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
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made to approve the consent agenda with the following
change: move item 16 TEACHERS BEING RECOMMENDED FOR TENURE EFFECTIVE
FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR to the regular agenda as item 11A. This
was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Henning-Rowan
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made to approve the agenda with the following change: add
APPROVAL OF 2007-2008 FOOD SERVICE BUDGET to item 9 APPROVAL OF
2007-2008 GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL BUDGET AND 2007-2008 CAPITAL OUTLAY
BUDGET.
This was unanimously approved.
1. Bell 2. Henning-Rowan
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the previous minutes for April 12, 2007
and April 23, 2007. This was unanimously approved.
1. Mays 2. Henning-Rowan
RECOGNITION
Tommy Allen, principal, Madison Academic Magnet High School,
introduced the school’s 2007 Decathlon Team stating they had competed
in Hawaii and won the National Tournament for Division III for the
second time in the four years they had competed. Those present were:
Marilyn Kemp, coach, Teresa Luna, coach, Tony Carroll, Cherrelle
Denwiddie, Rebecca Evans, Ronald Nelson, Mary Ellen Poe, Al Roberts,
and Kenneth Stewart. Cory Cronin, Virgilio Gozum, Amy Kerr, and Beth
Steinberg were unable to attend the board meeting.
Mr. Allen introduced and congratulated Molly Coffman, teacher at
Madison Academic, stating she had won one of the six Humanities Awards
given for the state of Tennessee. He stated she received a monetary
award and a trip to New York.
Bob Alvey presented SCOPE certificates to: Whitley Miller, Caitlin
Roach and James Skelley. Jose Lobo was unable to attend the Board
Meeting.
Liberty Technology Magnet High School boys’ basketball team was
unable to attend the Board Meeting.
Carol Carter-Estes introduced and congratulated Vivian Williams,
principal, Whitehall Enhanced Option Elementary School on the school’s
first Science Fair. Ms. Williams introduced the science committee,
Paulettee Harvison, Nancy Hart, Becky Dodd and Lyn Parliment, who made
a short presentation on the Science Fair.
Dr. Zambito announced that students at Northeast Middle School had
won first and third place at Union University’s Science Fair stating
she wanted to recognize those achievements. Trebor Briley won first
place in Biological Science and Kayla Coleman won third place in
Physical Science.
Sylvia Clark, president, Jackson-Madison County Education
Association, recognized those nominated as Distinguished Educators:
Andrea Barnett, Andrew Jackson Magnet School; Karen Cook, North Side
High School; Virginia Davis, Lincoln Magnet Elementary School; Bertha
Murphy, Denmark Elementary School; Amy Parker, Nova Elementary School
and Paula Yates, Pope Elementary School. She also recognized the ESP
nominees Annette Pruitt, Parkview Montessori Magnet School and Denitha
Stacks, Nova Elementary School. She stated the ESP winner is Ms.
Stacks from Nova Elementary School. Ms. Clark introduced Distinguished
Classroom Teacher nominee Teresa Johnson, East Intermediate School and
Jackson Careers and Technology Magnet Intermediate School. She stated
Ms. Johnson was submitted as the Distinguished Classroom Teacher from
the Jackson-Madison County Education Association and that she won the
state award and is the State West Tennessee Distinguished Classroom
Teacher for the Tennessee Education Association. Ms. Johnson stated it
was not her award but the kids’ award because they always gave one
hundred percent and worked so hard.
Pam Finney, assistant superintendent, announced that at the Magnet
Schools of America Conference Arlington International Leadership
Magnet School received the Hogan Harston Award for New Emerging Magnet
Schools of America. She stated this is the top award and Jimmy Bailey,
principal, accepted the award on behalf of Arlington and
Jackson-Madison County School District. She stated he received a
plaque and $1,000 to be used for the students. She stated in just
under two years Arlington has gone from being a targeted school to
being recognized as the top magnet school in the United States. She
asked Mr. Bailey, faculty and staff to stand and be recognized.
Ms. Finney recognized Bill Walker, Magnet
Coordinator, stating that while at the Magnet Schools of America
Conference David Kikolar, grant writer, stated he had never worked
with a harder working magnet coordinator than Bill Walker. She thanked
Mr. Walker for all the guidance he has given principals, Magnet
Facilitators and teachers.
Ms. Finney announced that on May 7, 2007 she, Tisa Day, principal,
Isaac Lane Technology Magnet Elementary School, and Mary Gresham,
Literary Leader, went to the State Capitol, where Ms. Day was awarded
the Education Consumers Foundation Value-Added Achievement Award. She
stated the award is based solely on objectively measured achievement
gains (TVASS) in reading, language arts and math. She stated the
winner represents the most effective of Tennessee’s over thirteen
hundred elementary schools. She asked Ms. Day, faculty and staff to
stand and be recognized. She stated Ms. Day received a flag to be
displayed at the school, a plaque and $1,000 to be used at the school.
