April 5, 2012

WUSD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

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WICKENBURG UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

WUSD FOCUS STATEMENT
WE ARE CREATING A+ SCHOOLS WHERE THERE IS A LASER-LIKE FOCUS ON THE EFFECTIVE ELEMENTS OF INSTRUCTION (EEI) AND MOVING EACH STUDENT TO THE NEXT ACADEMIC LEVEL.

WUSD - A 5/20 SCHOOL DISTRICT?

Did you know that Wickenburg is a 5/20 school district? You probably did not, but you are also likely asking yourself, what is a 5/20 school district? Well, a 5/20 school district is one that performs in the top 5% academically when measured against its statewide peer group as

identified by the Office of the Auditor General, while at the same time ranking in the bottom 20% in per-pupil spending. This is a great equation for WUSD and one which shows that the District is both effective and efficient.

WUSD 15TH IN STATEWIDE ACADEMIC RANKING

Recently we learned that the Wickenburg Unified School District (WUSD) was named the 15th highest performing school district in the State of Arizona. This ranking is coming as part of a change in the way the state of Arizona looks at how schools/districts perform. Based upon a model of school performance developed by the state of Florida, Arizona has now moved to grading both schools and districts on the traditional A F scale. At this stage the state has not graded any schools or districts with an F, as it takes three years with a D to move to that performance level. In this initial rating WUSD schools received a B, as did the District. We will strive to reach the top 10 in the years to come, and see all of our schools perform at the A level

April 5, 2012

WUSD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

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WUSD - EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT

One way to measure the quality of a government entity is to assess its effectiveness in achieving its mission as compared to how much it spends. I would like to take a moment to highlight recently released data from the Office of the Auditor General, which allows us analyze these two components of the Wickenburg Unified School District operation. First, from an effectiveness perspective, the Wickenburg Unified School District ranks 15th out of Arizonas 247 school districts when compared academically. We are very proud of these results and the hard work that our students and staff put in to achieve such recognition. This said, our work is not done and we will continue to focus on increasing our students academic performance as time progresses. In the years to come it is our goal to become one of Arizonas top 10 school districts. At this point logical questions might be WUSD is ranked 15th in the state, but how much does it spend to get there? Next, how does it compare to other Arizona districts in its spending? Lets take a moment to look at these questions based upon the recently released report from the Office of the Auditor General. The Auditor Generals report compares districts of similar size on four key components of school district spending: Administration, Plant Operations, Food Service and Transportation. In each area the Wickenburg Unified School District compares favorably to its peers, spending less in all categories save one where it spends a comparable amount. As an example, WUSD spends $913 per pupil on administration as compared to $1,104 in the peer districts. In the area of Plant Operations, WUSD spends $4.24 per square foot and its peer group spends $4.74. WUSD spends $3.12 per meal in its Food Service operation and its peer group spends $2.98, which the Auditor General deems a comparable expenditure level. Finally, Wickenburg spends $1.87 per mile to operate its transportation department and its peer group spends $2.71. The report also aggregates how much districts spend from a classroom and nonclassroom perspective. Once again WUSD spends less than its peers in both categories. Classroom expenditures in 2011 for WUSD were calculated to be $3,904 per pupil as compared to $4,298 for its peer group. Nonclassroom expenditures in 2011 were calculated at $3,656 per student in WUSD and this compares to $4,233 for its peer group. Based upon this data recently released by the Office of the Auditor General I believe taxpayers of the Wickenburg Unified School District can conclude that their schools do operate in an effective and efficient manner. To be ranked toward the top of the state in academic performance and below its peers in spending represents a favorable equation.

