BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING GREENE COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 5413 WEST KINGSHIGHWAY, PARAGOULD, AR 72450 DATE: September 26, 2013 TIME: 6:00 pm GCT Administration Office Monthly School Board Meeting BOARD MEMBER PRESENT ABSENT Baine, Brad Barnum, Tim (6:10) Distretti, Jannie Faulkner, Chris Harris, Kyle Roswell, Tim Weatherford, Jason Others present: Mr. Jerry Noble, Superintendent; Mrs. Amy Lucius, Assistant Superintendent; Christi Sims, Administrative Assistant; Donn Mixon, Attorney; Rachel Carner, Reporter for the Daily Press; and listed GCT Staff and Patrons on the attached sign in sheet.
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES September 26, 2013 Page #2 Kyle Harris, Board President, called the September 26, 2013 Monthly School Board Meeting to order. (6:00 pm) Discussion of Greene County Tech Foundation Board-Mr. Donn Mixon Mr. Mixon provided sample bylaws that Jonesboro School District uses for their Foundation. He stated that there are several foundations around this area. They must be non-profit under law and must be tax exempt. The Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent will need to oversee, but not serve on, the foundation board as a voting member. They can help voice needs of the district to the foundation board. Mr. Mixon stated that we could have anywhere from 5-15 members on the foundation board. He suggested looking at people in the community who have the skills we need. For example, we might want a banker, accountant, and a couple of retired teachers. Mr. Mixon said the first step was to get a group together of 5-7 people who would commit to the group and get it formed. He noted that these people do not have to live in the district. Once this is done, Mr. Mixon will get together the Articles of Corporation and once that is done someone will need to file a 501-C3 status. Mr. Mixon stated that the money would need to run through Central Office. Kyle Harris dismissed the board to go into executive session. (6:25 pm) Kyle Harris called the meeting back to order after executive session. (7:15 pm) Restructuring of School Board Brad Baine was nominated by Chris Faulkner and seconded by Tim Roswell to serve as President of the School Board for the 2013-2014 School Year. With no other nominations, action carried 4 to 0. (Brad Baine abstained from voting.) At this time, Brad Baine was recognized as President for the 2013-2014 School Year and took over the meeting. Tim Barnum was nominated by Brad Baine and seconded by Chris Faulkner to serve as Vice- President of the School Board for the 2013-2014 School Year. With no other nominations, action carried 4 to 0. (Tim Barnum abstained from voting.) At this time, Tim Barnum was recognized as Vice-President for the 2013-2014 School Year. Tim Roswell was nominated by Tim Barnum and seconded by Brad Baine to serve as Secretary of the School Board for the 2013-2014 School Year. With no other nominations, action carried 4 to 0. (Tim Roswell abstained from voting.) At this time, Tim Roswell was recognized as Secretary for the 2013-2014 School Year.
