OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE
GREENEVILLE CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION
SEPTEMBER 28, 2006
The
Greeneville City Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday,
September 28, 2006, at EastView Elementary School. Members present were Jerry Anderson,
Chairman, Craig Ogle, Mike Hollowell, Cindy Luttrell, Mark Patterson, and
Cameron Landers. Others in attendance
included Dr. Lyle C. Ailshie, Director of Schools; administrative personnel;
EastView staff members, and media representatives. Mr. Jerry Anderson, Chairman, called the
meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. Cameron Landers led in pledging allegiance to
the American flag.
Special Presentations
Family Life
Education Public Hearing
Mr. Anderson, Board Chairman, stated
that Board Policy and State Law require a yearly hearing for the Family Life
Strand of the local health curriculum.
Mr. Anderson opened the floor for questions or comments regarding the
Family Life Strand, and there were none.
Report on EastView
Elementary Program
Mr.
Dale Landers introduced Ms. Brenda Ottinger, instructional coordinator at
EastView. Ms. Ottinger demonstrated
teacher web pages and the ways they are utilized in the classroom. She explained that teachers can post practice
tests for students on-line and then have the tests graded automatically. Also, school calendars can be easily accessed
and frequently asked questions with answers may be posted.
Mr.
Landers shared assessment profile information from 2006 test data. Mr. Landers
reported that all grade levels performed at 98 or 99 percent proficient or
advanced in all four subject areas. In
the economically disadvantaged subgroup, 97.2% tested proficient or advanced in
all grade levels and all subject areas.
BUSINESS TRANSACTED
Approval of Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Luttrell and a
second by Mr. Hollowell, the Board unanimously approved the Agenda,
including the Consent Agenda.
Consent Agenda
A.
Consideration of Approving Minutes of
August 24, 2006 Board Meeting
Board approval was unanimous for the August
24, 2006 Board minutes. Minutes are on
file in the Central Office.
B.
Consideration of Approving Dental
Insurance Provider
The Board approved
MetLife as the dental insurance provider for full-time employees. The plan will be brokered through Bird,
Isbell & Associates.
C.
Consideration of Accepting Personnel
Report
The Board accepted the personnel
report noting the following changes in personnel since the August report to the
Board.
Emily Hawk has
been employed as Interim Music Teacher at Hal Henard replacing Nancy Philbeck
who is on leave of absence.
William Hughes has been employed as Part Time ESL teacher.
Denise Norris has been employed as a Bus Driver filling a vacant
position.
Meagan Meade
has been employed as an Instructional Assistant/LPN at Eastview elementary
replacing Becky Irwin who transferred to a teaching position at Tusculum View.
Allen Gates
has been employed as Technology Coordinator at Greeneville High School
replacing Karen Thompson who transferred to the Guidance Secretary position.
Jay Whinery has
been employed as an Interim Instructional Assistant in Special Education
replacing Lesley Murray who transferred to a teaching position at Greeneville
High School.
Rachel Carter has been employed as Instructional Assistant/LPN at Hal
Henard elementary replacing Ron Fields, who transferred to the physical
education teaching position.
Billie Carter, Instructional Assistant at Hal Henard has retired.
Brenda Gray,
Special Education Instructional Assistant at Greeneville High School has
retired.
Mia Hyde, has
been employed as Part Time Reading Specialist.
D.
Consideration
of Approving Section 125 Plan Administrator
Board
approval was unanimous to grant administration of the school system’s Section
125 Plan to American Fidelity.
E.
Consideration
of Approving Report on Compliance, School Approval Process
(A copy of the
compliance report is on file in the office of the Assistant Director for
Administration.)
F.
Consideration of Approving Board
Representatives to AIMS Scholar Committee
Board approval was
granted to appoint Mike Hollowell as the Board representative for the AIMS
scholar program.
G.
Consideration
of Approving Textbook Certification Compliance
(A copy of the
Textbook Certification Compliance form is on file in the Assistant Director for
Instruction’s office.)
H.
Consideration
of Approving Advisory Council Representative for Greeneville City Schools
Board member Mark Patterson was approved to represent the
Board on the Center for Technology Advisory council.
I.
Consideration
of Approving NCLB Improvement Act Resolution
The Board approved the NCLB Improvement Act
Resolution. The resolution, H.R. 5709,
supports strengthening accountability for improving academic performance of
children enrolled in public schools.
J.
Consideration
of Approving GHS Bowling Program
Board approval was unanimous for the addition of bowling
as a sport at Greeneville High School.
The sport of bowling is sanctioned by the Tennessee Secondary Schools
Athletic Association (TSSAA).
K.
Consideration
of Approving Competitive Foods Policy Statement
The Board approved the updated “Competitive Foods Policy”
which lists categories of foods that may not be sold “a la carte”. The policy reflects the guidelines of the new
Wellness Policy. (A copy of the policy
is on file in the School Nutrition office.)
