Meetings

Colorado Springs School District 11

REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

Tesla Auditorium, 2560 International Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
***********Executive Session Begins at 5:30 p.m.*********** Regular Meeting Begins at 7:00 p.m.
October 22, 2008
7:00 PM
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A. PRELIMINARIES
A.1 - Call to Order -
A.2 - Roll Call -
 
Roll Call
Charles Bobbitt, Director
John Gudvangen, Treasurer
Tami Hasling, President
Sandra Mann, Director
Bob Null, Director
Tom Strand, Vice-President
Janet Tanner, Secretary
A.3 - Moment of Silence -
A.4 - Adoption of the Agenda -
 
The agenda presented to the Board in the Board’s packet will be considered for approval at this time. A Board Director or the Superintendent may request to, add, delete or table an item, i.e., an emergency school closure approval action that is in accordance with Policies. Board Directors shall make a separate motion for each item they seek to have added, deleted, or tabled. Reordering items on the agenda requires approval of a single motion with a majority vote of the quorum present.

A Board Director’s request that a non-emergency item be added to the agenda, as action shall require for approval a two-thirds majority of the entire Board. The Director making the request shall provide a copy of the motion and materials to all Board Directors.
 
A Board Director’s request that a non-emergency item be added to the agenda, as non-action shall require for approval a majority of the quorum present. The Director making the request shall provide a copy of the motion and materials to all Board Directors.
  Recommendation 
That the Board of Education adopts the agenda, as presented (and/or amended).
A.5 - Executive Session -
 
The Board of Education may, under state statutes, go into Executive Session to discuss matters pertaining to:
1) property transactions [per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(a)] [particular matter:];
2)legal advice [per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b)] [particular matter: ];
3) security arrangements or investigations [per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(d)] [particular matter:];
4) negotiations [per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(e)] [particular matter: ]
5) X personnel [per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(f)] [particular matter: superintendent's compensation];
6) individual student(s) [per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(h)] [particular matter: ];
7) documents that may not be disclosed under the Colorado Open Records Act [per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(g)] [particular matter ]; and
8) matters required to be kept confidential by state or federal law [per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(c)][specific legal citation:].

Executive Session from approximately 5:30 p.m.-7:00p.m. The Board of Education will reconvene into regular session at approximately 7:00 p.m.
  Recommendation 
To convene into Executive Session. The Board of Education may, under state statutes, go into Executive Session to discuss matters pertaining to property transactions, legal advice, security arrangements or investigations, negotiations, personnel, individual students, documents that may not be disclosed under the Colorado Open Records Act and matters required to be kept confidential by law.
A.6 - Pledge of Allegiance -
  The Board of Education invites the public in attendance to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
A.7 - Good Things -
A.8 - Modification of the Agenda -
 
A Board Director, by a motion, or the Superintendent (via a recommendation for a motion), may cause the modification of the previously approved agenda only for the following reason:

Required action following discussion in Executive Session.
  Recommendation  That the Board of Education adopts the agenda modifications.
A.9 - Citizen Comments -
 
The Board as a representative body of the District wishes to provide an avenue for any citizen to express his/her interest and concerns for the schools. Accordingly, the public is cordially invited to attend Board meetings. Meetings of the Board are conducted for the purposes of carrying on the business of the Board and are closed to the public only during executive sessions. There are three 20-minute time periods designated for Citizens’ Comments:

1.) During the Preliminaries section of the agenda, as the last item before the start of the Consent Items for the purpose of addressing other concerns that are not Action or Non-Action items on the agenda,
2.) At the beginning of Action for the purpose of addressing action items only, and
3.) At the beginning of Non-Action for the purpose of addressing Non-Action items only.
 
Except when otherwise specified by the Board President, comments by individual citizens in a given time period shall be limited to three minutes with a 30-second warning on the time limit.
 
In order that the Board may fairly and adequately discharge its overall responsibilities, citizens who wish to make requests, representations or proposals to the Board are requested to direct these to the Superintendent, who will deal with them according to the regulations approved by the Board. Ref: Policy BEDH/BEDH-R.


