Hall County Board of Education

Work Session

                                                                                                                 February 13, 2012

The Hall County Board of Education held a work session in the large conference room of the Hall County School District Central Office Building at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, February 13, 2012. The following were present:

Board Members:          Nath Morris, Chairman

                                    Craig Herrington, Vice Chairman

Brian Sloan

                                    Bill Thompson

Sam Chapman was unable to come.

Administrative Personnel:

William Schofield, Superintendent

Lee Lovett, Deputy Superintendent

Dr. Richard Hill, Associate Superintendent for Human Resources

Jewel Armour, Executive Director of Operations

David Moody, Director of Elementary Schools

Gordon Higgins, Director of Community Relations and Athletics

Cookie Palmer, Director, School Nutrition

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

Dr. Sally Krisel, Director, Innovative & Advanced Programs

Media:

None

Visitors:

Sam Lauricella, S.R.O.                                                 Johnny Johnson, Parent

Mallory Garrett, Technology                                        Karol Tullis, SNP

Jimmy Smith, Technology                                           Carrie Woodcock

Dr. Mark Coleman, Principal/FBHS                             Todd Murrow, Technology

Chip Underwood, Principal/CHS                                 Recognition guests

Stan Souther, Maintenance                                          Penny Jordan, BOE Clerk

Chairman Morris called the meeting to order. A Moment of Silence was observed for PFC Sean Adams, a 2011 graduate of CHS who was injured in Afghanistan, the loss of Dr. Mary Parks, and two recently injured HC bus drivers. Afterward, on motion by Brian Sloan, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 4-0 to approve the agenda. Superintendent Schofield proceeded with the following:

I.       Curriculum and Instruction -

Superintendent Schofield made introductory remarks for the following recognitions in Dr. Barron's absence. Awards were presented by board members as designated. Photos were taken.

A.     Recognitions

•·         Sabrina Steptoe - C.W. Davis Middle (absent)

      2012 - Hall County School District Spelling Bee Winner

•·         World Language Academy - 2nd Graders (Nath Morris)

2012 American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language Video
"Many languages only one heart"

Mr. Schofield recognized four 2^nd grade students present. Teacher, Ms. Castros, made comments followed by each student making comments in Spanish. Mr. Schofield congratulated them and acknowledged the presence of their parents, and Principal David Moody and Carrie Woodcock of WLA.

•·         Katie Rose Dionne - Da Vinci Academy

2012 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Three "Silver Key" Awards

 Dr. Sally Krisel recognized Katie and noted she had recently received other recognitions. Katie was in the top 15% of this very prestigious competition, and was competing mostly against high school students. Dr. Krisel named the following noteworthy persons that received this award: Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Robert Redford, Joyce Carol Oates, and Sylvia Plath. She said this represents excellence over time for Katie as she submitted a piece in 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades, and all of them won in this competition. Katie followed with the reading of her poem entitled "Stitches in Time".

•·         Chestatee High (Bill Thompson)

2012 Advanced Placement Honor School
Georgia Department of Education                              

CHS was recognized by Mr. Schofield for their AP STEM achievement scores on the advanced placement tests (a school with students testing at least two AP math courses, two AP science courses, with at least 40% of those scores being three or higher). The award was accepted by Principal, Chip Underwood. Mr. Underwood said they have a great group of teachers that go out and put a lot of emphasis on finding those students in the ninth grade that have not been identified and pushing them to try something more rigorous.

•·         Flowery Branch High (Brian Sloan)

2012 Advanced Placement Honor School
Georgia Department of Education

FBHS was also recognized by Mr. Schofield for their AP STEM achievement scores on the advanced placement tests (a school with students testing at least two AP math courses, two AP science courses, with at least 40% of those scores being three or higher). The award was accepted by Principal, Dr. Mark Coleman. Dr. Coleman said they have a great group of teachers and students, a very supportive community, and they are very proud of their student's achievement on the AP exams.

-Mr. Schofield congratulated the principals of CHS and FBHS and told them they represent us well. Mr. Schofield said he and Dr. Krisel have talked, and since they have three schools that are International Baccalaureate diploma program schools that seriously dilute the advanced placement pool; they have asked the state officially to consider International Baccalaureate courses also, in terms of that pool, when recognizing AP schools in the future.

