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 Donny Bridges, WEMS Principal
Bud Parenteau, member Joan Hughes, Fed/State Programs Director
Ron Stilwell, member District Staff: Brenda Gebler, Business Manager
Becky Nelson, member, absent Kathie Schulte, Board Secretary
Additional Staff: 8
Guests 12
REGULAR MEETING
The agenda for the meeting is as follows:
I. OPENING ITEMS
Ø Mr. Nenne called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to remove consent item V. D 5-a from the agenda and adopt remaining agenda items as listed, second by Mr. Stilwell. Motion approved 4-0.
II. BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
A. Student Recognition:
1. WHS Students of the Month
a. September 2007 – Gianna Clapper
b. October 2007 – Amanda Bean
c. November 2007 – Juan Cruz
Ø Mr. Bridges, WEMS Principal, explained that this year each middle school home base and
each elementary classroom will select a student monthly, thus allowing more students to be recognized. Because of the number of students honored, Mr. Bridges will hand out certificates from the Governing Board at school rather than at a board meeting.
Ø Mrs. Denis Heiss, WHS Counselor, introduced Senior Amanda Bean as October Student of the Month and Junior Juan Cruz as November Student of the Month.
B. Student Presentation:
1. Third grade will brief the Board on their upcoming zoo trip and how they raise funds to attend
Ø Ms. Deniz Chavez, third grade teacher, explained to the Board how the third grade classes raise funds for the annual Zoo Trip. Ms. Chavez, along with Ms. Patty Jackson, also a third grade teacher, sponsor and organize the annual Halloween Carnival. Twenty percent of the money raised is directed to the zoo trip while the remaining eighty percent is given to the other participating groups, depending on the number of tickets taken in by each group.
Ø Ms. Chavez noted that many businesses and individuals from the community donate money to pay for prizes and other carnival expenses.
Ø A total of $3555.00 was earned this year.
C. Staff Presentation:
1. Reading First Staff will report on the status of the Reading First Grant.
Ø Mrs. Joan Hughes, Federal and State Programs Director, introduced Ms. Amanda Harris,
Reading First Coach and Mrs. Mary O’Brien, Reading First Interventionist.
Ø Ms. Harris and Mrs. O’Brien each gave a brief overview of the requirements of their
position.
Ø Mrs. Hughes explained that students are grouped in three categories; Benchmark- students are at or above grade level; Strategic- students need a little extra help; and Intensive-students fall far below grade level and need daily intervention. The goal is to move all students to Benchmark level and keep them there.
Ø The second year of the Reading First Program is going well. Teachers are adapting to the
requirements and progress is being seen. DIBELS testing is done three times a year to
assess the progress students are making.
Ø Mrs. Hughes pointed out that the Reading First Grant is for three years but if our students
show significant improvement and the government continues to fund the program, she
believes the funding will be awarded for additional years.
D. Community Presentation:
1. Mr. Dennis Wells, Williams City Manger, will present information regarding request to install a retention
pond on WUSD property located at the corner of 10th and Oak Streets.
Ø Mr. Dennis Wells, Williams City Manager and Mr. Glen Cornwell, Public Works Director
presented a request for joint use of school property for installation of a flood control basin
at 10th and Oak Streets.
Ø Mr. Cornwell indicated that three preliminary plans have been developed. The least
expensive is projected to cost $60,000 to $70,000 and was the one presented to the Board.
Ø The basin is designed to hold approximately 1.2 million gallons of runoff from Oak, 9th, 10th
and 11th streets and the wooded areas in the vicinity. Installation of the basin is expected
to lessen the impact of runoff on school property, the surrounding residential areas and the
west end of Williams near Safeway and Family Dollar.
Ø Mr. Cornwell asked the Board to approve the concept so that the City may proceed with
further design and development of the plan. He indicated that the City of Williams will
fund the project, use city labor for the installation of the basin and future maintenance.
III. REPORTS
A. Superintendent:
1. Summary of current issues
B. Governing Board:
1. ASBA Coconino County Meeting
C. Other Reports:
1. Elementary/Middle School Principal’s Report
a. 2007-08 fund raising activities
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
1. Postponement of Science Leadership Camp
d. Community Prevention Report
e. Safe Routes to School Report
10. District Data Coordinator’s Report
11. District Testing Coordinator’s Report
12. Health Office Report
a. MRSA
13. Business Manager’s Report
IV. 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 No request received.
V. *CONSENT AGENDA
Note: All or individual items may be pulled from the consent agenda and discussed individually.
