December 19, 2002
The
Board of Directors of the Little Rock School District held its regularly
scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2002, in the Boardroom
of the Administration Building, 810 West Markham Street, Little Rock,
Arkansas. Vice President Tony Rose
presided.
MEMBERS
PRESENT:
Tony
Rose
Larry Berkley
Micheal
Daugherty
Baker Kurrus
Katherine Mitchell
Sue Strickland
MEMBERS
ABSENT:
Judy Magness
ALSO
PRESENT:
T.
Kenneth James, Superintendent of Schools
Beverly Griffin, Recorder of Minutes
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Board Secretary Larry Berkley called
the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. Five
members of the Board were present at roll call; Mr. Rose arrived at 5:45
p.m.
Ms. Magness was absent. Melissa Chaney,
teacher representative from Jefferson Elementary School, and David Mitchell,
student from Central High School, served as ex officio representatives for the
month of December.
II. PROCEDURAL
MATTERS / WELCOMING COMMENTS
Mr. Berkley greeted the audience and
announced a performance by I. J. Routen, who introduced a group of the
District’s music specialists. Cynthia
Grant, Clois Bell, Kelly Keck, and Ms. Routen played recorders, and explained
that all elementary students would learn how to play this instrument in their
general music class.
III. REPORTS/RECOGNITIONS/PUBLIC
COMMENTS
Dr. James introduced Katherine Wright Knight and announced her selection as the National Education Association Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. She received the award at a December 13 celebration of teaching in Washington D.C.
Brittney Williams, a junior at Parkview Magnet High School, submitted the artwork that was selected for the 2002 LRSD holiday card. A framed copy of the card was presented to Brittney, and the original artwork was framed and will be hung in the Superintendents office.
Five LRSD teachers have completed the requirements for National Board Certification: Sharon Boyd-Struthers, Rockefeller Elementary School; Timothy Eubanks, Parkview Magnet High School; Ruth Eyres, J. A. Fair High School; Catherine Koehler, Baseline Elementary School; and Judy Meier, Rockefeller Elementary School. These teachers received a Superintendent’s citation in recognition of their achievement.
Gilliam Glasco and Earnest Sweat, seniors at Parkview Magnet High School, were recognized for their selection this past summer as officers at Arkansas Girls and Boys State. Gilliam was Governor at Girls’ State and Earnest was Lieutenant Governor at Boys’ State. They received a certificate of recognition for their accomplishments and congratulations from the Board and Superintendent for achieving these honors.
Jeff Fuell and Kenneth Patterson, students at Parkview Magnet High School, were recognized for having their artwork selected for use on U. S. Postal Service commemorative stamps celebrating the life of civil rights leader Daisy Bates. Copies of their artwork were on display in the boardroom during and after the meeting.
The December ex-officio representatives to the Board were recognized with a certificate of appreciation, Melissa Chaney, teacher at Jefferson Elementary School, and David Mitchell, student at Central High School.
B.
Partners in Education – New Partnerships
Debbie Milam presented certificates in
recognition of new business / school partnerships as noted below. Dr. Mitchell made a motion to accept the new
partnerships, Mr. Berkley seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
The new partnerships were:
Brady
Elementary School, represented by Ada Keown, and Shelly Oliver, in
partnership with Bank of the Ozarks, represented by Amy McDuffie
Metropolitan
Career and Technical School, represented by Mike Peterson and Rodney Echols, in partnership
with:
Landers
Chevrolet, Gwatney Chevrolet, Chenal Parkway Buick-GMC, Parker Automotive
Group, Landers Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge/Jeep (representatives of each of these
dealerships were present but full names not provided)
Metropolitan
Career and Technical School, represented by Mike Peterson and Rodney Echols, in partnership
with Little Rock Job Corp, represented by Tim Foley and Willie Jones
Mitchell
Academy,
represented by Wanda Varady, in partnership with Allen Kerr Insurance
Agency, represented by Allen Kerr and Victoria McGee
Mitchell
Academy,
represented by Wanda Varady, in partnership with Greater Little Rock
Optimist Club and with Kinko’s Downtown, no representatives present
C. Remarks from Citizens
No remarks.
Frank Martin congratulated Katherine Knight, and the other teachers who
were recognized for their varied achievements earlier in this agenda. He stated that he was proud of these
teachers and their accomplishments, and noted that they were all members of the
CTA. He wished the Board and
administrators a good holiday and stated that he was looking forward to a
cooperative and productive new year.
E.
Joshua Intervenors
No report.
IV. REPORTS
AND COMMUNICATIONS
Dr. Mitchell expressed appreciation to all teachers,
administrators, parents and other involved community members and wished them
all a happy holiday.
Mr. Rose announced that he had attended his first VIPS Board meeting and thanked the members for the vital services they provide to the District, stating that their contributions are “essential to our success.”
Dr. Daugherty echoed Mr. Rose’s comments and recognized the importance of the VIPS office staff and commended the Director, Ms. Milam.
Dr. James provided a summary report of school choice
applications received as a result of NCLB transfer requests. In addition, he announced the dates of open
enrollment the last week of January.
No report.
Mr. Goodman was present and responded to
questions regarding the construction projects that would continue during the
winter break. His report was printed in
the Board’s agenda.
Mr. Becker’s report was printed in the agenda. He was present, but provided no additional information.
Ms. Neal’s
monthly update was printed in the agenda.
As highlights, she reported that the e-mail changeover had gone fairly
smoothly, with only a few minor problems.
The new network systems at Metro will go on-line in January and training
will be provided. Plans are being
submitted for the purchase of new computer hardware and they are being reviewed
as they come in. E-rate applications
are due in February, and the update of the District’s technology plan will be
completed for the Board’s review and approval in February or March 2003.
