Summary of Minutes
September 8, 2009
The Board of Education for the Public Schools of Robeson County convened in session on September 8, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. at the Administrative Office Building in Lumberton, North Carolina.
The following members were present:
Mike Smith, Chairman
Loistine DeFreece, Vice-Chairman
Dr. Jo Ann C. Lowery
Steve Martin
Tony Jenkins
Brenda Fairley-Ferebee
Severeo Kerns
Jerry Long
John Campbell
Robert Deese
Absent: Randall Jones
Also in attendance were Dr. Johnny Hunt, Superintendent; Dr. Linda Emanuel, Walter Jackson, Tommy Lowry, Dr. Danny Stedman, Assistant Superintendents; Erica Setzer, Chief Finance Officer, and Attorney Grady Hunt.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. Call to Order: Chairman Mike Smith.
2. Invocation: Mr. Jerry Long.
3. Adoption of the Agenda: Chairman Mike Smith. The Board approved
the revised agenda.
4. Approval of Minutes – Open Session: The Board unanimously
approved the taped open session minutes of August 11, 2009.
5. INFORMATION ITEMS
A. Public Comments
No Comments.
B. RAE
Ms. Monica Graham, introduced the 2009-2010 RAE Executive Council Members. She also introduced the new Uni-Serve Representative, Mr. Michael Chaudhuri. Mr. Chaudhuri comes to Robeson County from the State of Nevada.
C. Recognition – Ms. Eva Patterson
Dr. Linda Emanuel, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, recognized Ms. Eva Patterson, a former high school coach at Red Springs High School. Ms. Patterson now serves as the Head Coach of the Girl’s Basketball Team at Fayetteville State University. Ms. Patterson was presented a plaque of recognition for her service to the Public Schools of Robeson County.
D. ABC/AYP Recognition
Dr. Linda Emanuel, Assistant Superintendent, and Mr. Tommy Lowry, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support, presented plaques of recognition for making ABC/AYP. The following schools were recognized:
East Robeson Primary, Principal, Ms. Barbara McQueen – High Growth, School of Progress and AYP; Fairmont Middle School, Interim Principal, Mr. Avery Brooks, - High Growth; Green Grove Elementary School, Principal, Ms. Cazzie McClamb – High Growth, School of Progress and AYP; Janie C. Hargrave, Principal, Ms. Shelia Gasque – AYP; Littlefield Middle School, Principal, Mr. Wesley Floyd – Expected Growth; Long Branch Elementary School. Principal, Dr. Penny Britt – High Growth and School of Progress; Lumberton High School, Principal, Mr. Steve Gaskins – Expected Growth and School of Progress; Magnolia Elementary School, Principal, Mr. Robert Locklear – Expected Growth; Oxendine Elementary School, Principal, Ms. Katie Brewer – AYP; Parkton School, Principal, Ms. Melinda Sellers; High Growth, School of Progress and AYP; Pembroke Elementary, Principal, Ms. Tona Jacobs – Expected Growth, School of Progress and AYP; Peterson Elementary School, Principal, Ms. Kristen Stone, Expected Growth and AYP; Piney Grove Elementary School, Ms. Jill Hathaway, Expected Growth, School of Progress and AYP; Prospect Elementary School, Principal, Mr. Jonathan Blue, Expected Growth and School of Progress; Early College, Principal, Ms. Melissa Flowers, AYP; Purnell Swett High School, Principal, Mr. Antonio Wilkins, High Growth and School of Progress; R. B. Dean Elementary School, Principal, Ms. Justine Wade, AYP; Red Springs High School, Principal, Mr. Daniel Ryberg, High Growth and School of Progress; Rex Rennert Elementary School, Principal, Mr. Bobby Oxendine, High Growth and AYP; Rosenwald elementary, Principal, Dr. Effie McGill, Expected Growth and AYP; Rowland Middle School, Principal, Mr.Larry Brooks, Expected Growth and AYP; Rowland Norment, Principal, Ms. Laura Owens-Dif, High Growth, School of Progress and AYP; St. Pauls High School, Principal, Mr. Hoyt McCormick, Expected Growth and School of Progress; St. Pauls Middle School, Principal, Ms. Barbara Thompson, Expected Growth and AYP; South Robeson High School, Principal, Mr. DeRay Cole, High Growth and School of Progess; Southside/Ashpole. Principal, Ms. Dacia Bullard, Expected Growth and AYP; Tanglewood Elementary, Principal, Ms. Jones Culbreth, High Growth, School of Distinction and AYP; Union Chapel Elementary, Principal, Ms. Virginia Emanuel, Expected Growth, School of Progress and AYP; Union Elementary School, Principal, Ms. Darlene Cummings, Expected Growth and AYP; and West Lumberton Elementary School, Principal, Dr. Juanita Clark, Expected Growth, School of Distinction and AYP.
