April 24, 2003
The
Board of Directors of the Little Rock School District held its regularly
scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2003, 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
Mr. Rose called the meeting to order at
5:30 p.m. Six members of the Board were
present at roll call; Ms. Magness was absent.
Michelle Hayden, teacher ex officio representative from Meadowcliff
Elementary School, and Jason Casey, student representative from Parkview Magnet
High School, were also present.
II. PROCEDURAL
MATTERS / WELCOMING COMMENTS
Mr. Rose welcomed the audience and introduced the
Rockefeller Show Choir, directed by Sandra Young. Ms. Mangan, principal of Rockefeller Elementary School was also
present. The students performed several
songs, including choreographed hand movements and sign language.
III. REPORTS/RECOGNITIONS/PUBLIC
COMMENTS
Dr. James introduced the LRSD
students who were named either National Merit Finalists or National Achievement
Finalists for 2003. Not all of the
students were present due to senior class activities at the various high
schools, but their certificates of recognition will be sent to them. National Merit Finalists from Central
High School were: Kyla Achard,
Adva Biton, Fredrick Brantley, Kevin Burns, David Gutierrez, Catherine Keisler,
Daniel Liu, Mark Mazumder, Joseph McDonnell, Stephanie Nielson, Nadia Patel,
Rachel Rouby, Brennan Taylor, and Benjamin Wells. From Parkview Magnet High School,
students were Alison Boland, Jessica Lovelace-Chandler, and Lorinda
Peoples. National Achievement
Finalists were Lorinda Peoples from Parkview Magnet High School,
and Everette Callaway from
J. A. Fair Magnet High School.
The Superintendent announced the students from Metropolitan Career and
Technical Center who competed and received Medals at the Skills USA / VICA
statewide competition in Hot Springs on April 15 - 16. The students were called to the front and
displayed the medals they were awarded.
Metro students won 37 medals, ten of them gold.
|
GOLD MEDALISTS |
SILVER MEDALISTS |
BRONZE MEDALISTS |
|
Melissa
Cox, Commercial Baking |
Anna
Bell, Culinary Arts |
Takenua
Williams, Cosmetology/Hair Care |
|
Andrea
Sanders, Commercial Baking |
Vatrice
Manning, Cosmetology |
Viola
Harris, Cosmetology/Hair Care |
|
Katrina
Brown, Cosmetology/Hair Care |
LaToya
Jacko, Cosmetology/Hair Care |
Brittney
Thomas, Cosmetology/Nail Care |
|
Cynthia
Brown, Cosmetology/Hair Care |
Nathan
Roberts, Technical Drafting |
Tania
Kelley, Cosmetology/Nail Care |
|
Rolanda
Foreman, Cosmetology/Nail Care |
Jessie
Ivey, Truck Diesel Technology |
Tucker
Swearingen, Truck Diesel Technology |
|
Chelsa
McClendon, Cosmetology/Nail Care |
Justen
Wilson, Farm Diesel Technology |
Jeremy
Baker, Truck Diesel Technnology |
|
Jeff
Merkt, Technical Drafting |
Joshua
Oldham, Nathan Roberts, Tony Bales, Brad Grundy and Ephraim McNair, Quiz Bowl |
Mitchell
Alexander, Farm Diesel Technology |
|
Terrance
Davis, Truck Diesel Technology |
|
Kristen
Speer, Victoria Holland and Josh Denius. TV News Anchor Team |
|
Brandy
Howard, Farm Diesel Technology |
|
Vanessa
Black, Cole Cawthron, Kasey Corbin, Savannah Ebbs, Victoria Holland and
Kristen Speer, Opening & Closing Ceremonies |
In addition, Cole Cawthron won a gold medal for extemporaneous speaking, and Jordan Brown received special recognition from Arkansas and National Courtesy CORPS. Katrina Brown will represent Arkansas at the National Skills Competition. Dr. James introduced Mike Peterson and thanked him for continuing to do an exceptional job in preparing our students for state and national vocational and technical training competitions.
Dr. James introduced Dave Elswick from KARN Radio, who presented each of the LRSD high school principals with a framed portrait of George Washington. Mr. Elswick raised the money through on-air donations and sponsorships and he promised to return to the Board when he had raised enough to provide a portrait for every LRSD school building.
