AJO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 15

Governing Board Members: Administration:
Mr. John Byrnes President Dr. Robert Dooley Superintendent
Mrs. Rose Cameron Clerk Mr. Frederick Fout Principal
Mrs. Lisa Rossi Member Ms. Patricia Spencer Director of Finance
Mr. Hollister David Member  
Mrs. Amy Runge Member  

MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION BOARD MEETING

Ajo Unified School District Board Room #23, 5:30 p.m.
April 10, 2008

  1. Call to Order at 5:30 p.m.
  2. Opening Exercises

    1. Roll Call:
      • P - John Byrnes, President
      • P - Rose Cameron, Clerk
      • P - Lisa Rossi, Member
      • P - Hollister David, Member
      • P - Amy Runge, Member
      • P - Robert Dooley, Superintendent
      • P - Frederick Fout, Principal
      • A - Patricia Spencer, Financial Director
    2. Pledge of Allegiance
    3. Statement of Welcome
    4. Appointment of Acting Clerk, if necessary
    5. Superintendent's Report
      • AIMS Testing for 3rd-8th grades, Terra Nova for 2nd & 9th grade
      • This year, the District has had a couple of incidences of Sexual Harassment/Misconduct. CASA, Center against Sexual Assault will be here on May 5th and 6th for student training. This is something that the Administration is also planning to be done next year. A meeting will also be held in the auditorium for the public on May 5, 2008.
      • METH staff awareness meeting will be open to the public. May 7, 2008 in the auditorium.
      • Special Education accommodation training for all staff will be held on April 30, 2008.
      • April 18, 2008 will be no school for students, however teaching staff will have an all day CARBO in-service. No school for anyone on April 21, 2008.
      • First weekend of May will be the second set of a 3 day training for SEI.
      • High School art on the walls are not merely painting. The students stretched there own canvas and made their own fames.
      • Update on staff member, Jose Yon.
    6. Adoption of Agenda

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to adopt the agenda. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 to adopt the agenda.
  3. Visitor Comments

    Visitors are welcome to speak on non-agenda items. Comments are limited to 3 minutes. Please state your name and address prior to making your comments. The Board will not take any legal action on issues raised during this position of the meeting.
  4. Consent Agenda
    1. Financial Report
    2. Voucher Approval
    3. Board Minutes

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
  5. Personnel

    1. Change of Retirement Date for Terry Orr

      Subsequent to our discussion with Terry Orr, he has requested that his retirement date be moved to July 31, 2008. The Board had voted on May 10, 2007 to grant his retirement at an earlier date.

      Mrs. Cameron made the motion to approve the change in date of Terry Orr's retirement. Mr. Byrnes seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    2. Special Assignment - Terry Orr

      Pursuant to previous discussions with Mr. Orr, the Board and the Superintendent, it has been determined that it would be beneficial to the district to employ Terry Orr for up to 18 days during the 2008/2009 Academic year. He will be paid at this 2007/2008 pay rate of $225.19 per day. Tasks may include, but are not limited to mentoring, materials selection, and lesson planning.

      Mrs. Cameron made the motion for Mr. Orr to work for 18 days during the 08/09 school year. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    3. Offer of Non-Continuing Teacher Contract

      The following teachers are qualified to receive a contract extension for the 08/09 school year: M. Jodi Armendariz and Bruce Crable

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the contract extension for the two staff members above. Mr. Byrnes seconded the motion. The motion passed with a 3-2 vote for Mrs. Armendariz and a 5-0 vote for Mr. Crable

    4. Certified Employment - Science Teacher

      Five high school science teacher candidates have been interviewed for the 08/09 school year. Mrs. Julita Robles is being recommended for this position.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to accept the employment of Mrs. Robles. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    5. Classified Resignation - Annette Schultise

      Annette Schultise, a teacher's aide in the Ajo Elementary School has submitted a letter of resignation effective April 4, 2008. Her spouse is being transferred to Phoenix, AZ.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the resignation of Mrs. Schultise. Mr. Byrnes seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    6. Classified Employment - Rosa Nunez

      Rosa Nunez has been interviewed and reference checks completed for the position of cafeteria worker. She will be filling a vacancy left by Silvia Encinas.

