MINUTES OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING BOARD OF EDUCATION The Board of Education of the Artesia Public School District met in regular session in the Lowell M. Irby Board Room, at 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Irby, Board President, called the Board meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. ROLL CALL A Roll Call was taken with the following members present: LOWELL IRBY JEFF BOWMAN MARGARET AGUILAR CAROLYN SHEARMAN BECKY HARWELL President Vice-President Secretary Member Member Staff attending the meeting included Crit Caton-Superintendent, Thad Phipps-Assistant Superintendent of Operations, John Ross Null-Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Janet Grice-Business Manager, and Josie Reyes-Secretary to the Board. Also attending the meeting were Tammy Davis, Christy Takacs, Danny Parker, Cody Skinner, Mike Worley, Cody Hanagan, Scotty Stall, Eugene Irby, Anna Kelley, Rick Stewart, Cooper Henderson, Scott Takacs, Hugo Barlow, Lisa Acosta, Mike Acosta, Ben Kelley, Matthew Barlow, Andy Azua, Jordan Parrish, Aaron Dees, Nolan Chumbley, Grant Duff, Joey Lopez, Elvis Acosta, Wesley Burnett, Avery Huitron, Manuel Reza, Daniel Perez, Roberto Lujan, Alex Corral, Spencer Crook, Damian Hernandez, and Addison Takacs. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Ms. Shearman led the pledge to the United States flag and the official salute to the New Mexico flag. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Irby asked for corrections, deletions, or changes to the agenda. Dr. Caton reported that there were no corrections, deletions, or changes to the agenda and asked the Board to approve the agenda as presented. A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and seconded by Ms. Shearman to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Dr. Caton and the Board welcomed and recognized the 2014 Artesia High School Football Team along with Coach Cooper Henderson and his staff on their twenty-eighth state championship title. Dr. Caton and the Board presented certificates to the senior members of the football team congratulating them and expressing their appreciation for the efforts displayed as well as for representing their school and community honorably. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, December 8, 2014 B. Transportation Items None for this meeting C. Auditorium (Use of School Buildings) Requests None for this meeting. Dr. Caton asked the Board to approve the Consent Agenda Items as presented. Ms. Shearman made the motion to approve the Consent Agenda Items as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bowman, and the motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS MANAGER S REPORT A. Recommend Approval of (as included in Board Packets): 1. Bills - (See Exhibit A) 2. Budget Report (See Exhibit B) 3. Budget Adjustments None for this meeting. 4. List of Authorized Purchases over $10,000 None for this meeting. Ms. Grice, concurred by Dr. Caton, asked the Board to approve the monthly Bills and the Budget Report as presented. A motion was made by Ms. Aguilar and seconded by Ms. Harwell to approve the monthly Bills and the Budget Report as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Other: Ms. Grice reported that she recently received a release letter for our budget audit from the state auditor s office and will present it to the Board at next month s meeting. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT/CURRICULUM A. Report on the Development of the 2015-2016 School Calendar Mr. Null presented two school calendars to the Board for the 2015-2016 school year. Mr. Null explained the differences between the two calendars and advised the Board that he will request the adoption of the calendar that he believes will be the most beneficial to the school district as a whole. Mr. Null welcomed any comments or suggestions from the Board. (See Exhibit C) B. Update on PARCC Assessment Test Mr. Null gave an update on the PARCC assessment tests set to be administered to our students this spring and also reported that on January 22, 2015, a mock test will be given to a vast number of our students as a practice run. Mr. Null reported that testing schedules have been developed with each grade level to require two or two and a half days for testing. Mr. Null advised the Board that because of the assessment testing schedule, the District will be rescheduling the parent/teacher conference day from March 11, 2015 to March 13, 2015, to allow the elementary students sufficient time to complete the tests. (See Exhibit D) Dr. Caton advised the Board that from July 2013 to December 2014, the District has spent approximately $2,600,000 in technology purchases and internet upgrades to prepare, in part, for the PARCC assessment tests. Dr. Caton publicly thanked the Board and the private donors for their continuous support and generosity in assisting the District to fulfill the technology requests. C. Report on the National Dance Institute and Program Mr. Null reported on the National Dance Institute and extended an invitation to the Board to attend the annual National Dance Institute Program performed by all fourth grade students in the District. Mr. Null reported that the NDI Program has been scheduled for January 16, 2015 with performances at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Estelle Yates Auditorium. Mr. Null reported that staff from the National Dance Institute will be in Artesia for two weeks prior to the program to work with the students. Mr. Null thanked the Estelle Yates Foundation for funding this program. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF OPERATIONS - A. Seek Approval to Purchase New Security Cameras for Central Elementary School Mr. Phipps, concurred by Dr. Caton, asked the Board for approval to purchase new security cameras, including installation, for Central Elementary School at the total price of $91,707.80. A motion was made by Ms. Aguilar and seconded by Ms. Harwell to approve the purchase of new security cameras, including installation, for Central Elementary School at the total price of $91,707.08 as requested by Mr. Phipps and concurred by Dr. Caton. