MINUTES: Jackson-Madison County School
Board Meeting
DATE AND TIME: August 9, 2007; 6:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Alvey, chair, Grady Akins, Karen Bell, Carol
Carter-Estes, Vicky
Foote, Anne Henning-Rowan, Joe Mays and Linda Pride
MEMBER ABSENT: 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
changes: move item 15 – REQUEST PERMISSION TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING
POSITIONS FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR (FUNDED BY BEP AT-RISK) – ESL
TEACHERS (2); NCLB INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST (TEACHER) (1); READING
SPECIALIST (TEACHER) (1); MATH SPECIALIST (TEACHER) (1); DISTRICT-WIDE
BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST (TEACHER) (1/2); item 16 – REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADD
ATTENDANCE ASSISTANTS FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR; and item 18 – REQUEST
APPROVAL OF NON-FACULTY, VOLUNTEER COACHES FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR
to the regular agenda as item 9a. Also, move item 22 – CONTINUATION OF
MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND BOARD NEGOTIATING TEAM PURSUANT TO T.C.A.
49-5-608 (COLLECTIVE BARGAINING) to the regular agenda as item 9b. This
was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made to approve the agenda with the following changes: add
RECOGNITION OF SCHOOLS MAKING AYP to the regular agenda as item 3a; add
BI-RACIAL COMMITTEE REPORT to the regular agenda as item 4a; add REQUEST
PERMISSION TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL
YEAR (FUNDED BY BEP AT-RISK) – ESL TEACHERS (2); NCLB INSTRUCTIONAL
SPECIALIST (TEACHER) (1); READING SPECIALIST (TEACHER) (1); MATH
SPECIALIST (TEACHER) (1); DISTRICT-WIDE BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST (TEACHER)
(1/2); REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADD ATTENDANCE ASSISTANTS FOR THE 2007-2008
SCHOOL YEAR, and REQUEST APPROVAL OF NON-FACULTY, VOLUNTEER COACHES FOR
THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR to the regular agenda as item 9a; add
CONTINUATION OF MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND BOARD NEGOTIATING TEAM PURSUANT
TO T.C.A. 49-5-608 (COLLECTIVE BARGAINING) to the regular agenda as item
9b and remove item 9 – SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT from the regular agenda
to be placed on the September regular agenda. This was unanimously
approved.
1. Mays 2. Foote
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the minutes for July 12, 2007, and July 23,
2007. This was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Henning-Rowan
RECOGNITION OF SCHOOLS MAKING AYP
Dr. Zambito recognized Estelle Davis (retired principal from North Parkway
Elementary) and Versie Hamlett, principal at North Parkway Elementary;
Antonio Graham, consulting teacher at Bemis Intermediate (Tracey Vowell,
principal at Bemis Intermediate, was unable to attend the meeting); James
Shaw, principal at Rose Hill Middle; and Buddy White, principal at North
Side High and former principal at Alexander Elementary. Dr. Zambito stated
these schools were targeted last year and they did the work with their
teachers, leaders, students and supportive parents to achieve AYP and are
now in “Good Standing”. Dr. Zambito stated that she was excited to present
each school with a check that was the first withdrawal from the Charles
and Ondra Farmer Endowment for Excellence. She stated that these dollars
are to be spent on a celebration at your school to include students and
staff. Dr. Zambito thanked them all.
MS. LISA PEOPLES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AREA RELIEF MINISTRIES – 5K “GOODY 2
SHOES” WALK/RUN
Ms. Peoples presented the board with flyers and registration forms for the
Area Relief Ministries’ fund raiser “Goody 2 Shoes”. She explained that
their organization is a non-profit organization that tries to fill in the
“gap” for those living below the poverty level. She stated that this fund
raiser is to assist in buying tennis shoes for elementary and intermediate
age children. She encouraged board members, principals and teachers to get
a team together and participate in the 5K walk/run, September 8, 2007.
(See flyer …… page 11)
BI-RACIAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Paul Hare, Bi-racial Committee Chair, presented the following report: On
this date, (June 4, 2007), the Jackson-Madison County Bi-racial Committee
voted unanimously to commend to you Dr. Nancy Zambito for her outstanding
service to the school system and to the children of Jackson-Madison
County. We commend her for the sensitivity she has shown to the students
and to the parents in trying to involve all constituents in the process of
improving our school system. We commend her for her vision of a better
school system and for her tireless effort to effect change positively. We
commend her for the leadership she has brought to the system and for her
willingness to share with the system and its constituents her ideas for
advancing the system to the forefront of public education in Tennessee.
Finally, we commend her for her involvement in the community as a
spokesperson for what is right with the public education system in
Jackson-Madison County and her commitment to involve every Madison County
citizen in the effort to improve education in our area. He stated this was
signed by Patsy Turner, former committee chair.
