March 2011 Board Minutes

REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
March 7, 2011

The Putnam City Schools Board of Education of Independent School District No. One of Oklahoma County, State of Oklahoma, met in regular session Monday, March 7, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board room at the Administration Building, 5401 NW 40th, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The agenda and meeting notice were posted on Friday, March 4, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. in accordance with 25 O.S. § 311.

Members present: Mark Bledsoe, president; Becky Haliburton, vice-president; Gail LoPresto, Tammy West and Cindy Gibbs, members; Superintendent Paul Hurst; Debbra Baldwin, clerk; and others.

ITEM #1 - INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE, MOMENT OF SILENCE, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – BARBARA GABEL, FINE ARTS SPECIALIST.

Barbara Gabel gave the Inspirational Message and Pledge of Allegiance.

ITEM #2 – PERFORMANCE BY PUTNAM CITY HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC AND DRAMA STUDENTS AND READING OF THE PROCLAMATION DECLARING MARCH YOUTH ARTS MONTH.

Rebecca Upshaw and T. R. Rathjen from Putnam City High School introduced drama and music students; Amber Arenas, Margaret Bourlon, Mahlia Bridges, Alaina Chai, Leslie Coffman, Kayla Flescher, Aubrey Peppers and Anna Tran, who performed “It’s A Hard Knock Life” from the musical Annie. The musical can be seen March 25th and 26th at 7:00 p.m. at Putnam City High School.

During Youth Arts Month, Barbara Gabel said Putnam City student artwork is displayed in various places including the Administration West Conference Room, the State Capital and the downtown library. The theme of this year’s art exhibits is Arts Enfolding Natural Wonders.

Daniel Rangel, a 5th grade student at Arbor Grove Elementary, donated a piece of his art to the Putnam City District. Barbara Gabel presented Daniel with a trophy.

Visual Arts Chair Jason Memoli presented the proclamation Declaring March Youth Arts Month for Board approval.

ITEM #3 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROCLAMATION DECLARING MARCH YOUTH ARTS MONTH IN PUTNAM CITY SCHOOLS.

Tammy West made a motion to approve the proclamation declaring March Youth Arts Month in Putnam City Schools. Gail LoPresto seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

ITEM #4– INFORMATION AND STAFF REPORTS:

 NEW DISTRICT WEBSITE – STEVE LINDLEY, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Steve Lindley gave a presentation on the new and improved Putnam City School District website. Not only will the look be whiter, brighter, and less cluttered, it will have more secure features.

ITEM #5 – PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

There was no public participation.

ITEM #6 – CONSENT AGENDA: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS, WHICH CONCERN REPORTS AND ITEMS OF A ROUTINE NATURE NORMALLY APPROVED AT BOARD MEETINGS, WILL BE APPROVED BY ONE VOTE UNLESS ANY BOARD MEMBER DESIRES TO HAVE A SEPARATE VOTE ON ANY OR ALL OF THESE ITEMS. THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTS OF THE DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION, AND APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

a. Minutes for regular board meeting February 22, 2011.
b. Financial report and bimonthly bills for beginning purchase order
numbers 105181134 through 109700092 for February 15 through
March 1, 2011 inclusive for the 2010-2011 school year.
c. Purchase order number 109888-075 to Chance to Change for
student assistance program. ($3,000 from 075)
d. School Activity Fund Transfer List including Cooper Middle School,
Putnam City High School, Putnam City North and Putnam City West.
e. Cash Summary for January 2011.
f. Obsolete and/or Surplus Items.
g. Elementary and Secondary Fundraisers.

Elementary and Secondary Fund Raisers
School Date Proposed Activity Fund Money Used For Estimated Profit/Deposit
Apollo April Spring Pictures Pictures Teaching resources, field trips, supplies and student materials $1,000.00
Arbor Grove April Book Fair Media Center Books for classrooms $600.00
Dennis April – May Sale of Yearbooks Yearbook Curriculum, student awards and incentives, teacher/office supplies and equipment, etc. $500.00
Downs March - April April Fool’s Grams
(joke with a laffy taffy) Special Ed. Special Olympics or Special Ed. class activities and supplies
$500.00
Harvest Hills April Book Fair Media Center Purchase of books, promotional materials, media luncheons, conferences and travel $2,200.00
Hilldale April “End of Year SockHop”
during Specials periods General School supplies, teaching materials and incentives $500.00
Lake Park March All School Skate Parties General 5th grade end of year activity $500.00
Will Rogers March Jump Rope for Heart / Hoops for Heart P.E. P.E. equipment $300.00
Putnam City North March Outside donations for Heisman Week SUN Make A Wish $1,000.00
Putnam City North March Raffle items for
Heisman Week SUN Make A Wish $300.00

