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 Regular Meeting of the Williams Unified School District No. 2 Governing Board was held at 6:00 pm on the above date at the Williams High School Culinary Arts room. Roll call:
Board Members: David Nenne, President Administration: Dr. Thomas McCraley, Superintendent
Janet Cothren, member, absent Donny Bridges, WHS Principal
Bud Parenteau, member District Staff: Brenda Gebler, Business Manager
Ron Stilwell, member, absent Kathie Schulte, Board Secretary
Becky Nelson, member Additional Staff: 0
Guests: Kali Kaliche
Patrick Whitehurst, Williams News
The agenda for the meeting is as follows:
I. OPENING ITEMS
Ø Mr. Nenne called the meeting to order at 6:11 pm and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance
Ø Motion by Mrs. Nelson to adopt the agenda as presented, second by Mr. Parenteau. Motion approved 3-0.
II. REPORTS
A. Superintendent:
1. Summary of current issues
Ø Dr. McCraley reported that he and Tim O’Malley met with Tim Hogan earlier in the week in Phoenix. Mr. Hogan is the attorney representing the District in the State Schools Finance System Challenge in an attempt to acquire emergency funding from the School Facilities Board. Mr. Hogan reported that Williams and Sierra Vista Districts are the only two districts remaining in the suit.
Ø Dr. McCraley also noted that he, along with Angel Rico and Bob Kuhn will meet with Dean Gray, Gerry Breuer and Mike Barfield from the SFB, someone from the State Attorney Generals office, and an unnamed structural engineer on July 30, 2007 to view the roofing conditions at the elementary middle school and high school. He has every hope that the SFB will see fit to provide emergency funding for repairs.
Ø Dr. McCraley stated that a previous review of the roof conditions indicated that a summer storm with high winds and heavy rain could cause extensive damage. The high school was constructed in the mid 1950’s and the elementary middle school in the late 1970’s. Neither have well-designed roof structures and have had to have many repairs over the years.
Ø Dr. McCraley also surmised that even if the SFB provides emergency funding, it will probably only be enough to do bare minimum repairs.
Ø Mrs. Nelson expressed frustration by the lack of action on the part of the School Facilities Board, although she realizes that they must follow the direction of the legislature.
B. Governing Board:
C. Other Reports:
1. Elementary/Middle School Principal’s Report
Ø Mr. Bridges indicated that he is having a hard time finding certified staff for the upcoming school year. He has interviewed several good candidates but two of them do not feel they can accept a job at the salary the District can offer. He asked the Board if they would schedule a discussion at their upcoming Board Retreat about the issue of hiring and retaining highly qualified teaching staff.
2. High School Principal’s Report
3. Special Education Director’s Report
4. Federal/State Programs Coordinator’s Report
5. CTE Director’s Report
6. Technology Director’s Report
7. Transportation Director’s Report
8. Maintenance Supervisor’s Report
9. Community Learning Center Director’s Report
a. SOAR Report
b. Family/Community Outreach Report
c. Strategic Prevention Report
d. Community Prevention Report
10. District Data Coordinator’s Report
11. CAVIAT
12. Nurse’s Report
13. Business Manager’s Report
III. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Visitors are provided time to make statements to the Board. Those wishing to do so please complete a “Request to Address
the Board” form and return it to the Board President. Statements should be limited to no more than 5 minutes. Please keep
in mind that the Board cannot take action on comments, questions, or concerns at this time.
Ø Kali Kaliche, local resident and member of the WEMS Site Council, asked to address the Board concerning the discontinuation of the pre-school program. She believes this early intervention program is very important for the 3-5 year old children in the community and is the key to their success in school They are taught social skills, motor skills and other skills that will be very helpful when they start kindergarten. She stated that this issue was presented to the Site Council and members agreed that they would not like to see the program canceled.
IV. *CONSENT AGENDA
Note: All or individual items may be pulled from the consent agenda and discussed individually.
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to approve the Consent Agenda with no exceptions, second by Mrs. Nelson. Motion approved 3-0.
A. *Approve Minutes: June 13, 2007 Regular Meeting
June 26, 2007 Special Meeting
B. *District Financial Reports:
District Financial report
Tax Credit Fees report
Lunch report
WEMS Activity/Auxiliary Fund for May (reconciled)
WHS Activity/Auxiliary Fund for May (reconciled)
C. *Consideration to Ratify Vouchers:
Payroll #31…..$ 93,400.31 Expense #7045…..$132,738.29
Payroll #32……231,659.79 Expense #7046…. 42,813.56
Payroll #33…… 67,181.50 Expense #7047…. 97,136.31
D. *Consideration to approve personnel issues:
1. employment:
a. Magdelena Montoya, SOAR aide
b. Mona Martinez, SOAR aide
c. Patty Everts – SOAR Site Coordinator
2. resignations:
a. Magdelena Montoya, SOAR aide
b. Patty Everts, WEMS ELL Paraprofessional
3. extended assignment:
a. Kristine Williams, professional development activities in June and July 2007
V. ACTION ITEMS
A. Discussion and consideration to:
1. adopt the FY 08 Expenditure Budget
Ø Motion by Mrs. Nelson to adopt the FY 08 Expenditure Budget, second by Mr. Parenteau. Motion approved 3-0.
