CAT Tracks for October 18, 2002 OCTOBER BOE MEETING

A CAT member was "summoned" to appear before the Board of Education during last night's closed session...

...received a memo from her principal on Wednesday. After sitting through two hours of open session business and after sitting in the hallway for over an hour of closed session - "waiting her turn" - she knocked on the door to remind them that she was present...as requested...and that she had to leave Cairo at 4:30 a.m. as part of her extracurricular duties. After briefly consulting with other members of the Board, President Joe Griggs returned to inform her that she could go home...that she was not needed after all...that, in fact, he was unaware that she had been summoned. Oh, well...all's well that ends well... (It's just as well, because the CAT's appearance would have been a violation of the procedural requirements of the contract. At least that's one grievance we won't have to fight!)

As far as the meeting goes...

Vernon Stubblefield was appointed as Vice President of the Board, a position vacated by the passing of June Vaughn. Dr. Isom announced that October 23rd was the first day for candidates to begin circulating petitions to get on the ballot for next April's school board election...three positions will be open.

There was much discussion about an "increasing number of employees receiving mileage money". Dr. Isom responded by stating that it was required since the individuals were using their personal vehicles to perform District business. One board member expressed concern that the practice opened the door for misuse, but further discussion produced no change in the current practice. It was hinted that "good employees" would not charge the District for in-town travel, but "that dog didn't hunt"...at least last night. Stay tuned...

The District's auditor was present and gave the annual financial report...and praised the District for an outstanding job!? Where was he on payday? Of course, if you make a mistake and correct a mistake...I guess it balances out. It's just a shame that employees have to find the mistakes, fight to get the mistakes acknowledged, and file grievances to get them corrected. Hey...maybe that means that WE are responsible for the District's "outstanding" performance...kudo's to us!

Alexander County Sheriff Buddy Mitchell was present and spoke concerning the District's being awarded a "Cops in School" grant - a grant that will pay the salary and benefits of a policeman to be present in the schools for a three year period. The purpose is to provide a positive experience between youth and law enforcement. Sheriff Mitchell commented that he had been trying to bring this program to Alexander County for ten years and that it was now a dream realized. The only negative...Cairo does not curently have an individual qualified to receive the training. Officials are currently in the process of looking...

Following a two-and-a-half-hour closed session, Superintendent Isom made recommendations for hiring...a multitude of hirings - coaches, assistant coaches, tutors, and assistant tutors. I would make special mention that it's time to welcome a "new" CAT...Serina Nelson has been offered the position of Kindergarten teacher, filling the position vacated by Terri George. Congratulations, Serina!

In their final action, the Board appointed a committee of Board members to work with Principals Riley and Henderson and Sheriff Buddy Mitchell towards developing guidelines for implementation of the Cops Program.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:54 p.m.