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES September 26, 2013 Page #3 Motion #1 Moved by Chris Faulkner and seconded by Tim Roswell to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of the August 15, 2013 School Board Meeting Minutes as printed. Motion #2 Moved by Tim Barnum and seconded by Kyle Harris to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of the District Financial Report as presented by Kelly Dunn, District Treasurer. Curriculum Report Mrs. Amy Lucius, Assistant Superintendent Recognition of GCT Teacher of the Year At this time, Mrs. Amy Lucius, Assistant Superintendent, presented a plaque to Mrs. Dana Wilson, World History Teacher at Jr. High. Mrs. Wilson was recognized as the Greene County Tech Teacher of the Year. (See attached) AAA Application Demonstration Mrs. Lucius gave a brief demonstration of the app that will be designed for GCT. This app will be available at no cost for users, but the district will pay $80.00 per month. It will send out alerts to those who download the app and we hope to have it up and running by December. Information on the app will be linked to our website. Personnel Policy Committee First Reading of Revisions to Policy 3.1-Licensed Personnel Salary Schedule Charles Nelson was present to represent the PPC. Board members were given a copy of the revisions to policy 3.1 and Mr. Nelson went over the proposed revisions. The second reading will be held at the October 24 th board meeting. (See attached)
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES September 26, 2013 Page #4 Motion #3 Moved by Tim Roswell and seconded by Kyle Harris to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of (10) Incoming Student Transfer Petitions as listed below. 1) Administration recommends approval of an Incoming Student Transfer Petition for a 6 year old student, an 8 year old student, and a 12 year old student to attend the GCT School District from the Paragould School District. 2) Administration recommends approval of an Incoming Student Transfer Petition for a 6 year old student, a 7 year old student, an 8 year old student, and a 9 year old student to attend the GCT School District from the Paragould School District. 3) Administration recommends approval of an Incoming Student Transfer Petition for a 7 year old student, an 11 year old student, and a 12 year old student to attend the GCT School District from the Paragould School District. 4) Administration recommends approval of an Incoming Student Transfer Petition for a 9 year old student to attend the GCT School District from the Paragould School District. 5) Administration recommends approval of an Incoming Student Transfer Petition for a 16 year old student and a 17 year old student to attend the GCT School District from the Jonesboro School District. 6) Administration recommends approval of an Incoming Student Transfer Petition for a 7 year old student to attend the GCT School District from the Paragould School District. 7) Administration recommends approval of an Incoming Student Transfer Petition for a 14 year old student and a 17 year old student to attend the GCT School District from the Paragould School District. 8) Administration recommends approval of an Incoming Student Transfer Petition for a 17 year old student to attend the GCT School District from the Paragould School District. 9) Administration recommends approval of an Incoming Student Transfer Petition for a 6 year old student and a 10 year old student to attend the GCT School District from the Paragould School District. 10) Administration recommends approval of an Incoming Student Transfer Petition for a 4 year old student and a 16 year old student to attend the GCT School District from the Paragould School District. Motion #4 Moved by Chris Faulkner and seconded by Tim Barnum to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of (6) Outgoing Student Transfer Petitions as listed below. 1) Administration recommends approval of an Outgoing Student Transfer Petition for a 12 year old student, a 15 year old student, a 16 year old student, a 17 year old student, and an 18 year old student to attend the Paragould School District. 2) Administration recommends approval of an Outgoing Student Transfer Petition for an 11 year old student and a 12 year old student to attend the Paragould School District. 3) Administration recommends approval of an Outgoing Student Transfer Petition for a 13 year old student to attend the Brookland School District. 4) Administration recommends approval of an Outgoing Student Transfer Petition for a 14 year old student to attend the Brookland School District. 5) Administration recommends approval of an Outgoing Student Transfer Petition for a 12 year old student and a 13 year old student to attend the Paragould School District. 6) Administration recommends approval of an Outgoing Student Transfer Petition for an 18 year old student to attend the Paragould School District.
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES September 26, 2013 Page #5 Motion #5 Moved by Tim Barnum and seconded by Kyle Harris to accept the Administration s recommendation for denial of an Outgoing Student Transfer Petition for a 16 year old student to attend the Paragould School District. Motion #6 Moved by Kyle Harris and seconded by Tim Barnum to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of the Proposed Revenue & Expenditures Budget, which includes Special Education and Federal Programs, for the 2013-2014 school year. (See attached) Motion #7 Moved by Christ Faulkner and seconded by Tim Roswell to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of (4) Out of State Trip Requests as listed below. (See attached) 1) Administration recommends approval of an Out of State Trip Request for FFA to attend the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky on October 29-November 11, 2013. The number of students attending will be 12. 2) Administration recommends approval of an Out of State Trip Request for 1 st Grade Students to attend the Bootheel Youth Museum in Malden, Missouri on November 26, 2013. The number of students attending will be 265. 3) Administration recommends approval of an Out of State Trip Request for the Softball Team to play in a tournament in Batesville, Mississippi on March 6 & 7, 2014. The number of students attending will be 17. 4) Administration recommends approval of an Out of State Trip Request for the Softball Team to attend the Cal Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on March 24-28, 2014. The number of students attending will be 26. 5) Administration recommends approval of an Out of State Trip Request for Tech TV to attend VidCon 2013 in Springfield, Missouri on November 1 & 2, 2013. The number of students attending will be 7. 6) Administration recommends approval of an Out of State Trip Request for High School Band to attend the Alamo Showcase of Music Festival in San Antonia, Texas on March 19-23, 2014. The number of students attending will be 60.
