Minutes of January 27, 2003, Regular Board Meeting March 31, 2003 Page 1 of 6

AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Carruth Administration Center

REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 27, 2003

Presiding Officer President Doyle A. Valdez

On this the 27th day of January 2003, at 6:00 p.m., the Board of Trustees of the Austin Independent School District convened in the Carruth Administration Center Auditorium, 1111 West 6th Street, Austin, Texas, and announced that it would convene in Executive Session under the provisions of Chapter 551 (Open Meetings), Sections 551.074 and 551.071. The following members were present, to wit: Johna Edwards, John Fitzpatrick, Rudy Montoya, Jr. (arriving at 8:40 p.m.), Robert Schneider, Ingrid Taylor, Doyle Valdez, Ave Wahrmund, and Patricia Whiteside. The following member was absent, to wit: Cheryl Bradley.

President Valdez called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.

The Board found and determined that, in accordance with the policies and Order of this Board and with Chapter 551 (Open Meetings) of the Texas Government Code, as amended, the notice of the meeting has been properly complied with, including the posting of notice as to time, date, place of the meeting, and the subjects to be discussed at said meeting.

President Valdez called the Executive Session to order at 6:10 p.m. to discuss the duties, employment and appraisal of the Superintendent; and to receive legal counsel or advice on a matter which the school district’s legal counsel determines should be confidential. The Board adjourned the Executive Session at 6:58 p.m.

President Valdez reconvened the meeting at 7:14 p.m.

Approve Agenda

Ingrid Taylor made a motion that the Board of Trustees approves the agenda as presented, with the following exceptions: Consent Agenda Item 3., The Addition of 6 th Grade at Martin Middle School from Allan, Govalle, and Metz Elementary Schools, pulled for discussion; Consent Agenda Item 4., Policy Governance Calendar (GP-8-E), revised calendar; and Consent Agenda Item 5., Approval of Composition and Charge of the Citizen’s 2004 Bond Advisory Committee and Appointment of Members, removed from the agenda. Johna Edwards seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously.

Pledge of Allegiance Minutes of January 27, 2003, Regular Board Meeting March 31, 2003 Page 2 of 6

Fifth grade students from Sims Elementary School led the Pledge of Allegiance in English and Spanish. Jenna Sanders, assistant principal of Sims Elementary School; Patsy Tankersley, fifth grade teacher; and Bette Wiesler, art teacher, accompanied the following students: James Clay, Selena Guerrero, Victoria Hernandez, Brittany Kirby, Emmanuel Macedo, Bryan SanJuan, Ricardo Macedo Soto, and Kendra Young.

Recognitions

 Marcy McNeil, Recipient of the Texas Exes 2003 Verna Rogers Teaching Award

Patricia Whiteside made a motion that the Board of Trustees commends and congratulates Marcy McNeil, Odom Elementary School fourth grade teacher, as a recipient of The Texas Exes Verna Rogers Teaching Award. Ms. McNeil, nominated by Odom Elementary School Principal Sharon Richards, was among eleven other teachers from across the State to be considered excellent representatives of exemplary teaching. Ingrid Taylor seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously.

The Trustees congratulated Ms. McNeil, accompanied by Odom Elementary School Principal Sharon Richards.

 Barbara Brantner Named 2002 Texas Elementary Physical Educator of the Year

John Fitzpatrick made a motion that the Board of Trustees recognizes and congratulates Ms. Barbara Brantner for receiving state recognition as the 2002 Texas Elementary Physical Educator of the Year by the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Patricia Whiteside seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously.

Accompanied by Nancy Eldridge, Travis Heights Elementary School principal, the Trustees congratulated Ms. Brantner.

 Becki Larrinaga, Langford Counselor, Awarded Rhosine Fleming Outstanding Elementary School Counselor for the State of Texas

Johna Edwards made a motion that the Board of Trustees congratulates Becki Larrinaga, Langford Elementary School counselor, for attaining the Rhosine Flemming Outstanding Elementary School Counselor for the State of Texas. The Texas School Counselor Association presents this award to one elementary, one middle school, and one high school counselor across the state that demonstrates leadership in the counseling profession. Ingrid Taylor seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously Minutes of January 27, 2003, Regular Board Meeting March 31, 2003 Page 3 of 6

Accompanied by Langford Elementary School Principal Claude Kim Bell, Ms. Larrinaga was recognized by the Trustees.

 Marjorie Ann Smalley, Recipient of the Texas Exes 2003 Carolyn and Mario Benitez Teaching Award

Ave Wahrmund made a motion that the Board of Trustees recognized Marjorie Ann Smalley, Pillow Elementary School Kindergarten teacher, as a recipient of The Texas Exes Carolyn and Mario Benitez Teaching Award. Ms. Smalley, a National Board Certified Teacher, nominated by Pillow Elementary School Principal Linda Webb to receive this award, was among eleven other teachers from across the State to be excellent representatives of exemplary teaching. Patricia Whiteside seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously.

Accompanied by Pillow Elementary School Principal Linda Webb, Ms. Smalley was congratulated by the Trustees.

President’s Update

President Valdez expressed appreciation to Odom Elementary School for presenting apples in recognition of Board Appreciation Month.

President Valdez announced that the week of February 9-15, 2003 has been designated as National Career and Technical Education Week. This week emphasizes the role that Career and Technical Education and its business/industry partners play in helping our students to prepare for college and success.

Dr. Pat Forgione, Superintendent, announced that Lamar Middle School, one of 24 schools in Texas, was presented a National Blue Ribbon Award on this day from Dr. Felipe Alanis, Commissioner of Education.