(See copy …… page 12)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jackie McKnight stated she wanted to commend the board and Dr. Zambito on
the way they voted on the fourth block athletic practice. She also stated
she wanted to congratulate the new principals in their transition
especially Buddy White.
David Morris, president of Jackson-Madison County Education Association,
asked the board to reconsider and let the money being held in escrow go to
the teachers.
FINANCIAL REPORT WITH ANY NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Mike Nichols, Madison County Finance Director, stated he had presented the
board with the financial report at Monday night’s work session and asked
if there were any questions. He stated that last year revenues were
budgeted at $96,806,658 and un-audited figures should come in at
$97,023,844. He also stated that expenses last year were budgeted at
$96,151,096 and un-audited figures should come in at $93,498,542. He
stated that on the Sales Tax Report we did not finish the year as good as
we expected but other taxes did make that up. He stated that you have the
report showing the July expenditures to-date. He stated that on fiscal
services it should be exactly what was budget but there was $735 for
software updates and other things that got put on and was not caught by
our office so the school system will be billed $735 less next year.
(See copy …… page 13)
Mr. Nichols presented and explained several budget amendments transferring
money from the fund balance: $393,872 to the salaries and benefits line
items to address the one percent (1%) increase on the state portion of
salaries for certified employees, $60,000 to the transportation line items
(drivers, benefits, gasoline) to address the cost of transporting students
requesting transfers from Jackson Central-Merry, $96,000 to the regular
instruction program equipment line item for printers, scanners and
technology enhancement, $100,000 to the regular instructional program
in-service/staff development line item for a Principal’s Academy, $108,635
to the regular instruction program other supplies and materials line item
to purchase Pearson Benchmark Testing and school observation measure.
Allan Sterbinsky, Coordinator of Research and Accountability, explained
that there is a state mandate that we look at developing a test that is
administered on all subjects every nine weeks and we need a computer
software shell to develop those test and Pearson will give us that shell.
Mr. Sterbinsky also stated the printers and scanners are needed for
scoring of those test. Mr. Nichols submitted an amendment to transfer
$702,184 from the fund balance to elementary/secondary regular
instructional equipment line item for technology enhancement and science
lab tables at JCM. Bob Sadowski, Director of School Operations and
Financial Planning, stated that JCM would have a science hall with four
labs that would hopefully be installed by October 1, 2007. Mr. Nichols
presented an amendment to transfer $93,655 from the fund balance to the
special education program salaries and benefits line items for one-half
(1/2) district-wide Behavior Specialist and one (1) social worker, $72,000
to elementary/secondary instructional supplies and materials line item as
at-risk allocation for all schools, $40,000 to elementary/secondary other
contracted services line item for a crisis counselor that will be
contracted out with Pathways. He also presented an amendment to move
$14,829 from Expansion Pre-K Supplement Grant and educational assistance
line item into grant teacher salaries and benefits line items. He stated
there are three separate amendments from the Expansion Pre-K Supplement
Grant and that is for the addition of two new classrooms. He presented an
amendment to transfer $584,769 from the fund balance to
elementary/secondary teacher salaries and benefits line items for two (2)
ESL teachers, extra days for Instructional Coaches, one (1) NCLB
Instructional Specialist, one (1) reading specialist, one (1) math
specialist, and six (6) extra classes due to fourth block athletic
practice being cut. He presented an amendment to transfer $15,354 from
Lottery Pre-K Supplement Grant to grant benefits line item and $202,590
from Pilot Pre-K Supplement Grant to grant teacher salaries and benefits
line items. He presented amendments to transfer $62,359 from Bodine
instructional supplies – music and theatre, to grant teacher salaries and
benefits line items for teacher of orchestral strings, and $130,000 from
Coordinated School Health Program Grant to health services salaries,
wages, benefits, telephone, materials/supplies, postage/shipping,
printing/publications and travel/in-state line items. A motion was made to
approve all the budget amendments. This was unanimously approved.
(See amendments …… page 14)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Foote
Mr. Nichols stated that the total being transferred from the fund balance
is $2,261,157 and leaving a fund balance of $2,272,439.
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ANY NECESSARY BOARD ACTION
Linda Pride, transportation committee chair, reported that the committee
met on Monday, August 6, 2007. She stated the committee reviewed the maps
of the current cluster and schools located in those clusters. She shared
the concerns that were discussed. She stated that the committee will be
receiving new bus numbers by the end of September and when we receive
those numbers we will look at those numbers again and try to get this as
efficient as possible.
(See minutes …… page 15)
Bob Alvey announced the assignment of five (5) students as Junior Board
Members: Dominique Marshall, Jackson Central-Merry High; Christian
Brantley, Liberty Technology Magnet High; Tony Carroll, Madison Academic
Magnet High; Taylor Parimore, North Side High; and Mimi Tucker, South Side
High.
