MINUTES CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES EDWARD A. GREER EDUCATION CENTER, BOARD ROOM 2832 E. FLAMINGO ROAD, LAS VEGAS, NV 89121 PRESENTATIONS/BOARD POLICY REVIEW Monday, May 7, 2007 8:40 a.m. Roll Call: Members Present Member Absent Ruth L. Johnson, President Larry P. Mason, Member Terri Janison, Vice President Mary Beth Scow, Clerk Shirley Barber, Member Sheila Moulton, Member Carolyn Edwards, Member Dr. Walt Rulffes, Superintendent of Schools Also present were: Bill Hoffman, General Counsel, Legal Department; Dr. Lauren Kohut-Rost, Deputy Superintendent, Instruction Unit; Dr. Andre Denson, Region Superintendent, Southeast Region; Marsha Irvin, Region Superintendent, Northeast Region; Robert Alfaro, Region Superintendent, East Region; Anna Webb, Assistant Superintendent, Southwest Region; Dr. Sue DeFrancesco, Assistant Region Superintendent, Northwest Region; Billie Rayford, Assistant Region Superintendent, Northwest Region; Dr. Karlene McCormick-Lee, Assosciate Superintendent, Superintendent s Schools; Dr. Susan Wright, Director, Title 1 Services; Martha Tittle, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Professional Development; Tom Axtell, General Manager, Vegas PBS; Dave Molinaro, Producer, Vegas PBS; Diane Efthimiou, Director, Grants Development and Administration Department; Charlene Green, Deputy Superintendent, Student Support Services Division; Dr. Susan Wright, Director, Title 1 Services; Cindy Krohn, Executive Assistant, Board Office; Elizabeth Carrero, Secretary to the Superintendent, Office of the Superintendent; and Stephanie Gatlin, Transcriber/Recording Secretary, Board Office. ADOPT AGENDA Adopt agenda. Motion: Moulton Second: Janison Vote: Unanimous PUBLIC HEARINGS ON AGENDA ITEMS/RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENT School Climate Stephen Augspurger Mr. Augspurger stated that there was nothing more important than climate, not just in the schools, but across the district. He also stated that the school district is currently in a crisis trying to employ and retain quality teachers. He said that he had a concern about the climate and the way people are treated, and he is afraid that there is a belief or perception that principals do not treat their teachers well. He also said he believed that the primary reason teachers leave the district is because of the low salary. He asked the Board not to make assumptions that are not warranted by data. Page 1 of 7
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON AGENDA ITEMS/RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENT (continued) School Climate, Overview of Senate Bill (SB) 404 Programs, Supplemental Education Services, Broadcasting of Board Meetings, Governance Review of Board Policy GP-10: Construction of the Agenda, Governance of Board Policy GP-16: Policy Development, and Governance Review of Board Policy GP-18: Travel and Other Board Expenses Constance Kosuda Ms. Kosuda noted that the items on this agenda are extremely important, but she had a concern that the time of day that this meeting was being held was not conducive to parents being able to attend. She stated that this meeting being scheduled at 8:30 a.m. was a reflection of how the Board treated the public, and she spoke about the negative way in which she felt the Board treated their constituents. School Climate, Overview of SB 404 Programs, Supplemental Education Services, Broadcasting of Board Meetings, Governance Review of Board Policy GP-10: Construction of the Agenda, Governance of Board Policy GP-16: Policy Development, and Governance Review of Board Policy GP-18: Travel and Other Board Expenses Karen Gray Mrs. Gray stated that in response to several requests, including access to policies, procedures, and protocol regarding the holding and managing of electronic files of the school Board, she received nonresponsive information from the district. She spoke about the training the Board received from Dr. John Carver, CEO, Policy Governance, and her perception of the climate since that training session, which she said was reflected in the Board s actions. BOARD PRESIDENT RELINQUISHED THE CHAIR Mrs. Johnson relinquished the chair at 9:02 a.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS ON AGENDA ITEMS/RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENT (continued) Mrs. Moulton expressed appreciation for Mr. Augspurger s comments regarding the crisis of leadership and climate for teachers. In response to Mrs. Gray s comments, she believed the Board was working to improve climate. Mrs. Barber expressed her concern with the treatment of staff, including the lack of assistance that teachers receive. Mrs. Janison spoke about the need to make the climate better for administrators as well as teachers. She stated that she was offended by comments made by Mrs. Gray. Mrs. Scow stated that she hoped to use data to see why employees leave the district and to not generalize. She talked about what trustees do in order to be responsive to their constituents. BOARD PRESIDENT RESUMED THE CHAIR Mrs. Johnson resumed the chair at 9:09 a.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS ON AGENDA ITEMS/RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENT (continued) Ms. Kosuda responded to comments made by the trustees. Page 2 of 7
