Butler County Board of Education
Meeting Minutes
January 18, 2007
The regular meeting of the Butler County Board of Education was held at the Central Office Boardroom located at 215 Administrative Drive in Greenville, Alabama at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2007, with the following Board officials in attendance: Board President, Mr. Billy Jones, Board Members Ms. Linda Hamilton, Mr. Terry Williams, Mr. Joseph Lisenby, Mrs. Joanne Peak, Board Attorney Mr. Lewis S. Hamilton and Superintendent of Education, Mike Looney. Superintendent Looney certified that there was a quorum present. Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag led by the Bright Beginnings I Preschool class, Mrs. Joanne Peak led in prayer.
Recognitions
Board Member Appreciation Month
Mrs. Kay Armstrong and Mrs. Joyce Buskey introduced the Bright Beginnings I Preschool class. They gave a short performance in honor of the board members for Board Member Recognition Month. Superintendent Looney stated that he could think of no way better to honor the members than to show some of the wonderful things that the boys and girls are experiencing in our schools. He stated that we honor them by making the most of every day and by challenging the boys and girls we serve and by challenging ourselves to do a better job. He offered a heartfelt thank you for their service and leadership.
Linda Jarzyniecki, National Board Certification
Superintendent Looney recognized Mrs. Linda Jarzyniecki for her accomplishment in obtaining national board certification. He noted that she was the first and only employee in Butler County to attain this honor. He commended her for her efforts. He noted that she would receive a $5,000 pay increase from the State of Alabama along with a $5,000 stipend to use in her classroom. Superintendent Looney stated that he was extremely proud of her and hoped that many others follow in her footsteps.
Increase in Teachers Obtaining Advanced Degrees
Superintendent Looney noted that in the last report card for the school system we had an 8.5% increase in teachers who have received advanced degrees, leading to higher professional development standards and higher pay.
Energy Education, Inc. Presentation
Mr. Ken Murdock with Energy Education, Inc. gave a presentation regarding their company’s program to reduce energy costs for the school system. He gave an overview of the program and outlined the costs and proposed savings. He noted that implementation of their program could provide a cost saving of 20% - 40% on energy costs. No action was taken by the Board.
Approval of Minutes/Payrolls
Superintendent Looney recommended that the payroll and minutes for the November 16, 2006 (work session) November 16, 2006 (regular meeting) and December 18, 2006 meetings be approved. Upon a recommendation by Ms. Linda Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Joseph Lisenby, all ayes, no nays, the minutes and payroll were approved.
General Fund: November December
General Fund Payrolls $1,149,112.33 $1,127,898.31
Social Security 84,230.14 82,659.61
Teacher Retirement 102,850.51 101,527.97
Insurance 249,695.75 248,261.75
Unemployment 340.39 333.87
Bills and Accounts 325,842.13 248,659.82
Federal Funds:
Payrolls $ 191,076.56 185,092.48
Social Security 14,117.29 13,713.56
Teacher Retirement 15,321.00 14,753.19
Insurance 39,413.49 38,696.49
Unemployment 52.92 51.26
Bills and Accounts 17,608.26 38,013.81
Child Nutrition Programs:
Payrolls $ 50,635.74 49,290.27
Social Security 3,530.06 3,430.76
Teacher Retirement 4,630.35 4,540.09
Insurance 24,219.76 24,219.76
Unemployment 15.21 14.82
Bills and Accounts 187,207.20 104,681.48
Report of Fund Raising Drives/Requests for Use of School Buses
The report of fund raising drives/requests for use of school buses was reviewed. There was no action necessary regarding this report.
Financial Report Approved
Superintendent Looney recommended that the financial report which included the financial statement for FY07 fiscal period 2 and the reconciled bank statement be approved. Upon a motion by Mr. Joseph Lisenby, seconded by Mrs. Joanne Peak, all ayes, no nays, the financial report was approved.
