OFFICIAL MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING OF THE

ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

           

The Board of Trustees for the Arkansas School for the Blind met for their monthly meeting on November 20, 2007.

 

Present: Dr. Douglas Watson, Chairperson, Henrietta Williams, Vice-Chairperson; Andrew Tolbert, Board Member; Beth Gray, Board Member; Jim Hill, ASB Superintendent; Dr. Marcella Dalla Rosa, ASD Superintendent; Katie Becker, Zania Musteen, Interpreters; Amy Ford, Office of the Attorney General; Members of the Deaf Community; Members of the Blind Community

 

Absent: Johnny McGehee

 

07-B-022 Motion to Approve Consent Items

 

Dr. Watson asked for a motion to approve the Consent Items. Ms. Williams made the motion to approve the Consent Items and Ms. Gray seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Action Items

None

 

Discussion Items

None

 

Superintendent’s Report

 

Mr. Hill said the school celebrated Red Ribbon Week October 22-25 and activities that week were designed to encourage students not to become involved with drugs.

 

On October 29, the school visited The Lighthouse for the Blind, which is an organization that hires blind or visually impaired persons. The Lighthouse for the Blind has a contract to make t-shirts for the Army and the Navy and this has increased the job opportunities for A.S.B. students. Mr. Hill said he was very impressed with the contract and the equipment at the facility.

 

On October 31he met with Senator Faris and members of the Personnel Committee. Mr. Hill said he feels significant progress was made in terms of the new pay plan. He feels the school was able to design a pay plan that will make the school competitive.

 

 

 

Board of Trustees Meeting

Arkansas School for the Blind

November 20, 2007

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The wrestling team traveled to Mississippi for a tournament and the team beat Mississippi and tied Louisiana.

 

A.S.B. received an award for participating in the volunteer program.

 

Mr. Hill recently spoke to the American Council for the Blind. The Council’s members are primarily blind or visually impaired. Mr. Hill said he brought the council up to date on the events at the Arkansas School for the Blind.

 

The school received a check from SEECO in the amount of about $6000.

 

Six students recently participated in Special Olympics, and the students were very proud of the medals they received.

 

Lions World Services for the Blind is an organization that provides educational opportunities for adults who have lost their vision. As a board member, Mr. Hill will be attending the Business Advisory meeting. Mr. Hill complimented the organization and the support and assistance it gives to adults.

 

The school is raising money for Close-Up and approximately $500 was raised at a recent car bash and silent auction. The cost per student to attend Close-Up is $2300 and six students want to attend this year.

 

The auditor will be on campus October 26. Mr. Hill said that Stan Bryant works hard to help the school meet state standards and requirements for purchasing and expenditure of money. Both A.S.D. and A.S.B. will be audited.

 

There will be a meeting of the National Association of Parents with Visually Impaired Children (NAPVI) in Bentonville on December 8 and, as a board member, Mr. Hill will be attending the meeting. He said he looks forward to meeting parents in Northwest Arkansas to discuss NAPVI issues. He feels that NAPVI is going to be a good tool to reach many parents throughout the state.  There will be another NAPVI meeting on December 15 for parents in Little Rock.

 

The school’s Christmas lunch will be December 20 and the Parent Appreciation Dinner and Christmas Concert will be that evening. Mr. Hill invited the board members to both events.

 

There will be a board training December 4-7.

 

A.S.B. administrators will have training on sexual harassment in the workplace on January 7.

 

 

Board of Trustees Meeting

Arkansas School for the Blind

November 20, 2007

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Mr. Hill invited the board members to be his guest at the Martin Luther King Gala on January 18. The event will be held at the Statehouse Convention Center.

 

07-B-023 Motion to Adjourn

 

There being no further business for the Arkansas School for the Blind, Dr. Watson asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Tolbert made the motion and Ms. Gray seconded the motion. The motion passed.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        _______________________________

                                                                        Dr. Douglas Watson, Chairperson

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        _______________________________

                                                                        Secretary (vacant at this time)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Trustees Meeting

Arkansas School for the Blind

November 20, 2007

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