MINUTES OF THE ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
THE STATE OF ALABAMA
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
The Alabama State Board of Education met for its regular meeting of Elementary/Secondary Education matters on Thursday, November 10, 2011, at 10:10 a.m., in the auditorium of the Gordon Persons Building, Montgomery, Alabama. The meeting was called by the President of the Board in accordance with Alabama Code (1975), §16-3-7, as amended.
PRESIDING: GOVERNOR ROBERT BENTLEY, PRESIDENT
ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
The meeting was called to order by Governor Robert Bentley. The invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance were held during the Postsecondary meeting. On roll call, the following members were present:
Mrs. Ella B. Bell
Mrs. Stephanie Bell
Governor Robert Bentley, President
Dr. Charles E. Elliott
Mrs. Mary Scott Hunter
Dr. Yvette Richardson
Mr. Randy McKinney, Vice President
Mrs. Betty Peters
Mr. Gary Warren, President Pro Tem
Mr. Larry E. Craven, Interim State Superintendent of Education and Interim Secretary and Executive Officer of the Board, was present.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL-CALLED MEETING OF
OCTOBER 11, 2011, AND FOR THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 13, 2011
On motion by Mrs. Stephanie Bell and seconded by Mrs. Betty Peters, the minutes for the meeting of
October 11, 2011, and October 13, 2011, were approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mr. Larry E. Craven, Interim State Superintendent of Education, requested that the agenda be amended to add the election of State Superintendent as the first item and Agenda Item G.2.n., Resolution to Receive Recommendations of the State Textbook Committee for Adoption of Textbooks for Mathematics, as the last agenda item. Motion was made by Mrs. Stephanie Bell and seconded by
Mrs. Ella B. Bell to approve the agenda as amended.
PUBLIC HEARING
ADOPT AMENDED RULE 290-3-1-.02, PERTAINING TO REGULATIONS GOVERNING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
One speaker, Ms. Nancy Anderson, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Programs, housed at The University of Alabama, addressed the Board pertaining to the administrative code item. (Ms. Anderson’s comments may be heard via podcast for the meeting of November 10, 2011.)
On motion by Mr. Randy McKinney and seconded by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the amended rule.
ELECTION OF STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION
The Board members submitted nominations for the position of State Superintendent of Education, as follows:
Dr. Thomas R. Bice: Mr. Mark A. Bounds: Dr. Craig Pouncey:
Governor Robert Bentley Mrs. Stephanie Bell Mrs. Ella B. Bell
Dr. Charles E. Elliott Mrs. Betty Peters
Mrs. Mary Scott Hunter
Mr. Randy McKinney
Dr. Yvette Richardson
Mr. Gary Warren
Governor Robert Bentley then placed before the Board the name of Dr. Thomas R. Bice, Deputy State Superintendent, Instructional Services, for a vote for the position of State Superintendent of Education. A motion was made by Mrs. Mary Scott Hunter and seconded by Dr. Charles E. Elliott, resulting in 7 affirmative votes for Dr. Bice and 2 abstentions. The votes were recorded as follows:
Governor Robert Bentley: YES
Mr. Randy McKinney: YES
Mrs. Betty Peters: Abstained
Mrs. Stephanie Bell: Abstained
Dr. Yvette Richardson: YES
Mrs. Ella B. Bell: YES
Dr. Charles E. Elliott: YES
Mr. Gary Warren: YES
Mrs. Mary Scott Hunter: YES
Governor Bentley announced Dr. Thomas R. Bice as the new State Superintendent of Education.
Dr. Bice thanked the Board members for their support and stated that he was humbled and ready to go to work. (Comments made by Board members may be accessed via podcast for the meeting of
November 10, 2011.)
Governor Bentley appointed Mr. Randy McKinney, Mrs. Ella B. Bell, and Mrs. Stephanie Bell as subcommittee members to negotiate the contract for Dr. Bice. Governor Bentley stated that he will also serve as a committee member.