Citizens’ Communications

Gus Pena addressed the Trustees with concerns regarding the Budget Task Force cutting direct services for students; educating staff to recognize what actions are considered bullying and assuring the students are not hurt; and recommended that the Superintendent take a salary reduction.

Marcy McNeil, representing Austin Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE), addressed the Board regarding the organization’s visit with lawmakers held on this date.

Brenda Berry, president of Austin Association of Public School Administrators (AAPSA), addressed the Board regarding the budget challenges ahead and ensured that the Minutes of January 27, 2003, Regular Board Meeting March 31, 2003 Page 4 of 6 organization would be a partner in the process. Debbie Sansom, secretary of the AAPSA Executive Board, presented daily calendars to the Trustees in recognition of Board Appreciation Month.

Rita Haecker, vice president of Education Austin representing certified employees, expressed concerns regarding the implication of class loads for special education teachers as proposed in the budget reductions and stressed the importance of professional development for student achievement.

Dolly Gonzales expressed appreciation to the Trustees for a response to her concerns.

Louis Malfaro, president of Education Austin, spoke with concerns regarding raising the class load in special education; elimination of Reading Recovery and Account for Learning; and custodial staff reduction.

Bruce Banner, vice president of Education Austin representing classified employees, addressed the Board regarding the $59 million budget shortfall and budget challenges for 2003-2004; urging prioritizing employability as a priority and principle for guidance through the budget process; and urged the Trustees to work with the District’s lobbyists and legislators.

Consent Agenda

Ingrid Taylor made a motion that the Board of Trustees approves the Consent Agenda. Ave Wahrmund seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously

In summary, the following items were approved:

Minutes, November 16, 2002, Board Retreat Minutes, November 18, 2002, Board Dialogue Meeting

Budget Reports, Amendments, and Tax Report for the Month Ending November 30, 2002, and Budget Reports, Amendments, and Tax Report for the Month Ending December 31, 2002 – Approved the Budget Reports, Amendments, and Tax Reports for the Months Ending November 30, 2002 and December 31, 2002.

Routine Personnel Actions

The Addition of 6 th Grade at Martin Middle School from Allan, Govalle, and Metz Elementary Schools – Approved sixth grade at Martin Middle School from Allan, Govalle and Metz elementary schools after Dr. Forgione reviewed the fiscal impact related to the proposal. Minutes of January 27, 2003, Regular Board Meeting March 31, 2003 Page 5 of 6

Policy Governance Calendar (GP-8-E) – Approved the revisions and additions to the Policy Governance Annual Agenda Planning Calendar (GP-8-E), shown as Attachment A of the Official Minutes, including the RESULTS Policies scheduled through November 2003.

RESULTS Discussion: Policy 2.2 Mathematics

Dr. Darlene Westbrook, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction; and Dr. Denise Collier, Director of Curriculum, reviewed the proposed mathematics performance indicators, performance targets and monitoring frequency; the District’s Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) math performance history for 1998-2002 and the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) passing standards.

Board discussion included concerns related to secondary schools; benchmarking with other districts; challenges for secondary testing; professional development; and analysis to eradicate the achievement gap.

John Fitzpatrick requested that staff provide the mathematic scores from Ft. Worth ISD and review AISD’s peer districts for comparison of African American and Hispanic scores.

Presentation of Mathematics Best Practices

The Trustees participated in a dialogue with mathematical experts, Dr. David Molina, Dana Center Program Director, and Dr. Susan Hudson Hull, Dana Center Mathematics Director, regarding the best practices in mathematics education.

(Rudy Montoya arrived at 8:40 p.m.)

Topics of discussion included: persistent and public focus on teaching and learning; strategic alignment of curriculum with teaching and learning; focus on the individual students; continuation of good practices at elementary level through high school, use of time for staff development in the school; testing students with another language; importance of reading comprehension for math testing; importance of Algebra II; and how to make math fun by bringing the mathematics to the students to make it make sense and for high school students to relate mathematics through technology.

Monitoring Report for EL-8, Financial Administration

Dr. Forgione presented the Monitoring Report for EL-8, Financial Administration.

Ave Wahrmund made a motion that the Board of Trustees accepts the monitoring report as presented by Dr. Forgione in full compliance. Patricia Whiteside seconded the motion. The EL-8 Board Monitoring Report Summation is shown as Attachment B to the Official Minutes and the Official Board Response to EL Policy Monitoring Report is shown as Attachment C to the Official Minutes Minutes of January 27, 2003, Regular Board Meeting March 31, 2003 Page 6 of 6

AYES: Cheryl Bradley, Johna Edwards, John Fitzpatrick, Rudy Montoya, Robert Schneider, Ingrid Taylor, Doyle Valdez, Ave Wahrmund and Patricia Whiteside

NOS: None

ABSENT: Rudy Montoya

The motion passed.

Financial Audit for 2001-2002

Larry Throm, Deputy Superintendent of Finance, and external auditor Mike O’Brien, KPMG Partner, reviewed the highlights of the financial statement.

John Fitzpatrick made a motion that the Board of Trustees accepts the 2001-2002 audit report for submission to the Texas Education Agency. Robert Schneider seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously.

At 10:29 p.m. President Valdez announced that the working portion of the agenda was completed.

Debriefing

After discussion, the Trustees completed eight Board Self-Assessment Forms with an overall rating of Commendable: three rated Met Our Best Expectations, three rated Commendable, and two rated Acceptable.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 10:39 p.m.

______Doyle Valdez, President of the Board

______Ave Wahrmund, Secretary of the Board