LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DIST= RICT

810 WEST MARKHAM STREET

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201=

MINUTES

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

August 24, 2006

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The Board = of Directors of the Little Rock School District held their regular board meetin= g at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2006, in the Boardroom of the Administration Building, 810 West Markham Street, Li= ttle Rock, Arkansas. President Robert M. Daugherty presided.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

&nb= sp;

Robert M. Daugherty

Baker Kurrus

Bryan Day

Larry Berkley

Tom Brock

&= nbsp; Katherine Mitchell

Tony Rose

MEMBERS ABSENT:

None

ALSO PRESENT:

&= nbsp; Roy G. Brooks, Superintendent of Schools

&n= bsp; Beverly Griffin, Recorder of Minutes

I. = CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL

Dr. Daugherty called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. All members of the= Board were present at roll call.

Ex officio representatives for the month of Augu= st were also present: Brittany Powell, student from Parkview Magnet High School and Irish Williams, teacher from Fulbright Elementary School.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>

Dr. Daugherty welcomed members of the audience a= nd recognized Superintendent Brooks.

&= nbsp; &nbs= p;

II. = REPORTS/RECOGNITIONS/PUBLIC COMMENTS:

A. Superintendent’s Citations & Commendations

Prior to presenting the citations, Dr. Brooks announced current enrollment statis= tics which indicate that the student population has increased over this time last year by approximately 150 students. Official counts will be taken on October 1, and it is expected that = the district will surpass the previous year’s total enrollment.

Dr. Brooks also announced that he would visit each of the district’s scho= ols and administrative facilities prior to the end of October. Board members were invited to go a= long with him or to make their own personal visits to the district’s schoo= ls and office sites. =

Bobby Jones, Director of Safety & Security, was invited= to attend the board meeting along with a few of the school-based security officers. Present were Don Al= len, Supervisor of District Security Officers; Jackie Fells, Supervisor at Centr= al High School, Montez Peterson, Supervisor at Hall High School; and Bert Gatl= in, Mobile Security Officer. School secu= rity officers have received new uniforms, which consist of a navy blazer with the LRSD security logo and khaki slacks.

Heidi Campbell, teacher at Mabel= vale Magnet Middle School, was named a winner of the 2006 Nation= al Outstanding Educator of the Year Award by Project Learning Tree. Superinten= dent Brooks announced that she was one of only five educators in the nation to receive this prestigious award, and she was presented with a superintendent= ’s citation in honor of this recognition.&nbs= p;

Dr. Brooks introduced= Monica Ball, formerly a science teacher at J. A. Fair Magnet High School<= /st1:PlaceType>, who is now assigned to Parkview. Ms. Ball recently received the 2006 Outstanding Environmental Educator Award fr= om the Arkansas Environmental Educators Association.

Tiffani Jones, teacher at Fores= t Heights Middle School, was one of 23 educators nationwide to receive the “Great Books Great Teachers” award from the Great B= ooks Foundation. This award honors teachers for helping their students read carefully, think critically, listen intently and speak and write persuasively. Ms. Jones was presented a certificate of recognition for this honor.

Ex-officio representatives for= the month of August were also presented with certificates of appreciation for t= heir service to the board. The tea= cher representative was Irish Williams<= /b> from Fulbright Elementary School, and the student representative was Brittany Powell from Parkview Magnet High School<= /st1:PlaceType>.

Dr. Daugherty presented a plaque to Br= yan Day in recognition of his three years of service on the Little Rock Sch= ool District Board of Directors. = This was Mr. Day’s last board meeting, with elections to his position as t= he Zone 3 representative taking place prior to the September board meeting.

B.     Remarks from Citizens

Teacher Amanda Taylor spoke in favor o= f the merit pay / pay for student performance incentive program at Wakefield Elementary. She stated that t= he program enabled teachers to monitor student achievement more closely and gave stude= nts confidence in their ability to succeed on standardized tests. She stated that it was beneficial = for the students to be able to monitor their own progress and that teachers were better able to collaborate to ensure student success. She asked the board to support the efforts to continue this initiative for the teachers and students at Wakefield.