Anne Henning-Rowan stated that South Elementary School students
that presented their Project Citizen showcase at last month’s board
meeting had received superior ratings when that showcased the
presentation in Nashville on May 14, 2007. She stated that because of
their age, fourth graders, they would not be able to compete on the
national level.
(See copy …… page 76)
Mr. Alvey asked Joe Mays to stand stating Dr. Mays will be retiring
from Jackson State Community College after thirty-eight years of
service. He thanked Dr. Mays for his many contributions to Jackson
State and the school board.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Alvey stated there would be a public hearing on Monday, May 21,
2007, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., in the board room to address dress code.
He invited anyone from the public to attend the meeting and share
their comments. He stated no board action would be taken tonight.
Patsy Turner, chair, Bi-racial Committee, presented the Committee’s
April 23, 2007, recommendation, which the board had already received.
The Bi-racial Committee of the Jackson-Madison County School System
recommends to the administration and the school board that a minimum
of fifty percent (50%) of the identified vacancies for the upcoming
year annually be filled at the earliest possible date. Identified
vacancies will be those occurring due to retirement, resignation
and/or non-renewal of position. The intent of this recommendation is
to allow the superintendent to fill board approved positions at the
earliest possible date without dependency upon final budget approval
while also allowing some room for reduction in force of vacant
positions if necessary. Earliest possible date would be defined as
early as the next business day after a position becomes vacant pending
proper notification and advertisement of the position. Funding
obligations for the new hire would begin upon the first actual work
day as designated by the superintendent. The rationale for this
recommendation: there is ample and anecdotal evidence that the
Jackson-Madison County School System has had the opportunity to hire
highly qualified teachers both majority and minority and failed to do
so due to the self-imposed restriction not to hire until positions are
clearly defined. Because of this failure to act upon identified
vacancies, applicants are inclined and sometimes forced to seek
employment in surrounding school districts with an earlier hire date.
This significantly reduces the pool of highly qualified teachers and
such reduction is burdensome and unnecessary. Dr. Zambito stated the
board had discussed the recommendation and the committee would be
receiving a response in the mail.
John Sparrow, parent of a fourth grader at Pope Elementary School,
spoke to the board regarding his concern with assisted technology and
possible new program. He also stated he supports a uniform policy at
all levels.
Jackie McKnight, parent, spoke to the board regarding her concern
that Gwen Delk, student at North Side High School who was named “Miss
Basketball”, was not recognized at Awards Day and asked that she be
recognized tonight.
LaFreda Cole, teacher, spoke to the board regarding her concern
over the possibility that the culinary arts class may be cut at
Jackson Central-Merry High School and also possibly her position at
Jackson Central-Merry High.
Harrell Carter spoke to the board regarding the efforts of the
NAACP and the school board trying to come to a conclusion on what we
are dealing with and the closed meetings. He stated we should all work
together to make this the best system we can.
FINANCIAL REPORT WITH ANY NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Mike Nichols, Madison County Finance Director, stated he had given the
board a copy of the School Fund Sales Tax and General Purpose School
Fund at Tuesday night’s work session. He stated the School Fund Sales
Tax was the second best of the year. He stated on revenues and
expenditures we are estimating that the school system will spend
approximately two million dollars less than what they budgeted last
year.(See copy …… page 77)
Mr. Nichols asked for a motion on the budget amendments given to
the board at Tuesday night’s work session on: At Risk Youth 2006,
Microsoft Settlement, Reading First North Parkway Settlement, State of
Tennessee One-Time Bonus, Leaps Grant and Rothrock Contribution. A
motion was made to approve all the amendments. This was unanimously
approved.(See copy …… page 78)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Rudd
APPROVAL OF 2007-2008 GENERAL PURPOSE SCHOOL BUDGET, 2007-2008
CAPITAL OUTLAY BUDGET AND 2007-2008 FOOD SERVICE BUDGET
Dr. Zambito stated the budget is built on actual dollars and does not
include speculation about what the BEP will bring us or speculation
about cigarette tax dollars. She stated we end up with this budget
with a two million dollar fund balance. She stated this budget
addresses all of our students. Dr. Zambito asked the Board to approve
these budgets which also included the Federal Projects 2007-2008
budget. A motion was made to approve the 2007-2008 budgets. This was
unanimously approved.(See budgets …… page 79)
1. Rudd 2. Bell
Karen Bell asked that the board be notified before the budgets go
before the Budget Committee for the County Commission.
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ANY NECESSARY BOARD ACTION
Carol Carter-Estes, policy committee chair, stated the Policy
Committee met on Wednesday, May 15, 2007. She stated the committee
reviewed Section 6 – Policy 6.100 through Policy 6.319 – STUDENTS. She
stated the committee is recommending the following policies for a
first reading: Policy 5.105 – RECRUITMENT OF EMPLOYEES and Policy
5.115 – ASSIGNMENT/TRANSER. Mr. Alvey stated the motion coming from
the committee did not require a second. (See
copy …… page 80)
After discussion, a motion was made to amend Policy 5.105, lines
three through five to read: The director of schools is responsible for
the development of a program for the recruitment of highly qualified,
licensed personnel and minority applicants for certified positions to
comply with requirements of No Child Left Behind. This was unanimously
approved.