SCHOOL CLIMATE Presentation and discussion on school climate. Dr. Kohut-Rost gave a PowerPoint presentation on school climate, along with Dr. Denson, Ms. Irvin, Mr. Alfaro, Ms. Webb, Dr. DeFrancesco, Ms. Rayford, Dr. McCormick-Lee, and Ms. Tittle. Their presentation included the elements of school climate; region philosophies and expectations; activities, programs, and practices in an effort to improve school climate; and an update on the Superintendent s Schools. Elizabeth Robins, parent; Pamela Simone, Principal at Smalley Elementary School; Jeffrey Hybarger, Principal at Goynes Elementary School; Mary Ann Ward, Principal at Petersen Elementary School; George Leavens, Principal at Orr Middle School; Kevin McPartlin, Principal at Chaparral High School; Mary Jo Perise-Malloy, parent; Rudy Pope, Requirement Services, Facilities Division; Corina Palasota, Learning Specialist at Leavitt Middle School; Connie Barlow, Office Manager, Harley Elementary School; and student representatives spoke specifically about the philosophies and activities at their schools and regions. Mrs. Janison asked how the district ensures that concerns from teachers, parents, and students are being addressed in a timely manner. Dr. Kohut-Rost stated that the district is educating parents on how to get issues resolved, and they have required that initial acknowledgement of concerns go out within 24 hours. Mrs. Janison asked if input was taken from parents when a new principal is put into a school, specifically regarding a high school campus. Dr. Kohut-Rost stated that there was input taken from parents in that instance, namely through emails, phone calls, personal interaction, and surveys. Mrs. Moulton asked for direction concerning climate concerns. Dr. Kohut-Rost advised Board members to encourage parents to go to the level at which the concern originated and then the principal. Mrs. Moulton asked how the trustees and region superintendents could coordinate schedules and work together to be informed of changes. Regarding Teaching & Learning Conditions (TLC) surveys, she asked for the number received by the region superintendents. Dr. Denson responded that he received on an average between 10 to 15 biweekly, and he indicated that some responses have been included in his backup material. Mrs. Moulton asked what the initiation process was for schools involved in the TLC survey. Mrs. Tittle stated the principal would initiate the process, and that parents could work with principals to initiate the process. Page 3 of 7
SCHOOL CLIMATE (continued) Mrs. Johnson stated that she would like to see, through collaboration, the top two or three things that every school could do that would make community members and students feel connected to their school. She suggested training student aids to answer phones and help customers so that when parents or concerned members of the public call the schools, they would get the help or direction that they need and not a recording. She added that those students could then put that experience on their resumes as having been trained in office procedures. She expressed a concern with the challenge a newly assigned principal has coming in to an established community and school with established traditions and making sure that the principal understands those traditions and cultures. Trustee Edwards stated that the district needs to provide newly appointed principals with help in their transition into their school. Dr. Kohut-Rost spoke about steps that are being taken to help those principals transition into their new schools. Trustee Edwards expressed a concern about how issues that don t get resolved are being addressed, but expressed gratitude for the efforts put forth. Mrs. Barber talked about the importance of the Board setting the climate. She asked if parents and students are participating in surveys concerning school climate. Dr. Kohut-Rost responded that staff, student, and parent surveys are currently being conducted, and the survey results would be presented in June. Mrs. Barber expressed concerns with teachers not being treated fairly and not being provided with the assistance they may need. RECESS: 12:22 p.m. RECONVENE: 12:50 p.m. APPROVE BROADCASTING OF BOARD MEETINGS Approval of issues related to broadcasting the Clark County School District Board of Trustees meetings, as recommended in Reference 4.01. Mr. Axtell and Mr. Molinaro gave a presentation regarding broadcasting the Board of Trustees meetings. Their presentation included equipment necessary for broadcasting and associated costs; the costs of employing the necessary staff for live broadcasting; concerns associated with broadcasting Board meetings, such as length of the meeting, lighting in the board room, and clarity of presentations on the screen. Mrs. Johnson questioned whether the Board was interested in broadcasting the meetings in order to facilitate more community involvement and more public participation at a meeting or just to provide public access to the meetings. She stated that she had a concern with communities that are farther away being able to be engaged in Board meetings through a live broadcast, and she suggested phasing in broadcasting. Page 4 of 7
APPROVE BROADCASTING OF BOARD MEETINGS (continued) Mrs. Moulton asked about legislation s current position on broadcasting the Board meeting. Mr. Axtell stated that under the current bill, the district is not required to broadcast the Board meetings. Mrs. Moulton asked about the public s access to cable and the Internet. Mr. Axtell stated that cable has 60 percent of the market, and the Internet has 80 percent of the market, but 50 percent of those that have Internet access have only a dial-up connection. Trustee Edwards pointed out that because all the Board meetings are not held in the board room, they will not all be broadcast. She suggested broadcasting the meetings live on the Internet and making them available for review. Mrs. Johnson restated that it had been requested that the trustees to take this to their Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) for community input and to be provided documents with information on video conferencing, including update on facilities, staffing, hourly cost on cable and the Internet with the assumption that they are starting with 12 hours per month, information