APPROVAL OF BOARD’S APPOINTEE TO THE BI-RACIAL COMMITTEE
Dr. Zambito stated that she was recommending Paul Hare. She stated he has
been serving on this committee and was recently selected by that group to
serve as their next chairperson. A motion was made to approve Dr.
Zambito’s recommendation. This was approved.
1. Bell 2. Mays
Voting Nay – Carter-Estes
Abstaining – Pride
REQUEST PERMISSION TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS FOR THE 2007-2008
SCHOOL YEAR (FUNDED BY BEP AT-RISK)
• ESL TEACHERS (2)
• NCLB INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST (TEACHER) (1)
• READING SPECIALIST (TEACHER) (1)
• MATH SPECIALIST (TEACHER) (1)
• DISTRICT-WIDE BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST (TEACHER) (1/2)
REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADD ATTENDANCE ASSISTANTS FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL
YEAR
REQUEST APPROVAL OF NON-FACULTY, VOLUNTEER COACHES FOR THE 2007-2008
SCHOOL YEAR
Vicky Foote requested a rationale for each of the positions. After the
explanations
were given and discussion of the volunteer coaches, a motion was made to
approve all the positions. This was unanimously approved.
1. Foote 2. Henning-Rowan
CONTINUATION OF MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND BOARD NEGOTIATING TEAM PURSUANT
TO T.C.A. 49-5-609 (COLLECTIVE BARGAINING)
Vicky Foote, for clarification, asked if this was to keep the current team
until the contract is complete. Dr. Zambito stated that was her
recommendation. A motion was made to approve the continuation of the
current management personnel and board negotiating team.
This was approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Foote
Voting Nay – Pride
SUMMER LAW INSTITUTE CONFERENCE – LEGAL ISSUES
Bob Alvey requested Debra Owen, attorney, to provide an overview, before
the next work session, of the legal changes that were discussed during the
Summer Law Institute, what we doing in regards to them, and how the laws
will impact our school system.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Zambito stated that earlier in this meeting we recognized the four
schools that were on the targeted list for 2006-2007 and did the work to
get off that list. She stated that we have twenty-four (24) of the
twenty-eight (28) schools in “Good Standing”. She stated that she wanted
to recognize Jackson Central-Merry High because while they remain on the
list and are in corrective action for graduation rate, all students made
AYP requirements as did the student at Liberty Technology Magnet. She
stated that while we are struggling with graduation rate, there has been
huge progress at JCM in particular. She stated that it has been a good
year for our school district, great things happened in our schools.
Dr. Zambito stated we have a number of new leaders and introduced them:
Versie Hamlett, principal at North Parkway Elementary; Bryan Chandler,
principal at Pope Elementary; Debra Montague, principal at Whitehall
Enhanced Option Elementary; Vivian Williams, principal at North East
Middle; Buddy White, principal at North Side High; Tia Feagins, assistant
principal at Thelma Barker Elementary; Karmala Kimberlin, assistant
principal at West Middle; and Catherine Korth, assistant principal at
Jackson Central-Merry High. She also introduced Charles Jones, Jr., the
new chief of technology.
Dr. Zambito stated that we are all excited about tomorrow, it’s going to
be a great day – our last first day that is a half-day.
Karen Bell asked Dr. Zambito to review the dress code. Dr. Zambito stated
that the consequences are now on the website and that the dress code would
appear in the newspaper again tomorrow. Dr. Zambito gave an overview of
the dress code and consequences.
SEPTEMBER BOARD MEETING DATE
Due to the TSBA Fall District Meeting being held on Thursday, September
13, 2007, a motion was made to change the regular board meeting to
Thursday, September 20, 2007. This was unanimously approved.
1. Foote 2. Henning-Rowan
TSBA LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE & CONVENTION – NOVEMBER 10-13, NASHVILLE
Mr. Alvey asked the board to let Linda know tonight if you plan at attend.
CONSENT AGENDA
APPROVAL OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR PRINCIPAL AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
This was unanimously approved.
(See copy …… page 16)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADD CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION COMPUTER TECHNICIAN
POSITION FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR (FUNDED BY CARL PERKINS GRANT)
This was unanimously approved.
(See copy …… page 17)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADD FOUR (4) POSITIONS FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR
(FUNDED BY PRE-K GRANT)
This was unanimously approved.
(See copy …… page 17)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADD A TEACHER OF ORCHESTRAL STRINGS FOR THE
2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR (FUNDED BY BODINE FUNDS)
This was unanimously approved.
(See copy …… page 17)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADD TENNESSEE COORDINATED SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR
THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR (FUNDED BY COORDINATED SCHOOL HEALTH GRANT)
This was unanimously approved.
(See copy …… page 17)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
PERSONNEL STATUS REPORT (INFORMATION ONLY)
This report was for the board’s information
(See copy …… page 17)
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made to adjourn. This was unanimously approved. Meeting
adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
1. Bell 2. Mays
____________________________________
Chair
____________________________________
Secretary
