I.

Call to Order

A.

Adoption of the Policy Agenda and Approval of the Minutes of October 14, 2013, Policy and Instruction Committee Meeting (Discussion/Action)

II.

Consideration for Approval of TemporaryTransportation Boundary Agreement between the Albuquerque Public Schools and the Bernalillo Public Schools (Discussion/Action)
Presenter: Brad Winter, Roger Garcia

III.

Consideration for Approval of Proposed 2014-2015 School Year Calendar (Discussion/Action)
Presenter: Andrea Trybus

IV.

Consideration for Approval of  Administrative Recommendation to Renew the Charter for Montessori of the Rio Grande for a Five Year Term and Approve their Charter School Performance Contract (Discussion/Action)
Presenter: Eddie Soto, Mark Tolley

V.

Consideration for Approval of Administrative Recommendation to Renew the Charter for the School for Integrated Academics and Technologies (SIA Tech) for a Five Year Term and Approve their Charter School Performance Contract (Discussion/Action)
Presenter: Eddie Soto, Mark Tolley

VI.

Textbook/Instructional Materials Update (Discussion)
Presenter: Shelly Green, Rachel Altobelli

VII.

Future Items (Discussion)

VIII.

Announcement of the Next Policy Meeting - the next meeting will be held Wednesday, December 11, 2013, 5:00 p.m., in the DeLayo-Martin Community Room.

IX.

Adjournment

I.

Call to Order –  the meeting was called to order by Ms. Kathy Korte at 7:30 a.m.

A.

Adoption of the Policy Agenda and Approval of the Minutes of October 14, 2013, Policy and Instruction Committee Meeting - Dr. Don Duran motioned for approval.  Dr. Analee Maestas seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

II.

Consideration for Approval of Temporary Transportation Boundary Agreement between the Albuquerque Public Schools and the Bernalillo Public Schools – Dr. Brad Winter explained that the agreement had been in existence since the 2001-2002 school year.  The terms of the approved agreement require that it be reviewed annually and if no changes have occurred, the existing agreement may be continued.  There were no revisions/changes.  Dr. Don Duran motioned for approval.  Dr. Analee Maestas seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

III.

Consideration for Approval of Proposed 2014-2015 School Year Calendar – Andi Trybus presented and said the calendar mirrors what was on the current school year calendar (2012-2013).  The committee consisted of representatives of the six bargaining unions, district staff and five parents.  The community also was asked to respond to a survey regarding the starting date or first day of school.  School would begin for teachers on August 6, 2013, and students, August 13, 2013.  Fall break would be two days long and Veterans Day would be a school holiday.  Spring Break has been scheduled after testing and attached to the Vernal holiday.  The second semester professional development day is attached to the Presidents’ Day holiday and would be converted to a snow day if needed.  Ms. Trybus also mentioned that the Bernalillo County Clerk Ms. Toulouse had requested the schools be closed for elections.  The committee recommended that we not close because that would leave only one day for Fall break.  The schools will end the school year on a Friday.  The Monday following would be the Memorial Day holiday, leaving the four days following that could be used as snow days.  The committee discussed perhaps starting after Labor Day but felt that would be too much of a change.  Dr. Analee Maestas motioned for approval.  Dr. Don Duran seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

IV.

Consideration for Approval of Administrative Recommendation to Renew the Charter for Montessori of the Rio Grande for a Five Year Term and Approve their Charter School Performance Contract – Mr. Eddie Soto explained the recommendation and introduced Mr. Mark Tolley. Mr. Tolley said the administrative recommendation was to renew the charter for five years and also to approve their charter school performance contract.  The school has been found to be in full compliance with charter school law and APS requirements.  The principal was in the audience and commented that this was the third renewal and was happy working with APS.  She invited the board to visit the new facility that was being built.  She said the students do very well and when they move on, are very successful.  Dr. Maestas asked about the lower quartile and what they were doing about it.  The principal responded that they were working hard on this and provided a full range of services in addition to other support services.  Dr. Duran asked how many students were on the waiting list.  The principal responded they had on the average of 200-210 applying.  Kindergarten made up the largest percentage of applications.  The board commended Mr. Tolley and his staff for their great work.  The principal also said she appreciated Mr. Tolley’s work and his willingness to have conversations.  Dr. Duran motioned for approval.  Dr. Maestas seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

V.

Consideration for Approval of Administrative Recommendation to Renew the Charter for the School for Integrated Academics and Technologies (SIA Tech) for a Five Year Term and Approve their Charter School Performance Contract - Mr. Mark Tolley read the recommendation which was to renew the charter for a five-year term and approve the performance contract.  This is a school that fills a unique need in Albuquerque.  The school has been found to be in full compliance with charter school law and APS requirements.  Principal Erik Bose spoke about the school.  The board members congratulated Mr. Bose on the school’s graduation rate and told him they had respect and admiration for the work that had been done. Questions followed in regard to the lottery, mastery of subjects and the transitioning of the students.  Ms. Korte said she was very impressed with the self-paced program and would like to see this to be done in our high schools. Dr. Maestas motioned for approval. Mr. Quezada seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

VI.

Textbook/Instructional Materials Update - Shelly Green presented.  Last year was designated for math adoption K-12.  The Albuquerque Public Schools estimated twelve million would be needed for this adoption for fiscal year 2013.  The district received five million and used one million from the operational budget to supplement instruction material funds.  Teachers did not find anything they felt supported the new Common Core initiative, so the math adoption was postponed to this year.  For fiscal year 2014 the district is requesting additional funds to fully adopt mathematics materials.  The estimated cost would be 9.8 million.  Mr. Quezada asked how teachers covered the common core – felt like teachers could create their own books.  Ms. Green said many teachers were gathering resources on line, trying to sift through them and come up with something that would be useful.  Dr. Maestas added that there were teachers that pay other teachers for their own work.  Rachel Altobelli spoke about the textbook/instruction materials tracking system. In the long run it would help save money.  The new system would have ordering functionality. Dr. Maestas asked since there was not recommendation for math, how long would the wait be.  Ms. Green said they are looking to have a recommendation by January and to order in February or March.  Dr. Maestas also asked, since the online materials do not allow students to take things home because of not having computers, how were they addressing this.  Ms. Green said for online materials and teachers resources they would make copies for students to take home.  Mr. Brooks said administration was working rapidly with IT to explore a “bring your own device” (BYOD) option – to have access through their cell phones, tablets or lap tops.  A group has gone to Riverside, California school district to observe their program of BYOD and 1 to 1 programs.  We may be moving towards that solution.  Discussion followed regarding having broadband at the schools and taking advantage of free services being provided.  Ms. Green said different schools were accessing different materials. Districtwide we have not mandated anything in particular. Mr. Brooks pointed out they had to be careful and make sure these were aligned with the Common Core.  Discussion then followed about the charter school waivers.

VII.

Future Items – Have Mr. Romero give an up-date on BYOD bandwidth.

VIII.

Announcement of the Next Policy Meeting - the next meeting will be held Wednesday, December 11, 2013, 5:00 p.m., in the DeLayo Martin Community Room.

IX.

Adjournment – the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 a.m.