The superintendent congratulated the Pulaski Heights Middle School MathCounts team. Students Sho Maymia, Miles McCullough, Albert Speed, and Corina Oprescu were joined by their coach Trela Cook. The PHMS team took the state championship title and each team member placed in the top ten competitors.
The Central High School chess team recently earned the title of State Champions for the 3A – 5A Chess Association of Arkansas. Dr. James congratulated the team for their achievement and introduced members of the team: Victor Harris, Joe Liu, Shep Russell and Johnson Wong. Other team members were David Gutierrez, Daniel Krupitsky, Elizabeth Richardson and Shannon Rodgers. The team is coached by Joe Gray and Chuck West.
Dr. James recognized Rene Carson, Lead Teacher for middle level science. Ms. Carson was elected to a three-year term as Middle Level Director of the National Science Teachers Association.
The final citations were presented to the ex-officio Board representatives for the month of April, Michelle Hayden, teacher at Meadowcliff Elementary School, and Jason Casey, senior student at Parkview Magnet High School.
B.
Partners in Education
Debbie Milam reminded the Board and the audience
that this year’s Evening for the Stars was scheduled for April 29th at the
Arkansas State Fairgrounds. In
addition, she expressed appreciation to the Chamber of Commerce and members of
the Little Rock business community for supporting the Arkansas Scholars
program.
Certificates in recognition of new business /
school partnerships were presented to schools and businesses listed below. Mr. Berkley made a motion to accept the new
partnerships, Dr. Mitchell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
The new partnerships were:
Accelerated Learning Center – represented by Carol Green, in partnership with the Baseline
& I-30 branch of Twin City Bank – represented by Bob Burch, Tom
Steves and Marilyn Harrington
Fulbright Elementary School – represented by Diane Smith, in partnership with the Highway
10 Branch of Twin City Bank – represented by Bob Burch, Laurice Taylor and
Arnicee Stigars
Henderson Middle School – represented
by Marvin Burton, in partnership with the Chenal & Bowman Road
Branch of Twin City Bank – represented by Bob Burch, and Beth
Lindsey
Mabelvale Elementary School – represented by Tab Phillips & Janice Moore, in partnership
with the Baseline & I-30 Branch of Twin City Bank – represented by Bob
Burch, Beth Lindsey and Elizabeth Holderfield
McDermott Elementary School – represented by Virginia Ashley & Melanie Greenwald, in
partnership with the Rodney Parham Branch of Twin City Bank – represented
by Bob Burch and Marsha Davis
Woodruff Elementary School – represented by Janice Wilson, Shirley Davis & Jovita Lacy,
in partnership with the Riverdale Branch of Twin City Bank – represented
by Bob Burch and Julie Wagner
Watson Elementary School – represented
by Javanna Woo, in partnership with Waste Management of Arkansas –
represented by Wayne Rathbun
*The Board agreed by consensus to reorder
the agenda to allow the student representative from Parkview, Jason Casey, to
read the list of donations to the District.
The Board approved the donations at this point in the agenda. The list of donated items and the motion to
approve will appear in these minutes at their normal agenda sequence. The student left the meeting immediately
following the reading of the donations to attend a senior function at Central.
C. Remarks from Citizens
Ellen Peterson and her son, Chris Peterson each
addressed the Board regarding complaints against the administration at Otter
Creek Elementary School. Ms. Peterson read
a prepared statement, copies of which were provided for the Board. An investigation into an incident involving
Mr. Peterson’s stepdaughter is underway by the District’s safety & security
office. The Little Rock Police
Department has also investigated.
Bill Torrey addressed the board regarding a
transportation issue for his student who attends Mabelvale Middle School. This student is assigned to J.A. Fair High
School next year; Mr. Torrey stated that he has requested a reassignment to
Central High School. He is concerned
with the District’s policy of not providing transportation for transfer
students. He stated that other students
in his neighborhood attend Central, and that there is sufficient room for his
child to ride an existing bus.
