The
Board of Directors of the Little Rock School District held its regularly
scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22, 2004, in the Boardroom of
the Administration Building, 810 West Markham Street, Little Rock,
Arkansas. President Tony Rose presided.
MEMBERS
PRESENT:
Tony Rose
Larry Berkley
Micheal Daugherty
Bryan Day
Baker Kurrus
Katherine Mitchell
Sue Strickland
MEMBERS
ABSENT:
None
ALSO
PRESENT:
Morris L. Holmes,
Interim Superintendent
Beverly Griffin, Recorder of Minutes
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Mr. Rose
called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
Six members of the Board were present at roll call; Ms. Strickland
arrived at 5:50 p.m. In addition, ex
officio representatives Lenora Nunnley, student at J.A. Fair High School, and
Darnell Bell, teacher at Western Hills Elementary School, were also present.
II. PROCEDURAL
MATTERS / WELCOMING COMMENTS
Mr. Rose welcomed the audience and asked Dr.
Holmes to proceed with the presentation of recognitions and citations.
III. REPORTS/RECOGNITIONS/PUBLIC
COMMENTS
Dr. Holmes presented a citation to Caroline
Allen, junior at Central High School.
Caroline is the goalkeeper for the Lady Tigers soccer team, and was
recently named the Gatorade Arkansas
High School Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
A superintendent’s citation was presented to Jeffery Trimble, Jr. in recognition of his recently receiving the Youth Achievement Award from the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. Jeffery attends Mann Magnet Middle School.
Ryan Spencer Higgins was recognized for receiving the 2004 John W. Harris Leadership Award from the National Beta Club. Only 50 Junior Beta Club members nationwide were selected to receive this award. Ryan is an eighth grader at Dunbar Magnet Middle School.
The Parkview Magnet School Women’s Basketball Team received citations for winning the state 5-A championship. Coaches Lahoma Howard and Kiffany Davis were presented with citations. It was noted that this was the first time the Parkview Women’s team had won a state championship. Coach Howard was recognized for being selected as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Coach of the Year, and junior player Crystal Boyd was named Miss Basketball of the Year for 2004.
Coaches William Hardiman and John Kelley were recognized, along with representative members of the Parkview men’s indoor track team. This team won the state 5-A championship in indoor track - - a first for a team from the Little Rock School District.
The state spelling bee champion, Anne Ye, was recognized for winning this competition for the second year in a row. Anne is an 8th grader from Dunbar Magnet Middle School. She will represent Arkansas at the National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. in June.
Members of the Mathcounts State championship team, coached by Trela Cook, received certificates of recognition from the Superintendent. Team members were Sho Mamiya and Miles McCullough, from Pulaski Heights Middle School, and Anne Ye and Peter Liu from Dunbar Magnet Middle School. These students will travel to Washington, DC for the national Mathcounts competition in May.
Certificates were presented to Susan Garner, Central High School yearbook advisor and journalism teacher, and members of the 2003 Central yearbook staff. Jessica Rutledge, this year’s editor, was present to accept the citations. Taylor Publishing Company selected the 2003 Central Yearbook as the overall winner nationwide in the Theme and Design category.
Representatives of Rotary Club 99, Karen Fetzer and Ron Boyeskie, were present to receive certificates of appreciation for a Rotary project in which every third grade student received a dictionary, and storybooks were placed in elementary school libraries. The project is coordinated through the ViPS office staff and Debbie Milam, who serves as the Rotary Club 99 Literacy Chair.
Quiz Bowl championship teams were introduced and awarded certificates of recognition by Diane Rynders, LRSD Gifted & Talented Coordinator. Elementary Division I champions, from Jefferson Elementary School, were Andrew Manley, Joel Temple, Jane Bashaw, Avery Zorn, Sid Perry, April Terry, Madison Smith, Brendon Holmes, and Trey Finney. Their coach, Karin McAtee, and their principal, Roberta Mannon, were also present.
The Elementary Division II champions were from Geyer Springs Elementary School. Team members included Lakacia Lloyd, Chesery Lowe, Kristin Bell, Jenny Howell, Sarah Kline, Shane Burris, Damion Donovan, and Christopher Rodgers. Their coach Barbara Hodges, and their principal Donna Hall, were also present.
The Middle School Division team was from Mann Magnet Middle School. Team members included Silas Altheimer, Cyrus Bahrassa, Dillon Hupp, Melissa Wilcox, and Jillian Peterson. Their coaches Bonnie Bumpers and Jason Finney were also recognized.
The Mann team went on to win first place in the 5A Junior High Division at the statewide competition. The state championship team included Silas
Altheimer, Cyrus Bahrassa, Aaron Campbell, Dillon Hupp, Will Pierce and
Dalton Wise.
Lawrence Watts from Central High School was named Most Valuable Player from all of the 5-A high school teams in the state at the Governor’s Quiz Bowl. His Coach, Lenora Murray, was present as well.
