MINUTES OF THE MORGAN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING - DOC - DOC

							 MINUTES OF THE MORGAN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

                                   MAY 6, 2008

      The Morgan County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday,
May 6, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. at the office of the Board, 1325 Point Mallard Parkway,
SE, Decatur AL 35601.

      Board members present were: Chairman Carolyn Wallace, Vice-Chairman
Dora Woodard, Betty Hackett, Tom Earwood, Ken Henson, Mike Tarpley and
Jimmy Dobbs. Also present was Superintendent Bob Balch.

       Chairman Wallace called the meeting to order.

       Mr. Tom Earwood opened the meeting with prayer.

       Mr. Mike Tarpley led everyone in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

WELCOME

       Chairman Wallace welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced that
this was one of two required public forum meetings. The Chairman then
introduced each of the Board members to the audience, stating which district each
of them represented.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

     Chairman Wallace opened the floor for a motion to adopt the agenda as
amended.

       Action items 6A and 18A were added to the agenda.

      Mr. Dobbs moved and Mr. Earwood seconded the motion to adopt the
agenda as amended.

       The motion was unanimously approved.

RECOGNITION OF PRICEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S FIFTH GRADE
TALENTED AND GIFTED CLASS, CHERIE HUMPHRIES, TEACHER

       Students from the 5th grade TAG class and Priceville Elementary School
gave demonstrations of projects they built while studying how structures interrelate
with each other. Students presenting demonstrations were: Paige Robertson,
Hannah Dotson, Austin Wilder, Dalton Bryant, Nick Lott and Caleb Pennington.

PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
        The Chairman asked if there were any members of the public who wished to
address the Board. The following people were recognized by the Chairman to speak
to Board concerning the following issues: Kim Morris, Priceville High School
teacher; Steadman Livingston, Priceville High School student; and Jameson Barber,
Priceville High School student spoke on the need for continuation of the
Broadcasting elective class at Priceville High School. Tiffany Roberts, Priceville
High School parent, spoke on the need for an Art class at Priceville High School.
Ariel Allen, Priceville High School student, spoke on the need for more elective
classes at Priceville High School. Sabrina Green, Priceville High School parent and
Guy Bowling, Priceville High School Principal spoke on the need for additional
teacher units at Priceville High School due to projected growth. Also addressing
that issue were Sam Heflin, Priceville City Councilman, Stacey George, Morgan
County District Four Commissioner, and Jonathon Biffle, Priceville High School
parent.
        After much discussion involving these issues, the Chairman stated that the
Board and Superintendent were monitoring the growth in the Priceville area, but
the State Department of Education would not let them take action on projected
numbers. The Board has and will continue to meet for preliminary planning
sessions regarding how to address the growth of the Priceville schools. It is
anticipated that bond issues will renew again in 2012 and at that time the first
priority will be construction of a new Priceville High School.
        The Superintendent stated that he appreciated the concerns shared, but that
his supervisors at the State Department have told him we are under a mandate to
build our reserve fund, therefore he has to do what he is told to by them. He
advised the audience that the number of teachers a school has is based on the
number of enrolled students they had the previous school year. This is a State
mandate. The Superintendent stated that addressing high numbers in elementary
classes is the top priority. The Superintendent advised Mr. Bowling that upon a
review of Priceville High School scheduling information on STI it was his opinion
that the classes were not overcrowded. He stated that Priceville High School had
earned one-half teacher unit and Mr. Bowling could use that unit wherever he
chose. He reiterated that growth in the Priceville area was being monitored by the
Board, and preliminary planning to address that growth would continue.
        No action was taken on these requests.

The Superintendent recommended that the following action items be approved as
written:

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE APRIL 10, 2008 BOARD MEETING

       Mr. Tarpley moved and Ms. Woodard seconded the motion to approve the
minutes of the April 10, 2008 Morgan County Board of Education meeting as
presented.
       The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED EXPENDITURES FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2008
      Ms. Woodard moved and Mr. Dobbs seconded the motion to approve the
expenditures for the month of March, 2008.
      The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED BANK RECONCILIATION FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2008

      Ms. Woodard moved and Mr. Earwood seconded the motion to approve the
bank reconciliation for the month of March, 2008.
      The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED RESOLUTION TO SELL MORGAN COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
PROPERTY TO JIM AND SANDRA HARMON

