MINUTES OF THE spark.com

Minutes

August 7, 2018 APPROVED 9/11/18

MINUTES OF THE GADSDEN CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING DATED AUGUST 7, 2018

The Gadsden City Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, August 8, 2018, at 5:00 P.M. at the Gadsden City High School auditorium. Board members present: President Deborah Howard, Kelly Cochran, Frank Cylar, Mike Haney, Z. Andre' Huff, Nancy Stewart and Wayne Watts. Mr. Tony Reddick, Superintendent and Secretary of the Board, and Attorney Cleo Thomas were also in attendance.

President of the board, Deborah Howard, called the meeting to order, and asked Dr. Wayne Watts to open with prayer and followed with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

RECOGNITION OF GUESTS/AWARDS

President Howard thanked the GCHS Titan Ambassadors for serving as hosts and hostesses to tonight's meeting.

REPORTS

Saturday School

Rhonda Perry, Director of School Improvement, reported on the 2017-2018 Saturday School. Saturday school was offered 13 Saturdays during 2017-2018. Saturday school is an alternative form of discipline for students at the three middles schools, Emma Sansom, Gadsden, and Litchfield, and also Gadsden City High School. A total of 250 students attended, an increase of 89 students from 2016-2017. The amount of suspensions has decreased from 643 to 611.

Step Academy

Craig Hines, STEP Academy Director, reported on the 2017-2018 virtual classes: 59 seniors were enrolled, 54 of those graduated, 5 were unsuccessful. 36 juniors were enrolled, 4 of those were unsuccessful. 14 sophomores were enrolled, only 1 dropped out. 5 freshmen were enrolled and all were successful. A detailed report was given to each board member with reasons why each student is enrolled in virtual school. Mr. Hines reported he meets with every student and parent before a student is enrolled in virtual school to determine if the student qualifies for this program.

Safety Report

Keith Blackwell, Director of School Operations, reported the Gadsden City Council gifted Gadsden City Schools with $200,000.00 to be used to increase the safety efforts at Gadsden City Schools. Mr. Blackwell reported that this past summer there was a great deal of training taking place at the schools with the first response units in the community, including the S.W.A.T. teams, SRO's, police and fire department, and paramedics. Security measures have been put in place and updated for all first response teams to be able to enter our buildings and have the ability to move about without endangering staff or students and also . Some of the security measures are not made public due to security measures. The systems plans to purchase additional cameras, hardware for doors, and also upgrade some of the current safety equipment.

Mr. Blackwell discussed we have a plan in place for any student that makes a threat to another student. A threat assessment team has been put in place to assess any threat from a student. The team consist of Mr. Blackwell, a representative from CED Mental Health, someone from Juvenile Detective, Juvenile Probate Office and the District Attorney's office. The team will determine if the student should be removed from the school, if so create a plan to continue educational services and follow up.

Mr. Blackwell also addressed some safety concerns regarding afternoon traffic at Adams Elementary schools and the lack of officers available to help with traffic. Mr. Blackwell reported some of the routes of traffic have been changed. Staff members from Adams Elementary have been placed at various posts to assist with traffic. Superintendent Reddick reported that Quality of Life has vacated a building adjacent to Adams Elementary and plans are being made to utilize that area by removing a building which would open up an area for traffic to flow more easily.

Minutes

August 7, 2018 APPROVED 9/11/18

myON Report

Sharon Maness, Director of Special Services, reported on myON, the reading program Gadsden City Schools has partnered with The City of Gadsden. Last year, the mayor and city council approached the school system with concerns on helping to assist with the literacy problems with the children of our city. GCS researched and discovered the program my ON. myON is a literacy program that gives students access to digital books 24/7. myON works on any digital device and is accessible on any wifi setting. The program allows parents to be actively involved. Research has shown an increase in reading. 70% of the digital library in nonfiction/30% fiction.

Mrs. Maness reported myON will be an additional program implemented to our system as a partnership with the City of Gadsden. Currently funds are being utilized from The City of Gadsden for before school and after school tutoring programs and also, tutoring programs in the community based housing and The Boys and Girls Club.

Plans are being made to implement myON beginning the first of September.

