INVOCATION Reverend Mary Bredlau, Compassion Care Hospice, performed the invocation.

Transcription

1 MINUTES CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES EDWARD A. GREER EDUCATION CENTER, BOARD ROOM 2832 E. FLAMINGO ROAD, LAS VEGAS, NV Thursday, March 26, :00 p.m. Roll Call: Members Present Terri Janison, President Carolyn Edwards, Vice President Sheila R. Moulton, Clerk Chris Garvey, Member Larry P. Mason, Member Deanna L. Wright, Member Dr. Linda E. Young, Member Dr. Walt Rulffes, Superintendent of Schools INVOCATION Reverend Mary Bredlau, Compassion Care Hospice, performed the invocation. FLAG SALUTE Las Vegas High School ROTC led the Pledge of Allegiance. ADOPT AGENDA Adopt agenda, except delete Item 5.02 and note revised backup material for Item Motion: Edwards Second: Young Vote: Unanimous Trustees Mason and Wright were not present for the vote. APPROVE MINUTES Special meetings February 4, 2009, February 24, 2009 Regular meeting February 12, 2009 Motion: Edwards Second: Young Vote: Unanimous Trustees Mason and Wright were not present for the vote. STUDENT REPORTS Dulce Lopez, student body president at Southeast Career Technical Academy, Sheila Moulton, District G trustee, gave a brief overview of present and future activities, plans, and goals for her school. PRESENTATION OF SURE BET FOR SCHOOLS Presentation and recognition on the Sure Bet for Schools Program. Greg Kern, Director, Customer Renewable Generation and Energy Efficiency, NV Energy. Bob Stewart, vice president of marketing, NV Energy, presented an incentive check to CCSD in the amount of $246, in appreciation of pursuing energy efficiency and conservation. Page 1 of 11

2 PRESENTATION OF CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS Presentation on the Clark County School District K-12 Arts Department goals, activities, and recognition programs. Barbara Good, Coordinator of Elementary Fine Arts, and Rick McEnaney, Coordinator of Secondary Fine Arts. Ms. Good gave a PowerPoint presentation of an overview of the progress of the CCSD K-12 Arts Department, including curriculum development. Mr. McEnaney continued the PowerPoint presentation, including the topics of professional development in the fine arts areas, positive community connections, and the integrated approach taken for fine arts. The trustees commended Ms. Good and Mr. McEnaney for all they do for K-12 fine arts. STUDENT REPORTS (continued) Karalyn Hardy, senior class president, Shadow Ridge High School, Chris Garvey, District C trustee, gave a brief overview of present and future activities, plans, and goals for her school. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Trustee Janison presented Carrie Larsen, Principal, C. T. Sewell Elementary School, with the 2008 Milken National Educator Award. Ms. Larsen introduced her son, Kolby Larsen, Student; and Jennifer Furman-Born, Assistant Principal, C. T. Sewell Elementary School, and recognized and commended her staff, in addition to other supporters in the empowerment program. Trustee Edwards presented a proclamation from CCSD to Sherman Rutledge for his commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. RECESS: 5:00 p.m. RECONVENE: 5:34 p.m. ENTERTAINMENT RECOGNIZED Trustee Janison acknowledged the musical presentation given during the recess by the Orff Festival Schools Choir/Instrumental. Board members thanked the students; Deborah Franklin and Stephanie Taylor, Principals; Jennifer Prestridge and Susan Zupanic, Music Specialists; Dr. Karlene McCormick-Lee, Associate Superintendent, Superintendent s Schools; and Jolene Wallace, Region Superintendent. TELECONFERENCE CALL CONNECTED Teleconference call with Trustee Wright was connected at 5:35 p.m. APPROVE ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA Approval of consent agenda, except take Item 5.01 separately. Motion: Edwards Second: Young Vote: Unanimous Trustee Mason was not present for the vote. Trustee Edwards noted that Item 5.13 indicated a reduction of $17,000 and congratulated staff for the reduction. Page 2 of 11

