HIGHLIGHTS
OF THE GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
OF THE MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 4
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2011
MESA PUBLIC SCHOOLS CURRICULUM SERVICES CENTER
BUILDING 2
549 North Stapley Drive, Mesa, AZ
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03.A.4, discussion with legal counsel for the district to consider the Governing Board's position and give direction regarding a legal claim.
2. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03.A.3, consultation for legal advice from legal counsel for the district regarding a request for a temporary customs power of attorney.
3. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03.A.5, direction to representatives of the school district regarding Meet and Confer.
Executive session items pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03.A.3 and 4 were not discussed.
STUDY SESSION
President Peterson called the study session to order at 6:34 p.m.
1. Review of Agenda Items.
The Board briefly reviewed the agenda.
2. Discussion of the District's Student Uniform Adoption Process.
The Board discussed the district’s uniform process. They asked that language be added that states that incoming students will be polled when the process of uniform adoption is determined. The Board also requested that language be included that the outgoing population would not be polled when determining uniform adoption.
3. Presentation on District E-Rate Projects.
Dr. Monroe reviewed the Federal E-Rate Program and the projects planned to be completed at Mesa Public Schools. The district has submitted an application to complete internal telecommunication connection projects at twenty-five elementary schools, four junior high schools, and two high schools. He informed the Board that the funding level at Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) has been met and the application is currently in selective review.
4. Review of Governing Board Calendar.
The Board reviewed its calendar through May 2011.
5. Updates from Superintendents/Board Members.
This item was not addressed.
REGULAR MEETING
1. Minutes.
On the motion of Mr. Nichols, the Board unanimously approved minutes of a regular meeting held on February 8, 2011. President Peterson and Mr. Hughes abstained from voting as they were not present at that meeting.
2. Personnel Requests.
On the motion of Dr. Whiting, the Board unanimously approved certificated and classified personnel requests as amended, including an addendum.
3. Consent Agenda.
On the motion of Dr. Whiting, all items on the consent agenda were unanimously approved as presented (see below).
4. Superintendent's Report.
Dr. Cowan reported on the following:
Jefferson Elementary School staff and principal, Tim Moe, were selected to host a pep rally with Hands on Phoenix for their third-grade students. This event was a kickoff for Clifford, the Big Red Dog’s national campaign.
Model United Nations delegations from Westwood, Red Mountain, and Mountain View high schools competed in the 13th annual Model UN conference at Mesa Community College. The topic was People on the Move: Urbanization, Migration and Forced Displacement. Mountain View took first place, Red Mountainwas a close second, and Westwood earned fifth place.
Smith Junior High School parents and students will learn about community resources during the third annual Community Extravaganza. Social Studies teachers will don historical attire and students can view their educators doing time in the stocks and witness, firsthand, the consequences of breaking the law in the time of our forefathers. This event will help raise money for clubs and collect food for the United Food Bank. More information is available on the district website at www.mpsaz.org/smith.
Mesa Public Schools is now on Facebook. Current news and events are now available by linking directly to the Mesa Public Schools website.
5. Volunteer of the Month.
On behalf of the Governing Board and administration, Mr. Nichols presented a Volunteer of the Month award for February 2011 to Will and Ann Salz, volunteers at Brinton Elementary School.
6. Take Time for People.
On behalf the Governing Board and administration, President Peterson presented Take Time for People awards for February 2011 to the following:
Educators of the Month: Cindy Gardner, Music Teacher, Carson Junior High School; and Joe Urban, Fifth Grade Teacher, Washington Elementary School
Classified Employee of the Month: Jim Stiffler, Facility Assistant Jefferson Elementary School
7. Presentation on District Career and Technical Education Programs of Study.
Dr. DePrez introduced Ms. Marlo Loria, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), and Ms. Cynthia Coor, Career Assessment Coordinator. Ms. Loria presented a video on the CTE program and explained the Career Pathways program for students in grades 7-12. She also stated that per the Arizona State Board of Education, “Effective for the graduation class of 2013, schools shall complete for every student in grades 9-12 an Arizona Education and Career Action Plan (ECAP).” Ms. Coor explained that an ECAP helps to align the individual student’s interests and enables the student to maximize opportunities available upon graduation.
8. Report on the Implementation of the AVID Program.
Dr. DePrez introduced Mrs. Val Angus, AVID Program Specialist. Mrs. Angus explained that AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination and that the program’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. The AVID program is a college preparatory system that directly supports structure for first-generation college goers in grades 7-12. It is a school-wide curriculum and professional development program that provides training worldwide. Students are nominated by teachers or are self-nominated and go through an interview process in order to participate in the AVID Program.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
a. Warrants
District/special fund/auxiliary operations warrants, period of January 29, 2011,
through February 18, 2011, as follows:
02/03/11 Payroll $17,120,028.72
02/11/11 Payroll $ 1,476,477.73
02/17/11 Warrants for services and materials $14,492,275.78
02/18/11 Payroll $ 2,452,853.27
b. Purchase/Encumbrances of Funds
1. Encumbrance of Food & Nutrition funds for the increased purchase of pizza
and shelf stable juice from Pizza Hut and Shamrock Foods up to an amount of
$192,000.00, as per RFP 27-92MFN and Bid 11-26MFN.
2. Encumbrance of multiple funds for the purchase and installation of playground equipment for various school sites from Dave Bang Associates, up to an amount of $100,000.00 as per Bid 26-94MB.
c. Mileage Reimbursement
Additions to Mileage Reimbursement List for 2010-11, as follows:
Farr, Barbara Food and Nutrition
Lopez, Lourdes Food and Nutrition
Wachter, Corrine Creative Arts
d. Student Activity Funds Report
Revenues, expenditures, and changes in the Student Activity Funds Report for all schools, period of January 1, 2011, through January 31, 2011.
e. IGA
Intergovernmental Agreement with the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District for distance learning and related services.
f. Grant Request
Request from the Science, Social Sciences, and Mathematics Department to
submit a Mesa Science and Literacy for the iGeneration grant proposal and, if
awarded, accept funds in the amount of $320,000.00 from the Arizona
Department of Education for the 2011-12 school year.
g. License Agreement
License Agreement with Pearson Education, Inc., to license Mesa Public
Schools to use instructional materials for a professional training course.