Kim Romaine, also a classroom teacher at Wakefield, spoke in support of the meri= t pay program initiative. She state= d that the program had served as a recruitment tool to attract and keep quality te= achers at Wakefield and that they were pleased to have an opportunity to participate in an initiati= ve geared toward student success. She stated that there had been an increase in staff morale and that the students had benefited from seeing teachers who were upbeat and positive about teaching. Ms. Romaine noted t= hat the assessments not only allowed teachers to measure student strengths and weaknesses, but also helped identify their own instructional strengths and weaknesses. She encouraged the board to support the pay for performance program at <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">Wakefield.

C.     PTA Council

Bernadette Turner, PTA Council presiden= t, thanked the board for the opportunity to highlight PTA Council activities at each monthly board meeting. She re= minded the board that PTA Council Meeting dates were posted on the LRSD website an= d included on the school calendar. Meeti= ngs are held monthly and she invited board members to attend when their schedul= es would allow; lunch is served 11:00 a.m. and the business meeting starts at 11:30 a.m.

D.     Li= ttle Rock Classroom Teachers Association

No report.

E.     Joshua Intervenors

No report.

III.     &= nbsp; REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

A.     Remarks from Board Members

Mr. Rose thanked everyone who had worked hard to bring about a “spectacular= 221; start to the 2006-2007 school year. He reported that he had visited Parkview, Rockefeller and Central, a= nd that he would be visiting additional schools over the next few weeks. =

Mr. Brock also reported visiting schools, noting that he had already been to 6 = or 7 schools this first week of the school year. He stated that teachers he had vis= ited with were pleased with progress made over the summer, noting that school buildings and grounds are cleaner than in years past. He commended the custodial staff a= nd cafeteria workers for their commitment to doing their best for the students. <= /p>

Mr. Kurrus thanked Bryan Day for his three years of service on the board and observed that it was very good news that there were contested races for sea= ts on the LRSD Board. He stated = that this was an indication that the community wants to be involved in making a positive contribution to education in our city. He thanked Dr. Brooks and other administrators for the remarkable amount of progress made over the past few years. He stated personal satisfaction in knowing that an agreement was reached that allowed teachers= to start school on time with a contract that provided a substantial salary increase. He promised that th= e board “would not take their eye off the ball” and that he would conti= nue to do whatever possible to raise educational achievement across the distric= t.

Mr. Berkley also congratulated everyone who contributed to the smooth opening of school. In addition, he respo= nded to remarks made by the teachers from Wakefield earlier in the meeting and noted that there was a difference of opinion on = the issue of pay for performance. He stressed that the teachers who spoke before the board felt strongly that in= centive pay plans strengthened the relationship between teachers in the schools; the union has taken the opposite position.&nbs= p; He asked those in the listening audience to think when they go to vo= te in the September school board election. He reminded listeners that the curr= ent board had made great strides in strengthening the financial stability of the district and has taken a progressive approach to improve student achievemen= t.

Dr. Mitchell wished all school personnel a very successful year, noting that te= achers work very hard no matter which school they are assigned to work. She reminded teachers that student achievement is the ultimate goal and she encouraged them to do their very b= est this school year. =

In addition, Dr. Mitchell reported that she had received a report she requested from the administration regarding staffing after last years’ reorganization. She stated th= at very few positions at the administrative level were eliminated; and that a lot of support staff positions were reduced or eliminated. She was not able to determine from= the report where $1 million was saved, since the majority of positions eliminat= ed were secretarial and support staff positions. Dr. Mitchell stated that the majori= ty of the employees affected by the reorganization were African Americans who had= worked for the district for 25 or 30 years. She reiterated that she was not opposed to change, or opposed to the= reorganization, but that the Superintendent should have taken more time to examine the dist= rict and determine what people were doing before their cutting positions. She asked the board to ensure that= the administration acts fairly when dealing with employees to avoid creating distrust and animosity. =

B.    Update: Legal Issues & Concerns - - Chris Hell= er

Mr. Heller arrived after this point in the agenda; he had been detained by a co= urt hearing and was excused from providing an oral report. He did provide a written summary f= or the board’s review.