1. Foote 2. Akins
A vote was taken on the motion for a first reading as amended. This
was unanimously approved.
UNITARY STATUS FOLLOW-UP
Dr. Zambito stated at the meeting of the parties there was discussion
regarding drawing up a list of points to be discussed. She presented
the board a suggested list for talking purposes.
(See copy …… page 81)
Mr. Alvey stated the purpose of this agenda item was to determine
how the meeting with the County Commission should be handled. A motion
was made to take the recommendation of the school board attorney and
keep it a private meeting.
1. Rudd 2. Carter-Estes
After discussion, a vote was taken on Mr. Rudd’s motion. The motion
was approved.
Voting Nay: Alvey, Bell
A motion was made that Anne Henning-Rowan continue to represent us
as a board through any and all future negotiations between parties
relative to Unitary Status. This was approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Mays
Voting Nay: Alvey
There was discussion on the proposed list (page 81) regarding the
board’s position for Ms. Henning-Rowan to discuss in the meeting with
the County Commission. Ms. Henning-Rowan stated she felt comfortable
after hearing the different opinions.
TEACHERS BEING RECOMMENDED FOR TENURE EFFECTIVE FOR THE 2007-2008
SCHOOL YEAR
Ms. Carter-Estes stated we voted on teachers recommended for tenure
sometime back and needed an explanation on the additional list. Mr.
Bethel, Director of Human Resources, Public Information and Student
Services, stated in our record keeping information we came across two
teachers whose time was not correct for tenure. He stated after
getting with the staff attorney and the finance department it was
determined they did have the time required for tenure and we are
recommending them for tenure. A motion was made to approve the
teachers recommended for tenure for the 2007-2008 school year. This
was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Foote
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Zambito asked with the public meeting to be held on Monday, May
21, 2007, on the dress code if the board could have a called meeting
to make a decision in order for parents to be notified in a timely
manner. After discussion, Mr. Alvey stated there would be a special
called meeting on Thursday, May 24, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Zambito
presented the board with a quarterly update from Curriculum and
Instruction, Human Resources, Research and Accountability, and stated
you received the legal update at Tuesday’s work session. She stated
you do not have a report from School Operations and Financial Planning
because they have been working on the budget. She thanked Holly Kellar,
internal auditor, for all her help in working on the budget.(See copy
…… page 82)
Dr. Zambito stated that when we began looking at overcrowding she
asked Mr. Bethel and Mr. Sadowski, Director of School Operations and
Financial Planning, to visit every school and look at the number of
positions in that school above the BEP level of funding. She stated
then Mr. Bethel and Ms. Finney met with the principals and they looked
at each teacher unit and together identified twenty positions that
could be removed. Dr. Zambito asked the board for permission to cut
twenty (20) BEP positions. A motion was made to support the staffing
changes recommended by Dr. Zambito.
1. Rudd 2. Bell
Linda Pride asked Dr. Zambito if she felt she would have a place
for these people being removed to go. Dr. Zambito stated she would
report to the board regularly how many have been placed and where they
were place. Dr. Zambito also stated the teachers would have input in
their placement. After discussion, a vote was taken on the motion.
This was approved.
Voting Nay: Carter-Estes
Abstaining: Pride
Dr. Zambito presented the board with a job description for
Instructional Coach and asked for approval. A motion was made to
approve the Instructional Coach job description. This was approved.
(See copy …… page 83)
1. Rudd 2. Akins
Voting Nay: Carter-Estes
Dr. Zambito recommended changing eighteen (18) Title IIA Class Size
Reduction Positions to Instructional Coach positions. She stated this
eliminates the eighteen elementary pullout reading positions and they
would become the Instructional Coach positions. A motion was made to
accept Dr. Zambito recommendation. This was approved.
1. Rudd 2. Bell
Voting Nay: Carter-Estes
Dr. Zambito announced that we are losing two wonderful principals
to retirement: Emily Crabtree, Pope Elementary School, and Estelle
Davis, North Parkway Elementary School.
CONSENT AGENDA
POLICIES
A. SECOND READING (8)
This was approved.
(See copy …… page 84)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Henning-Rowan
APPROVAL OF CARL PERKINS GRANT
This was approved.
(See copy …… page 85)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Henning-Rowan
AUTHORIZE ATTORNEY DEBRA OWEN TO OBTAIN WRITTEN LEGAL OPINION ON
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
This was approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Henning-Rowan
PERSONNEL STATUS REPORT (INFORMATION
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made to adjourn. This was unanimously approved. The
meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
1. Foote 2. Bell