Frank Martin thanked the Board members for their gracious
acceptance of his decision to retire as the CTA’s Executive Director. He also congratulated Dr. James and wished
him well on his selection as the next Superintendent of Schools in Lexington,
Kentucky. He commended Dr. James for
making his decision in light of a perception of “animosity” that would have
arisen as a result of his receiving a large pay increase in a year when
teachers and other workers were going to be given little or no raise. He stated that it was “unbecoming of the
Board to make such an offer,” and he reminded the Board that Superintendents
come and go, but the stabilizing factor in this District is the teacher and
support staff - - the work force who stay on through the adversities.
E. Joshua
Intervenors
No report.
IV. REPORTS
AND COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Strickland reported that she had
been volunteering to read to students in the four-year-old program at Otter
Creek Elementary School, and that she was having a great time doing it. She stated that the students are fun and
energetic.
Mr. Kurrus thanked Frank Martin for his
years of services to the LRSD and for always having the best interest of the
students at heart. He announced that
Dunbar Middle School PTA had won recognition as the outstanding unit at the
statewide PTA convention, and the Little Rock PTA Council had won honors as the
best council in the state.
Mr. Kurrus continued by commenting on
the difficulty of the position of Superintendent of Schools. He stated that a candidate for the position
must be committed to work hard and must express a desire for longevity. He recognized teachers and support staff as
the key to a stable organization, but stated that the Board is committed to
finding a leader who will stay here for a period of years.
Dr. Mitchell also thanked Mr. Martin
for his years of dedicated service, and wished him well in his retirement. She thanked Dr. James for his service and
for placing us on the path to continued success.
In addition, Dr. Mitchell announced
that two of our elementary schools are tied for championships in the Boys &
Girls Club basketball league: Mitchell
and Rightsell Elementary Schools.
Dr. Daugherty thanked Mr. Martin for
“tolerating” our Board over the years.
He also spoke to the issue of losing Dr. James as our
Superintendent. He noted that it has
been good to have the two years of stability that Dr. James provided, and that
we must focus on the good experiences instead of dwelling on the bad. He thanked Dr. James for his foresight and
for his willingness to make hard choices, and he wished him well in his efforts
to better his professional career.
Mr. Rose commented that he wished to assure
the CTA, the public and the business community that the Superintendent of
Schools would continue to answer to the LRSD Board and not be beholden to the
business community.
John Riggs, President of the Foundation Board, wished a fond farewell to
Frank Martin and thanked him for his help when Mr. Riggs served on the LRSD
Board.
He then introduced Lisa Black who serves as the Director of Programs and Development for the Foundation. He thanked the Board and Dr. James for their support, for the initial vision to form the foundation, and for their faith in the volunteers who are serving on the Board.
Mr. Riggs explained that the intent of the PEF grants is to enrich and improve the educational experience of all children in the LRSD. He presented a brief report on the first round of grants to Little Rock classroom teachers and announced that almost $100,000 had been granted to teachers for various special projects and classroom improvements. A “prize patrol” traveling on three school buses, arrived at the various schools and made their entrance with balloons and large mock checks. The teachers were surprised and the students were excited about the presentations.
Mr. Babbs was present but did not make a report.
Dr. Stewart was present but did not make a report. Dr. James announced that a special
legislative session was proposed to begin on May 5, and that no additional
budget projections would be made until additional financial information is
provided by the State.
Mr. Eaton reviewed the written report provided by
Mr. Goodman and printed in the Board’s agenda.
He called special attention to the timelines and the projects listed to
begin during the summer months. The
Wakefield rebuilding project is in the planning and bidding stage now, and it
is hoped the school will open for the 2004-05 school year.
Dr. Mitchell requested information on the process
used to identify and complete on-going maintenance projects. Specifically, she would like to know when
work will begin on severe problems with roofs and bathrooms at Mitchell and
Rightsell Elementary Schools. She is
concerned with health and safety issues at those 2 schools.
Mr. Becker’s report was printed in the Board’s agenda. He was present and offered additional detail
on anything in the report at the Board’s convenience.
Ms. Neal was present and reviewed the
summary printed in the Board’s agenda.
In addition, she reported that the District’s copiers would be equipped
with network cards, so that they can be used as printers, which will allow cheaper
copying than using laser printers for large documents.
