Scottsdale Unified School District Arizona’s Most Excelling School District!

Dr. David Peterson, assistant superintendent of Operations, presented the Governing Board information on maintaining proper vendor relationships that will be followed during the Capital Override implementation process. Ernie Nicely, executive director of Technology and Information Services, presented the Board with a Capital Override Technology Implementation Plan framework for accomplishing the Capital Override technology projects. The presentation also included a budget breakdown and teacher training plan. The presentation is available on the District’s Web site at: www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.cfm.

Additionally, Mr. Nicely presented the Board with a proposed wireless Internet access (mesh) for the Yavapai Elementary neighborhood. The mesh will provide families that live in the neighborhood with no-cost wireless access to the Internet. This project is being considered with the cooperation and assistance of the City of Scottsdale and Cisco Systems, Inc. The cost of the wireless mesh is to be paid by grant funding from foundations that specialize in grants for this kind of project. The presentation is available on the District’s Web site at: www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.cfm.

Clif McKenzie, executive director of Exceptional Customer Experiences, and Dr. Michael Helminski, principal at Kiva Elementary School, presented the Customer Service Communications Standards per District Goal #2, Objective 2.a. to the Governing Board. The standard was developed by the Customer Service Committee for implementation for the second semester 2008 by December 21, 2007. The presentation is available on the District’s Web site at: www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.cfm.

In other action, the Governing Board:

• Approved the High School Planning Guide for 2008-2009 as discussed at the Board meetings on November 13 and November 27.
   
• Approved the revisions to Policy IKF – Graduation Requirements.
   
• Approved the Language Arts Adoption for the 2008-2009 school year as presented at the November 27 Board Meeting.
   
• Accepted gifts valued at $137,712. The gifts were received from Arcadia PTO, Desert Canyon Elementary PTO, Desert Mountain PTO, Friends of ANLC, Hopi PTA, Ingleside PTO, Kiva PTO, Desert Canyon Middle School Strings Club, Arcadia Pride, Arizona State University, City of Scottsdale Parks and Recreation, Maureen and Robert Chernick, Donald Chiappetti, Collegeboard, Michael Cordova, Bill Horner, Install Batting Cages, Intel Foundation, Vynnie McDaniels, Move Dugouts, Roy Pierce, Provide Kick Boards, Reading is Fundamental, Dale Rittenhouse, Scottsdale Charros, Scottsdale Miss Softball, Michael D. Sipult, Target Take Charge of Education, United States Golf Association, Wells Fargo Foundation, Jerry Winsheink and Renita Ziman.

The next two regular Governing Board meetings are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on January 8, 2008 and January 22, 2008 at the Education Center.