h. Overnight Travel Requests.
i. Out of state trips:
1. Putnam City West High School Business Professionals of America
to Washington D.C., May 3-8, 2011.
2. Putnam City North Soccer students to Southern Invitational Soccer
Challenge in Huntsville, Alabama, March 24-27, 2011.
3. Putnam City North Tennis students to tournament in Galveston, Texas,
March 25-26, 2011.
4. Putnam City North DECA students to Orlando, Florida, April 30
through May 4, 2011.
j. Retirements and resignations as listed on Attachment A.

Gail LoPresto made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Cindy Gibbs seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

ITEM #7 - CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON RECOMMENDATION OF EMPLOYMENT OF NEW PERSONNEL AS LISTED ON ATTACHMENT A.

Becky Haliburton made a motion to approve employment of new personnel as listed on Attachment A. Tammy West seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

ITEM #8 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED CONTRACT FOR 2010-2011 WITH THE BUREAU OF PROFESSIONAL SECURITY.

Gail LoPresto made a motion to approve the amended contract for 2010-2011 with the Bureau of Professional Security. Becky Haliburton seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

ITEM #9 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE THE LOWEST/BEST BID FROM UNITED ENGINES FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A WEBASCO THERMO TOP C COOLANT HEATER. ($75,000 FROM DEQ GRANT)

Tammy West made a motion to approve the lowest/best bid from United Engines for the installation of a Webasco Thermo Top C Coolant Heater. Cindy Gibbs seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

ITEM #10 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER TO UNITED ENGINES FOR WEBASCO THERMO TOP C COOLANT HEATER. ($75,000 FROM DEQ GRANT)

Gail LoPresto made a motion to approve purchase order to United Engines for Webasco Thermo Top C Coolant Heater. Tammy West seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

ITEM #11 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE CHANGE ORDER FOR THE PUTNAM CITY HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL COMPLEX. ($73,000 FROM 79-285)

Tammy West made a motion to approve Change Order for the Putnam City High School Softball Complex. Gail LoPresto seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

ITEM #12 – SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.

• We had a very nice event on Friday recognizing the cooperative effort between the district and the Department of Environment Quality regarding last year’s grant to provide more efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles for student transportation. We were pleased to welcome Representatives Kern and Hall as well as Senator Holt. Of the thirteen new buses recently purchased, the grant funds were sufficient to pay for three of them. Many thanks to Mr. Hooper and Mr. Crafton for their work on the grant application. As you know, we are to receive additional funds in the way of another successful application with the DEQ. Heartfelt appreciation is extended to all.
• It is my pleasure to announce that James L. Dennis Elementary School was recently named a Great Expectations Model School at a ceremony conducted at the University of Central Oklahoma. Congratulations to Dennis Elementary School for this outstanding achievement and, more importantly, the application of the tenets of Great Expectations and the impact they have on student learning and school culture.
• Hayley Parker, a junior at Putnam City North High School, was crowned Miss Oil Capital’s Outstanding Teen in Tulsa on February 26. This is part of the Miss Oklahoma/Miss America system for teens. This is Ms. Parker’s second title in the last two years with Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. She will compete in the state competition in June. Hayley has a 4.439 grade point average. She is the daughter of Grady and Kathy Parker, a middle school counselor.
• The 8th grade Hefner Challenge Bowl Team consisting of Dylan Rodolf, Richard Lynch, Jackson Jandreau, Austin Bennett, Arman Rahman, and Nick Allen took first place at an invitational tournament conducted at Moore Highland East. The students are coached by Barbara Fowler and Jacque Peschka.
• Two Putnam City High School students, Jiwon Song and Leigh Hibbard, along with Jason Thrash of Putnam City West and Hunter Burke of Putnam City North, have been named to the 2011 Academic All-State Class by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. The four district students are four of the 100 top public high school seniors in Oklahoma selected from 597 nominations statewide. The district has the third-highest number of Academic All-Staters in Oklahoma, ranking behind Edmond and Norman. Each of this year’s class will receive a $1000 merit-based scholarship and a medallion. These fine students will be recognized at the foundation’s 25th annual Academic Award Banquet on Saturday, May 21, at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Norman. New York City Mayor and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg will be the keynote speaker.
• In only the second year of competition, Harvest Hills Elementary was crowned the regional champion in the “Archery in the Schools Program”. The general strength of the team allowed them to finish ahead of 12 other elementary schools competing in the event. In addition to the demonstrations of skill, the students were also cited for their assistance in voluntarily helping the sponsors of the event with clean up and other related chores. The team is coached by Debbie Eastman, Misty Granger, Karen Kobs, Kendall Richardson, and David Eastman. Congratulations to all the participants and coaches as they continue to represent their school and this district.
• As a reminder, the Teacher of the Year recognition ceremony is tomorrow, Tuesday, March 8, at New Church. The reception begins at 6:30 with the program beginning at 7:00 p.m. It is our honor to participate in this event, and we wish to thank Ms. Renita White and all those who helped in the organization of this activity.
• Congratulations to Putnam City West High School for two successful Advanced Placement (AP) grants recently announced by the State Department of Education. Putnam City West was awarded a First Time Materials and Equipment grant of almost $5000 for AP Psychology. The school was also awarded an AP Training in Social Studies grant for $5300.

