Jan 19th, 2010

Board of Trustees Meeting
January 19, 2010
Minutes

Present: Paige Turner, Robin Gibson, Terrye Howell, Pat Cain, Laurncille Anderson, Chairman David Ullman and Superintendent Jesse Jackson
Not Present: Joyce Otte, Cassandra Denmark,

I. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman David Ullman called the January 19, 2010 Board of Trustees Meeting to order at the Lake Wales Charter Schools Central Office.
II. PLEDGE OF ALEGIANCE

Mr. Kevin Prioleau, a student at Lake Wales High School led the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Ullman called for any additions and/or deletions to the December 14, 2009 Board of Trustees meeting minutes. There being not he called for approval. Motion to approve made by Patrick Cain with second by Terrye Howell. Motion approved.

IV. SCHEDULED PERSON’S ADDRESSING THE BOARD

Tracy Bryant, Community Relations Manager with CEMEX, along with Travis Welman, Gina Register and Gerald Welch thanked the Board for allowing them the opportunity to speak to them. Ms. Bryant noted that CEMEX partnerships with LWCS along with other schools in the community, to provide an outside classroom experience for its students. Bird International, a world-wide conservation group, also partners for this endeavor. They provide a powerful focus for conversation with local groups and sustaining land use. CEMEX along with Bird International uses this platform to inform students of biodegradable, sustainable land, and environmental concerns. At this time Ms. Bryant presented the book “Birds and People, Bonds in a Timeless Journey” by Nigel J. Collar, Adrian J. Long, Patricio Robles Gil and Jaime Rojo to each principal and Superintendent Jackson.
Mr. Ullman thanked Ms. Bryant for her continued commitment to our schools and for the valuable partnership CEMEX provides all the students of the Lake Wales community.
Superintendent Jackson thanked Ms. Bryant for the valuable donation to the LWCS and for their continued partnership.

V. RECOGNITIONS
Chairman Ullman and Superintendent Jackson stepped forward for presentations

A. Third Place Polk County Best in their Position for the 2009 Football Season
Lucas Bennett, Offensive Line – Junior Lake Wales High School
Quentin Floyd, Linebacker – Junior Lake Wales High School

B. Second Place Polk County Best in their Position for the 2009 Football Season
Kevin Prioleau – Linebacker – Junior Lake Wales High School
Colton Davis – Tight End – Junior Lake Wales High School

C. First Place Polk County Best in Their Position for the 2009 Football Season
Quamel Johnson – Defensive Back – Senior Lake Wales High School
Justin Shafer – Quarter Back – Junior Lake Wales High School
Javess Blue – Wide Receiver – Junior Lake Wales High School
Josh Hopkins – Offensive Line – Junior Lake Wales High School
Marvelo Bonani – Kicker – Junior Lake Wales High School

D. Coach of the Year – Polk County 2009 Football Season
Rod Shafer – Lake Wales High School
Mr. Shafer stated that he accepted this honor on behalf of all his assistant coaches who he says does all the work.

E. Octavious Freeman
Ms. Freeman was recognized by Clark Berry, Principal of Lake Wales High School. Ms. Freeman informed the Board and those present that after her competition in last week’s track meet she is now ranked #1 in the World in the 60 meter. Mr. Berry unveiled the poster depicting Ms. Freeman on the cover of ESPN. This is being framed and will hang in the LWHS Gym.

VI. FINANCIAL REPORT
Mr. Fisher asked if there were any further questions or discussions regarding the Financial Report distributed and discussed at the January 19, 2010 Board of Trustees Work Session. There were none.

VII. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

A. LWCS DAYCARE EXPANSION
Superintendent Jackson recommended approval to award the bid for the LWHS Daycare Expansion as distributed and discussed at the January 19, 2010 Board of Trustees Work Session. Recommend Joseph F. Miranda, Inc. with a bid of $66,675.00 with a 2 week completion time. Motion to approve made by Patrick Cain with a second by Paige Turner. Motion passed.

B. PERSONNEL CHANGES
Superintendent Jackson recommended approval of the Personnel Changes as distributed and discussed at the January 19, 2010 Board of Trustees Work Session. Motion to approve made by Patrick Cain with second by Robin Gibson.

C. FUND BALANCE POLICY
Superintendent Jackson recommended approval of the “Fund Balance Policy” as distributed and discussed at the January 19, 2010 Board of Trustees Work Session. Motion to approve by Patrick Cain with second by Robin Gibson. Motion passed.

D. NEXT WORK SESSION AND BOARD MEETING
The February Board of Trustee Work Session and Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at the LWCS Central Office. The Work Session will begin at 3:30 PM and the Board Meeting will begin at 5:00 PM or immediately following Work Session.

VIII. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Ullman thanked Donna Dunson and Anuj Saran for the way they handled the resent sink-hole problems on highway 27. He also thanked Jim Perry, Transportation Manager and the LWCS bus drivers for making the necessary changes to routes without causing any problems with school start or end times. Because of their dedication and willingness to be flexible our students were safe and in school.
Mr. Ullman wished the principals and staff smooth sailing with the upcoming FCAT testing.

IX. TRUSTEES REPORTS
Patrick Cain noted that he had gone to LWHS and had a very pleasant experience. He had the opportunity to speak to teachers who were very positive that we were moving in the right direction. He noted that the students were very well behaved and the hallways were quiet. He spoke to Terri Sebring’s class about competing in the world with those that are attending school year round. Sick/Personal leave days came up when he was visiting and speaking to teachers. He suggested that perhaps better communication is necessary bottom up. He noted that he knew we were getting out a lot of press releases but we all need to provide more communication on the good things that are happening at the high school as well – talk up the successes in the community.
Laurncille Anderson stated that she felt the fund balance policy was a good idea and feels it will be a good for staff moral to see that we are financially solvent.
Robin Gibson informed Trustees and staff that there are many people in town that are really pulling for our success. Some of these people were in school when Lake Wakes had its own Board and system, before going under the Polk County School Board. He went through the history of the Lake Wales school system. Some of the older generations remember what a gem Lake Wales schools were and how they wanted them to become that again. He stated that he did not want to let them down. He thinks we are on the right track and will be successful.
Paige Turner – met with Polk Avenue staff and that was very enjoyable. She noted that she too felt that communication is the key. She stressed her hopes that all the elementary schools will let their children visit or tour Bok. She stated that she continues to sing the praises of LWHS. She was happy to hear of the work that the schools were doing in regard to the AYP issue. She also hoped that the schools would continue to engage parents.
Mr. Jackson noted that the parents who attended the Mentor-to-Graduation luncheon were excited. They especially enjoyed the guest speaker who talked about the need for continued parental involvement through high school. He noted that staffs within aschool are mentors without even knowing it. The teachers that mentor to students are valuable to our system.
Pat Cain stated that teachers teach life one individual at a time. Mr. Cain spoke of the commitment coaches have to their players and the loyalty players have with their coaches because they know that coach cares about them. Because of that commitment they can enforce the necessary discipline. Teachers are the same – they should teach life. John Gruden’s “Building Blocks of Success” is a great way to communicate what the LWCS does.
Donna Dunson spoke of the caliber of the principals, assistant principals and all the staff she gets to work with. She commented that because of them she was proud of the LWCS and knew that the system was on the right track for success in all the schools.

X. OTHER BUSINESS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

There being no further business for the good of the order, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted By:
Sue C. Medders, Corporate Secretary
Board Approved: February 16, 2010