Board Meetings

Policy and Instruction Committee Meeting

I.

Call to Order

A.

Adoption of the Policy Agenda and Approval of the Minutes of the March 28, 2012 Policy meeting (Discussion/Action)

II.

Goal I - Academic Achievement Presentation (Discussion)
Presenter: Linda Sink, Diane Kerschen, Raquel Reedy, Eddie Soto, Rose-Ann McKernan

III.

Political Leave and Compensation (Discussion)
Presenter: Carrie Menapace

IV.

School Volunteer Programs Procedural Directive (Discussion)
Presenter: Carrie Menapace

V.

Future Topics:  Various topics will be presented as time allows.(Discussion/Action)

VI.

Announcement of the Next Policy Meeting - The next meeting will be held Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 5:00 p.m., in the DeLayo-Martin Community Room

VII.

Adjournment

I.

Call to Order – the meeting was called to order at 5:00 by Dr. Peercy, chair

A.

Adoption of the Policy Agenda and Approval of the Minutes of the March 28, 2012, Policy meeting – Ms. Korte motioned for approval of the agenda and minutes.  Lorenzo Garcia seconded the motion.  All indicated their approval.

II.

Goal I - Academic Achievement Presentation – Linda Sink, chief academic officer, reviewed each of the action plans, summarizing the action steps.  There was discussion and questions from the board.  Some of the questions were:

• Resources
• Integration of other departments
• Assessments
• Parent / teacher conferences – are they mandatory?
• Classroom resources regarding bullying
• Have we established what the gaps are by school?
• Professional development for principals (cultural proficiency)

Dr. Peercy suggested that a baseline be set so that we could determine levels of improvement.  Anne Tafoya spoke about professional development (Autism) and how they were working with advocacy groups.  Ms. Sink also talked about the de-escalation training (school officers included).  The board thanked all for a job well done and the great information.

Political Leave and Compensation – Winston Brooks, superintendent, began by saying that APS does have a current policy but it is silent as to whether we pay people.  The issue was whether we are going to pay when employees are participating in the legislature. Carrie Menapace created four different options for consideration.  Also we have to keep in mind how to keep different classifications of employees treated fairly.  The board reviewed the options which were:  Full Compensation, No Compensation, Compensation minus Per Diem and Donation of Paid Leave to Offset Unpaid Leave.  Discussion followed:

• What about first amendment rights
• How does the negotiated agreement work into this (Art Melendres said if negotiations are being done, we would have to go to next year.)
• Other school districts do not pay.

Mr. Esquivel stated he was not in favor of APS employees serving in the legislature, he felt it was a conflict of interest.  Chair Peercy asked the board members for their opinions as to whether we allow or not allow serving with pay. Ms. Korte agreed with Mr. Esquivel, but was most concerned about a teacher’s potential time away from the classroom.   Dr. Peercy asked if the Board could establish a position statement.  Art Melendres, legal counsel, said it would be close to the line; this was not an action item.  Dr. Peercy said this discussion was to determine a direction and was not an action. Further discussion followed.  Mr. Brooks told the board he would work with the union on this topic.

Ms. Menapace said she could have a few options drafted for the next Policy meeting (which was changed from May 8 to May 1) and could post it for public comment.

IV.

School Volunteer Programs Procedural Directive – Carrie Menapace presented.  This procedural directive has been completely redone because of new state regulations (Insurance Bureau).  Dr. Peercy suggested two changes.  Ms. Korte had concerns and questions about the new directive.  Some of the questions were in regard to whether this was a new procedural directive all together and if there currently was a volunteer coordinator at the schools. Ms. Sonja Martens, volunteer and community support manager, explained the old procedural directive did require a volunteer coordinator at the school but currently had not been enforced.  Many of the things in the new directive were taken from the old one.  Ms. Martens said they were trying to streamline the volunteer process and were working with the Human Resources department to do online training.  They were hoping to work with existing entities, i.e., parent and community organizations, hoping to target people within these groups.  Ms. Korte asked about the volunteer records/hours and if the insurance authority would be asking for these records.  Ms. Martens said they would. Ms. Korte still had concerns.  Dr. Peercy asked that staff make this as efficient as possible.

V.

Future Topics:  Various topics will be presented as time allows.  Dr. Peercy asked that we add vocational/technical education (at the request of Mr. Garcia) to the future topics list.

VI.

Announcement of the Next Policy Meeting – It was decided at this meeting that the next scheduled policy meeting (May 8) would be changed to May 1, 2012. The meeting location and time would remain the same, in the DeLayo Martin Community Room at 5:00 p.m.

VII.

Adjournment – the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.