LSSD Feb. Board Minutes

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, Mr. Joel Thacker and Mr. 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.

No changes were noted to the agenda, a motion was made by Mark Tomlinson and seconded by Joel Thacker to approve the agenda.

Recognition
Dr. Roberts recognized the Board of Education Members and their contributions to Lebanon Special School District. Each member received a gift of appreciation for his commitment and service to our school district. Board members were also presented drawings, letters, and a CD from the students in recognition of National School Board Week (January 22-26).

Jeanne Ray informed the group of the process for Teacher of the Year Awards. One teacher from each school was named as school winner and two teachers were selected to move forward in the competition. Gwyn Jennings was chosen as Teacher of the Year for grades K-4 and Nancy Smith for grades 5-8.

Consent Agenda
On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, the minutes from the January 8, 2007, meeting and the personnel updates were approved. Martha Boyd and Marsha Reed were granted special leaves and Michelle Boyd was granted extended maternity leave.

New Business
Dr. Roberts explained to the board the process that took place in developing Lebanon Special School District’s 2007-2008 school year calendar. Teachers were surveyed and a committee was formed to develop the calendar. Representatives consisting of two teachers and one administrator from each school were selected to serve on the calendar committee. The committee aligned the calendar with Wilson County School’s calendar in order to make it easier on the parents with children in both school systems and considered the comments on the teacher surveys as they developed the new calendar. Once the 2007-2008 calendar was established, the same concept and ideas were transferred to the 2008-2009 school year calendar. With minimal modifications recommended by the calendar committee, a 2008-2009 calendar was also finalized. On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school year calendars were approved.

Dr. Roberts updated the board on the recent changes regarding internet/connectivity service through the DOE. ENA has provided these services to school districts in Tennessee through the DOE for the past several years; however, ENA did not receive the statewide contract this year when those services were bid. Due to several concerns including, but not limited to, the potential additional cost for our district, the requirement to change all email addresses and the improbability of services being fully functional by July 1, the Executive Committee opted to utilize a separate bid through the Greenville City Schools Consortium which will allow LSSD to remain with ENA. This option is available for five years, renewable on one-year terms. This decision will guarantee no interruptions in the services we currently have, and additional funding will be minimal and/or covered through other sources for the 2007-2008 school year. On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, full board approval was granted on the executive committee’s commitment to remain with ENA.

Based on previous board meeting discussions related to the Microsoft Class Action Settlement agreement, Dr. Roberts asked the board to approve a budget amendment for the state issued vouchers. On a motion made by Mark Tomlinson and seconded by Joel Thacker, the budget amendment was approved.

Randall Hutto explained to the board how Lebanon Special School District determines which buses should be surplused and also informed the board on the current fleet. On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, the recommendation to surplus Buses #00-3 and #97-55 was approved.

Reports/Information
Randall Hutto shared the PTO financial updates for all five schools. Attendance data was also presented to the board. Dr. Roberts noted that our monthly attendance data is above the state benchmark of 93% for month five. Mr. Hutto also provided the board members with an updated Bus Route Book to view. Mr. Hutto also noted that a letter is being mailed to Senator Mae Beavers regarding the board approved district expansion plans.

Dr. Roberts informed the board of the next meeting date, March 5, 2007. Being no further business, Steve Jones made a motion to adjourn the meeting at approximately 5:35 p.m., and Mark Tomlinson seconded the motion and adjourned the meeting.


Board Chairman		Secretary

The Lebanon Special School District Board Of Education Regular Meeting was called to order by Mr. Steve Jones at 5 p.m. in the Director of Schools’ Office, 701 Coles Ferry Pike. Mr. Joel Thacker, Board Member, and Dr. Sharon Roberts, Director of Schools, were present also.
Being no additions to the agenda, the agenda was approved as presented.

Recognitions:
The following recognitions were made by the Director. Recipients received a STAR pin.
• Mr. Jones and Mr. Thacker were publicly thanked for their service in honor of the Tennessee School Board Appreciation Week (January 22-27);
• LSSD Teacher of the Year Recipients: Barbara Dodson (4th grade, Byars Dowdy) and Evelyn McGregor (5th grade, Castle Heights);
• Middle Tennessee Writing Project Teacher Consultant: Missy Owens

Consent Agenda:
On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Steve Jones, the minutes of the December 12, 2005 Board Meeting and Personnel Requests were approved.

The Personnel Requests included a retirement (Jo Wortman, Byars Dowdy) and two leaves (Tammy Oliver and Cindy Spickard, Byars Dowdy).

New Business Requiring Board Action:
Joel Parks, Certified Public Accountant, provided the Board an overview of the 04-05 Audit Report. He noted that there were no non-compliance issues. The Board accepted and approved the 04-05 audit.

The proposed 06-07 School Calendar was presented and discussed. The Board approved the Director and Calendar Committee’s recommended calendar. (See attached calendar.)

Upon motions made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Steve Jones, two resolutions were approved. One (Resolution 05-06-02) is a request to the Election Commissioners of Wilson County to call an election for one expired Board term position and one unexpired Board term position in August 2006 for the purpose of electing two school Board Members for the Lebanon Special School District. The second resolution (Resolution 05-06-03) is one affirming the Lebanon Special School District Board of Education’s support for appointed superintendents. Resolution 05-06-03 will be presented to the Tennessee School Board Association for its presentation to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Reports/Information:
Dr. Roberts provided the Board an update on the progress of the Tennessee Comprehensive System-wide Planning Process.
Information was also shared by Gaye Hawks and Missy Owens regarding the collaborative project with MTSU, the Middle Tennessee Writing Project. Teacher training and a future summer writing camp for rising 5th grade students are in the process of being planned.

Donna Shaffer provided the Board an update on the progress of the On-Line Assessment Project at Sam Houston because of the approved technology purchase in December 2005.

Sheila Neal, R.N., updated the Board on the purchase and placement of the AEDs and the related training that has occurred.

With there being no further pertinent business of the Board, the meeting was adjourned by Mr. Jones after a motion was made by Mr. Thacker.