Aurora Public Schools1085 Peoria Street

Aurora, Colorado 80011

BoardofEducation

Agendameeting of

January 5, 2010

1

AURORA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

1085 Peoria St. Aurora, CO 80011

A G E N D A

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING January 5, 2010

6:00 p.m.

I – PRELIMINARY

A. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL

B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

C. WELCOME TO VISITORS

The regular meeting of the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education will convene

in the Dr. Edward and Mrs. Patricia Lord Boardroom of Educational Services Center

4. Individuals wishing to address the Board of Education on a specific agenda item

are requested to sign up at the table on the south side of the boardroom prior to

discussion of the item. Individuals wishing to address the Board of Education on a

non-agenda item are requested to sign up and will be provided an opportunity,

limited to three minutes, at the beginning of the meeting and, limited to three

minutes, at the end of the meeting during Opportunity for Audience.

Please contact the Aurora Public Schools at 303-344-8060, ext. 28988 if, because

of a disability, you require special assistance (such as sign language or oral

interpreting services) in order to participate in a meeting of the Board of Education.

Persons with such needs are requested to make contact at least one week prior to

the Board of Education meeting, if possible, in order to allow staff to coordinate

arrangements.

D. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The January 5, 2010, agenda is presented for approval.

E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Education held on December 15,

2009, are presented for approval.

F. STUDENT PERFORMANCE

Mrachek Middle School students, under the direction of Kristin Denner, will perform

instrumental selections at the January 5 Board meeting.

December 15, 2009, BOE Minutes

December 15, 2009

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I. PRELIMINARY

Cook called the December 15, 2009, meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Roll Call

The following members were present:

Matt Cook, president Amy Prince, vice president Peter Cukale, treasurer Jeanette Carmany, director Mary W. Lewis, director JulieMarie Shepherd, director

The following member was absent:

Jane Barber, secretary

Also meeting with the Board of Education were: John L. Barry, superintendent of schools

Tony Van Gytenbeek, deputy superintendent Barbara Cooper, chief equity and engagement officer

Rod Weeks, chief financial officer Kari Allen, chief personnel officer William Stuart, chief academic officer

Anthony Sturges, chief operating officer Tonia Norman, assistant to Board of Education Pledge of Allegiance/Welcome to Visitors

Shepherd led the Board and audience in the pledge to the flag. Cook welcomed visitors to the meeting.

Approval of Agenda

The December 15, 2009, agenda was amended to move the accreditation informational report under Superintendent’s Report from the first item to the last item.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Education held December 1, 2009, were approved as written.

II. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

Reports from the Board of Education Lewis was excited to attend the Meet the Nuggets clinic at Aurora Central in which 150 students participated. Twenty buildings selected students to participate in the clinic sponsored by the APS Education Foundation. Lewis had an opportunity to meet Carmello Anthony, who happened to be born on the same day and year as her son. Chris Andersen, Ty Lawson and Renaldo Balkman were also present and did a great job with the kids. It was a wonderful skills

December 15, 2009

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clinic, and both kids and parents had a fun time. Lewis accompanied fifth graders from Clyde Miller to Buckley AFB for the Pearl Harbor remembrance observance on December 7. Several enlisted personnel at Buckley AFB serve as mentors for Clyde Miller students. The fifth graders led the Pledge of Allegiance and sang patriotic songs. Lewis is taking part in two mid-year graduation ceremonies at Crossroads Transition Center and Aurora Central High School on Thursday. Lewis shared that a group of friends are crocheting hats for second and third graders at Peoria Elementary School where her daughter works as a paraprofessional. The group has crocheted 32 hats since Thanksgiving and are expected to be delivered to students on Thursday. Carmany attended the PBS awards ceremony at Elkhart. Parents were very excited and it was a fun time. Carmany attended a third grade play at Yale and a book giveaway at Paris. Every child at Paris received a book courtesy of the coalition for the Aurora LIGHTS Pathway. It was phenomenal! Carmany saw a performance of Hannah’s Messiah with the Gateway choir. The Aurora Symphony and the All Saint’s Lutheran Church choir also participated in the joy of music celebration. For four years, the Board has discussed going out into the community. We realize that we cannot do this without the help from our community. The cooperation between APS and the community is going to make APS the best district in the state. Cukale announced that Friday is Read Across America day. Cook recognized the Gateway High School choir for their performance at the Colorado Association of School Boards convention. More than 50 people raved about the student performance and the choir received two standing ovations. Cook commented that there was not a dry eye in the room after they sang “We Shall Overcome.” Cook encouraged the audience to stop by the Aurora Towne Center at 5 p.m. to take part in the dedication of the district computer kiosk, which will give parents without Internet access an opportunity to go online to view their student’s records. Superintendent’s Celebrations Barry announced that the Colorado Department of Education’s discretionary grant in the amount of $1,644,645 was awarded to APS in support of the Compass Program at Sable and Vaughn elementaries and Fletcher Primary. The purpose of the Compass Program is to provide students and families with quality, supervised after-school programs that engage students both academically and socially. I would like to commend the Compass staff, partners, and school staff members at all of the sites for supporting and managing the program for APS students. A special thanks to Paula Niemi, grants coordinator, and Tammye Pirie, grant development coordinator, for all their work and efforts to keep this valuable program grant funded.

