Vail Academy and High School

Vail Academy and High School is a small Learning community that Encourages Achievement, Responsibility and Nurtures relationships for Success!

Site Council Minutes Meeting Date: January 26, 2015 Room 217 at Vail Academy and High School

Members Attending: Christine Creasy, Bryan Witzens, Mike Melton, Mea Santiesteban, Nick Mercurio- Sakwa, and Ed Kestler

Also Attending: Dennis Barger, Mike Fester, Tricia Kaparoff

Mrs. Creasy called the meeting to order at 4:47 pm.

Mr. Melton motioned that minutes be approved, seconded by Mrs. Santiesteban. Motion passed.

Administrative Reports: Mr. Barger reported as Vail Pride Day approaches and the awards for Volunteer of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Support Staff of the Year and the new one this year is Rookie of the Year. Teacher of the Year interviews will be held Thursday. Ms. Creasy has agreed to be a part of the interviews along with Mrs. Kathy Gately. Typically we have one site council parent, one parent, and one from the PTSA and one from the district office. We have 8 people being interviewed. Mr. Barger also reported we are in the middle of the Robotics build season. They have been given their task and they are on their way. Previously on the agenda, the approval process for plays. Mr. Barger shared with the council that the teacher will present the play to administration and identify the hot spots. Those people will have to present to the site council for approval. Mr. Barger and Mr. Fester have attended 8th grade nights sharing information to parents of incoming freshman. Saturday, February 7, 2015 will be the Vail School District Job Fair to be held at Desert Sky Middle School. Those interested can register online; walk in’s are welcome, but limited to time. Teachers will be receiving their contracts early in hopes to identify those that will not be coming back so that principals will know how many new staff will need to be hired.

New Business Item A: (moved to accommodate guests) Mr. Barger had Mr. Matt Federoff (Chief Information Officer) and Mrs. Louise Miles (Powerschool) present information on Care Dox. This was under new business. Mr. Federoff and Mrs. Miles presented information regarding Care Dox and the purpose of using this in the health office. This program will allow parents to update their child’s medical information along with immunizations. This information will be protected. A question was raised regarding people that will not complete the information online, will there still be paperwork to complete. There is a possibility that a computer will be set up at each school for the parents that do not have access to a computer to complete the information online. When a student goes to the health office, information will be documented in this system but the health aide will still contact the parents. Vail School District will receive this program for 3 years free of charge.

Recognitions: Mr. Witzens recognized Mrs. Campanile and Sharon Mooney a senior from the Skills USA for arranging to raise 152 stuffed animals for TMC Pediatrics. Mrs. Kaparoff and senior class held a craft fair at Mesquite and went over very well. The students that attended were very helpful and going up to each booth asking if there was anything they could get for them and just offering their help. Hope to see this continue. Mr. Fester recognized Mr. Barger for completing the PF Chang Marathon Sunday in Phoenix. Mr. Barger went around to classrooms talking to students about perseverance. Talking about how hard it was and then after talking about how hard it was to finish but he persevered. Mrs. Mea Santiesteban recognized Mrs. Runyon for NJHS food drive they helped a lot of families. Mr. Barger recognized Mrs. Elaine MacKenzie for putting on the science fair. Mrs. Sharon Hodges (ELP teacher) for coordinating the geography bee and the spelling bee. Mr. Frausel and 5 of his Boxer Run Club members for running the ½ marathon in the PF Chang Marathon. If you are under the age of 18 you cannot run a full marathon you can only run the ½ (13.1) miles. Ms. Erin Tucker for her 1st music performance here at VAHS. Mr. & Mrs. Biswell for supplying the set for the musical. Mrs. Mea Santiesteban recognized Langie Navarro one (11th grader) for putting on a wonderful presentation about a semester long boarding school (conservation school) out of state.

Consent Agenda: Mrs. Santiesteban motioned to approve, seconded by Mr. Nick Mercurio-Sakwa . Motion passed.

Old Business Item A: Enrollment Summary – Mr. Barger shared current enrollment numbers with the council.

Item B: 2015-2016 enrollment numbers: Mr. Fester keeps track of the numbers coming in for each grade. All members received a copy of the numbers for the 2015-2016 school year as of today. We will be increasing the 9th grade to 60. This is the year we do not have a lot of siblings. We are at 217 interest forms so far and the window goes to February 13th.

Item C: Calendar Update for 2015-2016: All members of the council received a copy of the 2015-2016 school calendar. Mr. Barger did share that during the 2016-2017 school year calendar all Vail schools will be on the same calendar, which will be the K-8 calendar.

New Business Item A: Presentation on Care Dox: This was discussed under call to the public.

Item B: Lottery for Multiple Siblings: All members of the VAHS Site Council received a copy of page 4 of the VAHS Charter to show the enrollment procedures that spells out our process. If we have multiple siblings we put them on the waiting list. How do we establish staff child if they are hired after the lottery is done.

Item C: Graduation Requirements: All members of the council received a copy of the graduation requirements that have been approved by the council. Mr. Barger shared with the council that this years 8th graders need 5 years of math to graduate. Question was asked if a student comes in from another school short in math is there a way to catch them up. Mr. Barger shared with the council that the student and parents will have conversations on what the options are. There is also two CTE classes required to graduate.

Item D: School Fees: All members of the council received a copy of school fees that have been approved by the council. The council will approve a new school fee in May.

Mr. Bryan Witzens motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Mike Melton. Motion passed at 5:55 pm.