| JANUARY 20, 2009 |
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HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2
ESTILL, SOUTH CAROLINA BOARD OF TRUSTEES DISTRICT BOARD ROOM JANUARY 20, 2009 7:00 P.M. Those Present: Benjamin Burison, Jr., Bruce N. Davis, Daisy B. Orr Elizabeth M. Haynes Those Absent: Myrtle Sumter Others: Walter Tobin, Linda Wiggins, JJ Orr, David Corley, Free Bellinger Julia Lee, Valerie Brantley, Carl E. Williams, Shakota Johnson, Beatrice D. Brown, Tahj’re Brown, George K. Youmans, Nandi Boston, DeAira Bryant, Tyashia Bostick, Marsha Robinson, Jacqueline Hopkins, Sylvia Boston, Lessie Johnson, David Corley, Jr. GENERAL SESSION: Chairman Burison called the meeting to order and the invocation was offered by Mr. Bruce Davis. In accordance with S.C. Code of Laws, Section 30-4-80-(e), as amended the following were notified of the meeting, Hampton County Guardian, and WBHC Radio. The agenda was posted in the teacher’s lounge at each school as well as at the district office. Motion was made by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Orr and carried by the board to approve the agenda as sent out. Motion was made by Mrs. Haynes, seconded by Mrs. Orr and carried by the board that the minutes from December 2, 2008, December 9, 2008 and December 16, 2008 be approved as sent out. Good News! Dr. Tobin noted that the month of January is School Board Recognition Month. Each school presented gifts of appreciation to the board members. Mrs. Julia Lee, Sakota Johnson, Vice President of Student Council, DeAira Bryant, President of Student Council, and Tyashia Bostick, Parliamentarian for Student Council from Estill Middle School presented the board members with nice fruit trays. Dr. Carl Williams, Tahj’re Brown, fifth grade student presented the board members with a Cross Pen from the Estill Elementary School. Dr. David Corley, Nandi Boston, High School Senior, presented the board members with a gift bag of goodies from Estill High School. Dr. Tobin reported to the board that we are preparing for the External Review Team meeting that will be January 21 & 22. He thanked Mrs. Hopkins and staff members for the great job that they have done in preparing for the visit. We had the Chairman of the Review Team to come down last week to be sure that we are on task in preparing for the team review. He stated that we got everybody involved including Mr. Orr from the Finance Office. Mrs. Hopkins met with everyone last week and divided everyone up in teams to review all the information to be sure that all required documents were properly completed. Dr. Tobin reported on the School Renewal Progress Report. He noted that we have our regular reports ready for the School Renewal Priority Schools. Dr. Tobin noted that Mrs. Hopkins has included him on the classroom visitations. He was most impressed with the classes observed and noted that he was very impressed with the programs that we have in place for our homegrown teachers coming back home to teach and give back to their community. The “Home Grown” Teacher Program is where individuals return to the Community and become certified to teach. Dr. Tobin presented two dates for the boards approval for making up the day we were out for Dr. Gardner’s funeral. The dates are February 13th and February 16th. He noted that we took a survey from the teachers and the majority would like to use February 13th. Motion was made by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Orr and carried by the board to use February 13th as our makeup day. Students will attend school on that day. Dr. Tobin presented an Out of State Field Trip request for the senior class to take a trip to Orlando, Florida April 29 – May 2, 2009. Motion was made by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Haynes to approve the senior class trip to Orlando, Florida. Mrs. Daisy Orr noted concern for having enough chaperones for the number of students that will be going on the trip. Dr. Tobin stated that they will be checking to be sure the trip is well chaperoned. The next Out of State Field Trip request was from SC GEAR UP PROGRAM for 40 10th Graders to go on a trip April 30 – May 3rd to Atlanta, Georgia to visit Spellman College, Morehouse College, Clark-Atlanta University. Again Mrs. Orr questioned if we are sure that we have enough chaperones for all the students. Motion was made by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Haynes and carried by the board to approve the trip to Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. JJ Orr gave the board a copy of the cash flow analysis report. (see attached) Mr. Orr reported to the board that we have stopped the bleeding. This past week we were informed by the S. C. Department of Education that we are being cut by $ 584,000. He noted that he and Dr. Tobin are in the process of dealing with this cut in the least obtrusive manner. He stated that unless the members of the district staff make some concessions there is no way to address that large a number without addressing salaries/jobs. Regardless this is an issue that we will have to address. He noted that he will be coming back to the board in a very short time with some scenarios as to how we will handle this $ 584,000 cut. Dr. Tobin reported that the Superintendent’s Search has begun. We already have 10 applications and some inquires from other folks and we have advertised in the State Newspaper, sent all notices to the school districts, on the School Administrators web site, and published in the S. C. School Boards Focus. Several individuals have been recruited and invited into the process certainly with no promises. We have gotten inquires as a result of being on the SCASA web site from as far as Florida and Illinois. We have also contacted the State Department of Education for their Leadership Academy where they provide training to potential superintendents. He has advertised that we will close the application process January 30, 2009 or until a suitable applicant has been found. Dr. Tobin presented a tentative draft of the Organizational Chart that is working for us now. He noted that there have been some adjustments that seem to be working for us at this time. The board requested that they wait until after the Executive Session is over to vote on this chart. Dr. Tobin asked the board to consider developing some time of procedure to conduct student hearings prior to coming to the board to see if we can relieve the board of some of that responsibility. People certainly have the right to appeal to the board if they are not satisfied with the decision. This procedure will allow us to get to these students quicker to make a determination on students that are recommended for expulsion. Dr. Tobin asked that he be allowed to develop a procedure to bring back to the board for their approval. Dr. Tobin commended the district on having the wonderful Christmas Celebration for the district employees. He was so pleased to see resources used to provide additional certification for teachers and administrators to increase the personnel pool. It is great to see our people coming back into this school district. He noted that at this time we do not have a shortage of Special Education teachers which is really profound because across the state and across the country there are a great number of shortages in this area. Dr. Tobin reported that we have received the Title I Audit and we received an ALL CLEAR. He commended Mrs. Hopkins and her staff for the hard work on making us get this All Clear status. Mrs. Lessie Johnson, parent, questioned the board about the security camera’s that have been purchased by the district. She noted that she wanted to know/demand that these be installed. Mr. Orr reported that we are in the process of getting things in order to install and they should be completed in the next 30 to 45 days. She asked the board questions about Homebased and Homebound instruction. Dr. Tobin asked her to see him after the meeting and he would address her question. Motion was made by Mrs. Haynes, seconded by Mrs. Orr and carried by the board to go into Executive Session to discuss a Personnel Update. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion was made by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Orr and carried by the board to go back into General Session. GENERAL SESSION: Report Out of Executive Session: Motion was made by Mr. Davis and seconded by Mrs. Haynes to accept the recommendation on personnel salaries. Motion was carried by the board. Motion was made by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Haynes and carried by the board that the Organizational Chart be approved as presented. Motion was made by Mrs. Orr, seconded by Mrs. Haynes and carried by the board that the meeting be adjourned. |
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