Personnel Report Approved
Upon a recommendation by Superintendent Looney, motion by Mr. Joseph Lisenby, seconded by Mrs. Joanne Peak, all ayes, no nays with exception of Mr. Billy Jones abstaining on two items involving Debbie Jones and Brian Jones, the revised personnel report was approved as follows:
Resignations
- Katie Brown, Special Education Services Aide, Greenville Elementary School
- Cindy Johnson, Special Education Services Teacher, Greenville Middle School
Voluntary Transfers
- Earnest Hill, transfer from Teacher at Butler County Alternative School to ISSP, Greenville
High School
- Carlton Edwards, transfer from Math Teacher, Georgiana High School to Butler County
Alternative School
- Debbie Jones, transfer from Bookkeeper, Georgiana High School to ISSP Aide, Georgiana
High School (effective when replacement is found and trained)
- June Brooks, transfer from ISSP Aide, Greenville High School to Special Education Services
Aide, Greenville Elementary School
- Sarah Lanier, transfer from Science Teacher, Georgiana High School to Math Teacher,
Georgiana High School
- Brian Jones, transfer from Groundskeeper, Maintenance Department to Special Education
Services Aide, R. L. Austin Elementary School
- Cynthia Taylor, transfer from Elementary Teacher, R. L. Austin Elementary School to
Teacher at Butler County Alternative School
Requests for Leaves of Absence
- Josie Albritton, School Bus Driver, Transportation Department, request for medical leave (to care for son) from January 18 through January 28, 2007
- Susan McClellan, Gifted Education Teacher, BCECC, maternity leave of absence from
approximately February 1, 2007 for six weeks
Employment
- Andrew McClellan, Elementary Teacher, R. L. Austin Elementary School
- Leslie Parreco Science Teacher, Georgiana High School
- Thomas Ryan, Bus Driver, Transportation Department
Report of Bid Results: Surplus Property Sale
Upon a recommendation by Superintendent Looney, motion by Mrs. Joanne Peak, seconded by Mr. Joseph Lisenby, all ayes, no nays, the surplus property sale bid results were approved.
Report of Bid Results: Surplus Vehicles, E-Rate Items, and Permission to File for E-Rate Discounts
Upon a recommendation by Superintendent Looney, motion by Mr. Joseph Lisenby, seconded by Ms. Linda Hamilton, all ayes, no nays, the sale of two surplus vehicles for which no bids were received was approved as indicated below as well as the low bids for E-Rate items and permission to file for E-Rate discounts. A copy of the bid results is included as a part of these minutes.
- Sale of Surplus Vehicles:
o Agencies: South Central Mental Health Board and Butler Activity and Training Center (sold for $1.00 each)
§ 1987 Chevrolet Celebrity VIN# 1G1AW51R2H6212817
§ 1990 Chevrolet Corsica VIN# 1G1LT54G1LE214441
- E-Rate Items
o Telephone Service (local and long distance) - Camellia Communications - $2,457.28/month (effective July 1, 2007)
o Network Infrastructure - GTKey - $1,450,745.00
o Data Rack Replacement – GTKey - $21,408.00
o Cellular Phone Service – Alltel (3rd and final year of contract)
o Web Hosting – SchoolinSites (2nd year of possible 3 year contract)
o Permission granted to file for E-Rate discounts for July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 for the following goods and/or services:
§ Local and long distance telephone service
§ Cellular phone service
§ Internet access
§ CIPA compliant E-mail Services for 9th – 12th grade students
§ Network hardware
§ Network equipment with rack replacements
§ Web hosting services for district website and school websites
Permission to Advertise for Bids: Medical Equipment for Health Science Program and Content Filter for Internet
Upon a recommendation by Superintendent Looney, motion by Mrs. Joanne Peak, seconded by Ms. Linda Hamilton, all ayes, no nays, permission was granted to advertise for bids for medical equipment for the health science program for 2007-2008 and for a content filter for the internet.
Fine Arts Textbook Committee Approved
Upon a recommendation by Superintendent Looney, motion by Mr. Joseph Lisenby, seconded by Mr. Terry Williams, all ayes, no nays the Fine Arts Textbook Committee members were approved as follows:
- Reginald Eggleston
- Chris Pryor
- Millie McDonald
- Autumn Coleman
- Jenny Keen
- Laura Mullins
- Wendy Mathews
- Alisa Huggins
- Jason Bennett
- Anderson Graves
- Kent McNaughton
- Mike Gunter
- Ermelinda Burkett (Parent)
- Stacey Edwards
Homebound Policy Approved
Superintendent Looney recommended that the proposed homebound policy be approved as presented. He noted that the policy had been reviewed by the Board Policy Advisory Committee and they had no comments to refer to the Board. Upon a motion by Mr. Terry Williams, seconded by Mr. Joseph Lisenby, all ayes, no nays, the homebound policy was approved as presented. It was also noted that the number of students on homebound status fluctuates throughout the year.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Looney stated that a number of items would be reported on as updates to the strategic plan. He noted that several staff members would be providing this information.
