MINUTES: Jackson-Madison County School Board Meeting
DATE AND TIME: November 8, 2007; 6:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Joe Mays, chair, Grady Akins, Karen Bell,
Carol Carter-Estes, Vicky Foote, Anne Henning-Rowan, Linda Pride and Ben
Rudd
MEMBER ABSENT: Bob Alvey
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
changes: move item 13 – REQUEST APPROVAL OF NON-FACULTY, PAID COACH FOR
THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR (SOUTH SIDE HIGH – 1) to the regular agenda as
item 8A; and move item 14 – REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADD A NCLB MATH
SUPERVISOR FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR (FUNDED BY BEP AT-RISK) to the
regular agenda as item 8B. This was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
A motion was made to approve the agenda with the following changes:
add REQUEST APPROVAL OF NON-FACULTY, PAID COACH FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL
YEAR (SOUTH SIDE HIGH – 1) to the regular agenda as item 8A; and add
REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADD A NCLB MATH SUPERVISOR FOR THE 2007-2008
SCHOOL YEAR (FUNDED BY BEP AT-RISK) to the regular agenda as item 8B.
This was unanimously approved.
1. Bell 2. Carter-Estes
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the previous minutes. This was
unanimously approved.
1. Henning-Rowan 2. Foote
COMPLAINTS FILED WITH ETHICS COMMITTEE
Joe Mays stated that at Monday’s work session the board agreed to
invite Dale Conder, board attorney, to attend tonight’s board meeting so
that we can bring closure to the complaints filed with the Madison
County Ethics Committee. Dr. Mays stated that Mr. Conder had sent a
letter to the board members stating that it would be his recommendation
to the board to release his letter dated October 9, 2007, in which he
set forth his recollection of the Attorney-Client meeting, to the
public. Mr. Conder explained that his position was that there was not a
violation of the Open Meetings Act during the Attorney-Client meeting
nor with the original filing of the complaint. A motion was made to
allow Mr. Conder to elaborate on what happened during the
Attorney-Client meeting as described in his letter of October 9, 2007.
1. Pride 2. Akins
After discussion, a vote was taken on the motion. The motion was
unanimously approved.
Mr. Conder stated that he had requested the September 7, 2007,
Attorney-Client meeting to bring the board up to date on the
desegregation lawsuit and presented his recollection of what transpired
during the meeting. He stated that he did not make any recommendations
to the board for them to make any decision on anything and therefore
there was no deliberation.
RECOGNITION
Dr. Zambito recognized Domique Maxwell, an eighth grade student at
Tigrett Middle School, and her mother. Dr. Zambito stated Ms. Maxwell
had inspired and impressed her with the compassion she showed toward an
injured student on the bus even though it was an uncomfortable and scary
situation.
Dr. Mays asked the members of the Leadership Jackson class to stand
and be recognized.
Teresa Tritt, principal at Alexander Elementary, recognized Shirley
Roberts who was chosen by Office Max as an exemplary educator to receive
their “A Day Made Better” Award. Ms. Tritt stated that Ms. Roberts
received a bouquet of flowers, an office chair and over one-thousand
dollars worth of materials and supplies, which she shared with the
school and staff.
Shirley Jones, Chamber of Commerce, explained the Chamber’s “Faculty
in the Factory” program which began in 1998. She recognized the
following teachers and named the company with which they worked: Jackie
Bonds, of North Side High, at Gerdau Ameristell; Jennifer Cupples, of
Northeast Middle, at Gerdau Ameristeel; Terrance Morris, of Liberty
Technology, at Armstrong Floor Products; Randy Pearson, of Liberty
Technology, at Bodine Aluminum; Deborah Puckett; of Madison Academic, at
Jackson Energy Authority; Kimba Sears, of South Side High, at TBDN
Tennessee Company; Julie Stilwell, of Liberty Technology; at West
Tennessee Healthcare; Kathy Tritt, of Liberty Technology, at Whirlpool
Jackson; and Brian Walker, of South Side High, at Basell USA. Ms. Jones
thanked the teachers and companies that participated in the 2007
program. She also thanked Mandy White, of the Chamber, and First
Tennessee Bank for helping make the program a success.
