JASPER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
MINUTES – MARCH 27, 2006
PRESENT: Michael Hubbard, Berty Riley, Patricia Walls,
Kathleen Snooks, Jerry Walker, Randy Horton,
Mary Gallagher and Priscilla Fraser
ABSENT: David Cope
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mrs. Kathleen Snooks, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. in the
Jasper County High School Cafeteria, Ridgeland, S.C.
2. ROLL CALL & ESTABLISHMENT OF A QUORUM – 8P/1T
3. NOTIFICATION OF NEWS MEDIA – The following news media
were notified of the date, time, place and agenda of
this meeting: Jasper County Sun, Hardeeville Today, Beaufort Gazette, The Island Packet, Savannah Morning News, The Gullah Sentinel, WSAV, WTOC, WJCL and WTGS.
4. INVOCATION – The invocation was led by Sister Mary
Gallagher, Board Chaplain.
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The pledge to the flag was
recited by the Board and audience.
6. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS & STAFF – Dr. Singleton recog-nized the parents, students, JCHS staff, District staff and the principals.
Mrs. Snooks welcomed everyone to the meeting.
7. PUBLIC HEARING(S) – (1) Mr. Lawrence Bowers and
(2) Mr. & Mrs. Louis Frazier signed in to address the
Board regarding hazardous school bus stops.
Mr. Bowers shared his concern that his children’s bus stop has changed. He stated that his children’s ages range from four years old to fifteen years old. They now have to walk on the road to their stop because there is no sidewalk.
Dr. Singleton responded that Mrs. Shirley Garvin would be sharing a report that should answer his questions.
MINUTES - MARCH 27, 2006
PAGE TWO
Mr. Frazier shared that he lives on Bees Creek Road.
The bus stop was moved around the curve from where the
previous stop was. He feels that this road is too dangerous for his children to be walking on the road to get to their stop. They live .2 miles down a dirt road and his children have to walk out of the dirt road. The youngest child is seven years old. There are large trucks that travel this highway and he is concerned about his children’s safety.
Mrs. Snooks stated that there is money provided to the school district for hazardous stops and she hopes that Mrs. Garvin will address this in her report.
The board members were given the opportunity to ask
questions.
8. *APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Mrs. Snooks entertained a motion to amend the agenda to add 10.1(A) for contractual negotiations with the attorney. A motion was made by Patricia Walls to approve the agenda as amended. Berty Riley seconded the motion. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
9. ADOPTION OF MINUTES – MARCH 13, 2006 – Mrs. Snooks entertained a motion for the adoption of the minutes. A motion was made by Priscilla Fraser and seconded by Jerry Walker to adopt these minutes.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
10. SPECIAL HEARING(S) -
10.1 JCHS PRESENTATION - MR. GRANT, STAFF & STUDENTS -
Mr. Marc Grant, Principal, welcomed everyone to Jasper County High School. The choir, directed by Katherine Manigo, performed a selection (Draw Me Close To You). Porsche Daniels (student) shared a PowerPoint presentation about the high school’s mission, vision, theme, and what is being done to assist students with academics. Mr. Grant recog-nized the JCHS staff by asking them to stand. The board members were presented with fruit baskets and framed certificates.
MINUTES - MARCH 27, 2006
PAGE THREE
Mr. Grant recognized Mr. Zachary Green, Band Director, for the recent accomplishments made by the Jazz Ensemble. He also commended Ms. Manigo.
Mrs. Snooks thanked the JCHS staff on behalf of the Board for their presentation and tokens of
appreciation.
10.1(A) CONTRACTUAL NEGOTIATION WITH BOARD ATTORNEY -
William Halligan and Keith Powell were present
from Childs & Halligan to go over the revised
contract for Southern Management Group.
Mrs. Snooks entertained a motion to enter into
Executive Session for this contract negotiation.
A motion was made by Jerry Walker and seconded
by Berty Riley to enter into Executive Session.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
THE BOARD ENTERED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:05 P.M.
* * * * *
THE BOARD RETURNED TO OPEN SESSION AT 7:26 P.M.
No motions were derived from Executive Session.
10.2 RECOGNITION OF JCHS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR -
Mrs. Snooks presented Mr. Jeremiah Faber with a
plaque for 2005-2006 Athletic Director of the Year
for the Region V AA Conference.
Coach Faber thanked Dr. Singleton for hiring him 22 years ago as a P.E. teacher in Hardeeville. He thanked Mrs. Snooks, who hired him a year later as head basketball coach for Ridgeland High School. He thanked the Board for their support as well.