Strategic Plan Update – Student Community Service Report, At-Risk Report, At-Risk Students Provided with Alternative Education Programs, Student Discipline Report, Violent and Habitual Offenders Placed in Alternative Setting, and Expansion and Enhancement of After School Program and Opportunities
Dr. Reginald Eggleston, Administrative Assistant for Student Services gave an overview on community service activities within the school system. He gave an overview of the Students of Service Program and noted that 138 students participated with 11 adult volunteers providing a total of 5,487 service hours. This group focuses on serve that can be done at the Butler County Education & Community Learning Center for the after school programs. They also provided a six week summer program in which 45 students were challenged with making a difference in their communities.
Dr. Eggleston reported that the Builder’s Club at Greenville Middle School is comprised of 52 sixth graders with two adult sponsors. This organization provides continuous campus clean up, donations for school uniforms and school supplies for needy students and other various services throughout the year.
Dr. Eggleston reported that the Builder’s Club at McKenzie High School consists of 25 fifth and sixth grade students who wrote letters to overseas soldiers in honor of Veteran’s Day, conducted campus clean ups, and conducted fundraisers for 2nd semester projects.
Dr. Eggleston stated that this year we have implemented the PBS (positive behavioral support) program. He stated that we are using a number of things in order to curtail behavior problems as this impacts the climate and morale of the students and the teachers. He gave an overview of the student discipline totals for ISSP, suspensions, alternative school placement, etc. He stated that students identified as at-risk are provided with the necessary support such as counseling, individualized lessons, etc. as needed. He noted that these numbers are provided in our SIR report. Superintendent Looney noted that there was a 58% decrease in weapon related incidents from the previous year.
Dr. Eggleston stated that we have developed a night school program in our school district at Greenville High School and Georgiana High School. He noted that presently we have 85 students attending night school. He stated that this would provide them with the opportunity to receive credit recovery and tutoring/remediation for any portion of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam that they have not passed.
Student Grade Report/Academic Achievement
Jennifer Burt, Instructional Accountability Specialist provided a grade comparison report for the 1st and 2nd nine weeks. She also provided a summary report for the December administration of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. She noted that prior to the December test 87 seniors still had not passed all portions of the AHSGE. Upon receipt of the December test results it was determined that 21 of these students passed all portions. 27 students lacked 1 section. 12 needed to pass 2 sections. 8 students lack 3 sections. 11 lack 4 sections and 8 students lack 5 sections. She noted that tutoring and remediation is offered for these students that still have portions of the exam to pass during the school day and after regular school hours.
Mrs. Burt reported that a review of DIBELS scores for mid-year 2006-2007 reading revealed that 75% of students in grades K-3 are reading at grade level. This was down slightly from the Spring 2006 total of 83.75%. She noted that this was typical for the time of year and expected the percentage to increase with the Spring 2007 results.
Maintenance Report
Allin Whittle, Assistant Superintendent provided a report for the Maintenance Department from the School Dude work order tracking program which had been implemented this school year. He gave an overview of the total number of work orders processed since the beginning of the school year and for FY quarter 1.
Recruitment Report
Allin Whittle, Assistant Superintendent presented the teacher recruitment plan for system. He noted that he along with other system personnel would be attending recruitment fairs at Alabama universities beginning on February 21st in efforts to recruit teachers for the coming school year. At this time they plan to attend fairs at twelve universities throughout the state.
STI Usage Report
Matthew Shell, Technology Director, provided an STI usage report. He noted that STIHome is a web-based portal for parents to view their child’s attendance, grades, discipline, and homework assignments. This system was made available for the first time this year and is available at all schools for all students. He provided a breakdown of usage by school and a report on popularity by school. It was noted that Greenville High School received the highest rating on the popularity index.
Attendance Report
Fay Stokes, Attendance Officer provided an attendance summary report for the 2nd nine-weeks. The district total attendance rate for the period was noted to be 90.9%. Mrs. Stokes reported that the flu season had contributed to this rate and stated that in speaking with the local pediatrician’s office he confirmed that 80% of the patients he had treated during this time frame were flu related. Mrs. Stokes further reported that she had conducted an early warning session for 186 students. This was greatly reduced from 322 during the same time period in the 2005-06 school year. She also noted that a special attendance day was held at Greenville High School for 91 students to allow parents time to present valid excuses for the student absences.
Partnerships With Local Non-Profit Organizations
Mrs. Fay Stokes presented a listing of partnerships with local businesses/organizations. She thanked the partners for assisting the school system for the many valuable contributions they provide.