Board Meeting Dates

I.

Call to Order

A.

Adoption of the Policy Agenda and Approval of the Minutes of the April 10, 2012, Policy meeting (Discussion/Action)

II.

Consideration of Approval of a New Mexico High School Competency Examination Waiver (Discussion/Action)
Presenter: RoseAnn McKernan, Christoph Brunder

III.

Consideration for Approval of the Elementary Fine Arts Program Plan Through the Fine Arts Education Act (Discussion/Action)
Presenter: Janet Kahn, RoseAnn McKernan,

IV.

Update on Student Led Parent/Teacher Conferences (Discussion)
Presenter: Linda Sink

V.

Update on International Baccalaureate Program (Discussion)
Presenter: Winston Brooks, Katy Harvey

VI.

Consideration of Approval of Charter Amendment Request - Gordon Bernell Charter School (Discussion/Action)
Presenter: Diego Gallegos, Mark Tolley

VII.

Consideration of Approval of Revisions to GB12 - Employees as Duly Appointed or Elected Officials (Discussion/Action)
Presenter: Winston Brooks, Carrie Robin Menapace

VIII.

Discussion Regarding Employee Handbook Language and Political leave (Discussion)
Presenter: Winston Brooks, Carrie Robin Menapace

IX.

Discussion Regarding Implementation of School Volunteer Programs (Discussion)
Presenter: Sonja Martens, Carrie Robin Menapace

X.

Consideration of approval of revisions to GB7 - Whistleblower Complaints (Discussion/Action)
Presenter: Brad Winter, Carrie Robin Menapace

XI.

Consideration of approval of new Board policy BD2 Audit Committee (Discussion/Action)
Presenter: Brad Winter, Carrie Robin Menapace

XII.

Consideration of revocation of Board of Education Policy D.05 Internal Audit (Discussion/Action)
Presenter: Brad Winter, Carrie Robin Menapace

XIII.

Discussion Regarding Whistleblower Complaints and Internal Audits, Investigations and Program Evaluations Procedural Directives (Discussion)
Presenter: Brad Winter, Carrie Robin Menapace

XIV.

Consideration for Approval of Student Nominee for the 2012 New Mexico School Boards Association's Scholarship Program (Discussion/Action)
Presenter: Brenda Yager

XV.

Future Topics:  Various topics will be presented as time allows.

XVI.

Announcement of the Next Policy Meeting - The next meeting will be held Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 5:00 p.m., in the DeLayo Martin Community Room

XVII.

Adjournment

I.

Call to Order – the meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by David Peercy, Chair

A.

Adoption of the Policy Agenda and Approval of the Minutes of the April 10, 2012, Policy meeting – Paula Maes motioned for approval of the agenda and minutes.  Analee Maestas seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

II.

Consideration of Approval of a New Mexico High School Competency Examination Waiver – RoseAnn McKernan explained the reason for the request for a waiver.  Lorenzo Garcia motioned for approval.  Paula Maes seconded the motion.  All indicated they were in favor.

III.

Consideration for Approval of the Elementary Fine Arts Program Plan Through the Fine Arts Education Act - Ms. Janet Kahn, coordinator of the fine arts department presented the plan to the board.  She explained that the presentation to the board was part of the process of submittal.  Questions in regard to results, professional development and funding followed.  Ms. Kahn said the students were learning according to the art standards. Paula Maes motioned for approval.  Kathy Korte seconded the motion.  Discussion followed in regard to funding.  Mr. Robbins said because he did not have a copy of the document (program plan) to read beforehand he would abstain from voting.  Ms. Korte also indicated she would have preferred to have the document.  There was further discussion as to how the money was distributed amount the different levels (high and elementary schools).  Ms. Kahn said the secondary funds were site based. Mr. Brooks said currently the money goes into the general budget (with PED permission) and helps fund the secondary.  Ms. Korte asked for a report on the redirecting of funds.

All voted for approval of the plan with the exception of Kathy Korte, Analee Maestas and David Robbins who all abstained.

IV.

Update on Student Led Parent/Teacher Conferences – Ms. Linda Sink spoke about data at the high schools – the parent conferences are doing well at the elementary level.  At the high school level she recommended that they not have students out of school for the spring conferences because of testing.  Some high schools are not involved at all and others are very involved.  They have had a lot of push back in regard to losing instructional time.  They have heard that some teachers/parents do not see the conferences as a need.  Discussion followed.  Mr. Brooks said this did not surprise him; does not know of a good way to have conferences.  He has told staff to check with Council Great City Schools to see if other districts have high levels of conferences.  Ms. Sink said they would still be working on the advisories.  They have had a union task force working on this issue – has been negative.  Discussion followed on the data and the IParent program.

V.

