JASPER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
MINUTES – OCTOBER 27, 2008
PRESENT: Kathleen Snooks, Priscilla Fraser, Berty Riley,
Alina Hamilton-Clark, Michael Hubbard, Patricia
Walls, James Gardner and Randy Horton
ABSENT: Sister Mary Gallagher
1. CALL TO ORDER – Berty Riley, Board Chair, called the
meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom in Ridgeland, S.C.
2. ROLL CALL & ESTABLISHMENT OF A QUORUM – 8P/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 Today, Beaufort Gazette, The Island Packet, Savannah Morning News, The Gullah Sentinel, WSAV, WTOC, WJCL and WTGS.
4. INVOCATION – The Invocation was led by Alina Hamilton-
Clark in the absence of the Board Chaplain.
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The pledge to the flag was
recited by the Board and audience.
6. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS & STAFF – Dr. Sanford recog-
nized Walt Wheeler (Representative of Heery Interna-tional, Inc.), principals, staff and several visitors.
7. PUBLIC HEARING(S) – NONE
8. *APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Ms. Riley entertained a motion for approval of the agenda. A motion was made by
Alina Hamilton-Clark and seconded by James Gardner to approve the agenda. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
9. ADOPTION OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 13, 2008 & OCTOBER 20, 2008 - Ms. Riley entertained a motion for the adoption of these minutes. A motion was made by Patricia Walls
and seconded by Alina Hamilton-Clark to approve these minutes. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
MINUTES – OCTOBER 27, 2008
PAGE TWO
10. SPECIAL HEARING(S) -
10.1 ACE FACILITY ASSESSMENT – WALT WHEELER – HEERY
INTERNATIONAL, INC. – Mr. Wheeler was present to answer questions from the Board regarding the ACE facility assessment. He shared that he currently works for Beaufort County School District and has been there for the past fourteen months. Heery International did a preliminary report in July that consisted of discussion with the former ACE Director, Dr. Catherine Smith. They looked at the Altman study that was done in 1995 to use as a basis for their study. A team of professionals
(architect, plumbing engineer, electrical engineer
and HVAC engineer) spent a day in August looking
at all of the reports and inspected the building
and they produced the final report.
Mr. Wheeler reported that the ACE facility is good structurally and is worth investing money into the building to protect this asset. However, it is up to both the Beaufort County School District and Jasper County School District to make the final decision. This report is just Heery’s assessment of the building. Life safety and security issues should be considered priority such as fire alarms, doors not operating properly, etc. There are also preservation items such as the plumbing system, roofing system, etc. and the third is aesthetics.
Mr. Wheeler explained items listed on the estimate
based on a three year program. Escalation factors
have been figured in based on when the work begins
and price increases.
The board members were given the opportunity to
ask questions.
Ms. Riley stated for the public record that this
study was done at the request of the Beaufort County School District and not by the ACE Board. At the last ACE Board meeting, they were asked to vote on this. Beaufort County was out of their arena when they requested this study.
MINUTES – OCTOBER 27, 2008
PAGE THREE
Ms. Riley added that Fred Washington called her and asked that it be placed on record that he is willing to work with Jasper County.
10.2 2007-2008 TEST DATA REPORT – JOYCE GERALD -
Dr. Sanford shared that Mrs. Gerald will present
the test results school by school and after each
school’s report the principal will come up and
share strategies to be used to address the defi-
ciencies in the test scores. Dr. O’Connor will
also share a presentation on what will be done
with the special needs program in regards to
test data.
Mrs. Gerald shared a PowerPoint presentation for
the PACT Scores for the schools, which showed a
three year spreadsheet (2006-2008). She reported
that Ridgeland Middle School is one of the sixteen Palmetto Priority schools in the state. Seventh and eighth grade scores at Ridgeland Middle School have increased in both English/Language Arts and
Science.
Each principal came forward to share strategies
being implemented at the schools.
Dr. O’Connor reported on what is being done in the
Special Needs Department. She has mandated that
all special education students go through a compu-ter assisted software that will assess and monitor
their progress. Each student enters his/her age into the computer and the material that comes up is age appropriate. She has had to work with the technology department to make sure the computers are working and the software is up and running. She will be in the classrooms monitoring the pro-gress. All of the special needs teachers have been trained in the open book program. She has also been working with ACE because of the special needs students that attend there. She is working with SIT teams prior to students being referred to the special needs program.
MINUTES – OCTOBER 27, 2008
PAGE FOUR
Dr. O’Connor reported that a lot of the students in the special education program are not mentally deficient but have been deficient in the instruct-tion that has been given to them.
Mrs. Gerald reported that the District made AYP
(Adequate Yearly Progress) for ESOL in English/ Language Arts and Math using the Open Book Program and the District’s graduation rate for 2008 is 93.2. This is the highest graduation rate that they have ever had.
Mr. Simon explained that one of the key components
for making AYP is the graduate rate. Hardeeville High School is ranked number eleven in the state with a graduation rate of 91.3 and Ridgeland High School is now ranked number seven with a gradua-tion rate of 94.0. In 2006-2007, Ridgeland High School had an absolute rating of 2.4. In 2007-2008, they moved to 3.8, which is one tenth of a point away from the state score of excellent.
Dr. Sanford stated they will see some remarkable
results next year if everything is implemented.
Ms. Riley thanked everyone for their reports.
