Superintendent


Ron Haugen

Gadsden Logo


REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
May 8, 2003

 1325 W. Washington ST.
P.O. Drawer 70
Anthony, NM 88021
Phone: (505)882-6200
Board Workshop 1. The Board met at 5:00 p.m. at La Union Elementary to have a budget workshop with Ms. Arrieta. The Board reviewed the budget that is being developed.
Introduction 2. The regular meeting of the Gadsden School Board convened in open session at 6:44 p.m. with President David Garcia presiding. This meeting was held in the La Union Elementary School Cafeteria located on 875 Mercantile Avenue in La Union, New Mexico
Roll Call Board Members present were Dr. David Garcia, Mr. Daniel Rollings, Ms. Luz Vargas, Mr. Fred Garza, and Ms. Maria Saenz.
Closed Session Mr. Rollings moved to go into Closed Session for Personnel pursuant to 10-15-1, H-2, NMSA 1978 as amended to discuss personnel actions. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Board went into closed session at 6:44 p.m. Matters pertaining to person- nel actions were discussed in closed session.
Reconvened In Open Session 3. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:13 p.m. Mr. Rollings moved to reconvene in Open Session. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Roll Call 4. Board members present were Dr. David Garcia, Ms. Luz Vargas, Mr. Daniel Rollings, Mr. Fred Garza, and Ms. Maria Saenz. The National Anthem was sung by Sarai Perez and Kathlee Deerman-Smith, students at Santa Teresa High School. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mr. Rollings read the Mission Statement.
Supt.'s Report 5. Programs, Reports, and Correspondence
A. (1) a. First graders from La Union Elementary sang for the audience and the School Board. The 6th grade band played for the audience and the School Board. The choir also sang.
b. Volunteer Parent Presentation-Ms. Minjarez and Ms. Schweinebraten presented plaques of recognition to parent Volunteers for their contributions and dedication to the La Union students and staff.
(2) Student Recognition by Ms. Watson-All State Children's Choir- Ms. Watson recognized and presented plaques to All State Choir Students from high school to elementary.
(3) Drug-Free Schools Presentation-Mr. Saenz presented an award to Judge Rose Camarillo, who was a judge for Teen Court, for her service and support to Gadsden Teen Court. Mr. Saenz also thanked his secretary, Ms. Irene Herrera. Liliana, fifth grader at Riverside Elementary and Judge Camarillo's great granddaughter read a letter she received from Governor Richardson.
(4) Supt. Haugen thanked the La Union administration for hosting the Board meeting. He read a list of the students that were recognized by the Border Patrol as Head of the Class for March & April and for the 2002-2003 School Year. He gave them a copy of the Magazine "Strategies" a journal for physical and sports educators. Ms. Linda Crooks included in that magazine comments from Gadsden students. Supt. Haugen said he got a letter from Mr. Bud Mulcock who diligently lobbied along with Senator Nava to obtain the funding to start the new high school at Chaparral. Mr. Mulcock thanks the District Student Leadership Council and Mr. Haugen for their letter thanking him for his effort in obtaining these funds. Supt. Haugen gave the Board the NMSBA form for the selection of a Board of Education of the Year or Board Member of the Year. Supt. Haugen said that he received a letter from Boone Transportation notifying him that there are warnings issued by the School Bus Information Council regarding defects and the corrective action taken by Boone Transportation. Supt. Haugen gave the Board a construction overview of the Santa Teresa Elementary School and the Sunrise Elementary School. He also said that the Santa Teresa High School Library/Classroom Addition will go out for bid in July 2003. He also said that the Teacher of the Year went well and was very well attended. Ms. Nancy Ackerman, teacher at La Union Elementary, was selected as Teacher of the Year.
Board Pres. B. Board President's Report- Pres. Garcia presented to Ms. Yvonne Lozano the Student Achievement Award on behalf of the Gadsden School District in recognition by the NMSBA for her significant accomplish- ments and exemplary service provided to students, staff, and patrons of the School District. Pres. Garcia recognized Ms. Saenz for being selected as the secretary for the DABCC Board. He also thanked Ms. Nava for her hard work and money she helped get for a high school in Chaparral. Pres. Garcia said the Teacher of the Year Banquet was very enjoyable.
