Lebanon Special School District

Board of Education Minutes
January 8, 2007

The Lebanon Special School District Board of Education Meeting was called to order by Steve Jones, Board Chair, at 5:00 p.m., in the Director of School’s Office, 701 Coles Ferry Pike.  Board Members, Mr. Joel Thacker and Mr. Mark Tomlinson, and Director of Schools, Dr. Sharon Roberts, were also in attendance.  Tony Clymer led the pledge to the flag.  A moment of silence was observed. 

Dr. Sharon Roberts made one modification to the agenda:  a request to accept a revised agenda with the changes highlighted.  With no other changes noted, the revised agenda was accepted on a motion made by Mark Tomlinson and seconded by Joel Thacker.

Recognition
Dr. Roberts recognized Debbie Vaughn as Lebanon Special School District’s first Nationally Board Certified Teacher and only ESL Nationally Board Certified Teacher in Tennessee.  Ms. Vaughn was presented a plaque as well as a $1200 bonus for completing this certification.  This anticipated honor had been budgeted for in the system’s 06-07 budget.

Dr. Roberts informed the board that January 22-26 is National School Board Week.  Board members should expect to receive recognition from the schools during this time.

Consent Agenda
On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, the minutes from the December 11, 2006, meeting and the personnel updates were approved. Patti Anderson and Mandi Walden were granted leaves.

New Business
Dr. Roberts informed the board of an error made at the County Trustee’s Office resulting in an overpayment of funds to Lebanon Special School District in the amount of $919,802.02.  Dr. Roberts proposed a payment plan to correct this error to the board.  She also stated that this error was discovered by the County during an audit and was determined to be a human error on the part of the Trustee’s Office in the calculation of funds due Lebanon Special School District in the areas of property and sales tax.  Joel Parks P.C., Auditor for Lebanon Special School District, informed the board that Lebanon Special School District is to be commended for staying within their established budget and not spending the excess funds as they arrived from the County.  Mr. Parks recommended more routine visits with the Trustee’s Office to monitor the data as a means to safe guard against a future occurrence of such.  On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, the proposed payment plan was approved.

Joel Parks presented the Annual Audit Report for Lebanon Special School District to the board.  Mr. Parks had no findings for Lebanon Special School District this year.  Pam Jones was commended on a job well done as Finance Director and Dr. Roberts was praised for her leadership during her first year as Director of Schools.  On a motion made by Mark Tomlinson and seconded by Joel Thacker, the Annual Audit Report was accepted and approved.

Donna Shaffer presented Lebanon Special School District’s recommendation for a telecommunication’s contract from BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc.  Although it was the only proposal received, it provides for our needs and includes a 15% discount.  On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, the proposal was approved.

Pat Hughes updated the board on a recent approved RFP in the Transportation Department.  The bids were received and opened on Friday, January 5.  After a brief discussion on each bid, transportation needs, and new EPA standards for buses, Ms. Hughes made a recommendation to the board to accept the bid from Blue Bird and to budget funds in the 2007-2008 school year for purchasing two 78-passenger buses, one Pre-K bus, and one Special Education bus. On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, the recommendation from Ms. Hughes was approved.

Connie Gray updated the board on Project L.U.C.A.S. and requested a budget amendment approval for the funds received from the grant. On a motion made by Mark Tomlinson and seconded by Joel Thacker, the budget amendment was approved.

Tony Clymer discussed the LEAP Grant at Walter J. Baird and requested a budget amendment approval for the funds received from the grant. On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, the budget amendment was approved.

Mr. Scott Benson asked the board for approval of an out-of-state travel request for LEAP Students to go to Mammoth Cave on a field trip in February.  On a motion made by Joel Thacker and seconded by Mark Tomlinson, the request was approved.

Reports/Information
Dr. Roberts reported highlights from the National Staff Development Council Conference in Nashville (December 2006) and informed the board that Lebanon Special School District had several attendees including supervisors, teachers, and administrators.  During the event, TSDC held a benefit for the Books from Birth Program.  A DVD, developed by Donna Shaffer and Penny Thompson, highlighting Lebanon Special School District’s Pre-K Program was shown at the conference and at the benefit.  The board commended them for their work on the project.  

Donna Shaffer shared information about a Microsoft Settlement in Tennessee.  Lebanon Special School District will be given a voucher for $49,299 to purchase Microsoft products for our schools.   Ms. Shaffer plans to share the voucher and related documents to the board once they are received. 

Dr. Roberts informed the board that our monthly attendance data is above the state benchmark of 93% for month four.  She also gave the board a summary of enrollment data for the second semester. 

Dr. Roberts informed the board of the next meeting date, February 12, 2007.  Being no further business, Steve Jones made a motion to adjourn the meeting at approximately 6:15 p.m., and Mark Tomlinson seconded the motion and adjourned the meeting. 

 

Board Chairman		Secretary