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Congratulations to Mark Koester, math teacher leader at Gateway High School, for being awarded the Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics grant. This grant will support the development of collaborative learning in a lab classroom setting for mathematics. The Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics grants funds up to $1500 to support teams who want to begin or continue onsite professional development projects. It provides release time, stipends, and professional development materials that support building teacher understandings within the context of their own classrooms. Barry thanked Koester for all of his great work and presented him with a Superintendent recognition coin. Congratulations to Rangeview High School Counselor David West for earning the “Colorado Counselor of the Year“ award presented by the Colorado School Counseling Association. West is an Anti-Defamation League certified diversity trainer who was instrumental in helping Rangeview attain the Anti-Defamation League’s "No Place for Hate" designation. Rangeview is the first school in Aurora to hold this prestigious title. Barry commended West for his dedication to students and hard work and efforts to ensure our schools are safe and mentally healthy. He presented West with a Superintendent recognition coin. Congratulations to APS district math coach Deborah Connor for earning the “2009 Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics Outstanding Teacher” award. Connor was one of only seven teachers in the state to receive this award. The Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics is a professional organization of educators dedicated to the improvement of mathematics teaching and learning. Barry presented Connor with a Superintendent recognition coin. We are very proud of you and feel honored to have such an outstanding person on our team. We commend Hinkley High School student Jose Savedra Luna for saving a student’s life. During lunch, he noticed his friend hunched over the table, unable to breathe. The student had a chicken nugget stuck in his airway. Jose quickly recalled, from TV actually, how to perform the Heimlich maneuver and did so. In turn, he saved his friend's life. You are truly a hero and we are all proud of you for stepping in and taking action in such a scary and stressful situation. Your deed has not gone unnoticed. APS students will be on winter break from Monday, December 21 to Friday, January 1. Although some staff may be working, district offices will be closed during the first week of break, Monday, December 21, to Friday, December 25. During the second week, offices will be open from Monday, December 28 to Wednesday, December 30. The APS Board of Education and I wish you all a very safe and happy holiday

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season with your families. Superintendent’s Report Items of Interest Barry announced that Deputy Secretary of Education Tony Miller will visit with 15 APS teachers at Montview Elementary on Thursday. The communication campaign for attendance boundary changes for the new P-20 attendance area is underway. The next equity training session for district administrators is scheduled on Friday at Rangeview High School from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Equity training will be held with teachers, parents and students during the next two years. Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs) Escárcega reviewed the Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives report, which highlights set goals and targets under Title III for English language learners. Goals are set in three areas including percentage of students moving up levels on the CELA test, percentage of students exiting out of programs, and an AYP category for ELL students enrolled in Title I programs. Most districts, including APS, have not made AMAO targets. A growth model is being pushed at the state to compare language proficiency growth levels among English language learners. Language proficiency levels are expected to increase on the CELA test at the high school level as a result of the implementation of the ELD block and increased efforts of students who now realize that they can opt out of the block once they are deemed proficient. Report Submissions The following reports were provided to the Board in advance of the December 15 meeting. These reports are officially submitted for the record, so we stay true to our theme of Trust, Teamwork and Transparency.

