January 31, 2012 at 7:00 PM - Special Called Meeting

Discussion:  During discussions, the board asked that, since the assignment to sit in on other teachers' classes was not a punishment, that such language be removed from the reprimand under Plan for Correction.

Discussion:  Regarding board member pay for the Saturday, January 28 interviews of the Director of Schools applicants, Mr. Moses made a motion, with a second by Ms. Kennedy, to treat the interviews as a single meeting. After discussions, it was determined a motion was not needed; therefore, Mr. Moses withdrew his motion. Board members will be paid $50.00 for the day.

Discussion:  Ms. Tears requested the following statement regarding the Director's Search be on record: If this board is serious about changing the direction of this school system and how it operates from the director, central office, administrative staff, principals, assistant principals, teachers and students, we should not rush in our decision-making of the new director. This board is conducting the director's search with no outside help; therefore, we should look at all factors that were presented from the resume', the experiences, essay written, and the interviews. We should take in consideration the input from our stakeholders, the community, and most importantly the school system staff from the administrators down to the custodians. Everybody is somebody. We have adequate time to do this and do it right so as to not jeopardize the reputation of this board and this school system. We must be good stewards of this county's monies and we owe it to the taxpayers, stakeholders and, most importantly, the children of this county to do our job professionally. Ms. Tears made a motion that the board go back and review all information submitted from our candidates, let our stakeholders see all materials, and come back in our February meeting with our assessments and condense our search down to the final two and let our community greet and meet the final two, re-assess and then decide on our next director. The motion failed for lack of a second. Following the passed motion by Mr. Smith, by district board members cast their vote as follows: Perryman - Abernathy; Jones - Abernathy; Gold - Abernathy; Smith - Abernathy; Keny - Abernathy; Kennedy - Abernathy; Tears - Royal; Moses - Abernathy. Mr. Keny announced Jackie Abernathy as the next Director of Schools. The board suspended the rules and allowed Ms. Abernathy, who was in the audience, to speak. She expressed her gratitude to the board and promised to do her best for the children of the school system. Director's Contract will be on the February agenda.

Discussion:  The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.