LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2003

7:00 P. M.

The Lee County School Board of Directors held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2003. The meeting was called to order by President Wayne Corkran at 7:00 P. M. Board members present: Corkran, Moore, Waldrip, Johnson, and Stanley arrived at 7:25 P. M. Board members absent: Ballard and Miller. A quorum was present.

A motion was made by Waldrip and seconded by Moore, to accept the minutes of Sept. 22, 23 and 30, 2003 as written. The motion passed unanimously.

Sharon Sanders presented the financial report.

Supt. Thompson recommended that the board approve the financial report as given.

A motion was made by Moore and seconded by Waldrip, to accept Supt. Thompson’s recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.

Sharon Sanders also presented the food service report, in the absence of Doris Lewellen.

Supt. Thompson recommended that the board approve of the food service report.

A motion was made by Waldrip and seconded by Johnson, to accept Supt. Thompson’s recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.

Supt. Thompson presented the building project.

Supt. Thompson also recommended that the board approve of the Lee County School District to self construct (with the use of a construction manager) a new classroom building (2 classrooms, one large library room and two restrooms) located at the north end of the present English Complex located on the Lee Sr. High School campus. The new building will consist of approximately 4512 square feet. The exterior walls will be 8” concrete block with brick veneer, the interior walls will be 8” concrete block, the roof will be a pitched metal roof on steel structure, the floor will be concrete slab and the finisher will match the existing building (English Complex north unit). All necessary construction bid information will be brought before the Board prior to construction.

After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Waldrip and seconded by Moore, to accept Supt. Thompson’s recommendation. Those for: Corkran, Moore and Waldrip. Those opposed: Johnson.

Supt. Thompson presented cops grant.

Supt. Thompson recommended that the board approve of him trying to see if they could restructure the two present grants that we have where we can pay off the amount owed to the city and continue the Cop’s grant project for the remainder of the year.

After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Waldrip and seconded by Moore, to accept Supt. Thompson’s recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.

Dr. Martha Rhea presented Gifted/Talented Budget for 2003-04.

Supt. Thompson recommended that the board approve the Gifted/Talented Budget for 2003-04.

A motion was made by Moore and seconded by Waldrip, to accept Supt. Thompson’s recommendation. Those for: Corkran, Moore, Waldrip and Johnson. Those abstained: Stanley.

Dr. Martha Rhea presented Special Education Budget for 2003-04.

Supt. Thompson recommended that the board approve the Special Education Budget for 2003-04.

A motion was made by Waldrip and seconded by Moore, to accept Supt. Thompson’s recommendation. Those for: Corkran, Moore, Waldrip and Johnson. Those abstained: Stanley.

Dr. Martha Rhea presented residential tuition agreement.

Supt. Thompson recommended that the board approve of the residential tuition agreement between the LCSD and Pinnacle Point Hospital.

A motion was made by Waldrip and seconded by Johnson, to accept Supt. Thompson’s recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.

Dr. Rhea presented Sliver grant approval.

Supt. Thompson recommended that the board approve of Sliver grant in the amount of $15,000.00 for Alternative Learning Environment.

A motion was made by Waldrip and seconded by Johnson, to accept Supt. Thompson’s recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.

Sharon Sanders presented Ark. public school unemployment compensation participation.

Supt. Thompson recommended that the board approve the Lee County School District to participate in Ark. public school unemployment compensation account through the Ark. School Board Association.

A motion was made by Stanley and seconded by Johnson, to accept Supt. Thompson’s recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.

Willie Murdock, Admin. Assist. presented personnel. Mrs. Murdock asked the board to omit Robert Ainsworth as 7^th grade teacher at this time.

Supt. Thompson recommended that the board hire the following certified and classified personnel: Aaron Keith-Jr. Girls Basketball Coach at Strong Middle/Lee High School and Marion Butler-Bus Driver for the District. Supt. Thompson also asked the board to accept the following resignations: James Leonard-Jr. High Girls Basketball Coach and James Mason-7^th grade Math Teacher.

