Superintendent


Ron Haugen

Gadsden Logo


REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
August 28, 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 Loma Linda Intermediate School Cafeteria located on 1451 Donaldson Avenue 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 6:05 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 Real Property & Water Rights Pursuant to 10-15-1, H-8, NMSA 1978 as amended to discuss an elementary school site. Supt. 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 7:04 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. Michael Torres, LL Student, led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Loma Linda Choir sang the National Anthem. Ms. Saenz read the Mission Statement
Supt.'s Report 4. Programs, Reports, and Correspondence
A. (1) Supt. Haugen thanked Principal Trujillo and Ms. Schweinebraten for hosting the Board meeting. Loma Linda Student Presentation - Ms. Watson's Choir sang several songs for the Board and the audience. Mr. Trujillo, LL Principal, introduced the Future Problem Solving Team. Ms. Roberts gave an update of their trip to Connecticut. She Introduced the students involved in this program. They placed 4th.
(2) Superintendent's Report-Supt. Haugen said that he and Mr. Chavez had gone to the Capital Outlay Council thinking they would come back with $15 million for the Chaparral high school but instead they were allocated $10 million for different projects. He said they were very disappointed. Supt. Haugen and Board President Dr. Garcia met with the Chaparral Community and explained to them what happened and continue with their quest for a high school in Chaparral. Supt. Haugen requested to have a facilities workshop on October 16th at Sunland Park at 4:00 p.m. The priorities proposal will be discussed. Mr. Haugen gave a facilities construction update. Supt. Haugen announced that the Wolslager Foundation awarded Gadsden $280,000 for the Sunland Park Preschool Project. He is also working with the Daniels Foundation from Denver Colorado to complete the funding for this 4-year old pilot program for Sunland Park pre-schoolers. Supt. Haugen gave the Board information from NMSBA calling for Model Program Submissions for the March 19-21 conference in San Diego. Included in that information is the annual convention on Dec. 5 & 6th in Albuquerque. Supt. Haugen said that the district's enrollment as of 9/25/03 is 13,785 students. He said the 40th day is September 30th. Supt. Haugen said that the Board will be having a community input meeting on Wednesday, October 1st at 6:00 p.m. at Mesquite Elementary. They will be receiving input from the community in regards to the new northern elementary school that was funded for in the Capital Outlay process.
Board Pres. B. Board President's Report- Dr. Garcia reported on the meeting with the community members of Chaparral. He said that the citizens were very disappointed that the construction of a high school in Chaparral will be delayed. He encouraged the people from Chaparral to contact the legislators and let them know how disappointed they and the school Board members are.
Board Members C. Board Member--Mr. Garza thanked Mr. Trujillo for hosting the Board meeting. He said that it was nice seeing the students involved in the Future Problems Solving Program. He said that Mr. Foster is interested in getting this program started at GHS. Mr. Rollings said it is very sad when it was announced by the Critical Capital Outlay Council how the money was awarded. Ms. Vargas thanked Mr. Trujillo for hosting the Board meeting. Ms. Saenz congratulated the Choir and the Future Problems Solving students and the teachers. She said that the experienced gained by the students that went to Connecticut is phenomenal.
Student Rep. D. Student Representative - Not Present.
Modification of the Agenda 5. Modification of the Agenda-Mr. Garza 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-No comments
Policy BBA School Board Powers or Duties 8. Action Items
A. Policy BBA-School Board Powers or Duties--Supt. Haugen said this policy puts our local policy in line with House Bill 212 in terms of the powers and duties of the local school board. Ms. Vargas moved to approve Policy BBA-School Board Powers or Duties as presented. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Policy BDDA Open Meetings Act B. Policy BDDA-Open Meetings Act-Supt. Haugen said that this policy need to be updated annually. The only change is the location and date of approval. Mr. Rollings moved to approve Policy BDDA-Open Meetings Act as presented. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Policy CBA Local Supt. Powers and Duties C. Policy CBA-Local Superintendent Powers and Duties-Supt. Haugen said that this policy defines the powers and duties of the Superintendent according to House Bill 212. Ms. Saenz moved to approve Policy CBA -Local Superintendent Powers and Duties as presented. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Policy CBI Nepotism Prohibited D. Policy CBI-Nepotism Prohibited-Supt. Haugen said that this policy refers to nepotism being prohibited. This portion of House Bill 212 applies the nepotism rule to the Superintendent as well as the Board. Mr. Garza moved to approve Policy CBI-Nepotism Prohibited as presented. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Policy CE School Advisory Councils E. Policy CE-School Advisory Councils-Supt. Haugen gave a copy of the draft policy that the Cuddy Law Firm is advocating school districts to use. The number of members to the council is at the discretion of the district. It can vary. He recommended that the Board review the draft policy and make changes if necessary. The legal requirements are procedural. Pres. Garcia appointed Ms. Saenz and Mr. Rollings to the committee. Mr. Rollings moved to accept for review Policy CE. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution and Letter of Response To Mr. Davis, State Supt. F. Resolution and Letter of Response to Michael Davis, State Supt.-Supt. Haugen said that he received a letter from Mr. Davis saying that he approved the District remaining in control of Desert View Elementary and approved the Corrective Action Plan as was presented on Sept. 10th . Mr. Davis stipulate that the Superintendent respond by acknowledgement and acceptance of the ten conditions outlined in Mr. Davis correspond- dence as well as the resolution that will be signed by the Board saying they accept the conditions. Ms. Vargas moved to approve the resolution and the letter of response to Michael Davis, State Superintendent as pre- sented by Supt. Haugen. Supt. Haugen recommended approval of the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
  8. Discussion Items
Desert Pride Academy Graduation A. Desert Pride Academy Graduation-Supt. Haugen said that the enrollment goal of Desert Pride Academy was 250 students; the current enrollment is 253 students. He congratulated Principal Yturralde and his staff. Supt. Haugen said that this year Desert Pride Academy is a stand alone school. It is a separate entity from the high schools. As such Desert Pride Academy will have its own graduation. Mr. Yturralde asked one of his students to give testimony about her experience at Desert Pride Academy. The student spoke about her success at Desert Pride and how this gave her a second chance for a better life and a better education. She thanked the Board for providing a better facility for their education. Mr. Yturralde spoke about Project Recovery. He said they were able to recruit 97 students from the community that were not in school or had not been in school. Mr. Yturralde said he was here tonight so that hopefully the Board would approve or agree with their own graduation ceremonies for their own high school. The Board was in support that Desert Pride Academy proceed with their own graduation ceremonies. The Board and Supt. Haugen praised Mr. Yturralde and his staff for the work they have done in making Desert Pride a success. Mr. Yturralde said that all the students will be enrolled in the Dona Ana Community College when they graduate from Desert Pride Academy.
School Bonds Legal Services B. School Bonds Legal Services-Supt. Haugen said that he received correspondence from the Cuddy Law Firm announcing that Charlotte Hetherington has resigned her position with the Cuddy Law Firm and is going to another law firm. They are asking if the school district would like to stay with the Cuddy firm for school bonds legal services or if the district wishes to go with Ms. Hetherington to the new firm that she is going to, or the third option which is to go out for request for qualifi-cations from other legal services. The Board reached consensus to continue with the Cuddy Law Firm as the district's bond counsel.
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 8:17 p.m.