Putnam City Schools

REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Monday, September 21, 2009

The Putnam City Schools Board of Education of Independent School District No. One of Oklahoma County, State of Oklahoma, met in regular session Monday, September 21, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board room at the Administration Building, 5401 NW 40th, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The agenda and meeting notice were posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. in accordance with 25 O.S. § 311.

Members present: Gail LoPresto, president; Julie Jenison, vice president; Tammy West, Mark Bledsoe and Becky Haliburton, members; Superintendent Mr. Paul Hurst; Debbie Baldwin, clerk; and others.

ITEM #1 - INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE, MOMENT OF SILENCE, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – ADRIENNE HAUCK.

Adrienne Hauck, Assistant Principal at Mayfield Middle School, gave the Inspirational Message, Moment of Silence, and Pledge of Allegiance.

ITEM #2 – INFORMATION AND STAFF REPORTS:
 TESTING AND API REPORTS – SUE KUNTZE AND MELANI MOUSE

Sue Kuntze, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education, reported on results of 2009 Putnam City elementary schools’ Oklahoma Core Curriculum Tests.

On 3rd grade reading tests, 63% of students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 67%. On math tests, 64% of 3rd grade students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 66%.

On 4th grade reading tests, 63% of students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 63%. On math tests, 67% of 4th grade students scored satisfactory or advanced. The state average was also 67%.

On 5th grade reading tests, 70% of students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 65%. On math tests, 73% of 5th grade students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 65%. On science tests, 83% of 5th grade students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 84%. On social studies tests, 69% of 5th grade students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 68%. On writing tests, 82% of 5th grade students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 83%.

Dr. Mouse, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, reported on results of secondary school testing for Putnam City students.

On 6th grade reading tests, 64% of students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 65%. On math tests, 62% of 6th grade students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 64%.
On 7th grade reading tests, 73% of students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 70%. On math tests, 67% of 7th grade students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 63%. On geography tests, 81% of 7th grade students scored satisfactory or advanced. The state average was also 81%.

On 8th grade reading tests, 68% of students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 67%. On math tests, 67% of 8th grade students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 61%. On science tests, 92% of 8th grade students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 86%. On history tests, 74 % of 8th grade students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 68%. On writing tests, 89% of 8th grade students scored satisfactory or advanced. The state average was also 89%.

State End-of-Instruction (EOI) tests, given to a few middle school students but mostly to high school students, were taken in seven areas. On English II tests, 82% of high school students scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 77%. In English III, 83% of students taking the test scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 77%. On Algebra I tests, 84% of students taking the test scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 80%. On Algebra II tests, 76% of students taking the test scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 63%. On Geometry tests, 82% of students taking the test scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 73%. In Biology, 74% of students taking the tests scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 72%. In U. S. History, 81% of students taking the test scored satisfactory or advanced compared to a state average of 70%.

Mrs. Kuntze and Dr. Mouse reported that Academic Performance Index (API) scores for most of Putnam City schools show improvement. Six elementary schools and one middle school had API scores in the 1400s, and six elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools had API scores in the 1300s.

Eleven of 18 elementary schools had higher total API scores this year than last year. Tulakes Elementary made the largest gain, from a total API of 912 last year to 1295 for this year.

Every middle school also had higher total API scores this year than last year, and in fact every middle school has increased their total API score for at least three years in a row. Hefner Middle School had the highest total API of any secondary school, and is the first to go over 1400.

Both Putnam City High School and Putnam City North High School increased their total API compared to last year while Putnam City West High School recorded the same score.

The district preliminary API score shows an increase, too, with a score of 1332 for 2008-2009 compared to 1288 the year before. It is the sixth year in a row that the district API score has increased.

