Bamberg School District One
Minutes of Regular Meeting of Board of Trustees
Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School
May 22, 2006
7:30 P. M.
Members present: Chairman Dale Padgett, Vice-chairman John E. Bamberg and Trustee Stacey H. Long.
Absent: Trustee Donald Mallory and Secretary Sheri Seigler
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 April 24, 2006, were approved as presented.
4. Bond Resolution: Bob Damron, Ross Sinclair & Associates
Mr. Bob Damron, representative from Ross Sinclair & Associates, explained a bond resolution to the Board. A Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) will be issued not to exceed $1.3 million which is approximately the 8% capacity that the district currently has available. The Bamberg County Auditor and Treasurer’s offices will be notified before Bonds are issued in order to make sure that the district is within the 8% capacity of what is needed. The BAN will have interest the first year and thereafter would depend on the action forms that would take place. The district will be encouraged to pay the BAN out over 4 or 5 years. Mr. Damron recommends that mills remain at 49.
A Tax Anticipatory Note (TAN) will be processed at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year for approximately $650,000.00. The district has been a part of this program for the past 4 years. It helps tremendously with payroll and saves a significant amount of money on issuance cost at a favorable interest rate. Money can be borrowed as needed and be in the district’s account within 24 hours.
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to enter into an agreement with a Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) in the amount of $1.3 million to provide necessary improvements in the district. The motion passed 3-0. Signatures will be required from Chairman Dale Padgett and Secretary Sheri Seigler.
5. Student/Staff Recognition
Superintendent Schwarting reported the following:
· Lauren Bruns and Sallie Clark were selected by the Bamberg County American Legion Auxiliary Post 39 to represent the County at the 60th session of Palmetto Girls State to be held on the campus of Columbia College in Columbia, SC, during the week of June 11-17. This is a hands-on-application of government and citizenship where delegates participate in mock political activities on all levels of government.
· Leslie Bonnette has received an athletic scholarship to play softball at Spartanburg Methodist College.
· Freeman Cooler has received an athletic scholarship to wrestle at Anderson College.
· Jennifer Forbes has committed to attend Cornell University. She will receive a full academic scholarship and will participate in volleyball and track.
· Craig Barnwell will commit to attend Pikeville Junior College. He will receive an athletic scholarship and play football.
· The Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School Athletic Banquet was held at 6:00 p. m. on Sunday, May 21, at the high school. Awards and honors will be announced in the newspaper and at the next Board meeting.
· Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School had 225 students to participate in one or more sports during this school year which is 43% of the student body.
· A. J. Milhouse placed 5th in the 200 Meter Dash.
· Dalton Cornforth was named to the Class A - All State Golf Team.
· Jennifer Forbes won the Class A State Title in 400 Meter Hurdles, placed 2nd in the 100 Meter Hurdles and placed 3rd in the Long Jump.
· Terry Close placed 3rd in the 400 Meter Dash.
· Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School raised $1,117.71 for the Relay for Life. Mrs. Kirby’s class was the lead fundraiser from the school with $341.80. Other schools participating were: Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School - approximately $5,000; Richard Carroll Elementary School - approximately $800; and Ehrhardt Elementary School - approximately $1,100.00.
6. Federal Programs Report – Phyllis Overstreet
Ms. Phyllis Overstreet, Title I Coordinator, stated that the Title I 2007 Project Year Allocation is $538,611.06. This is a decrease of $2,626.00 from last year. Plans for this year include funding teachers for class size reduction, academic assistance and remediation in English Language Arts and math as well as appropriate parental involvement activities, and staff development activities. The project is due to the State Department by June 30, 2006.
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to name Superintendent Phyllis Schwarting as the authorized representative to receive the Title I Grant. The motion passed 3-0.
7. Second Reading: 2006-2007 Budget
The 2006-2007 school year budget is $13,844,036.25. The budget is balanced and was reviewed for first reading with Chairman Dale Padgett, Vice-chairman John Bamberg and Trustee Sheri Seigler, Board Members, present on May 17, 2006. Included in the budget is money from the House Ways and Means Committee; the highest teacher raise which is 2.61% to all employees; anticipated allocations from federal programs; State programs including EFA, EIA, and Restricted Funds; Food Service budget of $862,940.00; and a 3 mill local tax increase. A Public Budget Hearing will be scheduled within the next two weeks.
8. First Reading – Wellness: Healthy & Nutritious School Environment
Superintendent Schwarting reviewed for first reading the Wellness: Healthy & Nutritious School Environment Policy. A model policy from South Carolina School Boards Association and Richland School District One were used to develop this policy. The policy is a combination of Food Service and Physical Education that provides for the health and well-being of young people. It includes goals for Nutrition Education; Physical Activity and other School-Based activities; Nutrition Guidelines that are selected by the district for all foods that will be served; an assurance that guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture; a plan for measuring implementation of the local Wellness policy; and the involvement of school board, school administrators, school food service representatives, students, parents and the public. The policy must be adopted by July 1, 2006.
9. Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Schwarting stated the following:
· Mary Fleetwood, art teacher from Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, will offer a Summer Art Camp.
· Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, the opening date for students must not be before the third Monday in August. No more than two days may be used for the preparation of the opening of schools and the remaining five days may be used for teacher planning, academic plans, and parent conferences. Three days within the school calendars must be designated as make-up days in the event there are weather issues that would force school to be closed. Elementary and secondary schools may reduce the length of the instructional day to not less than three hours for not more than three days each school year for staff development, teacher conferences, or for the purpose of administering exams.
