Minutes of Mississippi Board of Education Meeting. March 16, 2006

Transcription

1 Minutes of Mississippi Board of Education Meeting March 16, 2006 The members of the Mississippi Board of Education met in a work session at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2006, in the 4 th Floor Boardroom of the Central High School Building, 359 North West Street, Jackson, Mississippi. Board members present were: Mr. Kenny Bush, Ms. Sondra Parker Caillavet, Mr. Hal Gage, Mr. Claude Hartley, Mr. Bill Jones, Mr. Charles McClelland, Ms. Rosetta Richard, and Dr. David Sistrunk. Board member absent was: Ms. Rebecca Harris. The meeting was called to order by Ms. Rosetta Richard, Chair. Ms. Richard noted the statement on the agenda that cellular telephones and pagers are not permitted during Board meetings. Dr. Hank Bounds gave the following report from the State Superintendent of Education: Congratulated Mr. Charles McClelland on his confirmation as a member of the Board by the Senate today prior to the Board meeting; Reported that this month had been extremely busy, particularly with the Legislative Session discussing MAEP funding and several general education bills; Reported on the meeting with the superintendents on March 6 th, to give them a Legislative Update and discuss other issues, such as Hurricane Katrina Federal Impact Aid; Reported on a $310,000 grant from the Bower Foundation for the second round of the Health is Academic Start-Up Grants. Dr. Bounds noted that the grants will support and promote proper nutrition and increased physical activity that supports student achievement through the awarding of 100 start-up grants to Mississippi public schools. Each school selected will receive $3,000 each, with the remaining $10,000 used for operational costs; and Reported that the Mississippi Department of Education had recently conducted an accountability and accreditation audit of the Holmes County School District. Dr. Bounds stated that the results of the audit were presented to the Commission on School Accreditation at its March 15, 2006 meeting along with an investigative report outlining serious safety and security issues in the District. Dr. Bounds noted that concerns raised by the accreditation audit and the investigative report required the Commission to consider its responsibility to determine that an extreme emergency situation exists in the Holmes County School District and that this extreme emergency jeopardizes the safety, security, and educational interest of the children enrolled in the schoold of this District.

2 Page 2 March 16, 2006 Dr. Bounds discussed the determination by the Commission on School Accreditation that an extreme emergency situation exists in the Holmes County School District, which jeopardizes the safety, security and educational interest of the children enrolled in the schools in the District and that this emergency situation is related to serious violations of accreditation standards and state and federal law. Dr. Bounds recommended approval on Friday. Dr. Bounds stated that Ms. Ann Moore, Director of Accreditation, would report on the Accreditation audit findings and Mr. Steven Bailey, Superintendent of Holmes County School District, and other community leaders in the District would speak regarding concerns in the District. Ms. Moore gave a report (copy on file) of the On-Site Evaluation Findings for Holmes County School District. On a motion by Mr. Kenny Bush, seconded by Mr. Charles McClelland, the Board unanimously approved, due to time constraints, to waive the Board s required 10 day notification before an individual may appear before the Board and allowed Mr. Steven Bailey, Superintendent of Holmes County School District and two community leaders to speak due to the time constraints. Mr. Bailey, Superintendent of Holmes County School District stated that he and his staff would refocus on the mission statement of the District to provide a safe and orderly learning environment where students can acquire and apply knowledge to become life long learners who are productive and responsible citizens able to complete with a global economy, he asked that the Board reconsider all complaints filed against the Holmes County School District and that they be afforded due process before any final decision is made regarding the District. He thanked Dr. Bounds, Board members, and staff for allowing him the opportunity to speak. Mr. Calvin Head and Mr. Willie Reeves, community leaders in the Holmes County School District addressed concerns from the standpoint of the community. The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. and reconvened at 11:20 a.m. Dr. Bounds discussed the request to the Governor that the Governor declare a state of emergency in the Holmes County School District. Dr. Bounds recommended approval on Friday. Dr. Bounds discussed the appointment of an Interim Conservator for the Holmes County School District. Dr. Bounds recommended approval on Friday. Mr. Steve Williams discussed the contract for an Interim Conservator for the

