Governing Board Report - March 19, 1996

President
Mary Belle McCorkle, Ed.D.

Clerk
James N. Christ

Members
Gloria C. Copeland
Brenda B. Even, Ph.D.
Joel T. Ireland

Superintendent

George F. García, Ed.D.

For more information on any items reported, contact the Governing Board Office, 520-617-7338, or the Communications Dpeartment, 520-617-7303.

March 5, 1996 Special Board Meeting Highlights:

This meeting featured a special study feature, "Literacy Across the Curriculum," with presentations and student demonstrations. At this meeting, the Governing Board appointed two new members to the Independent Citizens Committee (ICC): Lorraine Aguilar (six-year term) and Rosalie Lopez (four-year term); approved plans and specifications with authorization to call for bids for Cavett and Whitmore elementary schools (bond); approved a food program agreement with CODAC Behavioral Health Services, Inc. and an agreement with the Pima County Sheriff's Department for Hohokam and Pistor middle schools.

March 19, 1996 Regular Board Meeting

This meeting featured a special study focus, "Integrated Literacy in Middle Schools."

Appointed Paul Hatch, Assistant Principal of Montgomery Junior High School in Montgomery, Texas as Assistant Principal of Tucson High Magnet School.

Approved hearing officers' recommendations for expulsion of one student and long-term suspension of another student.

Approved a resolution in support of National School Social Work Month, March 1996, reaffirming the role of social workers in providing a wide variety of services.

Study/Action Agenda Highlights

Approved the following moves of sixth grades for the 1996-97 school year: Brichta, Manzo, Menlo Park and Tully elementary school students to Maxwell Middle School; Miller Elementary School students to Hohokam Middle School; Gale and Steele elementary school students to Gridley Middle School.

Approved alternative placements for sixth-grade students for the 1996-97 school year. For those parents who choose to have their sixth-grader(s) in an elementary placement, five elementary schools geographically distributed throughout the District will each keep one sixth-grade class, with enrollment on a space-available basis: Kellond, Miller, Rogers, Steele and Tully. Students who have an alternative sixth grade placement will return to their regular/home middle school for seventh and eighth grades.

Approved the Tucson Unified School District calendar for the 1997-98 school year. The Calendar includes 175 student days, 20 vacation days and seven teacher planning/preparation days.

Approved recommendations from a boundary committee for Borman and Smith elementary schools (both on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base). Boundary changes approved will relieve projected overcrowding at Smith created by demolition of housing in the Borman area and construction of new housing in the Smith area. The phased boundary change is expected to take about four to five years.

Granted permanent approval to the Uniform Dress Code at Mansfeld Middle School. In August 1995 the Governing Board approved "Mansfeld Wear" on a pilot basis. An ongoing evaluation system will be developed at Mansfeld to include grades, as well as attendance and discipline.

Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Tucson outlining the joint responsibilities necessary to develop and improve perimeter street facilities (roadway and drainage improvements and new perimeter fencing) at Catalina High School, $135,000 (adjacent ways funds).

Approved plans and specifications for a new two-court gymnasium for Catalina High School. The project includes expansion capabilities to accommodate three courts, a multi-activity room (wrestling, aerobics, dance or other classes), weight training room, and other facilities; $4,250,000 ($3,250,000 bond, $1,000,000 desegregation).

Consent Agenda Highlights

Approved 22 certified personnel new hires/replacements, 32 classified reinstatements/new hires, 7 certified salary changes, 71 classified personnel salary changes, 2 certified separations, 17 classified personnel separations, 10 requests for leaves of absence for certified personnel, 7 requests for leaves of absence for classified personnel, 2 requests to terminate leaves of absence, 24 requests for released time, 19 requests for released time and travel expenses. For approval verification contact the Governing Board office, 520-617-7338.

Approved submission of two funding proposals:

• Artist-in-Residence Program (continuation), designed to provide enhancement of arts programs already in schools and motivation to increase and improve arts education; $33,800 ($15,200 from school PTAs/PTOs; $14,200 from Arizona Commission on the Arts; $4,400 from District funds).
• Parent Involvement Project (PIP) Community Development Block Grant, to enhance school-home partnerships and enhance parenting for families at Blenman and Wright elementary schools, Doolen Middle School, and Catalina High School, in cooperation with the Midtown Neighborhood Association; $10,000.

Approved two intergovernmental agreements:

• With the City of Tucson to implement a Parent Involvement Project Community Development Block Grant (see description listed above).
• With the Governor's Office of Drug Policy, including acceptance of $5,000 for chemical abuse prevention education in grades K-6.

Approved two awards of bids:

• Hollinger Elementary School remodeling and renovation to Martin Lang Construction, $1,623,172 (Bid 6277); renovation includes the addition of a new multipurpose building, remodeled administration area, restrooms and existing multipurpose room; new carpet, hardware, ramps, security system and fire alarm system. The project is scheduled to begin in April 1996 and be completed in approximately 13 months.
• School buses to Coach & Transit, Inc. and First Interstate Bank of Arizona, for the purchase under a five-year lease purchase and financing of 17 buses seating 84 passengers, and 6 buses to accommodate up to 19 wheelchairs; $380,773.

Approved a confidential settlement Memorandum of Agreement dated March 14, 1996.

Information Agenda Highlights

Summary of selected financial activity and supplemental information for the eight months ending February 29, 1996.

Parent-Teacher Association Report from PTA District Director Richard Choquette; School Community Partnership Council Report from Elliot Burris, Moderator for the Cholla/Pueblo Region.

Student Advisory Council report from substitute student liaison Jose Ramos of Pueblo High School.

Upcoming TUSD Governing Board Meetings:

Special Meeting/Special Study Session: "Literacy in High School Teams," Tuesday, April 2, 6:30 p.m., Cholla High Magnet School Cafeteria, 2100 W. Starr Pass Blvd.; Regular Meeting, Tuesday, April 23, 6:30 p.m., 1010 E. 10th St.

Past Governing Board Reports

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