The
Board of Directors of the Little Rock School District held its regularly
scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2005, in the Boardroom of
the Administration Building, 810 West Markham Street, Little Rock,
Arkansas. Vice President Micheal
Daugherty presided.
MEMBERS
PRESENT:
Micheal Daugherty
Katherine Mitchell
Bryan Day
Baker Kurrus
Tony Rose
Sue Strickland
MEMBERS
ABSENT:
Larry Berkley
ALSO
PRESENT:
Roy G. Brooks,
Superintendent of Schools
Beverly Griffin, Recorder of Minutes
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Dr. Daugherty
called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Six members of the Board were present at roll call; Mr. Berkley was absent.
Ex officio teacher representative Anne Mittelstaedt from Pulaski Heights Middle
School and student representative Vantina Hampton from Fair High School were also
present.
II.
PROCEDURAL MATTERS / WELCOMING COMMENTS
Dr. Daugherty welcomed the audience and introduced
the ex-officio board representatives.
III. REPORTS/RECOGNITIONS/PUBLIC
COMMENTS
Dr. Brooks introduced Phyllis Britton, Advertising Director for the Arkansas Times, who was present to make a presentation to Nancy Rousseau, principal of Central High School. Central High was selected by readers of the Arkansas Times as the “Best Public School” in the Best of Arkansas 2005 readers’ poll. In addition, runners-up were announced: Parkview Magnet High School, Dunbar Magnet Middle School, and Jefferson Elementary School. Copies of the June 30 issue of the times were distributed to the Board and Superintendent.
Dr. Brooks introduced Mr. Darryl Powell and Ms. Katrina Jones who were included in the personnel action agenda of this meeting. Mr. Powell and Ms. Jones were being recommended for assistant principal positions at Hall High School.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to the ex officio representatives for the month of July, Anne Mittelstaedt, teacher at Pulaski Heights Middle School, and Vantina Hampton, student from Fair High School.
Ms. Debbie Milam was present to introduce two new school - business partnerships within the Partners in Education Program.
Woodruff Elementary School, represented by Janice
Wilson, in partnership with EDS,
represented by Phylinthia Givens and John Herzog
Metropolitan Career and Technical Center, represented by Mike
Peterson, in partnership with Arkansas
Baptist College, represented by Tracy
Moore
Dr. Mitchell moved to accept the new partnerships; Mr. Rose seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
No report.
IV. REPORTS
AND COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Day expressed concern regarding a paid advertisement in a recent local publication promoting Saline County as a good place to live, and suggested it was a preference that would allow a better public school option. He took exception to the article and asked the audience to defend the LRSD and spread the news that our schools are as good or better than most others in the State.
Dr. Mitchell reported that she attended the Teachers of Tomorrow training session this week and that she was impressed with the work done by sponsor Wanda Baskins to encourage students to go into the field of education. She noted that the T o T organization provides a good background and hands-on experiences for students who might be interested in pursuing teaching as a career.
Dr. Daugherty commended his fellow board members and noted that the current board is very knowledgeable and dedicated to serving the children and families in our community. He specified the backgrounds of each board member and remarked that there was an enormous amount of talent and expertise sitting on the board.
A summary report requested by the Board was prepared by Martha Rogers and Dr. Linda Watson. The full report was printed in the agenda.
Dr. Brooks noted that it was too soon to provide accurate enrollment data for the 2005-06 school year, however early estimates show an increase in the number of students pre-registered. Dr. Watson was present, but there were no questions or comments.
Mr. Milhollen reported that preliminary financial data had been posted on the Arkansas Department of Education website for the 2005-06 fiscal year. The per pupil allocation of $5,400 is based on 2004-05 enrollment figures. He also reported that the federal school lunch allocations would provide a small increase over previous years’ child nutrition funding.
An additional $50 per ADM has been estimated and earmarked for professional development. The alternative education funds have not been posted; the amount the district will receive for these programs is still undetermined.
The July 2005 Construction Report was printed in the Board’s agenda. Mr. Goodman was present, but provided no additional information.
Mr. Becker’s monthly report was printed in the agenda. There were no questions from the Board.
The monthly technology report was printed in the Board’s agenda. Mr. Ruffins and Ms. Neal were present, but no additional information was presented or requested.
A.
Minutes
Minutes from the regular meeting of the
Board of Directors held on June 23, and from a special meeting held on June 29,
2005, were presented for review and approval.
Mr. Rose moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Strickland seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
A.
Handbook for
Parents of Pre-K Children / Early Childhood Education Program
The Department of Early Childhood
and Elementary Literacy met with a committee of teachers, principals, parents
and specialists to develop the
Pre-K parent handbook. The handbook was
printed in the Board’s agenda and the administration requested approval and adoption. Ms. Strickland moved to approve the
administration’s recommendation. Mr.
Rose seconded the motion and it carried
unanimously.
A.
Second Reading: Policy IJOA, Field Trips, with Regulations
IJOA-R
The LRSD Board has encouraged and endorsed the use of field trips as a part of the overall learning experience for district students. As a result of the district’s reorganization, school level personnel and building principals have been empowered to plan and approve field trips at the school level. The revised policy and regulations were presented to the Board for first reading approval at the July 14 special meeting.
The administration presented Policy IJOA and recommended second reading approval at this time. Mr. Day moved to approve policy IJOA on second reading, Ms. Strickland seconded the motion and it carried 5-0-1, with Dr. Mitchell abstaining.
