Enterprise City Schools April 16, 2018 Board Meeting Minutes The Enterprise City Board of Education held a special called meeting on Monday, April 16, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Professional Development / Board Room. Those present were Danny Whitaker, President; Bob Doerer, Vice President; Dorothy Richardson; Reid Clark; and Bert Barr, members. Also present were Mr. Greg Faught, Superintendent; Mr. Merrill Shirley, Board Attorney; and several other school employees and community members. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Whitaker. Mr. Barr gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Greg Faught. During business items, Mr. Faught presented the Board with a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Enterprise that was passed by the City Council on April 3, 2018. This is the same memorandum that was discussed in great detail at the April 2 nd work session with the City. Mr. Faught recommended that the Board pass a formal resolution approving the memorandum and authorize the superintendent, in conjunction with Mr. Shirley, to proceed with drafting a formal agreement to put into effect the Memorandum of Understanding subject to the approval of both the superintendent and the Board Attorney. In the event that Mr. Shirley and the Superintendent decide the proposed tenants and occupants comprise feasible and satisfactory circumstances, the Board will authorize the Superintendent to enter any contracts with the City and any agreement, lease, etc., with the potential tenants without further approval by the Board. After hearing Mr. Faught s recommendation, Mr. Clark made a motion to approve the resolution. Mr. Doerer seconded the motion. The Board had a great deal of discussion in which they shared their concerns regarding the Memorandum of Understanding and Resolution. Mr. Barr s main concerns for College Street are the possibility of mold, exceeding the $540,000 in repairs, having enough parking for both teachers and students, and having elementary students on the second floor of the building. In regards to Coppinville, Mr. Barr is afraid that it may cost more to operate Coppinville than we will be bringing in from the groups leasing space in the building. He also voiced concerns about there not being safety shelters at either location or a safe entrance at Coppinville and would like to see the City provide resource officers at each school throughout the district. Mr. Faught responded to each of Mr. Barr s concerns. Mr. Faught assured Mr. Barr and the Board that there wasn t any mold in College Street. College Street did have mildew in the building. However, the City hired a company to remove all mildew from the building and the City has provided us with a certificate to show this work has been completed. Mr. Matt Routley has worked diligently to gather estimates for all of the work that will need to be completed at College Street. Mr. Routley feels certain the $540,000 will be enough to cover the required
repairs. In regards to parking, both Mr. Faught and Mr. Harrison plan for all students to begin their day at EHS and be bused over to College Street for their classes. Mr. Faught agreed with Mr. Barr that it is not recommended for elementary students to be on the second floor of a building. However, he has spoken with Mr. Taylor at the State Department of Education and has been told it is okay for them to be on the second floor of College Street. We are still working out the details of where all the classes at College Street will be located at this time. In regards to Coppinville, the total cost for utilities last year was $30,000. Mr. Faught feels like we will be able to cover utilities with no problem. He added that our goal was to utilize the building in a way that would most benefit our students, citizens and community. Mr. Faught added that he has spoken with the City about having resource officers at each of our schools; however, he has not received a full commitment from them regarding this subject. After more discussion by all members, it was recommended that the original recommendation be amended to include the Memorandum of Understanding be approved contingent upon a final inspection. Mr. Shirley stated it was suitable to add this as it is not a contract and the attorneys would work together to finalize any needed changes. The Board passed the resolution with a 3 to 2 vote. Dr. Whitaker, Mr. Doerer, and Mr. Clark voted in favor of the resolution while both Mr. Barr and Ms. Richardson opposed. Mr. Faught informed the Board that he was ready to make a recommendation regarding tuition for out of district students who attend Enterprise City Schools. Mr. Faught explained the reasoning behind his decision. Both Dale and Coffee Counties have a higher operating reserve than Enterprise which is in large part because they collect a lot of money for children that live in their districts but are educated in Enterprise. Enterprise is ranked below Coffee County, Daleville City, and Ozark City in per pupil expenditure for this same reason. In fact, Enterprise is ranked 123 rd out of 137 school districts in the state for per pupil expenditures. Mr. Faught further explained the tax payer in Enterprise is actually putting forth a better effort than that, but their money is being spread more thinly because of the number of out of districts students we have allowed to attend our schools. The way we currently operate is negatively affecting our school system, tax revenue for the city, and the housing market. Mr. Faught added that the prospect of a tuition is not a secret and he has spent a lot of time being educated on this issue. Mr. Faught stated his decision is being made in the best interest of the Enterprise City School system, the children who live in Enterprise, and the Enterprise taxpayers. Based on this, Mr. Faught made the recommendation to approve the following tuition schedule to be fully implemented beginning with the 2018-2019 school year: Coffee County Students Outside Enterprise City Limits Beginning with 2018-2019 school year, $150 for each out of zone student.
