The Marshall County Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the Board Conference Room at Jones School.
Members present were Kristen Gold, Tim Harrison, John McCullough, Craig Michael, Randy Perryman, Ann Tears, Todd Tietgens and Todd Warner. Absent was Jerry Campbell.
Prayer/Pledge
Mike Hatten, who was on the agenda to address the Board, was not present.
Mr. McCullough made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2007 meeting. Ms. Gold seconded the motion and the motion passed 8-0.
Ms. Tears made a motion to approve an engagement letter with Charles W. (Chuck) Cagle of Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop, P.C. (see attached). Mr. Michael seconded the motion. After some discussion the Board instructed Janet Wiles to send a certified letter to Mr. Cagle and to Michael Jennings informing them that Mr. Cagle is being retained only as an additional attorney and is not being engaged to replace Mr. Jennings of his current responsibilities. The motion passed 8-0.
Mr. McCullough made a motion to approve the Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement making the Marshall County Schools a member of the Tennessee Risk Management Trust effective July 1, 2007. Ms. Gold seconded the motion and the motion passed 8-0.
Job descriptions for Supervisor of Secondary Instruction, Supervisor of Elementary Instruction & Technology, Supervisor of Attendance/ Educational Information Services and Literacy Coach were presented for approval. Mr. Perryman made a motion, seconded by Mr. Warner to approve these job descriptions. Because of some inconsistencies between the job descriptions, the motion failed 0-8. Mr. Harrison made a motion for Ms. Aldridge to review the job descriptions and present the revised descriptions at the February meeting. Mr. McCullough seconded the motion and the motion passed 8-0.
The following were presented in the consent agenda: Forrest High baseball to travel to Chattanooga on 3/20-21; Forrest requested that Bart Joyce be named assistant high school baseball coach to replace Danny Morgan and that Davy McClaran assume the middle school boys basketball coaching position left vacant by Todd Garrison; Cornersville High requested that Michael Tipper and Brian Hagood be named volunteer assistant coaches for middle school baseball; the American Red Cross asked permission to use a portion of Preston Hopkins Field for a rodeo on May 16/17. Ms. Tears made a motion to approve the consent agenda pending presentation of a certificate of liability insurance for the rodeo and providing that there would be no conflict with the MCHS baseball team. The motion passed 8-0
Under new business, Ms. Gold made a motion that the Board pick up the cost of the increase in medical insurance for the employees for the remainder of the school year. Mr. Warner seconded the motion and the motion passed 8-0.
Under new business, Ms. Gold made a motion that the Board pick up the cost of the increase in medical insurance for the employees for the remainder of the school year. Mr. Warner seconded the motion and the motion passed 8-0.
Ms. Gold made a motion to approve a resolution to send to the County Commission that budgets additional BEP funds and the use of undesignated fund balance to cover the cost of the increased medical insurance expense (see attached). Ms. Tears seconded the motion and the motion passed 8-0. Ms. Gold made a motion to approve the detail entry supporting the resolution pending approval by the County Commission. Mr. Tietgens seconded the motion and the motion passed 8-0.
Mr. Perryman made a motion to approve a new salary schedule for teachers and system-wide certified personnel that includes an additional $750 (see attached). Mr. Michael seconded the motion and the motion passed 8-0.
Mr. Michael asked the Board to determine a date to meet with Randall Bennett of the Tennessee School Boards Association to get his report on the Director search. The Board chose January 23, 2008, at 5:30 p.m.
Ms. Tears made a motion that the Board and the new Director attend Planning: A Joint Venture sponsored by the TSBA to be held May 18- 19 at Paris Landing State Park. Mr. Michael seconded the motion and the motion passed 8-0.
Ms. Aldridge reminded the Board of a work session to be held on January 15, 2008, at 5:30 p.m.
Tammy Poarch, representing the bus drivers, addressed the Board explaining their job responsibilities and asking for Board support.
In the Director’s report, Ms. Aldridge presented bus bids (see attached). Mr. Michael made a motion to reject the bids with the second by Mr. Perryman. The motion passed 8-0. The buses will be bid again for a one year price.
Ms. Aldridge informed the Board that January 20-26 is School Board Appreciation Week and that County Mayor Joe Liggett had signed a proclamation to that effect.
Mr. Warner made a motion that the following graduation dates be approved:
· Cornersville High – May 23, 2008 7:00 p.m.
· Marshall County High – May 24, 2008 10:00 a.m.
· Forrest High – May 24, 2008 10:00 a.m.
Mr. Tietgens seconded the motion and the motion passed 8-0.
Ms. Aldridge informed the Board that she had given them the following information: TSBA Day on the Hill program, information regarding athletic practices held during the school day, and capacity studies for each school.
A discussion was held concerning a tree which stands in front of the Central Office. Mr. George Turner, who was Principal at Jones School, planted the tree in 1956. The tree is now diseased and the root system is breaking up the parking lot. Ms. Aldridge formed a committee of Roy Dukes, Ann Tears and Tim Harrison to decide which kind of tree to plant in the spot. A plaque will be placed at the site of the new tree to honor Mr. Turner. Mr. Michael made a motion to remove the tree with the second by Mr.Tietgens. The motion passed 8-0.
Information was given concerning the number of buses which have video systems in them.
Mr. Michael made a motion to investigate “piggy backing” off another school system’s bid for buses. Ms. Tears seconded the motion and the motion passed 8-0.
A survey taken of 35 school systems asking them if their high school guidance counselors were paid for 11 months was given to the Board members.
Ms. Tears asked for the status of OCR complaints filed against the system. Ms. Aldridge answered that responses to all complaints had been filed.
Ms. Aldridge informed the Board that information on the negotiations lawsuit from Michael Jennings had been given to them.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________
Jerry Campbell, Chairman
___________________________
Nancy Aldridge, Director