Chairman Morris gave recognition guests the opportunity to leave the meeting if they wished. After a few minutes, the meeting continued as follows:

B.      Field Trips - The list of 20 field trips were reviewed by Dr. Richard Hill in Dr. Barron's absence. Field trips needing action tonight were noted. Discussion followed on field trip number 13 to Six Flags. After discussion, on motion by Craig Herrington, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 4-0 to approve all trips with the exception of number 13 pending further information, as recommended by the superintendent. Mr. Schofield will make some calls regarding the trip and notify them. The list is hereby made a part of these minutes.

II.     Fiscal Management

         A.     Financial Report - January 31, 2012 - Mr. Lovett discussed adjustments on the revised financial report correcting a mistake made on the last budget amendment when taking health insurance variations out of the budget that skewed the report. The state is no longer sending us the QBE money for health insurance, they are keeping the money directly now. They realized a mistake was made when the financial report was run and made corrections.

         B.      Budget Amendment for FY 2012 - February 13, 2012 - Mr. Lovett explained revenue and expenditure amendment details on the February 13, 2012, Budget Amendment, pertaining to the health insurance adjustments discussed above. Questions and discussion followed.

Mr. Schofield followed with comments. He said the board has been extremely conservative for the past several years and have kept some revenues in the bank in a rainy day fund to minimize the effect on students in classrooms. The bad news is that we may possibly spend $8 million more than revenues this year. He said the budget process would not be pleasant this year as equalization looks like it will take another loss of somewhere between $1 and $2 million and said he would be very surprised if the local property tax digest doesn't suffer additional loss. He said Chairman Morris made a good suggestion about having someone from the county join them at their Board Retreat this year, so they are going to try and do this. Discussion followed.

Following, on motion by Craig Herrington, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 4-0 to approve the February 13, 2012, Budget Amendment FY 2012, as recommended by the superintendent. A copy of the budget amendment is hereby made a part of these minutes.

III.    Facility Expansion Program

           A.    Construction Manager Recommendation - Damon Gibbs said construction management was advertised in January for constructing the two buildings in the weight room and field house area at CHS and new field house and classroom at EHHS stadium. Competitive proposals were received from several companies and four companies were interviewed last Wednesday. The team recommended that Charles Black Construction Company (CBCC) be awarded both projects. Questions and discussion followed on the reasons for choosing CBCC.

Chairman Morris thinks they ought to look at having some kind of long term commitment on construction management with someone to cut down on the process time and would like for them to discuss pros and cons on that, as he knows there are systems that do this. Discussion followed. Mr. Schofield said some options would be put together for them and brought as an item for discussion. He noted seeing districts do this from 12 to 60 months at a time for an entire length of a SPLOST.

On motion by Craig Herrington, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 4-0 to approve Charles Black Construction Company as the construction manager for the two buildings planned for the weight room and field house area at CHS and new field house and classroom at EHHS stadium, as recommended by the superintendent.

B.      Analysis of SPLOST III Revenues - Mr. Schofield, Mr. Lovett, and Craig Herrington made comments regarding SPLOST III revenues.

C.      SPLOST III Request - February 13, 2012 - Dr. Gibbs said they are gearing up for summer projects and will be bringing those requests to them over the next couple of months for lead time on being ready to go in May. He discussed the projects shown below. Questions and discussion followed. Chairman Morris and Brian Sloan, respectively, questioned whether media center upgrades addressed infrastructure needs for some technology at NHHS and cabling for JHS and NHHS. Dr. Gibbs responded that everything except for the technology and equipment itself would be addressed-that Dr. Turpin would bring that separately. He said he doesn't know everything the 21^st Century Technology Dr. Turpin is bringing into the media centers entail, but he included $5,000 to cover some cabling.

Mr. Schofield said they need to be aware that they are running cash flows on SPLOST III & IV and to remember they presold $19 million dollars worth of bonds against SPLOST IV. He has now run a cash flow out through November of this year. He said they have a lot going on with the ten or eleven projects going on this summer (air conditioning of gymnasiums, roofs, several HVAC's, and renovations of Jones and SHM schools) and they are pushing it pretty close, so they are slowing down a little bit before hitting those new SPLOST IV revenues in November this year. They have a few more bonds they can sell if they need to, but they are pushing it right up to the limit with some energy controls. Questions and comments followed by Brian Sloan, Chairman Morris, and Mr. Lovett. Dr. Gibbs commented that what they know for sure is that Dr. Turpin's piece cannot take place until these take place, and is the reason these are coming early.  

