Fayetteville Board of Education
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 Happy Hollow Elementary School.
The roll was called and board members Shannon McCuin, Howard Hamilton, Laura Underwood, Steve Percival, Susan Heil, and Christine Bell were present. Malcolm McNair arrived after roll call.
The Board reorganized itself, as required by state law, following the annual school election held on September 17th. The Board voted 6-0 to accept the nomination of the following slate of officers for the 2002-03 school year: Steve Percival, president; Howard Hamilton, vice president; and Christine Bell, secretary.
Fayetteville High School teacher Robin Buff was honored for being named the 2002 Fayetteville teacher of the Year by the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market. She was selected for her efforts with the recycling program at the high school.
Executive Director of the Community Care Foundation, Suzanne Ward, presented a $48,000 grant to Dr. Beth Higgs, director of the Child Care Center at West Campus Technical Center.
Howard Hamilton made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Laura Underwood seconded the motion, which passed by a 7-0 vote.
Dr. Reed Greenwood made a presentation to the Board on the work of the Blue Ribbon Commission. Dr. Greenwood and Fayetteville High School teacher Dr. Martha McNair serve on the commission. Dr. Greenwood outlined the findings and recommendations of the commission. The complete Blue Ribbon Commission report can be found on the Internet at www.educationinarkansas.com.
Dr. Lisa Morstad, Chief Financial Officer, reported that the Fayetteville School District has been approved for $756,000 of Qualified Zone Academy Bonds. QZABs are zero percent interest bonds that are used to make improvements to schools that have a free or reduced lunch program participation percentage of at least 35%.
After hearing from Judy Rana, Associate Superintendent, Susan Cromwell, Technology Director, Tracy Mulvenon, Jefferson Elementary Principal, and Patsy Plummer, Technology Curriculum Program Director, Dr. Morstad asked the Board to approve using the QZAB funds to provide a desktop computer at every student’s desk at Jefferson Elementary School as part of a pilot project for the district. Malcolm McNair made a motion to approve the recommendation to purchase computers with the QZAB money. Susan Heil seconded the motion, which passed by a 7-0 vote.
David Hartz, Human Resources Director, reported that the 1000 and 2000 series policies have been reviewed. In addition, he noted that the School Board policies would be on the district web site by mid-October.
Howard Hamilton made a motion to rescind the current 1000 and 2000 level school board policies. Christine Bell seconded the motion, which passed by a 7-0 vote.
Malcolm McNair made a motion to approve the new 1000 and 2000 level school board policies. Howard Hamilton seconded the motion, which passed by a 7-0 vote.
Dick Johnson, Athletic Director, briefed the Board on the plans for a new indoor physical fitness facility that will be built with private funds. The facility will be an all-purpose building with 100 x 170 feet of workout area. Phase 1 would be the workout part of the building. Coach Johnson added that no school money would be spent on the construction of the facility. We currently have $200,000 in grants and private donations. Malcolm McNair made a motion to approve the ongoing effort to construct the new indoor physical fitness facility. Howard Hamilton seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote. Board member Shannon McCuin was not present for the vote or for the remainder of the Board meeting.
Susan Cromwell, Technology Director, briefed the Board on changes and updates in the Technology Department. She noted that an inventory assessment was made which resulted in the replacement of the oldest computers. Several job positions in the department have been re-aligned to support the new technology curriculum integration. An external analysis of the district’s computer network was very positive.
Dr. Lisa Morstad, Chief Financial Officer, presented the fiscal year 2002 financial report. She noted that the district finished the fiscal year in good financial condition, adding that conservative projections on the amount of state revenue the district would receive enabled the district to meet its obligations and provide staff members with a salary increase. Dr. Morstad noted in her monthly financial report that the budget for FY 2002-03 is on track.
After citizen participation, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25PM
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Steve Percival, President Christine Bell, Secretary