Minutes of the Morgan County Board of Education Meeting

MINUTES OF THE MORGAN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

FEBRUARY 12, 2008

The Morgan County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 5:30 at the office of the Board, 1325 Point Mallard Parkway, SE Decatur, AL 35601.

Board members present were: Chairman Carolyn Wallace, Vice-Chairman Dora Woodard, Mike Tarpley, Tom Earwood, Ken Henson and Jimmy Dobbs. Also present was Superintendent Bob Balch. Absent from the meeting was Board member Betty Hackett.

Chairman Wallace called the meeting to order.

Gary Linderman opened the meeting with prayer.

Board member Jimmy Dobbs led everyone in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

WELCOME

Chairman Wallace welcomed everyone to the meeting.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Chairman Wallace opened the floor for a motion to adopt the agenda as amended: Action item 21A was added to the agenda. Personnel item 39 was added to the agenda. Mr. Dobbs moved and Mr. Henson seconded the motion to adopt the agenda as amended. The vote was unanimous.

PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

Chairman Wallace recognized the following people as wishing to address the Board: Pat Starkey Good name and Character Meladie Peden Safety Bonnie Peck Field trip pay for bus drivers Jimmy Wayne Speegle Field trip pay for bus drivers

All of the above mentioned people were present at the time they were recognized as wishing to address the Board. BOARD ENTERS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Earwood moved and Mr. Dobbs seconded the motion for the Board to enter into Executive Session on the premises of good name and character. The vote was unanimous. The Board members and Superintendent entered into Executive Session. Also present was Pat Starkey.

BOARD RECONVENES FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Board reconvened from Executive Session and the regular meeting was called back into order. No action was taken during Executive Session.

THE SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS THAT THE FOLLOWING ACTION ITEMS BE APPROVED AS WRITTEN:

APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 14, 2008 BOARD MEETING

Mr. Henson moved and Mr. Earwood seconded the motion to approve as written the minutes of the January 14, 2008 Morgan County Board of Education meeting. The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED THE EXPENDITURES FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2007

Mr. Henson moved and Mr. Tarpley seconded the motion to approve as presented the expenditures for the month of December, 2007. The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED THE BANK RECONCILIATION FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2007

Mr. Dobbs moved and Mr. Henson seconded the motion to approve as presented the bank reconciliation for the month of December 2007. The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED LOW BID ON PURCHASE OF BACKHOE

Mr. Henson moved and Mr. Dobbs seconded the motion to approve acceptance of the low bid of $13,500.00 from North Alabama Tractor for the purchase of a backhoe to be used by the Morgan County Schools Maintenance Department. The motion was unanimously approved. APPROVED SALE OF PARCEL OF MORGAN COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM LAND

Mr. Dobbs moved and Mr. Henson seconded the motion to approve the sale of a parcel of land to Jimmy and Sandra Harmon of Priceville, contingent upon the Harmons’ fulfilling any and all obligations relating to their purchase of this property. The sale price is $2500.00. Voting in the affirmative were: Carolyn Wallace, Dora Woodard, Ken Henson, Mike Tarpley and Jimmy Dobbs. Voting negative was: Tom Earwood The motion was approved with five votes affirmative and one vote negative.

APPROVED FIELD TRIP REQUEST FROM BREWER HIGH SCHOOL

Mr. Henson moved and Mr. Tarpley seconded the motion to approve a field trip request from Brewer High School for sixteen (16) softball team members and their chaperones to travel to Ardmore, Tennessee on March 14, 2008 to participate in a softball tournament. The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED FIELD TRIP REQUEST FROM BREWER HIGH SCHOOL

Ms. Woodard moved and Mr. Earwood seconded the motion to approve a field trip request from Brewer High School for sixteen (16) softball team members and their chaperones to travel to Ardmore, Tennessee on March 15, 2008 to participate in a softball tournament. The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED FIELD TRIP REQUEST FROM SPARKMAN SCHOOL

