MINUTES
June 3, 2003
I. PRELIMINARY
Mrs. Patricia Lord, President of the Board of Education, called the June 3, 2003, meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
Roll Call
The following members were present:
Mrs. Debbie Barton, Vice President
Mr. Willie Jones, Director
Mrs. Patricia P. Lord, President
Mrs. Madolyn Paroske, Director
Ms. Barbara Yamrick, Treasurer
The following members were absent:
Mr. Steve Warstler, Secretary
Also meeting with the Board of Education were:
Dr. Robert D. Adams, Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Fred Maiocco, Assistant Superintendent, Support Services
Mr. Tony Van Gytenbeek, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources
Mrs. Debbie Backus, Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Services
Mrs. Susan McKay, Assistant to the Board of Education
Pledge of Allegiance
President Lord led the Board and audience in the pledge to the flag and welcomed visitors.
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as written. The Opportunity for Audience will be taken prior to the Items of Current Interest, under Information Items, in order to accommodate audience members this evening speaking to life insurance issues for retirees.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Education held May 20, 2003, were approved as written.
Swearing in Ceremony
Mr. Marc Huebl has been appointed to complete Mr. Larry Yates' term and will serve as a director until the November 4, 2003 election. President Lord administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Huebl. Mr. Huebl is an APS graduate and serves on the District Accountability Advisory Committee as well as the Bond Oversight Committee.
Ms. Carole Wright, 2268 Clermont. Ms. Wright worked for the District 29 years and has served on the Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) board. Ms. Wright referred to the letter APS retirees received from the District stating their premiums would be increasing more than 300%. Ms. Wright recognized that the retirees have been loyal employees of the District and had used the same type of planning for their retirement as they used when working here. She circulated a PERA brochure on life insurance. She then explained that many of them chose their PERA Option 1, 2, or 3 based on the life insurance available to them at a reasonable cost. She added that the irony in the letter is that it said to check with PERA because you could get insurance through them. Ms. Wright clarified that in order to do this, you had to be a PERA member at the time and now, they are no longer eligible for group insurance. For many, especially those that are classified, the increase is nearly impossible to navigate. She asked the Board to please reconsider the cost of the increase, as 350% is not reasonable.
Ms. Beverly Ford, 491 S. Kalispell Way, retired in 1995. She serves on the District Accountability Committee, does homebound tutoring, and is vice president of the Aurora Retired Citizens Association. She explained that the amount of time and effort our retirees put into supporting the District cannot be overlooked. They have been active in the legislature and worked hard to help pass the last bond election. Although she has not chosen this option and is not personally affected, she would encourage the Board to look at the numbers and see why this decision had to be made with this large of a percentage.
Ms. Connie Anderson served 32 years in the District and was active in the bond election. Ms. Anderson explained that this increase in life insurance has come as a total shock to many retirees. She added that there are many retirees that would like to have attended the meeting, yet are unable to get here. Ms. Anderson indicated that there has to be a differential in there somewhere that APS could absorb. She suggested the Board take another look at the figures so that the hit is not so hard for our retirees.
Dr. Adams thanked them all for coming. He said the issues laid before them this evening would be taken under advisement. He explained that we do not set the rates; the insurance companies do this. Dr. Adams added that as state funding falls away from the organization, this happens. He does empathize with the retirees and hears what they are saying. Mrs. Lord recognized that she personally knows many from the audience here this evening and that there is no group that has contributed more to this district. She explained that this was a hard decision; however, a half-million dollars puts quite a few teachers in our schools. She added that whatever this board decides, they want the retirees to know their attendance tonight was well received and that they were heard.
II. INFORMATION ITEMS
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Items of Current Interest
In May, nine sheltered-language students from Aurora Central High School competed at the State Capitol in the “Project Citizen” contest, an oral public policy competition. The Aurora Central students were the only competitors for whom English is a second language and they won 1st place.
More than 1,100 students graduated from Aurora Public Schools this year! Congratulations and best wishes to these students!
