MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION

7:30 P.M.

June 1 , 2004

I. PRELIMINARY

Mrs. Madolyn Paroske, president of the board of education, called the June 1, 2004, meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.

Roll Call
The following members were present:
Mrs. Debbie Barton, secretary
Mr. Willie Jones, vice president
Dr. Edward Lord, director
Mrs. Madolyn Paroske, president
Mrs. Susan Tabacheck, director
Mr. Steve Warstler, treasurer
Ms. Barbara Yamrick, director
Also meeting with the board of education were:
Dr. Robert D. Adams, superintendent of schools
Dr. Fred Maiocco, assistant superintendent of support services
Mr. Tony Van Gytenbeek, assistant superintendent of human resources
Mrs. Debbie Backus, assistant superintendent of instructional services
Mr. Rod Weeks, chief financial officer of business services
Mrs. Susan McKay, assistant, board of education

Pledge of Allegiance
President Paroske led the board and audience in the pledge to the flag and welcomed visitors.

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as written with an addition to the consent agenda under item III-B-2, the resignation of Ms. Jan Raskin, effective December 17, 2004. There was also a correction to III-A-1; the superintendent's contract is for the period June 1, 2004, through June 30, 2007.

Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the regular meeting of the board of education held May 18, 2004, were approved as written.

II. INFORMATION ITEMS

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Items of Current Interest

Congratulations to the more than 1,100 APS students who were awarded their diplomas over the last week! Students earned more than $3.2 million in scholarships!

Students from West Middle School placed 3 rd in the Denver Post 2004 Stock Market Game. Participants researched stocks, studied how financial markets work, chose their portfolios, managed budgets and made decisions on whether to buy, sell or hold.

Eighth-graders Toni Knolle and Ryan Grzybowski are this year's recipients of South Middle School's annual Paul J. Baker Award. Family and friends established the Paul J. Baker Award as a memorial to Baker, who was principal of the school when it opened in 1961 to his death in 1977. Winners are given a full scholarship to the Colorado State Student Council Leadership Camp at Colorado State University.

Dr. Adams and the board of education wished Dr. Fred Maiocco well, having accepted the superintendent's position with Madison Public School District in Arizona. Dr. Maiocco's last day with APS will be June 30, 2004.

DIVISION OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Non-licensed Administrative & Professional-Technical Performance Evaluation

In an effort to align the non-licensed administrative/professional-technical evaluation instrument with position descriptions and the Aurora Achievement Initiative, a subcommittee worked on revising the evaluation instrument during the 2002-03 school year. After receiving feedback from affected employees as well as the Personnel Evaluation Council, the human resources department piloted a new version of the Non-Licensed Administrative/Professional-Technical Performance Evaluation form during the 2003-04 school year. Mr. Van Gytenbeek shared printed versions of the form with board members. Mr. Curt Humphrey was thanked for bringing this idea forward from the private sector in which the subcommittee was formed and built the foundation for this new instrument. Mr. Weeks and Ms. Hoppe were part of the pilot and both were highly in favor of the new form. They found it user-friendly and the built-in preponderance of scores saves time, as the user is able to move right into next steps and determine performance raises. It requires a password for the user so is secure. Ms. Hoppe added that as job descriptions and duties change from time to time, this can be addressed in the goals section.

Mr. Van Gytenbeek added that evaluations occur annually with this new format. The supervisor and employee will review these and adjust as needed. There is also a place on page 4 of the form for an employee to write a rebuttal if displeased with the evaluation. This item will return for adoption on June 15, 2004.

DIVISION OF INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES
Supplemental Instructional Materials Adoption

Mrs. Backus presented the list of proposed supplemental instructional materials for adoption June 15, 2004, to the board of education as information.

The list of proposed supplemental instructional materials for adoption June 15, 2004 is presented to the board of education as information.

Regulation and Policy Changes

Changes to IJL and IJL-R, Library Materials Selection and Adoption ; IJJ/IJK and IJJ/IJK-R, Textbook Selection and Adoption/Supplementary Materials Selection and Adoption ; and IJNC-R, Resource Centers/Media Centers , were presented to the board of education as information. Mr. Lindstone explained the inter-loan enables us to look up books at various district media centers on-line. Materials can then be trucked between the schools.

DIVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICES
Child Development Center

Representatives from the Children's Hospital Mr. John Shaw and Mr. Peter Durante were present to offer to purchase the Child Development Center at Fitzsimons at approximately $3.8 million. The project is approximately one million, two hundred thousand square feet. The new Children's Hospital will open in the fall of 2007 and have 270 beds, all in private, single rooms, allowing family members to stay with their children. Mr. Shaw explained their need to acquire our Child Development Center. As a number of streets will need to be developed, it would allow for future expansion. He added that over the next 24-30 months, major road construction will occur on all sides of the CDC property. A no-cost lease would allow the CDC to operate another 12-15 months in order for the district to construct a new facility or locate a site to house CDC. Dr. Maiocco noted if this board desires, they are prepared to move forward with this purchase price. Children's would then take it to their board on June 17, 2004, and could enter a contract and close by July 1, 2004.

Dr. Maiocco added that this is not new information as the board has held discussions under executive session and heard the same offer. He explained that staff is not interested unless the board says they want to revisit this issue. If so, they will bring this item back at the June 15, 2004, meeting. He explained there is a significant complication in the process that would result if we pursue: the district owns this property under certain restrictions that would have to be transferred to another parcel. We would also need sufficient time to build another facility in order to open September of next year. If the board is in favor to this offer, Mr. Bittle would begin the planning pieces to construct new building, and legal counsel would work on terms of a final agreement. Children's Hospital would be doing the same with their board and at the next meeting, June 15, we would consummate a deal. The board would be asked to vote on an action item approving the transfer, in principle, and giving the superintendent the authority to enter agreements to make this happen.

