MINUTES: JACKSON-MADISON
COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
DATE AND TIME: June 14, 2007, 6:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Alvey, chair, Grady Akins, Karen Bell,
Carol Carter-Estes, Vicky
Foote, Anne Henning-Rowan, Joe Mays, Linda Pride and Ben Rudd
PLACE: Jackson-Madison County Board of Education
MOMENT OF SILENCE
WELCOME
Mr. Alvey introduced and welcomed Mark Johnston, Patricia
Gruenwald and Joe Barden. He stated that they would be
evaluating the board as a part of Tennessee School Boards
Association’s Board of Distinction Program.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made to approve the consent agenda with the
following changes:
move item 12 – POLICIES (SECOND READING) to the regular agenda
as item 9A and move item 14 – APPROVAL OF FOURTH BLOCK ATHLETIC
PRACTICE to the regular agenda as item 9B. This was unanimously
approved.
1. Mays 2. Henning-Rowan
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made to approve the agenda with the following
changes: add POLICIES (SECOND READING) as item 9A and add
APPROVAL OF FOURTH BLOCK ATHLETIC PRACTICE as item 9B. This was
unanimously approved.
1. Foote 2. Bell
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the minutes for May 17, 2007 and
May 24, 2007. This was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Foote
RECOGNITION
Paul Thacker, principal at West Jackson Learning Center,
introduced and presented a certificate to Beverly Wilkes,
assistant cafeteria manager at Whitehall Enhanced Option
Elementary School. Mr. Thacker thanked her for going above and
beyond her duties in serving meals to the students at WJLC and
being a friend to them.
Mr. Thacker recognized Tammie Robertson of the Jackson Police
Department for the extra effort she makes to be present,
whenever possible, as the students at West Jackson Learning
Center leave the school in the afternoon. Ms. Robertson was
unable to attend the meeting. Sergeant Mike Landreth accepted a
certificate on Officer Robertson’s behalf.
Virginia Stackens-Crump, principal at Jackson Central-Merry High
School, introduced Dr. Christian Culbreath, Dr. John McLemore
and Rhonda Ford of the “Smiles and Blessings” Program. She
presented each with a pineapple in honor of the work they had
done at JCM with the Oral Health Program. Dr. Zambito referred
those present to a list of other professionals and volunteers
that assist in this program.
(See list …… page 88)
John Burks, assistant principal and athletic director at Liberty
Technology Magnet High School, recognized the boys’ basketball
team stating the team finished thirteenth in the nation and
fourth in the Southeast Region. He stated that this has never
happened before in Jackson, Tennessee’s history. He stated they
are the first in Jackson, Tennessee to ever win a boys’ state
championship and first in this area to win back to back
championships. He stated all seven seniors would be attending
college on either an athletic or academic scholarship. Mr. Burks
introduced the team - Seniors – Hakeem Brice, DeVon Jones,
Antwan Long, Jewuan Long, Josh Sain, Anthony Sampson, Brandon
Ware; Juniors – Jay Greer, Charles Holt, Kirby Tritt; Sophomores
– Marion Dotson, Chris Johnson, Matt Tomlin, Ricky Williams;
Freshmen – Tajuan Blalock, Jauwon Cain, Jarsten Clark, Tarius
Johnson, Ricky Parks, Cordaro Williams; Managers – Yeri Bethea;
Chad Deberry, Darius Deberry, Josh Lindsey and Ethan Stovall.
Bob Alvey recognized John Burks stating he was named Athletic
Director of the Year for the state of Tennessee.
Tisa Day, principal at Isaac Lane Technology Magnet Elementary
School, introduced and recognized Sandy Hardin stating she is an
LRE teacher at Lane Technology and has taught special education
for twenty-nine year. She stated Ms. Hardin was selected West
Tennessee Health Care’s and Diamond Jaxx’s Teacher of the Year.
She stated Ms. Hardin received a plaque, a monetary gift, and
her picture on a baseball card.
Ernest Brooks, Chair of Education Committee of Jackson-Madison
County NAACP, presented the board with the NAACP’s response and
rationale to the proposal for new high school.
(See copy …… page 89)
Shelia Godwin, CEO of Watchdog Organization, spoke to the board
regarding Unitary Status and the joint meeting with the Madison
County Commission on June 25, 2007. She stated she felt Jackson
Central-Merry High School should be retained at the current site
and the name should be Merry High School. She also stated she
would like to see the board vote for partial Unitary Status.