Dr. James provided a brief statistical summary
report prepared by New Futures for Little Rock Youth. The report compared the city’s youth populations from the 1990
census to the year 2000 census. Reports
were broken out by age, socio-economic status, residential factors, household
makeup, and other factors. The report
was printed in the Board’s agenda.
The
Board took a brief recess, and reconvened at 7:35 p.m.
A.
Minutes
Minutes from the regular meeting of the
Board of Directors held on March 20, and from special meetings held on April 10
and April 17, 2003, were presented for review and approval. Dr. Mitchell made a motion to approve the
minutes as presented; Mr. Rose seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
B.
Personnel Changes
Routine personnel changes were printed
in the agenda. Mr. Berkley moved to
approve the changes as presented; Dr. Mitchell seconded the motion and it carried
unanimously.
Marie McNeal presented the Arkansas History textbook adoption recommendations for the Board’s review and approval. The selection committee agreed that An Arkansas History for Young People correlated well to Arkansas History Guidelines and the District’s Social Studies curriculum. Dr. Mitchell made a motion to approve the textbook as submitted by Ms. McNeal. Ms. Strickland seconded the motion, and it carried 6-0.
Carol Green presented the recommendations from the Career and Technical
Education Textbook Committee. The list
of 2003-2009 cycle textbooks was provided for the Board’s review and approval. Dr. Mitchell moved to approve the
recommendations, Mr. Berkley seconded the motion, and it carried
unanimously.
Linda Watson and Dr. Larry McNeal presented the
final evaluation on the Charter School Program. Dr. McNeal was the evaluating consultant and Dr. Watson assisted
in the completion of the report. The
Board was provided copies of the evaluation, and was asked to approve the
report for submission to federal court.
Dr. Mitchell made a motion to approve the report as submitted. Dr. Daugherty seconded the motion and it carried 6-0.
A.
Donations of Property
The Board was asked to approve acceptance of
recent donations to the District.
Jason Casey, student representative from Parkview Magnet High School,
read the listed donations. Dr. Mitchell
made a motion to accept the donated items; Dr. Daugherty seconded the motion,
and it carried unanimously. The donations are listed in the following
chart:
DONATIONS
|
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT |
ITEM |
DONOR |
|
Geyer
Springs Elementary School |
$500.00
literacy grant to be used for student incentives to continue promotion of the
Accelerated Reader Program |
Wal-Mart
/ Baseline Store |
|
M. L.
King, Jr. Magnet Elementary |
$1,000.00
cash to Julia Lloyd’s pre-K class to be used to purchase educational
materials and classroom supplies |
Genevieve
Y. Jackson |
|
Mabelvale
Magnet Middle School |
$1,500.00
grant to the Accelerated Reader
Program to be used to purchase books for students and to fund the AR
incentive parties held each 9-week period. |
Trinity
Episcopal Cathedral Outreach Committee |
|
McClellan
Magnet High School |
$1,000.00
cash for the baseball team $250.00
cash to send a student to Arkansas Boys State |
Sharon
Prested Cloverdale-Mabelvale
American Legion |
|
Little
Rock School District |
A
pallet of library books valued at approximately $1,000.00 Five
portraits of George Washington to be hung in the high schools, framed in
cherry mahogany, valued at $250.00 each, for a total value of $1,250.00 |
Cynthia
Brown, Sales Consultant for Scholastic Dave
Elswick, Radio Station KARN |
The City of Little Rock requested a five foot right-of-way easement north of Wilson Elementary School to allow for eventual street improvements and construction of sidewalks. The Board was asked to grant approval of this agreement. Mr. Kurrus moved to approve the easement and Mr. Berkley seconded the motion. It carried unanimously.
The District was asked to grant a 15 foot-right-of-way easement along the east side of John Barrow Road adjacent to Henderson Middle School. Entergy requested the easement to allow relocation of electrical lines in order to accommodate the City of Little Rock’s widening of Barrow Road. The administration recommended the granting of the easement, assessing no negative impact on the operation of the school. Dr. Mitchell made a motion to approve the request for easement. Dr. Daugherty seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
IX.
SCHOOL SERVICES DIVISION
Coach Johnny Johnson presented a recommendation to move to a varsity /
junior varsity athletic program in the LRSD.
The change is supported by the varsity coaches and secondary principals,
and would increase the student participation in athletic activities. The AAA has approved of the change if
approved by the LRSD Board. Dr.
