Fayetteville Board of Education

Minutes of the May 24, 2007 Regular Meeting

The meeting convened at 5:00PM in the Adams Leadership Center with President Steve Percival presiding. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by students from Root Elementary School.

Roll Call

The roll was called and board members John Delap, Tim Kring, Howard Hamilton, Steve Percival, Susan Heil, Christine Bell and Tim Hudson were present.

Recognition

Stephanie Brown, first/second grade teacher at Root Elementary School, and Michelle Gayon, foreign language teacher at Ramay Junior High, received Above & Beyond Awards for their outstanding work in the district.

Annie Carroll, a student at Washington Elementary School, received a Recognition of Outstanding Achievement Award for placing second at the 2007 Arkansas Spelling Bee.

The Fayetteville High School softball and baseball teams received a Recognition of Outstanding Achievement Award for winning their second consecutive 7A state championships.

Fayetteville High School head softball coach Jason Shirey received a Recognition of Outstanding Achievement Award for being named the 2006 NFHS Coaches Association Arkansas Softball Coach of the Year.

Assistant superintendent and athletic director Dick Johnson received a Recognition of Outstanding Achievement award for being named a co-winner of the inaugural Paul Eels Distinguished American Award from the Arkansas Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

Board Members Susan Heil and Tim Kring were inducted into the Superintendent’s Honor Roll for their work in leading the Future of FHS Select Committee and the Jefferson Building Use Committee, respectively.

Ginny Wiseman introduced Jim Lewis who will be the interim principal at Owl Creek for the 2007-08 school year.

Consent Agenda

Tim Kring made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Tim Hudson seconded the motion, which passed by a 7-0 vote.

QZAB’s

The Board voted 7-0 to authorize Stephens, Inc. to file an application with the State Board of Education to issue second lien bonds in the maximum amount of $950,000 for the purpose of renovating existing facilities and equipping various facilities with Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB’s). Susan Norton, chief information officer, reported that the money would be used specifically for equipment and professional development at Ramay Junior High and the Owl Creek Middle School. The application for the QZAB’s will be made in July, notification of the money awarded will be made in August and then the Board will be asked to approve a proposed budget of expenditures. Howard Hamilton made the motion, which was seconded by Tim Kring.

Strategic Goal #3

Dr. Randy Willison, associate superintendent for operations, and staff members Fred Turrentine, director of physical plant services, Tommy Davenport, director of transportation, and Lisa Jenkins, director of food service, reported on the updates on Strategic Goal #3 which states “improve efficiency and quality of district facilities, fleet management, and food service operations.”

Policy Changes

Staff members presented proposed changes to Policies 5.29 (Computer/Network Use), Policy 5.17 (Student Discipline), 5.34 (School Health), 5.47 (Bullying), 4150 (Certified Leave) and 4243 (Classified Leave). New policies 4550 (Classified Employee Evaluation Procedure Policy), 4540 (Classified Staff Grievance Procedure Policy), 4153 (Certified Vacation Policy), 4245 (Classified Vacation Policy), 4155 (Certified Alternative Work Schedule Policy) and 4530 (Classified Alternative Work Schedule Policy) were presented. The Board will be asked to approve these policy changes and adoptions at the June meeting.

Elementary Enrollment Figures

Ginny Wiseman, associate superintendent for administration, presented elementary enrollment information for the 2007-08 school year. The numbers range from 691 students at Vandergriff Elementary to 244 at Leverett Elementary. Ms. Wiseman also reported on the transfers requested for Leverett and Happy Hollow Elementary Schools.

Future High School Construction Options

Dr. Randy Willison reviewed the high school construction options. The options are to build a new high school north of Stone Street, build a new high school south of Stone Street, reconstruct the current facility on the existing site or build a new high school on a new site. Board member Susan Heil asked the architects to consider another option which is a new 11-12 grade building on the existing site and keep the current high school for 9-10 grades. Dennis Hunt from Stephens, Inc. reported on the statutory requirements of a millage election. The proposed budget of expenditures must be approved and published 60 days in advance of a school election. In addition, the Arkansas Department of Education only allows one school election per calendar year.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:15pm.

______________________________ _______________________________

Stephen M. Percival, President Susan W. Heil, Secretary

President Secretary