Fayetteville Board of Education
The meeting convened at 5:00PM in the Adams Leadership Center with Vice President Howard Hamilton presiding. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by students from Fayetteville High School.
The roll was called and board members Shannon McCuin, Laura Underwood, Howard Hamilton, Susan Heil and Christine Bell were present.
Diana Reeves, English teacher and chairperson of the English department at Fayetteville High School, received an Above & Beyond Award from the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding work with students. Barry Harper, director of bands at Fayetteville High School, received an Impact Award of Excellence for his work with the band program. The Woodland Junior High Knowledge Master team received a Recognition of Outstanding Achievement Award for winning first place in the nation in their division and second overall in the national competition.
Christine Bell made a motion to accept the consent agenda. Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.
Mike Gray, associate superintendent for operations, reported that he has been working with Rudy Moore on an agreement for the purchase of land for the K-7 school site. The proposed agreement would include the following points: the district agrees to purchase 20 acres for $600,000, the district pays all closing costs, seller donates 4.2 acres to include 565 feet of Persimmon Road frontage, seller agrees to accept responsibility for construction of Persimmon adjacent to donated land, district recognizes seller’s donation of 4.02 acres, and sale is contingent upon annexation into the City of Fayetteville and approval of large scale development. Mr. Gray added that the twenty acres would appraise for at least $600,000. Darryl Harris, construction manager for the project, and David Swearingen, architect, concurred that the results of the soil analysis showed nothing unusual. They further reported that it would take seven months for design and seventeen months for construction and work needs to be started by July in order to have the building ready for the 2006 school year.
Christine Bell made a motion to authorize the board
president or superintendent to enter into an agreement to purchase the proposed
tract of land. Susan Heil seconded the
motion. Susan Heil made an amended motion
to authorize the superintendent to
enter into an agreement to purchase the McBryde property in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the agreement as outlined by Mr. Gray, and, to take all
actions necessary to consummate the agreement to purchase the real estate. Laura Underwood seconded the amended
motion. Christine Bell made a motion to
adopt the amendment. Shannon McCuin
seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote. Shannon McCuin made a motion to approve the amended motion. Christine Bell seconded the motion, which
passed by a 5-0 vote.
Fred Turrentine,
director of school plant services, reported that there are twenty two
kindergarten students in the Happy Hollow Elementary School attendance zone
that are not able to go to that school due to lack of classroom space. Mr. Turrentine displayed the drawing which
depicted the proposed addition of 4 kindergarten classrooms on the east side of
the school. He further noted that the
new addition would be ready for the beginning of school in August 2005. Laura Underwood made a motion to approve the
addition of four kindergarten classrooms at Happy Hollow. Susan Heil seconded the motion, which passed
by a 5-0 vote.
Judy Rana, assistant superintendent for curriculum, reported that the Arkansas Department of Education requires a letter of attestation from the school district Board of Education stating that the curriculum is aligned with state standards. Susan Heil made a motion that the Fayetteville Board of Education attests that the curriculum and instructional practices of the Fayetteville School District are aligned with the State Academic Standards and expected student learning expectations. Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.
David Hartz, director of human resources, reported that Act 1120 of the 2003 legislative session requires that regulations pertaining to personnel become part of personnel policy. Dan Marzoni, personnel policy committee (PPC) chairman, noted that the changes have been reviewed and recommended by PPC. Christine Bell made a motion to approve the recommended changes. Shannon McCuin seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-0 vote.
Ginny Wiseman, assistant superintendent for administration, presented changed to Board Policy 5114, Student Discipline. The changes were made due to legislation and current practice. Ms. Wiseman noted that the Board will be asked to vote on these changes at the June Board meeting.
Judy Rana, assistant superintendent for curriculum, introduced Cassandra Barnett, librarian at Fayetteville High School and Sarah Thompson, librarian at McNair Middle School. They reported on how the district’s libraries impact student achievement and how they measure against national standards for school library media programs.
Susan Cromwell, director of technology, and Dr. Lisa Morstad, chief financial officer, presented a report on developing a cycle to regularly replace the personal computers used in the district. Ms. Cromwell noted that a financing strategy to cover the $1.88 million needed for the computer replacement is being developed. The replacement of the computers is directly related to Strategic Goal #5.
Board member Susan Heil presented a report on the use electronic board packets. Ms. Heil learned about this technology at the National School Board Association conference where she attended an executive briefing on technology. The goal is to improve the agenda process and save time for both board members and staff.
The Board adjourned to executive session at 6:50 PM to discuss a personnel issue. The Board returned to open session at 7:05 PM. Dr. Bobby New, superintendent, recommended that the Board hire LaTayna Greene as principal at Asbell Elementary School. Ms. Green is currently the assistant principal at Holcomb Elementary School. Laura Underwood made a motion to accept the recommendation to hire LaTayna Greene as principal at Asbell. Susan Heil seconded the motion, which passed by a 4-0 vote.
Laura Underwood made a motion to adjourn. Susan Heil seconded the motion, which passed by a 4-0 vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 PM.
______________________________________ __________________________________
Stephen M. Percival, President Christine Bell, Secretary