GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
December 13, 2005
In accordance with the S.C. Code of Laws, 1976, Section 30-4-80(d), as
amended, the newspapers, television and radio stations were notified of the time,
date, place and agenda of this meeting.
PRESENT: Chuck Saylors, Chairman; Grady Butler, Vice Chairman; Danna
Edwards, Secretary; Debi Bush, William Herlong, Roger Meek, Crystal Ball
O’Connor, Keith Ray, Tommie Reece, Leola Robinson, Pat Sudduth and Ann
Sutherlin.
PRESENT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION: Phinnize J. Fisher, Superintendent,
Rick Barber, Betty Farley, Leroy Hamilton, Jane Kinard, Jeff Knotts, Lonnie Luce,
Oby Lyles, Alex Martin, Michelle Meekins, Pam Mills, Pat Mitchell, Bryan Morris,
Ken Peake, Penny Rogers, Burke Royster, Mary Smith, Jackie Williams, and
Sherri Bachman, recorder.
Mr. Saylors called the meeting to order at 6:20 pm. Mrs. Sutherlin moved,
seconded by Mr. Sudduth to go into executive session for personnel, pupil
personnel and legal matters. Approved through voice vote. Reconvened in open
session at 7:04 pm.
As a point of personal privilege, Dr. Butler thanked Mr. Saylors for his service as
Chairman this past year and presented him with a gift from the Board.
ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS - Chairman – Mrs. Sutherlin nominated Dr.
Ray and Mrs. Reece nominated Mr. Saylors. Mr. Saylors was re-elected by a
vote of 7 to 5.
Vice Chairman – Dr. O’Connor nominated Dr. Ray and Mrs. Robinson nominated
Dr. Butler. Dr. Butler was re-elected by a vote of 7 to 5.
Secretary – Dr. Ray nominated Mrs. Edwards. Dr. Butler moved, seconded by
Mr. Meek to close nominations and elect Mrs. Edwards by acclamation. Motion
approved.
ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR - Mr. Meek moved, seconded by Mrs.
Reece, to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion approved through voice vote.
3.01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - November 22, 2005 – approved.
3.02 Home Schooling Applications – Approved 10 new home schooling
applications.
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December 13, 2005
3.03 Personnel Recommendations – Approved the personnel recommendations
as presented.
-- Charles J. Winney, Assistant Principal, Hillcrest High
3.04 Architect Selection for J. Floyd Hall Administrative Center HVAC, Electrical
and Minor Renovation Project – Approved the Committee of the Whole’s
recommendation to complete the design and then move forward with the HVAC
and minor renovation project at the J. Floyd Hall Administrative Center.
3.05 McAlister Road School Architectural Selection Committee – Approved the
Committee of the Whole’s recommendation to select Firm A to design the
McAlister Road (4K-8) school.
3.06 Duke Power Right of Way Easement for New Southside High – Approved
the Committee of the Whole’s recommendation to grant an easement to Duke
Power at the new Southside High School for the purpose of providing new
electrical service to the school.
APPEARANCE OF VISITORS - Mr. Denny Colangelo requested that the Board
revise its policy to allow middle school students to petition to play on junior
varsity and B teams, in addition to varsity teams.
As a point of personal privilege, Mr. Saylors recognized Jane Kinard for her 11
years of service to the Board and presented her with flowers.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – In the spirit of the season, Dr. Fisher called
upon Instructional Department staff who presented the school system’s version
of “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.”
6.01 Sale of Bryson Estate Property – Dr. O’Connor moved, seconded by Dr.
Butler, to approve the sale of the Bryson Estates property in the amount of
70,000 to G.H. Holmes, Inc. Motion approved through voice vote.
6.02 Sale of Old Simpsonville Elementary School – Dr. Ray moved, seconded
by Dr. O’Connor, to approve the sale of a portion of the old Simpsonville
Elementary School for $530,000 to the City of Simpsonville. Motion approved
through voice vote.
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December 13, 2005
6.03 Audit of Student Activity Funds – Mr. Meek moved, seconded by Dr. Ray,
to accept the Audit of Student Activity Funds for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
2005. Motion approved through voice vote. Mr. Sudduth abstained.
6.04 Student Readmissions (Executive Session) – Mrs. Reece moved,
seconded by Mrs. Robinson, to approve the readmission of five students for the
second semester of the 2005-06 school year. Motion approved through voice
vote.
6.05 Restoring the Minds Charter School – Committee of the Whole’s
recommendation to notify the governing body of Restoring the Minds Math and
Business Academy Charter School that the board of trustees of The School
District of Greenville County proposes to revoke the charter of that school on or
after the sixtieth day following the date of service of this notice was approved
through voice vote. The grounds for this proposed action is as follows:
(1) Material violations of the conditions, standards, and procedures provided
for in the charter, as demonstrated by these failures:
(a) Failure to operate according to a year-round calendar
(b) Failure to provide single-gender classes
(c) Failure to utilize school uniforms
(d) Failure to comply with State curriculum standards
(e) Failure to comply with provisions for special education teacher
(f) Failure to follow employee grievance and termination procedures
(g) Failure to follow student discipline procedures
(h) Failure to implement innovative ideas, techniques, and methodologies
(i) Failure to implement interdisciplinary learning
(2) Failure to meet or make reasonable progress toward pupil achievement
standards identified in the charter application, as demonstrated by the following:
(a) Failure to comply with State curriculum standards
(b) Failure to assess and implement individualized academic plans
(3) Failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management, as
demonstrated by the following issues:
(a) Failure to maintain records of financial transactions or receipts of bills paid
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December 13, 2005
(cont.)
(b) Failure to comply with routine procedures and standards for compensating
employees
(c) Inflation of enrollment numbers
(d) Failure to comply with SASI reporting procedures
(e) Failure to secure payment for out-of-district students
(4) Violations of provisions of the law from which the charter school was not
specifically exempted, as demonstrated by the following:
(a) Failure to submit proper reports, conduct manifestation determinations,
handle discipline, comply with IEP’s, provide compensatory education, and
provide instruction from a qualified teacher in violation of IDEA, section 504, and
the ADA
(b) Failure to employ certified teachers for at least 75% of the school’s
teaching staff in violation of section 59-40-50(B)(5) of the South Carolina Code
(c) Failure to test and provide instruction to students with limited English
language proficiency in violation of the fourteenth amendment, title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974
(d) Failure to comply with audit procedures and requirements in violation of
section 59-40-50(B)(3) of the South Carolina Code
(e) Failure to comply with student attendance requirements in violation of
section 59-40-50 (B)(2) of the South Carolina Code
6.06 Revision of Policy IEK - Charter Schools – Committee of the Whole’s
recommendation to revise Policy IEK to include maintenance of a charter school
handbook which will define governance issues and regulations under which
charter schools will operate in The School District of Greenville County was
approved through voice vote.
6.07 Greenville High School Gymnasium – Committee of the Whole’s
recommendation to authorize the Superintendent to change the Greenville High
School gym from a renovation to a new building for 1,500 seat capacity if her
research deems it to be in the best interest of the instructional program and
classroom space as called for in our educational specifications for high schools
was approved through voice vote.
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7.01 Internal Auditing Services' Project Status Report – Report was
presented as information.
8.01 FY06 October Financial Information – The Financial Report was
presented as information.
Mr. Saylors entertained a motion to adjourn, Mrs. Reece so moved, seconded by
Mrs. Robinson. Motion approved through voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 8:05
p.m.
/swb