MS. MELINDA HARRIS, PRINCIPAL – PARKVIEW MONTESSORI MIDDLE SCHOOL
PRESENTATION
Melinda Harris, Peggy Smith, teacher at Parkview Montessori, and the
following students: Beau Keith, Ben Womble, Cody Womble, Doug Hilton,
Ethan Archer, Mecca Jarmon and Rachel Harris; expressed to the Board
their thanks and appreciation for their vote to add the Middle School
level to Parkview Montessori. They presented the board members a
notebook of thank you letters from all the students.
(See notebook …… page 39)
MS. LORRIE BUTLER, TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
Lorrie Butler addressed the Board on the behalf of high school LRE
(Least Restrictive Environment) and Medically Fragile teachers and their
concerns of working longer hours than their colleagues without adequate
planning time, additional pay and some without duty-free lunch in order
to serve these special needs students. Ms. Butler presented the Board
with a packet of information regarding the concerns and schedules. She
stated that her request would be that these teachers be paid for four
blocks. She stated another suggestion would be that the teachers be paid
for fourth block this semester and prior to January that all these
teachers, Dr. Zambito, principals and administrators involved meet to
see if there is a way for the system to provide the needed planning time
and duty-free lunch to be equitable and meet the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools (SACS) requirements. She also asked that if they
cannot solve this that the teachers be paid for fourth block for the
next semester. (See copy …… page 40)
Dr. Zambito stated that she had tried to work through this and she
was very apologetic to these teachers. She stated that these teachers
are incredibly valuable to our system, the children and their parents.
Dr. Zambito also stated that she is committed to providing the teachers
appropriate planning time and she thanked the teachers for what they do
every day for the children.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Shelia Godwin spoke to the board regarding LRE teachers stating it is
a very stressful job and that it is hard to get subs and the board
should satisfy the needs of these teachers.
Lisa Harris, on behalf of son Christopher Harris, spoke to the board
regarding her son being assaulted at school and not being contacted to
let her know that her son was hurt, that he was being arrested or that
he was being suspended. She stated that her brother had written a letter
to the board members and asked if they were going to do anything about
this.
Dr. Zambito stated that when you have a police officer on campus and
once the officer becomes involved in a situation the school officials
have to step back and let the officer handle it. Dr. Zambito stated she
had addressed, with the principal, that even if a student is arrested he
must wait and give the student due process before implementing a
suspension.
Jackie McKnight expressed her concerns that a local radio station is
sending out negative messages about the school system and that she does
not feel we should use this station to promote school events.
Andrew Chirwa, as a member of the public, stated that the board is
doing an excellent job, that is a very diverse board and that with the
support of Dr. Zambito the school system is moving forward.
Toni Bond, parent of a fifth grader, expressed her concerns regarding
a bus stop incident. She explained the situation with her child and
stated she was asking for closure and that the issues be addressed with
the bus driver.
Patrick West, parent, expressed his concern of incidents of bullying
of his son on bus thirty-four (34) and that the bus driver was allowing
this to happen. He presented to Dr. Zambito a video tape of the bus
route for her review.
Belinda West, parent of Logan, expressed her concerns regarding the
bus driver allowing her son to be bullied and his suspension from the
bus which has affected her son’s health. She asked for a resolution to
the problem.
Tracey Vowell, principal at Bemis where Logan is a student, stated on
behalf of the staff and faculty that we do have a bullying program in
place and we take any reports of bullying very seriously. She stated
their first priority at school is safety and security which extends to
the bus situation and we have and will continue to address any issues
reported to us according to procedures and protocol. She reported that
the Wests were offered another bus to ride but declined.
Pam Betler, principal at Beech Bluff, stated that with next week
being American Education Week that she wanted to personally thank Dr.
Zambito and each Board member for the job they do each and every day.
She presented each board member with a copy of All the Colors of the
Earth, personalized with a child’s handprint and written note.
REQUEST APPROVAL OF NON-FACULTY, PAID COACH FOR THE 2007-2008
SCHOOL YEAR (SOUTH SIDE HIGH – 1)
A motion was made to approve the request.
This was unanimously approved. (See copy ……
page 45)
1. Foote 2. Henning-Rowan
REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADD A NCLB MATH SUPERVISOR FOR THE 2007-2008
SCHOOL YEAR (FUNDED BY BEP AT-RISK)
After discussion, a motion was made to approve the request. This was
unanimously approved.
