Board Meeting Dates

Additional Details

District and Community Relations Committee Meeting

AGENDA

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

5:00 PM

DeLayo-Martin Community Room, Alice and Bruce King Educational Complex, 6400 Uptown NE

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Minutes of the District and Community Relations Committee Meeting

Board of Education

Albuquerque Public Schools

A District and Community Relations Committee meeting of the Board of Education of Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) was held Tuesday, January 22, 2013, beginning at 5:00 p.m., in the DeLayo Martin Community Room, Alice and Bruce King Educational Complex, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE.

I.          Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 5:­­01 p.m.

1. A. Roll Call

Present:  Analee Maestas, Kathy Korte, Lorenzo Garcia, and David Peercy.  By phone were David Robbins and Marty Esquivel.

Absent:  Paula Maes was absent.

1. B. Adoption of the January 22, 2013, District and Community Relations Agenda and the Approval of the November 27, 2012, District and Community Relations Minutes (Discussion/Action)

Chairman Lorenzo Garcia asked for a motion to adopt the agenda with the deletion of item VI (there is no update on the 2013 Legislative Session) and approve the minutes.  Ms. Korte made the motion; Dr. Peercy seconded the motion.  Board members unanimously adopted the January 22, 2013, District and Community Relations agenda with the amendment and approved the November 27, 2012, District and Community Relations minutes.

II.         Public Forum

There were no participants in the public forum.

III.        Consideration for the Approval of Administrative Recommendation to Renew Charter for Gordon Bernell Charter School for Five Years

Eddie Soto and Mark Tolley shared the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) administration recommendation that the charter school renewal application submitted by the Gordon Bernell Charter School be approved for a term of five years with no conditions.

The school has been found in full compliance with New Mexico Charter School Law and APS requirements and fills a unique need in the Albuquerque community. The renewal application has been reviewed by the APS Charter/Magnet School Department and staff from other appropriate APS departments. The recommendation to approve Gordon Bernell Charter School’s charter renewal with APS is based on the application’s evidence of financial viability, satisfactory facilities and strong governance council determined to be an active force in improving the school.  An increase of the total enrollment from 500 to 650 was approved by the APS Board of Education on May 2, 2012.  The presentation includes a statistics sheet per Mr. Robbins request.  Copies of a letter from Tom Swisstack of the Bernalillo County Public Safety Division were handed out that express his support for the charter school.

Discussion clarified who made up the governance committee and that the last statement, “Gordon Bernell was unable to provide requested information…from the business management service,” on page 13 of the handout should have been removed.

Chairman Garcia requested a motion to approve the administrative recommendation to renew charter for Gordon Bernell Charter School for five years.        Ms. Korte made the motion; Dr. Peercy seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

There were no participants in the public form for this agenda item.

IV. Update on the Status of La Academia de Lengua Y Cultura Charter School

Mr. Soto and Mr. Tolley provided an update on the status of La Academia de Lengua Y Cultura Charter School.

The charter renewal for La Academia de Lengua Y Cultura Charter School was denied by the New Mexico Public Education Commission in December, 2012.  The school is currently authorized by APS until June 30, so closure responsibility will rest with APS.

Closing proceedings have begun in cooperation with the school’s existing leadership and will continue until further notice.  The charter school has filed an appeal, but it may take up to 60 days for a response.  Discussion clarified that APS is assisting in the process of alternate placement for the ~75 students and that there will be a future meeting with parents to finalize closure.

V. Information on Albuquerque Public Schools’ February 5, 2013 Bond/Mil Levy Election

Kizito Wijenje shared information concerning Albuquerque Public Schools’ February 5, 2013 Bond/Mil Levy Election.

The election is Tuesday, Feb. 5.  Early voting began Friday, Jan. 11 and will continue through Friday, Feb. 1.  Voters will choose APS Board of Education members for Districts 3, 5, 6 and 7 and will be asked to approve a $368 million bond and mil levy package to build and maintain schools.  A handout with voting locations was provided.  Information may also be found on the APS website at http://www.aps.edu/about-us/board/2013-school-board-member-election.

A candidate forum will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 23 at The Alice and Bruce King Educational Complex for the 10 candidates running in the election.  The forum also will air live on APS-operated radio station KANW-FM (89.1).

Promotion for the election has included mailers, billboards, canvassing neighborhoods, TV interviews with board members and leadership, cable spots, and celebrations and ground breakings at schools.  The business community has given their endorsement, including Associated General Contractors, Albuquerque Teachers Federation, the Council of the City of Albuquerque, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and the Home Builders Association.

Election revenue, if approved by voters, will complete revenue sources for the current Capital Master Plan strategy worth about $1 billion from 2011-2017.  The main focus is to provide for facility maintenance, rejuvenation of older schools, new educational and instructional technology, stimulation of the local economy, and construction of several local charter schools; it will not increase taxes.  Major ongoing projects include the APS Community Stadium and Del Norte and Sandia High Schools; largest of the future considerations are a southwest K-8 school, Rio Grande and West Mesa High Schools, and Mountain View Elementary School.

VI.       Update on 2013 Legislative Session (Discussion)

This item was deleted from the agenda as there was no further update on recent legislative activity and potential impact on the district.

VII.      Next District and Community Relations Committee Meeting

Chairman Garcia announced that the next District and Community Relations Committee meeting would be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at 5:00 p.m., at the Alice and Bruce King Educational Complex in the DeLayo Martin Community Room.

VIII.     Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5:27 p.m.