School District Redistricting Commission

Speakers Present

Dr. Jonathan Fink, Vice President of Research and Economic Affairs, Arizona State University (ASU)

Rhonda Bannard, Decision Theatre, Arizona State University (ASU)

Ken Behringer, General Counsel, Arizona Legislative Council

Dr. James W. Rice, Superintendent, Alhambra School District

INTRODUCTIONS AND REMARKS:

The members of the Commission introduced themselves as follows: George Martinez, Maricopa Community College District; Vicki Anderson; Joe Thomas, City of Mesa teacher; Jay Blanchard, Arizona State University; Art Harding, Arizona Department of Education; Martin Schultz, Arizona Public Service; Michael Hunter, Arizona Board of Regents; Dave Naugle, Southwest Gas; Rita Leyva, Yavapai County Education Service Agency; Tom Schoaf, private businessman; Dr. Sandra Dowling, Maricopa County School Superintendent.

Mr. Schultz noted the members of this Commission were appointed by either the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or the President of the Senate. He said Art Harding is the designee of Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.

Mr. Schultz said that the ASU Decision Theater might have the supercomputing power and techniques to help the Committee visualize new school district configurations.

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY DECISION THEATER PRESENTATION ON SCHOOL DISTRICT REDISTRICTING PROJECT

Dr. Jonathan Fink, Vice President of Research and Economic Affairs, Arizona State University

(ASU) said his understanding of the charge of the Committee is there are many types of information that will help decide the redistricting plan, and the Commission needs different ways to look at information and understand how it all fits together. He said ASU has an Institute for Social Science Research, which is where professors bring projects when they need expertise regarding geographic information, system help, and different methods to analyze information.

Dr. Fink explained the Decision Theater is a place where a community can look at complicated problems and come to decisions. The Decision Theater is round, has seven screens with rear projectors, somewhat like a small IMAX theater, and with computers that perform analysis and visualization in complicated ways. The facility is designed to show many different alternatives. The idea is to bring in data, show it in different ways, and then groups, such as the Commission, can discuss different ways they want to look at the data and determine what the important questions are. For example, if the population in Gilbert were to triple in the next ten years, what would be needed for school growth?

The Decision Theater could help the Commission create effective messages, and to accurately address questions regarding the future of the school district. Dr. Fink distributed a DVD describing the capabilities of the Decision Theater to Commission members.

Mr. Schultz proposed that Commission members review the Decision Theater DVD and then get to him with their ideas on using the Decision Theater.

Rhonda Bannard, Decision Theatre, Arizona State University (ASU) distributed a draft of a Public Hearing PowerPoint by the Arizona Commission on Educational System Unification and Consolidation which she summarized (Attachment 1).

Dr. Dowling suggested the Commission not use the word “unified” which she said references the past rather than the future.

Mr. Martinez urged the development of the presentation be done in concert with the development of the Commission’s website, with an eye toward interactivity.

After general discussion, the Commission agreed to avoid use of the words “consolidation” and “unification.”

Mr. Schultz asked the members to contact him via e-mail as to what they want included in the presentation.

Mr. Schultz said the first item of business at the next meeting would be for each member to be given an opportunity to express his or her thoughts on what the Commission should do and should avoid.

George Martinez said that acting on the previous consensus of the Commission to hold three public forums, he had identified three dates:

· Thursday, March 9, 6:30 p.m., Yavapai College Performance Hall, Prescott

· Thursday, April 13, Pima Community College Downtown Campus

· Wednesday, May 3, 6:30 p.m., Phoenix College Osborn Campus

Mr. Martinez said this is a good faith effort to try to reach out to the three parts of the state as discussed in the previous meeting.

Mr. Schultz questioned whether the initial presentation could be modified by March 9. After discussion, the Commission agreed that the first meeting should be on, or around, March 31 at Yavapai College.

Mr. Schultz suggested the Commission identify the first three meetings as “initial hearings,” and notice of these hearings should include the information that there will be future public hearings at other locations in the state. There were no objections.

Mr. Schultz said at the March 16 meeting, the Commission would have a discussion, and then finalize agreement on the presentation for the first public hearing in late March.

Ken Behringer, General Counsel, Arizona Legislative Council, gave a presentation on School District Size: Preliminary Findings (Attachment 2).

Mr. Schultz summarized decisions reached by the Commission in this meeting:

· Decision Theater Project will include that the Commission will go to the Decision Theater and develop a project description.

· Three public hearings are established: late March at Yavapai College, April 13 in southern Arizona, and May 3 at Phoenix College.

He said all Commissioners are invited, and encouraged, to attend each meeting. He informed members that transportation costs could be reimbursed.

Mr. Schultz said the March 16, 2006, meeting of the Commission would include:

· discussion on how commissioners are feeling about definitions, purpose, direction;

· review and finalization of a presentation to be given to the general public.

Mr. Schultz distributed a hard copy of the School District Redistricting Commission (SDRC) initial website (Attachment 3). He said he would like the Commissioners’ input as to what information should or should not be on this website.

Dr. James W. Rice, Superintendent, Alhambra School District, presented the Alhambra School District Redistricting Position Paper (Attachment 4).

Mr. Schultz thanked Dr. Rice for the presentation. He asked Dr. Rice to communicate with other school superintendents and ask them to give similar presentations to the Commission. Dr. Rice said he would do that.

The Commission agreed to share information via e-mail to all Commission members. The information could then be put on the website. Mr. Schultz cautioned members to refrain from engaging in dialogue with one another, and to refrain from commenting on submissions.

Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

_______________________________

Yvette O’Connor, Committee Secretary

February 16, 2006

(Original minutes, attachments and tape are on file in the Office of the Chief Clerk.)

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SCHOOL DISTRICT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION

February 16, 2006

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Members Present

Speakers Present