On motion by Mr. Randy McKinney and seconded by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF PHILLIPS PREPARATORY SCHOOL,
MOBILE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
2011 BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL
WHEREAS, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan named Phillips Preparatory School in the Mobile County School System as a 2011 Blue Ribbon School; and
WHEREAS, since 1982, more than 6,500 of America's schools have received this coveted award that honors those that reflect the goals of high standards and accountability; and
WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that demonstrate overall academic excellence or show success in closing achievement gaps; and
WHEREAS, 305 schools were selected nationwide for the 2011 Blue Ribbon Schools award, which is one of the most prestigious education awards in the country; and
WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored at a conference and awards ceremony November 14-15, 2011, in Washington, D.C.:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend the faculty, staff, students, and parents of Phillips Preparatory School on achieving the status of a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 2011.
Done this 10th day of November 2011
On motion by Mrs. Ella B. Bell and seconded by Mrs. Mary Scott Hunter, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF THELMA SMILEY MORRIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM, 2011 BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL
WHEREAS, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan named Thelma Smiley Morris Elementary School in the Montgomery County School System as a 2011 Blue Ribbon School; and
WHEREAS, since 1982, more than 6,500 of America's schools have received this coveted award that honors those that reflect the goals of high standards and accountability; and
WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that demonstrate overall academic excellence or show success in closing achievement gaps; and
WHEREAS, 305 schools were selected nationwide for the 2011 Blue Ribbon Schools award, which is one of the most prestigious education awards in the country; and
WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored at a conference and awards ceremony November 14-15, 2011, in Washington, D.C.:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend the faculty, staff, students, and parents of Thelma Smiley Morris Elementary School on achieving the status of a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 2011.
Done this 10th day of November 2011
On motion by Dr. Charles E. Elliott and seconded by Mrs. Ella B. Bell, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF OAK MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL,
SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
2011 BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL
WHEREAS, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan named Oak Mountain High School in the Shelby County School System as a 2011 Blue Ribbon School; and
WHEREAS, since 1982, more than 6,500 of America's schools have received this coveted award that honors those that reflect the goals of high standards and accountability; and
WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that demonstrate overall academic excellence or show success in closing achievement gaps; and
WHEREAS, 305 schools were selected nationwide for the 2011 Blue Ribbon Schools award, which is one of the most prestigious education awards in the country; and
WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored at a conference and awards ceremony November 14-15, 2011, in Washington, D.C.:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend the faculty, staff, students, and parents of Oak Mountain High School on achieving the status of a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 2011.
Done this 10th day of November 2011
On motion by Dr. Charles E. Elliott and seconded by Mrs. Ella B. Bell, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF BARKLEY BRIDGE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HARTSELLE CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM
2011 BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL
WHEREAS, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan named Barkley Bridge Elementary School in the Hartselle City School System a 2011 Blue Ribbon School; and
WHEREAS, since 1982, more than 6,500 of America's schools have received this coveted award that honors those that reflect the goals of high standards and accountability; and
WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that demonstrate overall academic excellence or show success in closing achievement gaps; and
WHEREAS, 305 schools were selected nationwide for the 2011 Blue Ribbon Schools award, which is one of the most prestigious education awards in the country; and
WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored at a conference and awards ceremony November 14-15, 2011, in Washington, D.C.:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend the faculty, staff, students, and parents of Barkley Bridge Elementary School on achieving the status of a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 2011.
Done this 10th day of November 2011
Motion was made by Dr. Charles E. Elliott and seconded by Mrs. Ella B. Bell to adopt the Resolution to Approve Recommendations of Quality Physical Education Task Force. After considerable discussion pertaining to Bullet Seven on page 5 of the 2011 Alabama Physical Fitness Assessment document, motion was made by Mrs. Stephanie Bell and seconded by Mrs. Betty Peters to amend the document by deleting Bullet Seven. The motion to amend carried, and the Board voted unanimously to adopt the entire document. (A copy of the document is filed in the Board folder dated November 10, 2011.)
