February 9, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

Discussion:  Lisa Cahill, the parent of a Chapel Hill Elementary School CDC student, requested funding for a CDC program at Forrest School be included in the budget for the coming school year.

Discussion:  In the MCEA report, MCEA president Patty Hill stated: 48 students, including Ms. Kennedy's son and Mr. Moses' daughter, participated in the countywide spelling bee, in which Mr. Moses' daughter won; MCEA requests the Marshall County Board of Education continue a collaborative effort regarding recent legislative changes that could have a grave impact on student achievement.

Discussion:  The summary financial statement was reviewed; no action was taken.

Discussion:  Ms. Kennedy stated that the board's committee met jointly with the Teacher's Calendar Committee; the board's calendar committee voted 3-1 to approve the calendar presented by the teacher committee. During discussions, Mr. Dukes stated he felt adding back a third Professional Development Day is needed in order to address issues coming up since NCLB has been waived in Tennessee. Mr. Dukes recommended the board approve the teacher's calendar, with an additional Professional Development Day. The board voted 9-0 to suspend the rules and allow Suzanne Ingram, Race To The Top coordinator, to address the board. Ms. Ingram asked the board to add a third PD day, because it is crucial to have an opportunity to train teachers throughout the year, as well as the summer. The board voted 9-0 to suspend the rules and allow Julie Thomas, 7-12 Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, to address the board. Mr. Perryman asked if the third PD day was discussed during the Teacher Calendar Committee meetings; she stated it had been discussed, and she continued to support the calendar as it appears without the additional PD day.

Discussion:  Ms. Gold stated the committee met January 26 at Marshall Elementary School during which the board participated in a Daily Five presentation. During that meeting, members discussed a book drive to help support the Daily Five program. Board members broug age-appropriate books to this evening's board meeting; Suzanne Ingram, who is heading the Daily Five book drive, collected the books from the board members. Ms. Gold encouraged everyone to donate more books through the month of February. Ms. Ingram is currently working with Mike Whitehead at MCHS to have a program similar to the Daily Five presentation at MES. Mr. Perryman added that Chapel Hill Elementary School also hosted a Daily Five presentation.

Discussion:  Ms. Tears stated the committee met January 31 to review policies 6.310 Standard School Attire and 6.403 Student Communicable Diseases. Mr. Dukes was instructed to seek input from principals concerning the standard school attire and bring his findings back to the policy committee; no action was taken. The committee viewed a presentation by the Special Education department regarding head lice and nits; a question and answer session followed. The committee voted 7-1 in favor of the CDC's recommendation to add to our policy: "Students diagnosed with live head lice do not need to be sent home early from school; they can go home at the end of the day, be treated, and return to class after appropriate treatment has begun." Ms. Tears emphasized that, even with adding the CDC's recommendation, no changes are being made to the policy; principals and nurses still have the authority to send students home.

Discussion:  The board voted 9-0 to suspend the rules and allow MCHS principal Keith Stacey to tell about the scoreboards.

Discussion:  During discussions, the board decided to put the items out for bid and place a $1,800 floor on the buses, instead of the $2,155 scrap estimate provided by the transportation supervisor.

Discussion:  Ms. Ingram addressed the board on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). During discussions, Ms. Ingram suggested four sites transition to Dialton Connect in the first year (Spot Lowe, Central Office, Maintenance and Bus Garage); a study will then be conducted the learn the cost/effectiveness of the program before phasing in other sties.

Discussion:  The contract will come back to the board for finalizing after it is developed by Sam Jackson and Jackie Abernathy.

Discussion:  There was no New Business.

Discussion:  During Director's Report, Mr. Dukes discussed: the U.S. Department of Education's waiver of NCLB for Tennessee: Common Core assessments; Gov. Haslam's 2012-2013 BEP budget: includes Coordinated School Health and Safe Schools; adds five extra students in each classroom; the system will formulate its own salary schedule.

Discussion:  The Lions Club will build the structure on Forrest School property, and will use it during Lions Club events. Sam Jackson will be contacted about preparing a yearly lease between the school system and Chapel Hill Lions Club.

Discussion:  The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.