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; *Brenda Gullett, Secretary; 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; Marc Harrison, Governor’s Office; Members of the Deaf Community; Members of the Blind Community
*Dr. Watson was present via teleconference.
*Brenda Gullett was present via teleconference.
07-J-017 Motion to Approve Consent Items
Dr. Watson asked for a motion to approve the July board minutes and the Financial Statement. Mr. Tolbert moved to approve and Ms. Williams seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Action Items
Change in name of position for Ken Fowler
Information pertaining to this issue was sent to the board prior to the board meeting and Mr. Hill referred to that information. He said that Ken Fowler, as a grade 22, receives a salary and has the option of working in the summer, receiving additional money for that work. He will receive a 6% increase, but he will lose the option of working in the summer if his grade is changed to grade 23, principal. Mr. Hill pointed out that Mr. Fowler has certification for building administration P-8 and 7-12. He said that Ken has professional aspirations and he would like to have the experience as a principal and that is the reason for the request. Mr. Tolbert asked if the school doesn’t already have one principal and Mr. Hill said yes. Mr. Hill said that special education requires tremendous additional paperwork and IEPs and other related activities which are very time consuming. Mr. Tolbert said that the organizational chart shows principal K-12 and there was a slot for assistant principal and asked if there was an assistant principal. Mr. Hill said that is Mr. Fowler. Mr. Tolbert asked if Mr. Fowler was not a lead teacher. Mr. Hill said he was a lead teacher, but that was put on the chart in error. Mr. Tolbert questioned why the school would need two full time principals with an enrollment of 150 students. Ms. Williams asked if Mr. Fowler has already been acting as assistant principal and Mr. Hill said yes. He has been certified as a principal, but was left at grade 22. Dr. Watson
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asked if he would receive more money if he had the title of
assistant principal at grade 22 and was able to work the summer and Mr. Hill
said he would but, Mr. Hill said, Mr. Fowler feels like to go on to other jobs
in administration, he needs to show experience as a principal. Mrs. Gullett
asked how many positions Mr. Fowler is receiving money for, what are his
responsibilities that have remuneration for them. Mr. Hill listed the areas
which Mr. Fowler would be responsible for with the change. Lengthy discussion
took place. Dr. Watson asked Mr. Hill if he was asking the board’s for approval
or an opinion and Mr. Hill said he would feel more comfortable doing what the
board wishes. Mr. Tolbert said he would have no problem with the title of
assistant principal for two reasons: 1. That person takes over when the
principal is out; 2. It falls in line with the organizational chart. There is
the same number of students as at A.S.D. and there is a principal and assistant
principal. Ms. Gray and Dr. Watson said they concur with Mr. Tolbert in having
the principal and assistant principal. Sharon Berry was recognized by Dr.
Watson and gave her explanation of the need for the change. Ken Fowler asked to
speak and Dr. Watson recognized him. He explained that the main thing in the
change, with his being secondary principal and Mrs.
At this time Dr. Watson asked for final comments or recommendations. Dr. Watson said he feels Mr. Hill has very qualified personnel who are already functioning in the role of the title or principal and he is apparently doing his job effectively enough that Mr. Hill is satisfied with his work. He asked if the board could work with Mr. Hill to approach the state with getting the positions and titles that the school needs. Mr. Hill said to change Mr. Fowler’s actual position title the school would need to go before the personnel committee of the legislature. Mr. Hill said he feels strongly about the board’s opinion on the issue and feels it is important that the board be with the superintendent. Dr. Watson asked if there was any direction or closure before moving on. Amy Ford, with the Attorney General’s office, asked to be recognized. She said if there is no motion before the board, then the action item is considered over, and the action of the board is no action. At that time, the board can move to the next item on the agenda.
Discussion Item
Superintendents’ Evaluation
This item will be discussed in executive session.
Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Hill said the school has gotten off to a good start with an enrollment of 87 at the present time. There are 67 babies in the Birth-3 year program.
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Mr. Hill said as part of the school’s accreditation and standards requirement, the school was required to have one day of Gifted and Talented training. Polly Bakker, GT supervisor with the Arch Ford Coop, gave the training on August 17. Chris Wilks, a teacher at A.S.B., has 6 hours toward the Gifted and Talented certification and will continue to receive the necessary certification to become certified as a GT teacher for the school.
At a previous meeting Mr. Hill had discussed with the board that there was going to be a new evaluation process. He discussed the changes in the evaluations and how the teachers can qualify for the different raises. Material has been given to the teachers which is aligned with the five core principles of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Mr. Hill gave the board brochures on The Master Teacher. Mr. Tolbert said he is familiar with this program and it is an excellent program.
Mike Fendly, a real estate agent, wants to provide the school with advertisement. He has connections with a sign company and in November he is going to provide the school with advertisement about the school’s Christmas program and how to make contributions to the school.
Mr. Hill said that several months ago he related to the board questions he has received about the activity of Easter Seals. He said he had received a letter from Easter Seals stating that an expansion was taking place in an existing area. Mr. Hill said he received a call from Representative Kathy Webb who, along with Hillcrest residents, want to meet with Easter Seals to see what the purpose and mission is for the property. Mr. Hill is going to try to set up a meeting with Easter Seals regarding the issue. Mr. Hill also said a realtor has talked with him about purchasing the paved land, not the building. However the realtor had heard offers had been made in the past to buy the land whereby Easter Seals would receive most of the money and the School for the Blind and the School for the Deaf would receive a small portion of the sale. He was told if the building was not on the property more would be paid for it than to have the building torn down.
Mr. Hill showed the board the school’s menus and said the he is extremely proud of the school’s food service. The menus are in cooperation with the overall health program and the health committee is very instrumental in developing the menu. He said the quality of the food is very high and, since many times this is the only time the children receive three meals a day, the department strives to have nutritious and tasty meals.
Mr. Hill told the board that Ken Fowler has set up a web site, www.teacherweb.com/states.htm. This web site gives parents access to their child’s schedules, assignments, and teachers.
The school received a call from a man whose grandfather attended the school in 1998. After checking old records, Mr. Hill said he did find information on the man and the information was sent to the caller.
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Mr. Hill said the school has received test results. A full report will be presented at the next board meeting.
Dr. Watson said he enjoyed the story in the Council on
Schools for the Blind magazine written by wrestling coach in
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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Brenda Gullett, Secretary
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