Minutes 06/08/2004

An executive session, a public hearing regarding a truth in taxation hearing regarding notice of tax increase, consideration of adoption of the Maricopa County Community College District budget for 2004-05 and Teacher Prep Charter High School budget for 2004-05, a special meeting of the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board, and a strategic conversation were scheduled to be held at 5:30 p.m. at the District Support Services Center, 2411 West 14th Street, Tempe, Arizona, pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02, notice having been duly given.

PRESENT

GOVERNING BOARD

Linda B. Rosenthal, President
Don Campbell, Secretary
Nancy Stein, Member
Scott Crowley, Member
Ed Contreras, Member

ADMINISTRATION

Rufus Glasper
Ron Bleed
Anna Solley
Debra Thompson
Pete Kushibab
Steve Helfgot
Jose Leyba
Larry Christiansen
Ken Atwater
Paul Dale
Carol Scarafiotti for Linda Thor
Jean Ann Abel for Phil Randolph
Art DeCabooter
Corina Gardea
Homero Lopez
Gene Giovannini
Maria Hesse

CALL TO ORDER

Governing Board President Linda Rosenthal called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Governing Board met in executive session, notice having been previously given.

The meeting recessed at 6:15 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 6:30 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF BUDGETS FOR 2004-05 AND TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING

I.A. Truth in Taxation - Notice to Increase Tax

The first item on the agenda was a truth in taxation hearing, as required under state law. In accordance with relevant statutory and constitutional provisions, President Rosenthal explained that the Maricopa County Community College District proposed to increase primary property taxes in fiscal year 2004-2005 on existing property. The proposed increase was two percent, equaling five million, eighty thousand, two hundred fifty-seven dollars in additional property tax revenues ($5,080,257.00).

President Rosenthal afforded any resident or taxpayer the opportunity to address the Governing Board concerning the District's proposed action to increase primary property taxes on existing property.

No citizens came forward.

President Rosenthal asked if there were any comments from members of the Board.

Mrs. Nancy Stein stated that Arizona revenues were greater than projected and that is why the Governor was able to fund the community colleges. This being the case and since the Maricopa Community College District was going to receive more funding from the state, it was her feeling that the Governing Board should refrain from increasing taxes to homeowners.

There being no further comments, President Rosenthal concluded the truth in taxation hearing.

I.B Adoption of Budgets for 2004-2005

President Rosenthal introduced the next item on the agenda which was the public hearing concerning the adoption of the proposed budget of the Maricopa County Community College District for fiscal year 2004-2005, as well as a public hearing for the adoption of the proposed budget for the Teacher Prep Charter High School for the same fiscal year. These hearings are required by law every year when the board presents its budget. The purpose of these hearings is to give any resident or taxpayer the opportunity to protest the inclusion of any item in the proposed budgets. President Rosenthal asked Acting Vice Chancellor of Business Services, Debra Thompson, to come forward to explain, on behalf of the Governing Board, the proposed budgets.

Chancellor Glasper requested the opportunity to speak prior to Ms. Thompson. He stated that the organization was extremely pleased with the outcome of the legislative session, as it was the first time in three years that the Maricopa Community College District had received money from the state. The funding will provide additional capital to the District and was the beginning of being able to establish a framework for the future for the projected 400,000 students that are expected to be enrolled by the year 2010. The increase in secondary taxes of $951 million through a bond referendum will enable the construction, remodeling, heating and cooling of additional facilities. The willingness of the Governor to support and the Governing Board to approve a referendum to meet the needs of students already here is greatly appreciated. The Governor believes in us and as the District moves ahead with the bond referendum, he stated he felt it was in the best interest of community to approve the proposed budget and also seek other revenue measures in the future.

• Ms. Thompson presented the proposed budget for Maricopa County Community College District for Fiscal Year 2004-2005 totaling $989,777,965, which includes a provision for the proposed bond program. Ms. Thompson stated that the budget included revenue bond carry forward funds for the Paradise Valley Performing Arts Center and the Student Information System both scheduled for completion in the spring of 2005. Mark Mason provided a powerpoint presentation reviewing the major provisions of the 2004-2005 MCCCD budget. This presentation included:
  • The comparison of the 2003-2004 budget to the proposed 2004-2005 budget.
  • The breakdown of the $46.1 million General Fund Resources
  • The FY05 General Fund Commitments
  • Other Priority Needs
  • Comparison of the FY04 vs. FY05 Auxiliary Fund, Restricted Fund, Plant Fund
    
    
• Phoenix College President Corina Gardea commented on the proposed Teacher Prep Charter High School which opened August 18, 2003 and completed a very successful first year of operation. The school began with 25 students and ended the year with 36. Enrollment for 2004-2005 is expected to be 60 students and therefore a proposed budget of $380,893 was being presented for approval. She acknowledged the successful efforts of the school's principal, Leticia Ruiz, for getting the school up and running.

President Rosenthal afforded any resident or taxpayer the opportunity to address the Governing Board concerning the inclusion of any item in the proposed budgets. No residents or taxpayers came forward.

President Rosenthal asked if there were any comments from members of the Board. There were no Board Member comments.

SPECIAL MEETING - ACTION

II.A.1. Truth in Taxation - Notice to Increase Tax Roll Call Vote - Levy to Increase Taxes

Approve the Maricopa Community College District's proposed increase in primary property taxes on existing property in FY 2004-2005 by 2.00%, which equals $5,080,257.00 in additional property tax revenues.

MOTION NO. 9243

Board Member Don Campbell moved to approve through roll call vote the levy to increase taxes on existing property in FY 2004-2005 by 2.00%, which equals $5,080,257.00 in additional property tax revenues. President Rosenthal called for the roll call vote: Ed Contreras - aye; Don Campbell - aye; Linda Rosenthal - aye; Nancy Stein - nay ; Scott Crowley - aye. Motion approved 4-1 (Stein opposed).

II.A.2. Transfer of Cigna Medical Premium Reserve from Quasi-Endowment Fund

Approve the transfer of up to $735,000 from the Cigna Reserve account in the Quasi-Endowment fund to partially cover increased medical premium costs in Fiscal Year 2004-2005.

MOTION NO. 9244

Board Member Scott Crowley moved to approve the transfer of up to $735,000 from the Cigna Reserve account in the Quasi-Endowment fund to partially cover increased medical premium costs in Fiscal Year 2003-2004.

Motion approved 5-0.

II.A.3. Proposed FY 2004-2005 Maricopa Community College District Budget Adoption

Approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Budget totaling $989,777,965, representing an increase of $264,941,837 over 2003-2004, and authorize the expenditure of budgeted revenues, realized or designated fund balances, within the total amount budgeted for each fund (Current Unrestricted, Auxiliary, Restricted, and Plant Funds).

MOTION NO. 9245

Board Member Scott Crowley moved to approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Budget totaling $989,777,965, representing an increase of $264,941,837 over 2003-2004, and authorize the expenditure of budgeted revenues, realized or designated fund balances, within the total amount budgeted for each fund (Current Unrestricted, Auxiliary, Restricted, and Plant Funds).

Motion approved 4-1 (Mrs. Stein voted non-approval).

II.A.3. Proposed FY 2004-2005 Teacher Prep Charter High School Budget Adoption

Approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Teacher Prep Charter High School Budget totaling $380,893 based on the projected enrollment FTSE of 60 students and representing an increase of $86,293 over 2003-2004.

MOTION NO. 9246

Board Member Don Campbell moved to approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Budget $380,893 based on the projected enrollment FTSE of 60 students and representing an increase of $86,293 over 2003-2004.

Motion approved 5-0.

II.B.1 Resolution for Reimbursement from Tax-Exempt Bonds

It was recommended that the Governing Board adopt a resolution designating the Vice Chancellor for Business Services as an authorized officer to make declarations of intent to reimburse expenditures from the proceeds of tax-exempt bonds.

MOTION NO. 9247

Board Member Don Campbell moved to adopt a resolution designating the Vice Chancellor for Business Services as an authorized officer to make declarations of intent to reimburse expenditures from the proceeds of tax-exempt bonds.

Motion approved 5-0.

II.B.2 Resolution for Ordering and Calling a Special Bond Election for November 2, 2004

It was recommended that the Governing Board adopt a resolution ordering and calling a special bond election for November 2, 2004.

MOTION NO. 9248

Board Member Don Campbell moved to adopt a resolution ordering and calling a special bond election for November 2, 2004.

Motion approved 5-0.

II.B.3 Resolution for Ordering and Calling a Special Bond Election for November 2, 2004

It was recommended that the Governing Board adopt a statement for the information pamphlet expressing its support for the Maricopa Community Colleges special bond election on November 2, 2004.

MOTION NO. 9249

Board Member Nancy Stein moved to adopt a statement for the information pamphlet expressing its support for the Maricopa Community Colleges special bond election on November 2, 2004.

Motion approved 5-0.

III. ADJOURNMENT OF PUBLIC HEARING AND SPECIAL MEETING

President Rosenthal concluded the public hearing and special meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

IV. STRATEGIC CONVERSATION: TECHNOLOGY

The Strategic Conversation on Technology started with two videos from Microsoft. The first video presented a panel of visionaries expressing their views of the future of learning and the second video presented interactions between students and a faculty member in a classroom of the future.