API scores are used to determine whether schools have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Scores are reported separately for 11 different subgroups in each school, including various racial and ethnic groups, economically disadvantaged students, students whose first language is not English, migrant students and students with disabilities. Each subgroup must meet or better the state set benchmark API scores. If a school gets even a single API score below the benchmark score in any subgroup, it means the school does not make AYP.
Five Putnam City schools did not make AYP. Western Oaks Elementary reading scores of students on individual educations plans (IEPs) did not meet the API benchmark. Wiley Post Elementary math scores of black students did not meet the API benchmark. Cooper Middle School math scores of students on IEPs did not meet the API benchmark. Mayfield Middle School reading scores of ELL students and students on IEPs did not meet the API benchmark. At Putnam City High School, all scores by all subgroups met the API benchmark scores. However, the percent of Putnam City High School students on IEPs who took the state tests was 93.4%, just short of the required 95%.

None of Putnam City schools are on the state’s school improvement list. Schools and school districts do not get on the school improvement list unless they fail to make AYP for two years in a row.

 ACTIVITY ACCOUNTS – SHANNON MEEKS

Shannon Meeks reported on School Activity Funds:

FY09 Fund Balance Analysis by Level

Beginning Revenue Expenditure Ending

District level           $ 101,063        $ 586,542            $ 551,337            $ 136,288

Elementary               445,243          1,197,713          1,153,008                489,948

Middle School          228,275            717,758              736,745                209,288

High School              876,164          1,786,646         1,707,734                955,076

Total                      $1,650,745      $4,288,659          $4,148,824         $1,790,580

ITEM #3 - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

There was no public participation.

ITEM #4 – CONSENT AGENDA: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS, WHICH CONCERN REPORTS AND ITEMS OF A ROUTINE NATURE NORMALLY APPROVED AT BOARD MEETINGS, WILL BE APPROVED BY ONE VOTE UNLESS ANY BOARD MEMBER DESIRES TO HAVE A SEPARATE VOTE ON ANY OR ALL OF THESE ITEMS. THE CONSENT CONSISTS OF THE DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION, AND APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

Julie Jenison made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Becky Haliburton seconded the motion. Vote: Jenison, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye; West, aye; LoPresto, aye.

a. Minutes for regular board meeting September 8, 2009.
b. Financial report and bimonthly bills for beginning purchase order numbers 002198062
through 005415708 for August 27, 2009 to September 15, 2009 with the exception of
purchase order numbers 004481705 and 005252710 for Triangle A & E for the
2009-2010 school year.
c. Activity Fund Transfer List Capps Middle School, Putnam City North, and
Putnam City West.
d. Activity Fund Summary.
e. Declaration of Obsolete and/or Surplus Items.
f. Participation Agreement with Messiah Lutheran School students who qualify under
IDEA guidelines. (IDEA – 621)
g. Participation Agreement with St. John’s Episcopal School students who qualify under
IDEA quidelines. (IDEA – 621)
h. Participation Agreement with St. Charles Borromeo School students who qualify under
IDEA guidelines. (IDEA – 621)
i. Wiley Post Contract with Camp DaKaNi for 5th Grade camp. ($600.00 from Activity
Fund)
j. Putnam City West License Agreement with R & H Theatricals for Cinderella
performance. ($3,000 from Activity Fund)
k. Elementary and Secondary Fundraisers.

ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY FUND-RAISERS
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
September 21, 2009

WESTERN OAKS ELEM.
Activity / Subaccount Computers for Education – sell magazine subscriptions/ $ 400.00
Date: September Special/Project Carnival (educational supplies, items and
supplies needed for faculty meetings, furnishings, improve-
ments, and field trips, etc.)