       Mr. Dobbs moved and Ms. Woodard seconded the motion to approve the
resolution to sell Morgan County School System property to Jim and Sandra
Harmon.
       The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED CHANGE IN MILEAGE RATE

       Mr. Henson moved and Mr. Dobbs seconded the motion to approve changing
the rate we pay for mileage from 44.5 to 50.5 cents per mile. This will match the
Morgan County School System to the new State Department and IRS regulations.
       The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED MOVE OF FALKVILLE SCHOOL SIXTH GRADE

        Mr. Tarpley moved and Mr. Dobbs seconded the motion to approve moving
the sixth grade from Falkville Elementary School to Falkville High School, effective
for the 2008-2009 school year.
        The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED FIELD TRIP REQUEST FROM BREWER HIGH SCHOOL

        Mr. Henson moved and Mr. Earwood seconded the motion to approve a field
trip request from Brewer High School for three students and their chaperones to
travel to Dallas, Texas on June 17-22, 2008 for the purpose of participating in the
HOSA National Competition.
        The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED FIELD TRIP REQUEST FROM COTACO

       Mr. Earwood moved and Mr. Henson seconded the motion to approve a field
trip request from Cotaco School for three (3) seventh through eighth grade students
and their chaperones to travel to Orlando, Florida, July 11th through July 18th, 2008
for the purpose of competing in the FCCLA National Competition.
        The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED FIELD TRIP FROM PRICEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

       Mr. Dobbs moved and Mr. Henson seconded the motion to approve a field
trip request from Priceville High School for approximately ten seventh through
twelfth grade students and their chaperones to travel to Orlando, Florida July 11th
through July 18th, 2008 for the purpose of competing in the FCCLA National
Competition.
       The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED MORGAN COUNTY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL CAMP

       Mr. Dobbs moved and Ms. Woodard seconded the motion to approve a
request from Priceville High School to conduct the Morgan County Girls’
Basketball Camp May 27-30, 2008 at the Priceville High School Gymnasium.
       The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED FULL TIME COUNSELORS

       Ms. Hackett moved and Mr. Tarpley seconded the motion to approve full-
time counselors for Falkville Elementary School, Sparkman School, Lacey’s Spring
School, Union Hill School and Eva School effective May 23, 2008.
       The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED HALF TIME ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS

       Mr. Dobbs moved and Mr. Tarpley seconded the motion to approve half time
Assistant Principals for Priceville Elementary School and Priceville Junior High
School effective for the 2008-2009 school year.
       The motion was unanimously approved.

APPROVED POLICY CHANGES

        Mr. Dobbs moved and Mr. Tarpley seconded the motion to approve revisions
to the following policies as presented: JGFA, JR, JR-E, JGFF, JGFG, JGH, JS,
IFCB, and IHF.
        The motion was unanimously approved.

PERSONNEL

(The employment of any individual listed below will be on a temporary-emergency
basis pending background clearance.)
The Superintendent recommends the following personnel items be approved as
written (items one through twenty):


