| November 17, 2010 |
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MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE Governing Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes November 17, 2010 A regular meeting of the Mountain Institute Governing Board of Education was held on November 17, 2010at the Mountain Institute District Office, 3003 Centerpointe East Dr., Prescott, AZ 86303 and convened at 6:00 p.m. 6:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION
Chairman Roger Harlow called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/FLAG CEREMONY: The pledge was led by Roger Harlow. 3. ROLL CALL: Present were Board members Heidi Baker, Jesse Eller, Roger Harlow, and Casey Samsill. Ronnie Hawley was present by telephone. A quorum was established. Tony Carroll and Thomas Liuzzo were absent. Also present were: Ray Polvani, Superintendent; Jeramy Plumb, Program Director; Howard Moody, ESA consultant and Finance Director; Sandy Somsen, Career Education Coordinator; and Karen Leja, Board Secretary. Guests from the community were Paula Rhoden, Prescott Daily Courier, and Tamara Nicolosi, Pima JTED. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: There was no public participation. 5. PRESENTATION: Dr. Polvaniintroduced Tamara Nicolosi from the Pima JTED who gave a presentation on “Curriculum for Teaching Excellence.” Mountain Institute has been in discussion with Pima JTED regarding incorporation of this curriculum revision/professional development model being offered to JTEDs throughout Arizona. The model allows JTEDs to purchase curriculum developed by Pima JTED staff that aligns with state standards for CTE/JTED programs. Ms. Nicolosi described the history of the project, professional development opportunities, goals and expectations, and cost projections. Board members asked questions on the need for Mountain Institute to have such a curriculum model and if satellite districts would share costs with MI. Dr. Polvani said further research needs to be done on the curriculum model training options, how it would be delivered to satellite districts and how costs would be covered. Mr. Eller said from his teaching experience this would be cutting-edge curriculum to provide to instructors. Dr. Polvani and Mr. Plumb supported Mr. Eller’s assessment. 6. CONSENT AGENDA: There were four items on the consent agenda: Approval of the minutes of the October 27, 2010 meeting; Approval of the November 17, 2010 agenda; Approval of Payroll Voucher 529 totaling $9,245.66; and Approval of Expense Voucher 8107 totaling $12,378.65. Mr. Samsill moved to approve the consent agenda. Ms. Baker seconded and the motion carried 5-0.
A. Governing Board Mr. Samsill reported he and Dr. Polvani had made a Power Point presentation to the Mayer School Board and he was disappointed by little reaction from board members. Mr. Eller reported he and Dr. Polvani had made a similarpresentation to the Prescott School Board and received excellent input and questions from their superintendent. Mr. Harlow confirmed that board members had received the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) notice of their December 15-17 conference in Phoenix. B. Superintendent Dr. Polvani reported on the following items:
A. Discussion Item: Curriculum/Instruction/Program Status As done at past meetings,Mr. Plumb reviewed a summary report on the Growth & Sustainability construction costs at each school site. He pointed out a new category has been added with costs of project items that have been added since construction started. A breakdown of these costs by site was reviewed. He pointed out the total project costs and unfunded balances for each site. He said these amounts will be discussed further under Growth & Sustainability Grant Awards in New Business.
