Bamberg School District One
Minutes of Regular Meeting of Board of Trustees
Ehrhardt Elementary School
February 26, 2007
7:30 P. M.
Members present: Chairman Dale Padgett, Vice-chairman John E. Bamberg, Secretary Sheri
Seigler, Trustee Stacey H. Long and Trustee Rita M. Sease.
Absent: None
1. Call meeting to order: Chairman Dale Padgett called the meeting to order and asked the audience to repeat the Lord’s Prayer.
2. Notice to Media: In accordance with the S. C. Code of Laws, Section 30-4-80
(e), as amended, the following have been notified of the time, date, place and agenda of this meeting:
The Times and Democrat
The Advertizer-Herald
3. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of January 22, 2007, were approved as presented.
4. Student/Staff Recognition
Superintendent Schwarting reported the following:
· Students in Mrs. Lee Ashe’s class accepted the challenge to read 100 books. In return, Scholastic will donate 100 books (for a total donation of up to one million new books) to disadvantaged children nationwide. This was an opportunity to explore the importance of reading and to demonstrate the spirit of service and sharing.
· Ashleigh Payne won the Lt. Governor’s Essay Contest. Ashleigh will travel to Columbia in April to receive a special award from Lt. Governor Andre Bauer.
· Mrs. Lisa Shuler Thomas, third grade teacher at Richard Carroll Elementary School Campus A, recently achieved National Board Certification. This is the highest credential available in the teaching profession, according to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
· The Garnet and Black ceremony was held on February 10, 2007, at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School. 90% of the student body was recognized.
· Although the JROTC program at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School is only in its 2nd year, it had an inspection two years early in order to get on the same schedule rotation with other schools in its region. The cadets were awarded 580.3 points out of a possible 600 points. The students received an honor unit citation and a gold star which will be worn on their uniforms to represent that the district has four appointments to the service military academy. If a student qualifies, he/she can get a direct appointment that does not have to go through a Congressional District Member.
A four-year appointment is worth $268,000. The day after the inspection, the cadets had the honor of attending and posting the colors for Alpha Company’s 163rd Support Battalion of the 218th Separate Enhances Brigade Deployment Ceremony in Walterboro. LTC Everett R. Jenkins, director of the JROTC program, and his assistant, Sgt. Celvin Mitchell, have implemented an impressive program which has been a positive influence on many students.
· Sports:
o The Girls Varsity Basketball Team finished 4th in the region.
o The Boys Varsity Basketball Team finished 4th in the region.
o The Wrestling Team won at lower state and lost at the state. This team is the first team to reach the finals. Larry Long, LaQuinn Nimmons and Marcus Cann qualified for the individual state finals. At the state finals, Larry Long wrestled in the 125 lbs. class and finished 4th in the state, LaQuinn Nimmons wrestled in the 135 class and finished 4th in the state, and Marcus Cann wrestled in the 28.5 lb. class and finished 3rd in the state. Three qualifiers wrestled in the 1A/2A division that included all of the 1A and 2A schools. Coaches Derek Ayers and Larry Long are to be congratulated for a fine season.
o Spring sports have gotten started and games, meets and matches are scheduled just about every day.
· Band:
o On February 24, 2007, several students from Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School and High School performed in the South Carolina Band Director’s Association (SCBDA) Region 4 Honor Band. Representing the middle school were: Ashley Walker – Clarinet and Porcelyn Brown – clarinet. Representing the high school was David Hammett – alto saxophone, Travis Toomer – trombone, Latasha Ford – trumpet, Natalia Ransom – clarinet, Desmond Kelly – trumpet, and Chelsea Mingo – clarinet.
o Norman Davis has been recognized as one of the top three tuba players in the state and will represent the middle school in the SCBDA All-State Junior Band.
o Norman Davis and Latasha Ford auditioned with students from around the state.
o Natalia Ransom – clarinet, and Crystal Reed – bass clarinet represented Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School on February 18, 2007, at the University of South Carolina Honor Band. These young ladies were nominated along with other students from the southeastern states.