Ø Motion by Mr. Stilwell to approve the Consent Agenda, second by Mrs. Cothren. Motion approved 4-0.
A. *Approve Minutes: October 10, 2007 regular meeting
October 10, 2007 executive session
B. *District Financial Reports:
District Financial report
Tax Credit Fees report
Lunch report
WEMS Activity/Auxiliary Fund for September 2007 (reconciled)
WHS Activity/Auxiliary Fund for September 2007 (reconciled)
C. *Consideration to Ratify Vouchers:
Payroll #8……$177,500.40 Expense #8013……$21,487.35 Expense #8015 …..$59,322.01
Payroll #9…… 182,289.93 Expense #8014……126,111.81 Expense #8016 …. 28,914.52
Expense #8017 …. 13,811.87
D. *Consideration to approve personnel issues:
1. resignations:
a. Sandy Forbis, Reading First Data Clerk/Title I aide
2. employment:
a. Peggy Jensen, SOAR aide
b. Jacqueline Haugen, substitute special education paraprofessional
c. Cindy Honeycutt, special education aide
d. Sidni Newton, special education aide
e. David Harrington, substitute teacher
f. Yenny Henson, substitute teacher
g. Mark Worden, WEMS substitute custodian
3. extended assignments:
a. Dayle Browning – WEMS Door Keeper
b. Melinda Kearly – instruct Physical Education classes for SOAR
c. Anna Torrez – Skill Builders (tutoring)
d. Mary O’Brien – Skill Builders (tutoring)
4. extra-duty:
a. Denis Kirkley, WHS boys’ basketball coach
b. Tristan Heisley, WHS boys’ assistant basketball coach
c. Francis Schulte, WHS girls’ basketball coach
d. Tim Pettit, WHS girls’ assistant basketball coach
5. change of status:
a. Brandi Cardona from Title I
paraprofessional to half-time Reading First Data Clerk/half-time Title
I paraprofessional
Ø This item removed through action of adopting the agenda.
6. volunteers:
a. Catherine Grumbine, WEMS/Safe Routes to School Program
b. Jaime Dunn, WEMS/Safe Routes to School Program
E. *Consideration to approve Contractual Agreements:
1. IGA with Chino Valley School District for McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grant
F. *Consideration to approve out of state travel:
1. Out of state travel to San Diego, California for Mr. David Edgar on November 30-December 2, 2007 to
attend National Council for the Social Studies 87th Annual Conference
2. Overnight travel to the Tonopah Valley Christmas Tournament for WHS girls’ basketball team on December
28-29, 2007
VI. ACTION ITEMS
A. Discussion and consideration to:
1. accept and acknowledge donations:
A. Williams High School
1. athletics – Mr. and Mrs. Stan Lindstedt, Flagstaff – batting cage
2. construction trades – Omega Concrete (Bill and Steve Curry), provided labor to pour/finish
a concrete slab near the school cafeteria
3. construction trades – Buddy Parenteau, 15 yards of cinders for the slab
B. Williams Elementary Middle School
1. Safe Routes to School Program – Williams Safeway, 35 balloons for International Walk to
School Day
2. Family Community Outreach Program – Mrs. Sandy Roe, new clothing for homeless
students
C. Monetary Donations:
1. Golf Tournament:
Sutton Plumbing
Williams Grand Canyon News
American Legion
Pepsi Cola Bottling, Flagstaff
2. Civil War Band
Arizona School Administrators (ASA) (for providing entertainment for meeting)
3. Science Camp
Williams PTSA
Ø Motion by Mrs. Cothren to accept and acknowledge donations as listed, second by Mr. Stilwell. Motion approved 4-0.
2. terminate contract with Northern Arizona Speech/Language for occupational therapy services
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to terminate contract, second by Mr. Stilwell. Motion approved 4-0.
3. award a contract for occupational therapy services to Northland-Rural Therapy for the remainder of the
2007-08 school year.
Ø Motion by Mrs. Cothren to award contract for remainder of year, second by Mr. Parenteau. Motion approved 4-0.
