AJO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 15

Governing Board Members: Administration:
Mrs. Lisa Rossi - President Dr. Robert Dooley - Superintendent
Mrs. Amy Runge - Clerk Dr. Joen Painter - Principal
Mr. John Byrnes - Member Ms. Patricia Spencer - Director of Finance
Mrs. Rose Cameron - Member  
Mr. Hollister David - Member  

MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION BOARD MEETING

Ajo Unified School District Board Room #23, 5:30 p.m.
February 4, 2010

  1. Call to Order at 5:30 p.m.

  2. Opening Exercises

    1. Roll Call:
      • P - Lisa Rossi, President
      • P - Amy Runge, Clerk
      • P - John Byrnes, Member
      • P - Rose Cameron, Member
      • P - Hollister David, Member
      • P - Robert Dooley, Superintendent
      • P - Joen Painter, Principal
      • A - Patricia Spencer, Financial Director
    2. Pledge of Allegiance
    3. Statement of Welcome
    4. Appointment of Acting Clerk - if necessary
    5. Superintendent's Report - No Superintendent's Report
      • NHS induction ceremony, February 24th will be the in the Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.
      • There was a sewer back up on February 3rd. Affected the Cafeteria, the concession stand, and the football field. Wiped down all surfaces and disinfected the entire Cafeteria. Will continue to serve food.
      • Softball/Baseball practice starts next week. There is about 3 weeks of practice before the first game.
      • Sending home letters to parents of High School teachers who qualify for supplemental tutoring. Company will probably hire school staff to tutor.
      • Had a meeting with liability carrier, AZ Risk Retention Trust. Our claims have been very minimal, and the representatives project a 2% drop in premiums.
      • Next Tuesday, at the 5:00 PTA meeting the superintendent will speak about Budget constraints and the Economic situation in the state.
      • Mr. Byrnes asked a question of Dr. Dooley, Why did the Student Council not attend the state student council convention? Student leadership did not want to go. Mr. Byrnes would like for the Student Council to attend every year, by at least one student.
    6. Adoption of Agenda

      Mrs. Cameron made the motion to adopt the agenda. Mrs. Rossi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

  3. Visitor Comments

    Visitors are welcome to speak on non-agenda items. Comments are limited to 3 minutes. Please state your name and address prior to making your comments. The Board will not take any legal action on issues raised during this position of the meeting.

    Lito Castillo - 410 W. Rocalla Ave. - Ajo, AZ 85321
    What happened on a trip to San Pasqual on last Thursday night?

    Dr. Dooley
    Bus inspection said that we could not put any locks on the bus that did not original come on the bus. During a Middle School Basketball away game, the bus was vandalized and a number of backpacks were taken. After the incident, the inspector was called, and the ruling was overturned. We can now lock the busses.

  4. Consent Agenda

    1. Financial Report
    2. Voucher Approval
    3. Board Minutes

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the consent agenda. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

  5. Personnel

    1. Certified Resignation - Moni Alvillar

      Moni Alvillar, a Teacher's aide, is requesting permission to substitute teach at the Ajo Unified School District. A copy of his certification is attached.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve Mr. Alvillar's employment as a Substitute Teacher. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-1.

    2. Certified Employment - Kylee Lester

      Kylee Lester is requesting permission to substitute teach at the Ajo Unified School District. Ms. Lester is a trained teacher and has a bachelor's degree in education. A copy of her certification is attached.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the employment of Ms. Lester. Mr. Byrnes seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    3. Certified Employment - Cindy Peterson

      Cindy Peterson is requesting permission to substitute teach at the Ajo Unified School District. Mrs. Peterson is a trained teacher in Uruguay and has a bachelor's degree in education. A copy of her certification is attached.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the employment of Mrs. Peterson. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    4. Certified Employment - Henry Robles

      Henry Robles is requesting permission to substitute teach at the Ajo Unified School District. Mr. Robles is a trained teacher in the Philippines and has a bachelor's degree in education. A copy of his certification is attached.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve Mr. Robles' employment as a substitute teacher. Mr. Byrnes seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    5. Classified Resignation - Amanda Garcia

      Amanda Garcia has submitted a letter of resignation from her position as a teacher's aide. Her last day of work will be February 19, 2010.

      Mrs. Runge made the motion to approve Ms. Garcia's resignation. Mr. Byrnes seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    6. Classified Employment - Dolores Pena

      Dolores Pena has been interviewed and reference checks completed for the position of night time custodian.

      Mr. Byrnes made the motion to approve Ms. Pena's employment. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    7. Classified Substitute - Jesus Campa

      Jesus Campa has been interviewed and reference checks completed for the position of classified substitute.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve Mr. Campa's employment as a Classified Substitute. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-1.

    8. Petition to USCIS for Immigrant Status of Milagros Semilla

      Milagros Semilla is in the process of working with USCIS to renew her H1-B working visa. Part of that process is to gain approval from the local school board stating that the district continues to sponsor her as a math teacher.

      The vote being taken indicates the Board's support of Milagros Semilla's pursuit of immigrant status in the United States. This serves as part of the petitioning process to USCIS (United States Customs and Immigration Service) for that immigrant status.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the above support/petition to USCIS for Milagros Semilla. Mrs. Cameron seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

  6. Business

    1. Acceptance of Freeport -McMoRan Grant

      Julie Robles, high school science teacher, has applied for & received a $500 grant from Freeport - McMoRan Copper and Gold to purchase a mobile science laboratory.

      Mrs. Runge made the motion to approve the above grant from Freeport-McMoRan. Mrs. Rossi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    2. Acceptance of Gift - Desert Music Club

      The (Ajo) Desert Music Club has donated $1,500 to the Ajo Band for instruments.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the above gift from the Desert Music Club. Mrs. Runge seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    3. Acceptance of Gift - John Byrnes

      Mr. John Byrnes has donated a button maker and materials to make buttons to the District. The estimated value of this donation is $400.

      Mrs. Rossi made the motion to approve the above donation. Mrs. Cameron seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0, with Mr. Byrnes abstaining.

    4. Acceptance of Bequeathment from Zitlau Trust

      The distribution of funds from the Zitlau Trust is being completed. We have received two checks in the amounts of $61,811.24 and $23,326.75. The stipulation is that these funds be used for student scholarships.

      Mrs. Runge made the motion to approve the above bequeathment from the Zitlau Trust for student scholarships. Mrs. Rossi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    5. Out of State travel - Kagan Workshop

      Three teachers have requested permission to attend Kagan training in Las Vegas, NV. The three teachers are Joanna Higgins (4th grade), Leonard Lopez (5th grade), and Melissa Zanot (High School English). The dates of the conference are February 12th through the 15th. The cost analysis for each teacher is attached. Title II funds will be used to fund this workshop.

      Mrs. Cameron made the motion to approve the above out of state travel. Mr. Byrnes seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

    6. Out of State Travel - Football Clinic

      The football coaching staff, Tom McGoldrick, Michael Seeley, and Moni Alvillar have requested permission to attend a Football coaches Clinic in Las Vegas, NV on the 3 through the 6th March 2010. Cost analysis of this trip is attached.

      Mrs. Runge made the motion to approve the above state travel. Mr. Byrnes seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

Noting no other business before the Board, Mr. Byrnes, President of the Board, adjourned the meeting at 6:08 p.m.

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