Gwendolyn Merry Coleman spoke to the board regarding the local
history of Austin Raymond Merry who pioneered and financed a
school for slave children in Madison County. She also expressed
her concern on how it would be decided which children are the
at-risk children to attend Jackson Central-Merry High.
Laverne Hardin spoke to the board on behalf of the football
players at Jackson Central-Merry regarding them being moved from
Oman Arena. Dr. Zambito explained that the move might not be
one-hundred percent this year. Dr. Zambito stated the reason for
the move was due to the school system paying approximately
$75,000.00 per year for utilities and we are working on an exit
plan.
Helen Brooks, parent of Haley Brooks, expressed her concerns
regarding the Academic Decathlon being eliminated from the
curriculum for 2007-2008 at North Side High School. Dr. Zambito
stated, at this point, the principal is trying to find a teacher
on staff willing to take on this program.
Jackie McKnight, parent, spoke to the board asking for Dr.
Zambito’s definition of “at-risk”. Dr. Zambito stated I may have
used the word at-risk but what I really meant is a small school
setting. She stated we have a graduation rate issue and we are
losing youngsters that are not discipline problems and do not
have learning disabilities, they simply are not successful in a
large setting of one thousand students or more. She also stated
her definition of “at-risk” is any student who is at-risk of not
graduating.
Rick Hinson of Hinson Auction and Real Estate proposed a way to
the board of liquidating surplus equipment. He presented the
board with a hand-out/brochure.
(See brochure …… page 90)
Mark Primm, parent, spoke to the board regarding his concern
over the student dress code as it relates to his son. Dr.
Zambito asked Pam Finney, assistant superintendent, to work with
Mr. Primm.
Denise Thompkins, parent, expressed opposition to the current
Jackson Central-Merry High School being referred to, utilized
as, or transitioned to a school for at-risk or non-traditional
students. She presented to the board her written statement.
(See copy …… page 91)
Pam Betler, principal at Beech Bluff Elementary, thanked the
board and Dr. Zambito for their hard work, dedication and
support. She also thanked those that were making public
comments. She stated at-risk children are just at-risk and we
need to work with children at a lower level before they reach
high school to save the children from dropping out.
Diane Wesson, assistant principal at Jackson Central-Merry High
School, asked the board to make Jackson Central-Merry High
School a magnet school for the public and the masses and stated
everyone will benefit from this.
Harrell Carter spoke to the board regarding the proposal for
Jackson Central-Merry High stating this could divide the
community in a racial divide. He asked the board to work
together and to deal with the issues and challenges at hand to
educate our children.
Charlotte Stewart, special education assistant, presented the
board with a copy of a letter stating she was not being
recommended for rehire and asked to be reinstated. Dr. Zambito
encouraged her to work with Greg Bethel, Director of Human
Resources.
(See copy …… page 92)
FINANCIAL REPORT WITH ANY NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Kirby Matheney, of Madison County Finance Department, stated on
the School Fund Sales Tax Report the collections for the month
of May were 6.52% higher than those collected in May, 2006, but
we had projected a 4.44% increase which gives us about two
months to collect six million dollars in sales tax. He stated if
we continue at the rate we are at this point we could be about
$517,000 short on sales tax. He also explained on the General
Purpose School Fund Report that the expenses were well below the
revenue but that they will have to expense the June and July
payroll at the end of the month and there would be several
expenses to move from the revenues to the expenses.
(See copy …… page 93)
Mr. Matheney stated the board was given a copy of the budget
amendments at the work session on Monday night. He stated this
is just moving money within the budget. A motion was made to
approve the budget amendments. This was unanimously approved.
(See copy …… page 94)
1. Bell 2. Henning-Rowan
REPORTS – MR. GREGORY BETHEL, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
• TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORS JOB DESCRIPTION/SALARY
• RECRUITMENT REPORT
Gregory Bethel presented to the board and explained the proposed
job description and salary for Chief of Technology. He stated he
had worked with Dana Mayo of Jackson State Community College to
put together an appropriate job description for the Technology
Department head. He stated the new title and salary would
require board approval. A motion was made to accept the job
description and salary for Chief of Technology.
