Regular Board Meeting 4/12/2011 (Agenda | Video | Minutes)
- This meeting was held in the library of Lake Havasu High School. Board member Iannone was absent.
- Board heard a presentation of the general plan for Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Lake Havasu High School. PowerPoint
- Board took a walking tour of improvements made to CTE classroom areas at Lake Havasu High School. The improvements include new swamp coolers, repair equipment, and tool boxes plus a new bathroom for auto shop; playground renovation for Little Knights Preschool (pictured), new partitions in the TV production classroom, and a new CTE study area in the school library. All improvements were funded by the Western Arizona Vocational Education Joint Technical Education District (WAVE JTED). WAVE JTED superintendent Betsy Parker and WAVE governing board members Pamela Meyers and James Gray were present for the CTE PowerPoint and the walking tour. During the tour Ms. Parker said Lake Havasu Unified CTE programs are, "renowned throughout the state."
- During call to the public board heard from several people who asked that the board find a way to preserve all day kindergarten for all, and not just for those who can pay the fee. One audience member said, "Find a way to allow all kindergarteners to have an equal start." One man offered to work as a volunteer bus driver if that would help. Another suggested money could be saved by having one principal over two elementary schools.
On a different issue, the board heard from parents and students who thought some of the dancing allowed at high school and middle school dances was inappropriate and too sexual in nature, especially something called "grinding." A middle school student, commenting on the dances, said, "When you are sexually harassing and making other people uncomfortable, then it's just wrong." Suggestions were made that the dance chaperones be better trained, alternative events be offered, or that students sign dance contracts promising to limit their dance moves to those designated as appropriate. "I don't want to see any dances cancelled . . . but I would like to see standards set," said a parent. Other parents and students said the dances were important to student socialization, and were well supervised. One parent said that parents always disapproved of the dances done by their children. "The jitterbug—pretty explicit—and now we would consider that some fine dancing." A student said, "Our dances do provide a safe environment for our students." Board president Navaretta said, "This will be looked into." - Board approved changes to district's table of organization. Changes recognize some things already in effect plus maintenance department is put under the director of business services. See old and new table.
- Board approved second presentation/review of revised policy GCQEA retirement of professional/support staff members. New language was added to policy to say, "An hourly paid retiree will not exceed a 40 hour work week." More...
- Board heard a presentation about district dropout and graduation rates and
approved purchase of A+ Intervention & Assessment
Supplemental Software Program.
PowerPoint
Action item - Board approved appointment of Robert Keirns as transportation supervisor for the 2011-12 school year. More...
- Board approved Big Brothers/Big Sisters Club at Lake Havasu High School as a tax credit eligible activity.
- Board approved monthly board meeting dates for 2011-12.
- Board approved a list of district staff approved for employment in 2011-12. List
- Board approved elementary and middle scholl student handbooks for 2011-12.
- Board awarded bid for contracted bilingual psychological services to Guillermo Blanco.
- Board awarded bid for contracted physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech/language therapy to multiple vendors. (ARDOR Health, Cross Country Staffing, Career Staff, and Staffing Options Solutions.)
- Board approved travel for high school students and their chaperone to DECA national competition in Orlando, Florida. Students qualified by competing in regional and state competitions. Travel will be funded by DECA Club funds, tax credit, the students, and WAVE funds.
- Board approved appointment of Brad Gardner as district Director of Educational Services for 2011-12. Mr. Gardner is currently principal at Oro Grande Elementary. More...
- Board approved appointment of Mari Jo Mulligan as Principal of Thunderbolt Middle School for 2011-12. Mrs. Mulligan is currently principal of Nautilus Elementary School. More...
One of the Lake Havasu High School site improvements funded by the JTED was an ungrade of the Little Knights Preschool playground area: new equipment, new shade cover with padded support posts, and new rubber ground cover.