April 5, 2012

WUSD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

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AUDIT REPORT
WICKENBURG UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 9 FY2011 COST MEASURE RELATIVE TO PEER GROUP
Operational Area Administration Plant Operations Food Service Transportation Very Low Measure Cost per pupil Students per administrator Cost per square foot Square footage per student Cost per meal equivalent Cost per mile Miles per rider Low Comparable District $913 57 $4.24 290 $3.12 $1.87 418 High Peer Average $1,104 56 $4.74 259 $2.98 2.71 336 Very High

To view the Auditor Generals report for Wickenburg Unified School District, go to:
http://www.auditorgen.state.az.us/reports/school_districts/Districts/Wickenburg_USD/2012/Wickenburg_USD.pdf

HOW DOES ARIZONA COMPARE?

INSTRUCTION/INSTRUCTION RELATED EXPENDITURES PER PUPIL New York Wyoming New Jersey Massachusetts Nebraska Montana Wisconsin Minnesota Washington United States (Average) Oregon Iowa Texas Michigan Arizona $11,588 $9,952 $9,255 $8,928 $7,298 $7,257 $6,985 $6,471 $6,293 $6,275 $6,095 $6,026 $5,885 $5,727 $5,005

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics

April 5, 2012

WUSD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

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UNDERSTANDING CHANGES IN 2012 SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES

By Victoria Farrar, Director of Business Services

Hello Wickenburg Community! In an effort to ensure you have the latest information possible, please allow us to take a few minutes to briefly discuss issues that affect 2013 taxes. What we know today is property values on the whole did not dramatically decline as they did in previous years. The average primary valuation change is -9.84% and the average secondary valuation change is -11.24%. In this regard, it appears that future property values are unlikely to suffer the drastic 20% declines as they had previously. In fact, it is possible that values will increase as a result of various measures structured to boost economic recovery. One of these measures is the Arizonas Job Recovery Act. Signed by Governor Brewer in 2010, the premise is to entice businesses to operate in Arizona and hire employees to spur economic growth. One way the Jobs Bill works is by incrementally decreasing business taxes beginning this school year with full implementation by 2016. How does this affect homeowners? Homeowners will fund a greater portion of the school district budget.

School district budgets consist of two primary components: 1. Aggregate funding per pupil (the entire pie). 2. State support for aggregate funding (the state-funded portion of the pie). As of today, the state legislature and governor have not finalized K-12 funding for next school year. Although we do not know the size of the pie at this time, we do know that the portion of the pie left to homeowner taxation will be greater in 2013 than it was in 2012 in part due to the Arizona Job Recovery Act described above. In addition, aggregate changes in property valuation statewide directly affect the level of local support required to fund the pie. This year, this change is evident by the state requirement that local taxpayers fund an additional 11% of the K-12 budget. Wickenburg Unified will continue to provide budget updates as we learn additional information. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Victoria Farrar, Director of Business Services at (928) 668-5353.

April 5, 2012

WUSD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

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WICKENBURG UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD

Joe Maglio, Governing Board President

Curtis Arnett, Governing Board Member

Amy Brown, Governing Board Member

Sandee Gill Governing Board Member

Daniel Scott Governing Board Member

GOVERNING BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE

WUSD Board Room Hassayampa Elementary School Campus 251 South Tegner Street Wickenburg, AZ 6:30 PM

February 16, 2012 March 22, 2012 April 10, 2012 May 10, 2012

June 14, 2012 June 28, 2012 July 26, 2012 August 7, 2012

October 11, 2012 November 15, 2012 December 13, 2012 January 10, 2013

BOARD MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND

April 5, 2012

WUSD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

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BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS - February 16, 2012

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Items in the Consent Agenda were approved: o Governing Board Meeting Minutes o Personnel Action Reports o Substitute Teacher Approval o Approval of New and/or Restructured Positions o Approval of Tax Credit Eligibility for School Activities and Clubs. o Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 54 o 2012 Lifetouch Yearbook Publication Agreement - FF o Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the University of Arizona. o Expansion of Arizona Online Instruction (AOI) from 6-12 to K-12, which would facilitate the addition of grades K-5 to the Wickenburg Unified School Districts Arizona Online Instruction (AOI) program. o Wickenburg High School Course Catalog and Description Guide o Out of State Travel Request for Staff o Donation to the SPED Program ($705.94) from the Knights of Columbus Discussion of Budget Items Under Review List The Board discussed the Budget Items Under Review list, which was compiled from suggestions submitted by community and staff.

BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS - March 22, 2012

A Video Presentation featuring Senator Rich Crandall speaking of Wickenburgs Digital, Online Program was shown. Items in the Consent Agenda were approved: o Governing Board Meeting Minutes o Personnel Action Reports o Substitute Teacher Approval o Statement of Agreement American Red Cross o Out of state travel for Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) students and sponsors to travel to Utah to participate in competition o Out of state travel for Wickenburg High School Teachers for ACT QualityCore professional development training. o Donation of $1000.00 to Vulture Peak Middle School from Jones Ford o Donation of a Cress Electric Kiln from Mr. Pete Incardona to the WHS Art Program Discussion of Budget Items Under Review List The Board discussed the Budget Items Under Review list, which was compiled from suggestions submitted by community and staff. This list had been refined by administration. Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) Delegate Assembly The ASBA Delegate Assembly is scheduled for June 30, 2012. A delegate and the submission of proposed action items for the year of 2013 are requested from each school district. District Calendar FY 2013-2014 Rescheduling of Regular Board Meeting Date of April 12, 2012 to April 10, 2012

April 5, 2012

WUSD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

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SCHOOL CALENDARS April 2012

Monday 2
HES - Kinder Round-up WHS Jr. /Sr. Prom Meeting

Tuesday 3
HES - Kinder Roundup

Wednesday 4
HES - Kinder Roundup VP - Panoramic Class Pictures WDLP - Block 5 Ends

Thursday 5
HES - Kinder Roundup WHS Elite SW Delivery

Friday 6
GOOD FRIDAY ALL OFFICES CLOSED

9
WDLP - Block 6 Begins

10
FF Kindergarten Roundup WDLP - AIMS Math Test WHS Grand Canyon University Teacher Lunch Board Meeting 6:30 pm

11
HES - Site Council Meeting WDLP - AIMS Science Test

12
HES - Astro Camp Meeting HES - Secretaries Day WHS Spring Play

13
FF - Kindergarten Roundup WHS - Spring Play

16
VP AIMS Testing

17
FF AIMS/Stanford Testing HES AIMS/Stanford Testing VP AIMS Testing

18
FF AIMS/Stanford Testing HES AIMS/Stanford Testing VP AIMS Testing VP - Principal Coffee: 8 am WHS Theatre Field Trip Grand Canyon University WHS Jell-O Wrestling

19
FF AIMS/Stanford Testing HES AIMS/Stanford Testing VP AIMS Testing

20
VP AIMS Testing WHS PRIDE / Chorus / VOCE Lockdown

23
VP AIMS Testing

24
FF AIMS Testing HES AIMS Testing VP AIMS Testing

25
FF AIMS Testing HES AIMS Testing VP AIMS Testing VP District Writing Test

26
FF AIMS HES AIMS Testing HES - Volunteer Appreciation Day HES - Family Literacy Night 6:30 pm VP AIMS VP 8th Grade Catalina Trip

27
FF PTA Spaghetti Dinner VP AIMS Testing VP 8th Grade Catalina Trip

Administrative Professionals Day

30
FF Spirit Week VP 8th Grade Catalina Trip

Saturday April 28 WHS Prom

April 5, 2012

WUSD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

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May 2012
Monday 1
FF Spirit Week FF PTA Meeting 7:00

Tuesday 2

Wednesday 3
FF Spirit Week

Thursday 4
FF - Preschool-5th Grade Music Concert 6:30 pm FF Spirit Week HES Last Astro Camp Meeting

Friday
FF Field Day FF Spirit Week HES Arbor Day/ Kiss the Pig / Field Day/BBQ WHS Thespians Banquet PD Open Enrollment / Benefits

