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

The Governing Board approved the employment contract with Dr. Gary T. Catalani, as superintendent of Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD), beginning on April 2, 2009.

Interim Co-Superintendents Katy Cavanagh and Dr. David Peterson updated the Board on the impact of State Legislative budget cuts and the 2009-10 SUSD budget. The presentation included a timeline that will be followed for the remainder of the 2008-09 school year and a review of staffing needs for the District for the 2010 fiscal year. The presentation also included budget proposals and projected budget reductions for the 2010 fiscal year. The SmartSchoolsplus program recommendation was also discussed. To view the presentation, please visit http://www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.cfm.

Jeff Thomas, executive director of Human Capital, updated the Governing Board on certified staffing and reduction in force (RIF) for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Due to the uncertainty of the budget as determined by the State Legislature, the District has initiated its staffing process and timetables in anticipation of a RIF for its certified employees. The Board set staffing levels at its February 13, 2009 meeting for the 2009-10 school year. As a result, the timelines require the District to take several steps to be in compliance with state statutes and with the Teacher Employment Agreement. The staffing levels and RIF are based upon information available on March 3, 2009. To view the presentation, please visit http://www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.cfm.

In other action, the Governing Board:

• Approved revision #3 of the 2008-09 Annual Expenditure Budget, as presented to the Governing Board. To view the presentation, please visit http://www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.cfm.
• Approved the revisions of Governing Board Policy EEAA – Walkers and Riders.
• Approved revisions to Board Policies Section B – Board Governance and Operations.
• Accepted gifts valued at $39,731.45. The gifts were received from CHAPTS, Desert Mountain PTO, Hohokam PTA, Mountainside PTO, Saguaro Senior Class, Sequoya APT, Box Tops for Education, Capital Group Charitable Foundation, Don Chiapetti, David Dewey, DL Withers, Honeywell, Metal Management, Office Max Foundation, Scholarship America, Scottsdale Charros, Target and Wells Fargo Foundation .

The next two regular Governing Board meeting are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on March 24 and April 7 at the Education Center.

# # #