Superintendent


Ron Haugen

Gadsden Logo


REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
February 27, 2003

 1325 W. Washington ST.
P.O. Drawer 70
Anthony, NM 88021
Phone: (505)882-6200
Introduction 1. The regular meeting of the Gadsden School Board convened in open session at 6:00 p.m. with President David Garcia presiding. This meeting was held in the Gadsden Middle School Cafeteria located on 1301 West Washington Street in Anthony, New Mexico.
Roll Call Board Members present were Dr. David J. Garcia, Mr. Daniel L. Rollings, Mr. Fred Garza, and Ms. Maria Saenz. Ms. Vargas arrived at 6:10 p.m.
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, and for Supt. Real Property & Water Rights Pursuant to 10-15-1, H-8, NMSA 1978 as amended to discuss an elementary site. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Board went into closed session at 6:02 p.m. Only matters pertaining to personnel actions and land acquisition were discussed in closed session.
Reconvened In Open Session 2. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:03 p.m. Mr. Rollings moved to reconvene in Open Session. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously
Roll Call 3. . Board members present were Dr. David J. Garcia, Ms. Luz E. Vargas, Mr. Daniel L. Rollings, Mr. Fred Garza, and Ms. Maria Saenz. Mr. Rollings led the Pledge of Allegiance and Mrs. Saenz read the Mission Statement.
Supt.'s Report 4. Programs, Reports, and Correspondence
Supt. Haugen informed the Board of Governor Richardson's Open House of his new southern New Mexico Office. Supt. Haugen reminded the Board of the Board Retreat/Workshop to be held on Friday and Saturday, July 25-26, 2003. Mr. Haugen gave the Board the results of the Quality of Education Survey. He also gave them a listing the 2003- 2004 new hires. He said he had met with them during new employees' orientation. Supt. Haugen gave the Board information on the NM Cares e-mail he received from Mr. Pablo Duran. This group works with school districts across the state of New Mexico to encourage voters to vote during the upcoming election on September 23rd. Supt. Haugen said he met with the Capital Outlay Council in Deming to request funds for construction of facilities. He requested $22 million: $15 million for Chaparral HS and $8 million for an elementary in the northern part of the district. He summarized the anticipated funds. He informed the Board of the upcoming Administrative Academy.
Board Pres. B. No comments.
Board Members C. Board Member--Mr. Rollings reported on the leadership workshop he attended in Cloudcroft. Ms. Saenz also commented on the leadership workshop and what she learned.
Student Rep. D. Student Representative - Not present
Modification of the Agenda 5. Modification of the Agenda-Mr. Haugen requested to move agenda action item 8A Foreign Exchange Students and make it discussion item 9C. Ms. Vargas moved to approve the agenda as modified. Supt. Haugen recom- mended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Consent Agenda 6. Consent Agenda-Mr. Rollings moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Open Forum 7. Open Forum-Ms. Christine Trujillo, elected member of the State Board of Education and president of the New Mexico Federation of New Mexico Employees, and president of the AFLCIO, expressed concerns about the change in policy regarding dues deductions. She expressed willingness to clarify or resolve the Board's action in this regard. She urged that the Board reconsider at the next board meeting to reinstate payroll deductions for union dues. Mr. Randy Moncrief spoke about the need for a good working relationship between the union and the school administration.
Bond Sale 8. Action Items
A. Notice of Sale for General Obligation Bonds-Ms. Arrieta gave an overview of the bond capacity, sale of bonds, and the anticipated use for these funds. Mr. Kevin Powers, representative from Dain Rauscher the district's bond advisor, presented the resolution authorizing issuance of bonds and publication of notice of meeting and sale. He said that the plan is to sell an estimated $8.2 million in bonds. Mr. Powers gave an overview of the assessed valuation, the tax rates, the bond calendar, and the finance plan of the general obligation debt outstanding and future debt issuance. Ms. Arrieta proposed to modify the notice of sale and increase the bonds that will currently be sold to about 9 ½ to 10 million dollars. Mr. Garza moved to approve the notice of sale for general obligation bond as modify to meet the 90% capacity by selling up to $10 million in bonds. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Travel Policy DL B. Travel Policy DL-Supt. Haugen presented modifications to the Travel Policy DL; the per diem was not changed but the mileage was changed to 32 ½ cents everything else remains as is. Superintendents are authorized to make those changes as they occur. Mr. Rollings moved to accept for review Travel Policy DL as presented. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
8th Grade Students in HS 9. Discussion Items-None
A. Participation of 8th Grade Students in the High School Athletic Program-- Supt. Haugen said that the rules of the District Athletic Handbook states that if there is not a comparable sport in the middle school, students can participate in the high school sport. Concerns were discussed and the Board agreed to follow the handbook as written.
Home School Regulations B. Home School Regulations Combining Instruction at Home and at School- Ms. Nava said that she had a request from a parent to have her child home schooled and also be allowed to come to school part of the day. She requested direction from the Board. She said that 68 students are currently being home schooled. After discussion, the Board agreed that a Board Policy be developed and brought to the Board for further discus- sion and action.
Foreign Exchange Students C. Foreign Exchange Students-Supt. Haugen said that the law changed in January by the federal government regarding to foreign exchange students in school. The school district is responsible for monitoring their activities when they are in school. Ms. Nava said that this actually requires that the school district become an issuer of the I-20 immigration form and they have to be registered. She said that if the school district wants to engage in this procedure the waiting list is at least six months and possibly longer. Prior to that acceptance as a site you may not accept foreign exchange students. If you choose to assume this liability, it is also mandatory from this point on to require the student to pay tuition.
Adjourned 10. Mr. Garza moved to adjourn the meeting. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Board adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.