August 31, 2010

Study session

Interest-Based Bargaining
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeannie Favela, who is the facilitator of the district’s Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB) process, led a discussion on IBB. The definition of IBB is a problem-solving process conducted in a principled way that creates effective solutions while improving the relationship. It is based on interests, focused on issues, and focused on the future. Its outcomes are creative and durable solutions as well as improved relationships. IBB was first presented to the Governing Board in 2005-06.

The presidents of the employee associations – Kathy Dong of the Sunnyside Education Association, Manny “Rebel” Portillo of the Sunnyside Classified Employees Association, and Dr. Debbie Bergman of the Sunnyside Administrators Association – all expressed their groups’ commitment to continuing with IBB. (See Powerpoint)

Regular meeting

Dr. Favela presented the Superintendent’s Report in Dr. Manuel Isquierdo’s absence (see PowerPoint and Digital Explorers video).

Highlights of Consent Agenda

Steve Holmes, executive director of secondary schools, will participate as a panelist at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Education Summit in Washington, D.C.  The summit, to be held Sept. 14, 2010, will be moderated by Congressman Raúl Grijalva.

Gifts and Donations include:

• $2,000 to Liberty Elementary School from Target for Love to Read-Love to Learn
• $2,900 to the Native American Education Program from DR Horton for school supplies
• $1,800 to Sunnyside High School from Marian P. Gallin for Girls Basketball Shoes for the Needy
• $12,500 to SUSD from Home Depot for Make A Difference Day

The Board ratified the Governing Board President’s authorization to execute School Facilities Board documents to ensure the district receives approved SFB funding to replace a chiller at Los Amigos Elementary School ($100,000) and to replace cooling towers and boilers at Sunnyside High School ($400,000).

Highlights of General Functions

Auditor’s report for  FY 2008-09
Chief Financial Officer Hector Encinas reported to the Board that auditors did not find any financial data for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2009 to be significantly wrong. The findings have been addressed to ensure that identified deficiencies don’t occur again. A representative of Heinfeld & Meech told the Board that auditors were required to look at compliance specific to federal programs, and that the audit for FY09-10 will look at even more federal items because the district received more federal money. The Heinfeld & Meech representative presented to the Governing Board an award to the Sunnyside District for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.  The Board accepted the auditor’s report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009.

Opening of school report
Javier Baca, executive director of information technologies, reported on enrollment data.  The enrollment as of August 27 was 17,335, which is about 150 fewer students than last year.  View Trends, Grade Level, Summary, and Out-of-District.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeannie Favela reported that as of Aug. 31, there are 466 out-of-district open enrollments, compared to 253 a year ago.

Anna Maiden, executive director of human resources reported that the district is looking at staffing needs across the district and how to adjust them economically and efficiently. Three positions will be added at Los Ranchitos, and there are class size issues at four schools. Districtwide, the average teacher-to-student ratios are 25:1 for kindergarten, 24:1 for first grade,  26:1 for second grade,  27:1 for third grade, 26:1 for fourth grade and 27:1 for fifth grade.  At the high school level, in an effort to address large class sizes, teachers have agreed to give up a planning period to take on an extra class. Administrators realize that’s difficult and will monitor - if classes stay large, additional staff will be hired for second semester.

Monique Soria, director of public relations, reported on the district’s marketing campaign to increase open enrollment (see PowerPoint).  Marketing efforts include banners on 25 busses, public bus benches and displays, radio ads and a print ad in Arizona Bilingüe.

Digital Scholars college readiness report
Brandon Protas, learning community partnership coordinator, and Desert View counselor NJ Utter reported on the district’s comprehensive college readiness program that targets Digital Scholars with strategic activities to improve academic and social college preparation (see PowerPoint). In addition to funding from GEAR UP and the Learning Community Initiative grant, new funding comes from grants from the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation and Citi. The district is in the process of applying for a new USA Funds grant.

Every day, all of the district’s ninth-grade Digital Scholars are enrolled in three digital honors classes in English, biology and algebra/geometry. A total of 257 Digital Scholars were awarded netbook computers, and the district assigned an additional 250 netbooks to ninth-graders in digital honors classes. Students are taking hybrid (combination of in-class and online) as well as online courses.

College Readiness activities in grades 8-12 include digital learning opportunities in classrooms, college prep summer experiences, a comprehensive test preparation program, and pathways to college matriculation that are aligned with the Arizona Assurance Program.

Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) is fully in place in all Sunnyside District middle schools and high schools. More than 200 teachers have been trained in AVID strategies. Enrollment in Advanced Placement courses and the number of students taking AP exams have grown over the last three years. There have also been increases in the number of students taking eighth-grade algebra. The level of math students take is considered a key indicator of college success.

The district’s focus on college readiness represents a shift from opportunity to expectation - what was once encouraged is now expected.

Community school budget
Steve Holmes and Apollo Middle School Principal Ray Chavez presented a proposal to request funding for the community school at Apollo. The Governing Board approved an annual budget of $71,800 for a site coordinator, a fitness room coordinator, security and fitness equipment. Funding will come from the district’s Civic Center Fund, which comes from fees collected from outside organizations for the use of district facilities.