3 Page 3 March 16, 2006 Holmes County School District. He recommended approval on Friday. Mr. Williams and Ms. Joy Milam distributed (copy of file) and discussed the Legislative Update. Mr. Williams discussed the revisions to the Consolidated State Accountability Workbook. The revisions have cleared the Administrative Procedures Act process with no public comments. Ms. Williams recommended approval on Friday. Mr. Williams and Ms. Wanda Rutland discussed removing Mr. Stanley Gipson who serves as the Financial Advisor for the Amite County School District. Mr. Williams noted that based upon the results of the audit of the Amite County School District for the year ended June 30, 2005, that a financial emergency no longer exists at the Amite County School District. Mr. Williams recommended approval on Friday. Mr. Howard Sanders gave a report on the progress being made in the North Bolivar School District. The meeting recessed for lunch at 12:30 p.m. and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. Dr. Susan Rucker welcomed Ms. Betty Byrd with BellSouth, Ms. Peg Maddocks with CISCO, and Mr. Bob Lumsden with Americas Choice who represented the Gates Foundation. Each gave an update on the progress being made with the respective Hurricane Katrina Assistance Grants. Ms. Regina Ginn discussed the model guidelines for developing district policies regarding HIV infection and communicable disease control as required by State Board Policy JGCC. The proposed comprehensive guidelines contain the essential areas of education policy concerning HIV infection and stress the importance of providing prevention education that is age appropriate and in accordance with the Mississippi Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework. The model guidelines were developed using a template provided by the National Association of State Board of Education (NASBE). The guidelines have cleared the Administrative Procedures Act process with no public comments. Ms. Ginn recommended approval on Friday. Ms. Ginn and Mr. Shane McNeil discussed the methodology for awarding competitive grants to local school districts for the Health Is Academic Start-Up Grant Initiative. Ms. Ginn stated the purpose of the grants is to support and promote proper nutrition and increased physical activity that support student achievement. The grantees will be required to establish a school health council, conduct the Mississippi Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment Assessment

4 Page 4 March 16, 2006 Tool, and implement at least one sustainable intervention. It is anticipated that 100 schools will be awarded a one-year grant in the amount of $3, to address the healthy school environment initiative. Ms. Ginn recommended approval on Friday. Dr. Kris Kaase reported on the Mattie T. Consent Decree (copy on file). Dr. Kaase discussed the Educable Child Program policy. The proposed policy addresses facility approval, state level review board for financial assistance approval, financial assistance, and hearing procedures. The proposed policy includes a revised methodology for calculating the maximum educable child daily rate. The policy cleared the Administrative Procedures Act process with public comments, which were presented to the Board. Dr. Kaase recommended approval on Friday. Dr. Kaase discussed the grant with the University of Southern Mississippi. The grant would provide support to build a sustainable structure of systematic professional development coordinated with the University of Southern Mississippi. The project approved by the U. S. Department of Education names the University of Southern Mississippi as the Mississippi Department of Education s partner in accomplishing the goals and objectives of the project. The Mississippi Department of Education is awarded $750, per year of which $590, per year is provided to the University of Southern Mississippi as partners. Dr. Kaase recommended approval on Friday. Dr. Kaase discussed the Regulations for the Gifted Education Programs in Mississippi The regulations have cleared the Administrative Procedures Act process with public comments, which were presented to the Board. Dr. Kaase recommended approval on Friday. Dr. Kaase discussed modifying the contract with NCS Pearson, Inc., to continue to provide services and products related to the Functional Literacy Examination (FLE) using an electronic testing system. The FLE is the minimal competency test currently required to receive a Mississippi high school diploma but will ultimately be replaced by the Subject Area Testing Program. Dr. Kaase recommended approval on Friday. Dr. Susan Rucker discussed awarding ACT materials and services in support of the existing four pilot high school redesign schools. She stated that ACT would participate in the High School Redesign pilot with the Department. ACT would provide $120, of materials and services over a three-year period. Dr. Rucker recommended approval on Friday.

