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Board Minutes |
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Flora Macdonald Academy Board of Trustees Minutes for the Regular Meeting December 14, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Trustees Present: Scott Canady, Lynn Hendrix, Linda Leggett, Joan McGougan, Tim Parnell, Greg Phelps, Tammy Powers, Fran Ray, Andy Weaver, Richard Wood, Daphne Wynn; Staff Present: Paschal Stewart, Beverly McGoogan Trustees Absent: Shon Pevia
Call to Order: - Tim Parnell -- Invocation: Paschal Stewart
Motion to approve amended agenda: Joan McGougan with second by Linda Leggett. Motion passed. (Booster Club moved after Honeywell Representative’s presentation.)
Motion to approve minutes: Joan McGougan with second by Linda Leggett. Motion passed.
· Honeywell representative, Harvey Urick, presented his company’s Instant Alert for Schools which connects schools and parents. Each student is a “seat” and their parents can be notified of any school news by way of their e-mail, a text to cell phone, etc. A custom profile is developed by each family to be entered into this system . When an emergency or other priority notification arises, Honeywell uses each family’s preferred method of contact to send out one message to all the school’s families. There are unlimited contacts per seat to insure that parents and guardians of students are reached. A school official can voice record the message instead of a computerized voice. Yearly fee would be: under 500 “seats” $5.00 per seat. With FMA at approximately 141 families and 30+/- staff and faculty and the office counting as one “seat”, the fee would cost approximately $870.00 per year. There is no equipment fee. If the yearly cost is paid up-front, then no set up fee would be charged. This system will not automatically dial 9-1-1 unless 9-1-1 was assigned a “seat”.
Booster Club: Richard Wood and Denise Broom · Financial report was discussed. They are currently operating in the black with only one outstanding debt to Cheerwine. All of 2008 debt has been paid and FMA has been reimbursed for a bill that was paid on the behalf of the Booster Club.
PTO: Sharon Caffrey · Only one check has been paid out.
Parent Concerns: · Erika Dellos, parent of 3 FMA students and substitute teacher, was recognized first. She asked if the video camera in the room was filming and if everyone in the room was aware that there was a camera recording the meeting. She pointed out that it is illegal to film conversations without the consent of the involved parties. She continued by stating that some of the students of FMA were being show preferential treatment over the majority of the student body. She also stated that the discipline which was being given was not consistent with FMA Policy. She cited the e-mail from her husband, JT Dellos, as an example of inconsistent discipline for the student body for disrespect and insubordination.
· Brenda Morton, parent of 2 FMA students and third grade teacher, was next to be heard. She passed around a handout of complaints concerning dress and appearance, code of conduct, and NCISAA. (See handout) She addressed these items under the Grievance Procedures as specified in the FMA By Laws and Policies and replies to each should be forthcoming within 5 working days.
· Ann Bell added that she would just like the dress code to be enforced and that there be respect shown to her when she addressed a student.
· Scott Canady stated that there was no uniformity in discipline at FMA.
· Marvin McDonald, parent of 2 FMA students, spoke next. He felt that the direction that FMA is heading was in the wrong direction and that the direction needed to change.
· Ken McDonald, parent of 2 FMA students, spoke. He echoed the statement that the direction of FMA needed to change as it is going in the wrong direction.
· William McGugan, parent of 1 FMA student, showed the school’s mission statement and commented that it never mentions athletics as the main focus of FMA. The statement says college preparatory academics is the main mission of FMA.
· Roger Klingenschmidt, parent of 1 FMA student, was next on the agenda. He spoke to the disrespect of some of the students and that education should not be disrupted by lack of respect. He also expressed concerns over the direction that the school is taking.
· Linda Leggett expressed the idea that each level of the school, (early Elementary, Elementary, Middle School, High School), should be represented at each Board meeting in the event they need to voice concerns other than to the headmaster.
Finance Committee: Andy Weaver (See report) · Gina Whritenour reported for the Search America grants. She had written two grants which were denied with three yet to be determined. One of which is asking for funds to establish a computer lab for the second floor. · Beverly McGoogan stated that Tommy Ammons was preparing taxes and each board member needed to give their Social Security number for the tax report. · Fran Ray reported on behalf of the Red Springs Chamber of Commerce. She stated that the Chamber had awarded 5 Student of Excellence awards and of the 5 awards, 3 were given to FMA students: Laura Hair, Senior Class; Cameron Parnell, Senior Class; and Catherine Opalka, Junior Class.
Headmaster Report: Paschal Stewart · Enrollment at 179 · Gina Whritenour: Proposal for Policy change from elementary teachers. North Carolina State law concerning school admission age limit for elementary school students has changed. FMA needs to adjust its age requirement to reflect the State law change and to ensure that every child is ready to enter Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten.
· (a) As of January 1, 2010, A child who is presented for enrollment at any time during the first 120 days of a school year is entitled to initial entry into Flora Macdonald Academy if: (1) The child reaches or reached the age of 5 on or before October 1st of that school year to attend Kindergarten, the child reaches or reached the age of 4 on or before October 1st of that school year to attend PK4, the child reaches or reached the age of 3 on or before October 1st of that school year to attend PK3. (2) Flora Macdonald Academy requires the parent or guardian of any child presented for admission for the first time to that school to furnish a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate, which shall be furnished by the register of deeds of the county having on file the record of the birth of the child, or other satisfactory evidence of date of birth prior to school admission.
Lynn Hendrix made the motion to adopt this proposal as a policy change with second from Fran Ray. The motion was tabled until the January meeting.
Old Business: · Headmaster Search Committee: Lynn Hendrix At the January meeting of the committee they will “score” each applicant. Then in February the most qualified will be interviewed by the committee and actually be walked through the building and grounds. By the Corporate March meeting, a new headmaster will have been selected with his/her starting date as July 1, 2010.
New Business · A parent has volunteered to donate materials and labor to change the softball field into a baseball field. Tommy Ammons is opposed to such an endeavor. Andy Weaver volunteered to speak with Mr. Ammons. Suggestions to alleviate foul balls, etc. from entering private property: Move soccer field parallel with the road and switch the diamond 180 degrees to be located closer to student parking. · A letter was read to the Board from Mrs. Mary Ann Smith, second grade teacher, endorsing and recommending Mr. Tommy Williams as the headmaster for 2010-11 school year. The letter was also signed by 14 other faculty and staff.
Next BOT meeting January 11, 2010 at 7:00pm.
Motion to enter Executive Session made by Joan McGougan with second by Fran Ray. Motion passed. Motion to exit Executive Session made by Joan McGougan with second by Fran Ray. Motion passed.
· Motion by Andy Weaver with second by Richard Wood that all FMA students are expected to meet all requirements for grades, behavior, cell phones, discipline and dress as spelled out by handbook. Infractions of said policies will be disciplined in a fair and impartial manner. Motion passed.
· Motion by Tim Parnell with second by Scott Canady to establish a minimum standard for athletic participation. The headmaster will enforce. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan K. McGougan, Secretary |