MINUTES: Jackson-Madison County School Board Meeting
DATE AND TIME: March 13, 2008; 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 CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made to approve the consent agenda with the
following change: remove the following policies from second
reading and return them to the policy committee for review:
Policy 1.300 – BOARD COMMITTEES, 5.107 – ORIENTATION AND
PROBATION, and Policy 5.500 – DISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT OF
EMPLOYEES. This was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made to approve the
agenda. This was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the previous minutes. This was
unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Akins
FINANCIAL REPORT WITH ANY
NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Bob Sadowski, director of school operations and financial
planning, stated that Mike Nichols, Madison County finance
director, requested that he present three budget amendments to
the board. The first amendment is moving $5,700 from the Dropout
Prevention Grant that was approved for the 2007-2008 budget into
the appropriate budget line items. The second amendment is
moving $2,400 from the research and accountability budget per
Dr. Allan Sterbinsky’s, coordinator of research and
accountability, request for printing of benchmark test and like
items. The third amendment is moving $50,000 received from the
recently approved Safe and Drug Free Schools Grant to provide a
full-time and a part-time counselor at West Jackson Learning
Center. The counselors will be contracted through Pathways. A
motion was made to approve the budget amendments as presented.
This was unanimously approved.
(See copies …… page 72)
1. Bell 2. Foote
RECOGNITION
Pam Finney, assistant superintendent, presented certificates to
K-8 schools for achieving all A’s in the reading and math
portions on the 2007 Tennessee State Report Card, to high
schools who scored beyond the state’s predicted scores on the
Gateway test, and to K-12 schools who have been in Good AYP
Standing status from 2003-2007. Those receiving certificates
were: Linda Johnston, principal at Thelma Barker Elementary –
all A’s and Good Standing status; Jerome Maclin, principal at
Andrew Jackson Intermediate – all A’s; Jimmy Bailey, principal
at Arlington International Leadership Magnet – all A’s; Pam
Betler, principal at Beech Bluff Elementary – Good Standing
status; Tracey Vowell, principal at Bemis Intermediate – all
A’s; Louise Ellison, guidance counselor at Denmark Elementary –
Good Standing status (Ozeal Mitchell, principal, was unable to
attend); Tisa Day, principal at Lane Technology Magnet
Elementary – all A’s and Good Standing status; June Murry,
assistant principal at Liberty Technology Magnet – scored beyond
state’s predicted Gateway scores (Johnny Reynolds, principal,
was unable to attend); Lynne Shuttleworth, principal at Lincoln
Magnet School for Math and Science – all A’s and Good Standing
status; Tommy Allen, principal at Madison Academic Magnet – Good
Standing status; Stan Parker, principal at Malesus Elementary –
Good Standing status; Melinda Harris, principal at Parkview
Montessori Magnet – Good Standing status; David Morris, teacher,
- scored beyond state’s predicted Gateway scores and Good
Standing status (Jimmy Arnold, principal at South Side, was
unable to attend); George Neely, principal at Nova Elementary –
Good Standing status; Ricky Catlett, principal at South
Elementary – all A’s; Adair Hardegree, instructional coach at
Tigrett Middle – all A’s (Nelson Piercey, principal, was unable
to attend). Ms. Finney stated that the following schools have
new principals and that they are to be congratulated and
commended on the good job they are doing in these schools; but,
we need to recognize all the hard work of the principal that
were in these schools last year. Those receiving certificates
were: Geraldine Kingfield, instructional coach at East
Intermediate – all A’s and Good Standing status (Bill Walker,
interim principal, was unable to attend) Mike Bevis was the
former principal; Buddy White, principal at North Side High, and
Mike Martin was the former principal - scored beyond state’s
predicted Gateway scores; Bryan Chandler, principal at Pope
Elementary, and Emily Crabtree was the former principal – Good
Standing status; and Debra Montague, principal at Whitehall
Enhanced Option, and Vivian Williams was the former principal –
Good Standing status.
Jimmy Bailey, principal at
Arlington International Leadership Magnet, stated that Arlington
had received the following national awards from Magnet Schools
of America: Magnet School of Distinction in 2006, Magnet School
of Excellence in 2007, Hogan and Harston’s New and Emerging
Magnet School Award in 2007, named Core Knowledge School and
later named an Official Core Knowledge School Site in 2007. He
stated that he is proud to announce that on April 30, 2008, at
the Magnet School of America Convention, Arlington will receive
the Magnet School of Excellence Award for the second year in a
row.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Melissa Kilpatrick, parent, addressed the board in support of
extending Dr. Zambito’s contract.
Chris Pratt, parent, expressed
concerns regarding an on-going issue of teacher attendance at
Tigrett Middle and substitute teachers.
Paul Hare, concerned citizen,
addressed the board in support of extending Dr. Zambito’s
contract.
L’Sana DJahspora, parent,
expressed his concerns of the disservice to students at Tigrett
and especially in his son’s eighth grade honors reading class.
Dr. Tom Rosebrough, Dean of the
College of Education and Human Studies at Union University, addressed
the board in recognition of Dr. Zambito’s leadership and support
of extending her contract.
Heather
Luckey, parent, addressed the board asking that they not extend
Dr. Zambito’s contract.
Andrew Chirwa, educator,
addressed the board in support of extending Dr. Zambito’s
contract.
Virginia Davis, on behalf of the
Explorers Club at Lincoln Elementary, requested a response from
Dr. Zambito to the children’s petition that was presented to her
in October, 2007 at a listening tour.
