Fayetteville Board of Education

Minutes of the April 28, 2005 Regular Meeting

 

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

 

Roll Call

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

 

Recognition

Southwestern Bell Communications was inducted into the Superintendent’s Honor Roll for their many contributions to the Fayetteville School District, including assistance with distance learning and Book Hogs.  Cathy Foraker, director of external affairs for SBC, was present to accept the award.

 

Joy Pitts, Asbell cafeteria manager, and Sharon Pepple, Happy Hollow Elementary School principal, were presented with Above & Beyond awards.

 

Lester Long, director of assessment, and Kristen Scanlon, professional development coordinator, reported that the district was presented the 2005 Excellence in Education Award in recognition of the elementary math program.

 

Board president Steve Percival announced that board member Tim Hudson has attained Honor Board Member status by completing 15 hours of school board training. 

 

Consent Agenda

Christine Bell made a motion to approve the consent agenda.  Tim Hudson seconded the motion, which was approved by a 6-0 vote.

 

Petition to Intervene

Rudy Moore, attorney for the school district, reported on the legal action taken by the Forrest City, Rogers, and other school districts regarding school funding.  The deadline for participation in these lawsuits has passed.  Howard Hamilton made a motion to take no action regarding these lawsuits.  Susan Heil seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote.

 

2005-06 District Calendar & Happy Hollow Continuous Learning Calendar

Dan Marzoni, certified policy committee chairman, reported that an inservice day was moved to August 18th on proposed calendar B and that PPC has agreed to the change.  The teacher vote was 123 for Calendar A and 161 for Calendar B.  PPC recommends Calendar B.  Howard Hamilton made a motion to accept the PPC recommendation of Calendar B for the 2005-06 district calendar.  Tim Kring seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-1 vote.

 

Sharon Pepple, principal at Happy Hollow Elementary School, reported that the Happy Hollow continuous learning calendars will automatically coincide with the district calendar; therefore she is recommending Calendar B.  Susan Heil made a motion to accept Calendar B for the Happy Hollow continuous learning calendar.  Christine Bell seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-1 vote.

 

Sick Leave Policy Revision

Lonnie Meadows, classified personnel policy committee chairman, reported that the personnel policy committee is recommending two changes to the Sick Leave Policy (Policy #4243.)  The first change is an addition which states that “After 90 days are accrued, unused sick leave shall accrue at 3 days per year thereafter.”  The second change is in Section F and states that, upon retirement, classified employees will be reimbursed for unused sick leave in excess of 45 days at the then current beginning daily rate for substitute teachers instead of 80% of the beginning daily rate for substitute teachers.  Dr. Bobby New, superintendent, noted that administration supports the recommendations.  Howard Hamilton made a motion to approve the recommended changes to the Sick Leave Policy #4243.  Tim Hudson seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote.

 

Secondary Textbook Adoption

Judy Rana, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, reported that the secondary textbook adoption committee met and is recommending adoption of the following textbooks for literature: Prentice Hall Publishers for 6th & 7th grade, Glencoe Publishers for 8th & 9th grade, Glencoe Publishers for 10th, 11th and 12th grade, and Write Source for 8th & 9th grade reader’s handbook for grammar.  The recommended textbooks have been on display in the district administration building for patrons to review.  Christine Bell made a motion to approve the recommended secondary textbook adoptions.  Susan Heil seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote. 

 

K-7 Rebids

Mike Gray, associate superintendent for operations, introduced Gordon Knetzer, construction manager for the K-7 project.  He reported that five items on the original bid list either had no bids or were non-responsive so those items were rebid.  Mr. Knetzer recommended that the bid for ornamental steel fencing not be accepted because the school can probably get this done much cheaper with an independent fence builder.   

 

Wes Burgess from Crafton Tull, Inc. reported on the recent developments in the building permit process.  He noted that everyone is working closely with the city to make sure that they are aware of our deadline.  Construction at the building site is progressing as far as possible. 

 

Howard Hamilton made a motion to accept the recommended K-7 bids for epoxy flooring, operable panel partitions, window treatments and terrazzo flooring.  Tim Kring seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote.

 

QZAB Award

No report was made on this item due to the illness of Lisa Morstad.  No action was taken.

 

Millage Election Information

Steve Percival, board president, presented information regarding the May 10th millage election.  He noted that information in the form of “frequently asked questions” is available on the school district website.  Mr. Percival reported that in order to give the same percentage salary increase to everyone, the district would have to ask for an addition 2½ to 3 mills and that this was not a feasible option. 

 

Adjournment

Prior to adjournment, Dr. Bobby New, superintendent, thanked the members of the materials evaluation committee for their hard work on the book reviews.  Dr. New expressed his appreciation for the many hours of personal time that they spent during the review process. 

 

Howard Hamilton made a motion to adjourn.  Christine Bell seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote.  The meeting was adjourned at 6:17 PM.

 

Closed Session

The Board convened in closed session for student expulsion hearings.

 

Open Session

The Board reconvened in open session.  Ginny Wiseman, assistant superintendent for administration, recommended expulsion for Student A for the remainder of the 2004-05 school year.  Christine Bell made a motion to expel Student A for the remainder of the 2004-05 school year.  Tim Hudson seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.

 

Ms. Wiseman recommended expulsion for Student B for the remainder of the 2004-05 school year.  Tim Kring made a motion to expel Student B for the remainder of the 2004-05 school year.  Christine Bell seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.

 

Ms. Wiseman recommended expulsion for Student C for the remainder of the 2004-05 school year.  Christine Bell made a motion to expel student C for the remainder of the 2004-05 school year.  Tim Hudson seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.

 

Ms. Wiseman recommended expulsion for Student D for the remainder of the 2004-05 school year.  Susan Heil made a motion to expel student D for the remainder of the 2004-05 school year.  Christine Bell seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.

 

 

 

____________________________________            ____________________________________

Stephen M. Percival, President                         Christine Bell, Secretary