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 July 21, 2009.
Present: Beth Gray, Chairperson; Andrew Tolbert, Secretary (via telephone conference); Dr. Doug Watson, Board Member; Dr. Henrietta Williams, Board Member;; Janice Vaughn, A.S.D. Parent Representative; Jim Hill, A.S.B. Superintendent; Dr. Marcella Dalla Rosa, A.S.D. Superintendent; Katie Becker, Zania Musteen, Interpreters; Amanda Abernethy, Office of the Attorney General; Members of the Deaf Community; Members of the Blind Community
Absent: Khayyam Eddings
09-B-011 Motion to Approve Board Minutes - May and June
Ms. Gray asked for a motion to approve the Minutes from May and June. Mr. Tolbert asked if the approvals would be done for all of them or individually. Ms. Gray said she is taking each one individually. Mr. Tolbert made the motion to approve and Dr. Watson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
09-B-012 Motion to Approve Financial Statement
Ms. Gray asked for a motion to approve the Financial Statement. Dr. Watson made the motion to approve and Dr. Williams seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Action Items
09-B-013 Motion to Approve A.S.B. Handbook
Mr. Hill said most of the changes in the handbook are dictated by changes in State Law. Mr. Tolbert said he did not see anything that addressed tardiness. Mrs. Sharon Berry, who was in the audience, said it is referenced on Page 32 of the Handbook, 3.35. Dr. Williams made a motion to approve the A.S.B. Handbook for 2009-2010 and Dr. Watson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion Items
State Pay Plan
Mr. Hill gave the board information on the new State pay plan. All employees received a percentage raise which was based on the number of years of service and employees will receive an increase in October based on their performance evaluation. Mr. Hill explained all aspects of the new pay plan. Mr. Tolbert said that technically an employee with 30 or
Board of Trustees Meeting
Arkansas School for the Blind
July 21, 2009
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more years will receive a 5% increase and if that same employee received Exceeds Standards on their evaluation, they would receive a 7.25% increase in one year. Mr. Hill said that is correct. Mr. Tolbert asked if that would be every year and Mr. Hill said it will be just this one year. In answer to Mr. Tolbert’s question, Mr. Hill said it correct that the principals evaluate the teachers and he (Mr. Hill) evaluates the principals. Mr. Tolbert also asked if he (Mr. Hill) was to be included in the merit increase and if the Board would evaluate Mr. Hill. Mr. Hill said that is correct. Mr. Tolbert said if the merit increases will take effect in October, the Board needs to have a document in place so the superintendents will know what their evaluation will be based on. Mr. Hill said that several years ago, an evaluation was begun but it was never completed and he felt that he and Sandy could get one together and the information basically came from the Arkansas School Boards. Mrs. Vaughn asked if they could vote on it at the next meeting and Mr. Tolbert said he thinks so and Lucy also agreed. Mr. Hill said a new law includes a yearly evaluation of the superintendent. Dr. Watson mentioned that Pam Hyneman had been working on getting the recommendations on this issue from the Arkansas School Board Association and asked if there is a copy of that. Mrs. Vaughn suggested contacting the Department of Education to get a copy and the board members agreed. Mr. Tolbert said that the School Board Association would be a better place to obtain the document and the board members agreed with that suggestion.
Dr. Watson asked if increase in salaries also applies to substitute teachers and Mr. Hill said it did not apply to substitutes. Mr. Hill said if the school hired a substitute the scale could be used if they met the qualifications for the scale. Mr. Hill said the daily rate for substitutes is $88 per day.
Superintendent’s Report
Ms. Gray asked if everyone received a copy of the typed Superintendent’s Report that Mr. Hill sent and all members did receive the information. Mr. Hill said he wanted to assure the board that the school is meeting the requirements of the calendar and the Kindergarten laws have been changed to adjust to the new law. He said the school is currently exploring Act 397, which deals with parent training and incorporating them into the learning activities of home environment; Act 1180, the current law regarding duties and responsibilities of the board. Mr. Hill said one of the requirements was the annual evaluation of superintendents and the Act also states that any personnel policy changes must be made between May 1 and June 30. In answer to Mr. Tolbert’s question, Mr. Hill said the school does not have a certified personnel policies committee. Mr. Hill said there are also issues that give the board more leeway in hearing appeals on suspension, which allows the board to have closed door session on those issues. Mr. Tolbert added that
Board of Trustees Meeting
Arkansas School for the Blind
July 21, 2009
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even if you are having a hearing and the employee or parent does not want a closed hearing, with the new law, the board has the autonomy to go into executive session with closed hearing. Mrs. Vaughn said she would bring that information to the next meeting.
Ms. Gray asked about the new Kindergarten law. The changes are that three-year old preschool children must be three years old before August 1 of that year; 4-year old preschool children must be 4 years old before August 15; and Kindergarten children must be 5 years old before August 15.
There being no further business for the Arkansas School for the Blind, the meeting moved to the Agenda for the Arkansas School for the Deaf.
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Beth Gray, Chairperson
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Andrew Tolbert, Secretary
Board of Trustees Meeting
Arkansas School for the Blind
July 21, 2009
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