Scottsdale Unified School District Arizona’s Most Excelling Schools!

The Governing Board voted to approve the recommendation for the Copper Ridge Math and Science Academy for implementation August 2006. The Board authorized the administration to begin registration of students beginning March 29, explore staffing recruitment and curriculum completion, begin and implement planning and design activities needed to have the facility ready for operation on August 21. The final determination regarding the program will be based upon enrollment numbers given to the Board at the May 9 meeting.

Kevin Price, internal auditor, updated the Governing Board on his progress to date. The Board directed Mr. Price to update them with quarterly reports. The presentation is available on the district’s Web site at: http://www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.htm.

Bob Flach, chief financial officer; Sue Bettenhausen, director of nutritional services; John Biera, principal Coronado High School; and Roosevelt Lofton, athletic director; presented the Board with information regarding vending machines. Currently, SUSD has 207 vending machines at 37 sites. Most are for student use at high schools. At most elementary schools, the vending machines are not available to students but are in the teacher lounges. Currently, Nutritional Services and Wellness has 48 machines in campus cafeterias. New Arizona regulations will dictate what is available in machines during the school day for elementary and middle school students. Additionally, the Arizona Department of Education is implementing requirements for the next school year for grades K-8. The administration is proposing that all vending machines in all locations have the same healthy products for all grades and for all hours of operations. The presentation is available on the district’s Web site at: http://www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.htm. An expanded presentation will be brought back at the May 9 Governing Board meeting.

Additionally, Lois Healey, special education services administrator, and the Special Education Reading Initiative Committee presented the Governing Board with information regarding the Special Education Reading Program. IDEA now requires school districts to base special education, related services and supplementary aids and services on “peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable.” No Child Left Behind defines peer-reviewed scientifically based reading research as research that applies rigorous, systematic and objective procedures to obtain valid knowledge relevant to reading development, reading instruction and reading difficulties that has been accepted by a peer-reviewed journal or approved panel of independent experts through a comparably rigorous, objective and scientific review. SUSD can no longer use materials and methods that have “worked” for years but contain no peer-reviewed research to support the method.

To meet this challenge, the committee studied and reviewed reading programs to help district personnel in their selection of materials that can be used by skilled teachers to provide effective reading instruction for special education students. The committee recommended that the Board purchase and implement the following programs: Soar to Succeed, Great Leaps, Wilson Fundations K-2 and Wilson Reading Systems 3-12. The presentation is available on the district’s Web site at: http://www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.htm. The item will be brought back as a Consent Agenda Item at the April 11 Governing Board meeting.

Also, Kim Clark, general counsel; and Tori Trahan, RN, BSN health services coordinator; discussed the proposed change to Governing Board Policy JLCD – Medicines/Administering Machines to Students. The item will be brought back as a Consent Agenda Item at the April 11 meeting.

Ms. Clark discussed the adoption of Governing Board Policy for the implementation of a surveillance camera system. SUSD authorizes the use of surveillance cameras in school buses and on district property to ensure the health, welfare and safety of all students, employees and visitors and to safeguard district facilities, vehicles and equipment. Surveillance cameras may be used in locations as deemed appropriate by the district administration, but shall not be used in locations where there is reasonable expectation of privacy. The district shall notify employees, parents and students through handbooks, information guides, and/or other means of communication that surveillance may occur on school buses and on district property. The item will be brought back as a Consent Agenda Item at the April 11 meeting.

Additionally, Ms. Clark and Ms. Trahan presented modifications of school-related activities due to weather or environmental conditions to the Board. SUSD is committed to protecting the health and safety of students and staff while providing and encouraging appropriate physical activities and opportunities. Acknowledging that students and staff spend a significant amount of time in the sun and that local weather and environmental conditions are frequently at intensified levels that may result in negative health consequences, these guidelines have been developed to limit activities on these days. The following areas are covered: hot weather, sun/UV protection, outdoor air quality and other severe situations. Students need daily, vigorous exercise. It is not the intent of the policy that schools eliminate physical education or other outdoor programs during or after school, only that certain activities be limited or revised during those times when negative health or safety consequences are most likely to occur. The item will be brought back as a Consent Agenda Item at the April 11 meeting.

In other action, the Board:

• Approved additional services to DLR Group for architectural and engineering services in the amount of $77,000 to provide kitchen plans and building/site modifications to the Sierra Vista Academy campus.
   
• Tabled the authorization for the Facilities Department to enter into the construction manager at risk construction contract for Chaparral High School with 3DI in the amount of $307,160. The item will be brought back as an Action Item at the April 11 meeting.
   
• Approved to authorize the Facilities Department to enter into the construction manager at risk construction contract for Saguaro High School with DL Withers Construction in the amount of $295,782.
   
• Authorized the Facilities Management Department to proceed with the solicitation and to accept bids for the Sierra Vista Academy Phase II Project for the 2004 Bond.
   
  • Approved the revisions to Governing Board Policy DIEA-E Internal Auditor Evaluation Instrument.
   
• Approved revisions to Governing Board Policy GBP- Prohibited Personnel Practices.
   
• Approved revisions to Governing Board Policy JLF-Child Abuse.
   
• Accepted gifts valued at $152,287. The gifts were received from Desert Mountain STUGO, Arcadia PTO, Aztec Community Team, C.H.A.P.T.S., Cochise APT, Copper Ridge Middle School PTO, Desert Mountain PTO, Hopi PTA, Ingleside PTO, Laguna PTO, Pima PTO, Tonalea PTO, International Baccalaureate Parents Association, Arizona State University, Caretakers of the Environment, Mike Fernandez, Oasis Institute, Mary Payne, Scottsdale Cal Ripken Baseball, Scottsdale Charros, Mark Stieg, Target, Wal-Mart Foundation, Washington Mutual and Wells Fargo Foundation.

The next Governing Board meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 11, at the Education Center.

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