WILEY POST
Activity / Subaccount Penny Challenge / 5th grade activity/camp $ 1,800.00
Date: September (camp rental, supplies for activities, and transportation)

Activity / Subaccount Yearbook and Spring pictures / Pictures $ 2,000.00
Date: Sept. & March (office supplies/furniture, postage, and misc. supplies )

Activity / Subaccount Book Fair / Media $ 1,000.00
Date: Sept. 28-Oct. 1 (books and reading promotional materials)

HEFNER MIDDLE SCHOOL
Activity / Subaccount Carhop & Johnnie’s / Girl’s Athletics $ 200.00
Date: September (Volleyball equipment)

WESTERN OAKS MIDDLE
Activity / Subaccount Cookie dough sale / Vocal Music $ 2,000.00
Date: Oct. 19-Nov. 3 (music, festivals, awards, trips, contests)

PUTNAM CITY NORTH
Activity / Subaccount Raffle signed football & tickets to OSU vs. Mizzou $ 100.00
Date: September game on 10/17 (FCCLA supplies, field trips, shirts, etc.)

Activity / Subaccount Car wash at Christian Brothers / Pom $ 500.00
Date: September (finance state and national competitions)

Activity / Subaccount Little girls pom clinic / Pom $ 2,000.00
Date: September 22-24 (finance state and national competitions)

Activity / Subaccount Sell PCN tee-shirts / Pom $ 500.00
Date: Sept. 28-Oct. 2 (finance state and national competitions)

Activity / Subaccount Sell Earth candles / FCCLA $ 500.00
Date: October (FCCLA supplies, field trips, shirts, etc.)

Activity / Subaccount Sell magnetic bumper sticker / FCCLA $ 250.00
Date: Ongoing (FCCLA supplies, field trips, shirts, etc.)

Activity / Subaccount Sell business ads for monthly newspaper / Newspaper $ 2,000.00
Date: Ongoing (printing of newspaper, supplies, contest fees, replace-
ment of equipment, fall and spring convention, entries
for end of year critiquing)

Activity / Subaccount DECA Fashion Show / DECA $ 1,900.00
Date: Sept. 22-Oct. 2 (DECA activities)

Activity / Subaccount Sell Entertainment books / Debate $ 500.00
Date: September-October (Debate Tournament expenses)

Activity / Subaccount Sell cookies / Cancer Fund $5,000.00
Date: October (Cancer Fund Drive)

PUTNAM CITY WEST
Activity / Subaccount Fall Craft Show / Transition Department $ 200.00
Date: October 20-21 (Transition field trips)

Activity / Subaccount Sell “Pan Dulce” Mexican sweet bread / La Raza $ 30.00
Date: October 14 (supplies and events)

Activity / Subaccount Working at Sonic / Boys & Girls Soccer $ 300.00
Date: October 17 (equipment, tournament costs)

l. Overnight Travel Requests.
m. Retirements and resignations as listed on Attachment A.

ITEM #5- CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON RECOMMENDATION OF EMPLOYMENT OF NEW PERSONNEL AS LISTED ON ATTACHMENT A.

Mark Bledsoe made a motion to approve the employment of new personnel as listed on Attachment A. Tammy West seconded the motion. Vote: Jenison, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye; West, aye; LoPresto, aye.

ITEM #6 - CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER NUMBERS 4481705 AND 5252710 FOR TRIANGLE A & E. ($250.00 FROM 9-11)

Julie Jenison made a motion to approve purchase order numbers 4481705 and 5252710 for Triangle A & E. Becky Haliburton seconded the motion. Vote: Jenison, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye; West, aye; LoPresto, abstain.

ITEM #7 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE DISTRICT-WIDE GIFTED COMMITTEE AND THE LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE PUTNAM CITY GIFTED PROGRAM.

Julie Jenison made a motion to approve the District-wide Gifted Committee and the Local Advisory Committee for the Putnam City Gifted Program. Tammy seconded the motion. Vote: Jenison, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye; West, aye; LoPresto, aye.

