THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, February 24, 2005, 9:45 AM AS BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS UNDER ITS CONTROL The State Board of Education of the State of Alabama (also referred to herein as the Board) met in official session to consider postsecondary education matters beginning at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, February 24, 2005, in the Auditorium of the Gordon Persons Building, Montgomery, Alabama. The meeting was called in accordance with Section 16-3-7, Code of Alabama 1975. PRESIDING: MRS. SANDRA RAY PRESIDING OFFICER The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Ray. The Pledge of Allegiance followed the invocation by Mrs. Ella Bell. On roll call, the following Board members were present: Mrs. Ella Bell Mrs. Stephanie Bell Dr. Mary Jane Caylor Dr. Ethel H. Hall Mrs. Betty Peters Mrs. Sandra Ray Also present: Dr. Roy Johnson, Chancellor of Postsecondary Education Absent: Mr. McKinney and Governor Bob Riley Mr. Byers arrived at 9:50 a.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Dr. Johnson asked that the Board add to the agenda Action Items VIII.A.4. Assistance for Displaced Workers of Tee Jays, VIII.A.5. Assistance for Displaced Workers of Solutia Inc., and VIII.A.6. Resolution Commending Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. On motion by Dr. Caylor, second by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, the agenda was unanimously approved as amended. APPROVED MINUTES OF JANUARY 27, 2005 MEETING On motion by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, second by Dr. Caylor, the minutes of the January 27, 2005 meeting were unanimously approved as presented. SECTION VI PUBLIC HEARING There were no individuals registered to address the Board at the Public Hearing. Dr. Johnson asked that the Board consider the items under the Executive section first. Mr. Byers arrived at this point, 9:50 a.m. Minutes: State Board of Education Page 2 February 24, 2005 SECTION VIII (EXECUTIVE AND LEGAL) ADOPTED On motion by Dr. Hall, second by Dr. Caylor the Board unanimously adopted the following three (3) items: T. A. LAWSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE The Board authorized the President of Lawson State Community College, subject to review by the Chancellor and the Chancellor’s legal office, to purchase a parcel of real estate located at 3612 Margaret Avenue, Southwest, Birmingham, Alabama. Fiscal consideration: $5,946 – Appraisal Price of Property with related costs – College Plant Fund (Unexpended) NORTHWEST-SHOALS COMMUNITY COLLEGE QUITCLAIM DEED The Board authorized the Chancellor on behalf of the State Board of Education to execute a Quitclaim Deed for a sign easement located on a corner of the two acres of property located in Tuscumbia, Alabama, purchased in 1995 from the State Board by JH Properties, owned by James Hughston. Fiscal consideration: None THE ALABAMA COLLEGE SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL LEGAL LIABILITY INSURANCE The Board authorized and directed each college, the Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute, the Skills Training Consortia and the Alabama Technology Network to purchase professional legal liability insurance under the policy recommended by the Chancellor for the coverage period March 1, 2005, through February 28, 2006. Fiscal consideration: $750,000 – Current Unrestricted Fund On motion by Dr. Caylor, second by Mrs. Peters, the Board unanimously adopted the following two (2) resolutions: Assistance for Displaced Workers of Tee Jays WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education has demonstrated its commitment to respond to the economic development needs of the State of Alabama; and WHEREAS, The Alabama College System seeks to provide accessible quality educational opportunities, promote economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for the people of Alabama; and WHEREAS, community, junior, and technical colleges have provided direct services to assist displaced workers in securing skills necessary to re-enter the workforce; and WHEREAS, Tee Jays Manufacturing Co. has announced the closing of its facility in Florence, Alabama, resulting in unemployment, dislocation, and economic hardship for 220 affected employees and their families; and WHEREAS, these individuals are capable workers with specialized skills that cannot be readily transferred into the current job market; and WHEREAS, there is a compelling need to respond rapidly to meet the re-training needs of these displaced workers; and Minutes: State Board of Education Page 3 February 24, 2005 WHEREAS, this closing affects many residents of the Florence area, the Alabama State Board of Education will sanction flexibility for Northwest-Shoals Community College and other Alabama College System institutions serving the affected population, to meet the skills-emphasis training needs of these workers in the face of the economic exigencies so adversely affecting its service area; and WHEREAS, the Chancellor of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education recommends this course of action to the Alabama State Board of Education: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That with due consideration of the above premises, the Alabama State Board of Education hereby authorizes a tuition waiver of 50 percent for displaced workers who will become unemployed as a result of the closing of Tee Jays and who are in need of re- training; and THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this tuition waiver is hereby restricted to eligible displaced workers of the above named industry who enroll during the period beginning with the spring term 2005 and ending with the spring term 2007; who are not eligible to receive funding under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) or other similar and/or related state and/or federal workforce assistance programs; and for whom substantial tuition assistance cannot be secured from other sources; and THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chancellor of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary education is hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of this Resolution, in compliance with appropriate court orders and constitutional privilege. Assistance for Displaced Workers of Solutia Inc. WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education has demonstrated its commitment to respond to the economic development needs of the State of Alabama; and WHEREAS, The Alabama College System seeks to provide accessible quality educational opportunities, promote economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for the people of Alabama; and WHEREAS, community, junior, and technical colleges have provided direct services to assist displaced workers in securing skills necessary to re-enter the workforce; and WHEREAS, Solutia Inc. has announced the layoff of 500 employees at its facility in Decatur, Alabama, resulting in unemployment, dislocation, and economic hardship for affected employees and their families; and WHEREAS, these individuals are capable workers with specialized skills that cannot be readily transferred into the current job market; and WHEREAS, there is a compelling need to respond rapidly to meet the re-training needs of these displaced workers; and WHEREAS, this layoff affects many residents of the Decatur area, the Alabama State Board of Education will sanction flexibility for John C. Calhoun Community College and other Alabama College System institutions serving the affected population, to meet the skills-emphasis training needs of these workers in the face of the economic exigencies so adversely affecting its servic e area; and WHEREAS, the Chancellor of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education recommends this course of action to the Alabama State Board of Education: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That with due consideration of the above premises, the Alabama State Board of Education hereby authorizes a tuition waiver of 50 percent for displaced workers who will become unemployed as a result of the layoff at Solutia Inc. and who are in need of re- training; and THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this tuition waiver is hereby restricted to eligible displaced workers of the above named industry who enroll during the period beginning with the spring term 2005 and ending with the spring term 2007; who are not eligible to receive funding under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) or other similar and/or related state and/or federal workforce Minutes: State Board of Education Page 4 February 24, 2005 assistance programs; and for whom substantial tuition assistance cannot be secured from other sources; and THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chancellor of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary education is hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of this Resolution, in compliance with appropriate court orders and constitutional privilege. On motion by Mrs. Ella Bell, second by Dr. Hall, the Board unanimously adopted the following resolution: COMMENDING DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY INC. WHEREAS, today, February 24, 2005, is officially Delta Day at the Capitol, involving the civic participation and leadership of members of Delta Sigma Theta Sororit y Inc.; and WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., founded in 1913, now an international organization of more than 200,000 women, the only African-American sorority having gained official status with the United Nations as a non-governmental organizatio n, serves communities across Alabama; and WHEREAS, women of Delta Sigma Theta contribute to the social, economic, civic and cultural well-being of Alabama as educators, entrepreneurs, business owners and public servants; and WHEREAS, the five-point international thrust of Delta Sigma Theta encourages leadership and