February 7, 2008

The Oneida Special School District Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, February 7, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Oneida Special School District Board of Education Conference Room. The following members were present: Dr. Danny Cross, Mrs. Dorothy Watson, Mrs. Lori Phillips-Jones, Student Representative Darien Foster and Chairperson Nancy Williamson. Mr. Henry Baggett and Lori Marcum were also present.

Chairperson Williamson called the meeting to order. Dr. Cross opened with prayer.

Chairperson Williamson recognized two students from Oneida Middle School. Dryden Nelson received an award for being the district’s spelling bee winner. He will be representing the Oneida Schools on March 8 at the University of Tennessee for the state competition. Cheyanne Leonardo received an award for winning the Maxwell Sexton Oratorical Speech Contest. Cheyanne then presented her speech for those in attendance.

Chairperson Williamson presented the board agenda for approval with the addition of Item IV,10, Tennessee Technology Center proposal. Dr. Cross made a motion, with a second by Mrs. Watson, to approve the board agenda with the addition. Vote was taken and motion carried.

Chairperson Williamson then presented the consent agenda for board approval. Mrs. Phillips-Jones made a motion, with a second by Mrs. Watson, to approve the consent agenda as follows. Vote was taken and motion carried.

Consent Agenda :

1. Approval of board minutes from the December 6, 2007 meeting.

2. Approval of board minutes from the November 1, 2007 meeting.

3. Quarterly Report of Revenues and Expenditures for the quarter ending December 31, 2007.

Chairperson Williamson recognized Mr. Tim Smith from the Tennessee Technology Center. Mr. Smith opened with thanking Mr. May, Mrs. West, Ms. Payne and the special education teachers for allowing the technology center staff to participate in the IEP meetings of their students this year. This has been a great asset to the center in seeing how to better meet the student’s needs. Mr. Smith discussed the new Apprentice Program at the Technology Center. This program will allow a student who meets specific criteria to participate in an apprentice program in their field of study for two days per week during their second semester. Secondly, Mr. Smith discussed Project BRIMS (Barrier Removal in Middle School). This program targets at risk 6^th -8^th grade students with the goal of removing barriers that will prevent them from finishing their secondary and post-secondary education. The program will be a cooperative effort between the Technology Center, Oneida Schools, Scott County Schools, Scott County Juvenile Court System and Families First. The program offers a technology camp for the at-risk students. Mr. Smith asked for participation from the district in both programs. Dr. Cross made a motion, with a second from Mrs. Phillips-Jones, to approve the Oneida schools participation in both programs. Vote was taken and motion carried.

Chairperson Williamson then presented executive committee decisions for board approval. Mrs. Phillips-Jones made a motion, with a second by Dr. Cross, to approve the following executive decisions. Vote was taken and motion carried.

Executive Committee Decisions:

a. OHS French (K. Obrusanszki): Donut Sales

b. OHS ROTC (Tindall): Sell Jewelry

c. OHS Prom (S. Martin): Donut Sales

d. OES PTO (S. Crabtree): Hot Cocoa Sales

e. ENA Contract: Internet Access

Chairperson Williamson then presented the proposed 2008-2009 school calendar and the 2009-2010 school calendar. Mr. Baggett stated that these calendars were created by the calendar committee. The calendars were then sent out to every staff member to vote for their preference. The calendars will be posted on the district web page and we would like public input. The calendars will then be brought back to the board in the March meeting.

Chairperson Williamson then presented a request to advertise for janitorial bids. Dr. Cross made a motion, with a second by Mrs. Watson, to approve the district to advertise for janitorial bids. Vote was taken and motion carried.

Chairperson Williamson then presented extended leave requests from Mrs. Jessica Newport and Mrs. Jennifer Lloyd for board approval. Mrs. Watson made a motion, with a second by Mrs. Phillips-Jones, to approve the leave requests. Vote was taken and motion carried.

Chairperson Williamson then presented fundraiser requests for board approval. Dr. Cross made a motion, with a second by Mrs. Phillips-Jones, to approve the following fundraiser requests. Vote was taken and motion carried.

Fundraiser Requests:

a. OES Science Club (D. Tompkins): Hat Days

b. OMS Softball (K. Reed): School T-Shirts

c. OMS Softball (K. Reed): Father/Daughter Valentine Dance

Chairperson Williamson then presented a field trip request from Ms. Jodie Wright for her special education class trip to Pigeon Forge, May 6-8, 2008. Mrs. Watson made a motion, with a second by Dr. Cross, to approve the field trip request. Vote was taken and motion carried.

Chairperson Williamson then presented a letter of retirement from Mrs. Brenda Sexton. Mrs. Phillips-Jones made a motion, with a second by Mrs. Watson, to approve the letter of retirement. Vote was taken and motion carried.

Chairperson Williamson then presented a proposal from Upland Design for board consideration. The proposal was for air conditioning for the OHS/OMS gymnasium. After a brief discussion, Mrs. Phillips-Jones made a motion, with a second by Dr. Cross, to approve the proposal from Upland Design. Vote was taken and motion carried.

With no other business to be brought before the board, Chairperson Williamson recognized Mr. Baggett for the Superintendent’s Report.

1. Substitutes:

A. Amanda Terry

B. Jennifer Walker

C. April Lowe

2. Appointments:

A. Buck Posey: OHS Custodian

Chairperson Williamson then recognized each building principal for a Principal’s Report.

Chairperson Williamson recognized Ms. Cheryl Butler, Oneida Middle School Principal.

1. OMS has had a very busy week. The writing assessment was given today to all OMS students. The social studies fair was today with several presenters and activities.

2. Progress reports and newsletters were mailed today. Please call if you have any questions or if you did not receive the mailings.

3. The 8^th grade ACT Explore results are in and the students did very well.

4. OMS is getting ready for TCAPS.

5. Read Across America week will be in March, additional information is in the newsletter.

6. There will be a Math Fair in March and CSI week will be in May.

7. The OMS basketball season has concluded and all teams did very well. Boys’ soccer is currently practicing and conditioning.

8. This is the first year for OMS baseball and softball teams. The schedules will be out soon.

9. Four year plan information will be coming out soon. There are new high school graduation requirements and those are discussed in the newsletter. Information is available online or in the middle school office.

10. Abraham Lincoln (Mr. Dennis Boggs) was at OMS today for the social studies fair.

Chairperson Williamson recognized Mr. Jimmy May, Oneida High School Principal.

1. The writing assessment was given today to OHS 11^th graders.

2. Progress reports will go out tomorrow, Friday February 8.

3. January-February newsletters have gone out.

4. The OHS Top Ten will be in next week’s newspaper.

5. OHS basketball is winding down with the district tournament beginning next week at Wartburg. The regional tournament will also be held at Wartburg.

Mrs. Phillips-Jones stated that the OHS special education class is taking donations for their class trip if anyone would like to contribute.

Chairperson Williamson stated that the Governor’s School at TSD is now taking applications.

With no further business to come before the board, Mrs. Watson made a motion, with a second by Dr. Cross, to adjourn.

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Dr. Nancy Williamson

Chairperson of the Board

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S. Henry Baggett

Director of Schools