OFFICIAL MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING OF THE

ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

The Board of Trustees for the Arkansas School for the Deaf and the Arkansas School for the Blind met for their monthly meeting on February 19, 2008.

Present: Henrietta Williams, Chairperson; Pam Hyneman, Vice-Chairperson; Beth Gray, Secretary; Andrew Tolbert, Board Member; Dr. Doug Watson, Board Member (via teleconference); 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; Amy Ford, Office of the Attorney General; Members of the Deaf Community; Members of the Blind Community

Call to Order

Ms. Williams called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The next board meeting was scheduled for March 11, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.

Ms. Williams introduced and welcomed new board member Pam Hyneman.

08-J-003 Motion to Approve Consent Items

Ms. Williams asked for a motion to approve the Minutes from the January board meeting. Ms. Gray made the motion and Mr. Tolbert seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Action Items

None

Discussion Items

Johnny McGehee – A.S.B. Parent Representative

Mr. McGehee introduced Chris Wilks, a teacher at the Arkansas School for Blind, who spoke to the board about the Gifted and Talented program at A.S.B., which will be in place next fall. Ann Biggers, with the State Department of GT Ed. visited the school and the meeting was very productive. Chris said that there are no GT programs for students with blindness and low vision and A.S.B. will be the only school for the blind in the country with a program. The Texas School for the Blind had a program in the 1980’s but that program was absorbed into their standard curriculum. He said the program will be tailored to the needs of the students and will be

Board of Trustees Meeting

Joint Session

February 19, 2008

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in compliance with the standards of the Department of Education and

also with the standards of the National Association for Gifted Children. Chris said the referrals for the program have come from teachers, but students can also self-nominate. Mr. Hill said Chris has done a wonderful job putting the program together.

Mr. McGehee said the memorial service for A.S.B. student Harry Arterburn was a very nice service. He told the board that Harry was a wonderful kid and he will definitely be missed at the school.

A.S.D. Parent Representative – vacant

There being no further business of a Joint nature, the meeting moved to the Agenda for the Arkansas School for the Blind.

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Henrietta Williams, Chairperson

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Beth Gray, Secretary

Board of Trustees Meeting

Joint Session

February 19, 2008

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