      Mrs. Runge made the motion to approve Mrs. Nunez' employment. Mrs. Rossi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    7. The following classified staff is being recommended for contract renewal:
      ADMIN STAFF C. CARPENTER D. CELEYA L. GROOMS
        S. HURD A. VALENZUELA S. SPENCER
        E. SCHULTZ K. SANCHEZ  
      LUNCH ROOM STAFF G. ORTIZ M. SAAVEDRA-ARIZQUETA O. BARBA DE GRIFFITH
        K. GRIJALVA A. ORTEGA R. SALAZAR DE NUNEZ
      TEACHERS' AIDES R. ALVILLAR E. CASTILLO L. DAVIS
        K. DILENGER S. WALTERS-ESCALANTE M. HARRIS
        K. MURPHY B. MOJICA L. ROMERO
        M. ROSS R. ROCHA A. SEMILLA
      MAINTENANCE & F. FRY N. BELTRAN C. SCHMIDT
      CUSTODIAL STAFF J. YON F. AROZ  

      Mrs. Cameron made the motion to approve the above individuals for contract renewal for the 08/09 school year. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    8. Certified Resignation - Kimberly Cripe

      Kimberly Cripe, a 6th grade teacher, at Ajo Elementary School has submitted her resignation effective May 23, 2008.

      Mrs. Cameron made the motion to approve Mrs. Cripe's resignation. Mrs. Rossi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

  6. Health Insurance Renewal for 2008/2009 (ASBAIT)
    1. Health Insurance Renewal for 2008/2009 (ASBAIT)

      Our health insurance rate for 2008/2009 has been provided for us. For the second year in a row, there is no rate increase for employees. There is a $41.00 per month rate increase for retirees.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the continuation of ASBAIT as the districts health insurance provider. Mrs. Cameron seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    2. Adoption - IHB - Special Instruction Programs

      IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act) was reauthorized by Congress in December 2004. The Federal regulations defining the implementation of IDSA were developed for states in October 2006. These requirements mandated to states that districts readopt a 42 page set of regulations to implement the law and extend FARE (Free Appropriate Public Education) be extended to Special Ed students through the end of the school year in which they turn 22. (Advisory 300)

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the above policy. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    3. Adoption - GCCC - Professional Support Staff Leaves of Absence without Pay

      H.R. 4986, signed into law in January 2008 as the National Defensive Authorization Act amended the Family Medical Leave Act to take up to 26 workweeks of leave to care for a "member of the Armed Forces including a member of the National Guard or Reserves, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, or who is otherwise in out patient treatment or is otherwise on the temporary disability/retired list for serious injury or illness."

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the above policy. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    4. Adoption - GCCC - Professional Support Staff Leaves of Absence without Pay

      With the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 2004 there came a modified set of rules in the code of Federal Regulations part 300 in July 2007. This caused no change in intent or working of the law. This reauthorization did result in the renumbering of citations within the law. This policy revision simply updates those citation number changes.

      Mrs. Cameron made the motion to approve the above policy. Mrs. Rossi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    5. Voucher Approval - Ajo Copper News

      Voucher No: 7837

      Full Amount of Voucher 38,193.49
      Consent Agenda Amount 38,154.49
      Ajo Copper News Amount 39.00

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the amount of $39.00 from Voucher #7837 payable to the Ajo Copper News. Mrs. Cameron seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0, with Mr. David abstaining.

    6. Out of State Travel - Decinal - American Libraries Association

      Anastacia Decinal, our Media Center Director, is requesting permission to attend the ALA Annual Conference for librarians and library directors from June 26-29 in Anaheim, CA.