Mr. Rod Weeks provided the Board of Education with the most current financial information related to the budget development process to-date and what will be included in the 2003-04 Budget for adoption on June 17, 2003. He added that there were very few changes from his presentation in May. On the first page, under Board of Education, Mr. Huebl has now filled the vacancy. Page 22, General Funds Revenue, reflects all we receive throughout the year. Under line items, the carry forward is growing. He explained that it carries forward the fund balance, and we have set up a reserve fund balance that applies to TABOR. He will address specifics on this reserve in the near future. Page 31 breaks out by category-type and is how they must track and report to the state annually. Page 33-34 is another summary version that reflects the entire budget for the District. It can be used it to compare to last year. Page 36 –54, breaks out the entire personnel detail through all sites in the District. It is specific to staff and on page 54, actually shows how many staff we have budgeted for in order to run the District. There are currently 3500 full-time employees contracted. Page 240 reflects the two reserve amounts, Contingency and Emergency Reserve. In closing, Mr. Weeks verified that all seventeen funds are balanced.
Mrs. Lord inquired about the FTE figure found on page 54. She calculates two and a fourth teacher increase versus two. Mr. Weeks will check the figures and get back to the Board on this to be sure the figures are correct.
Mr. Weeks explained that the process to participate in interest-free loans has changed drastically. Therefore, in addition to the cash flow analysis on June 17, they will ask the Board to pass a resolution in order to participate in the program.
Policy Revisions: ACE/Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability; JK.3/Discipline of Students with Disabilities; JKD/JKE, Suspension/Expulsion of Students; JLCE.1/CPR Directives; JRA/JRC Student Records, Release of Information
Mr. Brian Donovan reviewed with the Board of Education a variety of policies that are to be changed, most in minor ways, as a result of policy review conducted recently as part of an examination of the District’s special education program. ACE reflects the change in terminology from handicap to disability. In JK.3, the rules will be in the regulation not the policy. This same approach has been taken in JKD/JKE that describes the process for student suspension/expulsion; the detail will be put into the regulation from the policy. The only change to CPR Directives is found in the last paragraph. The CPR directive will no longer be part of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Mrs. Paroske inquired about JRA/JRC and by removing the portion in regard to release of names, will there still be a policy that addresses the release of student information. Mr. Donovan answered, yes, there is and explained this is typically handled at the building level or the Office of Student Records.
Mrs. Lord noted that she likes the regulation to be provided, along with the policy. Mr. Donovan will send these to board members in draft format, via e-mail, for the June 17 meeting. Mrs. Lord then questioned the writing found in JKD/JKE and made suggestions to reword items such as, “reasonably calculated” and “reasonable determination.” Mr. Donovan noted that “reasonable” and “reliable” could be removed.
Policy BCB has been revised to reflect that no Board of Education member, or their spouse, shall be permitted to act in temporary hourly assignments (including as substitute teachers) during the time the member serves on the Board of Education. The policy already reflects that neither Board members nor their spouses may be regular employees of the District. This item will return for action, June 17.
DIVISION OF HUMAN RESOURCES
No Items
DIVISION OF INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES
DIVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICES
The passage of Senate Bill 03-237 during the 2003 legislative session requires that any school district with outstanding bonded indebtedness will select at least one commercial bank or depository trust company to act as a third-party custodian to administer the school district’s bond redemption fund. Administration has worked with the District’s financial advisor and bond counsel, and U.S. Bank National Association, in developing the Custodial Agreement and Resolution. These documents were presented as information and consideration and will be submitted for action on June 17. Mr. Weeks explained that the resolution simplifies the requirements and spells out the requirements of the custodian.
The contract will be provided, under separate cover, when this returns for action on
June 17.
2003-04 Insurance Renewal
Ms. Hoppe provided a summary of insurance premiums for the 2003-04 policy year for the following coverages: Auto Liability, Boiler & Machinery, Crime, General Liability, Errors & Omissions, Umbrella, International Coverages, Property, and Workers’ Compensation.
Workers’ Compensation has increased and the largest change was in Auto Liability. Ms. Hoppe explained this could drop by 20%; however, she may not have rates until the third week in June. The 15% renewal for Property is exclusive of no flood coverage. Ms. Hoppe said she recommends we not do this without flood coverage. It would cost less than $20,000 for $8 million flood insurance coverage (flood by natural causes).
The issue of volunteers working in our schools was discussed. Dr. Adams asked for a clear definition of what a volunteer is and Ms. Hoppe will report back on this June 17.