5. Assistant Superintendent’s Report
Board Packet Enclosure – New Plans for Construction
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rick Starr stated that the foundation is being prepared for the construction on the Field House Project. Soil from this work will be placed on the band’s practice field.
A price has not been given on the new construction plans; however, Brunson Construction Company will also be doing the restrooms. The building will be cinderblock and located next to the football stadium behind the ticket booth. The ladies restrooms will have 5 facilities and the building should be completed prior to the beginning of football season.
The results of a study to complete all repairs in the schools indicated that $32 million would be needed. It will cost $21 million to build a new elementary school and land is not included in this price. The district owns 4 acres of land at Campus B and 11 acres at Campus A (short of 9 acres). Building a school for K-12 has been ruled out because it would cost $75 million to build it which is not affordable. According to the bond attorney, a $33 million referendum would cost in taxes approximately 166 mills ($16,000). There is a possibility of getting some money through the legislature to offset the 166 mills by taking some anticipated overflow money to pay part of the building cost.
The Board agreed to meet on March 12, 2007, at 6:30 p. m. with a back-up date of March 7, 2007, to meet with the architect and bond attorney to discuss in details the possibility of having a Bond Referendum. The meeting will be held at the district office. Health and safety-wise, the schools in the district are dangerous and these issues should be presented to the public for a vote.
6. Approval of Policy Manual Revision (Section G – Personnel) - SCSBA
Assistant Superintendent Rick Starr reviewed Section G – Personnel policies that were submitted by South Carolina School Boards Association for the revised policy manual.
Trustee Rita Sease moved and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept Section G – Personnel as presented by the South Carolina School Boards Association. The motion passed 5-0.
Grading/Assessment Systems – IKA [Board Packet Enclosure]
Dr. Starr reviewed Policy IKA – Grading/Assessment Systems and its Administrative Rule (IKA-R). This policy was approved by the state board of education in order for schools to follow a statewide uniform grading scale. It will be enforced at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year.
7. Second Reading: Board Policy – JICFAA – Harassment, Intimidating or Bullying
Assistant Superintendent Starr reviewed Policy JICFAA – Harassment, Intimidating or Bullying for second reading. The district has a policy that covers bullying; however, bullying is not defined with is a new state requirement.
Trustee Rita Sease moved and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept Policy JICFAA – Harassment, Intimidating or Bullying. The motion passed 5-0.
8. Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Schwarting stated the following:
· Bamberg School District One will celebrate “Reading Rocks” on Thursday, March 1, 2007, from 8:30-8:50 a. m. This will be a time set aside for everyone to read. “Reading Rocks” is a district’s initiative in cooperation with the NEA Read Across America. A “Reading Rocks Proclamation” was signed by the Mayors of Bamberg and Ehrhardt.
· Handout: District Pamphlet – Synopsis of the District
Chairman Dale Padgett on behalf of the board thanked Jannette Stokes, administrative assistant, for designing and printing the pamphlet for the district. School representatives used this pamphlet at a Teacher Recruitment.
· The district is involved in a Lexile study that is recommended by the state department. It will consist of a one-day 45-minute activity that will help teachers to choose the appropriate books in the fall for their students. Lexile measures the reading ability, gives the text difficulty; tells the grade level of a book; tells where the frustration level begins; and the comfortable reading for pleasure. Most of the books that are in the libraries are exiled.
· MAP testing (Measurement of Academic Progress) will be administered the weeks of March 5th and 12th.
· Proctor training for MAP testing was held on February 26.
· The State Department will conduct a Focused Monitoring Audit in Special Education on Wednesday, February 28.
· The board agreed to allow the administration to transfer 4th grade students from Ehrhardt Elementary School to Richard Carroll Elementary School Campus B starting next school year contingent upon the number of students in this grade due to financial reasons. Presently, there are only 6 students in 4th grade in Ehrhardt. A teacher from Ehrhardt Elementary will be reassigned also.