The consensus of the board was to go forward with plan.

Milk and Dairy Products Bid

The district solicited bids for milk and dairy products for 2004. Included in this bid are 37 line items for various dairy products. The largest expenditure annually is for milk. The district serves approximately two million half-pints annually. In an effort to solicit competitive pricing, nutrition services invited six vendors to submit bids. The milk bid is due back on June 2, 2004. Currently, Sinton and Robinson dairies have asked questions regarding the bid.

Milk prices are expected to rise this year due to fewer cows producing milk, less hay, increases in the price of soybeans, and fuel cost increases. The U.S. farmers also were unable to import cows from Canada due to mad cow disease. There has also been an increase in the demand for cheese as a result of the low-carbohydrate Atkins and South Beach diets.

The increasing milk prices could also result in bids with variable pricing or a bid period of only six months. The prediction is that bids will not be received showing fixed pricing or, if received, will be unrealistically inflated. Ms. Linda Dallman said we have a bid in from Sinton and is hopeful we may have some competition. She expects milk to increase quite a bit in price and that it will be variable pricing. With a variable rate, the cost of our milk could fluctuate every month according to the Milk Council.

This item will return for action June 15, 2004.

Naming of New William Smith Alternative High School

As required in district policy FF (Naming of a School or Facility), director of student achievement, William Stuart, led an ad hoc committee to nominate names for the new alternative center south of T.H. Pickens. The naming suggestions for the new school were included in the attachment. The school will house the William Smith Alternative High School and the David Hartenbach High School. On May 20, 2004, the District Accountability Advisory Committee also reviewed this information with their choice being an umbrella name, but maintaining individual identities under the umbrella.

Mr. Jones and Mrs. Tabacheck voiced their concern in regard to student input and felt they should have a say in the new name. Dr. Maiocco summarized the board consensus being in favor of the umbrella concept. Staff will work on names, per tonight's discussion, to bring back at the June 15, 2004, meeting.

Fire Lane and Utility Easements at Murphy Creek

The city of Aurora is requesting one fire lane and two utility easements at the Murphy Creek K-8 school site in accordance with the municipal code of Aurora, Colorado. The width of the first permanent utility (storm sewer) easement will be 16 feet on our property at Murphy Creek. The width of the second permanent utility (water line) easement will also be 16 feet. These easements are submitted to the board of education for consideration.

Traffic Signal Easement

The city of Aurora is planning on installing/replacing a traffic control device at East 16 th Avenue and Florence Street. This area is adjacent to Crawford Elementary School. The signal will directly serve the district by providing additional motor vehicle and pedestrian safety. There will be no financial impact to the district. This item will return on the consent agenda June 15, 2004.

DIVISION OF FINANCE
2004-05 Budget Adoption

The board of education was provided with the most current financial information related to the budget development process and what will be included in the 2004-05 budget for adoption June 15, 2004. The 2004-05 Adopted Budget document has been provided under separate cover, with all fund's revenues and expenditures being balanced as required by law. The recommended expenditures for the $353 million budget was presented at a public budget hearing on May 20, 2004, at the Administration Building. As required by law, a notice will be publicized in the local newspaper for two consecutive weeks prior to the June 15 meeting when the budget will be presented to the board for adoption. Mr. Weeks noted the General Fund has increased by $1,982,158 to $214,650,942 mainly due to the 2% general salary increase, utility budget increase and the increase in beginning fund balance projection. The Athletic Fund, CPP Fund, and Pupil Activity Fund all decreased and the Grants Fund, Internal Service Fund and Special Programs Fund increased. Mr. Weeks said in addition, the information related to the Consolidated Grant Application will be presented to the board on June 15 for approval. This action item and approval are required annually. On June 15, the board will be presented a Resolution to approve the planned expending of beginning fund balance funds in some funds. This is a requirement from the legislature in monitoring school districts fiscal management.

III. CONSENT AGENDA -ACTION ITEMS

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
No Items

DIVISION OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Superintendent's Contract

The board of education has collectively reviewed terms and conditions of the contract for Superintendent of Schools Robert D. Adams. The board authorizes the president to enter into a contract with the superintendent for the period June 1, 2004, through June 30, 2007, on the terms specified in the contract.

Personnel Items

Mr. Van Gytenbeek recognized the retirements of Ms. Barbara Cook, 6 years and Ms. Mary Mascarenas, 19 years of service with the district.

DIVISION OF INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES
No Items

DIVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICES
Applications for the Citizen's Bond Oversight Committee

Applications for the Citizen's Bond Oversight Committee were provided for the board of education's consideration and approval. Mr. Warstler recognized this group with appreciation for all the hours of hard work they put in.

DIVISION OF FINANCE
No Items

The consent agenda passed unanimously.

IV. ACTION ITEMS

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
No Items

DIVISION OF HUMAN RESOURCES
No Items

DIVISION OF INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES
No Items

DIVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICES
Communication Tower

On May 18, 2004, the board received information about a proposed lease of the city of Aurora's communication tower located at Buckley Road and Mexico Avenue.

Dr. Maiocco recommended the board of education app rove in principle the leasing of tower space from the city of Aurora for the purpose of microwave data communications and the district's radio communications system, and authorize the superintendent to enter into a lease contract on such terms as he deems acceptable.

Mr. Warstler moved, seconded by Mrs. Barton approval of the recommendation. #7151