Mr. Schofield said if the board didn't have any objections they would like to go ahead and approve the projects (see below) tonight to get started. On motion by Craig Herrington, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 4-0 to approve the following list of SPLOST III projects, dated February 13, 2012, so materials can be ordered, as recommended by the superintendent.

North Hall High Media Center Upgrades-                    $72,239

East Hall High Media Center Upgrades-                       $28,844

Johnson High Media Center Upgrades-                        $70,878

Lula Kitchen Water Heater Replacement-                     $ 9,000

Lanier Career Center Electrical Upgrades-                    $ 3,000

Davis Middle Locker Room H&V Unit Replacement-  $ 4,000

Wastewater Plant Upgrades-                                         $10,500

Sugar Hill PE Activity Field Upgrades-                         $23,900

VI.    Personnel

•A.           Personnel Packet - Dr. Hill said he would defer the personnel packet to the executive session since there is one scheduled. No action is anticipated.

Chairman Morris told board members he left them some information from the NSBA Federal Relations Network Conference he attended in Washington, D.C., last week. He said it was a really good meeting. Most of the information centered on the Reauthorization of ESEA, No Child Left Behind, talking about funding federal programs-mainly Title I and IDEA--and some information about charter schools. There were around 17 of them from Georgia and probably 300-400 from across the U.S. there. They had a chance to meet and talk with Senator Saxby Chambliss, Senator Johnny Isakson, and Congressman Tom Graves. He said it sounded like there won't be anything done on the ESEA through this year because of the elections and doesn't think they are going to agree on what to change it to. Board members should let him know if they have questions. Mr. Schofield thanked him for representing them up there.

At 5:40 P.M., on motion by Bill Thompson, seconded by Brian Sloan, the board voted 4-0 to adjourn the meeting.

VII.  Executive Session for Personnel - At 5:48 P.M., on motion by Craig Herrington, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 4-0 to enter into executive session to discuss or deliberate upon the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a public officer or employee. At 6:19 P.M., on motion by Brian Sloan, seconded by Craig Herrington, the board voted 4-0 to come out of executive session.

The meeting adjourned at 6:19 P.M.

____________________________________      _______________________________________

Nath Morris, Chairman                                          William Schofield, Superintendent

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Hall County Board of Education

Regular Meeting

February 27, 2012

The regular meeting of the Hall County Board of Education was held in the large conference room of the Hall County School District Central Office Building at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, February27, 2012. The following were present:

Board Members:

Nath Morris, Chairman

Craig Herrington, Vice Chairman (Arrived at 5:06 p.m. - Arrived after agenda approval)

Sam Chapman

Brian Sloan

Bill Thompson

Administrative Personnel:

William Schofield, Superintendent

Lee Lovett, Deputy Superintendent

Dr. Richard Hill, Associate Superintendent for Human Resources

Jewel Armour, Executive Director of Operations

Dr. Aaron Turpin, Executive Director for Technology

Gordon Higgins, Director of Community Relations and Athletics

Media:

Katie Highsmith, WDUN/Access

Jeff Gill, The Times

Visitors:

Beth Powers, North Hall                                                          Bridget Rodriguez, HCEA

Paul Powers, North Hall                                                           John Breakfield, Leadership Hall

Debby Duncan, North Hall                                                      G. Norwood, Leadership Hall

Jimmy Smith, Technology                                                       Brad Brown, NHMS Principal

Alind Amedi, FBHS                                                                 Karol Tullis, SNP

Karen Weathers, EHHS                                                                       Jeremy Purdy, Teacher

Todd Murrow, Technology                                                      Kristin Love, EHHS

Mallory Garrett, Technology                                                    Cookie Palmer, Director, School Nutrition

Dr. Sally Krisel, Director, Innovative & Advanced Programs                       Other Recognition Guests

Johnny Johnson, Parent                                                                       Penny Jordan, BOE Clerk

Earl Roach, S.R.O.

CALL TO ORDER AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Chairman Morris called the meeting to order at 5:00 p. m. On motion by Brian Sloan, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 4-0 to approve the agenda.

INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Sam Chapman gave the invocation and Superintendent Schofield led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

WELCOME, RECOGNITION OF GUESTS

Introductory comments were made by Superintendent Schofield. Awards were presented by board members as designated. Photos were taken.

Superintendent Schofield followed with comments and congratulated everyone.

A few minutes were taken for recognition guests to leave the meeting, if they wished. The meeting continued as follows:

CONSENT AGENDA

Chairman Morris asked if there were any questions on the consent agenda items. Following, on motion by Sam Chapman, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 5-0 to approve the below Consent Agenda items, as recommended by the superintendent.