Certificates of appreciation were awarded to Bill Gatewood and Georganne Cisco from the Old State House Museum for donation of the facility and volunteer services for the Quiz Bowl finals. Scott Morgan and Beth Collins were awarded certificates for hosting the preliminary competitions at Western Hills Elementary School.
Students from Metropolitan Career & Technical Center recently participated in the Arkansas Skills USA competition in Hot Springs. Mike Peterson introduced the students and their instructors, and each of them was given a certificate of recognition for their achievement. The instructors and students are listed:
|
Instructor / Course |
Student |
Award |
|
Darrell
Berry / |
Micah
Davidson |
Gold
– Photography |
|
Erin
Richey |
Bronze
– Photography State
Pin Design Award |
|
|
Carl
Grummer / |
Jeff
Merkt |
Bronze
– Technical Drafting |
|
Jordan
Brown |
State
& National Skills USA Courtesy Corps |
|
|
Linda
Soderling / Cosmetology |
Katrina
Brown |
Silver
– Hair styling |
|
Shammeka
Starks |
Silver
– Nails |
|
|
Chealse
McClendon |
Silver
– Nails |
|
|
Jakita
Bass |
Bronze
– Nails |
|
|
LaTonya
Rauls |
Bronze
– Model |
|
|
Chef
Woody Powell / |
DeAndrea
Gooden |
Gold
– Commercial Baking |
|
A’Nyseian
Lane |
Silver
– Commercial Baking |
|
|
Steve
Averit / |
Doug
Petz |
Gold
– Diesel Truck |
|
Jonathan
Motl |
Silver
– Diesel Truck |
|
|
Scottie
Elmore |
Bronze
– Diesel Truck |
|
|
Robert
Belk |
Gold
– Diesel Farm |
|
|
Justin
Wilson |
Silver
– Diesel Farm |
|
|
Jason
Bredlow |
Bronze
– Diesel Farm |
|
|
James
Birtcher / |
Joshua
Stramiello |
Gold
– Extemporaneous Speaking |
|
Carla
Stallings / |
Brian
Kelly |
Gold
– Job Interview |
|
Mitchell
Perry / |
Robin
Dixon |
Bronze
– Graphic Communications |
|
Jerald
White / |
Paul
Wilson |
Bronze
– Secondary Welding |
|
Toby
Lutman, Kris Doan, Jesse Delling, Aaron Kubli, Wilson Paul |
Bronze
– Quiz Bowl |
In addition, Carl Grummer / Architectural Computer-Aided
Drafting & Design Instructor at Metropolitan received the Skills USA
Honorary Lifetime Membership Award for Outstanding Service to Arkansas Skills
USA.
The final Superintendent’s citations were given to the ex officio
representatives to the Board for the Month of April: Darnell Bell, teacher at Western Hills Elementary School, and
Lenora Nunnley, student at J. A. Fair Magnet High School.
Vanessa Hampton, the
Student Council Sponsor at Parkview Magnet High, introduced Derrick Rainey, Reginald Cleaver and
Carlton Wamble. These students participated in the recent
statewide Student Council conference held at Parkview.
Thirty schools from around the state participated in the conference, and
the student council representatives were present to thank the Board and the
Superintendent for their contributions to the success of the conference. City
Year sponsored a community
service activity, the Superintendent
addressed the group at the
opening event, and Board
Member Bryan Day was recognized
for his contributions to the conference through the City of Little Rock Parks
and Recreation Department.
Anne Williams, fourth
grade teacher at Carver Magnet Elementary School, addressed the Board regarding
the attendance component of the PTAS evaluation instrument. She stated that although she has accumulated
62 days of sick leave, she was given a poor evaluation, below basic, for
missing a few days of school during a recent illness. She and other teachers want the Board to reconsider this
component of the evaluation process and to work with the union to come up with
a method of evaluation that does not penalize a teacher for being ill or for
having to use sick time when another family member is ill.
Grainger Ledbetter thanked the negotiations
team for the cooperative process in coming to agreement for all the various
employee groups. He stated that they
were almost complete and that teachers were especially encouraged by the $3,000
stipend that would be available to teachers who complete the National Board
Certification process.
IV. REPORTS
AND COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Rose made comments regarding the LISA Academy and the recent announcement that the school would be located in the far western part of the city. He stated that the State Board of Education should reconsider their approval of this charter school because taking it out of the inner city will drastically change the dynamics of the school and the resulting enrollment will have a negative impact on the LRSD enrollment. He stated that he personally had received three recruiting letters from LISA, and that he is appalled that state funds will be taken from the public schools to fund this private academy.
Mr. Kurrus continued on the topic of LISA Academy, stating that an estimated $600,000 will be taken from the LRSD to fund this private school for the approximately 107 students who have enrolled thus far from our District’s boundaries. He thanked the two State Board of Education members who voted against LISA, and he stated the ADE might want to reconsider their approval after seeing how they have changed the basic plans from application to implementation.
