Thanks to the generosity of our community, Amphitheater Public Schools has been able to provide our

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• Thanks to the generosity of our community,
  Amphitheater Public Schools has been able to
  provide our students with additional educational
  support through the 2007 Bond and the 2005
  Maintenance and Operations Override, as approved
  by the Districts voters.

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Some Background
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Two basic school budgets

• Capital
• the funds allocated to school districts under
  state formulas to fund such things as building
  construction, durable assets and equipment,
  textbooks, and vehicles.
• Maintenance and operations
• the funds allocated to school districts under
  strict state formulas to pay for general
  operations payroll, utilities, fuel, supplies,
  and certain equipment.

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Limitation of Spending

• Regardless of a school districts tax base or its
  level of need, each school district is limited by
  state formulas to the amount it can spend in each
  of these basic funds.
• Exceptions desegregation costs, bonds, capital
  overrides, and maintenance and operations
  overrides.

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As to the Capital budget
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What are Bonds?

• Voter authorization to incur debt for
  construction and renovation.
• Principal and interest to be repaid by the
  taxpayers of the district in later years.

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Permitted Bond Projects

• New construction
• Purchase land
• Renovate existing buildings and grounds
• Pupil transportation vehicles
• Other capital improvements

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What are Capital Overrides?

• Voter authorization to spend annually above the
  capital outlay limits imposed in state laws.
• Pay-as-you-go method of funding.
• Amphi does not currently have one.

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Permitted Capital Override Projects

• Technology and automation
• Furniture, fixtures and equipment for new schools
• Some exterior renovation
• Equipment not available from other sources

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Blue Ribbon Committee -- 2007

• Began Work in January 2007
• Generally met twice per month
• Visited School Sites
• Reviewed Pertinent Issues
• Concluded its work in May 2007
• Made recommendations to the Governing Board in
  formal report

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• Study Work of Committee Members
• Arizona School Financing Students FIRST
• Formulas vs. Realities
• History of Deficiency Corrections and Building
  Renewal
• Overview of District Capital Budget
• Examine Capital Needs of District
• Review Facility Assessment Information
• Identify potential uses for bond and/or capital
  override funds
• Study tax ramifications of bonds and/or capital
  override
• Review community survey data
• Develop Recommendation to Board for
  Action/Inaction

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Blue Ribbon Report Online
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• A few examples of unmet capital needs
• There are 4 labs with 8 year old computers and 7
  labs with 7 year old computers in Amphitheater.
• Neither of the two new schools from the bond will
  have available for the necessary furniture,
  technology, fixtures, and equipment.
• These are things that cannot be purchased with
  existing bond funds.
• Capital has been cut, underfunded or not funded
  by state repeatedly expected again.
• Capital override is a potential solution.

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Blue Ribbon Report to Governing Board

• Call for a 180 M Bond Election in Nov. 2007 to
• Make Health, Safety and Security Improvements
• Build Permanent Classrooms to Replace Aging
  Portables
• Increase Instructional Space, Including
• New Elementary School
• New Middle School
• Modernize Technology Infrastructure
• Improve Transportation Fleet and Facility
• Consider a capital override election in the
  future, when the tax levy would be fiscally
  responsible.

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Our Bonds passed and are well underway

• Examples include
• New, permanent spaces to replace aging portables
  at Prince and La Cima
• New security fencing at Mesa Verde and Holaway
• New buses for student travel are on the road
• Planning and design for many additional projects
  District wide restroom renovations, CDO covered
  walkway replacement, permanent instructional
  space to replace aging portables, etc.

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School District Budget Overrides

• Arizona law does permit school districts to
  obtain local voter approval to override their
  normal budgetary limits for both Capital and
  Maintenance and Operations.
• Budget overrides also have their limits -- for
  example, MO can increase no more than 10 of the
  Districts revenue control limit.

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School District Budget Overrides

• Budget overrides are also limited in duration,
  i.e., the number of budget years that excess
  budget capacity is authorized. (One, two or five
  to seven years is permitted).
• If an override is for five to seven years (like
  Amphis), the budget increase for the next to the
  last year is equal to two-thirds of the initial
  budget increase.
• The budget increase for the last year of a five
  to seven year override is equal to one-third the
  amount of the initial budget increase.

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Three Year Phase Out Example
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Maintenance Operations Override

• In November of 2004, the Blue Ribbon Budget
  Analysis Committee (a representative group of
  community leaders) recommended that the
  Amphitheater Governing Board call for an election
  for a 10 override of the maintenance and
  operations budget to be used for
• Class size reduction
• Enhanced elementary art, music, PE
• Increased middle high school electives
• Academic Intervention Programs (year round)
• Compensation increases for staff
• Expansion of facilities and support staff

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Voters approved the M O Override.

• May 2005.
• In effect since then.
• Override funds now total 8,145,624 and support
  107 increased staff positions in listed areas.