Vice Chancellor Ron Bleed then presented a summary on the white paper prepared for the conversation. Following this presentation, participants broke into four groups and discussed the following four questions:

1. Give examples of how technology will impact the lives of all age groups (children to seniors) in the next ten years.
2. Develop some scenarios for teaching and learning that enable Maricopa to "keep up with technology" in the next years of the bond program.
3. What resources, plans, actions and attitudes are required to make these scenarios a reality?
4. Is technology worth it? How do we know or how will we measure?

A four-person panel consisting of Homero Lopez, Paul Dale, Sharon Blanton, and Carmela Arnoldt summarized the discussions they heard from the groups. They emphasized that it isn't known to what extent the technological sophistication of the "N" Generation will be on the community college teaching and learning environment. They commented on the need for Maricopa to stay ahead or keep pace with technology students expect to use in their environment. They advocated that further study needs to be done in terms of what tools will continue to be provided by community colleges and what tools will become student provided.

In conclusion, the discussion groups and the panelists emphasized that for the Maricopa Community Colleges "keeping up with technology" is a requirement to meet the expectations in learning and service for the many kinds of students we serve. Capital funds for technology from a new bond program are critical to the future of teaching and learning at the Maricopa Community Colleges.

Note: Both the white paper and post-strategic conversation summary are attached.

The Strategic Conversation concluded at 8:30 p.m.

———————————
Dr. Donald R. Campbell
Governing Board Secretary

The Strategic Conversation on Technology started with two videos from Microsoft. First, a panel of visionaries presented their views of the future of learning and second, the interactions between students and a faculty member in a classroom of the future were shown. The next part of the agenda included Ron Bleed presenting a summary via PowerPoint on the white paper prepared for the conversation. Afterwards, the attendees broke into four groups and discussed four questions. Then a panel of Homero Lopez, Paul Dale, Sharon Blanton, and Carmela Arnoldt summarized the discussions they heard from the groups. To conclude the evening, winning names were drawn for eight computer-related books.

Discussions

1. The first discussion was "Give examples of how technology will impact the lives of all age groups (children to seniors) in the next ten years."

The group discussions emphasized exponential impacts of technology on the lives of people. These impacts will have many positive aspects in health care, finances, learning and business activities but some negative warnings were also issued concerning no human interaction, less separation of job and home and distraction from teaching. An idea emerged that the current trend in declining face-to-face communication will soon reverse to more human contact.

The second nature of using and expecting technology by young people including the very young was widely assumed. Younger kids do not carry the baggage of the memory of the "old-way" or "how we used to do things." Also, the use of technology by "seniors" is now considered common. Technology is useful as a generational bridge by providing an opportunity for elders to lessen feelings of isolation by remaining connected with family and friends. The group that may struggle more with technology is the now mid-aged "baby boomers."

A person's place in life will be determined by their technology knowledge. Similarly, colleges will attract students because of the school's technology commitment, knowledge and application.

The traditional ideas of time and place will become meaningless and 24 by 7 services expected. Technology will move activities from local connections to global connections. Communications will be broader and occur more often.

2. The second discussion was "Develop some scenarios for teaching and learning that enable Maricopa to "keep up with technology" in the next years of the bond program."

Technology allows learners to be more engaged-as a partner, designer and collaborator of their learning. The idea of students as a producers and consumers of learning was brought forward. New issues of student rights and ownership of their contributions complicate this scenario.

The use of technology for more on line learning was predicted. The potential to have clinical experiences online, books in digital formats, virtual reality, and instant messaging were suggested. Virtual learning can alleviate critical shortages in certain professions, nursing, for example, by providing remote training when appropriate.

The on-line learning scenario creates opportunities for more flexible delivery models within courses. The hybrid course and the distance learning formats were projected to grow in the future. This scenario provides more opportunities for students' global learning with the international connections of the Internet.

The changing role of faculty to being more facilitators was another scenario. Issues concerning faculty development, training programs for K-12 teachers, faculty evaluation and hiring, and using technology effectively rather than just using technology were presented.

The use of small technology devices carried by students such as PDAs and tablet PCs connected to wireless networks was also discussed. Although much of today's student activities on such devices are not instructional, future educational planning needs to incorporate them.

With the increased expectancy of immediacy (e-mail, instant messaging, etc.), the learners' expectation for prompt feedback on academic work will increase. The "art of reflection" where the value of time to think through an issue or problem may be diminishing.

3. The third discussion was "What resources, plans, actions and attitudes are required to make these scenarios a reality?"

As expected the first response in this discussion was the need for money. The limit to financial resources creates the need to maximize resources by collaborating with other colleges, creating partnerships with other universities and corporations, budgeting for resources, generating income through marketable products, and becoming more efficient in the use of technology. Reallocation of resources and understanding the trade-offs between comprehensive and limited services were part of the conversation.

Attitude was also a topic discussed. Stronger attitudes toward training, sharing among faculty and staff, measuring benefits, embracing importance of technology, and becoming more flexible were mentioned. A full understanding that the students are now driving us was suggested.