3 AUTHORIZE VEGAS PBS, KRESGE CHALLENGE GRANT Authorization to submit and implement a grant through the Kresge Foundation, to purchase supplies and equipment to complete the new Educational Technology Campus at Vegas PBS, effective March 27, 2009, through June 30, 2011, in the approximate amount of $2,800,000.00, with no impact to the general fund, as recommended in Reference APPROVE STUDENT EXPULSIONS Approval of student expulsions according to NRS (Board Policy 5114 and Regulations 5114 and ), as listed, as recommended in Reference APPROVE LICENSED PERSONNEL EMPLOYMENT Approval to employ licensed personnel, as recommended in Reference APPROVE UNIFIED PERSONNEL LEAVE OF ABSENCE Approval to grant a leave of absence to a unified employee (Regulation 4351), as recommended in Reference APPROVE LICENSED PERSONNEL LEAVES OF ABSENCE Approval to grant leaves of absence to licensed personnel (Regulation 4351), as recommended in Reference RATIFY PURCHASE ORDERS Ratification of the purchase orders in the total amount of $11,368, as listed, as recommended in Reference APPROVE PURCHASING AWARDS Approval to purchase goods or services in the estimated total amount of $175,000.00, in compliance with NRS 332, as listed, as recommended in Reference RATIFY WARRANTS Ratification of the warrants as listed in the Bills Payable Transmittal and the Board Memorandum # in the total amount of $119,485,423.40, as recommended in Reference APPROVE EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY FOR THE LAS VEGAS VALLEY WATER DISTRICT AT ORAN K. GRAGSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Approval to grant the Las Vegas Valley Water District two easements located across the western portion of the Oran K. Gragson Elementary School site for the installation of a double check detector assembly and a reduced pressure principal assembly, and for Jeff Weiler, Chief Financial Officer, to act as the Board of School Trustees designee to sign the granting document, as recommended in Reference APPROVE CONTRACT AWARD: PLUMBING AND KITCHEN MODERNIZATION AND DOOR HARDWARE UPGRADE, FAY GALLOWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Approval of an award of contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for plumbing and kitchen modernization and door hardware upgrade at Fay Galloway Elementary School, to be paid from the 1998 Capital Improvement Program, Fund , Project C , and for J. P. Gerner, Facilities Division, to act as the Board of School Trustees designee for all project documents, as recommended in Reference Page 3 of 11

4 RATIFY CHANGE IN SERVICES, ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENTS Ratification of total change in services to the architectural/engineering services agreements for a net increase of $8, for Robert L. Forbuss Elementary School (Domingo Cambeiro Professional Corporation), Desert Oasis High School (Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects, Ltd.), and Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy (Pugsley Simpson Coulter Architects), as recommended in Reference RATIFY CHANGE ORDERS Ratification of total change orders for a net increase of $729, plus 112 days to the construction contracts to Construct Jesse D. Scott Elementary School; Construct Gordon McCaw Elementary School Replacement and Construct Edmundo Eddie Escobedo, Sr. Middle School (Pace Contracting Co.); Construct Thomas J. O Roarke Elementary School (CORE Construction Services of Nevada, Inc.); Construct J. E. Manch Elementary School Replacement (Martin-Harris Construction); Remove and Replace Asphalt at Harriet Treem Elementary School (Mikon Construction Co., Inc.); and HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing Modernization at C. V. T. Gilbert Elementary School (C G & B Enterprises, Inc.), as recommended in Reference APPROVE SEX EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENTS Approval to appoint Rabbi Moishe Rodman, religious representative; Angela Reed, parent; and Jill Warren, parent, to the Sex Education Advisory Committee effective April 1, 2009, as recommended in Reference Public Hearing on Item 5.01 Elaine Clermont thanked the Board for putting together this committee. Caroline Sanchez-Rangen expressed concern with the lack of diversity of the members appointed to this committee. She asked how qualifications were to be met and how the members were chosen. She asked the Board to delay approval until a more diversified committee could be formed. Discussion on Item 5.01 Trustee Moulton directed questions on the selection process of members to the committee to Mary E. Pike, Director, Science, Health, and Foreign Language, K-12, Curriculum and Professional Development Division; David Miller, Coordinator III, Science and Health, K-12, Curriculum and Professional Development; or Jhone Ebert, Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Professional Development Division. Trustee Janison clarified that there were other members, besides these three new members, to make up the committee. Ms. Pike explained the selection process, which conforms to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and CCSD Regulation She further explained there was a total of nine members on the committee. Trustee Young stated that the district is committed to include diverse groups that would be considered on all committees, and she questioned what the diversity was on this committee and any Board committee. Page 4 of 11

