BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF SCSDB

MINUTES OF MEETING

February 21, 2017

The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held on Wednesday, February 21, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. in the conference room of the SCSDB Outreach Center in Columbia, South Carolina. Chairman Dobson called the meeting to order and stated that proper notification of the meeting had been made according to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. He welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked President McCraw to introduce the guests in attendance.

MEMBERS PRESENT
Robert A. Dobson III, Chairman
Phyllis H. Alexander
Edward B. Bible
W. Scott Brawley, Vice Chairman
Tara P. Carroll, Ex-officio
Cynthia A. Downs
David J. Gundling
Cynthia S. Holland
John Payne, Ex-officio
MEMBERS ABSENT
Linda C. Sellars
Robert H. Morrow / STAFF IN ATTENDANCE
Dr. Page McCraw, President
Ann Akerman
Linda Coon
Scott Falcone
Darlene Gathers
Mary Hayes
Scott Ramsey
Ben Riddle
Trad Robinson
GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE
Kristin Barber, Attorney
Julie Bible

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion to approve the minutes from the meeting on December 6, 2016, (see attachment #1 for agenda dated February 21, 2017) was made by Mr. Brawley and seconded by Mr. Gundling. The minutes were unanimously approved as submitted.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. McCraw began her report by presenting the board recognitions from the SC School Board Association. Mr. Dobson and Mr. Morrow (absent) were recognized for 10 years of service and presented a certificate and a pin. Additionally, Dr. McCraw made the board aware that The Office of Special Education conducted an onsite visit to SCSDB in November. She shared that the team noted that files were well organized, and that SCSDB was commended for the progress reports being used with parent communication. Dr. McCraw provided the next steps for improvement areas based on recommendations from the team that included base line data and transition goals.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Mr. Riddle reviewed the financial information that had been mailed to the board prior to the meeting (see attachment #2 for agenda dated February 21, 2017).

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Mr. Ramsey updated the board on the status of our 2017-2018 state budget requests. He informed the board that the full House Ways & Means committee started the day prior. He believes the requests were well received from the House and Senate sub-committees and is confident they will continue to be moving forward with the process. Additionally, Mr. Ramsey spoke about the SCSDB student performance at the State House to take place on March 1, 2017.

2016 SCSDB BOARD AWARDS

Mrs. Alexander reviewed the nomination information for the 2017 SCSDB Board Awards (see attachment #3 for agenda dated February 21, 2017). After a discussion by the board, a motion was made by Mr. Brawley seconded by Mr. Gundling, and unanimously approved to name both nominees, Spartanburg 4H and South Carolina Lions Clubs/District 32A, 32B, 32C and 32D, as the 2017 Hearts and Hands Award recipients. Mrs. Alexander preceded to review the nomination for the Douglas F. Dent Award and after a brief discussion a motion was made by Mr. Gundling, seconded by Mr. Bible, and unanimously approved to name Mr. Norman F. Pulliam, Sr. as the 2017 recipient. Lastly, a motion was made by Dr. Downs, seconded by Mr. Bible, and unanimously approved to award the Fluor Corporation/Golf for Greenville with the 2017 SCSDB Charitable Giving Award.

AdvancED ACCREDITATION WORK SESSION

Linda Coon and Dr. McCraw conducted a workshop session with the board members in preparation for the upcoming AdvancED Accreditation site visit scheduled for March 19-21, 2017. Information shared included the SCSDB self-study report, AdvancED policies and regulations, goal focus areas, SCSDB ratings, the House of Legislature Oversight Committee final report, and the preliminary Senate Legislative Oversight Committee report. Board members were asked to consider availabilities for phone interviews on March 20, 2017, and they were made aware that Mary Hayes would work with members to establish the interview appointment.

THE WALKER FOUNDATION UPDATE

Ms. Akerman updated the board on the work of The Walker Foundation on behalf of the agency. Most importantly, she reminded the board of the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony for the School for the Blind playground scheduled for Friday, April 21, at 10:00 a.m. She encouraged board members to attend and made them aware of the media presence that would be on campus.

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Mr. Robinson relayed to the board the upcoming special events that included The State House Student Performance on March 1st and the Vision Summit being held at the Archives & History Museum on March 17th. Additionally, Mr. Robinson informed the board of a special event that will be held on April 21st prior to the SCSDB Board of Commissioners Meeting. The event will include the groundbreaking for the School for the Blind playground at SCSDB that is being conducted by The Walker Foundation.

DATE/TIME/PLACE FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

Future meetings of the Board were scheduled as follows:

·  April 21, 2017…………………….SCSDB Campus

A motion was made by Mr. Gundling, seconded by Mr. Brawley and unanimously passed to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a contractual matter.

A motion was made by Dr. Downs, seconded by Mr. Brawley, and unanimously passed to move out of Executive Session.

Chairman Dobson stated that no action was necessary following the Executive Session.

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 2:10 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert A. Dobson, III, Chairman

Phyllis H. Alexander, Secretary

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