Putnam City Schools

REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
November 21, 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, November 21, 2011 at 5:00 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, November 18, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. in accordance with 25 O.S. § 311.

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

ITEM #1 - INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE, MOMENT OF SILENCE, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – GEORGE SHIELDS.

George Shields, Indian Education Coordinator, gave the Inspirational Message, Moment of Silence and Pledge of Allegiance.

ITEM #2 – INFORMATION AND STAFF REPORTS:

 PRESENTATION ON OKLAHOMA NATIVE AMERICAN DAY AND INDIAN EDUCATION – GEORGE SHIELDS, INDIAN EDUCATION COORDINATOR.

George Shields, Indian Education Coordinator, gave the Board information on the programs provided by Indian Education in Putnam City. The programs are funded through Title VII and Johnson O’Malley federal grants.
• Native American clubs are available at each Putnam City High School.
• Tutoring services are based on academic need for students kindergarten through 12th grade. First preference is given to those Native American students who are currently not passing. Assistance is also offered to students who are passing but are having trouble in some areas.
• Saturday classes are available to Native American students in grades 3-6 and provide an awareness of tribal and cultural traditions, and an array of Native American arts and crafts.
• A lending library of Native American books and curriculum is available to teachers, parents and students. Financial aid is available according to need for education assistance.

 DROPOUT REPORT – SECONDARY PRINCIPALS

Middle school and high school principals presented information on their school’s dropouts. State law requires a representative of each site serving students in grades 7 through 12 to share and discuss the certified Annual Site Dropout Report submitted by the district to the State Department of Education. Middle schools showed a total of 20 dropouts for 2010-2011 compared to 13 dropouts for 2009-2010. High school dropouts totaled 81 for 2010-2011 compared to 89 for 2009-2010. Principals talked about the effort spent tracking down students who are enrolled in schools in other states or countries. They also talked about efforts to reduce truancy and keep students in school and successful. They mentioned options such as the Putnam City Academy, Ombudsman and Francis Tuttle’s Project Hope that provide alternative learning environments for students.

 ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS FINAL UPDATE – ELEMENTARY ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT SUE KUNTZE AND SECONDARY ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT DR. MELANI MOUSE, AND CURRICULUM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DR. JOE PIERCE.

The State Department of Education recently released its final set of Academic Performance Index scores and determinations of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), Assistant Superintendents Sue Kuntze and Dr. Melani Mouse told board members. Seventeen schools, including all three high schools, made AYP while nine schools did not. Central Elementary, Dennis Elementary, Hilldale Elementary, Northridge Elementary, Tulakes Elementary, Western Oaks Elementary and Wiley Post Elementary did not make AYP. Two middle schools, Capps and Mayfield, did not make AYP.

Because it was the second year in a row for three Title I schools, Hilldale, Wiley Post and Capps to not make AYP, the law requires students to be offered a chance to apply for a transfer to another school within the district. All three schools have held meetings with parents and submitted detailed improvement plans to the state.

Dr. Joe Pierce, Executive Director of Curriculum, told Board members that Putnam City was one of 56 school districts in Oklahoma now in their first year of being on the “needs improvement list.” He said that even though district API scores improved in every area but one as compared to last year, there were nine areas in which the district did not make AYP. Putnam City, like other needs-improvement districts, must notify parents why the district is on the list and what action it will take to improve. The action to be taken will be written into a plan, due to the state by December 13.

ITEM #3– PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

There was no public participation.

ITEM #4 - 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 November 7, 2011.
b. Financial report and bimonthly bills for purchase order numbers 203610092
through 206295077 for the time period October 28 – November 14, 2011
inclusive for the 2011-2012 school year.
c. School Activity Subaccount Request List.
d. School Activity Fund Transfer List including Putnam City High School.
e. School Activity Cash Summary.
f. Declaration of Obsolete and/or Surplus Items.
g. Special Education contract with Patricia J. Stowe, M.Ed., CSC. ($100 from 062-2213)
h. Fundraisers.