III. CONSENT AGENDA -ACTION ITEMS
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
DIVISION OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Mr. Van Gytenbeek recognized the retirements of Gwendolyn Darrah, 23 years; Terry Anderson, 22 years; Linda Frazee, 8 years; Dolores Harbeck, 21 years; and Sharon Kolakowski, 15 years of service with the District. He then recommended the Board of Education approve the personnel actions as presented.
DIVISION OF INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES
No Items
DIVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICES
The consent agenda passed unanimously.
IV. ACTION ITEMS
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
T.H. Pickens Technical Center is requesting a 9.1% tuition increase. This would increase post-secondary tuition from $55 per credit hour to $60 per credit hour. T.H. Pickens relies on an appropriation from the State of Colorado to operate the adult programs at the school. Seventy to seventy-five percent of the post-secondary budget is dependent on the state appropriation. The State of Colorado continues to struggle with decreasing state revenues and the result is a need to reduce budgets for government agencies, including higher education. As a result of this state struggle, T.H. Pickens’ budget is scheduled to be reduced by 14.6%. These reductions have had an impact on the program offerings at T.H. Pickens Technical Center. All T.H. Pickens’ budgets for fiscal year 2004 have been reduced by 17% in anticipation of the state reduction. Neighboring community colleges tuition rate is currently $63 per credit hour and will be going to $66 next fiscal year.
Dr. Adams recommended the Board of Education approve the 9.1% tuition increase for post-secondary programs at T.H. Pickens Technical Center as presented.
Mrs. Paroske moved, seconded by Mrs. Barton, approval of the recommendation. #7085
Roll Call: Ayes: Barton, Huebl, Jones, Lord, Paroske, Yamrick
Noes: None
DIVISION OF HUMAN RESOURCES
No Items
DIVISION OF INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES
No Items
DIVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICES
Mr. Maiocco recommended the Board of Education approve the April 30, 2003 Expenditures Summary and Financial Report as presented. Mr. Weeks added that on June 17, there would be a supplemental resolution brought before the Board.
Ms. Yamrick moved, seconded by Mrs. Paroske, approval of the recommendation. #7086
Roll Call: Ayes: Barton, Huebl, Jones, Lord, Paroske, Yamrick
Noes: None
During the May 6 and May 20 meetings, Board members reviewed enrollment trends and capacity challenges in the District. Several sites were considered for the location of new schools. On April 29, Board members reviewed the merits of the K-8 configuration.
Mr. Maiocco recommended the Board of Education authorize the administration to begin planning and design for two new K-8 schools: one to open in fall 2005 on the North Murphy Creek site and one to open in fall 2006 in the Conservatory.
Mrs. Lord asked what public involvement we have had. Mr. Maiocco noted that family groups had not been contacted, as these areas are not yet built; however, he could have a public discussion if this were the Board’s preference. The current enrollment from Murphy Creek consists of six students.
Mrs. Lord asked how they plan to introduce a K-8 school to the community. Mr. Maiocco explained that Ms. Duran and Mrs. Backus would have a comprehensive plan to go out on this. Dr. Adams added we have to carefully approach this with educational advocacy and that the place to engage the public is in the educational planning. Mrs. Lord clarified that she does not want to open this school without community involvement. Dr. Adams explained that we have K-5 and K-8 specifications; we need to go in a direction in order to move forward.
Mrs. Paroske said even in the early processes, we need information out informing the public that a new school is coming which will be K-8. Homebuyers could then understand the concept of K-8 prior to signing to buy their home. The information should include names and phones numbers for them to call with questions. Mr. Maiocco suggested positioning a flyer with the developers stating what is coming and whom to contact. Mrs. Lord added that our communication needs to reach beyond this boardroom and task forces. She regrets Mr. Warstler is absent this evening as he may not be 100% supportive of the K-8 schools.
Ms. Yamrick moved, seconded by Mrs. Paroske, approval of the recommendation. #7087
Roll Call: Ayes: Barton, Huebl, Jones, Lord, Paroske, Yamrick
Noes: None
V. CONCLUDING ITEMS
The Board of Education will be holding a retreat on Thursday, June 12, 2003, at 5:30 p.m. in Conference Room “A” of the Administration Building, 1085 Peoria Street.
Next meeting date
The next business meeting of the Board of Education will be held June 17, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. in the Board of Education Room of the Administration Building, 1085 Peoria Street.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.