C.    Update: Title IX - - Sadie Mitchell

Dr. Sadie Mitchell provided a brief summary of the district’s Title IX complian= ce and a PowerPoint presentation of specific participation in athletic activit= ies across the district. A written summary was provided as part of the board’s agenda.

D.    Update: Special Services Division

Dr. Olivine Roberts presented an oral report and PowerPoint summary regarding special education services to students across = the LRSD. Dr. Daugherty had reque= sted the report as a briefing for board informational purposes.

E.     Budget Update

No report.

F.     August 2006 Construction Report/Bond Projects=

Bill Goodman’s report w= as printed in the board’s agenda. There were no additional questions or requests.

G.    Student Assignment Report

Dr. Watson was present, but t= here were no questions from the Board.

H.&n= bsp;   Internal Auditors Rep= ort

Mr. Becker’s mo= nthly summary report was printed in the board’s agenda.

IV.      =          APPROVAL OF ROUTINE MATTERS:

A.     Minutes

Minutes from the regular board meeting held on July 27 and from a special meeting h= eld on July 31, 2006 were presented for the board’s review and approval.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Mr. Berkley moved to approve the minutes as submitted; Mr. Kurrus seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.&nb= sp;

V.      =            BOARD POLICY AND REGULATIONS REVIEW:

A.     Second Reading: Policy Revision – FCB – Closing of Schools

Policy FCB provides guidelines for closing schools that are no longer required for the district’s educational or administrative purposes. The policy was approved on first r= eading at the July board meeting, and was presented for second reading approval and authorization for implementation. Mr. Berkley= moved to approve the policy as presented on second reading; Mr. Rose second= ed the motion and it carried 6-1, with Dr. Mitchell casting the no vote.

VI.&= nbsp;           &nbs= p; EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

A. Achievement Challenge Pilot Project Expansion<= /p>

The superintendent presented a resolution requesting Board approval to continue the Achievement Challenge Pilot Project for an additional school year. The district would assume the second-year cost of the program at Wakefield Elementary School and the third-= year costs associated with the program at Meadowcliff Elementary School.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Three private foundations, the Hus= sman Foundation, the Brown Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation, would provide funding for first year program costs at Geyer Springs, Mabelvale and Romine elementary schools. An evaluation of the programs would be conducted by the University of Arkan= sas, paid by the Walton Family Foundation. Dr. Jay Greene from the University of Arkansas attende= d the board meeting and provided details of the evaluation process.

In conjunction with the continuation of the Achievement Challenge Pilot Progra= m, a Teacher Rewards Study Commission will be formed to conduct research and dev= elop recommendations for future teacher rewards initiatives in the LRSD. The commission will include parent= s, teachers, and community leaders, in addition to school and district administrators. Mr. Hattabaugh was present and pro= vided a brief recap of information provided at the August agenda meeting.

Mr. Rose moved to approve the continuation of the pilot project at Wakefield and Meadowcliff; and to authorize expansion to Geyer Springs, Mabelvale, and Romine; and to authorize the evaluation by the University of Arkan= sas. Mr. Berkley seconded the motion an= d it carried 6-1, with Dr. Mitc= hell casting the no vote.

B. Quarterly Update =

The 8^th quarterly update was provided for the board’s review a= nd comment. Once approved by the board, the report will be submitted to the Court on or before September 1, = 2006 as ordered by Judge Wilson. <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>  Mr. Day moved to approve the submission as presented; Mr. Brock seconded the motion and it carried 6-0-1, with Dr. Mi= tchell abstaining.

VII.=              HUMAN RESOURCES<= /p>

A. Personnel Changes

Routine personnel issues were provided in the board’s agenda. One administrative promotion was a= lso included: Ms. Barbara Williams was an instructional technology specialist and was recommended for promotion to the position of Coordinator of Instructional Technology.    Mr. Day moved to appro= ve the personnel items presented. Mr. Brock seconded the motion and it <= u>carried unanimously.

B. Appointment of Assis= tant Principal for McClellan High School

Mr. Clausey Myton was recommended for the position of Assistant Principal at McClellan High School. He was introduced to the board at = the August agenda meeting. Mr. Ro= se moved to approve the superintendent’s recommendation; Mr. Brock secon= ded the motion and it carried unani= mously.