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What does our current M O Override provide?
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MO Override Impact

• Prior to override, class sizes at the elementary
  level were routinely at or over 30 students.
• In middle school, English and writing classes
  ranged up to 35 students averages in Language
  Arts in 7th grade were 29.3 in Science 32.3 and
  both math and science classes were as high as 38
  students.
• In high school, English, Math Science classes
  ranged up to 35 or 36 students.
• Now, low class sizes are the rule rather than the
  exception.

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MO Override Impact

• Prior to 2005, some elementary grade levels only
  received 20 minutes a week in Art, Music and
  Physical Education instruction.
• This has been enhanced to benefit all students at
  our elementary schools well beyond those 2005
  levels.
• The goal now is to provide at least 50 minutes
  per week per grade level in Art, Music, and PE.

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MO Override Impact

• Math and Writing Labs have been added at each
  middle school, along with Technology, Science and
  Fine Arts electives
• Middle school enhancements include Marine
  Biology, MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, and
  Science Achievement), Drama, and Dance.
• At the high school level, course additions
  include the following Studio Art, Computer
  Science, Engineering, French III and IV, Music
  Theory, AP Psychology, AP Environmental Science,
  Academic Challenges, and Teen Court.
• Tutoring and other intervention programs have
  been implemented that serve students throughout
  the school year as well as into the summer. Last
  summer alone, nearly 1600 students attended
  summer school. This level of student support was
  not possible prior to the override.

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• The current Maintenance and Operations Override
  expires in 2012. As a result of this expiration,
  reductions of the maintenance and operations
  budget totaling many millions will be required
  over the next three years unless a renewal is
  approved by the voters of Amphitheater.
• A renewal of the override continues the current
  tax levy.

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• Here is our dilemma.
• For the first time in most of our lifetimes, we
  are facing an uncertain
  
• economic future.

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Completed and Proposed Legislative Cuts

• Current Year MO Budget Cut of
• 1,769,748
• Current Year Soft Capital Cut of
• 364,276
• Total                 2,134,024
• Proposed Cut for next school year of
• 14,767,293 BSL  approximately 200 jobs     

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• As this financial crisis looms, we face the
  critical need for continued maintenance,
  operations and capital revenue to prevent the
  loss of vital educational programs, services,
  timely technology, and equipment.
  

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• To maintain the current level of services
• now being provided to our students,
• we would need to renew our Maintenance and
  Operations Budget Override,
• which currently is 8,145,624,
• in November of 2009.

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• In addition, to ensure student instruction is
  focused on 21st Century Learning Skills, we need
  to replace outdated computers as well as purchase
  new equipment (technology/furniture/fixtures)
  totaling 2,100,000 per year. This would
  require a Capital Override.
• As we have promised in the past, we would not use
  the Capital Override dollars during any of the
  approved years unless we could maintain the
  promised tax levy from the bond approval.

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• So, while we will continually look for ways to
  reduce our expenses to maintain low class sizes
  and current programming, we are faced with
  serious and pressing decisions
• Should the Amphitheater Governing Board ask the
  community to renew the current budget override
  that is in place?
• Should the Amphitheater Governing Board ask the
  community to approve a capital override for
  computers and important instructional equipment
  that cannot be acquired through the regular
  budget, bond or current override?
• OR

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• Should the Amphitheater Governing Board initiate
  planning for a phase out of the current override
  funds over the next three years?
• AND/OR
• Should the Amphitheater Governing Board continue
  to delay important computer and instructional
  equipment acquisition for our students?

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• Please help the Governing Board decide.

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• AMPHITHEATER GOVERNING BOARD
• Jeff Grant, President
• Diana L. Boros, Vice President
• Kent Paul Barrabee, Ph.D.
• Patricia J. Clymer
• Linda Loomis, Ph.D.
• ADMINISTRATION
• Vicki Balentine, Ph.D., Superintendent
• Todd A. Jaeger, J.D., Associate to the
  Superintendent
• Patrick Nelson, Associate Superintendent
• Scott Little, Chief Financial Officer
• Douglas Aho, Executive Manager, Operational
  Support

