MINUTES: Jackson-Madison
County School Board Meeting
DATE AND TIME: December 13, 2007; 6:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Joe Mays, chair, Grady Akins, Bob Alvey, Karen
Bell, Carol Carter-Estes, Vicky Foote, Anne Henning-Rowan, Linda
Pride and Ben Rudd
PLACE: Jackson-Madison County Board of Education
MOMENT OF SILENCE
APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made to approve the consent agenda with the
following change: move item 11 – WEBMASTER SERVICES – BID #33 to
the regular agenda as item 6a. This was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Henning-Rowan
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made to approve the agenda with the following
changes: add WEBMASTER SERVICES – BID #33 to the regular agenda
as item 6a, and add SPECIAL CALLED BOARD MEETING to the regular
agenda as item 6b. This was unanimously approved.
1. Foote 2. Carter-Estes
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the previous minutes. This was
approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Akins
Voting Nay – Alvey
RECOGNITION
Ben Rudd, TSBA Southwest Director, presented Karen Edwards, Lane
Technology teacher, with a plaque for the TSBA’s Excellence in
Education Award for Isaac Lane Technology’s IL-TV Program. Mr.
Rudd asked that Ms. Edwards accept the plaque, as she had
submitted the nomination, and present it to Tisa Day, principal
at Lane Technology. Ms. Day accepted the award and gave a brief
explanation of the IL-TV Program.
Carolyn Carter, principal at Jackson Careers and Technology
Magnet, recognized Donna Martin, JCT teacher and coordinator of
Bell South Project Connect. She also recognized two JCT students
that were state winners in the Project Connect, Wyatt Woeltje
and Conner Frye. Ms. Martin explained that the students had
competed on-line with other fifth grade students across
Tennessee and that they placed third. Ms. Martin congratulated
the students and stated that each won a two-hundred and fifty
dollar savings bond and one-hundred fifty dollars each for the
school.
FINANCIAL REPORT WITH ANY NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Mike Nichols, Madison County Finance Director, stated that he
had checked on the board’s question regarding signatures on the
payroll checks with the auditors, in the law and with the
software provider. He stated that Dr. Mays’, board chair,
signature would be put on the payroll checks.
Mr. Nichols stated that he had presented the board with the
financial reports at Monday night’s work session and presented
the board with an updated School Fund Sales Tax report. He
stated that overall tax for the year is still down but feels we
should wait until the Christmas sales tax revenue comes in
before making any judgment.
(See copy …… page 46)
Mr. Nichols asked the board to approve the three budget
amendments he had presented at Monday night’s work session: two
are moving new monies from the Carl Perkins Grant into the
appropriate line items and the third is moving BEP 2.0 money to
the necessary line items for the No Child Left Behind
Supervisor. A motion was made to approve the three budget
amendments. This was unanimously approved.
(See copy …… page 47)
1. Rudd 2. Bell
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Paul Hare, chair of Bi-racial Committee, stated that Monday
night he submitted a copy of the committee’s annual report
pertaining to the 2000 Agreement. He explained the design of the
report and requested to be put on the January board agenda to
cover the report with the board. He invited board members and
anyone interested to attend their meetings which are held the
fourth Monday of each month.
Bill Baxter, taxpayer, expressed to the board his concerns
regarding discipline in the schools and the blocking of Unitary
Status.
Jocelyn Wingate, teacher, stated that we are seeking a solution
to the LRE teacher problem and asked the board to vote tonight
to make this semester right. (No vote was taken.)
Phyllis Seeley, teacher at East Intermediate, on behalf of the
staff, spoke to the board regarding the removal of the
principal, Dr. Mike Bevis, their disappointment and disapproval
of his removal. She stated that their request was to leave Dr.
Bevis in place.
Hayley Davis, with son Reece, stated that on behalf of her child
and the other children at East Intermediate that she was asking
that the board reconsider their decision and allow Dr. Bevis to
remain at East for the remainder of the school year.