School Date Proposed Activity Fund Money Used For Estimated Profit
Apollo December Singing Christmas Cards Vocal Music Programs, music and equipment $150
Arbor Grove December Candy Grams Leadership School project-outdoor and butterfly garden $400
Downs December Candy and Singing Grams Music Registration fees and supplies for participation in chorus and honor organizations $500
Downs December - January DVD Sales from 5th Grade Program Music/Art Supplies $100
Hilldale December Santa Pictures General School supplies, fieldtrips, teaching materials and incentives $500
Kirkland Ongoing Yearbook Sales Yearbook Yearbook expenses and expenditures for the school $200
Overholser December Singing Wintergrams
Vocal Music

Circle the State fees, CD’s for practice, materials for performances, t-shirts for students $75
Western Oaks December Santa Express, Candy Cane Sales STUCO Purchase supplies, flowers, and reimbursements for purchases throughout the year for STUCO $500
Will Rogers December Santa Pictures Cancer Fund Donation to the PC Cancer Fund Drive $1,400
Smart Start Centers December Santa Pictures General Field trips, transportation and supplies $200
Hefner Ongoing Sell candy/snacks FCCLA Supplies, activities, field trips, $4,000
PC High November Sell Pirate bracelets 892 - JCL Latin Club General Fund $100
PC High January Sell cookies 927 – SALSA Scholarships, End of Year picnic, club activities $500
PC North Ongoing Collect fees for lost ACT materials 912 – Gifted Replacement of lost ACT materials 0
PC North Ongoing Collect fees for lost SAT & AP materials 912 – Gifted Replacement of lost SAT/AP materials 0
PC North Ongoing Library fines for overdue or lost books 950 – Media Reading promotion, refreshments for events, technology needs, library supplies $1,200
PC North Ongoing Copies for computer printers and copier 950 – Media Reading promotion, refreshments for events, technology needs, library supplies $1,000
School Date Proposed Activity Fund Money Used For Estimated Profit
PC North November Bake Sale 893 – Key Club Convention, snacks, Key Club expenses $200
PC North December T-shirt sales 912 – Gifted T-shirts for AP 0
PC North December Raffle at Basketball game (Donated Crest gift certificate & Golf Basket) 863 – Pom Competitions, Pom Nationals $450
PC North January Little Girl’s Pom Clinic 863 – Pom Competitions, Pom Nationals $300
PC North January – March Ad sales, ticket sales, donations and costume fees 942 – Vocal Music Musical expenses, royalties, rental, costumes, etc. $1,000
PC North January Members & family play Bingo National Honor Society Christmas party, graduation, etc. $200
PC North January Yearbook 945 – Yearbook Purchasing supplies for Yearbook class $520
PC West December Holiday Craft Show Transitional Work Class Activities, supplies, field trips and activities for special ed students $200
PC West December Sell Tamales La Raza Supplies, activities, trips, scholarships, events, gifts, food, etc. $200
PC West December Sell Snowman Poop Service Learning Donations, supplies, trips, gifts, materials, food, scholarships, food, events $200
PC West December Sponsor Oklahoma Chorale Barbershop Singers Concert Drama Play production, equipment $1,600
PC West January – February Valentine’s “Crush Cans” (drinks) DECA General DECA funds, state competition and memberships $400
PC West January Prom bids Class of 2013 Prom $400
PC West January Chili Supper Band Operating costs $500
PC West January Sell ads for program Drama Costumes, building materials $6,000
PC West January – February Sell T-shirts and sweats Track Track Meets $200
PC West January Sell Churros & Chocolate La Raza Supplies, activities, trips, scholarships, events, gifts, food, etc. $30
PC West January Candy sale Business Professionals of America Conferences, competitions, community service
PC Academy December Hat days School-wide Purchase books for library $150
PC Academy Ongoing Donation bucket 877 – FCCLA Purchase books for library $50
PC Academy December Sell Baked goods 877 – FCCLA Purchase books for library $250
PC Academy December Baked potato bar 877 – FCCLA Books for library $150
PC Academy November – December Candy sale 877 – FCCLA Purchase books for library $200

i. Overnight Travel Requests.
j. Retirements and resignations as listed on Attachment A.

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

ITEM #5 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON RECOMMENDATION OF EMPLOYMENT OF NEW PERSONNEL AS LISTED ON ATTACHMENT A.