Superintendent Dr. Johnny Hunt, commented on the improvements made on the test scores this past year and congratulated the administrative staff, principals, teachers and support staff.
E. Image Supply
Dr. Danny Stedman, Assistant Superintendent for Plant Operations, introduced Mr. David Edge, CCAP Specialist/Custodial Consultant with Image Supply Company.
Mr. David Edge made a presentation on a project conducted at three schools within the school system concerning the custodial program. Mr. Edge said the purpose of the visit to the schools was to look for any and all means of improvements to get a better idea of what benefits they could provide to the school system and wanted to help the school system lead the state in the green movement. Mr. Edge presented a summary of findings.
Chairman Smith stated this would need to be reviewed by the Finance Committee and administration.
F. PSRC SES Providers
Mr. Tommy Lowry, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Programs, spoke to the Board about the school system being their own provider with tutoring services. Mr. Lowry stated currently student tutoring services are approved by the State of North Carolina. Mr. Lowry asked for the school board’s permission to apply to be an SES provider. He stated that the school system was selected this week by the State Board to provide their own services. The other providers will still have the same opportunity to provide services. The school system will compete with the other providers for those services. Mr. Lowry says that Dr. Sally Jones will oversee the provider part of the program. He commented that the State Board of Education and consultants with the Department of Public Instruction says that providers cannot put information out until a meeting is held on the 18th when directions will be given at that time. Some providers have already put information out there and that will have to be reported to the State Board of Education.
Mr. Lowry stated that a report from DPI will be issued regarding services provided by those agencies that have helped students.
Superintendent Dr. Johnny Hunt stated that hopefully this will save the school system about one half million dollars.
G. Transportation Plan
Dr. Danny Stedman, Assistant Superintendent of Plant Operations, says the Board received a copy of information regarding the transportation plan. Dr. Stedman stated at the August 11th Board meeting he presented what the state was proposing all LEAs to look for with their current transportation system and to look at cutting mileage. The Public Schools of Robeson County would need to cut 1600 bus miles a day and look at any other ways to cut costs. Mr. Raymond Cummings, Transportation Director, presented options for the Board to review and after discussion the Board tabled the discussion until further study could be done. Mr. Cummings presented another proposal at this Board meeting of data collected as to ways to cut cost with transportation.
The Board asked that a report be presented including state mandates, with 23,000 students the system, how many of these students would this plan affect, if the proposal is adopted, and why this proposal would be recommended.
H. Finance Committee Report
Mr. Severeo Kerns, Chairman of the Finance Committee, said the committee met and our school system has been cut about $22 million dollars so far. The following items were discussed at the meeting.
· Budget Update – Ms. Erica Setzer, Chief Finance Officer, gave a report as to cuts already made as well as cuts in the technology program. She stated some of the larger allotment cuts were in clerical, custodians, and substitute teachers, from $6.7 million dollars down to $183 thousand dollars. Ms. Setzer stated stabilization funds would have to be used to replace those cuts. Other cuts were in student accountability funds, textbooks, transportation, position cuts, summer school cuts, (excluding ESY summer school services), as well as several other budget cuts. All funding cuts for this current school year had to be adjusted from other fund sources.
Ms. Setzer said that on Friday the lottery distribution for 2008-09 was fully funded roughly at $1.2 million dollars.
· Tennis Court Lights – South Robeson High School – Dr. Danny Stedman said that the Board received information earlier relevant to the Tennis Court Lights at South Robeson High School. Dr. Stedman stated that Phase I of the Athletic Complex is being completed now. He stated the only part not included in Phase I was the lightning of the tennis courts. Dr. Stedman said it needed to be processed for bidding.
