Item X. FF. 2003-04 Code of Conduct Revisions

Item X. GG. Monthly Financial Report

Item X. HH. Approval of Minutes of June 5, 2003 special Board Meeting

 

Mrs. Schild moved to approve the Consent Agenda for purposes of discussion.  Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero seconded the motion.

 

Discussion was held on the time lines for payment of District accounts payable and on the need for Board approval of those items listed on the Consent Agenda.  The Board also discussed the appropriateness of Mrs. Schild’s request to speak on certain items on the Consent Agenda.  President Avianantos asked Mr. LaSota to give a legal opinion.  Mr. LaSota stated that the Board would need to entertain a motion to approve the Consent Agenda in its entirety and in the course of discussing the pro or con of voting on that, Mrs. Schild could state her reasons for why she would be in opposition of approving the entire Consent Agenda.

 

Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero moved to approve the Consent Agenda in its entirety.  Ms. Beckvar seconded the motion.

 

Mrs. Schild stated her reasons for not voting for approval of the Consent Agenda.  With respect to Item X. U., Mrs. Schild believes the District should hire in-house counsel.  With respect to Item X. Y., Mrs. Schild stated she did not feel comfortable approving the fees for those services before she knows what services the District is going to offer.  Finally, with respect to Item X. DD., Mrs. Schild wanted to publicly thank Mrs. Violet Skolos for her years of service to the District as a Noon Assistant at Pima Elementary School.

 

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

 

Dr. Erwin noted the presence in the audience of Lesa Friend, the newly appointed principal of Tonalea Elementary School and welcomed her to SUSD.

 

President Avianantos thanked Mr. Flach for his work on the Monthly Financial Report that the Board had directed him to provide.

 

Governing Board Reports

Board Members Karen Beckvar and Christine M. Schild reviewed the various activities they participated in over the last few weeks.  Mrs. Avianantos thanked Scottsdale Charros for the recent full-page ad they placed in the Arizona Republic on behalf of the District and for all the support they extend to the District.

 

Dates of Upcoming Board Meetings and District Events

Tuesday, June 24, 2003 – 7:00 PM – Work/Study Meeting

 

At 9:55 PM, Ms. Beckvar moved to adjourn the meeting.  Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero seconded the motion.

 

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

 

 

 

Dated this 10th day of June 2003.

 

The Governing Board of the Scottsdale Unified School District #48

 

 

 

__________________________________

Shari Avianantos, President

 

 

 

____________________________________

Sandra Zapien-Ferrero, Clerk

 

 

 

__________________________________

Karen Beckvar

 

 

 

____________________________________

Joel S. Feldman

 

 

 

__________________________________

Christine M. Schild

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organization of Governing Board

 

Motion #136

Election of President of Governing Board

 

 

 

Motion #137

Election of Clerk of Governing Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome New Board Member

 

 

 

 

 

Request to Pull Items From the Consent Agenda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motion #138

Pull Consent Agenda Item X. U.

 

Motion Fails for Lack of a Second

 

Motion #139

Pull Consent Agenda Item X. Y.

Motion Fails for Lack of a Second

 

Motion #140

Pull Consent Agenda Item X. GG.

 

 

Motion Fails

 

 

 

Motion #141

Approval of Agenda as Modified

 

 

 

Public Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information/Discussion

•Cheyenne Traditional School Uniform Standard of Dress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information/Action Items

•2003-2004 FY Budget Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action Item on June 24, 2003 Board Agenda

 

 

 

•Governing Board Meeting Schedule for 2003-2004

 

 

 

 

Motion #142

Approval of Governing Board Meeting Schedule for 2003-2004

 

 

Action Item

ASBA Delegate Assembly

 

Motion #143

Appointment of Ms. Beckvar as Delegate to ASBA Assembly

 

 

Consent Agenda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motion #144

Approval of Consent Agenda for Purposes of Discussion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motion #145

Approval of Consent Agenda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Governing Board Reports

 

Dates of Upcoming Board Meetings

Motion #146

Adjournment