Mr. Dobbs moved and Mr. Henson seconded the motion to approve a field trip request from Sparkman School for twenty-five (25) seventh and eighth grade basketball players, cheerleaders and their chaperones to travel to Six Flags, Atlanta, Georgia on April 19, 2008 as a reward for their dedication to the Sparkman School athletic program. The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED FIELD TRIP REQUEST FROM PRICEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Mr. Dobbs moved and Ms. Woodard seconded the motion to approve a field trip request from Priceville High School for approximately nine (9) ninth through twelfth grade students and their chaperones to travel to the CNN Studios, Atlanta GA, on April 11, 2008 for the purpose of experiencing news, video production and studio production in a real world setting. The motion was unanimously approved. APPROVED FIELD TRIP DATE REVISION FOR WEST MORGAN HIGH SCHOOL

Mr. Henson moved and Ms. Woodard seconded the motion to approve a travel date revision for a previously Board approved West Morgan High School field trip to Orlando, FL. The dates previously approved were March 12-16, 2007. The correct dates should be March 12-16, 2008. This field trip was originally approved at the September 13, 2007 Board meeting. The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED THE 2008/2009 MORGAN COUNTY SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR

Mr. Henson moved and Mr. Earwood seconded the motion to approve the 2008/2009 Morgan County school year calendar as voted on and selected by majority vote by the employees of the Morgan County School System. The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LOCAL LEGISLATIVE DELEGATIONS’ BILL

Mr. Dobbs moved and Mr. Tarpley seconded the motion to approve the Resolution in support of our Local Legislative Delegations’ introduction of a bill regarding the “gross receipts tax” issue. The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED THE FINANCIAL IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL RESOLUTION

Mr. Earwood moved and Ms. Woodard seconded the motion to approve the “Financial Improvement Proposal Resolution”, as required by the School Fiscal Accountability Act. The motion was unanimously approved. The Chairman asked it be noted that she understood the Board was under a SDE mandate to have one-month’s operating balance in reserve, she appreciated the work the personnel committee did last year in determining the cuts that had to be made and she was aware that this may be a possibility again this year, as a Board member she was not in favor of cutting teacher units.

APPROVED POLICY REVISIONS

Mr. Dobbs moved and Mr. Earwood seconded the motion to approve the following Morgan County School Policies as presented: IDF Interscholastic Activities/Cheerleading IDFA Interscholastic Athletics IG Guidance Program IHAD Parent-teacher conferences GCBBF-A Maintenance Inventory Control Clerk (Half-time) GAM Staff Rights and Responsibilities GBRJ Arrangement for substitutes GBRK Vacations

PERSONNEL

(The employment of any individual listed below will be on a temporary emergency basis pending background clearance.)

The Superintendent recommends that the following personnel items be approved as written:

