MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING

OF THE GOVERNING BOARD

SCOTTSDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 48

 

March 25, 2003

 

A Special 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. 

 

Board Members in attendance were David R. Goldstaub, President; Shari Avianantos, Clerk; Karen Beckvar; and Christine M. Schild.  Sandra Zapien-Ferrero arrived at 7:09 PM.  Superintendent Barbara F. Erwin, and Associate Superintendent Don Jefferies were also present.  A quorum was present.

 

Mrs. Schild moved to approve the Agenda.  Ms. Beckvar seconded the motion.

 

The motion was approved with a vote of 4 – 0 (Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero had not arrived yet).

 

Public Comment

Kevin Flynn, President of the Scottsdale Administrators Association (SAA), spoke about the Superintendent’s invitation to meet with the presidents of the three employee groups and the president of the Parent Council to further the communication and trust between SUSD and to communicate with the State Legislature regarding education funding.  Mr. Flynn further advised the Board that he as well as Mr. Barker, Mr. Goldstein and Mrs. Agostinelli have been consistently delivering information about budget and finance issues to each of their respective groups, as well as to the community.

 

Joan Agostinelli, President of Scottsdale Parent Council reviewed the budget message being communicated to parents and the community, noting that the process is open and accessible to all of our stakeholders.

 

Mark Goldstein, President of the Scottsdale Support Personnel Association (SSPA), echoed Mr. Flynn’s and Mrs. Agostinelli’s comments.

 

Scott Barker, President of the Scottsdale Education Association (SEA), reported to the Board that he has shared ongoing budget information with his Executive Board.  Additionally, he thanked the Yes to Children campaign and Mrs. Agostinelli for helping to restore money back to SUSD.

 

Scott Barker, President of the Scottsdale Education Association (SEA), spoke in support of the proposed Early Exit Plan, adding that the original idea was teacher driven.

 

Kevin Flynn, President of the Scottsdale Administrators Association (SAA), spoke in support of the proposed Early Exit Plan, indicating he was grateful to be part of the process and pleased to see that the proposed plan included all three employee groups.

 

Mark Goldstein, President of the Scottsdale Support Personnel Association (SSPA), spoke in support of the proposed Early Exit Plan, noting that it will save money in more ways, by lowering the amount of health insurance premiums and the contribution to the state retirement system.

 

Joan Agostinelli, spoke as a Scottsdale parent in support of the proposed Early Exit Plan, saying no one wants to lose teachers, and that a voluntary plan is preferred over cutting jobs.

 

Paula Judd asked questions in regard to the Early Exit Plan in relation to the Arizona State Retirement System.  Sean Kelly, the representative from Educators Preferred Corporation, was asked by President Goldstaub to provide responses to her questions.

 

Craig Cantoni asked questions in regard to the funding of the Early Exit Plan and on outsourcing the plan.  President Goldstaub stated that the presentation being given this evening would answer his questions.

 

Action Item

Dr. Erwin said Action Item V. A. Approval of Early Exit Plan, was being brought back for consideration, as requested by the Board.  Dr. Erwin called upon Bob Flach, the District’s Chief Financial Officer, to review with the Board Action Item V. A. Approval of Early Exit Plan, a proposed severance plan to be offered to currently employed Administrative Support, Certified and Classified employees with ten (10) or more years of employment with the District and who qualify under the conditions of the plan, as presented by Educators Preferred Corporation (EPC).  Discussion was had on the options of the plan.  Mr. Sean Kelly, the representative from EPC, was present and also discussed with the Board some of the specifics of this plan.  Further discussion was held in regard to the feasibility of outsourcing the plan.  Also discussed were eligibility requirements, and the expectation that there would be a minimum placed on the number of participants before the District would move forward.

 

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.

 

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

 

Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting.  Ms. Beckvar seconded the motion. 

 

President Goldstaub called for the vote.  Mrs. Schild called for discussion. 

 

Mrs. Schild restated her reasons for not supporting the Early Exit Plan.  Mrs. Schild continued, reading a written statement regarding a directive to the Superintendent.  Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero stated she was uncomfortable discussing an item that was not on the Agenda.  President Goldstaub called for the vote on the adjournment.

 

At 8:18 PM, the motion to adjourn was approved with a vote of 5 – 0.

 

Dated this 25th day of March 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

 

 

 

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Karen Beckvar

 

 

 

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Christine M. Schild

 

 

 

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Sandra Zapien-Ferrero

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motion #104

Approval of Agenda

 

 

 

Public Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action Item

Early Exit Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visitor

 

 

 

 

Motion #105

Approval of Early Exit Plan with Contingency

 

 

 

Motion #106

Adjournment