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 5:30 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 Steve Hudgens, Principal
Bud Parenteau, member
Ron Stilwell, member District Staff: Brenda Gebler, Business Manager
Becky Nelson, member Kathie Schulte, Board Secretary
Additional Staff: 14
Guests 3
The agenda for the meeting is as follows:
I. OPENING ITEMS
Ø Mr. Nenne called the meeting to order at 5:28 pm and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to adopt the agenda as written, second by Mrs. Cothren. Motion approved 5-0.
Ø Mr. Nenne indicated that the Board would move directly to the Executive Session.
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. The Governing Board may vote to enter into Executive Session pursuant to ARS 38-431.03 (A)(1) to discuss:
1. personnel issue – request for Board review of employee Staff Grievance that was not resolved
at the administrative level (WUSD Policy GBK)
Ø Motion by Mrs. Cothren to move to Executive Session, second by Mr. Parenteau. Motion approved 5-0.
Ø Into Executive Session at 5:30 pm
B. Return to Open Session
Ø Motion by Mrs. Cothren to return to Open Session, second by Mrs. Nelson. Motion approved 5-0.
Ø Returned to Open Session at 6:11 pm.
II. BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
A. Staff Presentations:
1. Mrs. Ann Wells, Williams Education Association
Ø Mrs. Well gave a Power Point presentation about the views of WEA relating to issues facing WUSD. The issues and exhibits included:
· Employment and retention of highly qualified teachers.
-WUSD teacher/support staff salaries and comparison to those in the surrounding area.
· Student enrollment and student/staff ratio
-Review of student enrollment by school and also total district enrollment
-Comparison of WUSD student/staff ratio to other districts.
· Budget Expenditures and funding, including administrative costs
-Avenues of funding for District including Forest Fees.
-Continued expansion of staff/administration
· Student Needs
-Lack of offerings for advanced placement, physics, anatomy and welding at WHS
-Minimal electives, declining enrollment, staff turnover and lower performance labeling
at WEMS
· Suggestions:
-Reduce staffing by combining duties of some current administrators and place a freeze
on hiring. Fill vacancies through attrition.
-Offer incentives to teachers, i.e. stipends for teachers and administrators who live in the
District and signing bonuses when contracts are renewed
-Go back to a four period day at WHS
· WEA believes that increasing pay and benefits is the most assured way to attract and retain
quality staff.
Williams USD #2
Governing Board Minutes
December 5, 2007
B. Community Presentation:
1. Patricia Merrill, Teen Pregnancy Prevention Director, Arizona Youth Partnership
Ø Ms. Merrill gave a brief overview of the Abstinence Education program that her group would like to present to WUSD students. She answered questions from the Board about the curriculum and the process for notifying the community about the program. She believes the research based information will be a good tool for middle and high school to be successful.
III. REPORTS
A. Superintendent:
1. Summary of current issues
Ø Dr. McCraley reviewed the latest information from the School Facilities Board regarding the roofing issues at WHS.
Ø He also referred to a request made during construction of the new voc. ed. building to move the dust collector from in front of the art room window to another location. This was not done and he will be working with SFB to get the move completed.
B. Governing Board:
Ø Mrs. Cothren reported on her attendance at a Williams Alliance meeting. She was very impressed with the number and variety of programs in which the group is involved. She also met with some of the members to discuss the sustainability of the funding for the programs.
C. Other Reports:
1. Elementary/Middle School Principal’s Report
2. High School Principal’s Report
Ø Mr. Hudgens reported that WHS students will be taking final exams on Wednesday through Friday, December 19-21 and that all three days will be on the Friday early dismissal schedule.
Ø Grand Canyon basketball team scheduled to be here on Friday, December 21, 2007 for games at 4:00, 5:30 and 7:00 pm. Those games have been rescheduled to 1:00, 2:30 and 4:00 pm.
Ø He also announced that there will be basketball games December 13.
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
e. Safe Routes to School Report
10. District Data Coordinator’s Report
11. District Testing Coordinator’s Report
12. Health Office Report
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. Parenteau to approve the Consent Agenda with the EXCEPTION of B-4, B- 5 and D-2, second by Mrs. Nelson
Ø Motion approved 5-0.
