GADSDEN CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013 5:00 P.M. AT MITCHELL ELEMENTARY Recognition Mr. Russ Waits, Principal of Mitchell Elementary, welcomed Board members and guests to the meeting and introduced fourth grade student, Kyle Haney, who led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Kyle Haney was also recognized by Mr. Waits as a statewide winner of the Alabama Gerontological Society essay contest sponsored by Alabama Gas Corporation. He read his essay about his grandfather to everyone. Kyle and his grandfather will also be featured in the 2014 Alabama Gas Corporation calendar. Mr. Waits told everyone to remember Kyle s name because he was sure they would be hearing it again in the future. President Lane commended Kyle for the great job he did. Mr. Waits also introduced the Mitchell Elementary singers and dancers who gave a preview performance of Hey Santa which will be included in the Mitchell Elementary Christmas Program on Friday, December 6 th at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Gadsden City High School Auditorium. Report COMMUNITY EDUCATION GRANT AWARD Mrs. Felicia Simpson gave a report on the Community Education Grant Award of $45,000 for three years. The grant award is for $15,000 each year to be used for the position of a full-time community education coordinator. Mrs. Simpson noted that not every school system in the state received this grant award. Superintendent Miller noted that Gadsden City Schools gladly accepts the grant award and that the award is to become a part of the minutes. Mr. Ralph Lane and Superintendent Miller commended Mrs. Simpson for the great job she does in grant writing for the school system. AHSGE REPORT Mr. Johnnie Parker gave a report on the Alabama High School Graduation Exam coming to an end. He told everyone that students enrolled in the ninth grade for 2010-2011 are now excused from taking the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. He reported that first time ninth graders for 2009-2010 are the last class required to pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam in order to receive a diploma. He noted that before the resolution was passed by the State Department of Education the 2010-2011 ninth grade class was still required to take the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. There were 110 students required to take the test before the resolution was passed. Since the adoption of the resolution, there are only 20 students from the 2009-2010 ninth grade class still required to take the AHSGE. The AHSGE is taking place this week. CAREER TECH EDUCATION GRANT APPLICATION Dr. David Asbury gave a report on the Career Tech Education Grant Application that Gadsden City Schools has recently applied for. Dr. Asbury reported that during the last legislative session a 50 million dollar bond issue was approved for career tech education. Thirty million of this bond issue is for formula grants for existing career tech programs statewide to improve and enhance existing career tech programs. Gadsden City Schools received approximately $250,000 from this formula grant. The remaining 20 million of the bond issue is for competitive grants for new career tech programs for equipment only. Gadsden City Schools has applied for a grant in the amount of $121,000 for a new Computer Assisted Drafting (CAD) program to begin in the fall on the campus of Gadsden City High School. He told everyone he hopes to hear in 30 to 60 days if successful. If the grant is received, equipment will be purchased in the 1
spring and put in place. Gadsden State Community College will provide an instructor and the City of Gadsden will provide tuition for the dual enrollment classes. He also reported that in the spring the City of Gadsden will be providing tuition for dual enrollment students from Gadsden City High. Dr. Asbury reported that currently there are eight students signed up and he hopes to have twelve students enrolled for the classes at GSCC beginning in the spring. Dr. Asbury reported that letters of support for the grant application were received from the Region 5 Workforce Development, IDA, GSCC, Career Tech Advisory Council and the City of Gadsden. Superintendent Miller noted that Mrs. Mary Scott Hunter, State Board of Education Representative for District 8, will be in town and speak to Rotarians on Thursday on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education program. Superintendent Miller said that Dr. Asbury did a great job in putting together the grant and that the Computer Assisted Drafting (CAD) program is an excellent choice to go along with the STEM program. Ms. Deborah Howard commented that Mr. Mike McCain of the Industrial Development Authority is probably turning cartwheels regarding the grant application because he can use this with the recruitment of industries showing that the education community is in tune with workforce development. Dr. Asbury also noted that Mr. McCain was one of the key stakeholders for Gadsden City Schools in the grant application and if the grant is received, it will feed into nine or ten technical programs at Gadsden State Community College. SECOND CHANCE PROGRAM REPORT Mr. Larry Weathers gave a report on the Second Chance program for Gadsden City Schools. He reported that twelve students are currently enrolled in the Second Chance program and five of these students will graduate in December. The other seven students will