B. CONSENT ITEMS
B.1 - Adoption of Consent Items - 2 minutes
 

Consent items are placed in the consent portion of the agenda.  If board members have any questions concerning these items, they should be directed to the Superintendent or designee prior to the board meeting.  If discussion is required on any one of the items, it may be removed from the consent agenda. Those items indicated as being consent items will be adopted by one single motion unless a member of the board requests an item be removed from the consent agenda.

 Recommendation 

To adopt all consent items as designated in the agenda. Consent items: 

  • B.2. Accreditation Status of Schools
B.2 - Accreditation Status of Schools
 

The District is required to review performance of its schools and provide an accreditation status for each school.  This process is started with the DAAC Accreditation sub-committee.  The committee has met and reviewed performance data associated with schools. Those recommendations are reviewed and presented by the Board by the administration. The attached document shows the accreditation status recommendations.  The Board needs to review and approve the recommendations.  The process of review of information will be summarized by the Administration.

Ref. Pages: 9-11

 Recommendation That the Board of Education approve the accreditation status for the District's schools as submitted by the administration.
C.ACTION ITEMS
C.1 - Citizens' Comments
 
The Board as a representative body of the District wishes to provide an avenue for any citizen to express his/her interest and concerns for the schools. Accordingly, the public is cordially invited to attend Board meetings. Meetings of the Board are conducted for the purposes of carrying on the business of the Board and are closed to the public only during executive sessions. There are three 20-minute time periods designated for Citizens’ Comments:

1.) During the Preliminaries section of the agenda, as the last item before the start of the Consent Items for the purpose of addressing other concerns that are not Action or Non-Action items on the agenda,
2.) At the beginning of Action for the purpose of addressing action items only, and
3.) At the beginning of Non-Action for the purpose of addressing Non-Action items only.
 
Except when otherwise specified by the Board President, comments by individual citizens in a given time period shall be limited to three minutes with a 30-second warning on the time limit.
 
In order that the Board may fairly and adequately discharge its overall responsibilities, citizens who wish to make requests, representations or proposals to the Board are requested to direct these to the Superintendent, who will deal with them according to the regulations approved by the Board. Ref: Policy BEDH/BEDH-R.
C.2 - Contract Awards
 

The purpose of this agenda item is to have a standing agenda item in place on a continual weekly basis. This agenda item will be used for capital investment and other contracts. Timing of contract actions is such that it will require continual expeditious board approval of contracts. Some weeks will not have any contracts, while many other weeks will have lists of proposed contracts for board approval. Each week a reference will be submitted listing any proposed contract actions with appropriate information. Solicitation documents and information about each procurement action are available for examination and review in the Business Office.

C.3 - Budget Transfers, Appropriations and FTE Approvals - 15 minutes
 

Board Policy DBJ-Budget Transfers requires the board to approve budget transfers for any fund when: (1) the aggregate amount to be transferred to support any line item, single issue or purpose exceeds $100,000; or (2) the accumulation of budget transfer needs is expected to significantly impact the annual budget; or (3) transfers from one major function category to another major function category exceed $20,000 or (4) strategic plan resource allocations need to be re prioritized. Board approval is also required for general fund contingency transfers over $50,000, or in the event the contingency reserve will be reduced by more than 25% for the fiscal year. Board policy DBJ also states that all capital reserve fund project budget appropriations shall be approved by the board; therefore, any transfer of unspent, or unencumbered monies to other projects, shall be approved by the board. CRS-32-109 (1) (f) (l) states the Board of Education has the specific duty to employ all personnel...and to fix and order paid their compensations. Since the budgetary impact of adding a new position must first be considered prior to the hiring process, Board approval is required when there is a proposed change to the authorized staffing level.  

 Recommendation 

Challenger Learning Center

That the Board of Education approve a General Fund contingency transfer for Challenger Learning Center in support of Challenger funding a teacher at the center.
Presenter: Mr. Poore
Ref. Pages: 12-13

Legal Fees

That the Board of Education approves a General Fund contingency transfer in the amount of $110,000, as submitted by the administration.
Presenter: Mr. Gustafson
Ref. Pages: 14-16

C.4 - Personnel Recommendations-2 minutes
 The Division of Human Resources provides for consideration a list of Personnel Recommendations. The Board may remove an individual personnel recommendation for separate consideration by amending the original motion to approve the recommendation list.