C. Appointment of Assis= tant Principal for J. A. Fair High School<= /p>
Dr. Brooks introduced Mr. Earnest McGee, and asked the board to approve his appointment to the position of assistant principal at J. A. Fair High School. Mr. McGee was formerly assigned to= Parkview Magnet High School<= /st1:PlaceType>. Mr. Brock made a motion to approve= the appointment. Mr. Rose seconde= d the motion and it carried unanimous= ly.

VIII.   FINANCE & SUPPORT SERVICES=

= A.&n= bsp;     Apperson Alternativ= e Learning Center Property

As required by board = policy DN – School Property Disposal= , the administration presented a resolution for the declaration of the proper= ty located at 800 Apperson St= reet as surplus to the operational needs of the district. The property formerly housed the <= st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Alternative Learning= Center and prior to that time wa= s Carver Elementary School. Mr. Berkley moved approval of the recommendation, Mr. Rose seconded = the motion and it carried unanimous= ly.

B.     Board Resolutions for the District = to Join the Cooperative Purchasing Network and the Texa= s Arkansas Purchasing System

Two resolutions were presented for action that would authorize the administration to enter into = the Cooperative Purchasing Network and the Texas-Arkansas Purchasing System. These partnerships would allow the district to purchase needed goods and services at the lowest possible price under Arkansas procurement rules and regulations. Full details were provided as part of the board’s agenda; Mr. = Milhollen was present to respond to questions. Mr. Brock made a motion to approve the resolutions as presented. Mr. Berkley seconded the motion an= d it carried unanimously.<= /o:p>

= C.&n= bsp;    Fina= ncial Reports

Mar= k Milhollen provided a summary r= eview of the end of year budget reports. <= /span> He also provided a brief overview o= f the development of the 2006-07 school year budget and advised the board that an electronic = budget would be provided for board review the first week of September. At that time the administration wi= ll ask the board to convene a special meeting at the September 14 agenda meeting so that the budget can be reviewed and approved prior to the September 15 Arka= nsas Department of Education deadline.

=      IX. CLOSING REMARKS

Mr. Day requested a m= oment to make closing comments. He = spoke to the audience regarding his three years on the board and thanked his fell= ow board members for their support and for sharing their expertise in public school boardsmanship. He expr= essed regret that he was not able to serve as a long long-term board member, but = that his ability to serve as actively as he desired was hampered by his career c= ommitments with the City of Little Rock. He pledged his continuing support = to the district, the PTA, and to other members of the board. Mr. Day asked union officials to a= pproach the board in a non-combative and cooperative manner and to remember that we= are all in the business of public education to serve the children.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Kurrus moved to c= onvene an executive session at 7:35 p.m. for the purpose of discussing an extension and amendments to the superintendent’s contract. Mr. Rose seconded the motion and i= t carried unanimously.<= /o:p>

The board returned fr= om executive session and reported no action was taken. Mr. Rose then made a motion to inc= rease the superintendent’s annual compensation to $198,000 per year; to void the portion of the contract that included family health insurance; and to incre= ase the annual car allowance from $9000 to $11,000. Mr. Day seconded the motion.

Prior to the vote, Mr. Berkley offered an amendment to the original motion; to pay a bonus of $30,= 000 to the Superintendent if he remains with the LRSD for three additional years and receives good evaluations. Mr. Day seconded the amendment. <= o:p>

On the amendment, the= board approved 6-1, with Dr. Mitchell casting the “no” vote. On the amended motion, the vote wa= s 6-1, with Dr. Mitchell cas= ting the “no” vote.

Mr. Rose moved to ext= end the superintendent’s contract by one additional year; Mr. Brock secon= ded the motion and it carried 5 = 211; 2, with Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Daugherty casting “no” votes.

X.&n= bsp;    ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Rose moved to adjourn at 7:48 p.m. Mr. Brock seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

APPROVED:&= nbsp; 09-28-06   &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            = Originals Signed by: =

  = ;            &n= bsp;         Robert M. Daugherty, President

H. Baker Kurrus, Vice President