BOARD ACTION

Minutes Approved

The minutes of the regular meeting of July 12, 2018, were presented to the Board for approval. Mrs. Kelly Cochran made the motion to approve the minutes and motion was seconded by Mrs. Nancy Stewart. The minutes were unanimously approved.

Reaffirmation

Superintendent Reddick recited the reaffirmation certificate for Dr. Wayne Watts who was reappointed to serve on the Gadsden Board of Education from June 1, 2018 through May 20, 2023.

Personnel Action

PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS

Under Alabama law all new employees are subject to a criminal background check, and all

employment recommendations are contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background report.

RESIGNING

Resigning:

Shawanna Roper

b/f

Gadsden City High School

Math Teacher

Effective Date

07/13/2018

David Shane Umphrey

w/m

Gadsden City High School

Science Teacher

07/16/2018

Cecil Chadwick Davis Michelle Price

w/m

Litchfield Middle School

Science Teacher

w/f

Adams Elementary School

5th Grade Elementary Teacher

07/12/2018 07/18/2018

Joel Scott Brackett

w/m

Gadsden City High School

PE/Health Teacher

08/06/2018

Charles Scott Perry

Declined Position: Leslie Gilmer

Transfers: (A-1) Robert Thompson w/m

w/m

Emma Sansom Middle School

Custodian

DECLINED POSITION

w/f

Gadsden City High School

Science Teacher

(PART A) TRANSFERS

From

To

Gadsden City High School Special Education Teacher

Floyd Elementary School Physical Education Teacher

08/07/2018

Effective Date 07/25/2018

Effective Date

08/01/2018 (contingent upon Board approval)

(A-2) Beau Stewart w/m

Floyd Elem. & Adams Elem. Striplin Elem. & Adams Elem. 08/01/2018

P. E. Teacher

P. E. Teacher

(contingent upon Board approval)

(A-3) Kenneth Whitmire w/m Maintenance Department Systemwide HVAC

Gadsden City High School Maintenance Supervisor

08/01/2018 (contingent upon Board approval)

Minutes

August 7, 2018 APPROVED 9/11/18

Name:

(B-1) Alicia Walker

w/f

(B-2) Kyonna Baker

b/f

New Employee:

(C-1) Shayna J. Wheeler

w/f

(C-2) Greta Rogers Swain

b/f

(C-3) Angela M. Gooch

w/f

(C-4) David Tyler Cooper

w/m

(C-5) Krista Ashley

w/f

New Employee:

(C-6) Wesley Tyrone McGhee b/m

(C-7) Ann Margaret Page

w/f

(C-8) Mildred Woody

b/f

(C-9) Marcia Farabee

w/f

(C-10) Janekia Mitchell

b/f

(C-11) Linda Franklin

w/f

(PART B) REEMPLOYMENT

Thompson Elementary School 2nd Grade Teacher

Effective Date

08/01/2018 (contingent upon Board approval)

Emma Sansom Middle School Title I Aide

08/01/2018 thru 09/28/2018 and effective 10/01/2018 thru 5/24/2019, only (contingent upon Board approval)

(PART C) NEW PERSONNEL

Effective Date

Systemwide

08/15/2018

Speech-Language Pathologist

License Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology

Major: Communicative Sci. Disorder

Excellent references

Interviewed by Mrs. Maness, Mrs. Deidra Holland, Dr. Asbury

Thompson Elementary School

08/01/2018

School Counselor

(contingent upon Board approval)

Class AA, School Counselor

Class A, Collaborative Special Education

Majors: School Counselor and Collaborative Special Education

Excellent references

Interviewed by Ms. Maxwell, Dr. Smoots

Gadsden City High School Mathematics Teacher Class B, Secondary 6-12 and 4-8 Major: Mathematics Excellent references Interviewed by Mr. Young, Dr. Asbury

08/01/2018 (contingent upon Board approval)

Gadsden City High School

08/01/2018

Science Teacher

(contingent upon Board approval)

BS, Athletic Training, MS Ed., Higher Ed. Leadership

Majors: Athletic Training, Higher Ed. Leadership

Excellent references

Interviewed by Mr. Young, Dr. Asbury

Gadsden City High School Science Teacher BS: Wildlife Biology Major: Wildlife Biology Excellent references Interviewed by Mr. Young, Dr. Asbury

08/01/2018 (contingent upon Board approval)