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• SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE IN AMPHITHEATER!
• STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS 362 students received
  college scholarships during the 2007-2008 school
  year.
• Arizona Middle School P.E. Teacher of the Year
  Mr. Gabe Romero (Wilson K-8 School) was
  recognized and named the Arizona Middle School
  P.E. Teacher of the Year by the Arizona
  Association for Health, Physical Education, and
  Recreation and Dance.
• Recipient of Circle of Honor Award 2006-2007
  2007-2008 In 2007, Ms. Monica Nelson,
  Principal, Coronado K-8 School was selected as a
  Circle of Honor Award recipient. Monica is one
  of five local principals deemed as one of the top
  1 of principals in Arizona. The award includes
  a 5,000 scholarship for the study of educational
  leadership. Also, in 2008, Dr. Michael Gemma,
  Principal, Canyon del Oro High School received
  the same award.
• Arizona American Star of Teaching The U.S.
  Department of Education honors outstanding
  classroom teachers through the American Stars of
  Teaching program.  Teachers across all grade
  levels and disciplines, including the arts, were
  honored as 2007 American Stars of Teaching.  Ms.
  Mamie Spillane, from Prince Elementary School was
  selected as the American Star of Teaching
  recipient from Arizona for 2007.
• Rodel Exemplary Teacher Award Finalists and
  Winners Every year the Rodel Foundation of
  Arizona selects outstanding teachers based on
  their record of outstanding student achievement
  and excellent instruction to Arizonas students.
  Rodel Exemplary Teachers have committed to
  supervise and mentor six Rodel promising student
  teachers over a three year period. Ms. Gail
  Murray, from Holaway Elementary School, and Ms.
  Kris Holt, from Prince Elementary School, were
  selected as Rodel Exemplary Teacher Award
  finalists and Ms. Melanie Derksen, Holaway
  Elementary School was named one of five Pima
  County Rodel Exemplary Teachers for 2007. In
  2008, the Amphitheater School District had three
  finalists.  Polly Kimminau, a 6th grade Math
  teacher from La Cima, and Sandy Schiffman, a 4th
  grade teacher from Keeling are two of the
  finalists.  The third finalist, Cynthia Davis, a
  5th grade teacher from Rio Vista, was named a
  Rodel winner!

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• Circle K Teacher of the Year Finalists Lee
  Street from Canyon del Oro High School and Teresa
  Irwin from Ironwood Ridge High School were
  selected as finalists for the 2007-08 Circle
  K/University of Arizona Outstanding High School
  Faculty Awards. Both teachers were honored at
  University of Arizona basketball games, in the
  newspaper and on a local television station.
• National Board Certification Teachers who
  enroll must complete several hundred hours of
  self-evaluation in an assessment process, take a
  written test, as well as a test analyzing their
  own teaching skills in addition they must
  complete a bachelors degree and three years of
  classroom experience in public/private school.
  Receiving this exemplary certification gives
  teachers additional compensation and solidifies
  Amphitheaters claim of boasting more National
  Board Certified teachers than any other southern
  Arizona district. Currently, Amphitheater Public
  Schools employs 23 Nationally Board Certified
  Teachers.
• HP Technology for Teaching Grant The HP
  Technology for Teaching Grant Initiative is
  designed to support innovative and effective uses
  of technology in the classroom setting. HP
  grants awards to K-12 public schools that are
  using a collaborative, team-based approach to
  implementing technology integration projects.
  The activities of the project were focused on
  using technology to teach, rather than on
  teaching students to use technology. HP selected
  teams of five teachers from approximately 110
  schools to receive the equipment and professional
  development support they need to effectively
  integrate technology into their instruction.
  Preference was given to projects that address
  mathematics and/or science. The CDO High School
  team of five teachers that applied for this grant
  award was selected because they supported the
  goals of technology integration in a learning
  project. This included the integration of
  science and mathematics with other academic
  subjects. Each of the five teachers on the
  schools project team will received a
  Notebook/Tablet PC, projector, digital camera,
  printer, scanner, copier, 3,000 to purchase
  books, a 500 stipend, and customized online
  professional development.

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• Clean Air Champion (sponsored by the Tucson and
  Phoenix area Clean Cities Coalitions) The
  Amphitheater School Districts Transportation
  Department headed by Marc Lappitt was recognized,
  and named Clean Air Champion by the U. S.
  Department of Energys Clean Cities Coalition.
• AzTEA 2008 Innovation Awards Recipients
  received state-level recognition for their
  consummate technology instruction Ms. Beth
  Malapanes from Canyon del Oro High School and Mr.
  Robert Walling from Painted Sky Elementary. Ms.
  Malapanes was awarded the AzTEA 2008 Outstanding
  Librarian of the Year for her exemplary skills
  that serve as a driving force for the progressive
  use of technology at her school. Additionally,
  Ms. Malapanes serves as a trainer for the
  District and also at the State level and typifies
  an outstanding leader. Mr. Walling, who was
  awarded the AzTEA 2008 Outstanding Technology
  Teacher of the Year for his cutting-edge
  thinking is credited with introducing the use of
  SMARTBoard technology to the District.
• Language Matters Award Dr. Duisberg from
  Amphitheater High School received the Language
  Matters Award from the Intercultural Student
  Experiences (ISE) organization.
• Middle School Distinguished Teaching Award Ms.
  Seybert from Cross Middle School received the
  Middle School Distinguished Teaching Award from
  the National Council for Geographic Education. 

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• 2008 School Psychologist of the Year Award Ms.
  Christina Collins received the 2008 School
  Psychologist of the Year Award from the Arizona
  Association of School Psychologists.
• Arizona Educational Teacher of the Year Finalist
  Ms. Rebecca Hughes of La Cima Middle School was
  selected as an Arizona Teacher of the Year runner
  up, thus named an Ambassador for Excellence by
  the Arizona Education Foundation.
• All Arizona Superintendent of the Year The
  Arizona School Administrators Association has
  named the districts superintendent, Dr. Vicki
  Balentine, as its All Arizona Superintendent of
  the Year (large district 5000 students) for
  2008.