Lebanon Special School District June Board Minutes

Lebanon Special School District
Board of Education Special Called Meeting Minutes
June 19, 2006

The Lebanon Special School District Board of Education Special Called Meeting was brought to order by Steve Jones, Board Chair, at 12:00 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.

With no additions to the agenda or changes, the agenda was approved.

New Business Requiring Board Action:
After some discussion of the budget amendments led by Dr Roberts, on a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Steve Jones the budget amendments for 2005-2006 including those related to the federal budget were approved by the Board.

Randall Hutto and Pam Ashe requested the Board’s approval for a proposal to increase the fixed assets and inventories reporting amount from the current $2000 to $5000.  This reporting is required through the GASB legislation.  Joel Thacker made a motion and Steve Jones seconded the motion to approve this increase.

Dr. Roberts reviewed the calendar for July in relation to the budget preparation for 2006-2007.  The Board set the next Board meeting for Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 11:00 a.m.

Being no further business, Mr. Thacker made a motion to adjourn the meeting at approximately 12:15 p.m.  Mr. Jones seconded the motion and adjourned the meeting.

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Lebanon Special School District
Board of Education Minutes
June 13, 2006

The Lebanon Special School District Board of Education Regular 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.  Mr. Joel Thacker, Board Member, and Dr. Sharon Roberts, Director of Schools, were also in attendance. Zach Vaden, Sierra Anderson, Victoria Siddiqi, and Wayne Bruton, students in the SACC Program, led the pledge to the flag.  A moment of silence was also observed.

Dr. Roberts made the suggestion to move the Project LUCAS and EXTEND Reports earlier on the agenda for the convenience of the students and personnel involved.  The agenda was approved as amended.

Recognition:
Ms. Gaye Hawks was recognized for her 36 years of service to the Lebanon Special School District.  The Board presented her with a clock to commemorate the time that she has contributed to the work of this school system.

Consent Agenda:
On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Steve Jones minutes from the May 8, 2006 Board Meeting and Personnel Updates were approved as presented.  No leaves were requested this month.  However, Barbara Allison (Assistant Principal at Castle Heights) is retiring.  Resignations submitted include:  Janie L. Johnson and Marilyn Henry from Castle Heights; Connie Canham from Coles Ferry; Linda Brinkley, Cynthia Preston, Gayle M. Bentley, and Beth Hodges from Walter J. Baird.

New Business Requiring Board Action:
On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Steve Jones, the second reading of the Student Wellness Policy was approved. 

The Board approved submission of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act Federal Formula Grant application that collaborates with two community agencies (Potters House and Juvenile Court) and supports mentoring and parenting training.  The system will learn in late August about the outcome of the application.

The Board granted (motion made by Mr. Thacker and seconded by Mr. Jones) tenure for Tina Bratcher, teacher at Castle Heights.

Tony Clymer, Special Projects Supervisor, presented the Consolidated Application for federal funds to the Board and received approval.

The Board also approved an amendment for Title IV HERA Funds and the purchase of Activity Fund software and hardware for the schools from the Local Government Corporation upon motions made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Steve Jones.

Steve Jones reviewed the evaluation process used by the Board in evaluating the Director of Schools.  Joel Thacker noted that he would prefer a Likert type-scoring format recommended by TSBA for future evaluations.  Mr. Jones noted that Dr. Roberts has been involved in the community in a positive manner.  He noted that she had done an adequate job keeping the individual board members informed.  Mr. Jones also noted that he would like to see her in the schools more and had discussed strategies with her to ensure this.  Upon conclusion of the evaluation discussion, Steve Jones made a motion to extend Dr. Roberts’ contract two years resulting in a four year contract for her.  Joel Thacker seconded the motion.  Dr. Roberts expressed her appreciation for a contract extension and thanked her staff, the teachers, and the community for their support.

Reports/Information:
Connie Gray earlier in the meeting provided a report on Project LUCAS.  Students shared reports on the following activities:  baseball, scrap booking, tutoring, Boots & Brains, cheerleading camp, music camp, and soccer camp.  A parent also shared her insight on the impact of the program on her child.  The Board was able to view a slide presentation of the year in review.  The Board member, Director of Schools, and other senior staff were presented a gift (T-shirt) by the students.

The EXTEND teachers (Anne Weekes, Gina Smallwood, and Rebecca Gwynn-Dixon) also shared an end of the year report to the Board on their Beyond EXTEND program.  They also shared that the Future Problem Solving Conference will be held in the Lebanon Special School District next year in April.