A.     Minutes - January 2012 - Work Session - January 9, 2012; Regular Meeting - January 23, 2012

B.      Fiscal Management

         1.   Financial Report - January 31, 2012

         2.   Approval of Payments - January 2012, in the amount of $40,331,017.80.

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

REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND POLICIES

A.     Curriculum and Instruction - (Dr. Barron was absent)

Superintendent Schofield made introductory remarks for the following:

1.   Buy Hall - Dr. Richard Hill said Mr. Schofield was approached by the Chamber of Commerce about a year ago about initiating a campaign to encourage residents to buy locally in Hall County. Mr. Schofield thought it would be a good opportunity to make it a learning experience for students in the hospitality program at Lanier Career Academy (LCCA). Dr. Cindy Blakley and Rhonda Samples of LCCA presented it to their students. The students with two young ladies, Kaylynn Samples and Ellie Forrester, who took the lead on this using it as a DECA project, worked with local businesses and sponsors to create a completely free "Hall Pass" discount card as part of LCCA's Buy Hall Y'all campaign. They placed third in state completion in Atlanta this weekend on it and will be going to Salt Lake City in April to compete nationally. LCCA wanted the Board to know they are continuing the campaign throughout the county and would appreciate their support. Their discount cards were distributed at the meeting. Questions and discussion followed.

2.   Field Trips - Review of field trips by Dr. Hill. Questions and discussion followed. On motion by Sam Chapman, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 5-0 to approve the list of 40 field trips for February, as recommended by the superintendent. The list is hereby made a part of these minutes.

3.   AP Statistics for Eighth Graders - Mr. Schofield and Dr. Krisel said with the move to the common core in mathematics at the high school level next year they were very excited about what they are planning to do with our most able eighth grade math students next year. Dr. Krisel said the more they talked, she became more convinced that this was the thing to do for our most math talented eighth graders next year and would set them up for some real success. She explained how our accelerated students are the ones who are always out of sync whenever the state curriculum is changed. They are already a year ahead of the rollout when the new curriculum comes in. Those students are already set up on an accelerated pathway under the old curriculum when they phase in common core. She said for our current seventh graders the state was really not going to be ready and we're not going to have training completed by next year to feel confident in moving ahead with common core accelerated. So, they started talking about what else would be a great, challenging course while they get the rest of the new state curriculum in line and started talking about College Board AP Statistics that is normally taught to high school seniors. Dr. Krisel, April Howard, Dr. Terry Sapp, and Melissa Stewart started working with middle school principals and they talked with the College Board and the DOE. The consensus was that this would be a terrific course for those math students. After testing was completed, they determined that many of our current seventh graders would be successful in this course next year and they would like to make this an option to those students. Mr. Schofield followed with comments. He said, as a math person, he always thought it was unfortunate that very few students ever got the opportunity to take AP Statistics in their high school schedules, because it is one of the most powerful courses having relevance in college work and beyond. He said not only would they earn high school credit, but possibly college credit. Questions and discussion followed. Afterward, on motion by Sam Chapman, seconded by Craig Herrington, the board voted 5-0 to approve to continue pursuing AP Statistics for the most able eighth grade math students in our middle schools next year, as recommended by the superintendent.

•·         Chairman Morris asked Dr. Aaron Turpin to tell them about his trip to St. Paul, Minnesota, and to answer some of their questions from their last meeting regarding the media center at NH and infrastructure questions on technology.

•·         Dr. Turpin said the Northbrook College and the North Hall community bus left to St. Paul, Minnesota, two weeks ago. They were there working on the regional STEM charter. They spent two and a half days in a charter school up there that will eventually be Grades 6-12 that has been around for seven years. They saw some phenomenal instruction in the science areas very similar to what we see in our inquiry programs--lots of hands on, lots of kids manipulating lots of pieces. There were students from across the economic spectrum and some of them drove in for 45 minutes one way to attend the school. He said it was a very successful model for them as they had twice the applicants as they could handle slots. One of the take away things that was obvious to them was that the best teachers of the school came from industry backgrounds-they were military backgrounds. The teaching faculty was unique and their expertise carried over into the classrooms. It was a very noisy school and the kids were all working-no one was sitting around. It was a private charter school-- not for profit, with kids from six different districts.