Work Force Development/Pathway Support through Alternative Licensing

Rebound

Fifth Block

Pilot Schools

Security Department Update

Standards-Based Grading

Aurora LIGHTS

Futures Academy

Instructional Technology

Exceptional Student Services

English Language Acquisition

Response to Intervention/Enrich

Early Childhood Education

Expeditionary Learning

P-20 Campus Development

Galaxy Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Pathway

Communication Plan Update

International Baccalaureate Program

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Leadership Team Reports Accreditation Stuart provided an overview of district accreditation changes related to Senate Bill 163, which provides changes in rules for inclusion of Colorado’s Growth model, postsecondary readiness, new CDE reporting of pre-populated data and new accreditation categories. The five points of accountability changes include achievement status and growth; achievement gaps; student results-postsecondary readiness; compliance with assurances and quality of education improvement plan. The six new accreditation label changes include Accredited with Distinction; Accredited; Accredited with Improvement Plan; Accredited with Priority Improvement Plan; Accredited with Turnaround Plan; and Unaccredited. The district earned “Full Accreditation” status for the 2009-10 school year, the second highest accreditation status that a school district can earn. The school accountability rating has been replaced with School Frameworks and the state reporting site, SchoolView. The school accountability report and school improvement plan are available on the SchoolView Web site for the community to access. The Colorado Department of Education will provide a “framework” report with a recommendation for each school related to the type of school improvement plan that should be administered as part of the new school accreditation process and the shift from local control to more state control. School districts will assign the accreditation status based on the recommendation from the Colorado Department of Education. A copy of the accreditation report is appended to the December 15 meeting minutes. Race to the Top Barry shared that the Colorado’s Race to the Top competitive grant program allows states to compete for $4.3 billion to invest in education reform over a four-year period. Four billion dollars would be allotted for state reform plans and remaining funds would be allotted for common assessments. The state must submit the application by January 2010. Successful states will receive award notices by April 2010. The state of Colorado is applying for the first phase of the application, January to April. Barry introduced Nina Lopez, Colorado Department of Education, who presented a summary of the proposal draft of the state’s plan and the framework used to accumulate points under the US Department of Education application guidelines. The final proposal draft will be available on January 6. The distribution of funds is dependent on broad participation from state school districts. School districts would be provided a memorandum of understanding that would request support and signatures from the Board president, Superintendent and AEA president. If selected, the state of Colorado would receive around $300 million in which APS would be eligible to receive $4 to $13 million based on information from the Colorado Department of Education. The Board will vote to determine whether the district will be included in the first phase of the application process on January 5. The Board would have the option to pull out of the application process by May or June if desired. 2010-11 Preliminary Budget Projections

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Weeks reviewed very preliminary budget projections for the 2010-11 school year. Early figures from the state of Colorado indicate a 6.12 percent reduction, $15.9 million, resulting in $9.7 million less revenues for operations in the district’s general fund budget. District expenditures are expected to exceed revenues by $6.7 million as a result of costs related to salary steps, PERA, health premiums and the implementation of full-day kindergarten. Preliminary projections indicate a $16.4 million deficit for the 2010-11 school year. The district is required to maintain a five percent minimum fund balance savings as part of Board policy and a portion could be used to offset loss revenues. Various budget scenarios continue to be reviewed by district leadership and updates will be communicated to staff. The preliminary budget will be presented to the Board in February 2010. A copy of the preliminary budget report is appended to the December 15 meeting minutes. Open Enrollment Policy Changes Cooper invited Leah Wilkinson, coordinator, and Lynn Fair, principal of Aurora Central, to the staff table to present open enrollment policy changes. Wilkinson reviewed proposed policy changes from the Open Enrollment Policy Review Task Force for Intra-District Choice/Open Enrollment Policy, JFBA, and Inter-District Choice/Open Enrollment Policy, JFBB. Open enrollment policy changes will be included on the January 5 consent agenda for Board approval. Training will be provided to school staff to ensure open enrollment policies are consistent throughout the district upon Board approval.

II. CONSENT AGENDA

The Board has set forth in policies items that are operational and items that are considered Board work. These are items that the Board is legally responsible to take action on. If a Board member has an issue or concern with any item for action on the consent agenda, the item will be brought forward for further review. If there are no concerns from a Board member or a community member who has signed up to address an item on the consent agenda, all items submitted for action will be voted on collectively. Cook moved and Prince seconded to remove Superintendent Monitoring reports, governance policy 3.4 – Financial Planning and Budgeting and governance policy 3.8 – Communication and Support to the Board from the consent agenda for further discussion. Prince moved and Carmany seconded to amend the consent agenda as presented. Roll Call: Carmany, Cook, Cukale, Lewis, Prince, Shepherd #8111 Approved on a vote of 6-0 Prince moved and Carmany seconded to adopt the amended consent agenda as presented and approve the following items:

Mill Levy Certification

2009-10 Readopted Budget

Personnel

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Aurora West College Preparatory Academy

Gateway High School Mock Trial Club Roll Call: Carmany, Cook, Cukale, Lewis, Prince, Shepherd #8112 Approved on a vote of 6-0

V. BOARD OF EDUCATION WORKSHOP

Colorado Association of School Boards Convention Cook shared that the APS Board was recognized at the Colorado Association of School Boards convention for being selected as the 2009 Colorado All State School Board. APS was one of two boards selected for the honor out of 178 school districts. The award will be displayed in the boardroom. Lewis shared that former Board member Judith Edberg was also present at the ceremony for the Board’s recognition. Lewis thanked leadership team for the nomination letter and application that were submitted to the Colorado Association of School Board in support of the APS Board. Cook noted that Tonia Norman, Sue Clark, Tony Van Gytenbeek, John Barry all contributed to the nomination effort. Lewis commented that a number of questions were answered at the policy governance workshop. Thirty percent of Colorado school districts are using the policy governance model; one percent of school districts are using the policy governance model nationwide. Cook spoke to a member of the Poudre school board, who extended an invitation to the APS Board to attend an upcoming meeting to view their policy governance process and procedures. The Poudre board has been using the policy governance model for the past six years. Norman will poll Board members to determine possible dates next semester.

Shepherd participated in the new board member track and shared that it was very informational. Carmany thanked Stuart for the great job he did in presenting information related to the Rebound and Futures program at the Colorado Association of School Boards convention. Stuart noted that it was a pleasure presenting information with Carmany as well. Cook was elected to the Colorado Association of School Boards representing district 5, large districts. Lewis shared that Cook will bring a new perspective to the board. Carmany shared that Barber requested that the Classified Employees Council be recognized for all their work in helping with donations to food banks during the holiday is tough economic period. The Classified Employees Council does great work.

VI. BOARD OF EDUCATION WORK

BOARD SELF-MONITORING Cook requested that the following items be tabled until the January 5 Board meeting:

dinner meeting/workshop with the AEA Board

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mid-year Board workshop

school assignment list

The Board agreed to a 6 p.m. start time for January and February Board meetings. The Board will determine whether to continue the 6 p.m. start time at the second meeting in February. The Board agreed to move to a summative minute format starting with the December 15 Board minutes. Lewis requested that narrative comments be included in Superintendent’s Celebration and Board of Education Reports, and reports presented at the meeting be attached to the minutes to provide additional detail or clarification for the public if desired. Prince noted that the public can request a recording of the minutes within 90 days. Cook added that the Board can request that individual comments be included for the record in Board minutes at any time. Cook requested that the Board review open dates in January to attend a meeting with the Poudre School District Board of Education. Prince requested that a form be created to document parent comments and concerns. Cook and Barry will design a form to use to document concerns during Board meetings. Cook reviewed monitoring reports that were pulled from the consent agenda for further discussion and shared an example of the revised format that referenced the policy as well as the Superintendent’s interpretation of the policy. The Board would then determine whether it was a reasonable interpretation of the policy and if the evidence supported it. Carmany commented that it is the Board’s job to discuss what should be included in Superintendent monitoring reports and is part of good governance. Barry requested that Board members provide as much advance notice as possible in regard to what information should be included in monitoring reports. Cook, Prince, and Barry will review the monitoring schedule for the remainder of the year. Shepherd moved and Cook seconded to adopt Superintendent monitoring reports, governance policy 3.4 – Financial Planning and Budgeting and governance policy 3.8 – Communication and Support to the Board. Roll Call: Carmany, Cook, Cukale, Lewis, Prince, Shepherd #8113

Approved on a vote of 6-0 Lewis commented that all of the quarterly reports received under report submissions were excellent. She asked that names be included on future reports.

VI. CONCLUDING ITEMS

Opportunity for Audience Next meeting date

The next meeting of the Board of Education will be held January 5, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. in the Dr. Edward and Mrs. Patricia Lord Boardroom.

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Adjournment

The regular meeting of the Board of Education adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

_________________________

President

ATTEST _________________________ Secretary

Board of Education Work

Agenda, January 5, 2010 Board of Education

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II – BOARD OF EUCATION WORK

BOARD REPORTS 6:00 - 6:10 1. Concerns or Issues 2. Conference Updates BOARD SELF-MONITORING 6:10 - 6:40 1. Superintendent Monitoring Report 2. Dinner Meeting or Workshop with the AEA Board 3. Mid-Year Board Workshop 4. School Assignment List

Informational Reports

Agenda, January 5, 2010 Board of Education

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III – INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

A. REPORTS FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION 6:40 - 6:50 B. SUPERINTENDENT’S CELEBRATIONS 6:50 - 7:00 C. OPPORTUNITY FOR AUDIENCE 7:00 - 7:10

D. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT 7:10 - 7:20

Time reserved is for the Board to receive information and discuss issues introduced by the

Board, Superintendent or district leadership team. Agenda items may be scheduled in

advance or raised at the meeting. No Board action on substantive matters is taken. The

following topics were scheduled in advance of this meeting. 1. ITEMS OF INTEREST

2. RECENT UPDATES

E. VISTA 2010 UPDATE 7:20 - 7:30

Consent Agenda

Agenda, January 5, 2010 Board of Education

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IV – CONSENT AGENDA

A. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

1. Race to the Top Competitive Grant Program Staff Responsible – Barry 7:30 - 7:40

The Board of Education was presented a summary of the draft proposal for the state’s

plan for the Race to the Top competitive grant program on December 15.

B. DIVISION OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESEARCH

No Items

C. DIVISION OF EQUITY AND ENGAGEMENT

1. Open Enrollment Staff Responsible – Cooper 7:40 - 7:41

The Board of Education was provided information in regard to changes in the district’s

open enrollment policy.

RECOMMENDATION: The Board of Education approve changes in the district’s open

enrollment policy as presented.

D. DIVISION OF FINANCE

No Items E. DIVISION OF HUMAN RESOURCES

1. Classified Personnel Staff Responsible – Allen Staff Responsible – Allen

7:41 - 7:42 a. Appointment

1) Lynn Duran 12-07-09 Manager, Day Care Program, William

Smith

2) Stephanie Gaskin 12-01-09 Assistant, Nutrition Services, South

3) Alice Gerkin 12-04-09 Paraeducator, Classroom, Peoria

4) Jimmie Hurts 12-01-09 Assistant, Nutrition Services, Mrachek

5) Marcelle Hoisington 12-01-09 Assistant, Nutrition Services, Columbia

6) Beverly Penn 12-01-09 Assistant, Nutrition Services, Arkansas

7) Allison Quinn 12-01-09 Paraeducator, Classroom, Park Lane

8) Stephanie Wright 12-01-09 Assistant, Nutrition Services, Wheeling

b. Leave of Absence

Agenda, January 5, 2010 Board of Education

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1) Anita Avalos 12-10-09 Medical

Paraeducator, Severe Needs/Life Skills,

Park Lane

2) Alyssa Loyd 11-09-09 Medical

Educational Assistant, Classroom,

Gateway

c. Return from Leave of Absence

Alyssa Loyd 11-30-09 Educational Assistant, Classroom,

Gateway

d. Deceased

Steve Wells 12-14-09 Bus Driver, Transportation

e. Retirement

James Madden 01-29-10 Lead, Warehouse, Facilities

2. Licensed Personnel Staff Responsible – Allen

7:42 - 7:43 a. Resignation

Amber Karas 01-29-10 Special Ed Teacher – ECE, Child

Development Center

b. Appointment

Sarah Elmore 12-11-09 ELA, Fletcher Primary

c. Leave of Absence

Kimberly Komar 12-16-09 Medical

Grade 3, Jewell

d. Return from Leave of Absence

Susan Naqica 12-09-09 Consultant, ELA, ESC 2

e. Transfer

Matthew Ashlock 12-29-09 TOSA, Intervention/RTI, East to

Instructor, Online Education, Aurora

Central

Agenda, January 5, 2010 Board of Education

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3. Non-Licensed Administrative and Staff Responsible – Allen Professional/Technical Personnel

No items

RECOMMENDATION: The Board approve the personnel actions.

F. DIVISION OF INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES

No Items

G. DIVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICES

Concluding Items

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V – CONCLUDING ITEMS

A. OPPORTUNITY FOR AUDIENCE B. NEXT MEETING DATE

The next business meeting of the Board of Education will be held on January 19, 2010, at 6:00

p.m. in the Dr. Edward and Mrs. Patricia Lord Boardroom at Educational Services Center 4.

C. ADJOURNMENT