      1. Approve three year Principal contracts for the following Morgan County School
          System Principals: Jimmy Scott, Cotaco; Patrick Patterson, Eva; Paul Rogers,
          Lacey’s Spring School; Mary Speegle, Priceville Junior High School; and Sue Wood,
          Falkville High School. The valid period for each of these contracts will be for a
          period beginning July 1, 2008 and ending the last day of the 2011 school year.
          (Copies of each contract attached)
      2. Approve the employment of Anita Young to the position of Utility Bus Driver,
          Morgan County Central Office, effective May 7, 2008. Ms. Young will be replacing
          Beverly Train, who transferred. (See attachments)
      3. Approve the employment of Janice Vest to the position of Family Resource
          Liaison, Morgan County Central Office, effective May 7, 2008 through October 1,
          2008. Ms. Vest will be replacing Kiersten Jones, who resigned. (See attachments)
      4. Approve a military leave of absence on Amber King, art teacher at Brewer High
          School/Falkville High School, effective April 14, 2008 (one day only). (See
          attachment)
      5. Accept the resignation of Thomas D. Fowler from the position of Custodian,
          Cotaco School, effective April 29, 2008. (See attachment)
      6. Approve a maternity leave of absence without pay on Karla Mahan, teacher,
          Brewer High School, effective August 4, 2008 through August 29, 2008. (See
          attachment)
      7. Approve a maternity leave of absence without pay on Karla Mahan, teacher,
          Brewer High School, effective September 2, 2008 through December 2, 2008. (See
          attachment)
      8. Approve a maternity leave of absence without pay on Karla Mahan, teacher,
          Brewer High School, effective December 3, 2008 through December 19, 2008. (See
          attachment)
      9. Approve the employment of Shanna Bryson to the position of Sixth Grade
          Language Teacher, Danville Middle Schools, effective April 14, 2008 through May
          23, 2008. Mrs. Bryson will be replacing Lori Bailey, who was Board approved for a
          leave of absence during the time frame stated above. (See attachments)
      10. Approve the transfer of Rita F. Childers from the position of second grade teacher
          at Eva School, to the position of third grade teacher at Eva School effective August
          1, 2008. This is an internal transfer, executed due to student numbers. (See
          attachments)
      11. Approve the transfer of Valerie Blaske from the position of third grade teacher,
          Eva School, to the position of fourth grade teacher, Eva School, effective August 1,
          2008. This is an internal transfer, executed due to student numbers. (See
          attachments)
12. Approve the transfer of Patti Ozbolt from the position of second grade teacher at
    Falkville Elementary School to the position of first grade teacher at Falkville
    Elementary School, effective with the beginning of the 08/09 school year. This is
    an internal transfer. (See attachments)
13. Approve the transfer of Jill Smith from the position of second grade teacher at
    Falkville Elementary School to the position of first grade teacher at Falkville
    Elementary School, effective with the beginning of the 08/09 school year. This is
    an internal transfer. (See attachments)
14. Approve the transfer of Kelly Holt from the position of first grade teacher at
    Falkville Elementary School to the position of second grade teacher at Falkville
    Elementary School, effective with the beginning of the 08/09 school year. This is
    an internal transfer. (See attachments)
15. Approve the transfer of Katie Sparkman from the position of first grade teacher at
    Falkville Elementary School to the position of second grade teacher at Falkville
    Elementary School, effective with the beginning of the 08/09 school year. This is
    an internal transfer. (See attachments)
16. Approve a catastrophic leave of absence on Becky Dabbs, CNP worker, Falkville
    High School, effective April 23, 2008 through May 23, 2008. (See attachments)
17. Approve a catastrophic leave of absence on Beckie Judkins, CNP worker, Falkville
    High School, effective April 30, 2008 through May 14, 2008. (See attachments)
18. Accept the resignation of Laura Leigh Hensley from the position of Junior Varsity
    Cheer Coach at Priceville High School effective May 6, 2008. (See attachment)
19. Approve the following personnel for textbook summer workers: Ashley Vest,
    Brandon Woodard and KC Green. Each person will be paid at a rate of $7.00 per
    hour. Their duties will primarily include processing and delivery of textbooks on an
    as needed basis. (See attachment)
20. Approve retirement advisements, resignation advisements, requests for leave of
    absence, return from leave of absence, recommendations for tenure, non-
    renewals and renewals of certified and support personnel for the following
    schools for the 2008-2009 school year. Transfers are not included with these
    attachments. Transfers will begin being handled at the next May 2008 Board
    Meeting.
    (A listing of this information will by typed on the minute book)
    Brewer High School
    Cotaco School
    Danville Neel Elementary School
    Danville Middle School
    Danville High School
    Eva School
    Falkville Elementary School
    Falkville High School
    Lacey’s Spring School
           Priceville Elementary School
           Priceville Junior High School
           Priceville High School
           Ryan School
           Sparkman School
           Union Hill School
           West Morgan Elementary School
           West Morgan Middle School
           West Morgan High School
           Morgan County Learning Center
           Countywide
           Central Office

       Ms. Woodard moved and Mr. Earwood seconded the motion to approve personnel
items one through twenty as written.

       The motion was unanimously approved.



INFORMATIONAL

Financial Statement for the month of March, 2008
Eva School Newsletter “Mr. Pat’s Post”, Volume 1, Issue 3
Lacey’s Spring Newsletter “The Eagle’s Nest”, Volume 10.8

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

       Board members thanked Cheri Humphries and the Priceville Talented and Gifted
Students for making their presentation.

ADJOURNMENT

        With no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. The next regular
meeting of the Morgan County Board of Education will be held on May 22, 2008. The work
session will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.




Approved this ______________________ day of ____________________________ 2008.


_____________________________________________________________________________
Superintendent, Morgan County Schools


________________________________________________________________________
Chairman, Morgan County Schools