10.3 2005 BOARDMANSHIP INSTITUTE RECOGNITION - These
board members were recognized by Mrs. Snooks on behalf of the South Carolina School Boards Assoc-iation for reaching certain levels in the Board-manship Institute:
MINUTES - MARCH 27, 2006
PAGE FOUR
§ Level I - Michael Hubbard (Certificate)
§ Level II - Mary Gallagher (Certificate & Pin)
§ Level IV - Priscilla Fraser (Certificate & Pin)
Mrs. Snooks added that Randy Horton had already been recognized at the SCSBA Annual Convention in
February for reaching Level VI.
10.4 PARENT REQUEST FOR HEARING - A written request was
submitted from Gary Bush, Anita Bush and Latrelle
Reynolds to appear before the Board regarding bus
stops. The three parents came before the Board.
Handouts were passed out to the board members
regarding changes in their children’s bus stops
(Hwy. 170 and 170 Alternate). Information was shared from the SCDOT School Bus Manual, Traffic Count Data for SC170 for 2003 (34,500) and 2004 (34,800). Three news articles were also shared regarding the traffic dangers on this highway. Signed petitions were presented to the Board.
Mrs. Snooks stated that if there are funds avail-
able for hazardous routes then they need to take
into consideration the students’ safety. She
added that Dr. Singleton and Mrs. Garvin would
investigate this.
10.5 SDE SCHOOL BUS AUDIT - MRS. SHIRLEY GARVIN -
Mrs. Garvin came forward to share information on
the bus audit that was done. She shared that a
letter was received in March stating that 20% of
the fleet would be audited (8 buses). Of the eight buses that were audited, six had some type of hazardous violations and two had none at all.
She passed out a handout that included a copy of
a letter sent to the parents and answers to fre-quently asked questions by parents.
Mrs. Garvin shared pictures of the bus stops in
question. She reported that the district is given
$3,000 each year for hazardous stops. Any amount
above this must be picked up by the district.
MINUTES - MARCH 27, 2006
PAGE FIVE
Mrs. Walls questioned how much it would cost the
district for these additional stops.
Mrs. Snooks stated that safety comes first. The District will have to pay whatever it costs for these small children.
Mrs. Fraser suggested that the Finance Committee
look at this to include funds in the budget.
Mrs. Garvin shared that they have requested a
full audit for the District.
Dr. Singleton stated that this would need to be a
full Board vote because they need to resolve this
issue now.
A motion was made by Patricia Walls that the stops
for the three families coming before the Board be
approved as hazardous stops and be paid from the
General Fund for the remainder of the school year.
Priscilla Fraser seconded the motion.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
Mrs. Walls requested that the Finance Committee be
given a copy of all of the hazardous routes for
study and funding and a recommendation be made to
the full Board.
Dr. Singleton stated that if the State Department
of Education comes down tomorrow it may be deter-
mined that these stops are not hazardous. He
recommended that the Board allocate an amount to
be used for hazardous stops.
Berty Riley questioned what would be an estimated
amount.
Dr. Singleton stated that there is a formula in
place to determine this. He does not have this
information with him. The state will be coming
on April 17th. If the district has the funds set
aside this will not be an issue.
MINUTES - MARCH 27, 2006
PAGE SIX
Mr. Horton stated that the state never gives the
District enough funds.
A motion was made by Patricia Walls that they give the District up to $20,000 for hazardous routes and if more is needed, the Superintendent needs to come back to the Board. Priscilla Fraser seconded the motion. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
Mr. Horton made a motion that if any board member has travel funds left in their account that it be used for this. Jerry Walker seconded the motion.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
10.6 *FIRE ALARM SYSTEM BIDS (RES/RMS) - MR. WARREN NORRIS - Mr. Norris passed out a simplified expla-
nation regarding the bids to connect the portable
classroom units at RES/RMS. Three bids were received - Simplex-Grinnell, Fire Tech Solutions,
and Honeywell Solutions. Mr. Norris recommended
Honeywell Solutions for approval as the lowest
bidder.
Mr. Horton questioned the Board’s previous request that the contract for Simplex and L&S be given to the attorney to look over.
Dr. Singleton stated that this has been done but
they have not received a response back from the attorney on this.
There was some discussion about what companies
have been used in the past.
Sister Mary questioned if comparisons have been
done because sometimes the lowest bid is not
always the best.