5 Dr. Rucker discussed awarding year two continuation grant funds in support of the existing pilot study for high school redesign. She stated that the Department views high school reform as part of an integrated effort to improve education from Pre-Kindergarten to postsecondary. The Department s efforts have focused on making students ready for high school, preparing highly qualified teachers to teach at all grade levels and for all subjects, creating a rigorous, integrated high school curriculum, setting rigorous assessments and graduation standards that reflect this curriculum, and making the curriculum relevant by connecting it to both the real world workplace and higher education. Dr. Rucker recommended approval on Friday. Ms. Ethel Carson gave a report of personnel actions and no action was requested. Approved: Rosetta Richard, Chair Mississippi Board of Education Hank M. Bounds Executive Secretary Mississippi Board of Education

6 Minutes of Mississippi Board of Education Meeting March 17, 2006 The regular meeting of the Mississippi Board of Education was held at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 17, 2006, in the 4 th Floor Boardroom of the Central High School Building, 359 North West Street, Jackson, Mississippi. Board members present were: Mr. Kenny Bush, Ms. Sondra Parker Caillavet, Mr. Hal Gage, Mr. Claude Hartley, Mr. Bill Jones, Mr. Charles McClelland, Ms. Rosetta Richard, and Dr. David Sistrunk. Board member absent was: Ms. Rebecca Harris. I. The meeting was called to order by Ms. Rosetta Richard, Chair. II. III. IV. Mr. Charles McClelland led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and Mr. Bill Jones gave the invocation. On a motion by Mr. Kenny Bush, seconded by Dr. David Sistrunk, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of the meeting of February 16-17, 2006 and the minutes of the meeting of March 8, On a motion by Mr. Kenny Bush, seconded by Mr. Charles McClelland, the Board voted unanimously to amend the agenda. V. There was no Chair s Report. Ms. Richard yielded the floor to Dr. Hank Bounds to provide a clarification regarding the Board s proposed action in the Holmes County School District. VI. Other Action Items Office of the State Superintendent 01-a. On a motion by Mr. Bill Jones, seconded by Mr. Charles McClelland, the Board unanimously approved the determination by the Commission on School Accreditation that an extreme emergency situation exists in the Holmes County School District which jeopardizes the safety, security and educational interest of the children enrolled in the schools in the District and that this emergency situation is related to serious violations of accreditation standards and state and federal law (copy on file). On a motion by, Mr. Kenny Bush, seconded by Mr. Claude Hartley, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution requesting that the Governor declare a state of emergency in the Holmes County School District and that the resolution be added to the minutes (copy attached).