B. Discussion Item: Finance Report Mr. Moody reviewed the Fund Balances, Revenue Report and Expenditure Budget Balance Reports as of November 2010. The cash balance is $1,296,076.60. He reminded board members this cash was received based on last year’s expectation of 550 Average Daily Membership (ADM) with the actual just under 300 ADM. It is still anticipated when ADE makes monthly equalization payments, they will not make them to MI JTED to adjust for the cash difference. The revenue report shows budget numbers based on the accurate ADM. The expenditures report shows year-to-date balances by line item and should be monitored by the board to make sure the administration does not over expend its budget. Mr. Samsill asked if Mountain Institute participated in the Pima JTED curriculum project what budget item would cover the costs. Mr. Moody said it would be covered under Professional Development/Training in the Maintenance & Operations budget category. He reminded board members the Attorney General had ruled that not including JTEDs in the reduction of Soft Capital was a violation of law. The resulting reductions in MI funding are $44,016 for 2009-10 which will reduce carryover to 2010-11 and $27,600 for 2010-11. He said some of the other JTEDs are challenging the 2009-10 reduction based on the contention that the state does not have the authority to collect money that has already been distributed. The administration will keep board members informed as news on these cuts comes forward. C. Discussion/Possible Action Item: Consider approval of 2010-2011 Revised Budget #1 Spreadsheet As discussed previously, the Soft Capital Allocation has been reduced for all JTEDs. When budget capacity is reduced, the ADE requires a budget revision be submitted by December 15th. The budget forms will be available for approval and execution at the December 1 board meeting. The spreadsheet being reviewed this evening will allow the Administration to finalize the required budget documents. The spreadsheet shows a total expenditures budget of $1,579.73. This revised budget #1 is based on the 100th day 294.68 ADM from 2009-10. Due to the state’s budget condition, a two percent reduction in base support level totaling $25,787 is anticipated. The administration has reviewed and revised expenditures for new section costs, anticipated Growth & Sustainability Grant awards and ADM revenue distributions. The budgeted amounts have not changed but the allocation among them has changed. The administration still anticipates receiving sudden growth funds of approximately $800,000. Board members voiced concerns on potential expenditures for new section costs and Growth and Sustainability Grant Awards if additional cuts happen or a cash sweep of excess funds takes place. Mr. Moody said the administration is being exceptionally cautious in budgeting. The only committed amount of ADM revenue so far this year is $15,000 to each district. Mr. Eller moved to approve the 2010-2011 Revised Budget #1 spreadsheet. Mr. Samsill seconded and the motion carried 5-0. 9. NEW BUSINESS: A. Discussion/Possible Action Item: New Programs 2011-12. Mr. Plumb presented the proposed new JTED programs for fiscal year 2012: Allied Health Services-Sports Medicine; a tentative Cosmetology program; and Precision Manufacturing (Pre-Engineering). As part of future program planning, the administration conferred with the Mountain Advisory Committee (MAC) to determine programs being planned at the satellite sites. Humboldt wishes to add Allied Health Sports Medicine as they have supportive enrollment numbers, a facility and a teacher available. Yavapai College has received a STEM grant and offered to partner with Mountain Institute to offer Precision Manufacturing for MI’s students. YC will pay for the instructor and provide the facility and materials. MI Administration is conferring with a local beauty school that provides training in Nails, Aesthetics as well as hair treatments to develop a potential Cosmetology program. Research is being done on scheduling options, market data, program feasibility and costs. At the December board meeting, MI administration may seek approval for submission of a Notice of Intent to the ADE for a Cosmetology program. Mr. Eller said he strongly supports the Allied Health program and feels this area has a great potential for growth. Mr. Harlow asked if there is a technician level for Precision Manufacturing. Mr. Plumb said this would take a prerequisite of calculus which may deter student enrollments. The approval of the new 2011-12 programs will be requested from the board at the December 1 meeting. Mr. Plumb passed around an artist proof of the 2011-12 Central Programs catalog featuring details of Allied Health, Culinary Arts, Education Professions, Nursing Services, Precision Machining, Transportation Technologies and Welding Technologies. This marketing piece will be finalized and initially distributed at the Yavapai College CTE Day December 3rd. The catalog includes photos of actual JTED students and includes student quotations. Board members offered support of the planned new programs and the Central Program catalog. B. Discussion/Possible Action Item: Consider approval of Growth and Sustainability Grant (GSG) awards. Dr. Polvani said the administration has been working with the MAC committee and the GSG review committee to make recommendations for the 2010-11 grant awards. This year’s fund requests have been complicated by the need to look at the awards distributed last year, unfunded construction awards and 2010 GSG funds still to be distributed. The committee’s award recommendations are based on the district’s/community’s stated program needs, cost effectiveness, and for some a necessary continuation of 2009-10 Phase 1 projects. The total FY 2011 GSG award recommendations are:
