WAYNE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
WORK SESSION MINUTES
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
6:00 P.M.
The Wayne County Board of Education met for a Work Session on Tuesday August 11,
2009, at 6:00 p.m. in the TECH Center at the old Wayne County High School site located
at 1355 West Orange Street, Jesup, Georgia. The following members were present:
Chairman Kent Fountain and Vice-Chairman Linda Lockley-Kelly; Members Reed
Brown and David Popkin; and Superintendent Morris Leis.
Chairman Fountain called the meeting to order and Linda Lockley-Kelly gave the
Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion to approve the agenda as presented was made by David Popkin with a second
by Linda Lockley-Kelly. Approved: 4-0
Information: Vision, Mission and Beliefs
Wayne County Board of Education began Strategic Planning during the last school year
with the Georgia School Board Association and Georgia Leadership Institute for School
Improvement. Through involvement of community and stakeholders a process was
implemented to identify and focus on what’s important, to get input and buy-in from all
stakeholders and to build consensus on measurable outcomes for continuous
improvement and accountability. Dr. Danna Lewis presented the Mission, Vision, and
Beliefs for approval by the Board of Education. (Attached to official minutes)
A motion to approve the Mission, Vision, and Beliefs as presented was made by Kent
Fountain with a second by David Popkin. Approved: 4-0
Report: Screven School Auditorium
Maintenance Director Ray Thornton provided a cost estimate for replacing/renovating the
roof of the Screven Elementary Auditorium to secure the building. The plans for the new
elementary school include a connector walkway from the new school to the existing
auditorium/gymnasium. According to the State Fire Marshal, the school will be allowed
to use the building for assemblies as it is because it is not part of the new structure.
A motion to keep the Screven Auditorium/Gymnasium with the new school site and
maintain the building was made by Kent Fountain with a second by David Popkin.
Approved: 4-0
Report: Energy Education Program
Energy Education Manager Joe McPipkin discussed the Energy Education Program and
provided documentation regarding the school system energy usage. In the 8.5 months of
the program, a savings of 1, 222,263 kilowatt hours of electricity was reported. Mr.
McPipkin requested the Board take the time to gain the full understanding of this
program as there are benefits/profits the school system will continue to reap even after
this contract expires before cancellation of this program.
Dr. Truman Atkins, Energy Education Southern Division President, attended the meeting
and provided additional information.
Maintenance Director Ray Thornton
Information: Budget Issues (School Year 2009-2010)
Federal Programs Director Brenda Edenfield discussed the Title 50 Waiver Request
which is a first time waiver for all schools within the Wayne County School System with
regard to class size regulations for the 2009-2010 academic year. The waiver would allow
for an increase in maximum class size allowances by one to three students for:
grades kindergarten through third regular education classes,
grades kindergarten through fifth EIP classes,
grades six through twelve REP classes, and
grades nine through twelve Advance Placement and Acceleration classes.
This request provides the means to avoid the hiring of additional personnel. This action
is due to hardships placed upon the system due to the present state-wide economic
environment. Our system will use state testing data (CRCT, GHSGT, and EOCT) to
compare FY2010 student performance to prior and future years’ performance as a means
of assessing this waiver’s impact on student learning.
Mrs. Edenfield presented a Resolution for Title 50 Waiver to be adopted by the Board to
allow for the Wayne County School System to proceed with the waiver request.
(Resolution for Title 50 Waiver attached to official minutes)
A motion to adopt the Resolution for Title 50 Waiver as presented was made by David
Popkin with a second by Kent Fountain. Approved: 4-0
Approval: Job Description – Mathematics Academic Coach
Shortly after the federal government passed the bill to put ARRA (American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act) funds into school systems, Ms. Hopps, Mr. Keith, and Dr. Lewis
attended a meeting with representatives from the State Department of Education to
discuss state recommendations for use of the funds. One of their recommendations was
hiring a mathematics academic coach to work with grades 6-12. Curriculum Director
Work Session August 11, 2009 Page 2 of 4
Amy Denty presented a draft job description for a mathematics academic coach for
approval. She requested the deletion of “Thomas P. James Academy” from the Work
Assignments section of the draft job description.
A motion to approve the Job Description as requested was made by Kent Fountain with a
second by David Popkin. Approved: 4-0
Executive Session
A motion to go into Executive Session to discuss the Employment of Personnel was made
by David Popkin with a second by Kent Fountain. Approved: 4-0
A motion to return to Open Session was made by David Popkin with a second by Linda
Lockley-Kelly. Approved: 4-0
Personnel Recommendations
Superintendent Leis recommended that the Board approve the following personnel
actions:
Robert B. Smith – Local Bond Counsel
Certified Resignations
Betty Cason – Thomas P. James Academy
Cathy V. Grantham – WCHS – RETIREMENT
Terence Hazell – Thomas P. James Academy
Jean Charlene Norwood – Thomas P. James Academy
Danielle Russell – Thomas P. James Academy
Greg Simmons – Thomas P. James Academy
Richard Stephens – Thomas P. James Academy
Certified Transfers
Corey Hopps – Thomas P. James Academy to MPMS
Kaleigh McCullough – James E. Bacon to Martha R. Smith
Steve McGregor – Screven Elementary - MPMS
Elaine Rubiera – Thomas P. James Academy to James E. Bacon
Classified Recommendation
Kara Smith – Martha R. Smith Elementary
Classified Resignations
April Banks – Screven Elementary
Casy Brantley – Jesup Elementary
John Fisher – Substitute Custodian
Anne Waters – Transportation
Work Session August 11, 2009 Page 3 of 4
Classified Terminations – Reduction in Force
Jodi Dowd – STAR Program
Dora Spearmon – Jesup Elementary
Alonzo Williams – STAR Program
Curtis Wireman – STAR Program
Classified Transfers
Stephanie Bell – WCHS to Central Office
Dawn George – Thomas P. James Academy to MPMS
Brenda Hodges – Martha R. Smith to Jesup Elementary
Rondall Madison – WCHS to AWMS
Allison Smith – Thomas P. James Academy to Central Office
Allen Vail – Thomas P. James Academy to WCHS
A motion to approve the personnel recommendations as presented was made by David
Popkin with a second by Kent Fountain. Approved: 4-0
COMMENTS: Board of Education
COMMENTS: Superintendent
Superintendent Leis stated that the Georgia Department of Education Facilities Services
Unit has approved the Screven Elementary School site for construction of a new school.
Adjournment
Having no further business, the Work Session adjourned at 8:50 p.m. on a motion by
Kent Fountain with a second by David Popkin. Approved: 4-0
President Secretary
Work Session August 11, 2009 Page 4 of 4