A. *Approve Minutes: November 14, 2007 regular meeting
B. *District Financial Reports:
District Financial report
Tax Credit Fees report
Lunch report
EXCEPTION - WEMS Activity/Auxiliary Fund for October 2007 (reconciled)
EXCEPTION - WHS Activity/Auxiliary Fund for October 2007 (reconciled)
Williams USD #2
Governing Board Minutes
December 5, 2007
C. *Consideration to Ratify Vouchers:
Payroll #10……$172,577.92 Expense #8018……$39,029.82 Expense #8021…..$18,785.55
Payroll #11.…… 176,572.65 Expense #8019…… 65,785.55 Expense #8022…. 18,798.21
Expense #8020..…. 40,618.24
D. *Consideration to approve personnel issues:
1. employment:
a. Jerry Dukeman, bus driver
b. Trisha Clark, Title I aide
c. Carrie Sotelo-Ayala, special education paraprofessional
d. Rebecca Harlowe, substitute teacher
2. change of status:
a. EXCEPTION: Move Mrs. Judith Robillard from special education substitute paraprofessional to
twenty-four hour per week special education paraprofessional
3. resignations:
a. Cindy Smith – special education aide
b. Brandi Cardona – Title I paraprofessional
E. *Consideration to approve overnight and out-of-state travel:
a. Third grade teachers and students to stay overnight at the Phoenix Zoo on January 17, 2008.
b. Beth Britton to Washington, DC on February 10-17, 2008 for CADCA National Leadership
Conference.
c. Patricia Helgeson to Washington, DC on February 10-15, 2008 for CADCA National Leadership
Conference.
*EXCEPTIONS
Ø B *District Financial Reports:
4. EXCEPTION - WEMS Activity/Auxiliary Fund for October 2007 (reconciled)
5. EXCEPTION - WHS Activity/Auxiliary Fund for October 2007 (reconciled)
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to approve WEMS and WHS Activity/Auxiliary Fund reports for October 2007, second by Mrs. Cothren.
Ø Discussion: Ms. Gebler noted that the auditors have indicated that cash donations can go directly to student activities. When the reports are presented to the Board, cash donations will be listed on a separate sheet at the end of the report. She stated that when the Board approves the report they will also be accepting the donations.
Ø Direction given to principals to have the Thank You letters to the donors identified in the reports be generated in their respective offices.
Ø Motion approved 5-0.
Ø D. *Consideration to approve personnel issues:
. 2. Change of Status
a. EXCEPTION - Move Mrs. Judith Robillard from special education substitute
paraprofessional to twenty-four hour per week special education paraprofessional
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to approve change of status for Ms. Robillard, second by Mr. Stilwell.
Ø Discussion: Dr. McCraley explained that circumstances indicate that Mr. Berger could use Ms. Robillard full time instead of part time. He is asking that the Board approve Ms. Robillard as a full time Special Education Paraprofessional and Mrs. Britton, Community Learning Center Director, is asking that she be retained as a SOAR after-school program substitute aide.
Ø Motion amended, with second, to approve full time employment as special education paraprofessional and as a substitute for SOAR program.
Ø Motion approved 5-0.
VI. ACTION ITEMS
A. Discussion and consideration to:
1. accept and acknowledge donations:
a. Williams Elementary Middle School
-Mr. and Mrs. Donny Bridges – electric bullhorn for general school use
-Mr. and Mrs. Randy Ahrens – (2) used ping pong tables with paddles, nets and balls
for the Ping Pong Club.
-Mr. and Mrs. Acor – family left area and donated the remaining funds in the lunch
account to be used for students in need.