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES September 26, 2013 Page #6 Motion #8 Moved by Tim Roswell and seconded by Tim Barnum to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of the adoption of (2) Resolution Contract Disclosure Forms as listed below. (See attached) 1) Administration recommends approval of the adoption of a Resolution/Contract Disclosure Form which would allow the district to do business with Kayci Blake, wife of Jeffery Blake, who is employed by GCT as a Teacher at the Jr. High School. The estimated amount of business for the entire year is less than $2,000.00. This action will keep us in compliance with ACT 1955 of 2001. 2) Administration recommends approval of the adoption of a Resolution/Contract Disclosure Form which would allow the district to do business with Barry Rogers, who is employed by GCT in the Technology Department. The estimated amount of business for the entire year is less than $5,000.00. This action will keep us in compliance with ACT 1955 of 2001. Motion #9 Moved by Kyle Harris and seconded by Tim Barnum to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of the purchase of not more than 91 HP District Computers not to exceed $105,141.40 including taxes. Computers will be placed in the following locations: (See attached) Primary 5 Elementary 5 Intermediate 30 Middle School 5 Jr. High 5 High School 31 District 10 Motion #10 Moved by Tim Barnum and seconded by Chris Faulkner to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of the bid from Michelle s Excavating in the amount of $7,800.00 for Preschool Parking Lot. Bids were received from (2) different companies and are listed below. (See attached) Michelle s Excavating $7,800.00 HLP Construction $8,700.00
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES September 26, 2013 Page #7 Motion #11 Moved by Kyle Harris and seconded by Tim Barnum to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of the bid from Michelle s Excavating in the amount of $5,000.00 for Overlay at the Primary. Bids were received from (2) different companies and are listed below. (See attached) Michelle s Excavating $5,000.00 HLP Construction $6,200.00 Motion #12 Moved by Chris Faulkner and seconded by Tim Roswell to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of the bid from Michelle s Excavating in the amount of $5,000.00 for the Staging Area off Cache Road. Bids were received from (2) different companies and are listed below. (See attached) Michelle s Excavating $5,000.00 HLP Construction $6,200.00 Motion #13 Moved by Tim Barnum and seconded by Tim Roswell to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of the quote in the amount of $56,900.00 from American Bus Sales for the purchase of a used Special Ed Bus as listed on the documentation provided. (See attached) Motion #14 TABLED Moved by and seconded by to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval to partner with Life Strategies for School Based Mental Health Counseling for the 2013-2014 school year. The cost to the district would be zero dollars. (3) Companies submitted proposals and are listed below. (See attached) Life Strategies $0.00 Families, Inc. $10,000.00 Mid South Health Systems $10,000.00 The board tabled this item until the special called meeting next week. Motion Carried, to.