Mr. Warren stated that this has been done.
Dr. Singleton stated that everything would have to
be inspected by the State Fire Marshall.
MINUTES - MARCH 27, 2006
PAGE SEVEN
A motion was made by Berty Riley to accept the bid
from Honeywell Solutions as the lowest bidder.
Patricia Walls seconded the motion.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
10.7 *POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT - MS. BERTY RILEY -
Ms. Riley shared that the Policy Committee met on March 16, 2006. Policies were reviewed on admis-
sion of homeless students and the hiring of TERI
employees. The minutes from this meeting were recommended for approval.
Mrs. Snooks entertained a motion on the minutes.
A motion was made by Patricia Walls and seconded
by Michael Hubbard to accept these minutes.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
Ms. Riley recommended the following policies for
Board approval:
§ JFABD-R - Admission of Homeless Students
§ JFABD-E(1) - Dispute Resolution or Complaints of Noncompliance
§ GCFB - Hiring of Administrative Staff
§ IA - Instructional Goals and Learning Objectives
Mrs. Snooks entertained a motion on the policies.
A motion was made by Patricia Walls and seconded
by Priscilla Fraser to accept these policies.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
10.8 OTHERS - NONE
11. COMMUNICATIONS -
11.1 *SPECIAL REVENUE BUDGETS (A-D) - Dr. Singleton
recommended these budgets for Board approval:
(A) Project IDEA Budget
(B) EIA Handicapped Program Budget
(C) Pre-School Program for Children with Disability Program/(PPCD) Early Intervention Program
(D) Profoundly Mentally Disabled (PMD)
MINUTES - MARCH 27, 2006
PAGE EIGHT
Mrs. Snooks entertained a motion from the Board. A motion was made by Patricia Walls and seconded by Berty Riley to approve these budgets.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
11.2 *BUDGET TRANSFER REQUEST - Dr. Singleton recom-mended this budget transfer for Board approval.
Funds needed to be transferred in the public relations budget to purchase furniture, computer equipment, cameras and general office supplies to set up this office.
Mrs. Snooks entertained a motion from the Board. A motion was made by Patricia Walls and seconded by Priscilla Fraser to approve this transfer.
Mr. Horton requested that the procurement policy
be followed.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
11.3 STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE - This information was received in a separate binder. Dr. Singleton
recommended this update for Board approval with the noted changes.
Mrs. Snooks entertained a motion from the Board. A motion was made by Berty Riley and seconded by Patricia Walls to approve this update.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
11.4 *SACS 2006 DISTRICT ACCREDITATION - A memo and
certificate were shared from the Southern Associ-ation of Colleges and Schools regarding the 2006 District’s Accreditation. This was shared as information only.
11.5 OTHERS - NONE
12. PERSONNEL UPDATE -
12.1 VACANCY LISTING - Dr. Singleton named the current
vacancies for the school district.
MINUTES - MARCH 27, 2006
PAGE NINE
12.2 *JOB ABANDONMENT (A) - Dr. Singleton recommended
this employee for termination.
Mrs. Snooks entertained a motion from the Board.
A motion was made by Patricia Walls and seconded by Jerry Walker to approve this termination.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
12.3 EXIT INTERVIEWS (B-1 & B-2) - These exit inter-views were shared as information only.
12.4 CERTIFIED STAFF RECOMMENDED/NOT RECOMMENDED -
Dr. Singleton suggested that the Board review these recommendations by school. The principals were present for any questions.
A motion was made by Patricia Walls that this be
tabled for Executive Session later in the meeting and that they continue with the agenda. Sister Mary Gallagher seconded the motion.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
[TABLED]
12.5 OTHERS - NONE
13. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT -
13.1 PROPOSED SUMMER HOURS - Dr. Singleton recommended
summer hours for the 240-day employees to begin on
May 29, 2006 through August 4, 2006.
Mrs. Snooks entertained a motion from the Board.
A motion was made by Berty Riley and seconded by
Priscilla Fraser to approve the summer hours.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
13.2 REPORT ON JCHS GOLF TEAM - Dr. Singleton shared a
written report from Ray Ramey, Golf Coach, on the
new golf team at Jasper County High School. This
was shared as information only.
MINUTES - MARCH 27, 2006
PAGE TEN
13.3 2005 TENTH GRADE HSAP TEST SCORE INFORMATION -
Dr. Singleton shared that the Board had requested
information previously on how tenth graders who
attend ACE score on the exit exam. He stated that