Fayetteville Board of Education
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 Holt Middle School.
The roll was called and board members Laura Underwood, Howard Hamilton, Steve Percival, Malcolm McNair and Christine Bell were present.
Ramay band director Lewis Clark, assistant maintenance supervisor David Tate, and McNair librarian Sarah Thompson were named as the Above & Beyond winners for December 2002 by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.
West Campus printing instructor Sabra Whittenburg was honored for being named the 2002 National Teacher-of-the-Year by the Association of Career and Technical Educators.
Malcolm McNair made a motion to accept the consent agenda. Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 7-0 vote.
Dr. Lisa Morstad, chief financial officer, briefed the board on the ramifications for the district from the Arkansas Supreme Court’s decision on the Lakeview case, which includes Amendment 74. Dr. Morstad reported that the decision means that the district will be required to have a minimum of 25 mills dedicated to maintenance and operation (M&O) of the school district. Currently, the district has 20.3 mills of the total 44 mills dedicated to M&O. Two options are available to the district. One is to as district voters to restructure the existing mills so that 25 of the 44 mills are dedicated to M&O. The other option is ask voters for a 4.7 mill increase in millage, with the new 4.7 mills to be dedicated to M&O.
Judy Rana, assistant superintendent, reported that the work of the Balanced School Calendar Study Groups is underway. The meetings began in December with organizational and orientation meetings. The board agreed to allow the committees to have until February to make their reports to administration. After reviewing the reports, administration will make a recommendation to the School Board at the March 2003 meeting.
Ms. Rana updated the board members on the progress being made in the pilot computer program being developed at Jefferson. The project will begin in January with six classrooms. More classrooms will participate in the pilot project as teachers are trained, desks become available, and the school’s electrical capacity is upgraded. Desktop computers at each student’s desk are used instead of a computer lab that is shared by several classes. The computer desks that the students will use feature a recessed monitor that allows the desk to be used for activities other than computer work. The district’s carpentry shop is building the desks.
The board adjourned to executive session at 5:36 PM. They went back into regular session at 5:45 PM. Christine Bell made a motion to adjourn. Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote. The meeting was adjourned at 5:46 PM.
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Steve Percival, President Christine Bell, Secretary