Total: $411,526.75 Mr. Eller questioned why Prescott had not submitted a GSG grant application. Mr. Plumb said he had several discussions with PUSD. At this time due to a lack of space to expand JTED programs it was not beneficial for them to apply. They do anticipate some changes in the future and MI expects to see GSG award applications in future years. Mr. Samsill said he’s very happy to see the GSG construction progress at the sites and this year’s requests for equipment to continue improvements. He suggests each site have an Open House when GSG construction is complete. Mr. Plumb said MI Administration will follow-up with this idea. Ms. Baker said the Ash Fork community is very excited about improvements at that site. Mr. Plumb pointed out in the GSG funds request chart includes a ratio column showing the total funding per student. Mr. Samsill noted the much higher per student costs at Ash Fork and Seligman. He said it was recognized the outlying areas had smaller student numbers and less program capacity but with improved facilities the investment will help them with program growth. Mr. Samsill moved to approve the Growth and Sustainability Grant awards for 2011-12. Ms. Baker seconded. Mr. Moody asked for a correction of the fiscal year for the awards. Mr. Samsill reworded his motion to approve the Growth and Sustainability Grant awards for 2010-11. Ms. Baker seconded and the motion carried 5-0. C. Discussion Item: Superintendent’s Evaluation instrument/procedures. Dr. Polvani reminded board members by ARS statutes review of the superintendent must be conducted by December 18th. As last year’s evaluation form had been difficult to use, he explained this year’s form has been reformatted to maintain the quality, but streamline process. He said he will come back to the board in March for contract negotiations. He asked board members to return their evaluation responses to Karen Leja by November 23. The individual ratings will be tallied and prepared for a December 1 Superintendent Evaluation in Executive Session. D. Discussion/Possible Action Item: New Policy language clarifications. Dr. Polvani explained the ASBA has asked MI for language clarifications on two policies approved last year:
Ms. Baker moved to approve the timeline of 15 days for policy GCF. Mr. Samsill seconded and the motion carried 5-0. Mr. Samsill moved to approve Option A for policy GCQF. Mr. Eller seconded and the motion carried 5-0. E. Discussion Item: Potential Cosmetology program discussion update. Dr. Polvani said this item had been discussed under new programs for 2011-12. Mr. Samsill voiced concern of the number of hours needed for a Cosmetology program. Dr. Polvani said the program being researched has certification options of 600 hours for aesthetics; 600 hours for nails; and 1600 hours for cosmetology. Dr. Polvani assured board members MI wants a cosmetology program that will be most advantageous for student success and give them real-world options for future employment. F. Discussion Item: Possible December 15, 2010 Governing Board Meeting Cancellation. Dr. Polvani distributed a timeline of future board meetings and calendared agenda items. The only item currently scheduled for the December 15 meeting was the Superintendent Evaluation which could be moved to the December 1 meeting. Board members agreed the December 15 meeting should be cancelled. G. Discussion/Possible Action Item: Consider approval of JTED Delegate and Alternate to ASBA Winter Assembly. Dr. Polvani announced the Arizona School Boards Association winter conference is December 15-17, 2010 in Phoenix. The ASBA is seeking three changes to their bylaws on December 16 at the meeting of delegates. Last year, Mr. Eller served as MI’s delegate and Mr. Hawley served as alternate. Mr. Eller and Mr. Hawley indicated they cannot attend the December meeting. Board members discussed options of who might attend the meeting. Mr. Harlow also said he had a letter from Yavapai County School Superintendent Tim Carter that a meeting of board members is planned in Cottonwood for December 16. It was discussed that Mr. Carroll might have interest in attending the ASBA conference but due to his absence this could not be confirmed. There is also the option of not having anyone attend. Mr. Eller moved to approve Anthony Carroll as delegate to the ASBA winter conference based on his ability to attend. Mr. Samsill seconded and the motion carried 5-0. Dr. Polvani will follow up with Mr. Carroll. MI staff will try to obtain handouts from the conference for all board members. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
12/1/10 @ 6pm Regular Meeting MI District Office 1/12/11 @ 6pm Regular Meeting MI District Office ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Eller moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Samsill seconded and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. by Chairman Harlow. Respectfully submitted, Karen Leja Board Secretary |
Governing Board & MIJTED Staff
2012 Program Catalog
Click the image above to open a PDF program catalog.