Update on International Baccalaureate Program-  Mr. Brooks and Katy Harvey, principal of Sandia High School presented saying many good things have happened and are falling in to place.  IB wants to work with APS – the only school in New Mexico.  The City would pay for student fees and will find money for other things.  IB is also interested in replicating the program in another high school.  Ms. Harvey said the initial application was approved March 1, 2012.  She will begin speaking with a consultant about a two day onsite visit.  The final application is due October 1, 2012.  She gave data in regard to teachers. The budget looked good.  The application cost was $4,000.  They plan to open in the Fall with 40-60 students.  The cost is $7,000 per student. Discussion followed in regard to the recruiting and how they would determine who would attend.

VI.

Consideration of Approval of Charter Amendment Request - Gordon Bernell Charter School – Mr. Gallegos presented.  Martin Esquivel motioned for approval.  David Robbins seconded the motion.  All other indicated they were in favor.

VII.

Consideration of Approval of Revisions to GB12 - Employees as Duly Appointed or Elected Officials   Dr. Peercy stated that the revisions were not about personnel but about policy and language.  The goal was to make all of the information correct.

Carrie Menapace presented the three options that were drafted.

One was that APS employees may serve as legislators but must take political leave without compensation when performing elective duties.  Option two was any non-currently elected APS employee may not serve as a legislator; however, currently elected APS employees may serve as legislators but must take political leave without compensation.   Option three was APS employees may serve as legislators but must take political leave and must reimburse the district any per diem they receive from the state minus the cost of food.  Questions presented were regarding benefits and the negotiated agreement.  Dr. Peercy opened it up to the board for discussion.  Each board member gave input as to what they thought about each option. Martin Esquivel motioned to adopt employees cannot serve as legislators (option 2).  Kathy Korte seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was taken.  Option two did not pass (4 no / 2 yes).  Paula Maes motioned to go with option 3.  Analee Maestas seconded the motion.  Some discussion followed– a vote was taken.  Option 3 did not pass.  Ms. Maes motioned to approve option one.  David Robbins seconded the motion.  Mr. Esquivel felt they needed to address the benefits issue or whether to pay or no pay for benefits during the time off.  Ms. Maes asked to amend the motion – which would be leave without pay but the benefits would be paid.  Mr. Robbins seconded the motion but asked to keep the vote on the benefits separate.

Questions and discussion followed in regard the benefits. Paula Maes motioned to approve option one as written.  Dr. Peercy clarified that they were voting on option one and would discuss the benefits separately.  Option one passed 4 for and 2 against.  They then discussed the benefits and whether employer would pay both parts (employee and employer contributions).  Discussion followed on what the current policy was regarding benefits for personnel taking leave without pay.  Ms. Trybus said they could take up to one year of unpaid leave and the benefits were paid by employer as well as employee.  David Robbins asked to get information on people that were currently on leave.  Ms. Trybus said she would provide this information.  After some discussion it was decided to keep it consistent with existing policy on leave without pay.

VIII.

Discussion Regarding Employee Handbook Language and Political leave  - no discussion.

IX.

Discussion Regarding Implementation of School Volunteer Programs – Ms. Maes requested that this item be brought back at a later time.  It was decided that it would come back for the July policy meeting.

X.

Consideration of approval of revisions to GB7 - Whistleblower Complaints -
Ms. Carrie Robin Menapace went over the changes.  This policy states that employees and the community will be provided a way to confidentially file reports of unlawful or unethical behavior to APS and that those complaints will be investigated.  Paula Maes motioned for approval of the revisions as printed.  Analee Maestas seconded the motion.  Discussion followed.  All indicated approval with the exception of David Robbins who opposed.

XI.

Consideration of approval of new Board policy BD2 Audit Committee – Ms. Menapace outlined what the audit committee would do.  They would meet 3 times a year.  They would receive regular reports from Internal Audit.  Paula Maes motioned for approval.  Lorenzo Garcia seconded the motion.  Mr. Robbins had concerns.  Discussion followed.  All indicated approval with the exception of David Robbins who abstained.

XII.

Consideration of revocation of Board of Education Policy D.05 Internal Audit – This policy states that the district will have an internal auditor.  We have reorganized the policy to be in the Board Committee section of policy because the reports go to a state required Board of Education Committee.  Kathy Korte motioned for approval.  Paula Maes seconded the motion.  All were in favor with the exception of David Robbins who opposed.

XIII.

Discussion Regarding Whistleblower Complaints and Internal Audits, Investigations and Program Evaluations Procedural Directives – Ms. Menapace went over the procedural directives.   There was discussion and a few suggested changes.

XIV.

Consideration for Approval of Student Nominee for the 2012 New Mexico School Boards Association's Scholarship Program – Brenda Yager explained that the board would need to select a student for the scholarship nomination.  There was discussion.  They decided to choose from the list of APS Selfless Seniors.  The board members discussed the students and nominated Shenell Wilson of Albuquerque High School.   David Robbins motioned to approve Ms. Wilson as the nominee.  Kathy Korte seconded the motion.  All indicated their approval.

XV.

Future Topics:  Various topics will be presented as time allows.

XVI.

Announcement of the Next Policy Meeting - The next meeting will be held Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 5:00 p.m., in the DeLayo Martin Community Room

XVII.

Adjournment – 7:19