Barbara Keller, with granddaughter Kathryn Elizabeth Smith-Hunington,
presented a petition to Dr. Zambito signed by students, teachers
and other adults requesting she reconsider her decision
regarding Dr. Bevis.
Allyson Brower, concerned parent and citizen, spoke to the board
regarding her concern for the children with standardized testing
approaching and Dr. Bevis not being there to lead them. She also
stated she was concerned about the inconsistency in the action
taken in his case.
Libba Walker, 2005 graduate of Madison Academic, thanked the
board and Dr. Zambito for putting her father at East
Intermediate as interim principal. She stated that the children
at East are being left in the hands of a wonderful man who loves
children and will do a wonderful job.
Bree Buckholtz, Tysa Buckholtz and Jennifer Cantrell, students
at East Intermediate, addressed the board in support of Dr.
Bevis and presented Dr. Zambito a petition from their class.
Stephen Brooks, 1982 graduate of Jackson Central-Merry,
expressed concerns regarding the direction the JCM football
program is headed and asked the board to support the
administration in their decision regarding the coaching staff.
Jackie McKnight stated that she did not feel that the school
system should support a particular radio station that has been
downing the board.
Shelia Godwin expressed her concerns regarding teachers at
Washington Douglass, hiring practices, Unitary Status,
substitute teachers’ checks and inconsistency regarding Dr.
Bevis.
David Morris, president of Jackson-Madison County Education
Association, recognized Earl Wiman, president of Tennessee
Education Association. Mr. Morris stated that the teachers want
to know when they are going to get a good contract and when they
are going to get their money.
Lisa Brown, parent and teacher assistant, asked why are we
losing teachers and what are you doing?
WEBMASTER SERVICES – BID #33
Ms. Carter-Estes asked that Chuck Jones, Chief of Technology,
explain why he felt the board should approve accepting the bid
from Roe Graphics rather than the lowest bid. After his
explanation and discussion, a motion was made to accept Mr.
Jones’ recommendation to accept the bid from Roe Graphics. This
was approved.
(See bid …… page 48)
1. Rudd 2. Bell
Voting Nay – Carter-Estes
SPECIAL CALLED BOARD MEETING
Vicky Foote stated that in our Attorney-Client meeting we were
asked to consider having a special called meeting to determine
the status of Unitary Status, to discuss the proposed agreement
from Attorney Fields, the plaintiff’s response and how best the
board need to respond. She stated this would be a special called
meeting open to the public and we need a motion to do this. A
motion was made to have a special called meeting.
1. Rudd 2. Foote
After discussion, a vote was taken on the motion. This was
unanimously approved.
Dr. Mays asked the board to come up with some suggested dates
for the meeting. After discussion, it was agreed that Linda
Cearley, board secretary, would be in contact with the board
members to come up with a suitable date.
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ANY NECESSARY BOARD ACTION
A. POLICY COMMITTEE
Carol Carter-Estes, policy committee chair, stated that the
committee met on Monday, December 10, 2007, and reviewed Section
3 – SUPPORT SERVICES and Section 4 – INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES. She
stated that the committee was recommending that first reading be
waived on Policy 4.205 – DUAL ENROLLMENT (formerly, ENROLLMENT
IN COLLEGE LEVEL COURSES) and this policy be approved. She also
stated that the following policies are being recommended by the
committee for a first reading: Policy 1.300 – BOARD COMMITTEES,
Policy 3.204 – RISK MANAGEMENT, Policy 6.316 –
SUSPENSION/EXPULSION/REMAND, Policy 6.317 – STUDENT DISCIPLINARY
HEARING AUTHORITY, and Policy 6.409 – CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
Dr. Mays stated that the motion coming from the committee did
not require a second.
(See policies …… page 49)
1. Carter-Estes
After discussion, a vote was taken on the motion. This was
unanimously approved.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Zambito recognized Karen Bell and Joe Mays for receiving
Level V Boardsmanship Award at the TSBA Conference in November.
She explained this is a very high level recognition and required
hours of work, working with legislative issues, and continuing
education.