complete their studies in May. Mr. Weathers also spoke on the Alternative Program. There are forty students in the Alternative Program this semester. Sixty-seven students are attending in-school suspension. The elementary modification program, which is housed at Floyd Elementary School has seven students enrolled at present. He noted there are only four students in the teenage pregnancy program this year. Mrs. Lynn Taylor had some questions concerning the different types of Alternative Programs. Mr. Weathers explained the difference in the FOCUS program and the Second Chance program. The FOCUS program is to curtail discipline problems and the Second Chance program is to help students who lack two or three credits, or need to pass the Graduation Exam in order to graduate. Some of these students may have tried and dropped out of the regular school setting and came back, or are thinking about dropping out in order to go to work. This program enables the students to attend school for part of the day and still be able to work. Superintendent Miller also noted that the Second Chance program is staffed with certified teachers. Action Agenda EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Board met in executive session to review matters relating to the reputation, character, and professional competence of certain individuals and pending legal matters. APPROVED: Minutes of the regular meeting of November 5, 2013. APPROVED: Recommendation concerning Personnel Actions: RESIGNING Resigning: 2
Phyllis M. Cole b/f Gadsden Middle School 10/10/2013 CNP Worker MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE Medical Leave of Absence: Sharrissa Cook b/f Gadsden City High School 11/05/2013 thru 01/03/2014 English Language Arts Teacher EXTEND FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE Extend Family Medical Leave of Absence: Lindsay Breunig w/f Gadsden City Board of Education Annex 11/21/13 thru 2/01/2013 Community Education/21 st Century Secretary/Bookkeeper TRANSFERS Transfers: To: From: Russell T. Waits w/m Mitchell Elementary School GCHS 01/01/2014 Principal 9 th Grade Academy (12 months) Assistant Principal (current salary) (12 months) Sharon Maness b/f Emma Sansom Middle School Central Office 01/01/2014 Principal (12 months) Director for Special Education and Special Services (additional $5,000) (12 months) NEW PERSONNEL New Employee: Sandy Washburn w/f Gadsden City High School 12/04/2013 CNP Worker Excellent references Interviewed by Mrs. Inzer, Mr. Parker Cafeteria Substitutes New for 2013-2014: Annette Gadson Cafeteria Substitutes Reapplying 2013 2014: Substitute Teachers New for 2013-2014: Amber Campbell SUBSTITUTES 3
Karen McCurley Suzanne Phillips Josette Waddell James Pell Substitute Teachers Reapplying 2013-2014: Support Substitutes New for 2013-2014: Support Substitutes Reapplying 2013-2014: Nurse Substitutes Reapplying for 2013-2014: APPROVED: recommendation declaring certain equipment at Gadsden Middle School as surplus property. APPROVED: the following Resolution concerning the Special Pool Loan Agreement between Gadsden City Board of Education and the Alabama Public School and College Authority: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED by the CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CITY OF GADSDEN that the Board authorizes the President of the said Board of Education to execute the Special Pool Loan Agreement between the City Board of Education of the City of Gadsden and the Alabama Public School and College Authority and that the Superintendent of Education of said Board attest the same and said President and Superintendent do all other things necessary to carry out the duties and obligations and exercise all rights available to the Board pursuant to said Special Pool Loan Agreement. Adopted this 3 rd day of December, 2013. Attest: Dr. Ed Miller, Secretary Ralph Lane, President APPROVED: Recommendation concerning Monthly Financial Report. Introduction Items Superintendent Miller reported to the Board that due to the Christmas holiday break, the time for financials to be completed for the Board meeting was shortened. It was discussed by the Board and agreed by everyone to move the date of the January Board meeting from Tuesday, January 7 to Thursday, January 9, 2014. 4
The Board was reminded by the Superintendent that the AASB Annual Conference is scheduled for December 5-7 at Hyatt Regency The Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham. Information Items Superintendent Miller reported to the Board that a handout of the 2014 Legislative Session School Superintendents Association Budget Priorities was included in their packet and discussed it with everyone. Superintendent Miller reminded the Board of the annual Administrator s Christmas Luncheon scheduled for Friday, December 13 at the Alabama Power Steam Plant. The Superintendent also announced that an updated calendar of holiday events was included in their packets. He encouraged Board members to attend as many events as they can. Mr. Mike Haney thanked Ms. Nancy Blackwood for the great Open House for the Gadsden Family Literacy Center 4-year old program. He noted that the new program has allowed 14 new 4-year old students to enter Gadsden City Schools with 4 more students to come. Mr. Russ Waits recognized the faculty of Mitchell Elementary present at the meeting. The next Board meeting will be held at Floyd Elementary School at 5:00 p.m. on January 9, 2014. 5