      Mrs. Runge made the motion to approve the above out of state travel. Mrs. Rossi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    7. Out of State Travel - AVID Summer Institute

      Tom McGoldrick (AVID Director), Shawnmarie Powell (H.S. Social Studies), David Emmers (7th Grade), Milagros Semilla (H.S. Mathematics), and our new high school math Science or English teacher are requesting permission to attend the AVID Summer Institute from July 28 to August 1 in San Diego, CA.

      Mrs. Cameron made the motion to approve the above out of state travel, as amended. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    8. Out of State Travel - Differentiated Instruction

      Fred Fout, Olivia Garcia (8th grade) and Tom Stidham, (4th grade) are requesting permission to attend a conference on Differentiated Instruction sponsored by Staff Development for Educators from July 20-23, 2008 in Las Vegas, NV.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the above out of state travel. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    9. Out of State Travel - Tom Stidham - Literacy Conference

      Tom Stidham (4th grade) is requesting permission to attend a K-6 Literary Conference sponsored by Staff Development for Educators from July 9-12, 2008 in Las Vegas, NV.

      Mr. Byrnes made the motion to approve the above out of state travel. Mrs. Cameron seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    10. Approval of Summer School - June 2008

      The administration would like to provide summer school opportunities for students 4 days a week, Monday through Thursday, June 2-26. (16 days) The staffing for summer school would include 7 academic teachers in the following areas:

      K -1st grade - 1 teacher 2nd - 4th grade - 1 teacher 5th - 8th grade - 2 teachers Library - 1 teacher H.S. Math - 1 teacher H.S. English - 1 teacher
      To assist students and teacher, we would like to employ 5 teachers' aides in the following areas:
      K - 1st grade - 1 aide 2nd- 4th grade - 1 aide 5th - 8th grade - 1 aide Library - 1 High School - 1 aide  

      We would like to provide 2 non-academic programs, art, technology, or ELL support. Teacher will receive $25.00 per hour for 5 hours a day for 16 days ($2,000) Aides will be paid at their 2007/2008 hourly rate.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the June 2008 summer school. Mr. Byrnes seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    11. Grant Two In-service Days for Teachers

      The Administration would like to hold two days of training for teachers during the week of May 27, 2008. The teachers will receive extra training on Curriculum Mapping. Returning teachers will be paid $400 per day for two days to attend this in-service.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve an extra two day in-service for teachers. Mr. Byrnes seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    12. Award of Asphalt Bid

      Bid packets to repave or repair student and staff parking lots were mailed to 9 different companies on February 29, 2008. Bids were received from three firms plus Ace Asphalt which is on the Mohave Purchasing Consortium. The bids for the ENTIRE project are as follows:

      Ace Asphalt - $207,024.94
      Pima Paving - $229,379.84
      Regional Pavement -$194,825.30
      K & B Asphalt - $192,175.49
      AZ Coating Applications - NO BID
      Eagle Asphalt - NO BID
      Kowalski Construction - NO BID
      Sunland Asphalt - NO BID
      Woods Construction - NO BID

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to award the Asphalt Bid Project to K & B Asphalt. Mr. Byrnes seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    13. Permission to go to bid for Culinary Arts Equipment

      The Administration is requesting permission to go to bid for culinary arts equipment.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to allow the administration to go to bid for culinary arts equipment. Mrs. Runge seconded them motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    14. Authorization to prepay medical and liability insurance

      It is allowable to prepay insurance premiums. The Administration is asking that the Board authorize the prepayment of liability and medical insurance from the 2007/2008 fiscal year for the 2008/2009 fiscal year.

      Mrs. Cameron made the motion to allow the administration to prepay medical and liability insurance for the 2008/2009 school year. Mrs. Rossi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

Noting no other business before the Board, Mr. Byrnes, President of the Board, adjourned the meeting at 6:14 p.m.

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