Dr. Zambito introduced Jeanette Henning, Attendance/Dropout
Prevention Specialist, stating she would be working with
students and families. She also introduced Shannon Erickson, No
Child Left Behind Administrator, stating that he would be
working with Liberty and Jackson Central-Merry on their
graduation rate.
Dr. Zambito stated that the 2006-2007 audits have been received
and that there were significant improvements. She recognized the
following school for having at least three years perfect audit:
Alexander Elementary – Buddy White, 2006-07 principal and Linda
Webb, bookkeeper; Thelma Barker Elementary – Linda Johnston,
principal and Brenda Brazee, bookkeeper; Denmark Elementary –
Ozeal Mitchell, principal and Dionne Dixson, bookkeeper; Isaac
Lane Technology Elementary– Tisa Day, principal and Kathy
Fitzgerald, bookkeeper; Lincoln Magnet Elementary – Lynne
Shuttleworth, principal and Carolyn James, bookkeeper; Nova
Elementary – George Neely, principal and Vicki Allen,
bookkeeper. She stated that seventeen (17) schools had perfect
audits and that those principals and bookkeepers will receive
letters of commendation. She stated that the overall findings
went from twenty-nine (29) in 2005-2006 to thirteen (13) in
2006-2007.
Dr. Zambito stated that Greg Bethel, Director of Human
Resources, will be holding a second open-house this Saturday,
December 15, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. to accept
application for teaching positions and other positions. She
stated principals would be present and some interviews and
paperwork can also be done.
Dr. Zambito stated that Laura Riddell, LRE teacher at North Side
High, has been spotlighted in this month’s issue of Parent and
Family Magazine.
Dr. Zambito announced that Madison Academic High School student,
Gian Gozum, has been accepted to the 2008 Reischauer Scholars
Program which is a very exclusive, high level distance-learning
course focused on Japan. She stated this is a part of the
Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education.
Dr. Zambito thanked the district’s art teachers and students for
the rotating art gallery we have in the central office building.
She encouraged everyone to read the note cards as this is art
produced by students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Dr. Zambito reported that the Leadership Academy for aspiring
administration has been meeting monthly and that they met at
central office on Tuesday, December 11. She stated that Stan
Parker, principal at Malesus Elementary, Linda Johnston,
principal at Thelma Barker Elementary and Janis Perry, assistant
principal at Madison Academic High presented a program on
planning and school improvement planning.
Dr. Zambito stated that the Jackson Madison County School
System’s Research Department with Dr. Allan Sterbinsky, who just
graduated from Leadership Jackson, is collaborating with the
University of California, Santa Cruz, and the University of
Memphis to conduct cutting edge educational research. She stated
we have received a fifteen thousand dollar ($15,000.00) grant,
renewable up to three years, from the Carnegie Corporation to
conduct the research. She stated that if the research is
successful it will allow educators across the nation to
empirically measure the attributes associated with effective
teacher and our district will be credited in that research.
TSBA “DAY ON THE HILL” – FEBRUARY 26, 2008, NASHVILLE
Dr. Mays asked board members that are planning on attending this
meeting to notify Linda Cearley.
STATEMENT
Ms. Carter-Estes, speaking for herself, asked to make a
statement to LRE teachers, the teacher association and the
question regarding the number of teachers leaving the system.
Mr. Alvey expressed concern with the recent pattern of adding
statements at the end of the agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA
POLICIES
A. SECOND READING (5)
This was unanimously approved.
(See policies …… page 50)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Henning-Rowan
REQUEST APPROVAL OF NON-FACULTY, PAID COACHES FOR 2007-2008
SCHOOL YEAR (JCM – 1; MADISON – 1)
This was unanimously approved.
(See copy …… page 51)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Henning-Rowan
PERSONNEL STATUS REPORT (INFORMATION ONLY)
This report was for the board’s information.
(See copy …… page 51)
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made to adjourn. This was unanimously approved.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
1. Rudd 2. Akins
____________________________________
Chair
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