OFFICIAL MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING OF THE
The Board of Trustees for the Arkansas School for the Blind met for their monthly meeting on February 16, 2010.
Present: Beth Gray, Chairperson; Dr. Doug Watson, Secretary; Henrietta Williams, Board Member (telephone conference); Khayyam Eddings, Board Member; Jim Hill, A.S.B. Superintendent; Mike Phillips, A.S.D. Interim Superintendent; Katie Becker, Amy Herbert, Interpreters; Members of the Deaf Community; Members of the Blind Community
Absent: Andrew Tolbert
10-B-002 Motion to Approve Consent Items
Dr. Watson made a motion to approve the Consent Items and Dr. Williams seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Action Items
None
Discussion Items
None
Superintendent’s Report
As had been requested by the board, Mr. Hill gave an updated report on the stimulus fund and the projects for which the money will be used. He said he is hopeful the bids will be lower than those listed and the remaining money can be used for other projects. He will meet with the architect to make plans for the next year’s project, which will begin in February 2011.
Mr. Hill said the school has survived the budget cuts. Budget cut items included extra help, overtime, conference and travel, capital outlay and special maintenance, and summer school. No program has been cut or reduced and the cuts are not interfering with the overall safety, health or educational program for the children.
The Arkansas Department of Education will monitor the school’s program on March 12.
Board of Trustees Meeting
Arkansas School for the Blind
February 16, 2010
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Mr. Hill said the school received the appropriation Bill, House Bill 1046. He said the same amount of money was appropriated this year as last year and he is trying to get as much of the funds put into A category as possible. Dr. Williams asked Mr. Hill if he had received any feedback regarding the school being excluded from the last budget cut since the governor said he would not cut education. Mr. Hill said Senator Faris, along with Senator Baker and others, is still working on this issue and hopefully the school will get the money back. Mr. Hill said he has a lot of confidence in Senator Faris.
There being no further business for the Arkansas School for the Blind, the meeting moved to the Agenda of the Arkansas School for the Deaf.
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Beth Gray, Chairperson
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Dr. Douglas Watson, Secretary
Board of Trustees Meeting
Arkansas School for the Blind
February 16, 2010
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