MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE GOVERNING BOARD FOUNTAIN HILLS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 98 March 4, 2015 Study Session 5:30 p.m. We Achieve and Celebrate Educational Excellence The Board conducted a Study Session to hear a Budget Overview for 2015-2016. Projections based on present estimates ADM 2013-14 = 1691 ADM 2014-15 = 1620 Loss of 71 @ $5,000 each ADM Budget loss = $355,000 Benefits: Medical insurance increase $160,000 with no change in plan Governor s Budget, 5% reduction in DAA = $220,000 M&O Non-Classroom: (all include salary, benefits, etc.) o Administration o Plant operations & maintenance o Food Service o Transportation o Student Support Services o Instruction Support Services (professional development) Total Budget Deficit for 2015-2016 - $735,000 o ADM declining - $355,000 o Medical Insurance increase - $160,000 o Governor s Budget - $220,000 Options o Reduction in Force (RIF) o Vacancy savings o o Co-curricular and Extra-curricular expenses in M&O Medical/Dental Benefits (change plan design; Employee contribution to premium). Other Options: o Additional funding from State o Inflationary funding from State o Settlement of Inflationary funding lawsuit. Regular Meeting 6:30 p.m. A regular meeting of the Governing Board of the Fountain Hills Unified School District #98, Maricopa County, was called to order at 6:30 p.m. at the FHUSD Learning Center, 16000 E. Palisades Blvd., Fountain Hills, Arizona. Board Members in attendance were Jill Reed, President; Edith Stock, Vice President; Dr. C.T. Wright; Judith Rutkowski; and Dr. Wendy Barnard Mrs. Rutkowski moved to approve the Agenda as submitted. Mrs. Stock seconded the motion. The motion was approved with a vote of 5-0. Mrs. Reed called upon STUGO representative, Shelby Summers to lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Page 1
School Presentation by McDowell Mountain Elementary Mrs. Valerie Dehombreux gave a PowerPoint presentation of the Response to Intervention (RTI) program. Child-centered Celebrates differences Everyone is a Learner Flexible and Data driven Addresses students needs Increases students academic and behavior performance 3-Tier Model o Tier 1 = Universal o Tier 2 = Targeted Intervention (for at risk students) o Tier 3 = Intensive Intervention Enrichment What s the process: Screen, Teach, Intervene, Probe, Chart, Adjust Informational Reports a. Superintendent Comments McDowell Mountain s Kindergarten Roundup is on target. Fountain Hills Middle School Intergenerational concert was a success Mr. Brennan and Mr. Lawrence met with 70 Realtors to give information about the school district. Mr. Brennan gave an outstanding presentation. Mr. Lawrence discussed a plan to communicate through a Realtors Network. The PTO Gala was a huge success. On Monday, Mr. Lawrence attended a meeting sponsored by NVEC with the legislatures and representatives to express concerns regarding the various education bills. b. STUGO This year STUGO is focusing on more events to give back and support various causes. The Waffle Truck gave 10% of proceeds to the Ronald McDonald House. Annual Blood Drive held on March 3 had 28 people donating. Prom tickets are now $75. The prom will be held on Saturday, March 28. STUGO is busy planning graduation (song, speech, speakers, etc.) c. Student Activity Accounts d. Auxiliary Account Funds e. Site Council Minutes f. Current Enrollment Public Comments - None Consent Agenda a. Disposal of Fixed Assets b. Donations totaling $1,550.05 c. Accounts Payable Vouchers February 1 through February 28, 2015 Page 2
d. Payroll Vouchers February 12 through February 26, 2015 e. Personnel Actions Separations: Nancy Lorenz (HS Counselor), Cynthia Couture (HS English Teacher), Carla Meiers (MM Music Teacher), Lois Rubio, (MM Computer Teacher), Judith Pohle (MM 1 st Grade Teacher), Jean Serrano (MM PE Teacher) f. Minutes of February 11, 2015 Dr. Wright moved the Board approve the Consent Agenda as presented. seconded the motion. The motion was approved with a vote of 5-0. Mrs. Rutkowski Information/Discussion Items Assistant Principal/Directors Contracts The contractual language reads: By March 31 of each year, the District shall determine and shall notify you either that your contract has been extended for an additional school year on the same terms and conditions as set forth herein, or that the District has declined to extend your contract. The language and date were originally put in the contract to enhance administrative stability and continuity and ensure that the business end of the district moved forward uninterrupted, as April, May and June are very busy months for preparation and planning for the upcoming school year. The positions whose contracts contain this language are: Assistant Principal (FP/MS), Executive Director of Finance and Support Services, Director