A.
Minutes
Minutes from the regular meeting of the
Board of Directors held on November 21, 2002 were presented for review and
approval. Ms. Strickland made a
motion to approve the minutes as presented; Dr. Mitchell seconded the motion
and it carried unanimously.
B.
Personnel
Changes
Routine personnel items were printed in the
agenda and were submitted for the Board’s review and approval. Dr. Mitchell made a motion to approve the
personnel items as presented; Mr. Kurrus seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
Dr. Lesley presented a proposed Strategic Plan for parent
involvement. The background information
indicated that the District’s collaborative action team for parent involvement sponsored
several planning workshops and gained valuable input from community, parents,
and students in the development of this Plan.
Dr. Daugherty moved to approve the Parent Involvement Strategic Plan as
submitted. Mr. Berkley seconded the
motion and it carried 6-0.
Marie McNeal, Director of Social Studies, presented the recommendations for elementary school social studies textbooks. Samples of the selected texts were provided for the Board’s review and comment. Mr. Berkley made a motion to approve the selections of the review committee; Dr. Daugherty seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
Danny Fletcher was present to review the selections of the Art and Music Textbook Committee. Copies of the materials were provided for the Board’s review. Dr. Mitchell moved to approve the selections. Ms. Strickland seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
In the fall of 2000 and in the fall of 2001, the Board
reviewed the first and second year evaluations of the Alternative Language
Program for limited-English proficient students. These were presented for the Board’s formal review and approval
in November 2002, in accord with Judge Wilson’s “compliance remedy” for release
from federal court supervision. The
evaluation for the 2001-02 school year was submitted for review and approval at
this time. Dr. Lesley was present to respond
to the Board’s questions. Dr. Mitchell
made a motion to approve the 2001-02 ALP evaluation. Dr. Daugherty seconded the motion, and it carried
unanimously.
Bonnie Lesley, Vanessa Cleaver, Dennis Glasgow and Marcelline Carr were
present to review the findings of the Little Rock Comprehensive Partnership for
Mathematics and Science Achievement evaluations. The NSF grant was awarded in 1998, providing funding to improve
the achievement of students in mathematics and science. All of the evaluation reports had been
previously presented for the Board’s review, but formal action was not taken to
approve these reports before they were submitted to the NSF.
Five sets of reports were presented for the Board’s approval at this
time: the CPMSA Strategic Plan
for1998-99; the CPMSA program evaluation for 1998-99 with feedback reports and
attachments; the CPMSA program evaluation to NSF for 1999-2000 with feedback
reports and attachments; the CPMSA program evaluation to NSF for 2000-01, with
feedback reports and attachments; and the CPMSA program evaluation to NSF for
2001-02,with feedback reports and attachments.
Mr. Berkley requested a comparative data report on NSF grant recipient’s
math and science achievement data. He
then moved to approve the reports as submitted. Ms. Strickland seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
No items for review / approval.
A.
Mann Middle School Easement
The administration presented a request from the
City of Little Rock for a quitclaim deed to property surrounding Mann Magnet
Middle School. Dr. Mitchell moved to
approve the requested easement of property, Dr. Daugherty seconded the motion
and it carried
unanimously.
B.
Donations of Property
The Board was asked to approve acceptance of
recent donations to the District. David
Mitchell, the student ex-officio representative, read the listed
donations. Dr. Daugherty made a motion
to accept the donations as listed; Mr. Berkley seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Donations are listed in the following chart:
DONATIONS
|
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT |
ITEM |
DONOR |
|
Central
High School |
Sharp
Viewcam camcorder and Panasonic videotapes, valued at $525.00 |
Derrick
Davidson |
|
Chicot
Elementary School |
$500.00
cash to be used to purchase trophies and incentive awards for students who
score proficient in math and literacy on the 2002 Benchmark exams $1,000
cash to be used to provide literacy materials |
J. A.
Riggs Tractor Company Wal-Mart
Store #124 |
|
Jefferson
Elementary |
Four
felt banners, valued at $80.00 to be used in the Christmas program |
Arkansas
Childrens’ Hospital Auxiliary |
|
LRSD
HIPPY Program |
$25.00
cash to be used for the HIPPY Parent Appreciation event |
Jennifer
June, HIPPY Advisory Board Member |
|
LRSD
School Welfare Fund |
$259.60
to be used to purchase school clothes |
Otter
Creek Elementary Peer Helper Service Project |
Dr. Stewart reported on budget issues and the
recent Lakeview lawsuit. He noted that
the fact that the State Supreme court had refused to hear an appeal of the
Lakeview case would have a positive impact on state school financing. Mr. Kurrus moved to approve the financial
reports as submitted. Dr. Mitchell
seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
IX.
SCHOOL SERVICES DIVISION
No items for review / approval.
X.
DISTRICT OPERATIONS
No items for review / approval.
XI.
CLOSING REMARKS
Dr. James reported that he had attended a joint Senate and House legislative session where there was general discussion regarding the restructuring of the smaller school districts in the state. He noted that fourteen districts in Arkansas have fewer than 200 students, and ninety-six districts have fewer than 500 students.
He promised to monitor this year’s legislative session and report any significant issues as they arise. He stated that it was a safe assumption that some of the smaller districts within the state would be forced to consolidate as the legislature looks at ways of reviewing the state standards and realigning the instructional environments in the smaller school districts. The State Chamber of Commerce is expected to make a recommendation in this regard.
XII.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board,
Ms. Strickland moved to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
Dr. Mitchell seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
APPROVED:
_ 01-23-03 Original documents signed by:
Judy Magness, President
Larry Berkley, Secretary