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES September 26, 2013 Page #8 Motion #15 Moved by Kyle Harris and seconded by Tim Roswell to accept the Administration s recommendation for approval of personnel as listed. Resignations 1. Geneva Ellis Resigns from her Educational Interpreter position. Her last working day will be November 29, 2013. This is for retirement purposes. Leave of Absence 1. Brenda Cooper - Requests a Family Medical Leave of Absence, effective beginning September 16, 2013 lasting a maximum of 3 months. Contract Adjustment 1. Jessica Rickman Adjust her contract changing her original starting date from September 3, 2013 to August 21, 2013 and also add a stipend in the amount of $2,500.00 for speech language pathologist. This will be paid from medicaid funds. Classified Employment 1. Shelley Morris Employ as a Paraprofessional at the Alternative School, effective September 30, 2013. She will be placed on Step 1 of the certified paraprofessional salary schedule ($12.12 per hour). 2. Cassie Thacker Employ in the Child Nutrition Department at the Intermediate, effective September 27, 2013. She will be placed on Step 1 of the food service salary schedule ($8.57 per hour) and will work 6 hours per day. 3. Darlene Frost Employ as a night Custodian at the Elementary, effective September 20, 2013. She will be placed on Step 4 of the custodial less than 12 month salary schedule ($9.30 per hour) and will be contracted for 9 months. 4. Glenda Davis Employ as a night Custodian at the Jr. High, effective September 20, 2013. She will be placed on Step 1 of the 12 month custodial salary schedule ($8.74 per hour). 5. Jennifer Johnson Employ as a night Custodian at the Primary, effective September 20, 2013. She will be placed on Step 2 of the 12 month custodial salary schedule ($8.98 per hour). 6. Lavonda Mothershed Employ as a Custodian at the High School, effective September 20, 2013. She will be placed on Step 15 of the less than 12 month custodial salary schedule ($12.53 per hour) and will be contracted for 9 months. Licensed Employment 1. Leslie Wells Employ as a First Grade Teacher at the Primary, effective August 19, 2013. She will be placed on Step 3 of the licensed salary schedule with a BSE. 2. Cindy Wood Employ as a Supplemental Teacher at the Balcom Learning Center. She is employed yearly as a part of the Title I, Part D federal program and is hired based on the availability of that funding. She will be employed with GCT School District for.547 FTE and will be paid $27,000.00 from Title I, Part D. 3. Natosha Brown Employ as a Resource Teacher at the Elementary, effective October 7, 2013. She will be placed on Step 1 of the licensed salary schedule with a BSE. She will be placed on an ALP.
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES September 26, 2013 Page #9 Superintendent s Update Mr. Jerry Noble, Superintendent October Events 3 rd Expulsion Hearing at 6:00 pm 4 th Homecoming 8 th District Fun Run 10 th 11 th Rotary Auction 17 th Regional Board Training 24 th Monthly School Board Meeting and Annual Report Accelerated Reader Mr. Noble stated that he has contacted each building and asked that they meet with staff and decide how they believe AR should be used in their building. He said that we want the Accelerated Reader to be used to get students interested in reading and not make them dislike it. The people from AR do not recommend that it be used for a grade; however, In my investigation of this issue, I have learned that teachers believe it helps to get students to read as long as it is used moderately for grades. He hasn t been able to find evidence that the board approved AR being used as a grade. Mr. Barnum said he was concerned that it became a reason that kids despise reading because some teachers require it for a grade. Mr. Noble said he wants to make sure that teachers are not over using it. Common Core Mr. Noble also mentioned the common core implementation. He stated that the math is so much different they are unable to find a tutor because they do not understand it either. Meetings are being held with math teachers to determine what can be done. Fuel Concerns Dennis requested bids for fuel and did not receive any. He contacted the companies and they said the refinery where the diesel is purchased has been shut down. We were able to get 4,000 gallons of fuel which will last us about 2 weeks. If we are unable to get fuel we may have to go out of state to purchase it. Health Insurance Mr. Noble stated that he, along with other superintendents, met with the Governor on Monday. The Governor has stated he will call a special session if the legislature can come to a consensus on a short term fix and long term solution. Mr. Noble told the board that he will meet with AAEA tomorrow on this issue. Dr. Baine thanked Mr. Noble for his efforts on the Health Insurance. With no other business to be addressed, Brad Baine adjourned the meeting. (7:55 p.m.) Board President Board Secretary