November 10, 2011 at 6:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

Discussion:  In the MCEA report, MCEA president Patty Hill announced the following week is National American Education Week; she invited board members to shadow a teacher or substitute in a class during the week. She went on to state that many teachers are experiencing increased stress levels due to the new evaluation requirements, so the ongoing discussion of bonuses would be greatly appreciated.

Discussion:  Concern was again expressed that only one bid was submitted.

Discussion:  An evaluation committee consisting of Ms. Kennedy, Mr. Perryman, and Ms. Tears was established to tally the scores. Board members will submit their completed evaluations at the December meeting; the results will be presented in the January meeting.

Discussion:  The financial statement was combined with the Budget Committee report. Mr. Moses stated the Budget Committee met on October 25 primarily as a quarterly review. The committee discussed possible uses of the Jobs Bill money. Mr. Dukes added that the money can be used for bonuses, or for academic coaches to assist students who are struggling in different areas; the money must be spent by September 2012. The committee discussed line items for departments that have exceeded the budgeted amount; this will be addressed in the December meeting.

Discussion:  There was no Calendar Committee report, but Ms. Kennedy informed the board the system's calendar committee (headed by Vylatte Gooch, Julie Thomas, and Dr. Patsey Thomas and comprised of teachers) will meet Wednesday, November 16 at 3:30 p.m. Ms. Kennedy urged board members to attend to hear the teachers'/administrators' input.

Discussion:  (See Financial Statement - above)

Discussion:  Ms. Tears stated the committee met October 27 to hear presentations from John Christmas, Beverly Miller, Rick Robinson and Mary Carter regarding the standard dress attire policy. A policy committee meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Discussion:  The Curriculum Committee met November 8 to hear presentations from two principals on the ICU program. Discussion was held on how to improve the information flow regarding placement/promotion of a child; Dr. Thomas, Ms. Gooch, Ms. Thomas and Mr. Dukes will draft a form that will provide the needed information. Ms. Judy Rickman spoke to the committee about a kindergarten readiness class; the committee asked Ms. Rickman to work with other elementary principals on a proposal for this type of class, as well as the budgetary impact such a class would have on the system. Ms. Kennedy stated that concern was expressed during the meeting about the lack of consistency in classes available at schools throughout the county; Mr. Dukes will look into the concerns.

Discussion:  The board asked that an electricity usage comparison be available at the next board meeting.

Discussion:  The position will be posted through January 4, 2012, and will be posted in the usual avenues of advertisements, plus TSBA and TOSS. A work session will be scheduled in early December to set criteria and time frame in appointing a director.

Discussion:  There was no New Business.

Discussion:  Mr. Dukes thanked those who sent get well cards while he was out of the office.

Discussion:  No action was taken on a TOSS-proposed resolution which reduces evaluations for all certified employees to two.

Discussion:  During discussions, suggestion was made to budget all potential employees as taking family covereage benefits so when a situation occurs, such as an employee not previously on insurance accepting insurance, it will not impact the budget.

Discussion:  Mr. Dukes told the board $194,134 was cut from the Federal Programs department (Title I and Title II-A) budget. A question was asked how our allocations, which are connected with free and reduced lunch, could be cut when our free and reduced lunch numbers have increased substantially. Ms. Williams-Lee stated that while on a webinar concerning this issue the previous day, she was advised to contact her congressman.

Discussion:  The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.