Jackie McKnight questioned why
the recognitions Ms. Finney presented tonight were not done
earlier. She also expressed concern regarding principals not
being present to receive the awards.
John Restuccio, taxpayer and
concerned citizen, addressed the board in support of extending
Dr. Zambito’s contract.
Shelia Godwin, addressed the
board regarding a personnel incident and in support of extending
Dr. Zambito’s contract.
Walter Jones, Jr., addressed the
board in support of extending Dr. Zambito’s contract.
DRESS CODE ADJUSTMENTS – POLICY
6.310 AND ANY NECESSARY BOARD ACTION
Carol Carter-Estes, policy committee chair, stated that the
policy committee met on March 6, 2008, and is recommending to
the Board that the Student Dress Code Policy be kept in place
with the following changes: add - harassment/bullying of
students shall not be tolerated. Students who harass or bully
shall be disciplined according to the provisions of 6.313. Also
add – a shirt underneath a sweatshirt or sweater must meet dress
code regulations if it is seen; no underwear, undershirts or
camisoles are to be visible; no hoods over the head at school;
and no “grilled” teeth. She stated that Policy 6.310 – Student
Dress Code with changes is being recommended for a first
reading. She also stated that in 2009-2010 is when we are
proposing the uniform system. A motion was made to accept the
committee’s recommendation. Dr. Mays stated that the motion
coming from the committee did not require a second.
(See policy …… page 73)
1. Rudd
After discussion, a vote was taken on the motion to accept the
committee’s recommendation. This was unanimously approved.
CONSIDERATION OF EXTENSION OF
SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT AND ANY NECESSARY BOARD ACTION
Dr. Mays explained that there was discussion regarding the
extension of Dr. Zambito’s contract at Monday night’s work
session. He also stated that no official action can be taken
during a work session. A motion was made to extend Dr. Zambito’s
contract for a period of two (2) years.
1. Alvey 2. Bell
After discussion regarding the
two-year extension and expressions of concern, Linda Pride
requested a reverse roll call vote. A vote was taken on the
motion. The motion was approved.
Voting Aye – Rudd, Mays, Foote,
Bell, Alvey
Voting Nay – Pride, Henning-Rowan, Carter-Estes, Akins
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ANY
NECESSARY BOARD ACTION
BUDGET COMMITTEE – Bob Alvey, budget committee chair, stated
that the committee met just prior to the board meeting, and the
next budget committee meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2008. He
also stated that a proposed budget should be ready to be
presented to the board on April 10, 2008. No board action was
required.
POLICY COMMITTEE – Carol
Carter-Estes, policy committee chair, stated she had no further
report. The board was given copies of the policies for first
reading.
(See copies …… page 74)
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Zambito thanked the board for the contract extension and
stated that she appreciated it very much. She also stated that
she would continue to work very hard for the board, the
employees, and the children in the district.
Dr. Zambito presented the board
with a copy of a telephone pilot proposal from Chuck Jones,
chief of technology, regarding possible implementation of Office
Communicator Server 2007. She stated that this would completely
change how we communicate with others, and make us more
effective and efficient. She stated that we are looking at this
and talking about it.
(See copy …… page 75)
Dr. Zambito stated that unlike
last year’s job like meetings she held at central office, this
year she is meeting with every faculty and working those visits
in with her visits to every classroom. She stated that the
teacher visits have been great and that it is really wonderful
to talk with the children and see their enthusiasm for learning.
She stated that she is very proud of the teachers, school staff
and all the people who make it work.
Dr. Zambito stated that Shannon
Erickson, No Child Left Behind Administrator, had presented an
in-depth PowerPoint presentation on high school modified block
scheduling to the board. She discussed collaboration and stated
that this will be mandated by the state next year and that this
put us on the cutting edge. She stated that collaboration not
only helps students but also helps the teachers.
CONSENT AGENDA
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL BOARD
CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, AND CONVENTIONS
This was unanimously approved.
(See copy …… page 76)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
POLICIES FOR SECOND READING (3)
This was unanimously approved.
(See copies …… page 77)
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
PUBLIC NOTICE THAT PROPOSED
TEXTBOOKS MAY BE EXAMINED PRIOR TO ADOPTION (IN FORMATION ONLY)
(See notice …… page 78)
This was unanimously approved.
1.
Carter-Estes 2. Bell
APPROVAL OF 2008-2009 SCHOOL
CALENDAR
(See copy …… page 79)
This was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
APPROVAL TO ALLOW MADISON
ACADEMIC AND JACKSON CENTRAL-MERRY HIGH TO CONTINUE THE
COOPERATIVE PROGRAM IN FOOTBALL FOR THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR
(See copy …… page 80)
This was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
MODIFIED HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULING,
INCLUDING SUPPLEMENTAL COURSES FOR ENGLISH I AND ALGEBRA I,
PROVIDING FOR INCREASED LEARNING TIME FOR STUDENTS, AND
ADDITIONAL TEACHER SUPPORT
(See copy …… page 81)
This was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADD A
LIBRARY ASSISTANT FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR (ASSIGNED TO JCM
– FUNDED BY TITLE I)
(See copy …… page 82)
This was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
TEACHERS BEING RECOMMENDED FOR
TENURE EFFECTIVE FOR THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR
(See copy …… page 82)
This was unanimously approved.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Bell
PERSONNEL STATUS REPORT
(INFORMATION ONLY)
This report was for the board’s information.
(See copy …… page 82)
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made to adjourn. This was unanimously approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
1. Carter-Estes 2. Foote
____________________________________
Chair
____________________________________
Secretary