7
FF Benchmark Assessment HES DIBELS Testing HES Galileo Benchmarking VP Benchmark Testing

8
FF Benchmark Assessment HES DIBELS Testing HES Galileo Benchmarking HES Teacher Appreciation Breakfast VP Benchmark Testing VP Teacher Appreciation Breakfast

9
FF Benchmark Assessment FF Volunteer Tea HES DIBELS Testing HES Galileo Benchmarking HES Site Council Meeting VP Benchmark Testing VP Principals Coffee 8:00 am WHS Elite SW Delivery

10
FF Benchmark Assessment HES DIBELS Testing HES Galileo Benchmarking VP Benchmark Testing Board Meeting-6:30

11
FF Benchmark Assessment FF - Ice Cream Social / Talent Show 5:30 pm HES DIBELS Testing HES Galileo Benchmarking HES All Year Principals Honor Roll HES Last After School Program VP Benchmark Testing

Certified Appreciation Week

14
HES Astro Camp5th Grade

15
HES Astro Camp5th Grade HES Family Literacy Night 6:30 pm WHS Senior Awards Webb Center 7:00 pm

16
HES Astro Camp5th Grade HES 3rd Grade Spelling Bee HES/VP PTA Meeting 6:30 pm

17
FF - 6th-8th Music Concert / 5th-8th Band 6:30 pm HES 5th Grade Visitation HES All Year Perfect Attendance Ice Cream Social

18
HES Festival Friday

21
WHS Baccalaureate Webb Center 7:00 pm

22
FF - 8 Grade Promotion6:30 pm HES Reading & Math Awards Assemblies
th

23
FF - Awards Ceremony1:30 pm HES Special Honors Awards VP 8th Grade Promotion 7:00 pm VP 8 Grade Promotion Dance
th

24
HES Movie Day 4th Quarter Ends Last Student Day

25
Staff Breakfast 7:30 am WHS Graduation Field 8:00 pm

28
Memorial Day Observed All Offices Closed

29

30

31

April 5, 2012

WUSD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

P age |9

WUSD SPORTS SCHEDULES

WHS Baseball
Day Monday Thur. Sat. Wednesday Friday Tuesday Friday Tuesday Friday Saturday Friday Saturday Date April 2 April 5-7 April 11 April 13 April 17 April 20 April 24 May 4 May 5 May 11 May 12 Loc. H A A A H H A A A A A Opponent PARKER Estrella Foothills Tournament Shadow Ridge Buckeye Union MOHAVE SHADOW RIDGE (Senior Night) Northwest Christian Division III State Tournament Division III State Tournament Quarterfinals Division III State Tournament Semifinals Division III State Tournament Finals JV V 4:00 TBA 4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00 TBA TBA TBA TBA

4:00 4:00 2:00 2:00 2:00

WHS Softball
Day Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday Tuesday Thursday Friday Wednesday Friday Saturday Friday Saturday Date April 2 April 11 April 12 April 13 April 17 April 19 April 20 April 25 May 4 May 5 May 11 May 12 Loc. A H A H A H A A A A A A Opponent Parker SHADOW RIDGE Bradshaw Mountain BUCKEYE UNION Mohave MINGUS UNION (Senior Night) Shadow Ridge River Valley Division III State Tournament Division III State Tournament Quarterfinals Division III State Tournament Semifinals Division III State Tournament Finals JV 2:00 2:00 4:00 2:00 3:45 2:00 4:00 4:00 V 4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00 3:45 4:00 4:00 6:00 TBA TBA TBA TBA

April 5, 2012

WUSD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

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WUSD SPORTS SCHEDULES

WHS Track & Field

Day Thursday Saturday Saturday Friday Saturday Saturday Date April 5 April 28 May 5 May 11 May 12 May 19 Loc. H A H A A A Opponent WICKENBURG INVITE Estrella Foothills Invite OLD WEST MEET State Preliminaries A Mesa CC State Championships A Mesa CC Meet of Champions A Sandra Day OConnor F T All Day All Day All Day TBA TBA TBA