DISTRICT GIFTED COMMITTEE
2009-2010

Randy Utt* – James L. Dennis
Elementary Gifted Specialist

Joy Bowes *- Mayfield
Middle School Gifted Specialist

Brenda Stinnett* - PCH
High School Gifted Specialist

Kay Patrick - Downs
Elementary Classroom Teacher

Katie Brown* - HMS
Middle School Classroom Teacher

Sue Goldfarb - PCW
High School Classroom Teacher

Cindy Odetallah
8232 NW 100
OKC, OK 73162
Elementary School Parent

Sandy Lemaster*
Administration Building
Middle School Parent

Becky Haliburton*
11516 Randwick Dr.
OKC, OK 73162
Middle School Parent

Jane Ewalt
6612 Evergreen Canyon Rd.
OKC, OK 73162
High School Parent

Marie Page -
10848 Joseph Way
Yukon, OK 73099
High School Parent

Marj Iven* – Windsor Hills
Elementary Administrator

Joe Ellis* - HMS
Middle School Administrator

Pam King* - PCN
High School Administrator

Dr. Joe Pierce*
Executive Director of Student Curriculum and Instruction

Elise Kauffman*
Gifted Education Coordinator


*Local Advisory Committee


ITEM #8 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE THE ESTIMATE OF NEEDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010.

Julie Jenison made a motion to approve the Estimate of Needs for Fiscal Year 2009-2010. Tammy West seconded the motion. Vote: Jenison, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye; West, aye; LoPresto, aye.

Estimate of Needs
2007-2008         General Fund                                     $126,381,934.39
2007-2008         Building Fund                                            9,567,121.06
2007-2008         Child Nutrition Fund                                 8,471,362.26
2007-2008         MAPS for Kids                                         11,200,000.00
2007-2008         Sinking Fund                                            17,481,755.21
Total                                                                                   $173,102,172.92

ITEM #9 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH YOUTH CORNERSTONE/THRIVE TRUANCY SERVICES FOR THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR. ($108,000 FROM IDEA AND TITLE I)

Julie Jenison made a motion to approve the agreement with Youth Cornerstone/THRIVE Truancy Services for the 2009-2010 school year. Becky Haliburton seconded the motion. Vote: Jenison, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye; West, aye; LoPresto, aye.

Youth Cornerstone/THRIVE Truancy Services will provide case management for truant students and will also include an online database made available to each school of status of all students receiving services and Suspension Intervention and Prevention (SIP) program services, a safe place for students who are suspended from school to complete their school work.

ITEM #10 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE LOWEST/BEST BID FROM BNJ BUILDERS, LLC FOR PHASE 2 OF THE PUTNAM CITY WEST ATHLETIC FIELDS. ($598,500 FROM 24-193)

Tammy West made a motion to approve the lowest/best bid from BNJ Builders, LLC for Phase 2 of the Putnam City West Athletic Fields. Mark Bledsoe seconded the motion. Vote: Jenison, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye; West, aye; LoPresto, aye.

ITEM #11 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE CONTRACT WITH SHANA COVALT, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST/INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. (NOT TO EXCEED $15,000 FROM 622 STIMULUM FUNDS)

Julie Jenison made a motion to approve the contract with Shana Covalt, Speech Language Pathologist/Independent Contractor. Tammy West seconded the motion. Vote: Jenison, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye; West, aye; LoPresto, aye.

ITEM #12 – SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.

• Sixty-seven students from Putnam City high schools earned the designation of AP Scholar from the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement of college-level Advanced Placement Program (AP) Exams administered last spring. Many students took AP exams in May of 2009 after completing challenging college-level courses at the district’s high schools. Most of the nation’s colleges and universities award credit based upon successful performance on these exams. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on the number of courses and exams.

AP Scholar with Distinction
Ten students from Putnam City North and two each from Putnam City West and Putnam City High School earned AP Scholar with Distinction recognition, granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

AP Scholar with Honor
Fourteen students from Putnam City North, five students from Putnam City West, and one student from Putnam City High School earned AP Scholar with Honor status. This recognition is granted to students who receive an average grade of a least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

AP Scholar
Twenty-four students from Putnam City North, seven students from Putnam City West and two students from Putnam City High School earned recognition as an AP Scholar, granted to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.