5 APPROVE SEX EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENTS (continued) Trustee Moulton explained that the committee was developed by statute and follows Open Meeting Law (OML) guidelines. Motion to accept. Motion: Moulton Second: Edwards Vote: Unanimous Trustee Mason was not present for the vote. APPROVE REVIEW OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE BYLAWS AND CALENDAR Approval regarding the review of the Audit Committee Bylaws and Calendar, as recommended in Reference Trustee Moulton requested that Donald R. Layton, Member, Audit Committee, comment on the changes and recommendations to the bylaws and calendar. Mr. Layton recited the proposed changes as follows: Retain Items 15 and 19, no changes to Items 7 and 16, retain and explained the basis for retaining Item 15, and retain Item 19. Trustee Janison asked who made the deletions. Trustee Moulton responded that recommendations were brought forward after she spoke with Dr. Craig Kadlub, Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief of Staff. She stated there was concern of encroachment into the management realm, specifically budget, staffing, and qualifications. Regarding number 15, she stated any questions could be derived from number 14. She also stated Item 19 was again encroaching on the management realm. Dr. Kadlub explained, as discussed at the last Audit Committee meeting, that some distinctions were made between management, Board, and advisory committee functions. He noted that there was no intention to withhold any information. Trustee Moulton recited a portion of verbiage contained on page 2 of 4 regarding policy. She stated that, in addition to the recommended changes, she proposed changing the term policies to procedures in Item 20. Motion to accept, including changing the word policies to procedures in Item 20. Motion: Moulton Second: Edwards Trustee Edwards noted that the changes would result in a numbering change. Trustee Moulton expressed appreciation to the Audit Committee. Bill Hoffman, General Counsel, Legal Department, questioned whether the Board wished to conform changing the term policies to procedures throughout the document, such as in Items 18 and 21. Trustee Moulton and Trustee Edwards agreed to Mr. Hoffman s suggestion. Vote on Trustee Moulton s motion was unanimous. Trustee Mason was not present for the vote. Page 5 of 11

6 APPROVE CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES AUDIT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION Approval regarding recommendations from the Clark County School District Board of Trustees Audit Committee to include audit status and rating categories as part of the school audit reports, as recommended in Reference Regarding Item 6.02, Trustee Moulton stated that the Audit Committee has recommended that the Board recommend that the Superintendent decide whether to include the audit status and rating categories as part of the school audit reports. Regarding Item 6.03, Trustee Moulton stated that the Audit Committee has recommended that it include language regarding administrative responses to special request audits. She requested that Dr. Rulffes work with Ms. Janette Scott, Auditor, Internal Audit Department, Office of the Chief of Staff, and Jeffrey Weiler, Chief Financial Officer, Operations Support Unit, in realizing these recommendations and to advise the Board when he has done so. Motion to accept Items 6.02 and Motion: Moulton Second: Edwards Vote: Unanimous Trustee Mason was not present for the vote. APPROVE CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES AUDIT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION Approval regarding recommendations from the Clark County School District Board of Trustees Audit Committee that includes language regarding administrative responses to special request audits, as recommended in Reference This item was taken in conjunction with Item APPROVE ITEMS 7.01 AND 7.02 Approval of items 7.01 and 7.02, as follows: Motion: Edwards Second: Young Public Hearing on Items 7.01 and 7.02 Mrs. Clermont stated her school has a similar parent involvement and likened her school to a fortress school. She stated unless policies are implemented, no improvement would occur. Discussion on Items 7.01 and 7.02 Trustee Edwards thanked Mrs. Clermont for her comments. She stated the district is continuously working on parental involvement and that staff is aware of it. Trustee Moulton expressed appreciation of Mrs. Clermont s comments. She questioned the resources needed to fulfill monitoring the policy during the budget cuts. Trustee Young concurred with the comments of Trustees Edwards and Moulton and stated she recognized the importance between parental involvement and schools. Vote on Trustee Edwards motion was unanimous. Trustee Mason was not present for the vote. Page 6 of 11

7 APPROVE AMENDMENT OF CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY 1140 Approval of the amendment of Clark County School District Policy 1140, Parent Involvement, as recommended in Reference APPROVE REPEAL OF CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY 1312 Approval of the repeal of Clark County School District Policy 1312, Parent Involvement: IASA Title I, as recommended in Reference APPROVE BUDGET UPDATE Approval regarding possible updates to the budget. Mr. Weiler stated there were no new updates to report to the Board. BOARD MEMBER ARRIVES Trustee Mason arrived at the Board meeting at 6:01 p.m. APPROVE BUDGET UPDATE (continued) Public Hearing on Item 7.03 Autumn Tampa distributed a document to the Board of a list of ideas and suggestions from herself and others who do not want to lose their jobs as permanent substitute teachers. She stated that almost as much money could be saved with her recommendations listed on the document and suggested that the district freeze their actions to eliminate permanent substitutes at this time. She stated she was more than willing to sit down and discuss her ideas and requested that the Board reconsider terminating the position. She thanked the Board for giving her the opportunity to be a part of the process. Discussion on Item 7.03 Trustee Moulton expressed appreciation of Ms. Tampa s comments. She encouraged that staff and the Board read an article regarding the coming stimulus education package found in a recent National School Boards Association (NSBA) publication. Trustee Janison asked whether there has been a communication directing that principals need to tell their permanent substitute teachers that their position has been terminated. Dr. Lauren Kohut-Rost, Deputy Superintendent, Instruction Unit, stated she would have to defer to the Human Resources Division as the notification would come from them to the principals. Trustee Janison questioned whether it would be a site-based decision. Dr. Kohut-Rost responded that it would not be a site-based decision. Trustee Janison requested that Dr. Kohut-Rost inform the Board regarding whether there has been communication directing principals on this matter. She urged that this information be communicated effectively and clearly. She asked Mr. Weiler to review and investigate Ms. Tampa s suggestions and expressed appreciation and thanks to Ms. Tampa in her persistence in this matter. Page 7 of 11