Mr. Babbs did not have a formal report, but did provide the list of names recommended to serve on the Student Assignment Committee. He will contact all of these individuals and coordinate a meeting to begin the process of reviewing the current attendance zones and school assignment policies and procedures. Dr. Daugherty has been asked to co-chair as the Board’s representative on the committee.
Dr. Stewart was present, but had nothing to report.
Mr. Eaton reviewed the written report provided by Mr. Goodman and printed in the Board’s agenda.
Mr. Becker was present and noted that his report was printed in the agenda.
He reported that the recent United Way Day of Caring had resulted in community service projects at eight of our schools.
Ms. Neal highlighted topics printed in the report provided for the agenda. The Technology Center is scheduled to open in June, and Board members were invited to tour at their convenience. Two professional development days are scheduled next week, and staff will be involved in computer training on those days, teachers as well as administrators and other staff.
Karen Broadnax, ESL Supervisor, provided a written report for the Board’s review and approval. The findings of the OCR review and investigation were printed in the agenda, and evidence was included indicating that the District had satisfactorily fulfilled the terms of the Commitment to Resolve.
Mr. Day made a motion to accept the report as presented. Dr. Mitchell seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
A.
Minutes
Minutes from the regular meeting of the
Board of Directors held on March 25, and from a special meeting held on April
8, 2004, were presented for review and approval. There were no corrections noted and the minutes were approved as submitted.
B.
Personnel
Changes
Routine personnel changes were printed
in the Board’s agenda. Dr. Holmes
recommended approval. Mr. Kurrus made
the motion to approve the changes; Mr. Berkley seconded the motion, and it carried
unanimously.
A.
Summer
Educational Programs
Dennis Glasgow reviewed a proposal for providing summer enrichment programs on a pilot basis to students who need reinforcement of basic skills, and for students who need credit recovery for failing courses in secondary school. The District is challenged to find a variety of educational opportunities for student enrichment.
Mr. Glasgow reviewed the RFP and explained the recent state legislation that requires the District to offer free credit recovery courses for those students who are in the free and reduced lunch socio-economic status.
Since budgetary requirements were still unknown, Mr. Day made a motion to table. Dr. Daugherty seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
A.
Regulation: GBEA-R – Conflict of Interest
An
explanation of the requirements for
compliance with Arkansas statute 6-24-101, Act 1599 of 2001, was provided in
the Board’s agenda. Mr. Paradis
presented the regulations to implement our compliance. No vote was required.
B.
Request for Dedication of Right of Way: Parkview Magnet High School
Mr. Eaton provided a request to dedicate to the City
of Little Rock a right-of-way easement on 26th Street near Parkview
High School to fulfill the requirement of a conditional use permit. This easement is on the east side of the
campus and will not detract in any way from the operations of the school. Street and drainage improvements will be
made in this area, and will benefit access and traffic around the school
property.
Mr. Day moved to approve the right of way
easement; Mr. Berkley seconded the motion.
It carried unanimously.
C.
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.
Student ex officio, Lenora Nunnley, read the items listed in the Board’s agenda. Dr. Mitchell made a motion to accept the
donated items;
Ms. Strickland seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
|
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT |
ITEM |
DONOR |
|
Central High School |
$848.00 for bus expenses for
9th grade students to attend a production of Romeo & Juliet at
the Repertory Theatre The novel, “Bleachers,” by
author John Grisham to each member of the Tiger Football Team. Total value of the donation, $1,603.49 |
Leslie Golden and Susan
Nichols Kevin Crass of the Friday,
Eldredge & Clark Law Firm |
|
Cloverdale Magnet Middle
School |
Burger coupons, valued at
approximately $500.00 to be used as student incentives A framed oil painting of the
school, valued at approximately $350.00, to be hung in the front office |
McDonalds, RCN Enterprises,
Inc. Mr. Carey Hilburn |
DONATIONS
OF PROPERTY (continued)
|
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT |
ITEM |
DONOR |
|
Mabelvale Magnet Middle
School |
Seven computer tables and a
portable AV computer station for the technology center of the new
library. Total value approximately
$1,400. |
Fidelity Information
Services, Inc. |
|
LRSD |
Assorted office furniture
and a Canon typewriter, valued at approximately $100. Two Mark 100 AF Metal/Weapon
Detection Systems with an extra control module, valued at approximately
$7,500. |
Mark Ross, Ross & Ross,
PA Little Rock National Airport |
D.
Financial Report
The monthly financial
summary reports were provided to the Board as part of the printed agenda. Dr.
Stewart was present to review the reports and respond to
questions.
VIII.
CLOSING REMARKS
The Superintendent briefly reviewed upcoming
events as printed in the District’s calendar.
IX.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board,
the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
APPROVED:
_ 05-20-04 __ Originals Signed by:
Tony Rose, President
R. Micheal Daugherty, Secretary