Fayetteville Board of Education

Minutes of the November 17, 2005 Regular Meeting

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

Roll Call

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

Recognition

Speech pathologist Mary Aslin received an “Above & Beyond” award from the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding work in the district.

Consent Agenda

Tim Hudson made a motion to accept the consent agenda. Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 7-0 vote.

ASBA Delegate

Christine Bell nominated Tim Kring to act as delegate at the Arkansas School Board Association Annual Conference. Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 7-0 vote.

Facility Use

The Board voted 7-0 to approve a contract with the New Heights Church for a one year lease of portions of Holt Middle School. The lease is for the 2006 calendar year and includes a 30-day termination notice. The church will pay $4,400 per month on a monthly basis. Howard Hamilton made the motion, which was seconded by Laura Underwood.

Enrollment Distribution Project

Robert Guadagnini, GIS coordinator, Dr. Lisa Morstad, chief financial officer, and Judy Rana, assistant superintendent, presented additional information regarding the Enrollment Distribution Project. Mr. Guadagnini showed maps and presented data indicating that the district is losing student population in the inner areas, while population growth is located in the outskirts of the city. Dr. Morstad noted that staff savings of going to the eight elementary school model would be somewhere between $600,000 and $1.2 million a year. Ms. Rana noted that the CIAA team was not able to find definitive research indicting that small schools provide a better education than larger schools. She added that what makes the biggest difference is the quality of instruction in the classroom. Fred Turrentine, maintenance director reported that additions to Asbell and Butterfield Elementary schools would yield optimal capacity.

A High School That Works

Ginny Wiseman, assistant superintendent, introduced Dr. Randy Willison, Fayetteville High School principal, who presented information regarding facility usage, student population trends and changes in graduation requirement policies. The Board will be asked to approve the changes to Policy 5.41 (Smart Core Curriculum and Graduation Requirements) and Policy 5.64 (Graduation Requirements) at the December board meeting.

QZAB Technology Report

Susan Cromwell, district technology director, reported that the district will lose its QZAB option at the end of the year. Ms. Cromwell asked that the board consider using part ($800,000) of the QZAB award to implement a new “Enhanced Classroom Access” model for technology integration at Holt Middle School. This is the same model that will be used at the new Rupple Road middle school. The Board will be asked to approve the use of QZAB funds for this technology integration at Holt Middle School at the December board meeting.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM.

Student Expulsion Hearing

The Board convened in closed session at 7:30 PM for a student expulsion hearing. The Board reconvened in open session at 8:17 PM. Ginny Wiseman, assistant superintendent, recommended that Student A be expelled for the remainder of the semester. Laura Underwood made a motion to accept the recommendation to expel Student A for the remainder of the semester. Susan Heil seconded the motion, which passed by a 7-0 vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 PM.

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Stephen M. Percival, President Christine Bell, Secretary