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

ITEM #6 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT FOR CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS.

Gail LoPresto made a motion to approve contract for Career and Technology Programs. Becky Haliburton seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

ITEM #7 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE SCHOOL BASED SERVICES AGREEMENT.

Cindy Gibbs made a motion to approve School Based Services Agreement. 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 CONTRACT WITH AUTISM CONCEPTS, INCORPORATED FOR BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION.

Becky Haliburton made a motion to approve contract with Autism Concepts, Incorporated for behavior intervention. Cindy Gibbs seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

ITEM #9 – SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.

 Congratulations to all on another wonderfully conducted Cancer Classic this past Saturday at Stars and Stripes Park! It is fulfilling to see so many people supporting such vital research and having a good time at it. Special thanks are to be extended to Stephanie Treadway and the many members of the organizational committee. Over 1200 participants were registered either for the 5k run or the walk. Again, we extend our gratitude to all that were involved in organizing and coordinating this effort as well as to all of our staff, parents, students, and supporters who were in attendance.
 As we enter the holiday season, we want to remind everyone of the continuing opportunity to contribute to the Care Share program. While well in progress, it is never too late to assist with this worthy effort. Contributions can be made via the Putnam City Foundation, 5401 NW 40th St., Oklahoma
City, OK 73122
 It is my pleasure to announce that Putnam City High School administrators have invited students from all three district high schools and Bethany High School to attend a College and Career Fair from 6:30 to 8:30 pm on Tuesday, November 29. The event will be conducted in the Putnam City High School cafeteria. This college fair will provide an opportunity for students to begin thinking of and planning for college attendance and to visit with representatives from 22 state colleges and universities. There will also be representatives from career and technical institutions and the branches of the military. Students will have the opportunity to attend sessions on financing a college education, free online ACT and SAT practice exams, and Francis Tuttle scholarship possibilities. We appreciate all of those at Putnam City High School who worked to provide this wonderful opportunity.
 It has been recently announced that Rollingwood Elementary, Will Rogers Elementary and Dennis Elementary have qualified for the LifeChange Ballroom Dancing Finals. All three schools made the “big show” to be conducted at Rose State College.
 The ballroom dancing program will be continuing next semester as Pam Miller has just announced that Rollingwood Elementary was awarded a $2,250 grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council for ballroom dancing instruction. We are pleased for the students at all of our schools who have this marvelous opportunity. Ms. Miller has also announced that the school has been awarded a $1,000 grant form Wal-Mart for supplemental reading materials.
 This news may have been announced previously but is worthy of repetition. The news is that the district has been awarded a $59,000 grant that will allow extension of OPAT services to 3 to 5 year old children and families as well as to expand the Family Literacy component. Congratulations to Kelly Suchy and all involved in these efforts.
 The following Putnam City High School students were recently named to the All Region Honor Band:
Zac Montgomery, Gabe Alvarado, Jason Kargoo, Sean Erwin, James Culbertson, Duvan Singnavong, and Steven Starks.
 Mr. Cassaday announced that Taylor Woodard, Josh Warlick, Matt Goodwin, Scott Mendenhall, Hunter Conatser, and Zhong Thai have advanced to the All State audition round to be conducted at Westmoore High School on December 4. Congratulations to all these Pirate band members!
 Congratulations to Glory Bowcaster, a 2nd grade student at Kirkland Elementary, who recently won medals in chess competition at both the Carl Albert Open and the Oklahoma Scholastic Chess Grade Championship competition in Tulsa.
 Also, congratulations to Dennis Elementary for being named a Great Expectations Model School again this year. Model Schools will be formally recognized on February 15, at 1:30 p.m. at the University of Central Oklahoma.
 Mr. Croslin has informed us that Sean Erwin, a senior at Putnam City High School, will be marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this Thursday as part of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band. Sean was selected to represent Oklahoma in the band as one band member from each state is selected.

ITEM #10 – COMMENTS BY BOARD MEMBERS.