Dr. Roberts shared highlights from the LSSD Family Resource Center 2005-2006 Annual Report.

Gaye Hawks reviewed the Tennessee Comprehensive System Wide Planning Process feedback and DOE approval with the Board.

Sheila Neal, Lead Nurse, shared the Annual Data and Compliance Report for Health Care Procedures/Medications.

Dr. Roberts noted that the next board meeting would be Monday, June 19, 2006 at 12 p.m. for the purpose of approving the 2005-2006 budget amendments.  New administrators for 2006-2007, Jeanne Ray and Julie Walker, were introduced to the board and the audience.

Being no further business, Mr. Thacker made a motion to adjourn the meeting at approximately 6:10 p.m.  Mr. Jones seconded the motion and adjourned the meeting.

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June 27, 2005

June 27, 2005, The Lebanon Special School District Board of Education met in regular session Monday, June 27, 2005, at 5:05 p.m. in the Office of the Director of Schools, 701 Coles Ferry Pike. Board members, Steve Jones and Joel Thacker, and Directors Brummett and Roberts were present. Mr. Jones welcomed new Director of Schools, Dr. Sharon Roberts.

On motion by Mr. Thacker and seconded by Mr. Jones, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Mr. Thacker made a motion and it was seconded by Mr. Jones to approve the budget amendments for the 2004-2005 school year, which also include those related to the federal budget. Mr. Thacker asked if the budget amendments included new positions, and there was some discussion on the inclusion of the additional secretarial positions made during the school year. Mr. Brummett initiated a discussion with the Board regarding the 2005-2006 school year budget. The Board directed Mr. Brummett and Dr. Roberts to look at two options for teachers: 1) 2% (1-5 years experience), 4% (6-10 years experience), and 6% (11 and more years experience) salary increase on local dollars to be added to the 2% state mandated raise and 2) 100% individual insurance plan. The next Board Meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, July 26 at 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of examining the budget for the 2005-2006 school year.

The following letters of resignations and retirements were accepted (motion made by Mr. Thacker and seconded by Mr. Jones):
Tina Barga, Mary Neil Estes, Elizabeth Crowley, Lisa Puckett, Amy
Borash, Tracie Gossen, Ethel Rucker, Tarron Huddleston, Ken Berry,
Lena Darnell, Terry Spurlock, Ricky Haley, Misty Hunter.

On motion by Mr. Thacker and seconded by Mr. Jones, a request for special leave for the 2005-2006 school year was approved for Tara Webb. The Director will inform Mrs. Webb of the Board’s decision and the fact that there is no guarantee of a position for the 2006-2007 school year.

The Family Resource Center Annual Report was provided to the Board. The Lebanon Special School District has received notification that it qualifies for the grant for the 2005-2006 school year.

After reviewing the SACC Program’s Director’s recommendations, the board approved increasing the fees ($7) for the coming school year (motion made by Mr. Thacker and seconded by Mr. Jones).

The Federal Project’s Budget was approved after a motion was made by Mr. Thacker and seconded by Mr. Jones.

The Board waived the normal bid process for equipping the additional Pre-Kindergarten classrooms being applied for through the Tennessee Department of Education’s grant process due to time sensitive issues. Staff is permitted to obtain specifications and bids and then to take the lowest bid without returning this issue to the Board. If staff opts to select a bid other than the lowest bidder, the Board will be consulted. The same process was approved for the Cafeteria bid process, after an explanation from Mr. Brummett and Angie Ballard.

Mr. Jones recognized this meeting as Mr. Brummett’s last board meeting and thanked him for his years of service.

Mr. Jones also noted that this was the first meeting since the passing of Mr. Kopp, a long-time Lebanon Special School District Board Member. Due to the fact that several people have expressed an interest in fulfilling Mr. Kopp’s term, his concern that he is not qualified to make such a decision, and that the law does not require that this position be filled until 2006, Mr. Jones made the motion to let the general public decide who should fill Mr. Kopp’s position and not to appoint anyone. This would mean that Mr. Jones’ position would be up for election in 2006 and be a six-year term and that Mr. Kopp’s position would be designated a four-year (completion) term. Mr. Thacker noted that TSBA supports this option. He also shared that an appointment would require a 2-3 month search process. Mr. Thacker seconded Mr. Jones motion.

After some discussion of the transition period between Mr. Brummett and Dr. Roberts, the meeting was adjourned.