JASPER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
MINUTES – DECEMBER 8, 2008
PRESENT: Kathleen Snooks, Berty Riley, Pamela Williams,
Michael Hubbard, James Gardner, Priscilla Fraser,
Patricia Walls, Alina Hamilton-Clark and
Randy Horton
1. CALL TO ORDER – Michael Hubbard, Board Chair, called this meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom, Ridgeland, S.C.
2. ROLL CALL & ESTABLISHMENT OF A QUORUM – 9P
3. NOTIFICATION OF NEWS MEDIA – The following news media
were notified of the date, time, place and agenda of
this meeting: Jasper Sun, Hardeeville Today, Beaufort Gazette, The Island Packet, Savannah Morning News, The Gullah Sentinel, WSAV, WTOC, WJCL and WTGS.
4. INVOCATION – The Invocation was led by Alina Hamilton-Clark, Board Chaplain.
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The pledge to the flag was
recited by the Board and audience.
6. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS & STAFF – Dr. Sanford recog-
nized district staff present and those who would be presenting to the Board under Special Hearing(s):
Brent Jeffcoat (Bonding Attorney), Charles Boykin (Boykin & Davis Law Firm), Angela Harriott (Puddle Jumpers Child Development Center) and Dr. Georgiana Hicks (Armstrong Preparatory Center for Early Learning).
7. PUBLIC HEARING(S) – Three persons signed in for Public
Hearing to address the Board: (1) Patricia J. Daniels,
(2) Bridgette Jones and (3) Kenneth Lawyer, Sr.
Mr. Hubbard informed them that thirty minutes is set aside for Public Hearing and they would each have ten
minutes to address the Board. He cautioned them not to call student or personnel names.
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#1 – Patricia J. Daniels stated that she wrote a letter
to the Superintendent with a copy to each board member regarding her treatment since being hired as the ESOL Paraprofessional at Hardeeville Middle-High School and the conditions at the school. Ms. Daniels requested that her concerns not be ignored or overlooked.
All board members acknowledged receiving the letter.
Mr. Hubbard informed Mrs. Daniels that they would
address her concerns with Dr. Sanford and he will get back in touch with her.
#2 – Bridgette Jones stated that she has concerns with uniforms, students walking around with different color socks, accessories that don’t go with the uniform, and students walking around with pumps on. Also, the uni-form policy is not included in the student handbooks.
Ms. Jones addressed the current Ridgeland High School music teacher and students having to teach themselves. She stated that the students are still working on the same songs from the prior music teacher. When the high school coronation was held the teacher sat down during the choir’s performance and did not stand before them to direct them. It is her understanding that she does not have a degree in music. This teacher is getting paid tax dollars and is not teaching. She is consider-ing getting a petition signed in order to get the previous music teacher back.
Mr. Hubbard asked Dr. Sanford to respond to Ms. Jones
in writing and make sure that board members receive a copy of his response.
#3 – Kenneth Lawyer, Sr. shared that he is pleased with the teacher hired for the English class in Hardeeville. His daughter is a senior in this class and he has met the teacher and the students are satisfied with this person. He requested that this person be allowed to stay through the end of the school year because the students have gone through three teachers already.
MINUTES – DECEMBER 8, 2008
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Mr. Lawyer questioned if the District plans on keeping her in this position or are they still recruiting. His concern was that he does not want the students to have to go through another change.
Dr. Sanford stated that to the best of his knowledge the person hired for the Distance Learning class will be in place through the end of December. They will have an English teacher coming to work in January.
The board members were given the opportunity to ask
questions or make comments.
Mr. Hubbard thanked Mr. Lawyer for expressing his concerns. He explained that the state does mandate that a certified teacher be placed in front of the students. He was also glad to know that the Distance Learning class is working.
8. *APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Mr. Hubbard entertained a motion for approval of the Agenda. A motion was made by
Patricia Walls and seconded by Priscilla Fraser to approve the Agenda. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 9-0.
9. ADOPTION OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 24, 2008 – Mr. Hubbard entertained a motion for the adoption of the minutes. A motion was made by Berty Riley and seconded by Alina Hamilton-Clark to adopt the minutes.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 9-0.
10. SPECIAL HEARING(S) -
10.1 NATIONAL YOUNG LEADERS RECOGNITION – DESIREE
BEATON – Dr. Sanford stated that at this time
they have not received the national award to be
given to the student but her mother would like
to address the Board.
Mrs. Detra Beaton and Desiree came up before the
Board. Mrs. Beaton shared that her daughter was nominated for this recognition by her teacher, Sandra White, to represent South Carolina at the National Young Leaders State Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 16-19, 2009.
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Desiree is an 8th grader at Ridgeland Middle School and she will be attending this conference with other students from all over the region. The cost is $1,500 and covers her registration, motel accommodations and meals. The travel to Charlotte will be additional. She stated that she is very proud of Desiree for keeping up with her academic work as well as playing sports because she tries
very hard.
Mr. Hubbard commended Desiree for her achievement.
10.2 *GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS – BRENT JEFFCOAT -
Mr. Jeffcoat came forward to share information on funding availability for the renovations and new construction at the Academy for Career Excellence (ACE). Jasper County School District’s share of the cost is $4.45 million. Mr. Jeffcoat shared that he met with school district staff and county employees this afternoon to discuss the bonded debt capacity. The school district has enough bonded debt capacity to fund the ACE renovations. However, his recommendation is that they do not issue the bonds until the money is needed. Bond anticipation notes will be issued as the money is needed. This will use up all of the District’s bonded debt capacity. The Resolution was included in the Board’s packet for their review.