Gail LoPresto thanked principals for their report on dropouts. She said she enjoyed attending the Thanksgiving lunch at Wiley Post Elementary. Mrs. LoPresto said she also enjoyed attending the Veterans Assembly at Mayfield Middle School and commended the district for all the Veterans Assemblies. She said she and her family enjoyed participating in the Putnam City Cancer Classic. Mrs. LoPresto said she was very proud of Anne Guevera for winning the prestigious Governor’s Arts in Education Award. She said she attended the presentation of “Rabbit Hole” at Putnam City High School, and the students did a very good performance.

Cindy Gibbs said she enjoyed attending the Wiley Post Elementary Thanksgiving lunch. She thanked the PCACT for sponsoring food for a Putnam City North reception for Representative Jason Nelson. Mrs. Gibbs complimented Putnam City North English Teacher Dr. Randy Baker for the quality of his teaching and especially for an exercise in which parents offer advice in a letter to their children. She thanked administrators and teachers for the great job they do in student discipline.

Tammy West said she enjoyed the choir and orchestra at West Fest. She said she went to six assemblies for Veteran’s Day. Mrs. West said she also participated in the Putnam City Cancer Classic. She asked the community to support district schools by visiting craft fairs that some schools hold. Mrs. West thanked The Tribune for highlighting district schools, calling their coverage “wonderful.”

Becky Haliburton thanked George Shields for his inspirational message, especially in his encouragement that people find a reason to be happy. She said she recently visited the Deville Pre-K Center and was very impressed with teachers and how happy and engaged the children were. Mrs. Haliburton said children at Deville were very excited when students from Putnam City High School dropped in to work with them. She said it was “absolutely amazing” that eight students from the Putnam City North choir program made All-State Choir.

Mark Bledsoe said he is pleased that the district is about more than filling in bubbles on tests. He said he enjoyed the Putnam City Cancer Classic and the weather was great. He said there was a very good article about Gail LoPresto in a recent Oklahoma School Board Journal.

ITEM #11 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING AN INFORMAL EVALUATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, AS REQUIRED BY DISTRICT POLICY, PURSUANT TO 25 O.S. §307 (B)(1) AND (B)(7).

Cindy Gibbs made a motion at 6:30 p.m. to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting an informal evaluation of the Superintendent, pursuant to 25 O.S. §307 (B)(1) and (B)(7). Tammy West seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

ITEM #12 – 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 7:25 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.

ITEM #13 - CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON NEW BUSINESS.

There was none.

ITEM #14 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO ADJOURN.

Becky Haliburton made a motion at 7:26 p.m. to adjourn the meeting. Tammy West seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Haliburton, aye; Bledsoe, aye.

SPECIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Tuesday, November 29, 2011


The Putnam City Schools Board of Education of Independent School District No. One of Oklahoma County, State of Oklahoma, met in special session Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. at Putnam City Administration Board Room, 5401 NW 40th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The agenda and meeting notice was posted on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. in accordance with 25 O.S. § 311.

ITEM #1 – CALL TO ORDER AND RECORDING OF MEMBERS PRESENT AND
ABSENT.

Mark Bledsoe called the meeting to order.

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

ITEM #2 –DISCUSSION, INTERACTION AND WHOLE BOARD DEVELOPMENT ON THE TOPIC OF ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD MEMBERS WITH AN OSSBA FACILITATOR.

Dr. Tony Thomas, Consultant for the Oklahoma State School Boards Association led the Board and Superintendent in a whole board development on the topic of Roles and Responsibilities of the Superintendent and Board Members. The work session counted for three hours of credit/training for Board Members.

Various topics covered included were:
• Whose Responsibility Is It?
• The Board and Superintendent Relationship
• What the Superintendent Expects From the School Board
• What the School Board Expects From the Superintendent
• Leading As A Team
• Good Board Member Dos and Don’ts
• Dealing With Difficulty
• Board Code of Ethics
• Liability Information

Becky Haliburton left the meeting at 6:45 p.m.

ITEM #3 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO ADJOURN.

Tammy West made a motion at 8:00 p.m. to adjourn. Gail LoPresto seconded the motion. Vote: LoPresto, aye; Gibbs, aye; West, aye; Bledsoe, aye.