Superintendent


Ron Haugen

Gadsden Logo


REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
August 14, 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 6:03 p.m. with President David Garcia presiding. This meeting was held in the Gadsden High School Cafeteria located on 6301 Highway 28 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 forSupt.Real Property & Water Rights Pursuant to 10-15-1 , H-8, NMSA 1978 as amended to discuss acquisition of land. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Board went into closed session at 6:03 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 7:15 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. George Foster, GHS Principal requested that Frank Borden lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Frank Borden is a GHS student.
Supt.'s Report 4. Programs, Reports, and Correspondence
A. (1) Supt. Haugen reported on the funding that was approved by the State for Gadsden I.S.D. for the Even Start Family Literacy Program for a total amount of $223,957. He said that the State also approved the Elementary Arts Education Program. The funds received will be to hire elementary art teachers to develop art programs in elementary schools. Supt. Haugen said that he also received a letter from the NMSU informing him that funding has been approved for the Upward Bound Program. This program serves students with college preparatory services. Supt. Haugen said that the Show Cause Hearing is scheduled for September 10th at the Desert View Library. This school has been categorized as a corrective action school. The school ratings will be discussed and the local corrective action plan will be reviewed. He said he received the school ratings and the accountability system information. He went over the ratings for each school. Supt. Haugen gave a construction update on the two new schools— Sunrise Elementary and Santa Teresa Elementary and also on the Mesquite Elementary School classroom addition and the Santa Teresa High School library/classroom addition. Supt. Haugen summarized the list of projects that will be done with bond proceeds. The projects include reroofing at different schools, electrical upgrades, floor replacement, etc. Supt. Haugen gave the Board Members informa- tion on membership to NALEO. He gave the Board a copy of a letter from an employee of Berino Elementary saying how she is enjoying Balanced Literacy. He also gave them a copy of the letter the Mesquite Elementary Principal wrote to her staff regarding the probationary rating.
Board Pres. B. Board President’s Report— Pres. Garcia thanked Mr. Foster for hosting the Board meeting. Pres. Garcia gave information to Supt. Haugen so that he can make copies for the rest of the Board members. He stressed the need to get well-informed about foreign exchange students laws.
Board Members C. Board Member--Mr. Garza informed the Board that Frank Borden competed nationally and won the United States Assoc. of Track and Field National Championship in Miami , Florida . He competed in many events and scored 5767 points combined to win the national championship over a field of 28 contestants nationally. Frank is involved in many athletic activities and has a 4.0 grade point average in the classroom. Mr. Rollings said he attended the Administrators Academy and said it was very successful. He said that Rep. Pierce is very interested in the Even Start Program. Mr. Rollings spoke about the school ratings. He thanked the Board for the expediting the construction on the STHS library/classroom project. Ms. Vargas thanked Mr. Foster for hosting the Board meeting. Ms. Saenz expressed concerns about the school ratings and said she would seek more information through Ms. Lozano.
Student Rep. D. Student Representative – None.
Modification of the Agenda 5. Modification of the Agenda—Ms. Vargas moved to approve the agenda as presented. Supt. Haugen recommended 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. Dee Deerman said that she and her family have been hosting foreign exchange students for years and introduced the current foreign exchange students that will be attending Santa Teresa High School . She expressed the educational richness that these students bring to the schools they attend. Ms. Deerman requested that more time be allowed for the requirements of foreign exchange students. Ms. Mary Gonzales, Coordinator for the Dona Ana County for the Council of International Education, said that the United States Government has created a new system to help keep track of visitors that come from other countries it is called a J1 VISA. She says that her office takes care of tracking the students not the schools. She asked the Board to reconsider accepting foreign exchange students.
Foreign Exchange Students 8. Action Items
A. Foreign Exchange Students—Supt. Haugen said that the law passed in January in regards to foreign exchange students and there is still some confusion. Ms. Nava said that there are still several issues that need to be solved. She said she was going to provide the technical assistance implementation document that was posted on July 29, 2003 . She said read the highlights of the documents and explained the process. Pres. Garcia recommended to the Board that the District needs to be afforded a transition period and be provided federal regulations. Meanwhile, allow the students to continue with their education. Mr. Garza moved to table this issue until it is clarified after the new year but at this moment accept foreign exchange students since there is a year’s grace period. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Bid Award for Fresh Air System Upgrade at GHS Old English Bldg. B. Bid Award for Fresh Air System Upgrades at GHS—Old English Bldg.—Supt. Haugen said that the low bidder is Metal Craft Co. for doing the upgrade of the fresh air system at the old English Building at Gadsden High School for a total amount of $80,000. Mr. Garza moved to approve Metal Craft Co., the low bidder for the upgrade at the Old English Building for $80,000 as recommended. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution for Bus Dropp Off for San Miguel Elementary School C. 2003/2004 LGRF Resolution Request—Supt. Haugen said that this is the construction for the bus drop off for San Miguel Elementary School . After discussion, Mr. Garza moved to approve the resolution authorizing construction of the bus drop-off for San Miguel Elementary School as presented. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Policy GCBAA Payroll Deductions D. Policy GCBAA—Payroll Deductions—Supt. Haugen said that this policy is for the Board’s reconsideration. This policy establishes the procedures for payroll deductions for organizational dues. Ms. Arrieta explained the type of deductions that require a direct payroll deduction and the salary deductions that are for any outside entities that are not covered by the school district. Mr. Garza said that he felt that the Board should retake a vote on this issue. Ms. Christine Trujillo spoke about the dues and asked the Board to re-enact the policy to continue payroll deductions for the union and to work in harmony with the employees. Mr. Garza moved to reconsider the vote of accepting the new policy. For clarification, a yes vote would mean to continue with the policy as it has been changed; a no vote would mean to revert to the old policy. Mr. Garza voted no, Mr. Rollings voted yes, Mrs. Vargas voted yes, Ms. Saenz voted yes, and Dr. Garcia abstained. The motion was denied. The policy will remain as is.
Policy DL Travel E. Policy DL—Travel—Supt. Haugen said this policy is to revise the per diem and mileage. This policy was accepted for review at the July meeting. Mr. Rollings moved to approve the Travel Policy as presented and as was review at the last meeting. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Dr. Garcia, Ms. Vargas, Mr. Rollings, and Ms. Saenz voted yes; Mr. Garza voted no. Motion carried.
Gadsden Foundation Membership 8. Discussion Items
A. Gadsden Foundation Membership—Supt. Haugen said that in accordance with the accounting regulations that are in place now, the membership of the Gadsden Foundation cannot have the same individuals on both Boards. Mr. Garza and Mr. Garcia are members of the Foundation, therefore, Mr. Rollings and Ms. Saenz cannot currently be members of the Foundation because that would constitute a quorum of the School Board. Ms. Arrieta explained the reason that the composition of the Foundation has to be different. Supt. Haugen gave a summary of the amount of funds collected, the number of scholarships awarded, and the funds balance.
Adjourned 10. Mr. Rollings moved to adjournthe meeting. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Board adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m.