· In order to comply with the new state law regarding parking school buses in a central location next school year, the district has provided an area behind Richard Carroll Elementary School – Campus A for buses to be parked. A paved, fenced parking lot will be provided at Ehrhardt Elementary School.
· The newsletter entitled “Comment on Character” published by Mrs. Cindy Hurst was reviewed [Board packet enclosure].
· Mary Jane Maxwell, Gifted and Talented Dance Instructor, will take a group of students to a Dance Camp at USC. The expenses of the trip will be paid for through fundraisers. Mrs. Maxwell will chaperone the students and attend the camp.
10. Assistant Superintendent’s Report
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rick Starr reported the following:
· Summer repairs are being compiled by the principals.
· Maintenance money was raised last year but cut this year due to financial constraints.
· The property for the construction work at the athletic field is being checked. Planning sessions will continue and the plans will be approved before the work begins. An architectural firm from Charleston, South Carolina, will prepare the plans once the State gives approval.
11. Monthly Financial Report
Board Packet Enclosure: Financial Report – April 2006
Finance Director, Devon Blume, reviewed the current finance report. A Public Hearing on the Budget will be scheduled within the next two weeks.
Superintendent Schwarting reviewed a Public Statement that would be addressed to City Council on May 25, 2006, from the Board in reference to a May 2005, meeting where the City promised publicly to begin paying 50% of the salary and benefits of the resource officer assigned to the middle school, effective with the 2006-07 school year. On May 16, 2006, the City notified the District that it would only pay 26% of the resource officer’s salary for the 2006-07 school year. The District was deeply troubled by the City’s decision to ignore the promise it made to fund the middle school resource officer position at the stated amount.
This new statement from the Board would confirm publicly its expectations for the resource officers’ assignments for the upcoming school year. The Board expects the high school resource officer to be on campus during regular school hours at least 50% of the calendar year or 180 school days. The middle school resource officer is expected to be on campus during regular school hours at least 74% of the calendar year or 270 days. This means that the district will be entitled to the services of Officer Ransom for an additional 90 days after the 180 day school term. The district will assign appropriate summer school and other duties to Officer Ransom. It is the Board’s belief that if the District pays 50% and 74% respectively of the salaries of the resource officers, the District should receive a similar portion of the services provided by the officers.
Chairman Dale Padgett stated that the Board does not wish to incite any ill feelings with the Police Department or City Council. The board wants what the district is paying for. The Board agreed to sign the Public Statement and Superintendent Schwarting would address it to the City Council Meeting on May 25, 2006.
12. Visitors’ Comments
None
13. Executive Session
Chairman Dale Padgett called for a motion to enter Executive Session. Vice- chairman John E. Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to enter Executive Session. The motion carried (3-0). The purpose for entering executive session was to discuss:
a. Student Transfer Requests
b. Resignation
c. Employment Resignations
Open session: Chairman Dale Padgett declared the board out of Executive Session.
A. Student Transfer Request
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept the attendance transfer request of Conner Caraman and Camdny Williams from Ehrhardt Elementary School to attend school at Richard Carroll Elementary School – Campuses A and B for the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed 3-0.
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept the attendance transfer request of JoAnna Myers and William Jesse Myers from Richard Carroll Elementary School – Campuses A and B to attend school at Ehrhardt Elementary School for the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed 3-0.
B. Resignation
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept the resignation of Ms. Lucki V. West, P. E. teacher at Richard Carroll Elementary School Campuses A and B, at the end of the 2005-2006 school year. The motion passed 3-0
C. Employment Recommendations
Trustee Stacey Long made a motion and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept the employment of Ms. Stephanie VanFaussien Roach, French teacher at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, for the 2006-07 school year. The motion passed 3-0.
Trustee Stacey Long made a motion and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept the employment of Miss Brittany E. Ayer, teacher at Richard Carroll Elementary School–Campus A, for the 2006-07 school year. The motion passed 3-0.
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept the employment of Mrs. Shonta B. Crosby, teacher at Richard Carroll Elementary School – Campus A, for the 2006-07 school year. The motion passed 3-0.
Trustee Stacey Long made a motion and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept the employment of Ms. Rachael Elizabeth Timms, teacher at Richard Carroll Elementary School – Campus A, for the 2006-07 school year. The motion passed 3-0.
Trustee Stacey Long made a motion and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept the employment of James Terry Collins, 6th grade math teacher at Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School, for the 2006-07 school year. The motion passed 3-0.
Trustee Stacey Long made a motion and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept the employment of Ms. Jessica Brooke Lewis, teacher at Ehrhardt Elementary School, for the 2006-07 school year. The motion passed 3-0.
Trustee Stacey Long made a motion and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept the employment of Ms. Annie Samantha Bonnette, speech teacher at Ehrhardt Elementary School, for the 2006-07 school year. The motion passed 3-0.
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept the employment of Ms. Jennifer Miller Sheaffer, P. E. teacher at Richard Carroll Elementary School – Campus A, for the 2006-07 school year. The motion passed 3-0.
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to re-instate Mrs. Janice Wrightenberry to her previous position of Nurse at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School for the 2006-07 school year due to job plan changes. The motion passed 3-0.
Trustee Stacey Long made a motion and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept the employment of Mrs. Clarice Cockrell, English Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator, for the 2006-07 school year. The motion passed 3-0.
With no other business before the board, the chairman adjourned the meeting.
Minutes approved:
_____________________________
Dale Padgett, Chairman
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Sheri Seigler, Secretary