OFFICIAL MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING OF THE
The Board of Trustees for the
Present: Dr. Douglas Watson, Chairperson, Henrietta Williams, Vice-Chairperson; Andrew Tolbert, Board Member; Beth Gray, Board Member; Johnny McGehee, ASB Parent Representative; Jim Hill, ASB Superintendent; Dr. Marcella Dalla Rosa, ASD Superintendent; Katie Becker, Interpreter; Amy Ford, Office of the Attorney General; Marc Harrison, Governor’s Office; Members of the Deaf Community; Members of the Blind Community
07-B-021 Motion to Approve Consent Items
Dr. Watson asked for a motion to approve the Consent Items. Ms. Williams made the motion to accept and Mr. Tolbert seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Action Items
None
Discussion Items
None
Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Hill said the school has tried to improve relationships
with other agencies that provide similar services, such as Special Ed
Department, Department of Human Services, and Test and Measurement and try to
develop relationships nationally. Mr. Hill introduced Barbara Cole, food
service director, who was elected as the Southwest Regional Director for the
School Nutrition Association in 2005. Mrs. Cole spoke to the board and
explained that her main responsibility is to be a liaison between 6 states and
the national office in
Mr. Hill said that a key area for the school is
certification. All A.S.B. teachers are either on alternate certification or are
certified in the area in which they teach, plus they get additional education
as a teacher of the sensory impaired and vision. A.S.B. was selected to provide
a representative for the Educational Testing System that develops the Praxis
for teachers of the sensory impaired. Mr. Hill introduced Teresa Mays, who was
selected to travel to
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Mr. Hill said the school is working with the Department of Human Services that target Birth to age 21 students. The program deals with handling students who are emotionally challenged and also have disciplinary problems. He said that fortunately A.S.B. does not have many emotional disciplinary problems, but some do have psychological adjustment problems and those could benefit from the cooperative effort from the Department of Human Services. Mrs. Sharon Berry will be a committee member for this program.
Lis Geoghegan, a teacher at A.S.B. who is totally blind and teaches science and social studies, has been chosen by the American Printing House for the Blind to review the tactile science materials the printing house provides and to complete a research project as to the effectiveness of the materials.
First quarter report cards are being mailed to parents. Parents can access their child’s teacher’s web page and review the student’s grades.
Dr. Ajuwon, from
A.S.B. is a cosponsor of the membership of A.E.R., an organization that represents rehabilitation organizations. The school co-hosted a social last week and A.S.B. represented approximately 50% of the membership. Mr. Hill said he is very pleased that that the school is having such an effect on this important organization.
Mr. Hill gave the board members a copy of the General Improvement Fund. He discussed different areas on campus that need to be repaired, such as cracked sidewalks. Waterproofing the building, air conditioning and outside campus areas are the priority areas at this time. Mr. Hill said the school hopes to receive $500,000 and feels the governor will give the school as much as possible.
Mr. Hill said he recently attended the Council of Schools for the Blind meeting, which is an organization for superintendents. He said issues that schools for the blind might be facing in the future were discussed. One of the issues was the cost per student for the education of a visually impaired student. Training was given on how to give basic information to legislators, and others involved with the school’s financing, that shows that the school does pay a lot per student for the student’s education.
Ms. Williams congratulated Mrs.
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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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Dr. Douglas Watson, Chairperson
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Secretary (vacant at this time)
Board of Trustees Meeting
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