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Seek Approval to Obtain Bids to Demolish the House Located at 1704 W. Grand Mr. Phipps, concurred by Dr. Caton, asked the Board for approval to obtain bids to demolish the house located at 1704 West Grand that was recently purchased by the District. A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and seconded by Ms. Shearman for permission to obtain bids to demolish the house located at 1704 West Grand as requested by Mr. Phipps and concurred by Dr. Caton. The motion passed unanimously. C. Seek Approval to Obtain Bids to Replace the HVAC System at the Bulldog Pit Mr. Phipps, concurred by Dr. Caton, asked the Board for approval to obtain bids to replace the HVAC system at the Bulldog Pit. A motion was made by Ms. Aguilar and seconded by Ms. Harwell for permission to obtain bids to replace the HVAC system at the Bulldog Pit as requested by Mr. Phipps and concurred by Dr. Caton. The motion passed unanimously. D. Seek Approval to Obtain Bids to Replace the HVAC System at the AHS Estelle Yates Auditorium Mr. Phipps, concurred by Dr. Caton, asked the Board for approval to obtain bids to replace the HVAC system at the Estelle Yates auditorium. A motion was made by Ms. Aguilar and seconded by Ms. Harwell for permission to obtain bids to replace the HVAC system at the Estelle Yates Auditorium as requested by Mr. Phipps and concurred by Dr. Caton. The motion passed unanimously. E. Seek Approval to Obtain Bids to Replace the Roofs at Artesia Intermediate and Roselawn Elem. Schools Mr. Phipps, concurred by Dr. Caton, asked the Board for approval to obtain bids to replace the roofs at Artesia Intermediate and Roselawn Schools. A motion was made by Ms. Shearman and seconded by Mr. Bowman for permission to obtain bids to replace the roofs at Artesia Intermediate and Roselawn Elementary Schools as requested by Mr. Phipps and concurred by Dr. Caton. The motion passed unanimously. SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT A. Staff and Operation Items: Dr. Caton announced the following: 1. Retirement Announcements: Don Shell, Science Teacher, Artesia Intermediate School 2. Leave of Absence Announcements: None for this meeting. 3. Resignation Announcements: Molly Smith, Speech Language Pathologist, Special Ed. Dept. 4. Family Medical Leave Announcements: Julie Horner, Math Teacher, Artesia Intermediate School Kevin Ross, Custodian, Artesia High School Don Shell, Science Teacher, Artesia Intermediate School 5. Employment Announcements: Brook Deerman, Social Studies Teacher, Artesia Intermediate School Melissa Fuentes, School Health Asst., Artesia Public Schools (District-wide) Emilio Gonzales, Custodian, Grand Heights E.C.C. Darlene Hamilton, Speech Language Pathology Apprentice, Sp. Ed. Dept. B. Superintendent s Contract Recommendation (Mr. Lowell Irby) This portion of the meeting was moved after the Executive Session section. C. Legislative Update Dr. Caton explained a handout that was drafted by leaders of the New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders (NMCEL), the New Mexico School Superintendents Association (NMSSA), and the New Mexico School Boards Association (NMSBA) and in
collaboration with sixteen state affiliates; the handout will be presented to all state legislators urging them to utilize their authority and provide appropriate/pertinent legislation for public education in New Mexico. Dr. Caton reported that the platform has five specific areas that educational leaders highly recommend to see addressed and supported including funding for education, teacher evaluations, testing, diploma/graduation, and educator recruitment/retention. (See Exhibit E) D. New Mexico Public Education Department Update Dr. Caton reported that the Governor and the Secretary of Education Designee s education agenda include: raising the salaries for beginning teachers by $2000 issuing every educator in the state a $100 debit card for classroom supplies; Dr. Caton believes this will require a great deal of time to monitor launching an effective teacher mentoring program; a reading bill; and a truancy bill to remove drivers licenses from students with excessive truancies; adjunct teacher licensure for individuals with a bachelor s degree and without a teaching certificate, to attend a boot camp and be eligible to teach; and a teacher advancement and administrative eligibility bill which will allow teachers to become eligible to be administrators after two years Additionally, Dr. Caton presented and explained a letter that he received from Leighann Lenti, Deputy Secretary for Policy and Program, regarding the advancement process for Level I and Level II teachers who do not meet competency. (See Exhibit F) E. Construction Update Dr. Caton reported the following construction updates: Artesia Junior High School s new locker room construction project is set to be completed by February 20, 2015 addressing the water leaks at the Press Box at Bulldog Bowl approximately one-third of the floor tiles at Grand Heights that buckled have been replaced working on plans to demolish the house at 1704 W. Grand HVAC system replacement at Yeso School has been completed installed a new flooring surface and new lockers at the Brainard Park locker room ordered cabinets for Roselawn School will be meeting with the architects to begin the process to reroof Artesia Intermediate and Roselawn Schools will be meeting on January 14, 2014 with steering committee for the programming phase of the new administration building construction of new office space at Artesia High School across the hall from the office for the counselors Lolita and Champ Clark streets near Yucca School will be open for traffic in the next couple of weeks Other: Dr. Caton announced that Ms. Shearman and Mr. Bowman are running unopposed in the School Board Election in February. PUBLIC FORUM None for this meeting. DATES TO REMEMBER Feb. 5, 2015, Artesia School Board Election Day Feb. 20-21, 2015, NMSBA Board Institute, Santa Fe Mar. 30, 2015, NMSBA Region VI Meeting, Lake Arthur, NM
NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING February 9, 2015, 7:00 p.m. in the Lowell M. Irby Board Room EXECUTIVE SESSION A motion was made by Ms. Aguilar to convene in Executive Session pursuant to 10-15-1 (H) (2) to discuss personnel. The motion was seconded by Ms. Harwell. A roll call was taken: Mr. Irby Yes Ms. Shearman Absent Mr. Bowman Yes Ms. Harwell Yes Ms. Aguilar Yes The Board recessed at 8:30 p.m. They met in Executive Session at 8:40 p.m. No action was taken. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 9:01 p.m. Superintendent s Contract Recommendation (Mr. Lowell Irby) Mr. Irby and the Board reported that after conducting an employee evaluation on Dr. Caton, the Board voted unanimously to renew the employee contract for Dr. Caton as Superintendent for the Artesia Public Schools for an additional year. A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and seconded by Mr. Irby to renew the employee contract for Dr. Caton as Superintendent for the Artesia Public Schools for an additional year. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. MARGARET AGUILAR, Secretary