JASPER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
OCTOBER 19, 2005
PRESENT: Mary Gallagher, Randy Horton, Kathleen Snooks,
David Cope, Jerry Walker, Patricia Walls,
Berty Riley and Michael Hubbard (T)
ABSENT: Priscilla Fraser
1. CALL TO ORDER – This special meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Kathleen Snooks, Chairperson,
in the District Office Boardroom, Ridgeland, S. C.
2. ROLL CALL & ESTABLISHMENT OF A QUORUM – 7P/1T/1A
3. NOTIFICATION OF NEWS MEDIA – The following news media
were notified of the date, time, place and agenda of
this meeting: Jasper Sun/Hardeeville Times, Beaufort
Gazette, The Island Packet, Savannah Morning News,
The Gullah Sentinel, WSAV, WTOC, WJCL and WTGS.
4. INVOCATION – The invocation was led by the Board
Chaplain, Sister Mary Gallagher.
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The pledge to the flag was
recited by the Board and audience.
6. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS & STAFF – Dr. Singleton
recognized Attorney Charles Boykin and Attorney Dave Duff from Duff, White & Boykin, L.L.C. and Rebecca Quigley from the Beaufort Gazette.
Mrs. Snooks welcomed everyone to the meeting.
7. *APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Mrs. Snooks entertained a motion for approval of the Agenda. A motion was made by Berty Riley and seconded by Sister Mary Gallagher.
Mr. Cope questioned the Board going into Executive
Session if “Executive Session” was not listed on the
agenda.
Dr. Singleton stated that this is not a problem as long as it is announced why they are going into Executive Session.
MINUTES – OCTOBER 19, 2005
PAGE TWO
Mr. Boykin addressed this for the Board. He stated
that the Freedom of Information Act provides that a
motion be made to enter into Executive Session and once the motion is approved the purpose of Executive Session is announced. There is no requirement that “Executive Session” must be listed on the agenda.
He added that there is no action taken in Executive Session.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0.
8. DUFF, WHITE & BOYKIN, L.L.C. – DISCUSSION OF PENDING LEGAL CASES & TERMINATION OF SERVICES - Dr. Singleton shared that the purpose of this meeting was for the
attorneys to share with the Board the pending cases that they are still working on and talk about the process for termination of services. He stated that because this is a contractual matter he would recom-mended that this be discussed in Executive Session.
Mrs. Snooks entertained a motion for Executive Ses-sion. A motion was made by Berty Riley and seconded by Patricia Walls. Mrs. Snook shared that the purpose of Executive Session was to discuss a contractual matter.
Mr. Boykin advised the Board that they should also state that Executive Session would include a legal briefing.
Mrs. Snooks added that the Board was going into Execu-
tive Session to also receive a legal briefing and to
discuss termination of services.
Mr. Cope objected to stating contractual matters. He did not feel that everything that involves contractual matters should be discussed in Executive Session. He did not have a problem with stating a legal briefing.
Mrs. Snooks stated that the Board should go into Exe-
cutive Session to discuss whatever they need to as
long as the purpose is stated. She announced that the
Board would be discussing contractual matters, pending
legal cases and termination of services.
MINUTES – OCTOBER 19, 2005
PAGE THREE
THE MOTION PASSED 6-2.
(Ayes – Walls/Riley/Snooks/Hubbard/Horton/Gallagher)
(Nays – Cope/Walker)
THE BOARD ENTERED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:35 P.M.
* * * * *
THE BOARD RETURNED TO OPEN SESSION AT 6:17 P.M.
The following motions were derived from Executive Session:
1) A motion was made by David Cope that based on their discussion, they allow the existing legal counsel to proceed with the three pending cases, and most speci-fically, give them forty-five (45) days to conclude the Southern Management Group Contract; and as they continue with these cases the monthly billing reports should come through the Superintendent’s Office to the Finance Committee and reported to the full Board. Jerry Walker seconded the motion.
Ms. Riley questioned what was being proposed for the other pending cases.
Mr. Cope stated that they would continue with their
legal advise and report their billing activity to
the Finance Committee on a monthly basis.
Ms. Riley questioned after this is done would the firm be terminated.
Mr. Cope stated that this would conclude their ser-vices.
THE MOTION PASSED 5-0.
(Ayes – Walker/Cope/Horton/Hubbard/Gallagher)
(Abstained – Riley/Walls/Snooks)
2) A motion was made by David Cope that the Board
continue with the Request for Proposals (RFP) and that
potential legal firms be brought before the Board as
soon as possible. Randy Horton seconded the motion.
MINUTES – OCTOBER 19, 2005
PAGE FOUR
Dr. Singleton shared that the deadline for the RFP ends on Friday (10/21/05) and he should have a report
for the Board on Monday (10/24/05). The Board can
then schedule a special meeting to review the propo-sals and screen them. Another meeting can be sche- duled to invite the firms to come before the Board.
THE MOTION PASSED 5-0.
(Ayes – Walker/Cope/Horton/Hubbard/Gallagher)
(Abstained – Riley/Walls/Snooks)
9. OTHERS - NONE
10. *ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
______
Recording Secretary
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Approval Date Board Chairperson