7 Page 2 March 17, b. On a motion by Mr. Claude Hartley, seconded by Dr. David Sistrunk, the Board unanimously approved the request to the Governor that the Governor declare a state of emergency in the Holmes County School District (copy attached). 02. On a motion by Mr. Kenny Bush, seconded by Mr. Claude Hartley, the Board unanimously approved, subject to the Governor s declaration of a state of emergency, the appointment of Dr. Joe Haynes to serve as the Interim Conservator for the Holmes County School District (copy on file). Office of Educational Accountability 03. On a motion by Mr. Kenny Bush, seconded by Mr. Claude Hartley, the Board unanimously approved, subject to the Governor s declaration of a state of emergency, the contract for Dr. Joe Haynes to serve as Interim Conservator for Holmes County School District (copy on file). 05. On a motion by Mr. Hal Gage, seconded by Mr. Bill Jones, the Board unanimously approved the revisions to the Consolidated State Application Accountability Workbook. The plan has cleared the Administrative Procedures Act process with no public comments (copy attached). 06. On a motion by Mr. Hal Gage, seconded by Dr. David Sistrunk, the Board unanimously approved removing Mr. Stanley Gipson as Financial Advisor for Amite County School District (copy attached). Office of Deputy State Superintendent 09. On a motion by Ms. Sondra Parker Caillavet, seconded by Dr. David Sistrunk, the Board unanimously approved the model guidelines for developing district policies regarding HIV infection and communicable disease control as required by State Board Policy JGCC. The guidelines cleared the Administrative Procedures Act process with no public comments (copy attached). 10. On a motion by Ms. Sondra Parker Caillavet, seconded by Mr. Hal Gage, the Board unanimously approved the methodology for awarding competitive grants to local school districts for the Health Is Academic Start-Up Grant Initiative (copy attached). Office of Instructional Programs and Services 13. On a motion by Mr. Charles McClelland, seconded by Mr. Bill Jones, the Board unanimously approved the Educable Child Program policy. The policy

8 Page 3 March 17, 2006 cleared the Administrative Procedures Act process with public comments, which were presented to the Board (copy attached). 14. On a motion by Mr. Claude Hartley, seconded by Mr. Hal Gage, the Board unanimously approved the grant with the University of Southern Mississippi (copy attached). 15. On a motion by Mr. Charles McClelland, seconded by Dr. David Sistrunk, the Board unanimously approved the Regulations for the Gifted Education Programs in Mississippi The regulations cleared the Administrative Procedures Act process with public comments, which were presented to the Board (copy attached). 16. On a motion by Mr. Charles McClelland, seconded Mr. Bill Jones, the Board unanimously approved the contract modification with NCS Pearson, Inc., to continue to provide services and products related to the Functional Literacy Examination (FLE) using an electronic testing system (copy attached). 17. On a motion by Mr. Hal Gage, seconded by Dr. David Sistrunk, the Board unanimously approved awarding ACT materials and services in support of the existing four pilot high school redesign schools (copy attached). 18. On a motion by Ms. Sondra Parker Caillavet, seconded by Mr. Claude Hartley, the Board unanimously approved awarding year two continuation grant funds in support of the existing pilot study for high school redesign (copy attached). VII. Recognition Ceremony was held as follows: Pierce Street Elementary School, Tupelo A model Whole School in the Mississippi Arts Commission s Whole Schools Initiative, Pierce Street Elementary is one of 10 schools selected nationwide to be featured in the Arts Education Partnership s new book Third Space: When Learning Matters. VIII. State Board of Education 01. Mr. McClelland reported that he had attended the State Basketball Tournament in Jackson recently. He requested that a letter be sent to each team who participated in the tournament to show the Board s appreciation of the sportsmanship shown during the tournament. 02. Ms. Sondra Parker Caillavet reported that in April she would be attending the NASBE Health and Fitness for Children Conference in Chicago.

9 Page 4 March 17, 2006 Ms. Rosetta Richard requested that the Board members plan a Board Retreat during the June 5-7, 2006 Mississippi Department of Education s Summer Conference in Oxford, Mississippi to discuss Board member goals and objectives. Ms. Richard noted that the Hardin Foundation would like to assist with the retreat. IX. Other Business On a motion by Mr. Kenny Bush, seconded by Mr. Claude Hartley, the Board voted unanimously to change the date of the April meeting of the Mississippi Board of Education from April 19-20, 2006 to Thursday, April 13, 2006 from the 4 th Floor Boardroom, Central High School Building, 359 North West Street, Jackson, Mississippi to the Jacob Conference Centers in Ewing Hall on the campus of Delta State University, Cleveland, Mississippi. X. On a motion by Mr. Kenny Bush, seconded by Mr. Charles McClelland, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 a.m. Approved: Rosetta Richard, Chair Mississippi Board of Education Hank M. Bounds Executive Secretary Mississippi Board of Education

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