Scottsdale Unified School District No Dream Too Big . . . No Challenge Too Great

Governing Board President Barbara Newby and Board Member Tom Carey were recognized by other members of the Governing Board Tuesday night for their years of service and dedication to the Scottsdale Unified School District. Each is stepping down from the Board at the end of this month when their current term expires.

Mrs. Newby served two consecutive four-year terms on the Governing Board; first elected in 1994, taking her seat in January 1995.

Mr. Carey also served two terms on the Board, from 1977-1980, and then from 1999-2002.

Board Member David Goldstaub publicly expressed his thanks to Mrs. Newby and Mr. Carey.

Board Member Sandra Zapien-Ferrero said: “We are a team right now, and it’s hard to be losing two members.”

“I appreciate the time and service we have spent with you. This is a very good board,” Mr. Carey said. In additional remarks, Mr. Carey noted that it is not always easy to accept the criticism levied against Board members from the community, “but it is our duty to listen . . . study . . . and make tough decisions on their behalf.”

He also cited Superintendent Barbara Erwin for her leadership role in the District. Additionally, he recognized teachers, noting that they come to work each day with enthusiasm “to change the world,” and leave each night exhausted. “Thank you. I share your joy of teaching,” he said.

Mrs. Newby reflected on the many accomplishments during the past eight years, which included a common core curriculum, a student Code of Conduct, standards in facilities, a unified calendar, a Service Learning program in all five high schools, an up-to-date Policy Book, the establishment of a cycle to replace musical instruments, an improved teacher evaluation tool, and the continued support for Career Ladder.

“I can walk away and say this body accomplished a lot,” Mrs. Newby said.

Stepping into the positions vacated by Mrs. Newby and Mr. Carey are Karen Beckvar and Christine Schild, who were sworn in as Governing Board members during a special meeting held Dec. 10. Mrs. Newby administered the oaths of office. Ms. Beckvar and Mrs. Schild were elected to four-year terms to the Governing Board last month and will take office Jan. 1.

In other business, Mr. Goldstaub and Mrs. Avianantos were recognized by the Arizona School Boards Association and were presented with Certificates of orientation.

Also recognized were several students from the Service Learning Program, representing all five high schools. The students presented several gifts to Board members, in commemoration of their support of the Service learning Program. Each Board member received a copy of the poster signifying the “How Do You Serve” campaign that has just been adopted by the Scottsdale Police Department. The students also presented Dr. Erwin with a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Remembering the Dream” poster, to thank her for her support of their program.

In other business, the Board approved the 2003-2004 calendar, with classes set to begin on Monday, Aug. 11. English and Spanish versions of the calendar are available on the District’s Web site at: http://www.susd.org/district/schools/calendars.htm

Start days for new and for returning teachers will be determined in the Meet and Confer process. State law requires that students attend 178 days of school next year, one more than the current 177.

A proposed 2004-2005 calendar, recommended by the Calendar Committee, was not approved by the Board. Instead, on a 4-0 vote, the Board directed that a committee be convened to formulate a parent survey. Parents speaking at last night’s meeting raised questions about the need to begin school so early in August, the need to finish the first semester before winter break, and the need for a full week October break.

Additionally, the Board approved the High School Planning Guide for the 2003-2004 school year, following a brief discussion about the sequence of math courses and who determines for what course a student would next be eligible if the student had a “D” grade in a math course.

The Board also discussed the use of Every Day Math and its implementation in District elementary schools. Jackie Olson, curriculum specialist for math, reviewed the process taken in choosing textbooks, the results of that process, and the textbook adoption committee’s recommendations. No action was taken at this meeting.

In other work, the Board:

• Approved a resolution to reissue bonds in an amount not to exceed $165 million.
   
• Approved a District Health Services procedure in which District personnel shall not comply with a DNR directive presented to the District by or on behalf of a student.
   
• Approved the purchase of band uniforms from Stanbury Uniforms for an amount not to exceed $65,000 for Desert Mountain High School. A rotation schedule for the replacement of uniforms was established with the high school being on a 10-year cycle, noted Chief Financial Officer Bob Flach. This year, DMHS is scheduled for band uniform replacement. Some 154 regular band uniforms and five drum major uniforms are scheduled to be purchased.
   
• Authorized the expenditure of $5,715 to supplement a state School Facilities Board (SFB) fencing project at the parent drop-off area at Pima Elementary School. This District’s portion of the project will be funded through remaining 1997 Bond monies.
   
• Heard a construction update from Bill Johnson, chief of facilities and operations, in which he noted that the state School Facilities Board funded more than 250 deficiency correction projects in the District, representing roughly $36 million in state expenditures. One of the major projects just getting underway, according to Dr. Johnson, is the construction of Sierra Vista Academy. The state awarded a contract today to demolish the old buildings on the site.
   
• Accepted gifts valued at $84,822. Gifts were received from Chaparral Girls Basketball Club, DMHS Football Club, Desert Mountain Choir Counsel, Arcadia PTO, Hopi PTA, Laguna PTO, Cochise APT, Copper Ridge Middle School PTO, Mountainside PTO, Yavapai PTA, Aztec Community Team, Yearbook Staff of Saguaro, Kim Calderwood, Mr. and Mrs. Barry Birch, Mr. and Mrs. Colin Elman, Kasey Emerson, Ralph Greenthal, Dr. Richard Clement, Donald and Barbara Novicki, Carol Gatz, Karen Contant, Reading is Fundamental Inc., D. Lieberman Fund/Minneapolis Jewish Federation, Wal-Mart Store #2766, Target, Exxon Mobil Corp., Concord Companies Corp., Los Olivos Mexican Patio, and Lil Mix Concrete.
   
• Approved the State Compensation Fund (SCF) as the District's new workers' compensation carrier. As of Dec. 11, the District no longer self-insures its workers’ compensation coverage.

The next Governing Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Education Center.
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