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

The Governing Board voted 4-1 on Tuesday night to adopt the resolution for notice of election to be held on Nov. 2, 2004, for the issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $217 million.

Funds derived from the election will be used to implement the first phase of the districtwide Facilities Master Plan to improve school safety and security, comply with current building/life safety codes, improve energy efficiency and reduce facility and maintenance costs, accommodate student enrollments, support educational programs, meet district facilities standards and provide equity in facilities.

If the bond is passed in November, SUSD will modernize Arcadia, Coronado, Chaparral and Saguaro high schools; make facility improvements to Desert Mountain High School; begin Phase II construction at Sierra Vista Academy; and purchase new school buses and land.

In other action, the Board:

• Approve to increase prior Board authorization for legal services by $25,000 for a new amount not to exceed $675,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year 2003-2004.
  
  On May 11, the Governing Board increased the RFP #3062, Legal Services in the amount of $100,000 for a yearly total of $650,000.
   
• Approved the classroom bonus entitlement funds 2003-2004.
  
  House Bill 2010 established the English Language Learner (ELL) classroom personnel bonus fund and required the Arizona Department of Education to distribute the monies in the fund to school districts and charter schools for every ELL. The ELL classroom personnel bonus fund appropriated $250 per student from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2003-2004. SUSD reported 406 exited students for the fiscal year 2002-2003. SUSD’s classroom bonus fund allocation is $101,500.
   
• Directed incoming Superintendent Dr. John Baracy to develop options to resolve the issues related to excess elementary and middle school capacities in the northern tier of the district, as well as issues related to busing of high school students living the NE30 attendance area. The Board directed the administration to present the Board with options at its first Board meeting in October, 2004.
   
• Tabled Section B of the SUSD Policy Manual until after July 1.
   
• Was presented with a report from the district’s Internal Auditor Becky Miller. The report included information about test scores used to show improvement under Proposition 301 Performance Incentive Pay; use of school facilities and related rental contracts; and timely reporting of student withdrawals.
   
• Accepted gifts valued at $489,115. The gifts were received from, Chaparral Band Club, Coronado Senior Class, Desert Mountain Physic’s Club, Desert Mountain Student Government, Desert Mountain Wrestling Team, C.H.A.P.T.S., Cherokee APT, Cheyenne PTO, Cochise APT, Copper Ridge Elementary School PTO, Copper Ridge Middle School PTO, Desert Canyon Elementary School PTO, Friends of ANLC, Hopi PTA, Ingleside PTO, Mohave PTO, Mountainside PTO, Sequoya APT, Caretakers of the Environment, Chaparral Diamondbackers, Dr. Don Chiappetti, Juana Fredrick, Dawn M. Mantei, Harriet Mountcastle-Walsh, Dr. and Mrs. Michael Steingart, Target, Ginger Walker, Washington Mutual, Wells Fargo and Westcor Partners.

The next Governing Board meeting, a work/study session on the Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Budget, is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 22, at the Education Center.

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