(See copy …… page 95)
1. Rudd 2. Bell
Carol Carter-Estes asked for clarification that the assistant
technology coordinator position was being eliminated and some of
that money was being put into the salary for the Chief of
Technology. Dr. Zambito stated that was correct a position was
eliminated.
A vote was taken on the motion. This was unanimously approved.
Mr. Bethel presented the board with a copy of the recruitment
plan for all certified, non-certified and upcoming positions
along with a copy of recruitment and contacts that have already
taken place. Mr. Bethel also presented the board with a copy of
the letter that will be used to seek assistance in recruitment.
He stated he would assure that principals would be aware of
their minority needs, goals, recruiting responsibilities,
numbers and percentages. He stated the staff would participate
in job fairs, professional associations and conferences where
they can meet candidates and successfully recruit.
(See copies …… page 96)
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ANY NECESSARY BOARD ACTION
There were no committee reports.
UNITARY STATUS
Bob Alvey announced that the meeting with Madison County
Commissioners had been scheduled for Monday, June 25, 2007, at
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., at Jackson-Madison County Board of
Education office.
POLICIES
SECOND READING (3)
There was discussion for clarification on Policy 5.115 -
ASSIGNMENT/TRANSFER
Dr. Zambito recommended the following changes to Policy 6.310 -
STUDENT DRESS CODE: under shirts - remove “design or” from the
fourth bullet, add a bullet to read “are not required to be
solid colored” and add “city” to the sixth bullet. A motion was
made to accept Dr. Zambito’s recommendation. This was
unanimously approved.
1. Foote 2. Henning-Rowan
A motion was made to approve the policies for second reading.
This was unanimously approved.
(See policies …… page 97)
1. Foote 2. Henning-Rowan
APPROVAL OF FOURTH BLOCK ATHLETIC PRACTICE
After discussion, a motion was made to eliminate fourth block
athletic practice.
This was approved.
(See copy …… page 98)
1. Pride 2. Carter-Estes
Voting Nay – Rudd
SUPERINTENDENT’S EVALUATION
Bob Alvey presented the evaluation form stating the board had
discussed it at Monday’s work session and that Dr. Zambito is
doing a very, very good job. He explained that a rating of three
means the superintendent is meeting expectations and Dr. Zambito
is well above a three in most all areas.
(See evaluation …… page 99)
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Zambito gave the board members a memo regarding a research
project the district has been invited to participate in with the
University of California and the University of Memphis. She
asked the board to approve Allan Sterbinsky temporary access to
Teacher Effect data in order for the district to participate in
this project. She also stated she would later ask the policy
committee to change Policy 5.1141 - TEACHER EFFECT DATA to add
coordinator of research and accountability to the list of those
that have access to the Teacher Effect data. A motion was made
to allow Dr. Sterbinsky temporary access to Teacher Effect data.
This was unanimously approved.
(See memo …… page 100)
1. Foote 2. Bell
Dr. Zambito stated we are short on Latin teachers and the staff
met this week with Jackson Energy Authority and they are helping
pull together Distance Learning where a teacher can teach, video
tape the class and students can have access in other places. We
need board approval, if this is considered e-learning, to
complete the application and move forward on this. A motion was
made to make application for Distance Learning.
1. Foote 2. Mays
Karen Bell stated she wanted to go on record that she does not
think language can be taught by Distance Learning and that she
was not in favor of this. Ben Rudd stated he would like to be
posted on the progress of these children.
A vote was taken on the motion. The motion was approved.
Voting Nay – Bell
Dr. Zambito reported that interviews for the three principal
openings will occur next week. She also stated that Janice
Perry, assistant principal at Madison Academic Magnet High
school, along with students, parents, and teachers, is working
on common consequences and incentives related to the student
dress code.
CONSENT AGENDA
REQUEST TO AUCTION SURPLUS PROPERTY
This was unanimously approved.
(See copy …… page 101)
1. Mays 2. Henning-Rowan
APPROVAL OF AND AUTHORIZATION FOR SUPERINTENDENT TO HANDLE
CONSOLIDATED APPLICATION FOR NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT
This was unanimously approved.
(See copy …… page 102)
1. Mays 2. Henning-Rowan
PERSONNEL STATUS REPORT (INFORMATION ONLY)
This report was for the board’s information.
(See copy …… page 103)
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made to adjourn. This was unanimously approved. The
meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
1. Rudd 2. Bell
_________________________________
Chair
__________________________________
Secretary
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