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 March 16, 2010.
Present: Beth Gray, Chairperson; Andrew Tolbert, Vice Chairperson; Dr. Doug Watson, Secretary; Dr. Henrietta Williams, Board Member; Khayyam Eddings, Board Member; Jeanne Tribett, A.S.B. Parent Representative; Janice Vaughn, A.S.D. Parent Representative; 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
10-B-003 Motion to Approve Consent Items
Mr. Tolbert made a motion to approve the Consent Items and Dr. Watson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Action Items
10-B-004 Motion to Approve Appointment of Alma Valley
Mr. Hill asked the board to approve the appointment of Alma Valley to the position of assistant business manager. Mr. Eddings made the motion to approve and Mr. Tolbert seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion Items
None
Superintendent Report
Mr. Hill reported that the Department of Education visited A.S.B. and he felt that the school did well. Mr. Hill complimented Sharon Berry as the lead person for getting the information needed for the monitors and also thanked Ken Fowler and the other administrators for their assistance. The monitors pointed out that the Library Materials Selection and Reconsideration of Materials Policy had not been approved by the board. Mr. Hill gave each board member a copy of the policy and asked that it be approved at the next board meeting. Another issue noted was that a baptismal certificate was left out as one way to verify the birth date of a student. ASB will receive a letter with the department’s findings.
Mr. Hill said the school received about $21,000 stimulus money from Special Education, and this money will be used for technology.
Board of Trustees Meeting
Arkansas School for the Blind
March 16, 2010
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The food service department was also monitored by the Department of Education and received a good report. Mr. Hill complimented Barbara Cole for her work in getting the report ready. Mr. Hill mentioned that Mrs. Cole is recognized nationally as president of the National School Nutrition Organization.
Architectural and mechanical engineering plans are in the making for Prewitt Hall, the Infirmary, the Cottage, Shults House, and completion of the West Wing. Mr. Hill said the cost of these projects will take most of the $3.5 million dollars. Mr. Hill also said that adaptive technology was added to the request for use of the stimulus money. The request to add adaptive technology to the stimulus money was originally denied, but the governor took another look at it allowed $135,000 for adaptive technology.
Mr. Hill said that he and Sharon Berry recently attended an ‘eating in the dark’ dinner at the Governor’s Mansion. Khayyam, who is a member of the board of the organization who sponsored the dinner, also attended. Mr. Hill stated it was a very different experience for him.
The Spring Dance was March 4 and the students had a great time.
Mr. Hill said he has been interviewing the teachers to get their input of things the administrators can do to make their jobs easier, more enjoyable, and ways to help them be more efficient in the classroom. He said he has received good suggestions and realizes that he has teachers who are really interested in the students and the educational process. Mr. Hill said he wants to make the library more of a media center with more resources and more up-to-date books for the students.
6th Grade graduation will be May 27 at 1:00 p.m. High School graduation will be May 28 at 1:00 p.m.
The 11th grade students took the Literacy exit exam. The Stanford 9 will be taken April 5 and the Benchmark for grades 3-12 will begin April 12. End of Course Geometry, Algebra I and Biology will be taken later in the month.
Mr. Hill told the board that he really enjoys working with Mike Phillips.
Board of Trustees Meeting
Arkansas School for the Blind
March 16, 2010
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10-B-005 Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business for the Arkansas School for the Blind, Mr. Tolbert made a motion to adjourn. All voted in favor and the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
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Beth Gray, Chairperson
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Dr. Doug Watson, Secretary
Board of Trustees Meeting
Arkansas School for the Blind
March 16, 2010
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