Dr. Turpin said NHMS is one of the NH/EH--both are looking at changing over their media center to learning commons. As they have gone down the path with the old SH campus they have invited those two media specialist to journey along with them so they can learn. Regarding where they are at NH, they have asked the media specialist to take what she has learned and work with David Robles and one more person on what it would look like in there. He has not seen her final drawings on that yet.  Mr. Schofield questioned if there was anything going on at the JHS media center. Dr. Turpin said yes, JHS and Friendship were also interested in transforming their media centers, but they did not participate in the process with them. He said all these folks see these media centers as a point of change, really giving an opportunity for the students to do collaborative learning in 21^st Century ways and expand the classroom and all four of those media specialists were really on the ball.

•·            Mr. Schofield noted updating them last month on our SPLOST IV cash flow and said with the bonds they have sold, they think they are in good shape in spite of all the projects we have going on this summer -and they will be doing even more. Some plans for those three media centers will be brought next time to try and move forward on. Dr. Turpin noted EH was finished now.

B.      Personnel

1.   Personnel Packet - Dr. Hill reviewed changes to the personnel packet noting that Betsy Ainsworth, Chestnut Mt. Elementary AP, was being recommended as Lisa Saxon's replacement, and Pam Burel, Chicopee Woods Elementary Title I Instructional Coach, would be taking Betsy's place. Mr. Schofield discussed the need for taking a person from half time to full time at Student Services this year. After discussion, on motion by Brian Sloan, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 5-0 to approve the superintendent's recommendations for certified and classified personnel on the personnel packet dated February 27, 2012, as presented. The packet is hereby made a part of these minutes by reference.

      February 27, 2012

I.    Certified Personnel 2011-2012

A.   3   Resignations

B.    1   Recommendation

C.    3   Transfers

D.   0   Reclassifications from Temporary to Permanent Status

E.  14   Long-Term Substitutes

F.  12   Other

II. Certified Personnel 2012-2013

A.   0    Resignations

B.    1   Recommendation

C.    0   Transfers

D.   0   Reclassifications from Temporary to Permanent Status

E.    0   Long-Term Substitutes

F.    0   Other

III.Classified Personnel 2011-2012

A.   6   Resignations

B.  19   Recommendations

C.    4   Transfers

D.   1   Other

E.    3   Terminations

IV.Classified Personnel 2012-2013

A.   0   Resignations

B.    0   Recommendations

C.    0   Transfers

D.   0   Other

E.    0   Terminations

C.      New District Lines - Mr. Schofield reviewed and explained new voting district lines, as was discussed and approved at previous board meetings, that were adjusted for population changes in the school district in conjunction with the new ten year census received. He and Mr. Chapman went down and spent time drawing this out with the elections board in Atlanta and it's already moving through the Assembly and they don't see any issues. They were able to do this with minimal district placement changes. It was necessary to split only one district, Fork, to stay within acceptable ranges of variation. Highway 53 is the dividing line with the portion of the district North being in the North Hall District and the Southern portion being in the West Hall District. We are fortunate in our particular school district that everybody runs countywide, so it's much less of an issue than it might be in other areas. Nothing has changed since the last time they talked about this. The board had asked to bring this forward in case anyone in the community wanted to comment. We have been advertising for the last week or two and this is an opportunity for anybody to comment or ask questions on the proposed East, West, South, and North voting districts which would be in place for the next ten years--actually only eight years left-will be ten before it is redone. Chairman Morris asked if anyone had any other questions, comments, or clarifications on anything. Craig Herrington added they should all be aware that this doesn't affect school district lines at all.

         Public Comment - New District Lines - There were no comments.

Mr. Schofield said he also wanted to thank Senator, Butch Miller, and Representative, Doug Collins, and appreciated their help.

ADJOURNMENT

At 5:35 P.M., on motion by Bill Thompson, seconded by Sam Chapman, the board voted 5-0 to adjourn the meeting.

CITIZENS' INPUT & COMMENTS

Chairman Morris called for citizens comments. There were none.

EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR PERSONNEL

At 5:40 P.M., on motion by Brian Sloan, seconded by Bill Thompson, the board voted 5-0 to enter into executive session to discuss or deliberate upon the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a public officer or employee. At 6:04 P.M., on motion by Bill Thompson, seconded by Sam Chapman, the board voted 5-0 to come out of executive session. No action was taken.

The executive session adjourned at 6:04 P.M.

____________________________________      _______________________________________

Nath Morris, Chairman                                          William Schofield, Superintendent

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