A.
Personnel Changes
Routine personnel items were printed in
the Board’s agenda. In addition, as
noted earlier in these minutes, Dr. Brooks recommended Mr. Darryl Powell and
Ms. Katrina Jones to administrative appointments as assistant principals at
Hall High School. Mr. Day moved to
approve the personnel actions as presented.
Mr. Rose seconded the motion and it carried
unanimously.
A.
Second
Reading: Policy FA – New Facilities
Development Goal
The Board has made verbal commitments to
positively impact the environment and economic sustainability of the District,
the City of Little Rock, and the State of Arkansas. In an effort to formally promote this commitment, a policy was
written and presented for the Board’s review and approval. In support of this commitment, the district
will utilize sustainable design practices to decrease the negative impact of
building on the environment in all new construction projects. First reading approval was granted at the
June board meeting; the administration requested second reading approval and
adoption. Ms. Strickland moved to
approve policy FA on second reading.
Mr. Rose seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
B.
Contract
Extension for Technology Services
The District has been contracting technology
services for the development and implementation of the LRSD Technology Plan
since the May 2000 millage election.
The current contact with Education Innovations and Ms. Sharon Dowdy was
been in effect since 2004 and expired on June 30, 2005.
The administration asked the Board to review the
current utilization of the services provided by this consultant and an
extensive report was provided in the Board’s agenda. Ms. Dowdy serves on the Technology Plan committee and has
reviewed technology related requests for proposals (RFP’s) in order to provide
a level of expertise not present within the District’s own technology
staff.
The Superintendent requested the board’s approval
to extend the contractual agreement with Ms. Dowdy for the 2005-06 school
year. Mr. Day made the motion to
approve the recommendation of the administration. Dr. Mitchell seconded the motion and it carried 5-1, with Mr. Rose casting the “no” vote.
C.
Property
Donation
The Ashley Company, a commercial real estate
development corporation of North Little Rock, offered a donation to the LRSD of
22.62 acres of vacant land located at the Mabelvale Cut-off at Heinke Road,
immediately adjacent to Mabelvale Elementary School. The property was offered on behalf of the owner, Conservative
Development Company. The property
appraised at $305,000.
The administration recommended Board action to
officially accept this donation and authorize the administration to proceed
with securing title for the property.
Mr. Rose made a motion to approve the acceptance of this generous
donation and Dr. Mitchell seconded the motion.
It carried unanimously.
D.
Grant
Proposal: National Park Service
Mr. Eaton, Director of Facility Planning and
Construction, requested approval to submit a grant application to the National
Park Service in the amount of $20,000 which would be used to supplement the on-going
restoration of landscaping and grounds improvements at Little Rock Central High
School. The grant requires a District
match, which is currently being provided in the form of operational funding and
in-kind, volunteer assistance. Mr.
Kurrus moved to approve the submission of the grant application. Mr. Day
seconded the motion and it carried
unanimously.
E.
Donations of Property
The Board was asked to approve the acceptance of recent donations to schools and departments within the District. The donations are listed in the following chart.
Vantina
Hampton, student ex officio, read the items listed in the Board’s agenda. Dr. Mitchell made a motion to accept the
donated items, Mr. Day seconded the motion and it carried
unanimously.
|
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT |
ITEM |
DONOR |
|
Central High School |
Musical instruments valued
at $1,200. to the band department:
Alpine clarinet, King trombone and Reynolds baritone Merchandise, valued at
$2,945 to be used as prizes for the 2005 Project Graduation |
Alvin Swiney Randy Williams / Jostens,
Inc. |
|
J. A. Fair High School |
Two guinea pigs and
equipment, valued at $150 to the environmental science classes 500 yards of Tifway sod,
valued at $1,500 to be used adjacent to the new sidewalks in the outdoor
garden area Labor, valued at $850 to
install 500 yards of grass sod Materials and labor, valued
at $5,100 to complete construction of new sidewalks and handicapped access in
outdoor gardens and picnic area |
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Gray Shirley Wilcox / Interstate
Landscaping and Erosion Control Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Rains Patty Daniel / Red River
Hydro-Seeding, Inc. |
|
Mitchell Academy |
Clothing / school uniforms,
valued at: $500.00 $200.00 $200.00 $200.00 $100.00 $200.00 |
Dr. Ryan Chadwick Carrie Swanigan Gwen Marshall James Yarbrough Kelly Keck Annie Abrams |
|
LRSD Adult Education Center |
Three used Gateway Desktop
Computers valued at approximately $750 to be used as stand-alone units to run
ESL software |
Arkansas State Office of the
USDA - NRCS |
F.
Financial Report
The monthly financial
summary reports were not included in the Board’s agenda. Mr. Milhollen reported noted that
end-of-year summary reports would be provided once they were complete and final
for the 2004-05 school year.
X.
CLOSING REMARKS
Dr. Brooks provided a reminder that the Board
would be meeting with consultants Bob Klempen and Dennis Smith on Friday, July
29.
Check-in for students is set for August 3rd
and 4th, with the first day for students on August 19.
XI.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board,
the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. on a
motion by Mr. Kurrus, and seconded by Mr. Rose.
APPROVED:
08-25-05 Originals Signed by:
Larry Berkley, President
Katherine P. Mitchell, Secretary