ITEM #13 – COMMENTS BY BOARD MEMBERS.

Gail LoPresto said she attended The Music Man at Putnam City West, and it was great. She said she looked forward to seeing Putnam City High School’s presentation of Annie. Mrs. LoPresto thanked Barbara Gabel and the students who performed. She thanked Putnam City North students Tanner Garnett, Reese Booker and Shiloh Smith for helping an elderly woman who had fallen in her driveway. Mrs. LoPresto said she enjoyed the opportunity to visit Hilldale Elementary School last week to see students using Kindles. The e-readers were purchased with a donation from Highmount Energy.

Cindy Gibbs thanked Steve Lindley for the information on a new District website. She said she enjoyed visiting Wiley Post Elementary for a program kicking off preparations for state testing. Mrs. Gibbs said she enjoyed attending Putnam City North High School’s presentation of My Fair Lady. She said she is looking forward to Putnam City High Schools presentation of Annie. Mrs. Gibbs congratulated district basketball teams on good performances in state playoffs, and wished Putnam City High School good luck in the state tournament.

Tammy West thanked Barbara Gabel and students for the arts’ presentations and performances. She thanked Arbor Grove Elementary student, Daniel Rangel, for donating a piece of his art for permanent display in the district. Mrs. West said the Black History Month celebration at Tulakes Elementary School was uplifting.

Becky Haliburton said she enjoyed visiting the new Springdale Early Childhood Center and seeing all the children. She said she is fostering a three year old and really appreciates the blessings district teachers have been to children.

Mark Bledsoe thanked Barbara Gabel for her inspirational message and the arts’ presentations and performances. He said he was very proud to see artwork from Arbor Grove Elementary students on display in a local business.

ITEM #14 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING THE RENEWAL OF EMPLOYMENT FOR CERTIFIED ADMINISTRATORS AS LISTED ON ATTACHMENT C FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR PURSUANT TO 25 O.S. §307 (B)(1).

Gail LoPresto made a motion at 6:45 p.m. to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing the renewal of employment for certified administrators as listed on Attachment C for the 2011-2012 school year pursuant to 25 O.S. §307 (B)(1). Becky Haliburton seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

ITEM #15 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION AND TO REQUEST THE BOARD CLERK TO RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.

Becky Haliburton made a motion at 9:50 p.m. to return to open session and to request the Board Clerk to record the minutes of the executive session. Tammy West seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE SESSION: Board members Cindy Gibbs, Gail LoPresto, Tammy West, Mark Bledsoe, and Becky Haliburton; Executive Director of Human Resources Dr. April Grace; Assistant Superintendent Sue Kuntze; Assistant Superintendent Dr. Melani Mouse; Attorney Laura Holmes; and Superintendent Paul Hurst met in executive session for the purpose of discussing the renewal of employment for certified administrators as listed on Attachment C for the 2011-2012 school year pursuant to 25 O.S. §307 (B)(1).

ITEM #16 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION FOR RENEWAL OF EMPLOYMENT FOR CERTIFIED ADMINISTRATORS AS LISTED ON ATTACHMENT C FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR.

Gail LoPresto made a motion to renew employment for certified administrators as listed on Attachment C for the 2011-2012 school year. Tammy West seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

ITEM #17 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON NEW BUSINESS.

There was no new business.

ITEM #18 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO ADJOURN.

Becky Haliburton made a motion at 9:51 p.m. to adjourn. Tammy West seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.