Hall County Board of Education

Combined Work Session/Regular Meeting

                                                                                                         December 12, 2011

The Hall County Board of Education held a combined work session/regular meeting in the large conference room of the Hall County School District Central Office Building at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, December 12, 2011. The following were present:

Board Members:          Nath Morris, Chairman

                                    Craig Herrington, Vice Chairman

Sam Chapman

                                    Brian Sloan

                                    Bill Thompson

Administrative Personnel:

William Schofield, Superintendent

Lee Lovett, Deputy Superintendent

Dr. Richard Hill, Associate Superintendent for Human Resources

Dr. Eloise Barron, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning

Dr. Aaron Turpin, Executive Director for Technology

Gordon Higgins, Director of Community Relations and Athletics

Hillary Savage, Director, School Nutrition

Cookie Palmer, Director, School Nutrition

Dr. Damon Gibbs, Director, SPLOST Projects, Maintenance, and Facilities

Media:

Aaron Hale, The Times

Attorney:

Tread Syfan, Stewart Melvin & Frost

Visitors:

Earl Roach, S.R.O.                                                       Johnny Varner, American Legion

Mallory Garrett, Technology                                        Bill Harris, VVA Ch 772

Charles S., BSA                                                           D. B. Whiting, Jr., Korean Vet.

Johnny Johnson, Parent                                                           Dave Dellinger, American Legion Post 7

Robert Schuetze, BB&T                                                              James E. Gilmer, Viet Nam Veterans of America       

Cheryl Vandiver, North GA Community Fdn.             Sandra Gentry, Leadership Hall

David Lee, J.E.M.C.                                                    Penny Jordan, Board Clerk

CALL TO ORDER AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Chairman Morris called the meeting to order. On motion by Brian Sloan, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 5-0 to approve the amended agenda, moving the Flag Donation to DVA to first; NGCF Donation of Books to second; Bond Interest to third; and David Lee, J.E.M.C. - Margin Refund Check Presentation to fourth. Superintendent Schofield proceeded with the following:

INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Chairman Morris gave the invocation and guest veterans led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

WELCOME, RECOGNITION OF GUESTS

Introductory comments were made by Dr. Barron and the superintendent for the following. Photos were made with Chairman Morris on these items, and item A. presentation on page 4009.

C.      Flag Donation to DVA for BOE Support of Veteran's Stand Down Event (moved to first) - Several Vietnam and Korean War veterans representing the North Georgia Stand Down coalition, presented a flag received from the office of Congressman Tom Graves to the HCBOE for their support of the Veteran's Stand Down event held at Da Vinci Academy in October. Chairman Morris accepted the flag. The flag was to be donated to Paula Stubbs and Cindy White at Da Vinci Academy for their flagpole. The flag was presented to Cindy White of DVA. Ms. White thanked them and said they were honored to be a part of the event. She told the veterans she appreciated what they do after they were asked to name the war they represented.

B.      NGCF Donation of Books to Elementary Schools - Cheryl Vandiver (moved to second) - Cheryl Vandiver of North GA Community Foundation presented a book made possible by one of their donors to each Hall County elementary school library. She said proceeds from the sale of the book, IKE'S Brief History of Gainesville, GA by Laura Rauch Sumner, will go to the Good News Clinics. After giving a brief overview of the book and making other comments, she presented a book to Mr. Schofield for the school system. Mr. Schofield thanked her and noted she would also be presenting books to Gainesville City tonight.

REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND POLICIES

C.     Business Management

         1.   Bids/RFP Approvals

a.      Bond Interest (moved to third) - Tread Syfan said he and Mr. Lovett had sent out to bid to local banks the proposed issuance of a bond by the school district. The bond in the amount of $9,500,000 would be issued in January and would be an additional bond like the one issued last March. Eight bank bid proposals were received (as shown below). Bond terms of the bids received were discussed with board members and recommendations of best bids were made. After discussion, on motion by Craig Herrington, seconded by Brian Sloan, the board voted 5-0 to accept the best bid from BB&T at 1.77%, as recommended by the superintendent. Bid tabulations follow:

GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND SERIES 2012 BID
$9,500,000.00

Tread is of the opinion that BB&T and SunTrust are the two bids for consideration.  BB&T will cost approximately $3800 for interest and $2000 more the first year but there are no stipulations in their bid.

SunTrust has two stipulations pertaining to a taxability event and a marginal maximum federal corporate tax rate of 35%. 

Chase has multiple stipulations on the lower rate and Tread is of the opinion one of the stipulations is not according to Georgia law.

2.   Supplemental Bond Resolution - Mr. Syfan handed out the Supplemental Bond Resolution at the beginning of the meeting for the board's approval tonight. After discussion, on motion by Craig Herrington, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 5-0 to accept the Supplemental Bond Resolution, as recommended by the superintendent. The resolution supplements resolutions adopted by the HCBOE on May 16, 2011, and June 13, 2011, to specify the terms of issuance of $9,500,000 in principal amount HCSD General Obligation School Bond, Series 2012; and for other related purposes. A copy of the resolution is hereby made a part of these minutes.