Presenters: Dr. Thurman/Mr. Schenkel
Ref. Pages: 17-22

 Recommendation That the Board of Education approves the October 22, 2008, Personnel Recommendations, as submitted by the Administration.
C.5 - Amended 2007-08 TABOR Reserves and Designations-Resolution 2009-5, 10 minutes
 The calculation of the TABOR spending limit includes the designation of reserve amounts that agree to audited reserves for each TABOR-applicable fund.  While the Board of Education approves the estimated reserve amounts each year as part of its budget adoption, it is necessary to amend those reserves and designations upon the completion of the district's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
Presenter: Mr. Gustafson
Ref. Pages: 23-25
 Recommendation That the Board of Education approves Resolution 2009-5, a resolution amending FY07-08 reserves and designations applied to fiscal year spending, as submitted by the administration.
C.6 - Revised Board Policy JIH Student Interrogations - 20 minutes
 Amend language regarding law enforcement requests to question a student so that the policy indicates that the district will make an effort to notify the student’s parent/guardian but cannot guarantee parent/guardian presence. Currently, the policy indicates that the District will not permit law enforcement to question a student unless a parent is present which could potentially inhibit a law enforcement investigation.


Presenters: Mr. Poore/Mr. Gustafson/Mr. Bernhard/Mr. Gurule
Ref. Pages: 26-31
 Recommendation Review and approve revisions to policy JIH-Student Interrogations, Searches and Arrests.
D.NON-ACTION ITEMS
D.1 - Citizens' Comments
 
The Board as a representative body of the District wishes to provide an avenue for any citizen to express his/her interest and concerns for the schools. Accordingly, the public is cordially invited to attend Board meetings. Meetings of the Board are conducted for the purposes of carrying on the business of the Board and are closed to the public only during executive sessions. There are three 20-minute time periods designated for Citizens’ Comments:

1.) During the Preliminaries section of the agenda, as the last item before the start of the Consent Items for the purpose of addressing other concerns that are not Action or Non-Action items on the agenda,
2.) At the beginning of Action for the purpose of addressing action items only, and
3.) At the beginning of Non-Action for the purpose of addressing Non-Action items only.
 
Except when otherwise specified by the Board President, comments by individual citizens in a given time period shall be limited to three minutes with a 30-second warning on the time limit.
 
In order that the Board may fairly and adequately discharge its overall responsibilities, citizens who wish to make requests, representations or proposals to the Board are requested to direct these to the Superintendent, who will deal with them according to the regulations approved by the Board. Ref: Policy BEDH/BEDH-R.

D.2 - DAAC Membership - 15 minutes
 

Each year the DAAC committee brings forward recommendations to the Board of Education to approve membership for our DAAC members, DAAC accreditation members and DAAC budget members. The recommendations include members from our parent, business, and school communities.

We are asking your approval of membership. Non-action tonight and action November 12, 2008.

Presenters: Dr. Thurman/Mr. Shannon Jones
Ref. Pages: 32-36


 Recommendation DAAC Accreditation Subcommittee Charge and Membership
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the member names of the District Accountability Advisory Committee (DAAC) Accreditation Subcommittee for the 2008-2009 school year as submitted by the DAAC Executive Committee.

DAAC Budget Committee Charge and Membership    
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the member names of the District Accountability Advisory Committee Budget Committee as submitted by the DAAC Executive Committee.

DAAC Committee Membership            
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve new member names of the District Accountability Advisory Committee (DAAC) as submitted by the DAAC Executive Committee. The names submitted are those of school representatives who serve on the DAAC.