10.3 *FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT – MICHAEL HUBBARD -
Mr. Hubbard shared highlights from the Finance
Committee meeting held on October 8, 2008. He shared that Verna Garvin, Jasper County Treasurer, appeared before them. It was noted that there is a huge disconnect between when the Jasper County Treasurer receives the bank statements and when the District sees this information. They are go-ing to work on this so the District can have this information sooner. There was some discussion about the funds needed for the renovations of ACE. Mr. Hubbard stated that the District does have eight percent money that is available.
Ms. Riley entertained a motion from the Board to
accept the minutes from the Finance Committee.
MINUTES – OCTOBER 27, 2008
PAGE FIVE
A motion was made by Patricia Walls and seconded
by Alina Hamilton-Clark to accept the minutes.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
10.4 *FACILITY COMMITTEE REPORT – PRISCILLA FRASER –
Mrs. Fraser shared highlights from the Facility Committee meeting held on October 8, 2008. She stated that some items noted in the minutes have already been addressed by the Board and the Dedi-cation Ceremonies have already taken place.
Ms. Riley entertained a motion from the Board to
accept the Facility Committee minutes. A motion
was made by Alina Hamilton-Clark and seconded by
Michael Hubbard to accept the minutes.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
10.5 *CURRICULUM COMMITTEE REPORT – SISTER MARY -
In the absence of Sister Mary, Kathleen Snooks shared highlights from the Curriculum Committee meeting held on October 16, 2008. She noted that
this was the last Curriculum Committee meeting
that Sister Mary will chair before she steps down
from the Board. Dr. Arbee recognized Sister Mary with a fruit basket at this meeting.
Ms. Riley entertained a motion to accept the
minutes from the Curriculum Committee. A motion
was made by Patricia Walls and seconded by Alina
Hamilton-Clark to accept the minutes.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
10.6 OTHERS - NONE
11. COMMUNICATIONS -
11.1 *SPECIAL REVENUE BUDGET – Dr. Sanford recommended
for Board approval the 6-8 Enhancement Lottery Funds (Carry Over) budget of $10,900.00.
Ms. Riley entertained a motion from the Board.
A motion was made by Alina Hamilton-Clark and seconded by James Gardner to approve this budget.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
MINUTES – OCTOBER 27, 2008
PAGE SIX
11.2 *BUDGET TRANSFER REQUESTS (A-B) – Dr. Sanford recommended these budget transfer requests for Board approval.
Ms. Riley entertained a motion from the Board.
A motion was made by Patricia Walls and seconded by Kathleen Snooks to approve these transfers.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
11.3 *HOME SCHOOLING APPLICATIONS (A-F) - Dr. Sanford recommended these six Annual Applications for At-Home Instruction for Board approval.
Ms. Riley entertained a motion from the Board.
A motion was made by Patricia Walls and seconded by Kathleen Snooks to approve these home schooling applications. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
11.4 OTHERS - NONE
12. PERSONNEL UPDATE –
12.1 VACANCIES – Mrs. Cooper shared current vacancies.
12.2 *RESIGNATIONS (A) – Dr. Sanford recommended
this resignation for Board approval.
Ms. Riley entertained a motion from the Board.
A motion was made by Alina Hamilton-Clark and seconded by James Gardner to approve the resig-nation. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0.
12.3 *SUSPENSION (B) – Dr. Sanford shared that this
recommendation for suspension has now been changed
to a resignation. He will bring this back at the
next meeting as a resignation.
12.4 OTHERS – Mrs. Cooper presented the board members with a Substitute Teacher Orientation Workshop booklet for their information and a copy of the criteria for substituting in the Jasper County School District. She added that Mrs. Gerald will be working with the substitute teacher workshop presenter regarding MAP testing.
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PAGE SEVEN
Substitutes that have been working with the District can take a test through the Technical College of the Lowcountry and they have until November 1st to pass the test. They are trying
to work with these substitutes.
13. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
13.1 *DISCUSSION OF ACE RENOVATIONS – Dr. Sanford
shared that the ACE Board will meet on Thursday, October 30, 2008.
Mrs. Snooks reported that the Policy Committee
discussed board members’ service on the ACE Board.
She stated that these board members should rotate
off the ACE Board.
Mr. Horton asked if they are going to see an item-
ized list showing what funds are going to be used
for the renovations of ACE.
Mrs. Fraser stated that the Heery proposal was
brought to the ACE Board at the last meeting and because Beaufort County School District requested the study and they had not seen the information in advance they were not in a position to vote on this.
Mr. Hubbard stated that he feels that Beaufort is
short on high school space. Ridgeland currently
has a surplus of high school space. He stated that Ridgeland can easily teach some of the sub-
jects that are taught at ACE.
13.2 OTHERS – (1) Dr. Sanford reported that the land-
scaping at Hardeeville is underway.
(2) Dr. Sanford shared that he will be holding community meetings next Wednesday, November 5th in Hardeeville at 6:00 p.m. and Thursday, November 6th in Ridgeland at 6:00 p.m.
14. OLD BUSINESS – NONE
MINUTES – OCTOBER 27, 2008
PAGE EIGHT
15. NEW BUSINESS – NONE
16. *EXECUTIVE SESSION – NONE
17. *ADJOURNMENT – A motion was made by Patricia Walls and seconded by Kathleen Snooks to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m.
Cheryl Smith______
Recording Secretary