The
Board of Directors of the Little Rock School District held a special meeting on
Wednesday, August 31, 2005, in the Boardroom of the Administration Building,
810 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas.� President Larry Berkley presided.
MEMBERS
PRESENT:
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Larry Berkley
Micheal Daugherty
Katherine Mitchell
Bryan Day
Baker Kurrus
Tony Rose
Sue Strickland
MEMBERS
ABSENT:
None
ALSO
PRESENT:
Hugh E. Hattabaugh, Deputy
Superintendent of Schools
Beverly Griffin, Recorder of Minutes
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Mr. Berkley
called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. All members of the board were present at roll call.
II. PURPOSE
OF THE MEETING
The agenda for the special meeting listed the
following items:
A.
Ratification of
Agreement with the L. R. Classroom Teachers Association
III. ACTION
AGENDA
A. Ratification of Negotiated Agreement with the Classroom Teachers
Association
Mr. Berkley called for a motion prior to taking comment from the table. Mr. Rose made the motion to approve ratification of the negotiated agreement and Dr. Daugherty seconded the motion.
Mr. Rose addressed the audience and members of the Board. He stated that the administration negotiated in good faith at the bargaining table and that he believed contract negotiations should be aboveboard and honest. He felt that to negotiate in a confrontational manner would be counterproductive and a waste of time. He expressed disappointment with comments from the CTA leadership that were published in the newspaper.
Mr. Kurrus noted that “step increases” should be considered raises, and that it was his desire to ensure that the best teachers be paid the highest salaries. He stated that he was voting against the negotiated agreement because of the conditions contained therein stating that negotiations would reopen if additional resources were realized when state funding and revenues were reported by the state.
Dr. Daugherty thanked the negotiating teams and expressed his appreciation for the short negotiations process.
Mr. Berkley thanked Mr. Rose for representing the Board during the negotiations, and he thanked the district staff members who spent long hours and late nights at the table. He also thanked members of the private and business community for the interest they are taking with the district. He stated that they are bringing resources and fresh ideas that will result in a better way of educating our children. He stated that this will be good for teachers and good for the students.
Dr. Mitchell expressed appreciation for all the teachers and other personnel who work everyday with the children in our schools. She noted that teachers impact the bottom line more than anyone else in our business, and that we should do whatever we can to encourage them to succeed. She stated that she was not in favor of the incentive program as it is currently being presented, but that she would be in favor of a districtwide incentive for student progress.
Mr. Berkley called for the vote, and it carried 6-1, with Mr. Kurrus casting the “no” vote.
V.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board,
the meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Day and seconded by Mr.
Rose.
APPROVED:
09-22-05 Originals
Signed by:
Larry
Berkley, President
Katherine P. Mitchell, Secretary