8 APPROVE BUDGET UPDATE (continued) Dr. Rulffes stated that it had been published globally that the permanent substitute program was being eliminated. He also stated that the Human Resources Division was working with the union regarding the Reduction in Force (RIF) options. He clarified that principals have been notified that the program is being eliminated. Trustee Edwards stated that the verbiage in Mr. Weiler s latest memo was unclear. Mr. Weiler clarified that all permanent substitute positions would be eliminated. He stated he would clarify the memo that indicated what Trustee Edwards stated. He explained that the district was cutting 60 percent of the budget, but 100 percent of the permanent substitute teachers. Trustee Edwards requested that communication be clear and that Mr. Weiler evaluate Ms. Tampa s proposals. APPROVE LEGISLATION Approval regarding state and federal legislation which may affect education, including, but not limited to, reports of current legislative issues and events; the development of the district s legislative goals, platform, and courses of action; the establishment of the district s position on proposed legislation; and guidance to district representatives in the legislative process. Trustee Janison stated Joyce Haldeman, Associate Superintendent, Community and Government Relations, could not be present to discuss this item this evening. EMPLOYEE LABOR RELATIONS AND CLOSED SESSION Approval of closed session pursuant to NRS 288. None. PUBLIC HEARINGS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS/RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENT Education Issues Melissa Griffin Ms. Griffin expressed discrimination at schools in CCSD and recited a bite incident at Ralph Cadwallader Middle School regarding her son, who was the victim, which resulted in his expulsion. Trustee Janison stated she would request Dr. Rulffes to have someone speak with her tonight regarding this incident. She also stated she would have Mr. Carranza speak with her at this time. Public Hearings Karen Gray Ms. Gray requested direction from the Board on how the public would obtain backup material for each item during this pilot run on Public Hearings. She requested all backup for tonight, including a memo referred to regarding Item 7.03 that was not in the backup material. Trustee Edwards clarified that the document Ms. Gray was speaking of was a memo received months ago during the December budget reduction meeting which she retained. She advised that the public retain all documents because duplicates would not be provided at each meeting. She requested that the Board make note of a letter she was providing from a constituent, Adrian Stephens, regarding a calendar change at Tanaka Elementary School. She stated efforts would continue to work with the community, although she had reviewed all the data that went into that decision and felt the decision was fully supported by policy. Page 8 of 11