1. Approve a contract for Hospital/Homebound Services between Morgan County Schools and Jill Jones, beginning January 14, 2008, and ending no later than the last day of the 07/08 school year. Ms. Jones will be providing services to a Danville-Neel student. (See attachments) 2. Approve a contract for Hospital/Homebound Services between Morgan County Schools and Donna Banks, beginning January 14, 2008, and ending no later than the last day of the 07/08 school year. Ms. Banks will be providing services to a Brewer High School student. (See attachments) 3. Approve a contract for Hospital/Homebound Services between Morgan County Schools and Holly Powell, beginning January 14, 2008 and ending no later than the last day of the 07/08 school year. Ms. Powell will be providing services to a Danville-Neel student. (See attachments) 4. Approve a contract for Hospital/Homebound Services between Morgan County Schools and Clarke Beard, beginning January 14, 2008 and ending March 7, 2008. Ms. Beard will be providing services to a Union Hill student. (See attachments) 5. Approve an ACCESS Credit Recovery Program contract between Morgan County Schools and Joey Burch, beginning January 22, 2008 and ending April 17, 2008. Mr. Burch will serve as the ACCESS facilitator at Danville High School. (See attachments) 6. Approve an ACCESS Credit Recovery Program contract between Morgan County Schools and Lisa Maxwell, beginning January 22, 2008 and ending April 17, 2008. Ms. Maxwell will serve as the ACCESS facilitator at Brewer High School. (See attachments) 7. Approve an ACCESS Credit Recovery Program contract between Morgan County Schools and Tonya Templeton, beginning January 22, 2008 and ending April 17, 2008. Ms. Templeton will serve as the ACCESS facilitator at Falkville High School. (See attachments) 8. Approve a 21st Century Community Learning Center After School Program Contract between Morgan County Schools and Valerie Williamson effective February 12, 2008 through September 30, 2008. (See attachment) 9. Approve a 21st Century Community Learning Center After School Program Contract between Morgan County Schools and Tracy Stoudnour effective February 12, 2008 through September 30, 2008. (See attachment) 10. Approve a 21st Century Community Learning Center After School Program Contract between the Morgan County Board of Education and Gail Ayres effective February 12, 2008 through September 30, 2008. (See attachment) 11. Approve a 21st Century Community Learning Center After School Program Contract between the Morgan County Board of Education and Melissa Johnson effective February 12, 2008 through September 30, 2008. (See attachment) 12. Approve application for continued salary in lieu of sick leave on Ronald Linderman, Morgan County Schools Maintenance Department, for a total of 19 days (1-14-08 through 2-8-08). Mr. Linderman was injured on the job. (See attachments) 13. Approve application for continued salary in lieu of sick leave on Ronald Linderman, Morgan County Schools Maintenance Department, for a total of 20 days (2-11-08 through 3-7-08). Mr. Linderman was injured on the job. (See attachments) 14. Accept the resignation of Amy L. Moffit from the position of Utility Driver, Morgan County Schools Central Office, effective February 19, 2008. (See attachments) 15. Approve the transfer of Angela Kimbrough from the position of Science teacher at West Morgan Middle School to the position of General Science Teacher (021, Biology and Physical Science), Brewer High School, effective January 30, 2008. Ms. Kimbrough will be replacing Johnnia Linderman, who was granted a transfer. (See attachments) 16. Approve Tim Sharp, math teacher, Brewer High School, to the position of Assistant Girls’ Softball Coach, Brewer High School, effective for the 2007-2008 school year. Mr. Sharp will be replacing Chad Kelso, who resigned. Mr. Sharp will receive the full coaching supplement allocated for this position for the 2007/2008 school year. (See attachment) 17. Approve Angela Lemmond, Special Education Teacher, Brewer High School, to the position of Varsity Cheerleader Coach, Brewer High School, effective January 3, 2008 until the end of the 2007/2008 school year. Ms. Lemmond will be replacing Sheena Truss, who is on leave through May 23, 2008. The total of the supplement will be $2849.19. (See attachment) 18. Approve splitting the Junior High football supplement for Lacey’s Spring School between Lane Alexander, teacher, Lacey’s Spring School, and David Yocum, teacher, Lacey’s Spring School. Each will receive a total of $1,200.00 for the 2007-2008 school year. 19. Approve the transfer of Patty Childers from the position of part-time CNP worker, Cotaco School, to the position of full-time CNP worker, Cotaco School, effective February 4, 2008. Ms. Childers will be replacing Sarah Smith, who transferred. (See attachment) 20. Approve continued salary in lieu of sick leave for Jan S. Kitchens, Kindergarten teacher, Cotaco School, for a total of thirty days. Ms. Kitchens was injured on the job. (See attachments) 21. Approve family medical leave of absence without pay for Cindy Compton, teacher, Danville-Neel Elementary School, effective December 19, 2007 through February 1, 2008. (See attachments) 22. Approve family medical leave of absence without pay on Annette Riggs, CNP Assistant Manager, Danville High School, effective January 18, 2008 through February 15, 2008. (See attachments) 23. Approve a catastrophic leave of absence on Robert Smith, Custodian, Falkville High School, effective January 18, 2008 through February 11, 2008. (See attachments) 24. Approve the employment of Amy Scott to the position of math