WELCOME, RECOGNITION OF GUESTS (continued)

A.     David Lee, Jackson E.M.C. - Margin Refund Check Presentation (moved to fourth) - Mr. Schofield introduced David Lee. Mr. Lee thanked the board for the opportunity to come and said he was proud to be a partner with the HCBOE not only as an employee of Jackson E.M.C., but as a parent, and appreciates the unbelievable job HC does educating our children. He commended HC for the job they have done of conserving energy over the years and said that would become even more critical moving forward as it gets more expensive to bring energy to us. He then presented a margin refund check of just over $20,000 for the system to Chairman Morris. Chairman Morris followed with comments and gave his appreciation to Mr. Lee for his involvement in education with their study committees on what we can do better in education and other functions he is involved in.

CONSENT AGENDA

Chairman Morris asked if everyone had a chance to review the consent agenda. Questions and comments followed. On motion by Sam Chapman, seconded by Brian Sloan, the board voted 5-0 to approve the below Consent Agenda items, as recommended by the superintendent.

A.     Minutes - November 2011 - Work Session - November 14, 2011, Regular Meeting - November 28, 2011.

B.      2012 Board Meeting Dates

C.      Procedures for district security personnel

Copies of supporting documents for approved Consent Agenda items are hereby made a part of these minutes.

REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND POLICIES (continued)

A.     Curriculum and Instruction

         Introductory remarks were made by Dr. Eloise Barron for the following:

1.      2012 - 2013 - School Calendar - Details of the proposed 2012-2013 School Calendar and priority order list of Potential Reduction of up to 10 Calendar Days which Teachers of the Year assisted in gathering input for was reviewed by Dr. Barron. School will begin on August 10 and end of May 22. Mr. Schofield said based on the current year's budget, our reserves that we're spending, and what they're seeing at the state level; he couldn't imagine not having a significant number of reduction days next year. Questions and discussion followed on high school open house, inclement weather days, and the last week of May 2013, relative to the calendar. On motion by Sam Chapman, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 5-0 to adopt the 2012 - 2013 School Calendar as presented, and the priority order Potential Reduction of Up to 10 Calendar Days list as presented, as recommended by the superintendent. The calendar and list are hereby made a part of these minutes.

2.      Resolution for Title 20 Waiver -Dr. Aaron Turpin and the superintendent discussed a resolution for a State Board of Education waiver to allow our students to continue to bring in personal communication devices. On motion by Sam Chapman, seconded by Craig Herrington, the board voted 5-0 to approve adopting the Resolution for Title 20 Waiver request, to waive for a period not to exceed five years, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1183, Possession of Electronic Communication Devices in Schools, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-244, as recommended by the superintendent. A copy of the resolution is hereby made a part of these minutes.

3.      Field Trips - Dr. Barron reviewed the field trips. After discussion, on motion by Sam Chapman, seconded by Craig Herrington, the board voted 5-0 to approve the list of five field trips for December as presented, as recommended by the superintendent. The list is hereby made a part of these minutes.

B.      Fiscal Management

         1.      Financial Report - November 30, 2011 - Mr. Lovett reviewed the financial report and explained why the instructional figure was running as high as it was. He said two large items, textbook purchases and purchases of services, were running ahead of the budget, meaning the money was just spent early in the year. Health insurance is also running ahead of the budget because of the state front loading it again this year, with us paying a higher percentage rate than the normal yearly rate for these first months. Once it comes out of the front loading period, it will move back in line. Discussion followed. On motion by Bill Thompson, seconded by Craig Herrington, the board voted 5-0 to approve the Financial Report dated November 30, 2011, as recommended by the superintendent. A copy of the report is hereby made a part of these minutes.

•§  Chairman Morris noted the commissioners are not sending out two tax bills--only one will be sent. Also, he talked with Steve Watson of the HCG Finance Department recently and Mr. Watson made an offer to come and make a presentation at one of our work sessions. He said he would like to take him up on it-possibly in January or February.

•§  Mr. Lovett said Mr. Watson also gave them a heads up that they could expect another 9% reduction property taxes.

D.     Facility Expansion Program

1.   Analysis of SPLOST III Revenues - November 2011 - Mr. Schofield gave an update-- said it was a disappointing month. Mr. Lovett and Chairman Morris followed with comments.

2.   SPLOST Student Devices Phase I Update and Phase II Funding Request - An update was given by Dr. Aaron Turpin on Phase 1 SPLOST IV Student Technology Hardware for October-December 2011. Questions and discussion followed. A list of fund requests for Phase II SPLOST IV Student Technology Hardware for January - March 2012, was then discussed with the board. Chairman Morris commented they should make the best use of the money spent. On motion by Sam Chapman, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 5-0 to approve the Phase II list of the technology integration plan in the amount of $1,031.486.00, as recommended by the superintendent. The Update/Phase II list is hereby made a part of these minutes.