4. approve Gifted Scope and Sequence
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to approve Gifted Scope and Sequence, second by Mrs. Cothren.
Ø Discussion: Mrs. Hughes explained how staff will implement acceptable practices.
Ø Motion approved 4-0.
5. develop and approve strategy for advertising for applicants for superintendent position
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to develop and approve strategy, second by Mr. Stilwell.
Ø Discussion: Dr. McCraley suggested that the Board develop a statement indicating that they will be accepting applications for the position of Superintendent of School to replace the retiring Superintendent.
Ø He believes the Board should review applications received and conduct preliminary screenings and interviews.
Ø The statement should be posted in-house on the District webpage, and on the ASBA, ASA, ADE and other webpages.
Ø Motion amended by Mr. Parenteau to develop and approve a statement as suggested by Dr. McCraley, second by Mr. Stilwell.
Ø Motion approved 4-0.
6. approve collaboration, pending Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), with the City of Williams for joint
use of school property at 10th and Oak Streets for a flood control basin
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to approve collaboration with the City of Williams on the flood control project, second by Mr. Stilwell.
Ø Discussion: A member expressed concern about this project. She does not like the idea of giving up this land since the Board does not currently have a long range plan for possible use of the parcel. At some point the District might need to use this area for parking to accommodate parents and spectators who attend youth activities that are held on nearby district property. Presently the cars use the street and part of the area in question for parking. When the basin is installed, a lot of the off-street parking will be eliminated. This loss of parking could create a potential hazard for the children.
Ø Member asked if the Board will be included in the planning process for this project. He was assured that the Board will be included.
Ø Motion passed 3-1.
7. approve dates and times of future meetings/activities:
1. regular monthly meeting at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at WHS
2. special meeting/work session at 5:30 pm on December 25, 2007 at WHS
3. holiday dinner for Board and administrators, December 3, 7, 10 or ?
Ø Motion by Mrs. Cothren to move the December 12, 2007 meeting to December 5, 2007 at 6 pm at WHS, cancel the December 25, 2007 meeting and hold a holiday dinner for Board and administrators at a time and place to be determined, second by Mr. Parenteau. Motion approved 4-0.
VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Consideration to review/revise Policy Advisories from Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA).
1. D-3000 – DKA – Payroll Procedures/Schedules 3. J-4611 –JK-R - Student Discipline
D-3031 – DKA-E 4. G-3450 – GCF – Professional
2. I-7350 – IKF – Graduation Requirements Staff Hiring
I-7352 – IKF-RB G-3484 – GCF-ED
I-7381 – IKF-EA 5. G-7650 – GDF – Support Staff
I-7382 – IKF-EB Hiring
G-7685 – GDF-EF
Ø Members briefly discussed each advisory.
Ø Dr. McCraley to review Payroll Procedures with the payroll department and Business Manager and discuss the new paragraph inserted into Student Discipline Regulation with Mr. Hudgens.
Ø Advisories to be placed on the December 5, 2007 agenda for action.
B. Consideration to review 2006-07 Governing Board/Administrative Goals and suggest goals for 2007-08 school year.
Ø Members reviewed 2006-07 Goals and made several suggestions for 2007-08 goals. Mr. Nenne to revise and present for review and approval at the December 5, 2007 meeting.
VIII. MEETING SUMMARY
Ø Thank you letters to be sent to those donating or resigning from the District.
Ø Dr. McCraley to contact legal counsel about holiday dinner and Open Meeting Law.
Ø Mr. Nenne to prepare Goals for 2007-08
IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Schools/Offices closed Wednesday-Friday, November 21-23, 2007
B. 50th Annual ASBA Conference, Dec. 12-14, 2007 at the Pointe South Mountain Resort
Ø Dr. McCraley announced that on Monday, November 19, 2007 at 2:30 pm, Representative Lucy Mason and Attorney General Terry Goddard will be at WHS to address students concerning dangers of drug and alcohol use.
Ø On Monday, November 26, 2007, officials and engineers from the Arizona State School Facilities Board will be here to look at roofing issues. Hopefully, repairs will start soon.
X. ADJOURNMENT
Ø Motion by Mrs. Cothren to adjourn the meeting, second by Mr. Stilwell. Motion approved 4-0.
Ø Meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm.