STUTTGART SCHOOL DISTRICT #22 BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING 5:30 P.M. BOARD ROOM President Henry Newby called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. Pledge of Allegiance led by students from PAE involved in the Leader In Me Program. Prayer: Mr. Napoleon Davis Members present: Members absent: Cress, Vose, Newby, Gipson, Davis, Morgan None Administration present: Dr. Melvin Bryant Recorder: Bobbie Green Press: The Daily Leader Ms. Carla Rossini KWAK Rob Robbins A: STUDENT SHOWCASE: Students from Park Avenue Elementary introduced themselves and told the job they hold in the Leader In Me Program. Mrs. Pam Dean, Principal at Park Avenue Elementary told a little about the program and then showed a video of the school and some of the things that were going on because of the program. Mrs. Dean told of the programs these students are involved with at the school. Mrs. Angie Sherman also was present and was a part of the video. B: MACS (Mother and Children Success): Ms. Denise Thomas spoke about the program she wanted to make available to the Stuttgart School District relating to young mothers. The program offers mentoring for young mothers that may not get the guidance they need to succeed in life. She stated they already have several mentors that are serving several young mothers. She invited the Stuttgart School District to join their efforts and make the program available to all students. The program was started in the community last year. C: HALL PASS ID: Mr. Mark Mobley presented the Board information about the Hall Pass program. This program is put in place for districts that need to control traffic in and out of the buildings. He also passed out brochures that tell about the program. It is being considered by our Board following a trip to a district that actually has the program so they can see it in action and ask questions that are of concern. The cost of the program for the first year would be $1,364.75 per building and $350.00 per building the next years. He answered any questions the board members had about the program. D: CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS: Dr. Bryant made a recommendation the District hire a construction Manager for the HVAC and misc. projects under the design and scope of Jackson, Brown, Palculict Architect Firm and Nabholz Construction Management will be utilized for the HVAC and misc. projects under the design and
Page 2 scope of WER Architect Firm. Copies of both contracts were presented to each board member following approval by district s legal firm. A motion was made by Mr. Davis with a second by Dr. Morgan to accept the CM contracts as. E: BOND PAYMENTS RESOLUTION: Per ACT 110, districts are required to submit bond payments to the paying agent/trustee 15 days prior to the due date. If payment is not received 5 days prior, ADE is required to forward the funds to the trustee. ADE will then withhold state aid from the district and can ultimately place the district on fiscal distress. It is necessary to pass a resolution asking Moody s to increase the existing rating of Aa3 to Aa2 and making the district be held accountable to the standards of ACT 110 on its existing bond issues and this will also ask that ADE hold the district to the higher standard of ACT 110. Dr. Bryant made a recommendation the Board adopt the resolution as This resolution was provided by First Security, Beardsley Public Finance who is our bond finance company and it was their recommendation to vote for option 3. A motion was made by Mrs. Cress with a second by Mr. Davis to adopt the resolution as. F: RECOMMENDED POLICY 6:13s (Marquee): Due to the purchase and installation of an electronic marquee at both SHS and PAE the district is in need of a policy to govern the use of the marquee. Dr. Bryant made a recommendation this policy become 6.13s and states: The Stuttgart School District does not accept any advertisements on our marquees. A motion was made by Dr. Morgan with a second by Mrs. Gipson to accept the recommended policy regarding the use of the marquees. G: RECOMMENDED POLICY HOMESCHOOL STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:
Page 3 Dr. Bryant asked the Board to approve the policy regarding the participation in extracurricular activities for home school students. A copy of the policy was given to each member and is a model policy provided by ASBA. A motion was made by Mr. Davis with a second by Dr. Morgan to approve the policy as AYES: 6 VOTING FOR: Cress, Newby, Gipson, Davis, Vose, Jacobs H: FIRE ALARM CONTRACT/SIMPLEX: Dr. Bryant stated quotes had been obtained for price comparison for our fire alarm contract. Only one quote was received and it was higher than our current provider. Dr. Bryant made a recommendation we stay with Simplex as they offered a lower price with an additional discount for staying with them if we agreed to a 5 year contract. The cost would be $5,342.00 a year for 5 years. A motion was made by Dr. Morgan with a second by Mr. Vose to approve the contract as AYES: 6 VOTING FOR: Gipson, Newby, Davis, Cress, Morgan, Vose Passed I: SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT: Dr. Bryant stated the Leader In Me program was up and running again this year at PAE. He said it was very rewarding to actually see the students as well as some parents using the terminology and actions taught by this program. The program was started this year at Meekins Middle School and the staff is very supportive of the program. Dr. Bryant reminded everyone that the school board elections will be help 9-17-13 and asked that everyone get out and vote. Grand Prairie Center is the voting place. Dr. Bryant also stated there would have to be a special meeting this month to approve the budget for the 13-14 fiscal year as soon as it was completed. He reminded the Board there are training hours coming up as the ASBA Region 9 meeting is in Forrest City on October 17m, 2013 and the New Board Member Institute is coming up on October 14, 2013. Dr. Bryant said there had been lots of calls about our school calendar which has a professional development day the same day as home coming. Dr. Bryant made a recommendation the Board change the professional development day from October 18, 2013 to October 21, 2013. It was necessary for both PPC committees to vote on this change and get their decisions to Dr. Bryant, which they have done.
