A summary of the November 2, 2009 Board of Education meeting follows:
Superintendent's Spotlight: Mr. Remillard spotlighted Stewart Middle School at the November 2, 2009 Board meeting. Mr. Dewayne Jackson was recognized as the Principal and Ms. Kathryn Bolenbaugh was recognized as the Assistant Principal. The following students and staff members were recognized based upon the recommendation of the principal. The following students were recognized as recipients of the Dr. Sam Haskell Math Award in the Best Effort category during the month of October: Rodrick Jordan, 6th grade; Jose Ramos, 6th grade; Carlecia Richardson, 8th grade; Alex Starnes, 6th grade; Dashaun Statham, 7th grade; and Michale Williams, 8th grade. The following students received the award for Most Improved for the month of October: Stanford Brooks, 8th grade; John Burke, 8th grade; Cheyanne Busby, 6th grade; Sineisha Cooley, 7th grade; and Tyler Swofford, 7th grade. Mr. Remillard thanked Dr. Haskell for funding this awards program.
Deon Heavens, 7th grade, was recognized for receiving the SOLO Award in August and September based upon his exemplary character and actively making the right choices. Destiny Gilmere, 6th grade, was recognized for winning first place in the sixth grade category of the Peanut Postcard Contest celebrating President Jimmy Carter's 85th birthday. Mrs. Tanganeki Parker, 6th grade teacher, was recognized for incorporating the contest into a lesson and submitting all her students' entries for this contest. The following students were recognized as members of the morning announcement team: Alexus Elmore, 8th grade; Shalandria Gardner, 8th grade; Tianna Jackson, 8th grade; Jacquavious Mallory, 7th grade; Breanna Neely, 8th grade; Tyrone Scott, 8th grade; and Michael Williams, 8th grade. Carleica Richardson, 8th grade, was recognized as the morning news team captain. Ms. Sacheen Cassy, Media Clerk, was recognized as sponsor of the Morning Announcement Team. Mr. Juanito Redwine, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math teacher, was recognized as Stewart's 2009-2010 school level Teacher of the Year.
New Business: Mr. Bartlett commented on refunding the 1999 Bonds. Kay Turner, Chief Financial Officer, stated that we have been contacted by three entities and need direction from our Board of Education. Mr. Bartlett asked each board member for their input.
Mr. Miller inquired about the approach to the process.
Mr. Barnes requested that we get as many providers to quote as possible so we can save money.
Dr. Haskell said that now is the perfect time to do this based upon rates.
Mr. Morris inquired about the savings the process will yield. Mrs. Turner said it could be as much as $400,000 to $500,000.
Mr. Bartlett said that we would do an RFP for refunding of the 1999 Bonds.
Instruction: The Georgia Service Agreement Extension was approved. This is an addendum to the existing contract between the Douglas County School System and Mecca-Tech, Inc./Go Solutions. It extends the current agreement until December 31, 2009. This service initiates and assists the school system as a Medicare and Medicaid provider.
Finance: The recommendation to move the Bond Sinking Fund Account from Wachovia to SunTrust was approved. All major school system funds, including the general fund, are with SunTrust already.
Operations: The low bid from Atlanta Paving and Concrete in the amount of $114,916.98 for asphalt paving at the Central Office was approved. The resolution to request GADOE assistance in developing a new five year Local Facilities Plan was approved.
General Administration: The decision of the Tribunal Panel on Student Tribunal Appeals SY 10-03 and SY 10-04 were upheld.
Personnel: Certified and Classified personnel were approved.
For Information Only: The following was provided for information only: Make-up day for employees under 190 days are as follows: Make-up days for September 21-25, 2009 for cafeteria managers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and bus monitors will be October 12 and 13, 2009 for September 21 and 22, 2009. Cafeteria managers and workers will have an in-service day on January 4, 2010 to make up September 23, 2009. Cafeteria workers' pay will be docked for September 24 and 25, 2009. Cafeteria managers will use September 24, 2009 as a furlough day and their pay will be docked for September 25, 2009. Bus drivers and monitors will have in-service days on January 4 and 5, 2010 to make up for September 23 and 24, 2009, and their pay will be docked for September 25, 2009. NOTE: Cafeteria managers were furloughed for three days and cafeteria workers were furloughed for two days. Bus drivers and monitors were not furloughed due to their contract length being 180 days.
Board Member Comments: Mr. Bartlett stated there will be a Special Called Board Meeting on November 9 at 6:00 p.m. The Georgia School Boards Association will do a presentation on conducting a superintendent search. He said this will be a public meeting and that the Board and the public can ask questions regarding the superintendent search.
Mr. Barnes said that he attended the dedication ceremony on Sunday for the Douglas County College and Career Institute. He stated there was a good turnout and that it was good to see everyone.
Dr. Haskell said that he has been visiting schools in his district. He recently visited Mason Creek Middle School and Winston Elementary School. He was impressed with the dedication of the staff and noted that they were working long past their release time.
Present were Board Members Jimmy Bartlett, Chairman; Dr. Sam Haskell, Vice Chairman; Larry Barnes, Mike Miller and Jeff Morris. Also present were Superintendent Don Remillard; Chief of Staff Dr. David Whitfield; Chief Operating Officer Dudley Spruill; Chief Financial Officer Kay Turner; Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Elaine Hopkins; Associate Superintendent of General Administration Suvess Ricks; Ken Bernard, School System Attorney; Karen Stroud, Community Relations Director, and Melanie Nicholson, Secretary to the Superintendent.
Upcoming Meetings of the Douglas County Board of Education:
Special Called Session on November 9, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. - GSBA New Superintendent Search presentation
Voting Session on November 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Voting Session on December 7, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