L.
Consideration
of Approving School Trips
Board
approval was granted for Greeneville Middle School eighth grade students to
travel to Washington, D.C. May 15-18,
2007 and for the Greeneville High School JROTC students to travel to Dayton, OH
October 26-29, 2006 to visit the United States Air Force Museum and Wright
Patterson Air Force Base. (Copies of
the requests are attached to the minutes.)
Action
Items
M.
Consideration of Approving Selection of
Board TLN Representative
On a motion from Mr. Ogle and second from Dr.
Patterson, the Board voted unanimously to select Jerry Anderson as the
Tennessee Legislative Network (TLN) representative.
N.
Consideration of Approving August
Financial Statements
Ms.
Lisa Stephens presented financial statements for August. She noted that local revenue collections
through August are up $37,023.00 over the same period last year. The largest part of this amount is in sales
tax collections, up $21,434.00 over the same period last year. The General Purpose financials reflect a
$9,518.00 expenditure to NCS Pearson for annual support of SASI XP, Integrade
and Parent Connect. A payment of
$80,112.00 was made to TML for annual premium cost for building and content
insurance. Regarding the new MUNIS
business application software being implemented, Ms. Stephens explained that
she anticipates finance going on-line in December with payroll going out on the
new system in January 2007. Mr. Ogle moved for acceptance of the August financial
statements, Ms. Luttrell provided the second, and Board concurrence was
unanimous. (A copy of the Financial
Statements are on file in the Business and Finance Supervisor’s office.)
O.
Consideration of Approving 2007-2008
School Calendar
Mr. Stephen Long presented the proposed 2007-2008
school calendar to the Board for approval, explaining that work on the calendar
is done early in an effort to allow the system and the community to do advance
planning. He reported that the calendar
committee worked on a proposal to consider a fall break for students in early
October. Although the idea was received
with support, there remain questions that need to be researched. These questions include the impact such a
break would have on Greeneville High School and the Center for Technology. Also, issues regarding coordination with the
county system will have to be considered.
Action to implement a fall break have therefore been delayed until further
research can be done. Mr. Long explained
that the proposed calendars include 180 regular instruction days (90 days in
each semester), 4 in-service days, 2 staff development days, and 4
administrative days. The first
abbreviated day is August 6, 2007 and first full day is August 8, 2007. Spring break will include Good Friday and all
of the week after Easter. Mr. Long noted
that the Christmas break on the traditional calendar will be one day less than
the current calendar, and the Spring break will have one extra day. The 2007-2008 proposed calendar was reviewed
with county school system administrators, according to Mr. Long. Mr. Ogle voiced a motion to approve the
2007-2008 calendar, Ms. Luttrell seconded the motion, and Board approval was
unanimous. (Copies of the calendars are
attached to the minutes.)
Reports
P.
Report
on Student Achievement Test Data
Dr. Vicki Kirk presented achievement test data. Dr. Kirk noted Normal Curve Equivalent (NCE)
scores were higher than the state average in all grades for TCAP math NCE
scores. TCAP reading and language arts
NCE scores in grades 3 – 5 are above the state average. Scores for grades 6 – 8 are hovering close to
the state average in this category. Dr.
Kirk commented that reading should continue to be taught as students get older,
with a focus on reading in the middle school grades. (It was noted that the new
ninety minute weekly physical education requirement that goes into effect next
year could possibly impact the related arts program or other core
subjects.) Dr. Kirk reported that TCAP science
scores in grades 6-8 are running right with the state and that social studies
scores for grades 6-8 are close to state numbers, while grades 3 – 5 scores are
above state averages. The Board
requested follow-up information on how the middle school plans to address the
lower than desired scores in grades 6 – 8.
Regarding Gateway and End of Course, scores are well above the state,
with 90% above averages in all but Gateway math. TCAP writing scores for 5th grades were as
follows: 53 % scored a 4; 15.7% scored a
5; and 7.8% scored a 6. (4 = competent;
5 = strong; 6 = outstanding)
Writing scores for 11th grade students were: 45.5% scored a 4; 24.45 scored a 5; 2.9%
scored a 6; 19.6% scored a 3; 5.7% scored a 2; and 1.9% scored a 1. Dr. Kirk reported that 77% of students took
the ACT test with an average English score of 22. Composite average was 22.5. She noted that the goal is 24 composite,
something the high school
continues to work on.
Announcements
Safety
Community Information Meeting – September 29
Nobles
at Noon – Greeneville Middle School - October 20
Board
Retreat – October 12 – 13
Adjournment
The
meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m. on a motion from Mr. Ogle and
second from Mike Hollowell.
Respectfully
submitted,
______________________________________________
Jerry
Anderson, Chairman
_______________________________________________
Lyle
C. Ailshie, Director of Schools