HELD ON AUGUST 15, 2006
The vision of the Williams Unified School District is to place each child in the best position
to succeed intellectually, academically, emotionally, physically, and socially
A Special Meeting/Work Session of the Williams Unified School District No. 2 Governing Board was held at 9:00 a.m. on the above date at the Williams campus of Coconino Community College. Board members present: Mr. Nenne, Mrs. Cothren, Mr. Parenteau, Mr. Stilwell and Mr. Barnes. Also present: Dr. McCraley, Mr. Bridges, Mr. Hudgens, Mr. Berger, Mrs. Britton, Mrs. Hughes, Ms. Gebler, Mrs. Schulte and guest Mr. Oscar Fredrickson.
**At approximately 10:00 a.m., power to the building was interrupted. The entire group moved to a meeting room at the USDA Forest Supervisor’s Office on south 6th street and resumed the meeting. At 12:00 noon the group returned to the Community College and recessed for lunch. The power was back in service. The meeting reconvened at 1:00 p.m.
SPECIAL MEETING/WORK SESSION
The agenda for the meeting is as follows:
I. OPENING ITEMS
Ø Mr. Nenne called the meeting to order at 9:02 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to adopt the agenda, second by Mr. Barnes. Motion approved 5-0.
II. WORK SESSION TOPICS
1. 9:00 am - 10:00am School Uniforms
Ø Mr. Bridges stated that the subject of school uniforms for Pre-K-8 students was brought to his attention several times during last school year by parents. He noted that he has had experience in implementing a uniform program at a previous school. He agrees that although there are some negative issues with school uniforms, he believes that the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Ø Mr. Hudgens pointed out that with students facing increasing gang influence and violence at school, as well as bullying, a move to school uniforms goes a long way in dealing with these critical issues.
Ø Board members indicated that because of the interest expressed by parents, they would like to receive more information about this issue for future reference.
2. 10:00 am - 11:00 am Review Test Scores
Ø Kate Wamble presented a review of the 2005-06 test scores. Most grades level scores were in line with, or above, the state and national scores. Many sophomores met or exceeded on the AIMS in one or more of the subjects tested. Those students will not have to test again in those areas in order to graduate.
Ø The 3rd-5th grade level scores were not as good as anticipated.
Ø WUSD has been selected to give a writing field test this fall and will be notified soon if the district is to also give a science field test next spring.
3. 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Review/revise Long Range Plans
Ø The Board began this session with a review of the current long range plan. They determined that many of the items in the plan have been put in place, including: a new playground installed, most teachers have completed hours for Structured English Immersion Endorsement, family reading, math, science and tech nights held throughout school year, WEMS behavior management team established, new referral form developed for WEMS and work done on aligning 7-12 curriculum. Other components of the long range plan need to be implemented in the coming year.
Ø Discussion continued on additions to the long range plan.
4. 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm recess for Lunch
5. 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Review 2005-06 goals and set Board Goals for 2006-07
Ø The 05-06 Board/Administrative Goals were reviewed. As with the long range plan, many of the goals have been met and others will be carried forward to the 2006-07 school year. The Board developed an outline of 2006-07 goals as follows:
WUSD Governing Board
Minutes
August 15, 2006
1. Finances
a. Examine strategies to increase salary schedules.
b. Revise the current salary schedules.
c. Explore the process to develop our own Foundation.
2. Communication
a. Schools need to send data about activities to the newspaper on a weekly or monthly basis.
b. We need to get the District’s website address at the bottom of the school menu in the newspaper.
c. Administrators need to get information to Gabi and/or Kate to update our website.
3. Test Scores
a. We need to determine each grade level deficiencies, and then develop strategies to evaluate and to address these so that we exceed the State’s averages.
4. Facilities
a. Discuss with SFB the capacity issues at WEMS.
b. Develop a site plan for WEMS and WHS.
c. Widen sidewalk down Edison for walkers, either in conjunction with the City or through the I.G.A.
d. Develop a five year Capital Outlay Needs Assessment with an Improvement Plan.
e. Develop a Building Improvement Plan, outside of SFB with priorities, from first to last.
f. Clean up the outstanding land issues on 7th Street, concerning the Well’s property and Valle.
5. Curricular
a. Continue the Health and Wellness imitative.
b. We need a Special Education Evaluation, in addition to the State’s.
6. School Safety
a. Evaluate security and safety needs at the schools, such as cameras.
b. Build a fence around WEMS.
6. 2:30pm-4:00pm Bond Issue & Long Range Facility Plans
Ø Dr. McCraley briefly reviewed his experience with bond issues. He stressed that they sometimes become very contentious if not planned in an appropriate manner. At present, WUSD has a comparatively low primary tax rate. When the existing bonds are closed, in approximately four years, the secondary tax will decrease. An exploratory group, made up of school staff and community members, should begin to look at the issues that need to be addressed in the district and a determination made of the funding necessary to take care of these issues.
Ø Long range facility planning was addressed in the board goals for 2006-07
III. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ø Mr. Parenteau thanked everyone for attending the meeting today.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
Ø Motion by Mr. Stilwell to adjourn the meeting, second by Mr. Barnes. Motion approved. Meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.