BOARD OF EDUCATION

May Board Meeting 

8 May 2008

The May meeting of the McNairy County School Board began with the presentation, by Education Director Charlie Miskelly, of certificates of recognition to half a dozen seniors at Adamsville and McNairy Central high schools.

“We sort of started a trend last year,” Miskelly said, “of trying to recognize our seniors, graduating, that have scored a 30 or above on the ACT.  We don’t have quantity that we had last year, but we certainly have the quality.  Not quite as many, but again, from where I sit, this is quite an accomplishment for this school district to have as many students as we have that score at this proficiency on the ACT.  So I have asked those students to come tonight.”

“The first person that I have on my list is Aaron Ashe.  Is Aaron here?  [He wasn’t.]  Aaron is a senior at McNairy Central, has a score of 34 on his ACT.  Just to refresh your memory, some of you that don’t deal with that every day, a 36 is a perfect score on the ACT.  But 34 is an outstanding score.

“Next student that we have is, from McNairy Central, Brandon Duff.  I would ask Brandon to come forward just a minute.  Brandon, we certainly, again, want to congratulate you for the efforts that you have shown as a student at McNairy Central High School.  And if you don’t mind, just tell this board a little bit about what your future plans are and where you’re going in life.”

“Upon graduation,” Duff said, “I leave for boot camp in the Marine Corps Reserves.  Then, after I get out of boot camp I’ll register at UT Knoxville.”

“And I apologize, Brandon,” Miskelly added, “I don’t think I recognized your score.  It was a 32.

“Our next person that we would like to recognize is Colton Teague.  Is Colton here?  Colton has a score of 30.  This is a composite score.  Again, just an outstanding score for an outstanding young man.  Colton, congratulations to you, and would you tell us a little bit about maybe some of your plans?”

“Yes, sir,” Teague replied.  “After this summer I hope to attend college this fall, possibly at UT Martin, where I want to major in biology.  From there, I hope to attend med school in Memphis, and I want to specialize in oncology.”

“Fantastic,” Miskelly said.  “Our next student is Alexandria Hamm.  I don’t believe Alexandria is here tonight.  Next, from Adamsville High School, we have Lauren Aristorenas.  Lauren has a ACT composite score of 32, and I can tell you I’ve seen here at a lot of banquets and a lot of things being recognized as an all-around student and we certainly congratulate and commend you.”

“Thank you,” Aristorenas replied.  “I am going to attend the University of Notre Dame this fall, and I’m going to major in business and then, after I graduate, go to graduate school.”

“Our next one,” Miskelly continued, “from Adamsville High School, is Lacy Hampton,” who was not present.  

“Again,” Miskelly summed up, “I can’t stress to you how outstanding that score is that they have completed on the American College Test, and they have represented McNairy County and the school system well, and I know they will continue to do that.  So, again, we applaud you for your efforts and thank you for being here tonight, and we just wanted to recognize you because it is an outstanding honor and we appreciate what you’ve done in high school.”

* * * 

And with that board chairman Frank Lacey proceeded with the regular agenda.  “Item number three [numbers one and two were the “call to order” and Miskelly’s presentations] is our certified personnel report.  Item four is the classified personnel report.”

At this point board member Johnny Blakely spoke up.  Item C in the classified personnel report referred to the employment of Mandy Blakely as assistant bookkeeper, and Blakely told the board that “Mandy Blakely, in full disclosure, is my daughter-in-law.  She holds an accounting degree from the University of North Alabama.  She’s been working in the Corinth High School in the accounting department for five years.”

“In regard to that,” board member Larry Smith asked, “did we as a board, did we vote to establish that position yet?”

“No, we have not,” Miskelly responded sharply.  “We talked about it, and I asked you for your recommendations and support, and told you that I was going to pursue that, and you did not say a word.”

“You indicated we were going to do that,” Smith said.  “I don’t see it until the next budget year, is the way I understood it.”

“It is,” Miskelly replied.

“But the board,” Smith began, then he started over.  “What’s the salary going to be?

