Scottsdale Unified School District Arizona’s Most Excelling Schools!

Dr. Bill Johnson, chief of Facilities Management for Learners, presented the Board with information regarding an Internet-based Collaborative Construction Management Software and Support. The Internet-based collaborative construction management software has been extensively used by school districts, colleges and city and state governments to manage projects without the huge startup cost associated with servers, computers and software programs. The Web-based software will help with project management, document management, file management, budget control, cost management, reporting and public Web site. Dr. Johnson discussed the advantages of the program, including no investment in additional equipment or software maintenance and upgrades, faster and wider communications, greater accountability, standardization with multiple projects, architects and contractors, integration of design, construction and budget control, formalized and standardized procedures, automated reports, real-time information, availability, accessibility and project archives. The estimated cost, which is included in the overall bond budget, includes training and set up, maintenance, subscription price, upgrades, Web cam (optional), personnel and contracted temporary staff. The item will brought back at the March 29 Work/Study meeting. The presentation is available on SUSD’s Web site at: http://www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.htm

Also, Kim Lansdowne, coordinator of Gifted Services, presented the Governing Board with information regarding the expansion of the Comprehensive Gifted Program. Lansdowne discussed expanding the self contained gifted program, and potentially opening a second site at Zuni Elementary School for the 2005-2006 school year for students in third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades. Lansdowne conducted two surveys to determine where the second self-contained gifted program should be housed. Zuni Elementary School was chosen because of staff recommendations and its accessibility to the Loop 101. Lansdowne also discussed expanding the Comprehensive Gift Program for middle school students in 2006-2007 at Desert Canyon and Mohave middle schools. The item will brought back at the March 29 Work/Study meeting. The presentation is available on the district’s Web site at: http://www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.htm

In addition, Diane Murphy, Curriculum coordinator, presented the Board with information regarding full-day Kindergarten. The presentation outlined the curriculum, instructional practices, achievement gains, model kindergarten day and professional development. Full-day kindergarten will align with the state standards, including reading, writing, listening and speaking, viewing and presenting, math, science and social studies. More time is spent each day on academic subjects and students spend more time writing in full-day Kindergarten than half-day kindergarten. The presentation is available on the district’s Web site at: http://www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.htm

In other action, the Board:

• Tabled the presentation on the Law Department Strategic Goals and Initiatives for 2004-2005 until March 24.
   
• Tabled the discussion on Job Description for Internal Auditor until April 1.
   
• Voted 5-0 to authorize additional services to Orcutt/Winslow Partnership for architecture and engineering services in the amount not to exceed $53,400 for the Arcadia Bond Project.
   
• Voted 5-0 to authorize additional services to DLR Group for architectural and engineering services in an amount not to exceed $75,150 for the Coronado Bond Project.
   
• Awarded an RFP for Employee Health Insurance Benefits to Aetna Insurance for an amount not to exceed $9,000,000 for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
   
• Awarded an RFP for Employee Dental Insurance Benefits to Employers Dental Services and United Concordia for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
   
• Awarded an RFP for Employee Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability to Standard Insurance Company for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
   
• Awarded an RFP for Pediatric Nursing Services to Gentiva Health Services and MD Home Health and Staffing for an amount not to exceed $100,000 for the remainder 2004-2005 fiscal year and for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
   
  The proposal is for the purchase of nursing services for special needs students during transportation to and from school and during the school day. Federal law requires that public education agencies provide services for students at public expense in order for students to receive educational benefits. This includes services that are medical in nature and can only be performed by a licensed provider in that field. It is necessary to have these services available for access when the need is determined appropriate by the Individual Education Team plan.
   
• Awarded an RFP for Temporary Registered Nurses to Anna Mae Fritz and Associates, and Dependable Nurses of Phoenix, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $200,000 for the remainder of the 2004-2005 fiscal year and for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
   
• Approved the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the City of Scottsdale and SUSD for additional maintenance work to be performed by the city on the athletic fields located on SUSD property that are utilized by youth sports club.
   
• Accepted gifts valued at $132,472. The gifts were received from Cherokee APT, Cocopah APT, Copper Ridge Elementary PTO, Mountainside Band Boosters, Arcadia Little League, Arizona Strut, Mark Brenner, Pierre Burns, Don Chiapetti, Facilities Inc., Oasis Institute, USDA/APHIS/PPQ, various donors and Wells Fargo Community Support.

A Special Governing Board meeting for Board procurement training and to discuss the Law Department Strategic Goals and Initiatives for 2004-2005 is scheduled for Thursday, March 24, which will immediately follow a student appeal at 9:30 a.m. at the Education Center, 3811 N. 44th St., Phoenix. The next Work/Study meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 29, at Coronado High School, 2501 N. 74th St., Scottsdale. In addition, a Special Governing Board meeting to discuss the Job Description for Internal Auditor, and discussions on Section B of the SUSD Policy Manual is scheduled at 10 a.m., on Friday, April 1, at the Education Center, 3811 N. 44th St. Phoenix.

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