Mitchell moved to approve the proposed change to varsity / junior varsity
programming. Dr. Daugherty seconded the
motion and it carried unanimously.
X.
CLOSING REMARKS
Dr.
James thanked Debbie Milam and Marian Lacey for coordinating the recent
Arkansas Scholars luncheon. He
announced that the Governor and representatives from business and education
would be on the Dunbar Middle School campus to publicly announce the kick-off
of the Arkansas Scholars program.
Dr. James congratulated
the students and staff from Dunbar for having a great year. He announced that the Dunbar Odyssey of the
Mind team would advance to the world finalists’ competition in Iowa this
summer. He commended John Bacon and the
administrators at Dunbar for a job well done.
XI.
EMPLOYEE HEARINGS
Mr. Berkley moved to
convene an executive session for the purpose of conducting an employee
hearing. Dr. Mitchell seconded the
motion, and it carried unanimously.
The hearing convened at
8:00 p.m. Beverly Williams presented
evidence on behalf of the District for the recommended termination of an
employee. Her supervisor was also present.
Ms. Williams briefly
explained the differences between a recommendation for termination, and the
alternative “non-renewal.” Non-renewal
would allow the teacher to remain in the classroom for the remainder of the school
year, and termination would allow immediate removal from the classroom, and
replacement with a qualified teacher.
The employee was in her
first year as a teacher at an elementary school. She previously taught at the Charter School at Badgett and in the
North Little Rock School District. The
administration’s recommendation for termination was based on unsatisfactory
performance in the areas of planning and preparation, classroom environment,
and instruction. Her supervisor
presented all due process documentation and copies of evaluation instruments
dated from September 2002 through April 2003.
In addition, her
supervisor testified that she had offered the assistance of Judy Meier and Kris
Huffman, mentor teachers and curriculum specialists for the employee to allow
her to utilize their expertise to improve in her classroom instructional
performance. Ms. Meier and Ms. Huffman
were available to testify, but were not called to do so due to the limited time
set aside for the hearing.
Ms. Williams reviewed
the numerous documents provided for the Board’s review and highlighted those
that substantiated the administration’s reasons for recommending
termination. It was noted that her
supervisor had never before recommended a teacher for termination in her 16
years as principal of the school. The
areas of greatest concern were noted as:
the employee’s failure to avail herself of instructional assistance;
failure to keep proper and accurate student records; and inaccuracies from
interim report to report cards.
The employee began her
testimony by reading a prepared statement.
She stated that she had been in education for twenty-six years, and that
it was her belief that her civil and professional rights were violated by this
action. She provided a copy of a
notebook containing copies of student work and grading documents for the
Board’s review. The employee further
testified that her students were reading at the appropriate grade level and
that they had read “over 800 books” during one nine-week period.
The employee enumerated
several medical problems that led to excessive absenteeism, and stated that she
had been under a lot of stress due to the recent illness of her daughter. She told the Board that her husband was
present as a witness to her health problems.
Mr. Rose stated, and the Board agreed by consensus, that they accepted
her word and did not require testimony to the fact that she had suffered
medical problems.
In addition, the
employee stated that problems with her computer at school were the reason that
she was unable to keep accurate grade reports.
She felt that she had been reprimanded unfairly, and that the PN
agreement had been violated.
In closing remarks, Ms.
Williams noted the number of documents provided for the Board’s review, and
stated that due process had been followed.
The Superintendent
asked the Board to uphold the recommendation for termination. The Board adjourned for deliberations at
9:40 p.m. They returned at 9:50 p.m.
and reported that no action had been taken in closed session.
Mr. Berkley made a
motion to uphold the Superintendent’s recommendation for termination. Ms. Strickland seconded the motion and it carried
5-0-1, with
Dr. Mitchell abstaining from the vote.
XII.
ADJOURNMENT
There was to be an executive session for the
purpose of discussing personnel issues, but due to the late hour, there was no
longer a quorum present.
Mr. Kurrus moved to adjourn at 9:55 p.m.
Ms. Strickland seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
APPROVED:
_ 05-22-03 __ Originals Signed by:
Judy Magness, President
Larry Berkley, Secretary