6. The Board set aside policy and approved the bidding process for the tennis court lights at South Robeson High School.
· Certified/Classified Supplement Distribution – Ms. Erica Setzer stated that currently applicants who are employed with the Public Schools of Robeson County and works a pay period, supplements are paid at a prorated portion, but the Finance Committee looked at changing the policy to include wording that, if an employee is eligible for any part of the supplement, they must be employed and working on the date the supplements are paid, with an exception that if an employee is on paid leave or worker’s compensation injury, they would continue to receive the supplement.
7. The Board set aside policy and approved to eliminate the prorated supplement policy, if an employee is not on the payroll on the date the supplements are paid.
Mr. Kerns wanted to say that teacher’s assistants are better known as a teaching assistants.
· Microsoft Monies – Mr. Walter Jackson, Assistant Superintendent of Administration and Technology, said that there is great news to report. The Microsoft Class Action Lawsuit Settlement has resulted in recouping more than $2.1 million dollars. He hopes these monies can be used to help purchase the aging servers in the system.
· Server Costs - Mr. Walter Jackson stated the Board received information relative to a quote from Core Advantage on the blade servers. He also informed the Board they have done some research and Core Advantage has offered an outstanding proposal for top of the line technology blade servers. These servers would replace the aging servers in the school system which would allow the school system to save money on energy as well as manpower. The servers would be centralized at the Technology Services Department. There would be 44 blade server units at a quote of $188,000. There was a previous quote of $340,000.
8. The Board set aside policy and approved the bid submitted by CORE Advantage Technologies for the blade servers.
9. ACTION ITEMS
A. Financial Report
Ms. Erica Setzer, Chief Finance Officer, presented and gave a brief overview on the Financial Report for the month of August. The Board approved the financial report presented.
B. 2009 – 2010 Fundraisers
Ms. Erica Setzer, Chief Finance Officer, presented school fundraisers for 2009-2010 school year. The schools are:
L Gilbert Carroll Middle School
East Robeson Elementary School
Long Branch Elementary School
Magnolia Elementary School
Oxendine Elementary School
Parkton Elementary School
Pembroke Middle School
Peterson Elementary School
Purnell Swett High School
Red Springs Middle School
Rex Rennert Elementary School
Rowland Norment Elementary School
Southside/Ashpole Elementary School
St. Pauls Elementary School
St. Pauls High School
Townsend Middle School
W. H. Knuckles Elementary School
West Lumberton Elementary School
Ms. Setzer says there is a correction to be made with East Robeson School’s fundraisers and would be re-submitted.
The Board approved the school fundraising projects for the schools listed with a re-submission for East Robeson Elementary School.
10. Motion that the Board of Education for the Public Schools of Robeson
County go into closed session for the purposes of discussing certified and
classified personnel (G.S. 143-318.11(a) (1) (6), and student transfers (G.S.
115C- 402 and G.S. 143-318.11(a) (1)), and to instruct the staff of negotiating
agents of the Public Schools of Robeson County concerning the Board’s position
on an exchange of property with the County of Robeson North Carolina G. S.
143-318.11(a)(5). The Board approved the motion.
11. Motion to come out of closed session. The Board approved the motion.
12. Motion to approve personnel as amended. The Board approved the
motion.
13. Motion to approve student transfers as presented. The Board approved
the motion.
14. Motion to approve closed session audio minutes of August 11, 2009. The
Board approved the motion.
Superintendent Dr. Johnny Hunt recommended the following individuals for assistant principal positions: Ms. Melissa Rogers, Mr. Clyde Leviner, and Ms. Hawhana Rising. He also recommended Mr. DeRay Cole as Assistant Superintendent.
15. Motion to approve the three assistant principal positions and the assistant superintendent position recommended by Superintendent Dr. Johnny Hunt.
Superintendent Dr. Hunt stated the Annual Advisory Council Fish Fry is scheduled for October 15, 2009 at 6:00 PM at the Transportation Department.
16. Motion to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Smith, Chairman
Dr. Johnny Hunt, Secretary