-Ms. Tammy Fountain, Elk Ridge Recreation Area, Williams - gingerbread houses for
kindergarten students to decorate
-Williams PTSA – tickets and prizes for K-5 classroom incentives
-County Sheriff’s Dept – 4 bags stuffed toys for KidsStuff Swap
-Melinda Kearly – used books, shoes and clothing for homeless/needy students
-Doris Mertz – used clothing, books and toys for homeless/needy students
Williams USD #2
Governing Board Minutes
December 5, 2007
-Dina Mayer – used clothing for homeless/needy students
-Dana Dunn – used clothing and toys for homeless/needy students
-Edie Nixon – used clothing for homeless/needy students
-Peggy Jensen – used clothing for homeless/needy students
b. Red Ribbon Campaign
-Williams Elementary PTSA – monetary donation
-Elephant Rocks Golf – certificate for 4 to play golf
-Pine Country Restaurant – 2 dining gift certificates
-Williams Aquatic Center – 20 free swim coupons
-Safeway – three gift cards
-WalMart – 10 gift cards
-Northern Arizona Elks Lodge – monetary donation
c. Williams High School
-Goodman Contracting, golf tournament
-D3 Cabinetry, golf tournament
-Pioneer Title, golf tournament
-Collins Irish Pub, golf tournament
-AJ Mini Mart, athletics
Ø Motion by Mr. Stilwell to accept and acknowledge donations listed, second by Mr. Parenteau. Motion approved 5-0.
2. approve Mrs. Becky Nelson as voting Delegate and Mr. Bud Parenteau as Alternate for the 2007 ASBA
Annual Conference in Phoenix on December 12-14.
Ø Motion by Mr. Stilwell to approve delegate and alternate delegate, second by Mrs. Cothren. Motion approved 5-0.
3. adopt policies as presented by Arizona School Boards Association:
a. D-3000 – DKA – Payroll Procedures/Schedules c. J-4611 –JK-R - Student Discipline
D-3031 – DKA-E d. G-3450 – GCF – Professional
b. I-7350 – IKF – Graduation Requirements Staff Hiring
I-7352 – IKF-RB G-3484 – GCF-ED
I-7381 – IKF-EA e. G-7650 – GDF – Support Staff
I-7382 – IKF-EB Hiring
G-7685 – GDF-EF
Ø Motion by Mrs. Nelson to adopt polices, second by Mr. Stilwell.
Ø Discussion:
a. D-3000 DKA…….do not adopt
b. I-7350 IKF…......keep current policy but remove sentence suggested by ASBA
I-7352 IKF-RB...approve removal from policy
I-7381 IKF-EA...approve removal from policy
I-7382 IKF-EB…approval removal from policy
c. J-4611 JK-R…….approve as presented
d. G-3450 GCF……...approve as presented except with following changes:
1. last paragraph on page 2 of 3 remove ‘Upon recommendation for
employment’ and add ‘Upon hiring’
2. add at end of same paragraph ‘All offers of employment and contracts of
employment are conditioned upon verification of employment eligibility through the E-Verify program of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau (USCIS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA), or as otherwise required by the State of Arizona.
e. G-7650- GDF……approve as presented except with the same changes made to Policy
GCF, listed above.
Ø Motion amended, with second, to adopt polices with exceptions as listed above.
Ø Motion approved 5-0.
4. accept educational support from Arizona Youth Partnership through a grant entitled Community Based
Abstinence Education – The Ambassadors Project
Ø Motion by Mrs. Cothren to accept education support, second by Mr. Stilwell.
Ø Discussion: Members are in agreement to support this program and to begin with grades 7-9. However, all requested that the staff, the parents and the community be made aware of the program before it is started. They asked that each principal meet with staff to discuss the program, that a press release be issued to the Williams News, that an informational community meeting be held and that an ‘Opt-out’ letter be sent to all parents.
Ø Motion approved 5-0.
Williams USD #2
Governing Board Minutes
December 5, 2007
5. approve purchase of a new school vehicle
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to accept written quote and approve purchase of a 2008 Ford Fusion from Babbitt Ford in Flagstaff, AZ, second by Mr. Stilwell. Motion approved 5-0.
6. approve Governing Board Resolution relating to review of and possible application for an Arizona Energy
and Water Savings Grant
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to approve Board Resolution, second by Mr. Stilwell. Motion approved 5-0.
7. approve FY 08 expenditure budget revision
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to approve FY 08 budget revision, second by Mrs. Nelson. Motion approved 5-0.
8. review and approve 2007-08 Governing Board/Administrative Goals
Ø Motion by Mrs. Cothren to approve goals, second by Mr. Stilwell. Motion approved 5-0.
9. approve Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration for enrollment in the federal governments Basic Pilot Program to verify the employment authorization of all employees hired after December 31, 2007.