“Well, we’re working on that,” Miskelly responded.  “Mrs. Blakely has indicated that she probably prefers to work part-time.  She has a degree from the University of North Alabama, has five years of experience, and probably is going to be somewhere in the range of $18,000.  Eighteen to twenty.”

“Did we advertise the position?” Smith asked.

“We typically don’t advertise those positions,” Miskelly replied, “except word of mouth and for what we’ve done.”

“Why would you not?” Smith persisted.  “You know, I’ve had some people ask me about it, who were interested—”

“And I’ve had several applications for that,” Miskelly said, “and I’ve talked with several people.”

“You know,” Smith persisted, “we talked about this position for twelve years, that I know of—”

“You’re exactly right,” Miskelly interrupted.

“I agree that we need the position,” Smith said.  “I’m not saying that.  But, you know, I think something, a position of that significance—I’m not saying anything about the lady, don’t know her—but I would certainly like to have seen it advertised, and—”

“Did you express that, that night?” Miskelly interrupted.

“Well,” Smith responded, “I assumed that it would be advertised—”

“Did you express that, that night?” Miskelly petulantly interrupted again.

“We didn’t have a vote on it, Mr. Miskelly,” Smith replied.  “We just voted to establish the position.”

Miskelly demanded, “I asked that night, did I not?*  I said, I am asking—”

Smith continued to press for an answer. “Why would you not advertise it the same as you would any other position—”

“We don’t,” Miskelly interrupted, his voice rising, “I don’t ever advertise for a—"

Smith interrupted in turn. “A position of that significance, you don’t advertise?”

“No sir, I don’t,” Miskelly replied.

“Well,” Smith said, “I think you should develop a policy in regard to that.”

“Then I’ll take your input,” Miskelly said, somewhat ambiguously.

“You’ll work on one?” Smith persisted.

“Okay,” Miskelly said, dismissively, before repeating, “We had several quality applicants, and talked to several.”

* * * 

Lacey brought the tense exchange to an end by calling for a motion to approve the consent agenda.  The motion was provided by Tony Chapman, seconded by Blakely, and passed by a unanimous voice vote, as did a motion (made by Jean Jones and seconded by Lynn Baker) to approve the list of teachers recommended for tenure.

The next agenda item was the 2008-2009 Federal Projects Consolidated Application.  Miskelly explained that “this is our, what we call our consolidated plan for our federal dollars and for the title programs and where they will go. There’s people that have worked on this.  You see those names on the front of that sheet, there.  It’s allocating dollars for each school, and how they will be appropriated.  It’s a consolidated effort.  There’s not one person or one school.  Dr. Marti Thweatt is the one that heads that up, and they have done a very outstanding job, in my opinion, to submit that consolidated plan, and I submit it to you for your approval.”

And approved it was, by a unanimous voice vote on a motion by Chapman, seconded by Jones.

“Now, item C,” Lacey continued, “Policy Changes, second reading.  Separation Practices for Tenured Teachers.  Separation Practices for Non-Tenured Teachers.  Separation Practices for Non-Certified Employees.  Military Leave.  Director of Schools Recruitment and Selection.  Any discussion on these?  If not, I’ll entertain a motion.”

The motion was provided by Smith, seconded by Jones, and passed by a unanimous voice vote.

Turning then to “Custodial Supplies Bids for 2008-2009,” after a short discussion the board voted unanimously (on a motion by Smith, seconded by Baker) to “approve the low bid on each individual item, regardless of vendor.

The next item was “Garbage Pick-Up Bid for 2008-2009.”  Only one bid having been submitted, the board approved it unanimously on a motion by Smith, seconded by Jones.

Lacey then asked for a motion to table the next agenda item (6.F.  Ask County Commission to Call for a Referendum on the 1/2 Cent Sales Tax) “because I was under the understanding we were going to have a meeting with the budget committee.”  The motion, made by Chapman and seconded by Jones, passed unanimously.

* * * 

Lacey then turned to Miskelly for the director of schools reports.