Harnessing the district wide intellectual capital from both faculty and students was proposed. Increased sharing among the individuals of the district was encouraged. Planning for boundless technology and its support were indicated as important.

4. The fourth discussion considered, "Is technology worth it? How do we know or how will we measure?"

The general answer was that technology was worth it for many positive reasons. New systems inspire folks to look at new ways. Improvement in student learning leads to jobs, self-sufficiency and quality of life. Technology makes the institution more effective and efficient.

Models to assess value seriously, incorporate technology standards, and test for reasonableness were proposed as answers to the measurement question.

Panel Summary

The four-person panel summarized and commented on the discussions. They emphasized that we don't really know to what extent the technological sophistication of the "N" Generation will be on the community college teaching and learning environment.

They commented on the need for Maricopa to stay ahead, or at least keep pace, with technology students expect to use in their learning environment. In terms of keeping up with technology with the Microsoft's and Cox's of the world, community colleges are in a position of "have to." With the changing ways people are accessing entertainment (down loading music, games, etc.) this is becoming the norm and these forms of access need to be used in the learning process.

The panel advocated that further study needs to be done in terms of what tools will continue to be provided by community colleges and what tools will become student provided. It may be that the student-owned, low-cost, laptop may reduce our need to provide comprehensive, expansive computer labs. It is likely that we will need to become more wireless allowing students to access our networks anywhere on campus.

The ideas that shared resources, administrative support, and early adopters can foster wider acceptance of technology; as well as embedded assessment can demonstrate evidence to external communities were stated.

In conclusion, the discussion groups and the panelists emphasized that for the Maricopa Community Colleges "keeping up with technology" is a requirement to meet the expectations in learning and service of the many kinds of students we serve. Capital funds for technology from a new bond program are critical to the future of teaching and learning at the Maricopa Community Colleges.

White Paper Summary

The white paper used as a resource for the discussion included the following topics:
1. Value of information technology
2. Checklist for Board members
3. Technology challenges for the next ten years
4. College strategic plans for technology
5. Numbers of students using technology
6. Bond allocations for technology
7. Impact of technology on courses
8. Principles in funding technology
9. Ocotillo issues for 2004-2005
10. Top ten IT issues by all colleges for 2004

The EDUCAUSE "Student Guide to Evaluating Information Technology on Campus" was attached to the white paper.

Next Steps

From the videos, the research in the white paper, and the discussions, the importance of technology to improving learning was very evident. The Maricopa Community Colleges are at a moment in time to take advantage of a potential quantum leap in learning. The resources from a bond program, the aptitude of the incoming students, the skills of our employees and the emerging technology developments will combine to greatly enhance the enjoyment and increase the activity of learning. The following are proposed next steps at MCCD:

1. Conduct similar strategic conversations at each college this year for the purposes of "harnessing district intellectual capital" from faculty, staff and students.
2. Create technology alliances/events with K-12 districts for the purposes of better understanding the incoming students and the technology directions of our feeder schools.
3. Develop incentive programs that would encourage greater sharing, learning object exchanges and common software and interfaces among the ten colleges and district office.
4. Re-design a high enrollment course into a hybrid model as district wide prototype.
5. Hold forums to demonstrate emerging technologies.
6. Develop web pages for each college that address questions a prospective student may have about technology on that campus.

Two videos: Quantum leap in learning that is engaging, collaborative, active rather than passive, thinking critically in complex systems, willingness to accept change, new kinds of literacy which are screen (cinematic) interactivity, and navigation thru information space

White paper summary via PowerPoint
4 Discussion questions-4 engaged groups
Panel-
Aptitude of younger generation, students as drivers and partners
Maricopa is in a "have to" environment in keeping up with technology
Sharing resources, administrative support
Continuing assessment and evaluation of technology uses

From the videos, the research in the white paper, and the discussions, the importance of technology to improving learning was very evident. The Maricopa Community Colleges are at a moment in time to take advantage of a perfect storm leap in learning. The resources from a bond program, the aptitude of the incoming students, employee skills and the emerging technology will combine. The following are proposed next steps:

1. Conduct similar strategic conversations at each college this year for the purposes of "harnessing district intellectual capital" from faculty, staff and students.
2. Create technology alliances/events with K-12 districts for the purposes of better understanding the incoming students and the technology directions of our feeder schools. We've worked together on other issues; it is time to get together on technology,
3. Develop incentive programs that would encourage greater sharing, learning object exchanges and common software and interfaces among the ten colleges and district office. Allocation of bond dollars are that opportunity.
4. Re-design a high enrollment course into a hybrid model as a district prototype (CIS 105 as a possibility.)
5. Hold forums to demonstrate emerging technologies.
6. Develop web pages as a recruitment tool for each college to address questions a prospective student may have about technology on that campus

Drawing