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Lebanon Special School District |
Board of Education Minutes
August 13, 2007
The Lebanon Special School District Board of Education Meeting was called to order by Steve Jones, Board Chair, at 5:00 p.m., in the Director of School’s Office, 701 Coles Ferry Pike. Board Members, Joel Thacker and Mark Tomlinson, and Director of Schools, Dr. Sharon Roberts, were also in attendance. Dr. Roberts led the pledge to the flag. A moment of silence was observed.
Dr. Roberts requested to add the following item to the agenda: Annualization for Teachers and School Administrators to section V. New Business. On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded Steve Jones, the agenda and requested addition to the agenda were approved.
Recognition
Dr. Roberts recognized Walter J. Baird’s custodial staff for receiving the “Cleanest School” award from LSSD. An article published about the award in the Lebanon Democrat was also shared with the Board Members. Tyson Hoppe, President of LEA, was also in attendance and recognized by Dr. Roberts.
Consent Agenda
On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, the minutes from the July 23, 2007, meeting were approved. On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, all personnel leaves, retirements, and/or resignations were approved as requested.
New Business
Dr. Roberts presented for approval the first reading of the School Support Organization Policy and the School Support Organization Memorandum of Agreement. This document specifies our system policy and related procedures which will ensure that our schools’ PTOs are in compliance with Public Chapter No. 326. The policy has been reviewed by Bob Rochelle, Board Attorney, and by Joel Parks, LSSD Auditor, to ensure the alignment with the law and to determine the financial/bookkeeping implications, if any, to LSSD. Dr. Roberts explained that the agreement was developed to be in compliance with the law and that Randall Hutto has met with all PTO Presidents to develop guidelines regarding their goals and objectives. On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, the first reading for the policy and agreement were approved.
Dr. Roberts presented the Board with information regarding a recent tax law change that has the potential to negatively impact teachers and school-based administrators. Under the new law, when such employees are given an annualization election, they are deferring part of their income from one year to the next and this will result in additional taxes for the employee. The IRS has clarified that this new rule will not impact school employees this school year and that districts may want to revisit their procedures prior to next school year. Bob Rochelle, Board Attorney, has recommended that LSSD have no annualized contract option, payable for less than 12 months. In actuality, this will not cause a change in our district’s procedures. However, a policy that dictates how this is handled will be drafted. For the interim, on a motion made by Mark Tomlinson and seconded by Joel Thacker, board members approved that LSSD have no annualized contracts payable for less than 12 months.
Reports/Information
Jeanne Ray informed the Board that all LSSD schools met or exceeded AYP this year. Ms. Ray highlighted the results of the recently published AYP Report emphasizing that our Reading scores improved from 92% to 95% and Math from 92% to 94%.
Dr. Roberts provided the board with an updated Enrollment Report and indicated that we have increased our enrollment by 113 (BEP-funded) students from last years’ data. She also gave updated Professional and Classified Personnel Reports. The Student Transfer Report indicated 434 total student transfer requests. Dr. Roberts commented that this clearly illustrates our desire as a school district to honor parents’ request for transfers and highlights the desire for non-LSSD residents to request attendance in our schools.
Dr. Roberts explained that the SIP/TCSPP Report is required of each school and Central Office in May of each year. These reports are worked on throughout the year.
Other Business
Tammy Oliver informed the Board that LSSD recently partnered with Wilson Bank & Trust and Wal-Mart to purchase water for all students riding buses in the afternoon. Each student received a cold bottle of water on his or her ride home for an entire week. Mr. Hutto also indicated that coaches are spending no more than 20 minutes per day outdoors for after-school sports due to the extreme August temperatures.
Dr. Roberts informed the board that the next Board of Education meeting date is September 10, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. Being no further business, Steve Jones made a motion to adjourn the meeting at approximately 6:00 p.m., and Joel Thacker seconded the motion and adjourned the meeting.
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Lebanon Special School District
Board of Education Minutes
August 21, 2006
The Lebanon Special School District Board of Education Regular Meeting was called to order by Steve Jones, Board Chair, at 4:00 p.m. in the Director of School’s Office, 701 Coles Ferry Pike. Mr. Joel Thacker, Board Member, and Dr. Sharon Roberts, Director of Schools, were also in attendance. Kaelyn Clymer, student at Coles Ferry Elementary, led the pledge to the flag. A moment of silence was also observed.
After Allison Barger’s letter of resignation was added to the Personnel Update, the agenda was amended and approved on a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Steve Jones.
Recognition:
Lee Clark from the City of Lebanon was to be recognized for his service to
LSSD, but was unable to attend the meeting. His recognition will
be rescheduled for the September Board Meeting.