WHS Golf
Day Tuesday Monday Thursday Tuesday Thursday Thursday Fri.-Sat. Date April 3 April 9 April 12 April 17 April 19 April 26 May 4-5 May 11-12 Loc. H A A A H H A A Meet PARKER, ESTRELLA FOOTHILLS (Los Cab) Parker (Parker GC) Sedona (Oak Creek GC) 18 Holes Chino Valley (Antelope Hills ) 18 Holes BAGDAD JV (Los Cab) SCOTTSDALE CHRISTIAN, FOUNTAIN HILLS, PHOENIX CHRISTIAN (Los Cab) Metro Invitational (Coyote Lakes GC) Division III State Tournament Time 3:00 3:00 1:00 1:00 3:00 3:00 TBA TBA

VP Baseball/Softball
Day Tuesday Thursday Tuesday Thursday Monday Tuesday Thursday Tuesday Date April 3 April 5 April 10 April 12 April 16 April 17 April 19 April 24 Loc. H H A A H A H H Opponent DESERT OASIS ODYSSEY ACADEMY Arlington Gila Bend PALO VERDE Desert Oasis TARTESSO ARLINGTON Time 4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00

April 5, 2012

WUSD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

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WICKENBURG UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT INFORMATION

DEPARTMENTS
Superintendents Office Dr. Howard Carlson, Superintendent hcarlson@wickenburg.k12.az.us 40 West Yavapai Street Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Phone: 928-668-5350 FAX: 928-668-5390 Human Resources Carissa Hershkowitz, Director cahershkowitz@wickenburg.k12.az.us 251 South Tegner St. Rm. L-5 Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Phone: 928-668-5301 FAX: 928-668-5305 Educational Services Marcia Hespen, Executive Director mhespen@wickenburg.k12.az.us 920 South Vulture Mine Rd. Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Phone: 928-684-6700 FAX: 928-684-6746 Business Office Victoria Farrar, Director of Business Services vfarrar@wickenburg.k12.az.us 40 West Yavapai Street Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Phone: 928-668-5353 FAX: 928-668-5396 Accounts Payable Gwyn Buckman, Accounts Manager gbuckman@wickenburg.k12.az.us Phone: 928-668-5301 Sandi Krueger skrueger@wickenburg.k12.az.us Phone: 928-668-5354 Special Services Bill Moran, Director bmoran@wickenburg,k12.az.us 251 South Tegner St. Rm. L-5 Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Phone: 928-684-6714 FAX: 928-684-6711

Maintenance Department Ty Springer, Director tspringer@wickenburg.k12.az.us

251 South Tegner St. Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Phone: 928-668-5346 FAX: 928-668-5345

Transportation Department Mike Riggin, Director mriggin@wickenburg.k12.az.us

251 South Tegner St. Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Phone: 928-668-5342 FAX: 928-668-5345

SCHOOLS
Festival Foothills Elem. School Christina Strauss, Principal chstrauss@wickenburg.k12.az.us 26252 West Desert Vista Blvd. Buckeye, AZ 85396 Phone: 928-501-6000 FAX: 928-501-5057 Wickenburg High School Jackie Jacobson, Principal jjacobson@wickenburg.k12.az 1090 South Vulture Mine Road Wickenburg, AZ 85390
Phone: 928-684-6600 FAX: 928684-6628

Hassayampa Elementary School Mike Anderson, Principal manderson@wickenburg.k12.az.us 251 South Tegner St. Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Phone: 928-684-6750 FAX: 928-684-6791

Vulture Peak Middle School Marcia Hespen, Principal mhespen@wickenburg.k12.az.us 920 South Vulture Mine Rd. Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Phone: 928-684-6700 FAX: 928-684-6746 Wick. Digital Learning Center Rose Garcia, Director rgarcia@wickenburg.k12.az.us 920 South Vulture Mine Rd. Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Phone: 928-684-6700 FAX: 928684-6746