D.3 - Revised Board Policies JB, Equal Educational Opportunities and LBD, Relations with Charter Schools - 20 minutes
 The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (C.R.S. 22-32-109) was revised and signed into law effective August, 2007. The statute had already prohibited discrimination against individuals based on disability, race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry and has now been revised to include sexual orientation and religion. Policy JB requires the addition of the term "ancestry" and the revision of language that includes removing the term "handicap" and replacing it with "disability or need for special education services". Policy LBD requires the addition of the term "sexual orientation" as well as the replacement of the term "gender" with the term "sex".
Presenters: Mr. Poore/Ms. Giddens
Ref. Pages: 37-42
 Recommendation  Review and approved revisions to policies JB and LBD.
D.4 - Authorization to Invest in D-11 Certificates of Participation - 30 minutes
 As a result of the turbulent financial markets, the short-term interest rate on the D-11 2004 Certificates of Participation (COPs) (hereafter referred to as bonds) has escalated to approximately 7%.  These bonds reset weekly but the district only receives 67% of the LIBOR rate (currently approximately 1.5%).  As a result, the district is currently experiencing a short-term cost of this debt instrument.  In order to minimize this cost, the administration would like temporary approval to invest in its own COPs.
Presenter: Mr. Gustafson
Ref. Pages: 43-48
 Recommendation That the Board of Education temporarily approve a deviation from Board of Education Policy DFA - Statement of Investment, Permissible Investments, to allow the district to purchase/invest up to the maximum COP reserve, School District 11 variable rate COPs, as submitted by the administration.
E.REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS
E.1 - Superintendent/Administrative Reports
 

This agenda item is reserved for presentations, status reports, and announcements to the Board by the Superintendent and the Administration that have not been provided as information only in the Board packets. Unless otherwise directed by the Board, annual and standing reports not requiring Board action are to be provided in hard copy for information only in the Board Director packets. The superintendent has the opportunity to report on a range of topics during this time.

  • Suicide Prevention - 15 minutes (Kandy Claybaugh/Sandy Milligan)
  • Composite Score Book - 10 minutes (Dr. Demi-Smith)
  • School Utilization Update - 5 minutes (Shirley Stevens)
E.2 - Other Discussion Items
 
Board members will have the opportunity for open discussion.
E.3 - Board Subcommittee Reports
 
Board members will have the opportunity to report on their respective subcommittees.
F.FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
F.1 - New Agenda Items from Board Discussion
 
Board members have the opportunity to bring forward items for a future agenda.
F.2 - Acceptance of the Vision/Mission and Message Platform in Concept
 

The Board of Education postponed making a decision on this item until after the November 4, 2008, election.

F.3 - Development of 2009 Legislative Agenda
 Work Session Fall of 2008 
F.4 - Restorative Justice
 During the September 24 meeting Director Strand asked how the board could proceed in establishing a Restorative Justice Program for the district. The board members gave head nods to put this on a future agenda.
F.5 - 403 (b) Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan Document - TBD
 Date of presentation: TBD
F.6 - Choice Permit Policy Discussion - TBD
 The Board of Education will discuss the choice permit policy at a future meeting
F.7 - Magnet School Concepts - TBD
 

Magnet School Concepts will be presented sometime after the November elections.

G.FUTURE WORK SESSIONS LIST REVIEW AND DISCUSSION FOR ADDITIONAL WORK SESSIONS ITEMS
G.1 - October 28, 2008
 The board will work with Ray & Associates representatives (superintendent's search firm) on assigned tasks
G.2 - October 29, 2008
 

Board goals and objectives

G.3 - November 5, 2008
 School Utilization Committee Findings delivered to the board
H.ADMINISTRATION’S TASK LIST REVIEW AND UPDATE
H.1 - Task List Review 2 minutes
 
The Administration Task List consists of requests from Board directors for information/analysis within specified time lines and will be reviewed and updated during this time. These requests should primarily be tasking for information/analysis and should not be for the scheduling of future agenda items. A recommendation should be included with the task for the purpose indicating as whether or not it needs to be included on the Calendar. Items may be added to the task list with the agreement of four Board Directors as indicated by head nods.
Ref. Pages: 49-52
I.CALENDAR REVIEW AND UPDATE
I.1 - Calendar Review 2 minutes
 

The Board's Calendar will be reviewed and updated during this time. Items may be added to the Calendar with the agreement of four Board Directors as indicated by head nods. To look at district events and to access the District Calendar go to our home page at www.d11.org. On the left hand side of the screen, click on Calendars, then D11 Calendars. In the center of that page, in the drop down box, select District Calendar.

Upcoming meetings/events:

  • October 22, 2008, regular board meeting
  • October 28, 2008, special board meeting and/or work session (Work with Ray and Associates, Superintendent Search Firm)
  • October 29, 2008, work session
  • November 5, 2008, work session

Ref. Pages: 53-60

J.ADJOURNMENT