(PART C) NEW PERSONNEL

Litchfield Middle School Science Teacher Masters, Biology Major: Biology Excellent references Interviewed by Mr. Charlie Parker

Effective Date

08/01/2018 (contingent upon Board approval)

Gadsden City High School Mathematics Teacher Class B, Mathematics Major: Mathematics Excellent references Interviewed by Mr. Young, Dr. Asbury

08/01/2018 (contingent upon Board approval)

Striplin Elementary School Title I Part-time Teacher (retired teacher) Class A, Elementary and Class B, Early Childhood Majors: Elementary and Early Childhood Excellent references Interviewed by Mr. Ash, Dr. Asbury

08/13/2018 thru 09/28/2018 and effective 10/01/2018 thru 05/24/2019, only

Emma Sansom Middle School Assistant Principal Class A, Educational Administrator Major: Educational Administrator Excellent references Interviewed by Ms. Tiller, Dr. Asbury

08/08/2018

Emma Sansom Middle School Counselor Licensed Professional Counselor Major: Counselor Education Excellent references Interviewed by Ms. Tiller, Dr. Asbury, Dr. Smoots

TBD (contingent upon Board approval)

Adams Elementary School 2nd Grade Teacher Early Childhood Ed. (Georgia Certification) Major: Early Childhood Education Excellent references Interviewed by Mrs. Smitherman, Dr. Asbury

08/01/2018 (contingent upon Board approval) (pending reciprocity with Georgia)

Minutes

August 7, 2018 APPROVED 9/11/18

New Employee:

(C-12) Joan Fellows

(PART C) NEW PERSONNEL

Effective Date

w/f

Systemwide (home school GCHS)

08/01/2018

Special Education Teacher

(contingent upon Board approval)

Class AA, Collaborative Special Ed. Teacher

Major: Collaborative Special Education,

Special Education English Language Arts

Excellent references

Interviewed by Mrs. Maness, Mrs. Deidra Holland, Dr. Asbury

(C-13) Mashanda Kinard

b/f

Emma Sansom Middle School

Science Teacher

Master of Science

Major: Biology

Excellent references

Interviewed by Ms. Tiller, Dr. Asbury

08/06/2018 (contingent upon Board approval)

(C-14) Kamaria DeRamus

b/f

Floyd Elementary School

Title I Intervention Aide

Excellent references

Interviewed by Ms. Chester

08/01/2018 thru 09/28/2018 and effective 10/01/2018 thru 05/24/2019, only (contingent upon Board approval)

(C-15) Anne M. Loranger

w/f

Systemwide (home school GCHS) CNP Worker (floater) Excellent references Interviewed by Mr. Johnnie Parker, Mrs. Inzer

08/13/2018

(C-16) Kristie Mabe

w/f

Central Office/Community Education

Federal Programs/Community Education

Clerical/Data Manager

Excellent references

Interviewed by Mr. Baeza

08/20/2018

GADSDEN CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION ANNEX

COMMUNITY EDUCATION/21ST CENTURY

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

2018-2019

August 6, 2018 through May 23, 2019 (Monday thru Friday ? Elementary Schools & Monday thru Thursday ? Middle & High Schools) (3:00 p.m. ? 5:30 p.m.)

Elementary School Teachers

Elaine Gray

(AES) w/f

Lisa Simpson

(DES) w/f

Elementary School Assistants

Jarious Avery

(EBES) b/m

Nikki Blount

(SES) b/f

Sonya DeRamus

(AES) b/f

Mustafa Enver

(EBES) a/m

Sarah Guthery

(EBES) w/f

Rachael Jacobs

(SES) w/f

Middle School Assistants

Onna Miller

(LMS) b/f

Alexis Slaughter

(ESMS) b/f

Transfer Middle School Assistant

Azaria Collins

(AES) b/f

Approved 7/12/18 for Middle School Assistant

Transfer to Elementary School Assistant

Elementary School Enrichment Leader

Taja Underwood

b/f

Substitutes

Linda Allsup

w/f

Emily Barber

w/f

Malcolm Dailey

b/m

Daryl Douthard

b/m

Bess Griggers

w/f

Diana Hilton

h/f

Valerie Johnson

w/f

Dawn Rains

w/f

Carol Rose

w/f

Guadalupe Zapata

h/f

Heather Crumpton

w/f

Alicia Walker

w/f

ORS FOR ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

AND

VARIOUS COMMUNITY LOCATIONS

(Approximately 2?2.5 hours a day, 2?3 days a week ? starting date 08/20/2018)

Alicia Jones

b/f

Alicia Walker

w/f

Alison Correll

w/f

Annalisa Brewster

b/f

Cindy Garner

w/f

Connie Parkerson

w/f

E. Cady Hardwick

b/f

Ebony Pearson

b/f

Elaine Gray

w/f

Elizabeth Bunton

w/f

Erin Carlton

w/f

Erin Deck

w/f

Janie Browning

w/f

Janis Reaves

w/f

Jennifer Henslee

w/f

Katie Watford

w/f

Kim Back

w/f

Kim Brackett

w/f

Kim Gladden

w/f

Kim Rollins

b/f

Mandisa Perry

b/f

Patrice Mosley

b/f

Minutes

August 7, 2018 APPROVED 9/11/18

Paulette Weaver Shelly Williams Tameka Stephens Tiffany Glover Vachon M. Watts

w/f

Sharon Maudsley Simpson

w/f

b/f

Susan Lowe

w/f

b/f

Terrie Dickson

w/f

b/f

Tricia Gruver

w/f

b/f

Valarie Johnson

w/f

Mrs. Nancy Stewart abstained herself from the vote stating personal conflict. Motion was made by Rev. Z. Andre' Huff and seconded by Mrs. Kelly Cochran to approve the Superintendent's personnel recommendations. The motion was unanimously approved.

FINANCIAL REPORT AND BANK RECONCILIATION

The Superintendent provided copies of the monthly financial report and bank reconciliation for examination by the Board. Mrs. Cory Skelton, CSFO of Gadsden City Schools, presented the financial data and cash balances to the Board based on the reconciled bank statements to the general ledger as of June 30, 2018.

On motion made by Dr. Wayne Watts and seconded by Mrs. Nancy Stewart, the Superintendent's recommendation concerning the June, 2018 Financial Report and Bank Reconciliation was unanimously approved.

INTRODUCTION ITEMS/ INFORMATION ITEMS

Budget Hearing #1, Budget Hearing #2 and Regular Meeting

The Superintendent reminded the Board of the first Budget Hearing scheduled for Thursday, September 6, 2018, at 5:00 P.M. and also of the second Budget Hearing and regular meeting of Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at 5:00 P.M.

Transfers and Withdrawals Policy JBCD

Superintendent Reddick discussed the current policy which states a resident student enrolled in a public school in Gadsden City School System shall not transfer to another school in the system unless his parents or guardian legally relocates in another attendance zone or as dictated by judicial action. Superintendent Reddick stated that in the past there have been cases of hardships that have rendered cause to allow a student to transfer. However it has become an issue of inconvenience rather than hardship in some circumstances. Superintendent Reddick stated he believes it has become a growing concern that transfers are being requested because a parent feels their child will receive a better education at a different school within the system. Mr. Reddick believes all our schools have good teachers and students will receive a quality education at any of our schools. The problem is by allowing some students to transfer to a higher graded school, it can become a detriment to another school. Mr. Reddick stated that if we are going to maintain the current policy, he asked it to be enforced to fidelity. For the current year, a plan has been put in place where the current hardship cases have one year to make arrangements for the student. Mr. Reddick did not ask for any action to be taken, only stated it has become an issue of the requested transfers, and he wanted the board to be aware. After some discussion, President Deb Howard stated the board would review the policy to determine if an amended policy is needed.

Fall District 6 A.A.S.B. Meeting and Fall Conference

The Superintendent reminded the Board of the AASB District 6 Fall Meeting scheduled for Monday, September 17, 2017, at the Classic on Noble in Anniston.

Fall athletic schedules were given to the Board members for all sporting activities in Gadsden City Schools.

Old Business: President Howard ask the each member get a copy of the superintendent's contract and from this point forward legal counsel approves legal contracts before they are submitted.

Rev. Z. Andre' Huff ask if the temperatures can be adjusted on the new HVAC units installed by Schneider. He has received several concerns regarding the uncomfortable classroom settings. Superintendent Reddick replied that he has addressed the concerns and maintenance is trying to accommodate these concerns.

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