A motion was made by Stanley and seconded by Johnson, to accept Supt. Thompson’s recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.

Under report items, Supt. Thompson stated that at the last board meeting he handed out the financial disclosure forms and he would like to remind the board members to get their forms completed and turned in as soon as possible so the forms can be turned in to the official office to be filed.

Lee High School Quiz Bowl Team and their sponsors, Ms. Edwards and Mr. Rodriguez reported on their success and trip to Purdue University, and they thanked the Board and the Superintendent for allowing them the chance to take their trip to Purdue.

Supt. Thompson reported on purchase of buses, and he also shared information with the Board, about the condition some of the buses are in and replacement of the outdated buses.

Under student uniforms, Supt. Thompson turned this matter over to Mrs. Johnson.

Mrs. Johnson stated that it was Mr. Miller who wanted this matter to be explored. Mrs. Johnson also stated the positive side of having students wear uniforms. Mrs. Johnson stated that in the Helena School District, grades k-6 wear uniforms and they had been very successful in moving to uniforms.

After a brief discussion, Supt. Thompson asked the Board was this something that they wanted to explore?

The Board agreed that they wanted to explore the students going to uniforms.

Supt. Thompson reported on parental information and resource center grant.

Supt. Thompson reported on summer school for 2004. He stated that k-4^th grades, we’re required by the State, to have summer school for these grades. For grades 5^th-8^th he thinks the district can provide summer school for majority of these grades through Title I, and 21^st century will handle grades 9-12. Now, by chance if we’re not successful with the 21^st century grant or the replacement, we’re going to be very hard put to carry the expense of grades 9-12 summer school. He also stated unless the Board tells him something different to do, he was going to make a notice to the high school that there was a possibility that there will be no summer school for grades 9-12. He stated that they were going to work to try to secure a grant, but he didn’t want to be caught in a position, if it was announce in March or May, and people come along saying that they should have been told about this issue earlier. He stated hopefully they would be able to find funds for summer school for these grades.

Under unfinished business, Mrs. Johnson asked Supt. Thompson what was the status of band uniforms?

Supt. Thompson stated that he had talked to Mrs. Fells in detail and told her to submit bids, and Mrs. Fells had not done that yet.

Under new business, Supt. Thompson stated that the board was being asked to develop a resolution in regard to American Education Week starting November 17-21^st. Supt. Thompson asked Mrs. Blount to come forward and give more information regarding this event.

Mrs. Blount stated the week of Nov. 17-21^st is the celebration of American Education Week. During that week, they will have a number of activities expressing education, and they are asking the Mayor and the Lee County Judge to issue a proclamation declaring that week as American Education Week. Mrs. Blount also asked the Board to do a resolution supporting American Education Week during Nov. 17-21 and allow for this to be posted in the newspaper.

After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Moore and seconded by Waldrip, to allow Supt. Thompson and the Administrators, in conjunction with Mrs. Blount and other representatives to get together and write article for newspaper. The motion passed unanimously.

Supt. Thompson recommended that the board resolve to support American Education Week, which will take place Nov. 17-21^st.

A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Moore, to accept Supt. Thompson’s recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Stanley asked did the district purchase cheerleader uniforms as they do with the band?

Supt. Thompson stated yes.

Mrs. Sanders stated some of the parents had purchase uniforms, and she didn’t know whether it was band uniforms or drill team uniforms and that money was given back to the parents.

Stanley asked was it feasible for the district to purchase cheerleader uniforms because the reason for her asking was some of the cheerleaders maybe struggling trying to raise the money because all parents were not in a position to give the money for the uniforms.

Supt. Thompson stated that he didn’t think it was feasible for the district right now. He stated maybe 21^st century or some other elements associated with the district very possibly could do this, and he would be glad to explore those ways.

After a brief discussion, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Stanley and seconded by Moore. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 P. M.