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS OF QUALITY
PHYSICAL EDUCATION TASK FORCE
WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Education continues to be vitally concerned about the academic and physical fitness of all students attending public schools in the state of Alabama; and
WHEREAS, evidence shows that physical fitness activity can assist in improving academic achievement and positively impact cognitive skills, attitudes, concentration, attention, and classroom behavior; and
WHEREAS, the current state physical fitness assessment, the President's Physical Fitness Challenge, is a norm-referenced test based on 1984 data, and a test based on recent data is needed; and
WHEREAS, a physical education task force was appointed to develop a state physical fitness assessment, an essential component to a quality Alabama physical education program; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama Physical Fitness Assessment has been developed using criterion-referenced measures to comprehensively assess the health and physical fitness of all Alabama students, to target achieving and maintaining a healthy level of fitness:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the attached Alabama Physical Fitness Assessment be adopted by the Alabama State Board of Education.
Done this 10th day of November 2011
On motion by Mrs. Mary Scott Hunter and seconded by Dr. Yvette Richardson, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the following:
Resolution PROCLAIMING NOVEMBER 30, 2011
AS “STOP THE BULLYING” DAY IN ALABAMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
WHEREAS, bullying is the most common form of violence in our society characterized by physical aggression, threats, teasing, and harassment; and
WHEREAS, students who are victims of bullying and bullies themselves have a higher than average potential for school dropout, poor psychosocial adjustment, increased levels of violence, and criminal behavior; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama State Legislature has directed the State Department of Education to develop and prescribe a model policy for use in the development of local school policies related to harassment and bullying prevention, intervention, and reporting; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama State Department of Education has worked with other state agencies including School Superintendents of Alabama, Alabama Association of School Boards, Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools, Alabama Education Association with additional support and participation from the Truman Pierce Institute in the Auburn University College of Education and Auburn University Office of Professional and Continuing Education and the Southern Poverty Law Center; and
WHEREAS, one of the goals of the work of these and many other organizations is to bring greater awareness to the negative and often life-threatening consequences of unreported and unresolved instances of bullying:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby proclaim November 30, 2011, as “Stop the Bullying” Day in Alabama public schools and encourages all schools and communities to participate in the planned awareness and report activities planned for that day, and this day will serve as a beginning of the goal of every student attending a school that is safe, civil, and bully free.
Done this 10th day of November 2011
On motion by Mrs. Stephanie Bell and seconded by Mrs. Betty Peters, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following:
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
Auburn, Alabama
WHEREAS, a review of a teacher education program at Auburn University was conducted on July 20-24, 2011, by the State Department of Education in accordance with the Alabama State Board of Education, State Department of Education Administrative Code, Rule No. 290-3-3-.56(2)(b)2; and
WHEREAS, additional documentation was reviewed on October 3, 2011; and
WHEREAS, compliance with Alabama State Board of Education rules has been verified; and
WHEREAS, the Interim State Superintendent of Education recommends approval of the program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education hereby approves the following program with approval to expire on May 31, 2015:
Class AA Instructional Leadership (P-12)
Done this 10th day of November 2011
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
AUBURN UNIVERSITY MONTGOMERY
Montgomery, Alabama
WHEREAS, a review of a teacher education program at Auburn University Montgomery was conducted on July 20-24, 2011, by the State Department of Education in accordance with the Alabama State Board of Education, State Department of Education Administrative Code, Rule No. 290-3-3-.56(2)(b)2; and
WHEREAS, additional documentation was reviewed on September 13, 2011,
September 23, 2011, and October 3, 2011; and
WHEREAS, compliance with Alabama State Board of Education rules has been verified; and
WHEREAS, the Interim State Superintendent of Education recommends approval of the program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education hereby approves the following program with approval to expire on May 31, 2014: