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School Board Regular Session - Oct. 14, 2010
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Bulloch County Board of Education
Minutes of Regular Session Board Meeting
October 14, 2010

The Bulloch County Board of Education met in a Regular Session Meeting on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Central Office. Board members present were as follows: Edwin Hill, Kenny Stone, David Ball, Maurice Hill, Mike Herndon and Vernon Littles. Superintendent Lewis Holloway, Assistant Superintendents Charles Wilson, Kevin Judy, Craig Liggett, Fran Stephens, Jody Woodrum, and Marc Bruce Board Attorney were also present. Scott Bohlke and Susan Riley were absent.

Upon motion by Vernon Littles, and second by Maurice Hill, the meeting was called to order. (6:0)

Upon motion by Mike Herndon, and second by Kenny Stone, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with the addition of item three under old business Adoption of the Bond Resolution, Intercept Resolution, and Tax-Levy Resolution for approval of the Issuance of the Series 2010 Bonds. (6:0)

Vernon Littles led the Moment of Silence and Pledge of Allegiance.

During the Superintendent's Report Dr. Holloway called upon Lee Anna Deal, Bulloch County Extension Agent and several 4-H members who hosted a reception prior to the meeting for the Board, school administrators and 4-H students and their families in celebration of Georgia 4-H Week. In keeping with the statewide "I Am Georgia 4-H" campaign to promote the program's benefits, eight students gave brief testimonies on what 4-H means to them. Cindy Saxon, an employee of Ag South Farm Credit and a Bulloch County 4-H alumnae, and Becky Petkewich a fifth-grade teacher at Brooklet Elementary also spoke in support of 4-H's academic and leadership benefits for students. More than 1,450 students in Bulloch County are enrolled in 4-H.

Also, Statesboro High School Science Teacher Richard McCombs introduced one of his students, Supriya Immaneni, who shared with the Board about her current biology research project with Georgia Southern University Biology Professor Dr. Quentin Q. Fang. The project centers around the collection of area tick samples from which Immaneni will extract DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques to detect whether the ticks carry Q fever. PCR is a method for exponentially amplifying a fragment of DNA in vitro. Q fever can be a tick-borne disease that affects humans and other animals. It is considered to be one of the most infectious diseases in the world. Superintendent Holloway commended McCombs and Immaneni and commented to the Board that Immaneni's research is an excellent example of the academic caliber and potential of our students.

There was no public participation.

After review and recommendation by the Superintendent, upon motion by Edwin Hill, and second by Kenny Stone, the Board unanimously approved the ratification of the Emergency Situation Regarding Asbestos Removal at MLES by having Bilmar handle the removal for $15,531 rather than Choate for 50,187 saving the system $34,656. (6:0)

After review and recommendation by the Superintendent, upon motion by Mike Herndon, and second by Maurice Hill, the Board unanimously approved bid alternate two for Mattie Lively Elementary to allow the alarm system to be upgraded to the Notifier System so that it is consistent with the alarm systems in our other schools. The original cost of the alternate was 56,308 but has been adjusted to 38,047. (6:0)

After review and recommendation by the Superintendent, upon motion by Kenny Stone to approve as submitted, and second by Edwin Hill, the Board voted unanimously after explanation from Representatives of the Board's bond counsel, Gray & Pannell, LLP of Savannah, who discussed the issuance of the bonds with the Board. The bond's original principal was reduced to $13,705,000 due to the Board's approval of a $12,496,378 construction bid from Choate Construction of Pooler for MLES's construction. (6:0) It has been the District's practice to issue bonds for construction and use Education Special Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) collections to retire the debt of those bonds. The authority for the current bond sale comes from the ESPLOST III that voters approved in 2009, to run 2014 - 2018 with a projected bonding capacity of $45 - $55 million. The bonds will mature 2017 - 2019.

After review and recommendation by the Superintendent, following an update on the August 31, 2010 Financial Report and upon motion by Mike Herndon, and second by Maurice Hill, the Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda that consisted of the following: Fundraising Events for LCMS; PMHS; WJMS and SEBH; Surplus Property Lot #223 LSEB, Lot #224 SHS, Lot #225 CO, Lot #226 BES, and Lot # 227 SES; Southern Basketball Officials Association Agreements with all Middle and High Schools; Board Minutes of the September 9, 2010 Regular Session; August 31, 2010 Financial Report, and the September 2010 Board Member Payroll. (6:0)

After review and recommendation by the Superintendent, upon motion by Edwin Hill, and second by Vernon Littles, Mike Herndon was selected to serve as the District's Georgia School Board's Association Legislative Liaison Representative and Maurice Hill as the alternate. (6:0)

After review and recommendation by the Superintendent, upon motion by Kenny Stone, and second by Mike Herndon, the Board unanimously approved the Playground Equipment bid for JPBES of by Dominica Recreation Products (DRP), which represents GameTime, in the amount of $45,585.97 for the Playground equipment installation at Julia P. Bryant Elementary School. (6:0)

After review and recommendation by the Superintendent, upon motion by Kenny Stone, and second by Edwin Hill, the Board unanimously approved a request from the Superintendent to dissolve the system's agreement for artistic services from Studio 84 due to failure to comply with approved deadlines and work inaccuracies. Studio 84 had been handling the educational artistic display pieces at the new Julia P. Bryant Elementary School. (6:0)

After review and recommendation by the Superintendent, upon motion by Maurice Hill, and second by Vernon Littles, the Board unanimously approved the agreement of SEBHS Principal Trey Robertson and Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Charles Wilson met with Josten's Yearbook representatives to discuss the $15,266 balance on the school's account resulting from excess yearbooks ordered by the school's previous administrator. Jostens has agreed to write off this balance through the form of a grant. (6:0)

After review and recommendation by the Superintendent, upon motion by Mike Herndon, and second by Vernon Littles, the Board unanimously approved the bid by Vickery Farms of Statesboro, Georgia in the amount of $23,296 for the Nevils Elementary School landscape project. (6:0)

Dr. Holloway informed the Board that the William James Middle School parent and bus drop off areas would swap places beginning Monday, October 24. In the mornings, parents will drop students off in the larger bus area and buses would use the smaller area at the front of the school. The afternoons will be the same as they have been with the buses using the larger area and the cars using the area in front of the school. Notification will be sent home with students and staff will assist with informing parents in the car line.

After review and recommendation by the Superintendent, upon motion by Maurice Hill, and second by Mike Herndon, the Board unanimously voted to place policies IFCB - Field Trips and Excursions, and JCDAG - Bullying on the table. (6:0)

Upon motion by Maurice Hill, and second by Kenny Stone, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session to discuss the future acquisition of real estate: (O.C.G.A. 50-14-3-(4)); 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, (O.C.G.A. 50-14-3(6)); and to consult and meet with legal counsel pertaining to pending or potential litigation, settlement, claims, administrative proceedings, or other judicial actions brought or to be brought by or against the school district or an officer or employee or in which the officer or employee may be directly involved; (O.C.G.A. 50-14-2). Board Members present at the time of executive session were as follows: David Ball, Kenny Stone, Edwin Hill, Maurice Hill, Vernon Littles and Board Attorney Marc Bruce. (6:0)

Upon motion by Maurice Hill, and second by Kenny Stone, the Board unanimously voted to return to open session. Board members present at the time of the return to open session were as follows: David Ball, Kenny Stone, Edwin Hill, Maurice Hill, and Vernon Littles. (6:0)

After review and recommendation by the Superintendent, upon motion by Maurice Hill, and second by Vernon Littles, the Board unanimously approved the Personnel Recommendations which are made a part of these minutes by reference. (Classified employees are employed at the will of the Board; certified employees are employed contingent upon the receipt of criminal background checks satisfactory to the Superintendent and Board.) (6:0)

There being no further business, upon motion by Kenny Stone, and second by Maurice Hill, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting. (6:0)

 

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