3.   SPLOST Request - December 12, 2012 - Dr. Damon Gibbs discussed the December 12, list of SPLOST requests to be completed by July 31, 2012. He said there would be some very large electrical projects coming in the future but wanted to cover the smaller ones under SPLOST III for some of their security lighting issues. He said the SPLOST IV request figures were on the high end now and would be modified when they go to bid and more is known. Questions and discussion followed on SPLOST IV project facilities, security lighting, when the SPLOST IV projects would be bid, and use of energy efficient lighting. On motion by Sam Chapman, seconded by Craig Herrington, the board voted 5-0 to approve the following SPLOST III & IV Fund Requests as presented, as recommended by the superintendent. 

SPLOST Request - December 12, 2012

Exterior Safety Lighting Upgrades:
North Hall High                                      25,000
East Hall High                                         25,000
Chestnut Mtn. Elem.                                 5,000
Spout Springs Elem.                                 5,000

Telephone System Upgrades:
Flowery Branch Elem.                              2,600
Lanier Elem.                                             3,600
Student Services                                       2,400

Transportation Department Roofing Renovation:
Metal Roof, Insulation, Gutters               59,900

Fire Alarm Upgrades:
East Hall High                                          18,550

 SPLOST IV Request-Facilities

Chestatee High
Weight-room Facility                          1,950,000

East Hall High
Fieldhouse and Classroom Facility     1,500,000

E.      Board Operations

         1.   Redistricting Resolution - Mr. Schofield said their ten year census was received and they have talked about what they needed to do on the voting districts as to demographic changes in terms of where people live in HC over the last ten years. They ended up with too many people in South Hall, too many people in East Hall, and too few in West Hall and North Hall. A new map showing changes was presented online and explained. Clermont moves from East Hall to North Hall, Oakwood I moves from South Hall to West Hall, and for the first time known, a district was split--Fork district would be split between North Hall and West Hall along Georgia Highway 53, which would get all our districts within 2.47 percent of each other in terms of population in each district. Mr. Schofield said he and Mr. Chapman made a trip down to the capitol and spent some time with the folks in reapportionment. They didn't see any problems with the plan and thought it was a good, simple and straight forward plan. The process they now have to go through to be in compliance in terms of their voting districts, is to pass a resolution that agrees that this is the right way to go, advertise public hearings for the public to give their input, and then our legislative delegation pass local legislation this year and change these voting districts which will be ready before the next general election. After discussion, on motion by Sam Chapman, seconded by Craig Herrington, the board voted 5-0 to approve the resolution to reapportion the four Hall County voting districts as discussed, and advertise for public hearings, as recommended by the superintendent. He said the public hearings would probably be advertised at the first of the year. A copy of the resolution and map are hereby made a part of these minutes.

F.      Personnel Packet - Dr. Hill said the packet was the same as the one sent to them over the weekend. Another round of interviews was held and he said they were very impressed with the quality of candidates and five of those positions would be recommended by the superintendent in January. More interviews will be starting in January. On motion by Sam Chapman, seconded by Craig Herrington, the board voted 5-0 to approve the superintendent's recommendations for certified and classified personnel on the personnel packet dated December 12, 2011, as presented. The packet is hereby made a part of these minutes by reference.

      December 12, 2011

I.    Certified Personnel 2010-11

A.   0   Resignations

B.    0   Recommendations

C.    0   Transfers

D.   0   Reclassifications from Temporary to Permanent Status

E.    0   Long-Term Substitutes

II. Certified Personnel 2011-12

A.   2    Resignations

B.    2   Recommendations

C.    1   Transfer

D.   0   Reclassifications from Temporary to Permanent Status

E.    6   Long-Term Substitutes

F.    1   Other

III.Classified Personnel 2010-11

A.   0   Resignations

B.    0   Recommendations

C.    0   Transfers

D.   0   Other

E.    0   Terminations

IV.Classified Personnel 2011-12

A.   8   Resignations

B.  11   Recommendations

C.    4   Transfers

D.   8   Other

E.    1   Termination

•§  Chairman Morris asked Dr. Barron if she had any further follow-up on the pilot program model for teacher evaluation or any more conversations on easing any fears of teachers. She said no additional information has been exchanged and thought perhaps the fear is settled a little bit.

•§  Vice Chair, Craig Herrington, noted White Sulphur Elementary School was recognized today by the Alliance for Healthier Generation for their Wellness Initiative. Gordon Higgins followed with comments saying a lot of the credit and accolades go to Principal, Dr. Ann Murphey and her leadership, as she really jumped on the initiative with UHC liaison, Jacob Weiers. He said it could be viewed on the HC website. Dr. Murphey asked her P.E. teacher to start an after school program to let students be active and show them it can be fun. More than 70 students showed up on the first day.

ADJOURNMENT

At 5:40 P.M., on motion by Brian Sloan, seconded by Craig Herrington, the board voted 5-0 to adjourn the meeting.

CITIZENS' INPUT & COMMENTS

Chairman Morris called for citizens comments. There were none.

____________________________________      _______________________________________

Nath Morris, Chairman                                          William Schofield, Superintendent