Dr. Sanford recommended that the Board pass the
Resolution as this time.
Mr. Hubbard entertained a motion from the Board. A motion was made by Patricia Walls and seconded by James Gardner to approve the Resolution.
Dr. Sanford stated that one of the recommendations
from ACE is that these funds be put into an escrow
account until it is needed.
Mr. Jeffcoat did not recommend this because there is no point in borrowing the money and investing it until the funds are actually needed.
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Mr. Horton had concerns about going into this
without knowing the cost to the District to do
this. He stated that he is not so concerned about
the interest rates but with Mr. Jeffcoat’s fee and
the cost to the Board.
Mr. Jeffcoat stated that when his firm does bond anticipation notes they charge on an hourly basis for the time actually spent on this. He stated that the least costly way to do this is to use the bond anticipation notes. Interest rates are at 1.5% at this time. He suggested that the Board pass the Resolution so they can get back with ACE. Then if the Board wants to look at another bonding firm to do the work that is their choice.
Mrs. Fraser questioned what the County’s stand is
on assisting the District in the future if further
funds are needed.
Dr. Sanford shared that Dr. Hood stated that the
District was basically on its own.
Mr. Hubbard reminded the Board that the eight percent money can only be spent on buildings and would not affect the District’s operating budget at all. He questioned if the District can get a
letter of intent from Mr. Jeffcoat’s firm to send
to ACE indicating that they would not be putting
the money in escrow.
Mr. Jeffcoat stated that he would be glad to do
this.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 9-0.
10.3 *PRESENTATION BY LAW OFFICE OF BOYKIN & DAVIS, LLC
Charles Boykin of the Law Office of Boykin & Davis came before the Board to express his interest in representing the District. He shared that his previous firm had represented the District for a number of years. He left that firm and started a new firm (Boykin & Davis, LLC).
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PAGE SIX
Mr. Boykin introduced his staff from the firm. Boykin & Davis has an AB Rating and specializes
in the area of school law and employment law.
There were no questions from the Board.
Mr. Hubbard thanked Mr. Boykin for coming before
the Board.
10.4 *PUDDLE JUMPERS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER –
Dr. Sanford shared that Angela Harriott is coming
before the Board to request permission to rent a
portion of the old Ridgeland Elementary School for
Puddle Jumpers Child Development Center.
Mrs. Harriott passed out additional information to
the Board for their information. She reflected on
five points of how her program would be beneficial
to the District and the community.
§ To achieve the ultimate goal of supplying the children of the community with a safe and nurturing environment
§ Reduce vandalism by having the premises occupied on a daily basis
§ Prevent the deterioration of the buildings and its exterior by regular maintenance
§ To provide much needed employment for the members of Jasper County
§ By utilizing the now vacant area as a community ser-vice and to provide additional benefits including income to the county
Mr. Seabrooks explained that Mrs. Harriott would like to rent the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten area and the two adjacent wings, along with the reception area of the office.
Mrs. Harriott responded to questions from the
Board by stating that she will have to meet DSS (Department of Social Services) requirements of square footage, number of students, etc. She needs to have approval from the Board on the use of the building before applying with DSS. She will also check into any zoning issues.
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Mrs. Harriott shared that she has an investor that will assist with funding and she will have to know the amount that the District is going to charge for rent in order to determine her budget and what her costs will be.
Mr. Gardner stated that he feels this needs to go before the Facility Committee because they have not discussed any rental rates for commercial use. He does not see a problem with the Child Develop-ment Center using a portion of the building for educational use but they have not discussed any commercial use.
Mr. Seabrooks stated that Mrs. Harriott needs to get approval from the Board in order to proceed with this proposal.
Mrs. Fraser questioned if there are any parts of
the building that would need renovations for the needs of the child development center.
Mr. Seabrooks stated that there is one HVAC unit that needs to be replaced and cleaning would be needed. However, the building structure would remain intact.
Mrs. Walls stated that this would need to go to
the Facility Committee for discussion.
Ms. Riley stated that she does not feel that the
Board is in a place to make a decision. She feels
that this must go before the Facility Committee
and this can be brought back to the Board with a
recommendation.
Mr. Gardner stated that the Board’s policy for
building rental is only for non-profit use. They
do not have any requirements or amounts set for
commercial use of the buildings. The Facility
Committee needs to discuss this.
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PAGE EIGHT
Mr. Hubbard informed Mrs. Harriott that the Board is charged by the citizens of Jasper County to make informed decisions. More information is needed from the District before they can make a decision. He shared that the Facility Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2008
at 5:30 p.m. if she would like to attend.
Dr. Sanford recommended that this be taken back
to the Facility Committee.
Mr. Hubbard entertained a motion from the Board. A motion was made by Patricia Walls and seconded by Kathleen Snooks to refer this to the Facility
Committee. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 9-0.
10.5 *ARMSTRONG PREPARATORY CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING –
DR. GEORGIANA HICKS – Dr. Sanford shared that
Dr. Hicks was present to propose writing a 21st Century Grant for the District.
Dr. Hicks stated that she learned that the school district does not have 20th Century Community Learning Centers in the schools. She would like to submit 21st Century Grant proposals to work with elementary, middle and high school students, but the schools must be classified as Title I Schools in order to be eligible for the grant money. She asked that the District partner with Armstrong Preparatory Center for Early Learning to do this program. They would work with 133 students per campus. This would be an after school program that would operate fifteen hours per week and would be done through the Armstrong Preparatory Center for Early Learning. The grant proposals must be submitted by March so the programs can start-up in June 2009.