Page 4 A motion was made by Mr. Davis with a second by Mrs. Cress to change the date. AYES: 6 VOTING FOR: Cress, Newby, Gipson, Davis, Vose, Morgan Dr. Bryant said another metal detector had been found at the Clary building and they were in the process of seeing if it still worked. Entrance to our buildings was also a concern. Dr. Bryant said that during a brain-storming session he and Mr. Newby had, Mr. Newby passed along a thought he had. He suggested the District might look into the possibility of using some of our available property for the purpose of building some housing for our new teachers that come to the District. They felt this possibly would benefit newcomers to our City and offer them more affordable housing since rental property as well as sale property in this City presents a problem not only in cost but availability as well. Dr. Bryant stated he has been contacted with Mr. Lawson with the City about a possibility of purchasing part of the Clary property for a water plant. J: REQUEST TO APPROVE MINUTES OF BOARD CONVENTION: August 13, 2013 August 16, 2013 Special Meeting August 27, 2013 Special Meeting A motion was made by Mr. Davis with a second by Mr. Morgan to approve the board minutes as AYES: 6 VOTING FOR: Cress, Newby, Gipson, Morgan, Davis, Vose K: APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: A motion was made by Dr. Morgan with a second by Mrs. Gipson to approve the financial statements as AYES: 6 VOTING FOR: Cress, Newby, Gipson, Davis, Vose, Morgan L: REPORTS: Mr. Barry Rogers, President of The Licensed PPC reported that Dr. Bryant had already covered the voting to change the professional development day and that was all he had to bring to the Board at this time. He stated he looked forward to be working with the Board in this capacity and welcomed any questions or concerns members might have in the future.
Page 5 Minutes from their September 5, 2013 meeting were made a part of the board book. Mrs. Annette Bledsoe stated the classified Personnel Policy Committee had nothing to bring to the Board at this time and also stated they had voted on changing the professional development day. Public session recessed at 6:37 p.m. Executive session convened at 6:37 p.m. Executive session recessed at 7:09 p.m. Public session reconvened at 7:09 p.m. M: PERSONNEL: Following executive session, Dr. Bryant made a recommendation the Board hire Ms. Debbie Stone to replace school nurse Mrs. Jana Hancock. He also asked the Board to approve a stipend for Mr. Lawrence Womack as A motion was made by Dr. Morgan with a second by Mr. Davis to approve the recommendations as AYES: 7 VOTING FOR: Cress, Newby, Gipson, Jacobs, Davis, Vose, Morgan Passed N: RECOGNITION OF SERVICE: Dr. Bryant along with all of the other board members recognized Mrs. Carol Cloud Jacobs for her service to the Stuttgart School District from 1998 until August, 2013. A plaque was given to Dr. Bryant to be delivered to Mrs. Jacobs along with the board s gratitude. There being no further business, President Cress adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m. We certify the minutes and transcripts of the regular board meeting held to be complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge. ATTEST: President Superintendent