“7A is your revenue report,” Miskelly began.  “I think you’ll find it in pretty good shape.  I have spent a good deal of time over the last few days working on the budget for next year, and should have that, maybe, for a presentation in the next week or so.  So if some time somebody wants to meet and discuss and look at the budget and talk about some of the items that we’ve talked about, and we’ll certainly entertain that thought.  7B is your school financial reports.  7C is your nutrition report.  A couple of items that I apologize for.  [These are items which had not been included on the printed agenda.]  Nobody’s fault but mine.  One thing I’m going to ask you to do, or entertain, is that Ms. Walters has submitted a list [of items to be declared surplus], and also I’m adding to that list a 3000 Ford tractor at Adamsville High School.  I’m asking you to declare those as surplus, and for us to take sealed bids on those things, because, in my opinion, I think we could gain a lot more than just selling them at auction as we generally do in June, of surplus items, and I think these items would benefit the schools and the school system to take sealed bids on these things….  My request is that you declare those as surplus items.”

Responding to a question from Chapman, Miskelly said that the system could reject any bid that it thought was too low, and the items were unanimously declared surplus on a motion by Smith, seconded by Jones.

Miskelly continued.  “The other thing that I would like your approval of is the Selmer Dixie Youth approached, just in the last few days, about adding a canopy—did each one of you get a picture and copy of that?—at the ball field down at the city park.  You see a picture, I think it’s twenty-four by thirty-six, pavilion, I guess you’d call it.  They have described it, their purpose, the location, and who is going to be paying for it.  I just told them that the school system owned that property, and it would be in best interest if you approved them building that.”

“It’s going to take up part of the parking lot?” Chapman asked.

“No, it’s at the side.  You remember, last year we gave them permission to build that field three for the four-year-olds, and I’ve heard a lot of positive comments from that.  That’s one of the biggest jobs they’ve had.  I think, you know, the concern is, they just don’t have anything to get under on hot days, or rainy days, or anything between games, or whatever.  So, like I said, they approached me and I told them that if they’d draw it up and submit it I would ask you for your approval.”

Chapman made a motion to approve the request, which was seconded by Jones and passed by a unanimous voice vote. 

After a brief mention of the graduation schedule, Miskelly asked, “Does anybody have questions of me?”

Smith did.  “These building additions that we were talking about.  Where are we at on those?”

“Michie school has a concrete pad poured,” Miskelly replied.  “Bethel school, talked to Jeff Vaughn, in fact I talked, he came by about six o’clock.  He was on his way to Savannah.  He said he had been to Bethel today to measure and get a more accurate description of some things, developing the plans for those.  And still some discussion about Ramer.  And that’s where we are.”

Lacey then reminded the board members to turn in their evaluations of the director of schools by the 15th.  “We will have a review of that with Mr. Redmon at the June 12 meeting.”

Then, returning to the referendum item which was tabled earlier in the meeting, Lacey said, “I also would like to, I guess we need to set a meeting date, with this board and the county mayor and the budget committee, and if you wouldn’t mind, Mr. Miskelly, if you will get with the county mayor and the chairman of the committee and y’all come up with a good time that we can meet about this thing we tabled.”

Miskelly agreed to do so, and shortly thereafter Smith asked, “Are we going to meet again on the budget?”

Lacey replied, “If y’all would like to meet again on the budget, we can set that date in conjunction with the county mayor and the budget committee.  That will be fine.  We’ll just allocate a little more time for us to go over that.  Any other comments?”

“Yeah,” Smith responded. “I have another request.  If we’re going to have something like Mr. Petty, the principal, I’d like to know about it.  [Rusty Petty was named principal of Ramer School the previous week and was pictured in the Independent Appeal with Miskelly and Johnny Blakely]  I don’t know about the rest of the board, but I’d like to know about it myself.  Have the opportunity to attend, and what not, when something like that’s going on….  I’d like to know before I read it in the paper—”

“Well,” Miskelly said, huffily, “in response to that, if you’re referring to me, I didn’t set the thing for Mr. Petty at Ramer School.  The faculty set that.  In fact, they invited me.”

