Summary of Minutes. August 12, The Board of Education for the Public Schools of Robeson County convened in

Transcription

1 Summary of Minutes August 12, 2008 The Board of Education for the Public Schools of Robeson County convened in session on August 12, 2008 at 6:00 P.M. at the Administrative Office Building in Lumberton, North Carolina. The following members were present: Robert Deese, Chairman Mike Smith, Vice Chairman Dr. Jo Ann C. Lowery Loistine DeFreece Severeo Kerns Steve Martin Jerry Long Randall Jones Brenda Fairley-Ferebee John Campbell Absent: Tony Jenkins Also in attendance were Superintendent Dr. Johnny Hunt, Dr. Linda Emanuel, Walter Jackson, Greg Killingsworth, Tommy Lowry, Arthur Leggett, Dr. Danny Stedman, Assistant Superintendents; and Attorney Grady Hunt. ORDER OF BUSINESS 1. Call to Order: Chairman Robert Deese. 2. Invocation: Mr. John Campbell. 3. Adoption of the Agenda: Chairman Robert Deese: Adoption of the agenda. The Board approved the agenda. 4. Approval of the Minutes Open Session: The Board unanimously approved the taped open session minutes of July 15, 2008.

2 5. INFORMATION ITEMS A. Public Comments Ms. Pauls Flowe, Director of The Hitting Stops Here, spoke to the Board relative to corporal punishment and the effects it may have on a child if corporal punishment is allowed in the school system. Ms. Flowe stated she and supporters wanted an ADHOC Committee meeting held immediately and that they are scheduling a boycott. Ms. Andrea Scott and her daughter, Mr. Quentin Davis, and Ms. Gloriesrenca Stackhouse spoke to the Board as well. There were several other supporters of the group present. Chairman Robert Deese stated the administration would be back in touch with her as to whether a meeting would be held. B. Image Supply Mr. David Edge, representing Image Supply Company, Lumberton, NC, which opened in 1976, presented a management cost analysis plan to the Board in ways of improving the school system s present custodial department. C. RAE Ms. Monica Graham, President of RAE, introduced the new NCAE Uniserve Representative, Mr. Jeff McRoberts, comes from Seattle, Washington. The Executive Council Members, who will serve for two years, were also present. D. Summer School Update/Opening Date Program Dr. Linda Emanuel, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, gave a brief summer school update. The summer remedial and acceleration programs that were implemented this summer were a success. Dr. Emanuel stated that

3 the CSI Cool Science Investigation Program was a great success this year. There were 1200 students who took part in this program. Dr. Emanuel also explained the credit recovery program and how it works. The instructional support staff who worked with the programs this summer was also present tonight. The Board received an agenda of the scheduled activities for the opening school day. Superintendent Dr. Johnny Hunt addressed the Opening School Day activities for August 19, 2008 at Lumberton High School. Superintendent Dr. Hunt stated there will be a morning and an afternoon session. The guest speaker will be former Admiral of the Navy Michael Holmes. He is a native of Robeson County. E. Test Scores Dr. Linda Emanuel, introduced Mr. Bobby Locklear, Testing Director, who gave a report and slide presentation on the test scores at the current time and a breakdown of the schools receiving ABC and AYP, as well as the progress the school system has made. Mr. Locklear stated DPI made several school score corrections. He stated the biggest change this school year was in high growth with 29 schools making that list. Last school year there were only seven schools making high growth. Mr. Locklear s report included scores on the EOG and EOC testing. He stated also this is a new year for reading and the targets may change when the reading results are out, and the mode in which the writing test is administered will be changing. Mr. Locklear entertained questions by the board.

4 F. DSSF Superintendent Dr. Johnny Hunt stated that Robeson County Schools have been approved the DSSF funding by DPI. He stated the Public Schools of Robeson County are probably the largest recipient of DSSF funding and a plan has to be in place as to how those funds will be used. Dr. Hunt stated a local committee will be formed, including an elementary school principal, a middle school principal, and a high school principal, and central office staff will make up this committee to assemble the plan. Personnel, etc. will also be included. The plan is still in preparation and will be forwarded to the Finance Committee when complete and forwarded to the full board for approval. The plan is extensive. DPI has not stated when the plan is due back in Raleigh. G. Emergency First Aid Safety Procedures Mr. Tommy Lowry, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support, presented the Emergency First Aid Safety Procedures guide to the Board. Ms. Kathryn McDaniel, School Nurse Supervisor, along with Mr. Lowry highlighted some areas of the plan. The brochure will be made available to all schools, once approved. The brochure provides current standard first aid measures to use in the schools and is based on the American Heart Association guidelines. The brochure was color coded, easy to follow, and self explanatory. The Board set aside policy to move this item to action for Board approval.

