OFFICIAL MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING OF THE
The Board of Trustees for the
Present: Henrietta Williams, Chairperson; Beth Gray, Secretary; Andrew Tolbert, Board Member; Dr. Douglas Watson, Board Member; Johnny McGehee, A.S.B. Parent Representative; Jim Hill, A.S.B. Superintendent; Dr. Marcella Dalla Rosa, A.S.D. Superintendent; Katie Becker, Zania Musteen, Interpreters; Bishop Woosley, Office of the Attorney General; Marc Harrison, Governor’s Office; Members of the Deaf Community; Members of the Blind Community
08-B-001 Motion to Approve Consent Items
December Board Minutes, Financial Statement, Personnel Items
Ms. Williams asked for a motion to approve the Minutes from the December board meeting, the December financial statement, and the Personnel Items. Dr. Watson made the motion to approve and Mr. Tolbert seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Action Items
Ms. Williams mentioned that the board approved an Administrative Assistant II position for A.S.D. in November, and the person in that position would also fill in for Katie, taking the board meeting minutes. One of the questions raised was where to house all of the board documents. Ms. Williams asked if a motion needed to be made to the effect that all documents would still be housed at A.S.B. Mr. Tolbert asked where the records are stored at this time and, when the board meets at A.S.D., would the administrative assistant do what Katie does. Mr. Hill said the records are kept at A.S.B. Dr. Dalla Rosa said in the past, the administrative assistants alternated per year. Ms. Williams said that even during that year, it is felt that the records should still be with A.S.B. so there will not be any confusion as to where the records are located. Mr. Tolbert asked if the change would be from calendar year or school year. Dr. Dalla Rosa said the earliest the position would be filled would be July and it might be better to change in January since the chairperson changes in January. Mr. Tolbert said he thinks Katie has always been the person taking the minutes since he has been on the board. Dr. Dalla Rosa said that is fine and that the person filling the position would fill in as needed. Mr. Hill said that there has not been a pattern of one school one year and the other school the next year, but that is fine if that is what the board wants. He said he feels that the records need to be in one place to prevent confusion. Mr. Tolbert said, if it is the pleasure of the board, he would like to keep it as is and have the new person fill in as needed, rather than alternate on a yearly
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basis. He said this will give the board a contact person who is a constant. Ms. Williams said she just wanted to make it clear that the records would be housed in one place even though the person may alternate.
Discussion Items
None
Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Hill showed the board the school’s Gifted and Talented Policy Handbook and said that an A.S.B. teacher is getting certified in the Gifted and Talented Program. He said he feels the booklet is a step in the direction as directed by the department. The department did not ask the school to have a Gifted and Talented program, but said the school has to have training for the teachers at least once a year. However, the school went ahead and set up policies as well as establish a certified G&T teacher, thus moving toward meeting the standard as quickly as possible. Mr. Hill said he can provide a copy of the handbook to any board member who requests one.
Mr. Hill talked about the prison program and explained that the prisoners produce books for the school in Braille and large print. He stated that the cost of a large print textbook is tremendous because of the amount of paper involved. In addition, the books have been printed in black and white, which is a disadvantage for the visually impaired student. In cooperation with WorkForce Ed the school has been able to purchase new equipment for the prison program. Mr. Hill showed the board members a sample of the books which are being produced through the program.
Mr. Hill showed the board a chart with a series of ‘peep holes’ that represent the vision of some of the students at the school and talked about the difficulty some students have because of their eye condition. He said trying to read through some of the holes, one can see how some of the students would have a very difficult time taking tests that sometimes call for a visual distinction. Mr. Hill said there are some valid concerns with a standardized test for the students at A.S.B. Mr. Hill explained some of the reasons for the variation in the test scores. Further discussion took place regarding test scores and Mr. Hill asked Ken Fowler to give a report on the test scores. Mr. Fowler said the school is happy with the test scores and the students are making adequate progress, but the scores are not where they need to be yet. He gave the board a brief update on the scores. He said a strong review of the test scores was done with the teachers and they were shown how to use the reports and data from the state. He said the biggest area that needs improvement is open response questions. Mr. Fowler gave the board members information on the projected growth of the school and discussed the graph.
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Mr. Hill said there had been a question about the board minutes not being posted on the school’s web site. He explained that the monthly minutes are not posted until they receive the board’s approval, which means they will be posted a month behind.
The wrestling team will be traveling to
Before adjourning, Ms. Williams said she had met with Dr. Dalla Rosa and Mr. Hill to discuss what is going on at the schools and what role the board can play in some of the programs. She said she has requested that the board receive materials for the board meetings at least a week before the board meeting if at all possible. Ms. Williams said she also discussed a possible retreat for discussion of programs and issues concerning the schools. She said she plans to meet with the superintendents probably every quarter to discuss various issues. Ms. Williams said she will tour A.S.D. January 29 and invited other board members to join her.
08-B-002 Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Tolbert moved to adjourn and Dr. Watson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
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Henrietta Williams, Chairperson
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Beth Gray, Secretary
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