Ø Motion by Mrs. Cothren to approve MOU and enrollment in the E-Verify Program, second by Mr. Parenteau.
Ø Discussion: Dr. McCraley noted that legal counsel has advised that the Board include stipulation that he be authorized to sign the documents pending the outcome of the judicial review currently in progress.
Ø Motion amended, with second, to include the above mentioned stipulation in the motion.
Ø Motion approved 5-0.
10. approve Memorandum of Understanding between WUSD and University of Phoenix regarding Teacher-In-
Residence Program (T-I-R) utilizing the Department of Education Teacher Intern Certificate.
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to approve MOU, second by Mr. Stilwell. Motion approved 5-0.
11. possibly take action on a grievance filed by Scott Grimes under WUSD Policy # GBK
Ø Motion by Mrs. Cothren to deny grievance filed by Mr. Grimes, second by Mr. Parenteau. Motion approved 3-2.
Ø Members asked that the regulation for Policy IJOC be brought to the Board for review and possible revision at the January 9, 2008 meeting
12. approve dates and times of future meetings:
1. regular monthly meeting/organization of the Board at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at
WHS
2. special meeting/work session, if needed, at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2007 at WHS
Ø Motion by Mr. Nelson to approve dates and times as listed, second by Mr. Stilwell. Motion approved 5-0.
VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Process for finding a replacement for retiring superintendent
B. Development of announcement for superintendent position
Ø Dr. McCraley presented a draft of an announcement he prepared for the Board. It reads:
-The Governing Board of Williams Unified School District #2 has begun the process of replacing a retiring superintendent effective July 1, 2009. The Governing Board seeks an experienced professional with demonstrated educational leadership skills to serve as its next Superintendent. The successful candidate will be highly visible, collaborative in leadership as evidenced by involvement in the community, schools and district worksites.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: All applications will be held strictly confidential. Please contact Ms. Kathie Schulte at email kschulte@wusd2.org, or by telephone, (928) 635-4473, for application papers. The Board may pre-interview selected candidates prior to the final selection and interviews. The Board may make a decision during the present school year of 2007-08 to be effective for the 2009-10 school year.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled.
Ø Dr. McCraley suggested that the notice be posted in-house, on the WUSD webpage, and educational publications.
Ø Members felt comfortable with the announcement and the posting process.
Williams USD #2
Governing Board Minutes
December 5, 2007
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION This item moved to the beginning of the meeting
A. The Governing Board may vote to enter into Executive Session pursuant to ARS 38-431.03 (A)(1) to discuss:
1. personnel issue – request for Board review of employee Staff Grievance that was not resolved
at the administrative level (WUSD Policy GB)
B. Return to Open Session
IX. MEETING SUMMARY
Ø Both school principals to have the Thank You letters to donors, identified in the Activity/Auxiliary Fund reports, generated in their respective offices.
Ø Board secretary to send thank you letters to those donating to or resigning from the district.
Ø Revise policy advisories as directed by Board action.
Ø Both school principals to meet with staff to discuss the Abstinence Only education program for students.
Ø Dr. McCraley to work with Ms. Britton to select date and time for a parent/community meeting to present Abstinence Only education program, to send a press release to the local newspaper and to review the parent opt-out letter provided by the Arizona Youth Partnership.
Ø Dr. McCraley authorized to sign the MOU for the E-Verify program pending outcome of judicial review.
Ø Bring to Board, Policy IJOC Regulation (Volunteer Procedures), to the January 9, 2008 meeting for review and possible revision.
Ø Dr. McCraley to proceed with posting the Announcement for Superintendent Position.
X. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Upcoming Events:
-12/11/07 5th and 6th and Jazz Band Concert at 7:00 pm
-12/13/07 7th and 8th and Williams High School Bands at 7:00 pm
-12/18/07 3rd grade program begins at 5:30 pm
-12/19/07 4th grade program begins 6:30
-12/20/07 Kindergarten at 6:30 pm
-TBA 1st and 2nd grades will have a Christmas Around the World Celebration today
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Ø Motion by Mr. Parenteau to adjourn the meeting, second by Mr. Stilwell. Motion approved 5-0.
Ø Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.