on broadcasting meetings other than regular meetings, and the pros and cons of broadcasting meetings. She requested to have an agenda item to receive this information and ask questions at the May 31, 2007, Board meeting. Mrs. Scow suggested sending out a survey concerning broadcasting the Board meetings. Trustee Edwards asked for this information in an electronic format. Mr. Axtell stated that he would provide that. Trustee Edwards requested samples of videotaped meetings of the City Council and County Commission meetings for review and comparison. OVERVIEW OF SB 404 PROGRAMS Presentation and discussion on the status of Senate Bill 404 programs. Dr. Kohut-Rost, Dr. Denson, Ms. Irvin, Mr. Alfaro, Dr. DeFrancesco, and Dr. McCormick-Lee conducted a presentation, speaking to how the regions and their schools have used Senate Bill (SB) 404 funds and the outcomes of those programs. Mrs. Moulton asked about the dollar amount of the grant and who received it. Mrs. Efthimiou stated that the amount of the grant was $70 million, and Clark County received $55 million. Mrs. Moulton spoke about equity between the schools and the grant amounts received. Mrs. Johnson asked for the percentage the SB 404 and SB 405 grants have on class size reduction through direct or indirect means. Mrs. Efthimiou stated that she would provide the Board members with that information. Page 5 of 7
OVERVIEW OF SB 404 PROGRAMS (continued) Trustee Edwards pointed out that the district is losing key employees because of the uncertainty of the grants. She suggested getting an amendment to the bill and having Carson City employees speak to the legislators about extending the monies through an extra year to give a year s notice to employees that monies funding their position will not be renewed. SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION SERVICES Presentation and discussion on No Child Left Behind Supplemental Education Services. Ms. Green introduced Dr. Wright, who gave an update on Clark County s services for the 2006-2007 school year. Mrs. Janison asked whether assessing children by age 3 could save the district money in the long run. Ms. Green responded that many developmentally delayed children are not labeled for special education on purpose because the district s goal is to place them in a regular kindergarten class as early intervention. Trustee Edwards asked if the providers of the services are evaluated based on the success of the students. Dr. Wright responded that part of the evaluation included the following: Going into the classrooms to see what was going on; conducting before and after tests to compare gains; and communication from parents was also considered. APPROVE GOVERNANCE REVIEW OF BOARD POLICY GP-10 Approval regarding modification, additions, language changes, and deletions to Governance Policy GP-10: Construction of the Agenda, is requested. By direction of the Board, any changes recommended at this meeting will not be implemented unless adopted by the public policy review process at a regular Board of school trustees meeting, as recommended in Reference 4.02. Mrs. Johnson suggested forming an ad hoc committee to gather suggestions regarding language. Trustee Edwards explained that she asked to bring this item forward so that the Board could discuss agenda planning when they talked about GP-16: Policy Development. APPROVE GOVERNANCE REVIEW OF BOARD POLICY GP-16 Approval regarding modification, additions, language changes, and deletions to Governance Policy GP-16: Policy Development, is requested. By direction of the Board, any changes recommended at this meeting will not be implemented unless adopted by the public policy review process at a regular Board of school trustees meeting, as recommended in Reference 4.03. Trustee Edwards stated that she requested this agenda item based on language that was removed in August 2006 that spoke to policies and regulations being brought forward for review. She asked Mr. Hoffman to clarify the process the Board needs to follow in order to request a review or change of a policy. Mr. Hoffman agreed that there is a lack of clarity in the policies and that policies and regulations should be passed by the Board. He recommended a review of the confusing language. Page 6 of 7
APPROVE GOVERNANCE REVIEW OF BOARD POLICY GP-16 (continued) Trustee Edwards suggested that maybe GP-3: Board Responsibilities should be discussed in conjunction with this policy. APPROVE GOVERNANCE REVIEW OF BOARD POLICY GP-18 Approval regarding modification, additions, language changes, and deletions to Governance Policy GP-18: Travel and Other Board Expenses, is requested. By direction of the Board, any changes recommended at this meeting will not be implemented unless adopted by the public policy review process at a regular Board of school trustees meeting, as recommended in Reference 4.04. Board members noted that this item would be discussed at the May 10, 2007, Board meeting. Mrs. Johnson asked for a motion to send policies GP-3: Board Responsibilities, GP-10: Construction of the Agenda, GP-11: Public Hearings, and GP-16: Policy Development to a subcommittee. Motion to create a subcommittee to include herself, Mrs. Barber, Mrs. Johnson, legal counsel, Mrs. Krohn, and Ms. Carrero with a timeline of June 28, 2007. Motion: Edwards Second: Janison Mrs. Johnson clarified that the findings of the committee would be brought back to the full Board for full discussion before the Notice of Intent. Vote on Trustee Edwards motion was unanimous. PUBLIC HEARINGS ON NONAGENDA ITEMS/RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENT None. The budget meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on May 16, 2007, was rescheduled for 5:00 p.m. ADJOURN: 2:59 p.m. Motion: Janison Second: Moulton Vote: Unanimous Page 7 of 7