5 H. Transportation Issues Dr. Danny Stedman, Assistant Superintendent of Plant Operations, stated there was information concerning transportation issues that needed to be presented to the full Board. Dr. Stedman stated the concerns affect efficiency. Mr. Raymond Cummings, Director of Transportation, briefly addressed some of those issues. Mr. Cummings had concerns of the new bypass highway US-73/74 involving bus transportation of about 10 students where a road has been closed. Mr. Cummings suggested these 10 students be allowed to attend another school and to extend the boundary line which would save fuel cost. Mr. Cummings also made suggestions relative to an area of attendance lines in the Red Springs/Prospect area; an area in the Lumberton district involving two students on North Pine Street. Attorney Grady Hunt stated attendance lines can be changed for good cause. Mr. Cummings also mentioned bus driver recruitment and retention. He suggested bus driver dual roles. Cumberland County Schools and Hoke County Schools require their classified employees to get CDL license which does not exceed the 40 hour workweek. The Board received a copy of the requirements. Attorney Grady Hunt cautioned that employees, if in a dual role, cannot exceed a 40 hour work week. Mr. Cummings addressed other issues for the Board to look at involving bus stops where hazardous conditions do not exist, as well as issues of efficiency savings. Mr. Cummings also stated our transportation efficiency rating is at 90% and we are funded at 100%. He stated if the rating is 90% you qualify at 100% funding.

6 The Board set aside policy to move this item US 73/74 issue to action for Board approval. I. IEA/UNCP Property Lease Attorney Grady Hunt stated the Public Schools of Robeson County has leased the parking lot facility to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke for a number of years. That lease has expired. University officials have asked for renewal for the upcoming two school years July 2008 June 30, The Board set aside policy to move the IEA/UNCP Property Lease to action for Board approval. J. ABC Bonuses/Incentive Awards Mr. Arthur Leggett, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, stated the state legislature has reduced the amount of funds that will be used for ABC Bonuses/Incentive Awards. The funds have been reduced from $107 million to $94.3 million dollars. The State Board of Education will come up with a formula as to how much to pay those employees. The school system has not been notified of that amount. Those employees are to be informed of these issues. 6. ACTION ITEMS A. Emergency First Aid Safety Procedures The Board approved the Emergency First Aid Safety Plan. B. Transportation Issues The Board approved the US Highway 73/74 attendance zone changes only.

7 C. IEA/UNCP Property Lease The Board approved the IEA/UNCP property lease for the next two years - July 1, 2008 June 30, D. Financial Report Mr. Arthur Leggett, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, presented the financial report for the month of July. The Board approved the financial report for July. E. Third Party Administrator for 403B Annuities Mr. Arthur Leggett presented the Third Party Administrator for 403B Annuities. Mr. Leggett stated that finance will now have to keep track of the amount of contributions that employees make to various vendors. There is a limit as to how much employees can contribute. Mr. Leggett stated during the Finance Committee meeting he informed them that the finance department does not have the personnel to track the 1500 employees who participate in the various programs. Discussions were held during the finance committee meeting about a Third Party Administrator for 403B Annuities. He stated that about 85 school units of 115 are using a third party administrator which is the same vendor the Public Schools of Robeson County use. This service is free to the Public Schools of Robeson County because they presently serve us. This particular vendor has the highest amount of employee contributors which is ING. This was presented to the Finance Committee at its meeting. According to Mr. Randall Jones, Chair of the Finance Committee there are about 20 administrators the school system presently uses. After discussions with the

8 committee, that number should be reduced to about five companies because of the task involved in keeping track of investment limit amount. Some board members had a concern as to how you reduce from 20 to five administrators and suggested the full Board be involved in that process. There was a concern as to why a company would offer this service for free. Mr. Leggett stated because most of the employees investments are handled by ING. Mr. Leggett stated at the Finance Committee Meeting they would hear and review information from presenters and that information would be brought back to the full Board. The Board tabled the Third Party Administrator for 403B Annuities. F. Advisory Council Elections Mr. Walter Jackson, Assistant Superintendent of Administration and Technology, presented two schools advisory council election results that were re-visited and asked for approval from the Board. The Board approved the Advisory Council Elections for Carroll Middle School and Lumberton Jr. High School. 7. Motion that the Board of Education for the Public Schools of Robeson County go into closed session for the purposes of discussing certified and classified personnel (G.S )(a) (1) (6) and student transfers (G.S (a)(1), to consult with the board s attorney on matters protected by the attorney client privilege (G.S )(a)(3), and to receive advice and consider a settlement in TJ by and through his parent TM Petitioners vs- the

9 Board of Education for the Public Schools of Robeson County Respondent 08EDC1137 and 1243 (G.S )(a)(3). The Board approved the motion. 8. Motion to come out of closed session. The Board approved the motion. 9. Motion to approve student transfers as amended. The Board approved the motion. 10. Motion to approve personnel as presented. The Board approved the motion. 11. Motion to approve closed session audio minutes of July 15, The Board approved the motion. 12. Superintendent Dr. Johnny Hunt presented and recommended the vacancies of assistant principal positions new: Ms. Sylvia Averette Prospect School; Ms. Sandra Oxendine St. Pauls High School; Ms. Kristen Stone Magnolia School; and Ms. Isabel Jones Lumberton High School. He also recommended Ms. Traci Byrd as the K-8 Supervisor. The Board approved the recommendations. Members of the Board received committee assignments from Chairman Robert Deese. The Board had discussion as to changing the Board Meeting for September but decided to keep it as scheduled. Chairman Robert Deese stated the District 4 Meeting will be held in Columbus County on September Motion to adjourn.

10 Respectfully submitted, Robert Deese, Chairman Dr. Johnny Hunt, Secretary