teacher, Falkville High School, effective 1/23/08 through the end of the 07/08 school year. Ms. Scott will be replacing Tim Sharp, who was granted a transfer. (See attachments) 25. Approve Tonya Templeton, P. E. teacher, Falkville High School, to the position of High Hopes Tutor, Falkville High School, effective January 23, 2008 through September 30, 2008. This will be paid for from Falkville High School High Hopes Grant funds allocated for tutoring services. (See attachment) 26. Approve Dennis Morris, Social Studies Teacher, Priceville High School, to the position of Priceville Junior High School Technology Coordinator, effective February 5, 2008. Mr. Morris will be entitled for the complete supplement allotted for this position. (See attachment) 27. Approve Alan Kirschbaum, to the position of Head Boys’ Soccer Coach, Priceville High School, effective 2-12-08. Mr. Kirschbaum will be replacing Daniel Rozear, who resigned from this position. Mr. Kirschbaum will be working in the capacity of a non-staff coach, therefore while interacting with students he will at all times be accompanied by a certified teacher/administrator. (See attachment) 28. Approve the employment of Susan Williams to the position of Office Aide, Priceville High School, effective February 12, 2008. Ms. Williams will be replacing Vaunda Phillps, who resigned from the position. (See attachments) 29. Approve the employment of David Blankenship to the position of Bus Driver, Countywide, effective 2-12-08. Mr. Blankenship will be replacing Lynn Free, who passed away. The current placement of Mr. Blankenship will be Sparkman School. (See attachments) 30. Accept the resignation of Bob Brechtel from the position of Boys’ and Girls’ basketball coach, Sparkman Junior High School, effective January 23, 2008. (See attachment) 31. Approve a family medical leave of absence without pay on Deborah Childs, Bus Driver, Sparkman School, effective February 12, 2008 through March 14, 2008. (See attachments) 32. Approve a catastrophic leave of absence on Loronda Patterson, teacher, Sparkman School, effective January 23, 2008 through February 18, 2008. (See attachments) 33. Approve a family medical leave of absence without pay on Debra Wilhoite, Custodian, Union Hill School, effective February 29, 2008 through April 11, 2008. (See attachments) 34. Approve Shannon Brown, teacher, Union Hill School, to the position of part time Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coach, Union Hill School, effective for the 2007/2008 school year. Union Hill will pay the supplement of $1000.00 out of their athletic department funds. This is a one time supplement. (See attachments) 35. Approve Brandi Moore, teacher, West Morgan Middle School to the position of full Time Varsity Girls’ Soccer Assistant Coach, effective February 11, 2008. Ms. Moore will be due to full supplement allocated for this position. (See attachment) 36. Approve catastrophic leave of absence on Carolyn McLaughlin, teacher, West Morgan High School, effective February 20, 2008 through March 6, 2008. (See attachments) 37. Approve Samuel Wallace to the position of full time Assistant Boys’ Soccer Coach, West Morgan High School, effective February 11, 2008. Mr. Wallace will be working in the capacity of a non-staff coach, therefore while interacting with students he will at all times be accompanied by a certified instructor/administrator. Mr. Wallace will be due the full supplement allocated for this position. (See attachments) 38. Approve Principal Contracts as written for the following Morgan County School Principals (copies of each contract attached): a. Layne Dillard Learning Center b. Frances Couey Brewer High School c. Jimmy Scott Cotaco School d. Glenn Lang Danville Neel Elementary e. Gilmer Ellis Danville High School f. Hank Summerford Falkville Elementary School g. Sue Wood Falkville High School h. Anne Knowlton Priceville Elementary School i. David Estes Ryan School j. Jeremy Childers Union Hill School k. Earl Leonard West Morgan Elementary School l. Bruce Sparkman West Morgan Middle School m. Billy Hopkins West Morgan High School 39. Approve a contract for hospital/homebound services between the Morgan County Board of Education and Kathy DeFoor, beginning February 11, 2008 and ending no later than the last day of the 2007- 2008 school year. Mrs. DeFoor will be providing instruction to an Eva School student.

Mr. Tarpley moved and Ms. Woodard seconded the motion that personnel items one through thirty-nine be approved as written. The motion was unanimously approved.

INFORMATIONAL

1. Financial Report for the month of December, 2007. 2. Lacey’s Spring Newsletter-“The Eagle’s Nest” (Volume 10.5) 3. Priceville Elementary Newsletter “The Bulldog” (Volume 6, Numbers 5 and 6)

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

The Chairman asked that it be noted in the minutes that the Board would discuss the issue of field trip pay for bus drivers in depth at the April 10, 2008 Work Session.

Board members congratulated Becky Burt on being named Morgan County Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Board members also congratulated the Brewer High School Girls’ Basketball for being named 2008 Class 5A Area 13 Champions.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned. The next Board meeting will be held on March 13, 2008. There will be a work session beginning at 4:30 p.m., with the regular meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Board members will contact the scoring portion of the Superintendents evaluation during the 4:30 to 5:30 hour.

______Superintendent, Morgan County Schools

______Chairman, Morgan County Schools