Board Members C. Board Member-Mr. Rollings said he enjoyed the presentations tonight. He said he has kept the activities calendar updated. He said he attended the facilities meeting where discussion took place about the new elementary in Berino/Vado area. Mr. Rollings thanked Ms. Yturralde for a wonderful Honors Banquet for the Desert View students. He said that the Teacher of the Year function was wonderful. He said the Science Fair was great. He encouraged the continuation of the Trenches and the Student Leadership Council. He thanked Mr. Chavez for the construction update.
Ms. Vargas said she attended the Honors Banquet for Desert View and was impressed with the outcome. She thanked Ms. Nava for her work in obtaining funds for the district.
Ms. Saenz thanked the La Union Elementary Administration for all that is going on at that school.
Student Rep. D. Student Representative - Not present
Modification of the Agenda 6. Modification of the Agenda-Mr. Rollings requested to move Agenda Item 7B Status and/or Resolution of Corrective Action on Audit Findings and place it under Item 9B. Mr. Rollings moved to approve the Agenda as modified. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Consent Agenda 7. Consent Agenda-Ms. Vargas moved to approve the Consent Agenda as modified. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Open Forum 8. Open Forum-No comments
External Auditors for Fiscal Year Ended 6/30/03 9. Action Items
External Auditors for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2003-Ms. Arrieta said that only two proposals for the external audit were received and recom- mended the firm of Kriegel & Co. to be the Independent Public Accountant for the financial and compliance audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003. The Board asked why last year's auditors contract was not extended. After extensive discussion, Ms. Saenz moved to accept the recommendation of Kriegel & Co. to be the auditors for fiscal year ended June 30, 2003. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Mr. Garza, Mr. Rollings, Ms. Vargas, and Dr. Garcia voted no; Ms. Saenz voted yes. The motion was denied.
Audit Findings B. Status and/or Resolution of Corrective Action on Audit Findings-Mr. Rollings moved to table this item for presentation at the next Board meeting. Ms. Arrieta pointed out that the Board has 30 days to respond to these audit findings. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Mr. Rollings, Mr. Garza, Ms. Vargas, and Dr. Garcia voted yes; Ms. Saenz voted no. Motion carried.
Policy GCBAA & GCF 10. Discussion Items-None
A. Policy GCBAA-Payroll Deductions and Policy GCF-Professional Staff Orientation/Mentoring Process-Mr. Rollings said that because of Collecting Bargaining Act he felt that this policy should be discussed at a later date. Payroll deductions were discussed. Ms. Saenz recommended that on Policy GCF teaching experience be changed from three years to five years.
MIS Reorganization B. MIS Reorganization-Mr. Korn, Director of Program Evaluation and Accountability, expressed the need to change to insure timely and accurate information to the State Dept. of Education. The department will become more efficient, more productive, and more accurate. Mr. Korn explained the eight positions that this department will have. At this time he is not looking at personnel but he is looking at positions. Mr. Korn said that this reorganization will be a $13,000 savings to the district.
Board Attorney C. Board Attorney Contract-Mr. Garza inquired about the hiring of two different attorneys for the Board. Each firm specializes in different areas. The Board discussed how two firms were hired instead of one firm and the effectiveness of this decision. Mr. Garza requested to consider having the Cuddy, Kennedy Firm take care of all Board business and the Castille Firm take care of other matters. Mr. Rollings said maybe the District should hire only one. Most Board members seem to favor the Cuddy, Kennedy Firm.
Adjourned 11. Mr. Rollings moved to adjourn the meeting. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Board adjourned the meeting at 9:56 p.m.