· Ms. Virginia Wilson, 3rd grade teacher at Richard Carroll Elementary School Campus A, has been out sick for almost 4 weeks and will probably be out for a least 4 more weeks. She has been greatly missed. Her students have been divided into the 4 other 3rd grade classrooms, giving no teacher more than 21 students. The certified person that was in her class left to fill a previous obligation in another classroom.
9. Monthly Financial Report
Finance Director Devon Furr reported that Technology and Temporary Salaries are overspent due to several long-term substitute teachers. There is a possibility that this money could be recovered from some of the savings on salaries.
10. Visitors’ Comments
Principal Johnnie Smith, Jr. introduced Mr. Eryal Smalls who is doing his principal’s internship under him.
11. Executive Session
Chairman Dale Padgett called for a motion to enter Executive Session. Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Sheri Seigler seconded to enter Executive
Session. The motion carried (5-0). The purpose for entering executive session was to discuss:
a. Principals’ Teacher Recommendations for 2007-2008
b. Employment Resignations
c. Superintendent’s Evaluation
Open session: Chairman Dale Padgett declared the board out of Executive Session.
A. Principals’ Teacher Recommendations for 2007-2008
Vice-chairman John Bamberg moved and Trustee Rita Sease seconded to accept Ronald Bunch, principal, Ehrhardt Elementary School, teachers’ recommendation for the 2007-2008 school year. The motion passed 5-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
Vice-chairman John Bamberg moved and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept Johnnie Smith, Jr., principal, Richard Carroll Elementary School – Campuses A and B, teachers’ recommendation for the 2007-2008 school year. The motion passed 4-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
Vice-chairman John Bamberg moved and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept Robbie Kearse, principal, Bamberg-Ehrhardt Elementary Middle School, teachers’ recommendation for the 2007-2008 school year. The motion passed 4-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
Vice-chairman John Bamberg moved and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept Randy L. Maxwell, principal, Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, teachers’ recommendation for the 2007-2008 school year. The motion passed 4-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
B. Employment/Resignation
Trustee Stacey Long moved and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept the employment of Tweanetta LaShay McCreary, food service operator, effective February 27, 2007. The motion passed 4-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
Trustee Stacey Long moved and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept the resignation of Mrs. Felicia Ayer, Medicaid Clerk in the district office, effective February 13, 2007. The motion passed 4-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
Vice-chairman John Bamberg moved and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept, with regrets, the resignation of Ms. Joyce Clark, 5th grade teacher at Richard Carroll Elementary School Campus B, at the end of the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed 4-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
Vice-chairman John Bamberg moved and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept, with regrets, the resignation of Mrs. Carolyn Hinton, English and Language Arts teacher at Richard Carroll Elementary School Campus B, at the end of the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed 4-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
Vice-chairman John Bamberg moved and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept, with regrets, the resignation of Mrs. Hazel McMillan, secretary at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, at the end of the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed 4-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
Vice-chairman John Bamberg moved and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept, with regrets, the resignation of Mrs. Norma Palmer, math teacher at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, at the end of the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed 4-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
Vice-chairman John Bamberg moved and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept, with deep regrets, the resignation of Mrs. Sherry Preacher, secretary at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, at the end of the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed 4-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
Vice-chairman John Bamberg moved and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept, with regrets, the resignation of Mrs. Lorelle Wise, art teacher at Richard Carroll Elementary School Campuses A & B, at the end of the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed 4-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
C. Superintendent’s Evaluation
The results of individual evaluations by board members and a composite evaluation of Superintendent Phyllis Schwarting results indicated that her evaluation was commendable and according to classification her performance exceeds expectations. Her contract was extended in a roll over to June 2010, with a 5% increase in salary for this year.
Trustee Rita Sease moved and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to approve Superintendent Schwarting’s composite evaluation to extend her contract with a roll over to June 2010, with a 5% increase in salary. The motion passed 4-0 [Trustee Sheri Seigler was absent during the voting].
With no other business before the board, the chairman adjourned the meeting.
Minutes approved:
_____________________________
Dale Padgett, Chairman
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Sheri Seigler, Secretary