Scottsdale Unified School District Arizona’s Most Excelling School District!

Dr. David Peterson, assistant superintendent for operations, and Ernie Nicely, executive director of technology and information services, presented staff input regarding a possible Capital Override to the Governing Board. Factual information has been presented at various District meetings to staff as to the impact of a possible Capital Override. Additionally, the District has been hosting Public Discussions to inform the community about the possible Capital Override. Feedback has been received regarding possible implementation and needs. One of the meetings was with Eric Kurland, Scottsdale Education Association (SEA) president, and the SEA Rep Council. District administrators and the Governing Board will continue to speak about this topic at upcoming meetings.

Dr. Ildi Laczko-Kerr, executive director of curriculum and instruction, and Dr. Althe Allen, executive director of middle and secondary schools and excelling teaching & learning, provided the Board with an update on the proposed modifications to the District’s high school graduation requirements as presented during the High School Work/Study on February 27. Specifically, the District will address questions raised by Board members regarding the development of four-year plans for all high school students, the potential of aligning District requirements to state university admission requirements and potential staffing and budget impacts.

Additionally, Dr. Peterson presented a status report on the M&O Budget for the 2006-2007 fiscal year and an update on the M&O Budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year to the Governing Board. The presentation is available on the District’s Web site at: http://www.susd.org/district/govboard/meetings.cfm. District administrators and the Governing Board will continue to speak about this topic at upcoming meetings.

Kim Clark, general counsel, recommended revisions to Governing Board Policy GBP to require that the administration engage a hearing officer from a list of hearing officers that is approved by the Governing Board to hear complaints of retaliation for whistle blowing activity. The alternative is that the Governing Board could meet to select a hearing officer each and every time such a matter arises. The existing policy allows for the Superintendent to select a hearing officer, which arguably creates a conflict of interest. This item will be brought back as a Consent Agenda item on the May 8th Agenda.

In other action, the Board:

• Approved the Technology Use Policy as amended.
   
• Approved the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Scottsdale and SUSD for Yavapai Elementary School.
   
• Accepted gifts valued at $137,178. The gifts were received from Cheyenne PTO, Cochise APT, Desert Canyon Middle PTO, Desert Mountain PTO, Hopi PTA, Kiva PTO, Mountainside PTO, Pima PTO, Pueblo PTO, Tavan PTA, Chaparral Art Club, Coronado Foundation for the Future, Desert Mountain Choir Boosters, Laguna Student Council, Mountainside Band Boosters, Mr. and Mrs. David Allen, Best Buy Tech Award Program, Boy Scouts, Don Chiapetti, ECHO, Gayle Ells, Michael Fernandez, David and Tracy Gray, Honeywell, Morgan Stanley Employee Donation Program, Scottsdale Charros, State of Arizona, U.S. Golf Association and Wells Fargo Foundation.

The next regular Governing Board meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on May 8 at the Education Center. Public Discussions on initiatives the Board is considering on overrides are scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. The dates and locations for the meetings are:

• Tuesday, April 24
  Chaparral Complex
  Chaparral High School
  Media Center
  6935 E. Gold Dust Ave., Scottsdale
   
• Thursday, April 26
  Arcadia Complex
  Education Center – District Office
  Governing Board Room
  3811 N. 44th St., Phoenix
   
• Monday, April 30
  Coronado Complex
  Coronado High School
  Media Center
  2501 N. 74th St., Scottsdale

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