Consent Agenda:
On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Steve Jones, the minutes
from the July 20, 2006 Board Meeting and the Personnel Updates for August
were approved. Rachael Denton was granted a leave. Allison Barger
submitted a letter of resignation.
New Business Requiring Board Action:
Mr. Hutto presented the schools’ requests for approval of the 2006-2007
School Fundraisers. These were approved as presented with the motion
made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Steve Jones.
The Board also approved (motions made by Thacker and each seconded by Jones) the following proposed maintenance projects: 1) bid process for the Coles Ferry Elementary roofing project; 2) PA system at Coles Ferry; and 3) renovation projects and air systems bids at Byars Dowdy Elementary.
On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Steve Jones, two non-staff members, Tony Davis and Jim Reynolds, were approved by the Board to assist the WJB coaching staff. They have given up their individual supplements. Kenny Sallis was also approved to coach and will be paid the supplement.
Reports/Information:
Dr. Roberts gave an enrollment report for August 21, 2006 (3,027 K-8 students
with 164 additional regular and special education Pre-K students).
Jeanne Ray updated the Board regarding our system’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Report. Our system and the four elementary schools made AYP; Walter J. Baird Middle School is in School Improvement-2. Ninety-two percent of our LSSD students grades 3-8 are at proficient or advanced levels.
Dr. Roberts shared this year’s changes in the Report Card Schedule. The changes are aimed at providing students and parents more timely achievement information in order that student interventions may be considered.
Connie Gray reported on the grant award for Project LUCAS for the 2006-2007 school year for Coles Ferry Elementary. It has been increased to $74,400.
Randall Hutto provided the Board an update on: 1) LSSD Athletic Report (golf, volleyball, and dance team added to WJB); 2) PTO financial process update for all schools; 3) Maintenance Report on system work. He also shared a projection of potential growth areas in the LSSD zone.
Being no further business, Mr. Thacker made a motion to adjourn the meeting at approximately 4:25 p.m. Mr. Jones seconded the motion and adjourned the meeting.
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BOARD MINUTES
August 29, 2005
The Lebanon Special School District Board of Education met in regular session on August 29, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. in the Director of Schools’ office, 701 Coles Ferry Pike. Both Board members, Steve Jones and Joel Thacker, as well as, Director Sharon Roberts were present.
On a motion by Thacker and seconded by Jones, the previous month’s minutes
were approved.
While discussing old business of the Board, Director Roberts gave an update
on student membership for the 2005-2006 school year. LSSD currently has a
membership of approximately 3000 students, which is in line with previous
years’ enrollments at this point in the school year. Penny Thompson,
Instructional Coordinator, gave an update on the Pre-K Initiative that will
add four classrooms (one at each of our elementary schools and one on the
Cumberland University campus). The Board was complimentary of the Pre-K Advisory
Council, Governor Bredeson, and Mrs. Thompson and LSSD staff for the work
that has gone into this Initiative.
On motion by Thacker and seconded by Jones, the Board approved the following
recommendations/requests:
• Maternity leave requests by Rebecca Gwynn-Dixon (EXTEND teacher) and
Stephanie Heath (Coles Ferry).
• Resolution 05-06-01 which will reduce the tax rate for debt service
from 29 cents to 25 cents.
• Adjust the fieldtrip guidelines for the EXTEND program so that the
“Beyond EXTEND” Proposal can be implemented.
• Day Camp for Gifted Students which will be scheduled through Club
Invention and run by Ann Weekes, EXTEND teacher, during spring or summer break.
This will be an enrichment program, which will be paid for by interested students’
parents and held at Castle Heights Upper Elementary School. If space is available,
Wilson County School students and/or area private school students may be invited
to attend.
• Rebid the Food Service electrical shutdown bid for Byars Dowdy and
Walter J. Baird’s hood due to the unresponsiveness of the original selected
vendor. The Board asked that Mrs. Ballard re-open this for bids and take the
lowest bidder.
• Permission to pay for the roof at Byars Dowdy as a one-time, non-reoccurring
expenditure out of fund balance (cost: $84,700).
• Pre-K budget including the grant allocation from the state and our
expenditures for four additional classrooms for the 05-06 SY.
There was an explanation made by Tony Clymer of a new state mandated policy
on family and community involvement. The Board reviewed the first reading
of the Lebanon Special School District’s Family and Community Involvement
Policy.
There was some discussion regarding the closing of school for August 30, 2005
due to impending inclement weather. Mr. Jones also asked about fuel expenses
and suggested that the Board may need to consider the impact that this may
have on field trips at some point in the future.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.