(See copy …… page 45)
1. Foote 2. Henning-Rowan
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ANY NECESSARY BOARD ACTION
A. TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
Vicky Foote, technology committee chair, stated that the technology
committee had met on Monday, November 5, 2007, and she presented the
board with a copy of the minutes of that meeting. She stated that Chuck
Jones, chief of technology, presented a snapshot of his vision to revamp
the technology department and she shared some of the highlights with the
board. She stated that the committee had no motion to make.
(See minutes …… page 41)
B. POLICY COMMITTEE
Carol Carter-Estes, policy committee chair, stated that the policy
committee met on Tuesday, November 6, 2007. She stated that the
following policies that were pulled from second reading were revisited
and are now being recommended by the committee for a first reading:
Policy 1.806 – ADVERTISING AND DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS; Policy 6.701 –
STUDENT SOLICITATIONS/FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES; Policy 3.401 – SCHEDULING
AND ROUTING; Policy 6.303 – INTERROGATIONS AND SEARCHES; and Policy
6.313 – DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES. She also stated that a new committee was
being formed by Dr. Zambito to include bus drivers, administrators and
parents to develop a policy to address bus conduct. Dr. Mays stated that
the motion coming from the committee did not require a second. This was
unanimously approved.
(See policies …… page 42)
1. Carter-Estes
RESOLUTION REGARDING NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB) AND ANY NECESSARY
BOARD ACTION (NSBA)
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
(See Resolution …… page 43)
1. Henning-Rowan 2. Akins
After discussion, a vote was taken on the motion. This was
unanimously approved.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Zambito stated that she wanted to
recognize and congratulate Dr. Joe Mays and Karen Bell who would be
receiving their Level V – Master Board Member Award next week at the
TSBA Convention.
Dr. Zambito stated that she heard two excellent radio broadcasts
regarding positive things for the school system. One was at East
Intermediate’s Parent-Teacher Conference and the other was at Parkview
Montessori with interviews with parents, students and teachers.
Dr. Zambito stated that Arlington International Leadership School
received a five hundred dollars ($500.00) grant from ExxonMobil
Educational Alliance program to be used for instructional purposes.
Dr. Zambito stated that a decision should be made by the early part
of next week regarding a date for Team Trek (Board Retreat) that was
discussed at Monday’s work session.
Dr. Zambito stated that Marty Clements, Jackson-Madison County
Emergency Management Director, had given her certificates for a number
of our staff who attended training on fire suppression. She stated that
she appreciated them taking their own time to do this training and that
more dates will be available for the training in the future.
Dr. Zambito stated that Shannon Erickson, formerly of Brighton High
School, has been selected as the new No Child Left Behind Administrator
and that he will begin working with the system in early December.
Dr. Zambito stated that we are pleased with our report card and we
saw significant progress. She stated that we have teachers working hard
with students, administrators working hard day and night to support
teachers and central office staff really working to find new ways to
give support to those who are working with our children.
THANK YOU
Dr. Mays stated that he wanted to thank the board members for the
positive evaluations on his behalf and especially Ms. Finney and Dr.
Pride for their letters of recommendation written on his behalf as apart
of his portfolio for Level V – Master Board Member.
CONSENT AGENDA
APPROVAL OF TEXTBOOK ADOPTION COMMITTEE (SOCIAL STUDIES) - ELEMENTARY
AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL LEVEL – LOU EDWARDS, MELISE LASLEY, JACQUELINE
PRATHER, SONJA TURNER, KAREN FULLER; MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL – GWENDOLYN
BAKER, SANDY BARR, JEANETTE WIGGINS-COLE, ALLEN FORD, BARBARA PRUITTE;
HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL – FRANK THOMAS, MINNIE SPRINGFIELD, GALE PHILLIPS,
ROBERT BRILEY, AND TOMMY DEAN
This was unanimously approved. (See copy ……
page 44)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
PERSONNEL STATUS REPORT (INFORMATION ONLY)
This report was for the board’s information.
(See copy …… page 45)
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made to adjourn. This was unanimously approved. Meeting
adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
1. Foote 2. Akins