of Student Services and Director of Transportation. Mrs. Reed expressed concerns regarding approval of contracts without a set budget and possibly reorganizing the district office before contracts are issued. Bond Resolution Mr. Jim Giel, Bond Counsel with Gust Rosenfeld reviewed the Bond Resolution with the Board members. This resolution authorizes the Bonds to be issued and sold in an aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $4,000,000. The Bonds shall be dated as of April 1, 2015 or such other date as set forth in the purchase Agreement shall mature on July 1 in some or all of the years 2016-2034. Bob Casillas, Managing Director at Stifel reviewed the calendar timeline and process for selling the bonds. The 20 th Century Military Class is asking permission to visit the Pima Air Museum in Tucson, Arizona on April 6, 2015. The group will tour one of the largest aircraft museums in the country. This class is an elective Social Studies class with approximately 15-18 students. Action Items Mrs. Rutkowski moved the Board approve the recommendation of the Fountain Hills High School: A course may be repeated for remediation of an F or to better a poor grade. The higher grade will be used in computing the GPA and class rank. Transcripts for students repeating a course will reflect the original and the repeated course grade. This policy will go into effect beginning with the 2015-2016 school year for all grades 9-12. Mrs. Stock seconded the motion. The motion was approved with a vote of 5-0. Mrs. Rutkowski moved the Board approve the FHHS Falcon Music Department trip to San Diego, California on April 8-12, 2015. Dr. Barnard seconded the motion. The motion was approved with a vote of 5-0. Dr. Wright moved the Board approve the FHHS Sister Cities Club trip to Dierdorf, Germany on May 25 June 10, 2015. Mrs. Stock seconded the motion. The motion was approved with a vote of 5-0. Page 3
Mrs. Rutkowski moved the Board approve the Robotics Team trip to San Diego, California on March 20-22, 2015. Dr. Barnard seconded the motion. The motion was approved with a vote of 5-0. Mrs. Rutkowski moved the Board approve the reconfiguration of the west outside basketball courts on the high school campus as requested by the FH Pickleball Club and the Board authorizes administration to be the point of contact with the Club during the process and ensure that no cost is incurred by the District. Mrs. Stock seconded the motion. The motion was approved with a vote of 5-0. Future Action Assistant Principal/Directors Contracts (Action) Bond Resolution (Action) Military Class Trip (Action) Governing Board Reports Mrs. Rutkowski attended the Intergenerational Band Concert at the Middle School and also the High School Robotics Competition. Both events were excellent. Dr. Barnard commended the 3 rd graders for a great musical performance entitled Goal. Dr. Barnard also attended the Robotics competition in which the 3 rd grade Robotics team was composed and professional and did very well competing against 8 th grade teams. She also chaperoned the 3 rd grade field trip to the Earth and Science Center at ASU. Dr. Barnard expressed appreciation to the Chess Master who volunteers his time once a week to teach 5 th graders chess skills. Mrs. Stock participated in the registration process for Kindergarten Roundup. It was a delightful experience. She also attended the PTO Gala, Mardi Gras. Mrs. Reed commended the PTO for hosting an excellent Gala. There were 120 people in attendance, 150 silent auction items, 36 raffles, a jewelry piece from Sami s Fine Jewelry, and three live auction items. PTO continues to fund technology, homework lab, additional software programs, and this year they hosted math seminars for teachers professional development. Kudos to PTO for their support. Executive Session Mrs. Rutkowski moved the Board go into Executive Session at 7:38 p.m. for discussion or consultations with designated representatives of the public body in order to consider its position and instruct its representatives regarding negotiations with employee organizations regarding the salaries, salary schedules or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits of employees of the public body pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431.03 (A) (5). Dr. Barnard seconded the motion. The motion was approved with a vote of 5-0 The regular meeting reconvened at 8:12 p.m. Dates of Upcoming Meetings Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting Wednesday, April 8, 2015, 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting At 8:13 p.m. Mrs. Rutkowski moved to adjourn the meeting. Dr. Barnard seconded the motion. Motion was approved with a vote of 5-0. Dated this 4 th day of March 2015 Page 4
Jill Reed, President Edith Stock, Vice President Dr. C.T. Wright Judith Rutkowski Dr. Wendy Barnard Page 5