Mountain Institute JTED

Governing Board of Education

Special Meeting Minutes

June 4, 2011 

A special meeting of the Mountain Institute JTED Governing Board of Education was held on June 4, 2011 at the Mountain Institute JTED District Office, 3003 Centerpointe East Drive, Prescott, AZ and convened at 8:15 a.m. 

8:15 AM SPECIAL SESSION

1.  CALL TO ORDER

      Chairman Harlow called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. 

2.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/FLAG CEREMONY

      The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Harlow. 

3.  ROLL CALL

     Present were:  Board members Roger Harlow, Thomas Liuzzo, Michael Taylor, Heidi Baker, Maxine Howington, Tony Carroll and Casey Samsill.  Also present were:  MI JTED Superintendent Ray Polvani, Program Director Jeramy Plumb, ESA Consultant and MI JTED Finance Director Howard Moody.       Guests included:  Chino Valley Chamber Executive Director Ab Jackson and John Gordon.  Chairman Harlow stated that Howard Moody is serving as Secretary Pro Tem in the absence of Board Secretary Karen Leja. 

4.  AGENDA REVIEW/ACCEPT

      Michael Taylor moved to accept the June 4, 2011 Governing Board Meeting agenda.  Casey Samsill  seconded and the motion carried 7-0. 

5.  WORK STUDY SESSION – Annual Board Retreat Chairman Harlow recessed to the Work Study Session—Annual Board Retreat.    Dr. Polvani  reviewed the agenda for the day and introduced facilitators Messrs. Gordon and Jackson. He then reviewed 2010-2011 goal attainment.   There were several questions from board members relating to student incentives, evaluation of Satellite teachers and other goals. 

      Board members spent seven hours discussing the following topics:

      Habits of Highly-Performing School Boards led by Presenter John Gordon.  The following points were

      made:

• The number one focus for effective boards is “what do we want to improve in”.  There needs to be a shared understanding among the board and communicated to our constituents.
• Board members represent the JTED in their communities.
• Older board members are working at “full throttle”.  The question now is not can we sustain but how do we move to “awesome”. There is genuine camaraderie among board members.  The board does not make decisions based on “the latest emotion”.
• Can there be more teleconference meetings because of the significant travel time for some members?
• Avoid the “Tyranny of the Urgent”.
• Mr. Gordon will present more information about the habits of highly performing boards at future meetings.

Pathways to Prosperity presentation by Howard Moody and Jeramy Plumb.  Messrs. Moody and Plumb led a discussion of the power point developed by William Symonds from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.  The presentation stressed the importance of Career and Technical Education and changing the mindset from all kids go to a four year college to post secondary education for all students.  Only about 30% of jobs currently require a bachelor’s degree.

Administrative Recommendations – Dr. Polvani  led a discussion of the recommendations from the Administrative staff.

• Areas that will continue to be worked on include the development of distance learning, high quality programs and establish counselor outreach to our member districts.  Substantial progress has been made in all of these areas.
• New areas of emphasis include:
• Support of Career Technical Student Organizations.
• Possible development of new programs including industrial plant maintenance, cosmetology, aviation and allied health.
• Comprehensive JTED marketing both regional and state wide
 

Finance 101 presentation by Howard Moody – Mr. Moody presented the fundamentals of school finance.  Sources of revenue and limitations on expenditures were reviewed.  A very early draft of potential funding for 2011-2012 was briefly reviewed. 

Budget trends/implications – Dr. Polvani led a discussion of this issue.  Topics reviewed include:

• ADM and Student Attendance system issues were reviewed.  The system is not working for JTEDS and we still do not know what our 100^thday student count is.
• The legislative change that eliminated funding from the state for 9^thgrade students.
• The centralized campus vs. satellite programs were discussed at some length.  The Arizona Department of Education has taken a position that is contrary to existing practice of JTEDs.  This change will have a significant effect on funding in the future.  All JTEDs are working hard to get this position reversed.
• Distance learning costs – costs of implementation, equipment, delivery of instruction, professional development were briefly discussed.
• Carryover of capital – MI has added $200,000 from sudden growth monies to unrestricted capital to be used in the future.
• Continuing reduction in capital and soft capital by the legislature.
• Potential for enrollment changes, up or down.
 

Facilities Planning Process/Discussion – Dr. Polvani led the discussion of this topic.  Until the central campuses vs. satellite program issues discussed above are resolved, the administration cannot develop a plan for facility acquisition.  Issues that will need to be considered in developing a plan are:

• Finalization of future program development.
• Review of options for acquisition, including leasing, capital leases, enhanced partnership with Yavapai College and purchasing land and/or buildings.
• Determination of available resources.
• Potential for build out of current district office.
 

Ab Jackson facilitated a discussion of Board goal setting.  He began by defining effective boards as “work” boards not show boards.  The 2 roles of a board are:

1. Oversight
2. Mission
3. Policy
4. Financial oversight
5. The Board has ultimate responsibility for the organization paying its bills.
6. Influence
7. Friend-raising
8. Awareness
9. Fund raising
 

There was a brief break for lunch at this time. 

Mr.  Jackson then presented two case studies that emphasized the importance of the mission statement in the managing of an organization.  He reviewed the MI JTED mission statement, values, vision and goals and stated that he felt that they were extremely well done and he would recommend against “tweaking” them at all.  

Mr. Jackson then led a lengthy discussion of the current objectives for each of the four goals.  The Board concluded that nearly all of them continue to be relevant and only a few were eliminated because they have been completed. 

Governing Board Calendar 2011-12 -- Dr. Polvani stated that in light of the time, this item would be considered at a future board meeting. 

6.  ANNOUNCEMENTS

      Chairman Harlow returned to the special meeting.  He announced the next board meeting date:

                6/29/11                                Regular Meeting                              5:00 p.m.             MI DO 

7.  ADJOURNMENT

     Heidi Baker moved to adjourn the meeting.  Thomas Liuzzo seconded and the motion carried 7-0.  The

     meeting was adjourned by Mr. Harlow at 3:51 p.m.

Respectfully submitted: 

Howard Moody

Secretary Pro Tem