Focus on TUSD - August 2007

Board Appoints 5 Members to Volunteer Audit Committee
The Governing Board named these five members to a District Audit Committee at its regular meeting on Aug. 14:

• Lea Marquez Peterson, owner of TucsonBizForSale.com.
• Clifford B. Altfeld of the Altfeld, Battaile & Goldman law offices.
• Mark Stegeman, a University of Arizona associate professor of economics.
• Loretta Peto, a CPA for PETO & company CPAs PLLC.
• Sandra L. Parker, a retiree with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Board Clerk Alex Rodriguez said the committee would "help ensure TUSD complies with its fiduciary responsibilities." Rodriguez, who proposed establishing the committee, said the members would work independently and regularly present findings to the board.

In other action, the board voted to implement an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Cholla Magnet High School; approved the scope of services for a Request for Proposals for a District management audit; appointed Joseph Hines to the position of assistant principal of school improvement for Naylor Middle School, and Scott Hagerman as a program specialist in the Department of Exceptional Education; approved bus stop additions for Borman Elementary School students living in the Smith attendance area; and approved a Guest Speaker Policy that is intended to encourage guests to speak in TUSD schools, while outlining standards the speakers must follow.

The second part of a Technology Infrastructure Plan was presented but no action was required.

At a special meeting on July 24, the board gave preliminary approval to sell $47 million in bonds as part of the 2004 voter authorization. In addition, these educators were appointed:

• Ramona Clinch is the assistant principal of Lynn/Urquides Elementary School. She was the interim assistant principal at Lynn/Urquides.
• Retired administrator Henry Vega was appointed assistant principal at Maxwell Middle School.
• Carol Trunnell was appointed assistant director of Exceptional Education. Trunnell was a Special Education coordinator in Hillsboro, Ore.

Members also approved 10 new or revised policies, and eliminated a dental services policy. These policies are on the District's Web site:

• Policy GBEAA - Staff Conflict of Interest
• Policy GBEC - Substance-Free Workplace
• Policy GCCA - Administrative Temporary Assignment
• Policy IKF - Graduation Requirements
• Policy IHB - Instructional Classes with Activities Outside the School Day
• Policy IMB -Teaching About Controversial/Sensitive Issues
• Policy JF - Student Admissions
• Policy JFC - Student Withdrawal from School/Dropouts
• Policy JG - Assignment of Students to Classes and Grade Levels
• Policy JLCF - Students with Chronic Health Conditions