Congratulations to these students.
• Congratulations to Dr. Burling, Angela Kwok, and Ralph Downs Elementary for having been awarded a grant of $2500 by the Cox Connects Foundation. The funds will provide teachers and students with math resources including manipulatives to help students to recognize numbers, understand operations of numbers, three dimensional figures, and measurement. We thank all of those at the school for their contributions to this effort.
• Three Putnam City North students have been named National Merit Semifinalists by officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, an honor placing them among the nation’s top high school students. Recognized as National Merit Semifinalists are John Hollrah, Adam Lee, and Valerie Senkowski. These three students now have the opportunity to continue in competition for 8,200 Merit Scholarships to be awarded in the spring. More than 1.5 million juniors in nearly 22,000 high schools entered the 2010 Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Qualifying Test. We hope to have these students at our October 5th Board of Education meeting so that we might celebrate their outstanding academic achievements.
• We would like to extend our appreciation to the Oklahoma Bar Association for their donation of more than 2,500 copies of the United States Constitution for study by our students.
• Congratulations to the Coronado Heights Elementary School family for an outstanding 50th birthday celebration. It was absolutely delightful to share in this memorable event and to learn the history of this wonderful school. The most enjoyable observations were those centered about conversations among staff, both current and past, and former students and their families. We extend our appreciation to Mr. Daniel, Ms. Rice, the PTA, and the many others involved in the planning and execution of this birthday celebration.
• We began last Friday to collect and inform governmental health agencies of information from our families and schools relative to flu-like symptoms as it might relate to the H1N1 influenza. The district collected data that indicates that during the week of September 14 through September 18 there were 681 students who were absent and who were reported to have flu-like symptoms. That is a total number for the week and that the days of absence varied by individual student. We will continue reporting this information on a weekly basis until given guidance otherwise. The advice from local, state, and federal health agencies remains consistent in that we should wash our hands, cover our coughs, and stay home if ill. We appreciate the many school personnel at the school sites who have been making inquiries about the children and their symptoms as well as Georgene Westendorf and Steve Lindley who have been coordinating the information gathering. We also thank our families for working with us as we gather the necessary information. We will provide additional information as we continue to monitor the situation.

ITEM #13 – COMMENTS BY BOARD MEMBERS.

Julie Jenison thanked Adrienne Hauck for her Inspirational Message. She said she appreciated the testing and API reports. Mrs. Jenison said she appreciates Sue Kuntze, Melani Mouse, and Joe Pierce for the wonderful and amazing things they do every day for kids. She praised Putnam City’s Advanced Placement program saying it made a difference in her son’s academic success.

Becky Haliburton thanked Putnam City Foundation for sponsoring the Challenge Day program for 9th grade students at the high schools. She said she participated in the program at Putnam City West and said it was truly life-changing for students who take part. Mrs. Haliburton encouraged others to participate. She asked that anyone who lives in a neighborhood with association meetings to line up district administrators or board members to address the group about the upcoming bond election.

Mark Bledsoe congratulated administrators, teachers, and students on the 2008-09 test scores. He said he appreciates the hard work of district leaders in working to improve test scores.

Tammy West echoed congratulations on the test scores and said she appreciated the detail and history given in reporting API scores. She also thanked Shannon Meeks for his financial report. Tammy said she attended the Coronado Heights birthday celebration, and it was very well done and very well attended.

Gail LoPresto congratulated administrators, teachers, and students on the 2008-09 test scores. She also thanked Shannon Meeks for his report, as well as the activity and finance people who put in a lot of time on this. Mrs. LoPresto said the Putnam City West open house was very nice and well attended. She also thanked administrators and teachers who put in extra hours at football games, open houses, and other events.

ITEM #14– CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON NEW BUSINESS.

There was no new business.

ITEM #15 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO ADJOURN.

Julie Jenison made a motion at 7:20 p.m. to adjourn. Becky Haliburton seconded the motion.
Vote: Jenison, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye; West, aye; LoPresto, aye.