Fayetteville Board of Education

Minutes of the June 24, 2004 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 West Campus Technical Center.

 

Roll Call

The roll was called and board members Laura Underwood, Howard Hamilton, Steve Percival, Susan Heil and Malcolm McNair were present.

 

Recognition Awards

The Fayetteville track coaches were recognized for winning the boys and girls state track championship during the 2003-04 school year.  Head coach Bill Harrelson received an Impact Award of Excellence for his work with both track teams.

 

Consent Agenda

Susan Heil made a motion to accept the consent agenda.  Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0.

 

Citizen Participation

Steve Percival, board president, discussed the citizen participation format that was proposed at the April 2004 board meeting.  He noted that he had proposed having citizen participation begin thirty minutes prior to the board meeting from 4:30 PM-5:00 PM.  Mr. Percival recommended changing the proposal with citizen participation beginning at 5:00 PM and the board meeting starting at 5:30 PM.  Several board members were of the opinion that citizens should be given the opportunity to address the board on each action item before a vote is taken. 

 

Following discussion by the board, Malcolm McNair made a motion to allow an individual to speak to the board for three minutes per person with a thirty minute maximum per action item, and that the discussion be topic based.  Susan Heil seconded the motion. Susan Heil then amended the motion to add that citizen participation remain at the end of the agenda and allow five minutes per person with a thirty minute time limit for non-action item related issues.  Laura Underwood seconded the amended motion.  Laura Underwood made a motion to adopt the amendment.  Malcolm McNair seconded the motion, which passed by a 3-2 vote.  Malcolm McNair made a motion to approve the amended motion.  Susan Heil seconded the motion, which passed by a 3-2 vote.

 

Discipline Policy

Ginny Wiseman, assistant superintendent for administration, asked for approval of the changes to Board Policy #5114, Student Discipline, that were presented at the May 2004 board meeting.  Malcolm McNair made a motion to approve the changes to Board Policy #5114 as previously presented.  Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.

 

2004-05 Budget

Dr. Lisa Morstad, chief financial officer, presented the budget for fiscal year 2005, which includes the proposed 4% raise and a step increase for classified staff and a $2,000 addition to each level of the certified salary schedule.  Dr. Morstad also noted that the five additional days required for certified teachers with 185-day contracts is included in the proposed budget. She also explained budget revenues and expenditures.  Dr. Morstad reported that the certified salary schedule is currently frozen at step 15 for staff members with a bachelor.s degree and asked the board to consider adding a step 16.  In addition, Dr. Morstad noted that the budget reflects a 5% cut in non-personnel budgets, which would force efficiencies in spending.  Howard Hamilton made a motion to adopt the proposed classified and certified staff raises understanding that the board would like to review the budget in the fall and look at a possible bonus.  Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.  Laura Underwood made a motion to add step 16 to the certified salary schedule for staff members with a bachelor.s degree.  Howard Hamilton seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.

 

David Hartz, human resources director, recommended a change to the substitute salary schedule, which would increase base pay for substitute teachers to $60 per day from $47 per day.  Mr. Hartz further noted that the Personnel Policy Committee has reviewed the change in the substitute salary schedule.  Howard Hamilton made a motion to accept the proposed schedule for substitute pay.  Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.  

 

Malcolm McNair made a motion to approve the FY05 budget as presented.  Howard Hamilton seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.  

 

Benefits Plan Administrator

Dr. Lisa Morstad reported that a benefits plan committee was formed to recommend a benefits broker for the district.  Dr. Morstad introduced Jeter Morris, a district employee who was a member of the committee, who shared the committee.s recommendation.  Mr. Morris noted that after hearing proposals from seven companies, seven of eight committee members chose Alexander, Johnson & Co. to manage the employee benefits for the district.  The company is headquartered in Georgia and has plans to open a local office in Fayetteville.  Mr. Morris reported that this company is very dedicated to school employees and provides up to date technology with on-line enrollment.  Malcolm McNair made a motion to accept the committee.s recommendation and hire Alexander, Johnson & Co. as the benefits broker for the district.  Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.

 

Board Policy Changes

David Hartz asked for Board approval to Policy #4141, which would eliminate the compulsory benefits for district employees.  These benefits include dental, long-term disability and term life insurance.  Mr. Hartz also noted that the plan year for benefits will changes to the calendar year beginning in January 2005.  Howard Hamilton made a motion to accept the recommended change to Policy #4141, which would remove the compulsory benefits for district employees.  Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.  This policy change will go into effect on October 1, 2004.

 

Two changes to Policy #4150 (Teacher Leave Policy) were proposed.  The first is adding the word beginning to Section F to clarify that retirement reimbursement will be at the current beginning rate of pay for substitutes.  The second change is under Section VI, which would reflect the types of professional leave in the district. 

 

Howard Hamilton made a motion to approve the changes to Policy #4150.  Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.

 

Holcomb Classroom Addition

Mike Gray, assistant superintendent, reported on the classroom addition project at Holcomb Elementary.  Mr. Gray introduced Wes Burgess from Crafton & Tull Architects who reported on the proposed addition of six classrooms Holcomb.  Mr. Gray added that the new additions will be ready for the 2005-06 school year.  Malcolm McNair made a motion to approve authorization for the design and bid process for the classroom additions at Holcomb Elementary.  Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.

 

Vandergriff Classroom Addition

Mike Gray reported that Dr. Bert Stark, principal at Vandergriff Elementary, has asked that the classroom additions planned for the 2006 school year be moved up one year and be ready for 2005.  Darryl Harris, construction manager from Nabholz, noted that the district would be able to take advantage of considerable cost savings if three construction projects were done at the same time.  Mr. Harris noted that they will be working on a master schedule for the projects and he will have that information ready at the July Board meeting.

 

2003-04 Annual Report

Alan Wilbourn, director of school and community relations, presented the 2004 Annual Report for the

Fayetteville School District.  Mr. Wilbourn noted that the report is available on the district web site at

www.fayar.net.  The annual report was produced on the website, which follows the national trend by school districts to move from printed to Internet-based annual reports.  He added that the 2003 Annual Report received an Honorable Mention Award from the National School Public Relations Association.

 

Monthly Financial Report

Dr. Lisa Morstad presented the monthly financial report through May 31, 2004.

 

Adjournment

Howard Hamilton made a motion to adjourn.  Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM.

 

 

 

____________________________________             ______________________________________

Stephen M. Percival, President                                  Christine Bell, Secretary