Beginning with 2019-2020 school year, $250 for each of the first two students, $125 for Beginning with 2020-2021 school year, $500 for each of the first two students, $250 for Dale and Other County Students Outside Enterprise City Limits Beginning with 2018-2019 school year, $150 for each out of zone student. Beginning with 2019-2020 school year, $250 for each of the first two students, $125 for Beginning with 2020-2021 school year, $500 for each of the first two students, $250 for Beginning with 2021-2022 school year, $750 for each of the first two students, $375 for (Only if we are not receiving county-wide sales and ad valorem tax from Dale County) Special Rates Students who live on Ft. Rucker will not be required to pay tuition Employees of Enterprise City Schools will pay 10% of the scheduled rate for their children *All decision regarding enrollment will continue to be made within our office at the discretion of the superintendent or his designees. Tuition must be paid in full before the first day of school and there will be no refunds once the student has been enrolled and classes have begun. Acceptance will depend upon academic progress, attendance rate, disciplinary records, and available space. Accepted students will be placed in the appropriate school and transportation is not guaranteed. Dr. Whitaker asked the Board for a motion regarding Mr. Faught s recommendation. Mr. Clark moved to approve the proposed tuition schedule and Mr. Doerer seconded. Prior to voting on the recommendation, the Board discussed the proposed tuition. Mr. Doerer inquired why a tuition decision was being made now rather than in years past. Mr. Faught responded that we currently serve over 2000 out of district students and 705 of those currently live in Dale County. We no longer receive the funding for the Dale County students that we once received. Money for the out of district students we serve is going to the schools in which they are actually zoned for, however the students are coming to Enterprise. Therefore, we are incurring the cost, but the other schools are getting the funds. Mr. Faught further explained that we are not rezoning and are not asking all of the out of district students to leave Enterprise. We have an application process in place and all new out of district students requesting to come into Enterprise City Schools will have to apply. The only way to guarantee you will be able to attend Enterprise City
Schools is to live within the Enterprise City Limits. Ms. Richardson asked how we would be able to check to see if students live where they claim to live. Mr. Faught stated we would be making home visits to ensure students live at the address they submit to the school. Once all discussion was complete, the Board voted in favor of the proposed tuition schedule with a 3 to 1 vote. Dr. Whitaker, Mr. Doerer and Mr. Clark voted in favor of the tuition, Mr. Barr voted against the tuition, and Ms. Richardson abstained from voting. The following personnel items were presented to the Board for their consideration. Leave: 1. Christina Addy 5th Grade Teacher Hillcrest Elementary School Effective 8/17/18 10/19/18 2. Kayla Morrow 7.5-Hr. CNP Worker Child Nutrition Extended through 5/25/18 Resignations: 1. Claire Borgman Math Teacher Enterprise High School Effective 5/25/18 2. Rachel Jones School Secretary/Bookkeeper Enterprise High School Rescind previously approved resignation Effective 4/16/18 3. Alicia Martin Cheer Coach Coppinville Jr. High School Effective 5/25/18 4. DeAnna Miller Instructional Partner Dauphin Jr. High School Effective 5/25/18 5. Billy Pruitt Bus Driver Transportation Effective 4/10/18 Retirement: 1. Sonja Dickson School Secretary/Bookkeeper Enterprise High School Effective 6/1/18 Transfers: 1. Tanya Simmons 6.5-Hr. CNP Worker 7.5-Hr. CNP Worker Child Nutrition Child Nutrition Effective 4/2/18 (amended from previously approved transfer)
2. Matthew Thomas Physical Education Aide Bus Driver Harrand Creek Elem. School Transportation Effective 4/23/18 Employment: Child Nutrition 1. Natasha Moore 6.5-Hr. CNP Worker Effective 4/10/18 (amended from previously approved date) Enterprise Early Education Center 1. Grady Whittaker Kindergarten Teacher Effective 8/1/18 Enterprise High School 1. Zachary Holmes History Teacher Effective 8/1/18 Hillcrest Elementary School 1. Amanda McClung Teacher Grade TBA Effective 8/1/18 Holly Hill Elementary School 1. Jessica Holton Teacher Grade TBA Effective 8/1/18 Maintenance 1. Michael Skinner Maintenance Technician Effective 4/24/18 Supplements: Career Tech 1. Bradley White Career Tech Print Shop Effective 17-18 School Year Mr. Faught recommended that all personnel action items be approved. Mr. Barr made the motion to approve the personnel action items, and Mr. Doerer seconded the motion. The personnel action items were approved 5 to 0. During Superintendent Comments, Mr. Faught announced we had our first elementary district wide track meet today. We had around 800 students participate. The event exceeded everyone s expectations. Mr. Faught thanked the P.E. teachers for all of the planning and work that went into the event. There was a great deal of parent and community support for the event as well.
During Board Comments, Mr. Clark asked everyone to come out and support our EHS soccer team tomorrow night. They are currently ranked #1 in the state and #5 in the country. The next meeting will be held on April 24, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the Board of Education Office. Dr. Whitaker adjourned the meeting. Mr. Greg Faught Secretary, Enterprise City Board of Education