2. approve FY 08 Excess Utility Plan
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to approve the FY 08 Excess Utility Plan, second by Mrs. Nelson. Motion approved 3-0.
3. accept and acknowledge donations:
a. Williams High School football team – field markers from Williams Youth Football group
b. Williams High School Football – W.L. Gore and Associates
c. Williams High School Band – National Bank of Arizona
d. Williams Schools District Office - Carol DeLander, office supplies
e. Williams Schools District Office – Williams News, 2 boxes WUSD return label envelopes
f. SOAR Summer Program – food for lunches for needy and homeless students attending program
-Sandy Roe
-Guy Mikkelsen, Williams Food Bank
Ø Motion by Mrs. Nelson to accept and acknowledge donations as listed, second by Mr. Parenteau. Motion approved 3-0.
4. approve IGA with Coconino County Elections Department for November 6, 2007 override election
services and determine the type of ballot to be used
Ø Motion by Mrs. Nelson to approve the IGA with the Elections Department and use the mail-in ballot for voting, second by Mr. Parenteau. Motion approved 3-0.
5. adopt textbooks for Williams High School (placed at the District Office on May 14, 2007 for public
display): a. Glencoe World History
b. Glencoe World Geography and Cultures
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to adopt the textbooks as listed, second by Mrs. Nelson. Motion approved 3-0.
6. review and possibly revise the WEMS and WHS Activity Fee Schedule for 2007-08
Ø Motion by Mrs. Nelson to approve the 2006-07 fee schedule to be used for the 2007-08 school year, second by Mr. Parenteau.
Ø Discussion: Mr. Bridges indicated that he is not recommending any change in the fee at WEMS.
Ø Dr. McCraley noted that Mr. Hudgens did not recommend any change for the high school.
Ø Motion approved 3-0.
7. review and possibly revise previous Board action dedicating property owned by WUSD to the City of
Williams (area of 7th street that runs north and south on the east side of the school parking lot)
Ø On April 11, 2007 the Board dedicated District property to the City of Williams. This property is currently being used as a public street near the elementary middle school. An unpaved strip of property, along side the street, is also owned by WUSD and was included in the dedication. Concern was raised that the unpaved property could not legally be included. Legal counsel was consulted. Her response is that this piece of property can be included as long as the City of Williams agrees to adopt an ordinance accepting the dedication and articulating privileges and benefit they will offer to the District.
Ø Motion by Mrs. Nelson to amend the original action and approve the dedication of the property in question to the City of Williams contingent on the City Council adopting an ordinance accepting the dedication of property and noting that by accepting the property they are relieving the District of liability for any accidents which may occur on the land and for the responsibility of maintaining or improving the land and also acknowledge that any future improvement of the roadway or shoulder done by the City will increase safety for the school children in the vicinity, second by Mr. Parenteau. Motion approved 3-0.
8. approve discontinuation of the WUSD pre-school program
Ø Discussion: Mr. Bridges indicated that he and Mr. Berger, Special Education Director, have discussed this issue and have agreed that since no highly qualified teacher has been found to teach the program for the 2007-08 school year, it be discontinued. Students that have been identified as needing services will still be served, either at Head Start or at their home. If, by next year, a teacher can be hired, the program would be reinstated. The main concern at this time is that parents of non-needs children be notified that the program will not be available in the upcoming school year.
Ø Board members expressed concern about ending the program at this time. They would like to get information into the local paper noting that there is a possibility that the program will be canceled. This would give fair warning to parents about the situation and allow additional time to look for a teacher.
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to table this issue until the July 24, 2007 meeting, second by Mrs. Nelson. Motion approved 3-0.
9. award a one-year contract to Ms. Roberta Schoen of Flagstaff, Arizona for occupational therapy services for
2007-08 with option for Board to review in July of the ensuing five years and at that time, possibly extend for an
additional year
Ø Motion by Mrs. Nelson to award on-year contract to Mr. Schoen with option to approve renewal on a yearly basis, second by Mr. Parenteau. Motion approved 3-0.
10. approve dates and times of future meetings:
1. regular monthly meeting at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at WHS
2. special meeting/work session, if needed, at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at WHS
3. determine if Governing Board wishes to hold a Board Retreat in 2007 and if so, determine a date
and time
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to approve regular and special meeting dates for August and propose that the Board Retreat be held on September 25, 2007, which is the planned date of a special meeting for the month of September, second by Mrs. Nelson. Motion approved 3-0.
VI. MEETING SUMMARY
Ø Prepare review of 2007-08 staffing situation for the July 24, 2007 meeting.
Ø Send Thank You letters to those donating to the District.
Ø Continue to solicit applications for the position of pre-school teacher.
Ø Contact all Board members to determine if September 25, 2007 is a viable date for the annual Board Retreat.
VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. ASBA Summer Leadership Institute, Little America in Flagstaff on July 26-28, 2007. Registration deadline is
July 19. Please let the Board secretary know if you would like to attend.
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. The Governing Board may vote to enter into Executive Session pursuant to ARS 38-431.03 (A)(1) to:
1. complete the evaluation of the Superintendent
Ø Mr. Nenne announced that due to the absence of two Board members, the evaluation of the Superintendent will be rescheduled for the July 24, 2007 meeting.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Ø Motion by Mrs. Nelson to adjourn the meeting, second by Mr. Parenteau. Motion approved 3-0.
Ø Meeting adjourned at 6:59 pm.