9 AGENDA PLANNING: ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS Trustee Janison stated there was a need to schedule the Board Assessment as soon as possible. Trustee Edwards, as a result of the Bond Oversight Committee (BOC) requesting a number of items from the Board at their recent meeting, requested direction from the Board on how to proceed in terms of an agenda item or work session on the following: Clarification on how large the scope of modernizations of buildings, technology, and equipment would be in connection with costs associated thereto as a result of the bond slowdown; and clarification on what the Board s direction would be with school calendars. Trustee Moulton questioned whether this was being brought forward as a motion from the entire committee. Trustee Edwards responded that it was brought forward from the subcommittee. The plan was that recommendations go to the entire committee. Trustee Young stated there were legitimate questions at that meeting regarding the bylaws and asked for clarification on the process. Trustee Janison suggested these topics should be discussed at a work session following the BOC meeting and requested that Paul Gerner, Associate Superintendent, Facilities Division, advise staff of the date it would be on his next agenda. Mr. Gerner stated he did not have that information readily available but felt it would be in April. Trustee Moulton requested discussion on the entire bond at the work session. BOARD REPORTS Trustee Moulton briefly reported on her attendance at the following functions: With Trustee Janison and Mrs. Haldeman at the meeting of the Council of the Great City Schools wherein there was discussion on the stimulus package; last night s dedication of the Ruben P. Diaz Elementary School; the recent Vegas PBS event at the Springs Preserve in which she commended the work of Tom Axtell, General Manager, Vegas PBS, for his involvement with Ken Burns, film director, and the documentary, The National Parks: America s Best Idea. She noted that Dottie Merrill, executive director of the Nevada Association of School Boards (NASB), was being honored tonight in Carson City, along with others from the district. Trustee Edwards noted that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was funded by the federal government for 2010; that Vegas PBS received a My Source Corporation for Public Broadcasting Award for their Braille Literacy Program; that donations have been down 20 percent from last year to Vegas PBS; that Dr. Keith Rheault, superintendent of public instruction, Nevada Department of Education, and Mr. Axtell reported on education technology recently in Washington, D.C. to the council of chief state school officers; that April 4 th was the 40 th anniversary of Vegas PBS; and that on April 1 st at 8:00 p.m. there would be a coming home special by Sesame Street for veterans that would air. She briefly reported on her recent attendance at the legislature to observe for NASB and to hear testimony and a presentation on the state insect. Trustee Garvey briefly reported on her recent attendance at the following: Visits to some of her schools, a student luncheon for outstanding students at Lied Middle School, and the Ruben P. Diaz Elementary School dedication. She recognized and commended the district s elementary school nurses who help refer children out for dental services. Page 9 of 11

10 BOARD REPORTS (continued) Trustee Janison briefly reported on the following recent events she attended: The teacher exchange press conference with Dr. Rulffes in conjunction with Harrah s Entertainment; the Education Services Division appreciation luncheon today; the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition (SNRPC) meeting wherein she noted how unprepared certain representatives were as opposed to CCSD staff and how prepared they are when they answer questions from the Board; and she noted that she would attend the upcoming Elementary Music Orff Festival. Trustee Young briefly reported on the following recent events she attended: The Young Parent Advisory Committee (YOUPAC) meeting at West Prep; the Seniors United meeting regarding topics on how they can connect with the district; the orientation meetings that she felt were valuable to the new trustees, and she expressed appreciation to the trustees and staff conducting the meetings; the 7 th Annual Women s and Young Women s Conference last Saturday; the Matt Kelly Elementary School tutorial program; and the executive and general board meetings of the Public Education Foundation wherein the focus was on children, even under the budget crisis. She thanked Dr. Rulffes for the invitation to the Asian Chamber of Commerce to hear Governor Gibbons presentation today. She noted that tomorrow was her community education connection which connects the community and education in the poor west Las Vegas area. Trustee Wright briefly reported on the following recent events she attended: A luncheon she was invited to attend through Mary Beth Scow, which was to try to form an Education Alliance to connect people in the community to provide mentoring at schools; a Parks and Recreation meeting wherein she noted that the next meeting would involve visiting the new park shooting range; and the second installment of the CCSD music festival at Coronado HS. Trustee Edwards made reference to Recession Rx, a Vegas PBS show that would premiere on April 16 th and would address issues in the community during the economic crisis. Trustee Garvey briefly reported on her attendance at the information fair at the Northwest Career and Technical Academy and encouraged continued community linkage. BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT COMMUNICATION Dr. Rulffes noted the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) was coming up on Saturday and invited the trustees to attend at the Southwest Career and Technical Academy. Trustee Edwards noted that the FRC would begin Saturday at 12:30 p.m., and even if an RSVP was not submitted, attendance would be permitted. Dr. Rulffes noted that the budget adoption date had been changed to April 14 th at 8:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow at the United Way event. He requested that Dr. Kohut-Rost brief the Board on the Pay For +1 program. Dr. Kohut-Rost distributed a rough draft of a Pay For +1 program pamphlet explaining the program, which was an option for high school students who would be losing block scheduling and were interested in taking additional courses, in addition to other options available. DISCUSSION AND REQUEST FOR SPECIAL MEETINGS Trustee Janison clarified that the April 1 st work session was postponed to April 14 th at 8:00 a.m. Page 10 of 11

11 MONTHLY DEBRIEFING Trustee Moulton gave the monthly debriefing wherein she highlighted the following: Expressed appreciation to the public speakers regarding Item (h), working to accomplish an atmosphere of trust and openness with respect and courtesy; that, for the most part, the Board worked in terms of children first in Item (k); the Board followed Item (o), refusing to let politics guide policy decisions; and there was a need to work on Item (b) on page 2, encouragement of diversity in viewpoints. ADJOURN: 6:56 p.m. Motion: Moulton Second: Young Vote: Unanimous Page 11 of 11