“I’m just making a statement of fact,” Smith said.  “I’d like to know—”

Miskelly interrupted Smith abruptly: “I’m making a statement of fact to tell you that I didn’t set it.”

“I didn’t say you did,” Smith responded, accurately.

“I’m just telling you,” Miskelly said defiantly to Smith (who, with his fellow board members, will be submitting evaluations of the director of schools by June 15).

Lacey said,“Let’s be sure that our principals know that we, and have our phone numbers and email addresses, and maybe we can get a better system of communication.”

“Most of us have faxes and different things like that—” Smith began, only to be interrupted by Lacey.

“If you’ll let me finish.  And then maybe we can try to get our communication lines established more efficiently.  I do think it’s important that we are communicated with, but I think there’s a responsibility on both ends, and if they don’t have them, maybe we should make sure that they do have them.  If we don’t have an email address or a phone, I guess we need to tell them the best way to get in touch with us.”

* * * 

Lacey then ended the discussion.  “Any other board member?  Anyone in the audience?  Yes, sir?  Could you step forward, and if you don’t mind, state your name?”

Kevin Lott identified himself and then asked, “Will this be the only vote on tenure of teachers?”

“I guess,” Lacey replied.  “Until next year.”

“Until next year?” Lott repeated.  “Could I find out who recommends teachers for tenure?”

“I believe it’s the time served, and the principals?” Lacey said, looking at Miskelly for confirmation.

Miskelly said, “Principals recommend to the director of schools, director of schools recommends to the board.”

“My wife,” Lott continued, “she started at Adamsville three years, this is her second completed year at Selmer Middle School, and her name was not on the ballot [referring to the list of teachers who had been approved for tenure earlier in the meeting].  I didn’t know if that was the reason, that she changed schools, but she’s not on there?”

“It wasn’t on there,” Miskelly confirmed, shortly.

“What I would recommend is,” Lacey suggested, “when you have time, come up and visit with the director of schools, and he can—”

As Lacey was speaking Heather Lott came up beside her husband and said to Lacey,  “I didn’t hear what you’re saying.”

“What I would recommend is,” Lacey repeaded, “when you have time come up and talk to the director of schools, and he can explain how the decisions are made, or what’s made, the way tenure is recommended is the principals at the schools make recommendations to him, and then he in turn makes it to us.  If it wasn’t made, you can present it to him and he can give you—”

Mrs. Lott asked, “But it just means I don’t get tenure, is all that means?  Called out tonight?”

Miskelly responded. “The only thing I would say is that, I’m not correcting Mr. Lacey, the principals can make recommendations for tenure.  They could do it at any other time.  Typically it is done tonight.”

“So I can still get tenure?” Mrs. Lott asked.

“Well, there would be a possibility,” Miskelly replied in a tone that lacked encouragement.  “Have you had a conversation— I’m sorry.”

Lott said, “Well, her last conversation was this afternoon,” then he asked, “Is it solely up to the principal?”

Miskelly repeated, “It’s up to the principal to recommend to me, who recommends to the board.”

“Thank you,” Lott said, and then his wife asked, “What do I need to do to—”

Miskelly replied, “One thing I would suggest is that you have a conversation with your principal.”

Mrs. Lott asked, “And there’s paperwork that needs to be filled out by him, or is it word of mouth kind of thing, that—”

Miskelly interrupted. “There’s evaluations that have been done on you.”

“All my evaluations have been positive—” Mrs. Lott began, only to be interrupted again by Miskelly.

“I’m not going to discuss that,” the director of schools said.  “I’m just going to say, you asked about paperwork, evaluations have been done.”

“But besides that,” Mrs. Lott persisted, “I’m talking about for the tenure—”

“Recommendations,” her husband interjected.

“—recommendations—” Mrs. Lott said, only to be interrupted one last time by the impatient director of schools.

“Recommendations come from the principal, to me, to this board of education,” Miskelly repeated.

“But there’s nothing I need to do, paperwork and such?” Mrs. Lott asked.