MINUTES - UNION COUNTY BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
October 8, 2007– 7:00 PM Regular Board Meeting
Union County Career and Technology Center
ATTENDEES: Jane Hammett, Vice Chair; Randy George; BJ McMorris, Kakie White, Donna Sanders, John Rampey, Wanda All, and Kim Bailey
Absent: Manning Jeter; Chairman
Call to Order: Ms. Jane Hammett called the meeting to order.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: The invocation was given by Ms. Jane Hammett who also led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Notice to Media: In accordance with the S.C. Code of Laws, Section 30-4-80(d), as amended, the following have been notified of the time, date, place and agenda of this meeting: The Union Daily Times, WBCU Radio Station and The Spartanburg Herald-Journal.
Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2007 Board meeting was made by Mr. Randy George, seconded by Ms. B.J. McMorris. The motion carried with a (8-0) vote.
Public Comments: Ms. Karen Page addressed the Board to express her concerns about school operations, school policies and student supervision.
Superintendent: Dr. Eubanks provided the Board with a handout of calculated projections for reimbursements for owner occupied housing that is to be made to the county treasurer by the state. The projections are based on survey data collected for Tax Years 2004, 2005 and 2006 from county auditors and/or treasurers. Union County will receive a minimum of $2,500,000.
Dr. Eubanks provided the Board with a handout for the FY 08 School Technology Initiative. The FY 08 School Technology Initiative lists district allocations for each county in South Carolina. A calendar from the SCSBA with dates for future conferences and training was also provided.
Dr. Eubanks recognized Mr. Lynn Lawson who explained that after consulting with principals from Jonesville Middle School and Sims Jr. High School, concluded that classroom space for both the K-8 and the 6-8 schools had been adequately planned with three extra classrooms available at the K-8 school and all classrooms would be full at the 6-8 school if the schools were opened today.
Board Policy: Dr. Eubanks informed the Board that the South Carolina School Boards Association recommended adding “immigrant status or English-speaking status” to policy AC. Districts around the state are undergoing audits for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Office for Civil Rights has interpreted this Act to prohibit denial of equal access to education because of a student’s limited proficiency in English. The Board agreed to accept the first reading for the revision of Policy AC.
Finance: Mr. Lynn Lawson briefed the Board on the monthly finance report. Mr. Lawson also informed the Board that the General Obligation Bond was closed on Wednesday, October 3, 2007. Mr. Lawson stated express appreciation to Arthur State Bank and to Mr. John Fallow, the Union County School District Representative, for their bid of 3.2%.
Instruction: Ms. Dale Goff shared the draft version of the District Guide for Character, Career Awareness, and Health/Wellness for Union County Schools. Ms. Goff stated that representatives from K-12 had worked together to research the surrounding districts to compare and prepare the new curriculum.
Mr. Tim Barnado informed the Board that at present there were twenty-one (21) instructors who have signed up to teach technology courses. Mr. Barnado provided the Board with a copy of the Instructional Technology Workshop Application for their information. Mr. Barnado also stated that there were approximately fifty (50) technology courses to be offered.
Personnel and Pupil Services: Mr. Lewis Jeter presented the Personnel Report for Board approval. A motion to approve the Personnel Report was made by Mr. Randy George, seconded by Mr. John Rampey. The vote was (8-0) in favor of the motion.
The Personnel Report read as follows:
Recommendations:
NAME POSITION SITE
Donna Brown Teacher Assistant SJHS
Joyce Hughes Custodian JES
Polly Sherfield Computer Lab Mgr. EMS
Executive Session: A motion to move to executive session to consider personnel matters, contractual matters and public comments was made by Mr. Randy George, seconded by Dr. Wanda All. The vote was (8-0) in favor of the motion. The Board entered executive session at 7:35 P.M.
Open Session: The Board reentered open session at 9:05 P.M. Ms. Hammett stated that no votes were taken during executive session.
Adjourn: A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Randy George, seconded by Ms. B.J McMorris. The vote was unanimous. The Board adjourned at 9:10 P.M.
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