CAT Tracks for June 25, 2004 GOODBYE/HELLO TO SAM HARBIN

The Cairo Financial Oversight Panel held its regular monthly meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2004...

Prior to roll call, FOP President Jack Hill announced that he had received a letter of resignation effective immediately from FOP Member Sam Harbin. On behalf of the FOP, Dr. Hill expressed his appreciation for Dr. Harbin's service to the panel and that he was looking forward to working with him in his new capacity as consultant to and interim superintendent of CSD #1. FOP Member David Hindman concurred.

After roll call, a motion was made and passed to approve the minutes from the May 18 and June 1, 2004 meetings - open and closed.

A motion was then made and passed to enter closed session at 10:34 a.m. to discuss personnel matters. A motion was made and passed at 11:04 a.m. to exit closed session.

The Panel then listened to a report from the FOP administrators on progress being made on the renovation of the "green hallway" area to house junior high classes for the coming school year. It was reported that progress was being made in clearing the area in preparation for construction. Options were discussed for disposing of the equipment. A need for the BOE to declare the equipment as "surplus property" was discussed, along with the possibility of having an auction - possibly on July 20th. It was noted that the District's architects had not yet responded to inquiries on the renovation plans made by the FOP administrators, although they were hoping to hear something by the end of the week. In anticipation, local contractors had been notified and were on "stand by". The FOP adminstrators concluded this segment of their presentation by stating that they needed for the FOP to give them the authority to proceed with plans upon receiving an okay from the architects.

Next, the FOP administrators presented a listing of actions taken by the Cairo BOE at its meeting last week for FOP approval. They did note two changes from their earlier recommendations: (1) That the District had "justified" the need of temporary secretarial help at the Central Office, and (2) That the plumbing work to be done in the CJSHS kitchen should cost $12,500 instead of the previously announced $12,000.

Terms were then discussed for the employment of Dr. Sam Harbin as superintendent for the 2004-05 school year - namely, for 240 half days.

Prior to taking action on the items presented/discussed, FOP Member Hindman made a motion to accept the resignation tenderd by Sam Harbin as member of the Cairo FOP. The motion was seconded and passed.

A motion was then made, seconded, and passed to accept the list of recommendations (#1-13 - including the hiring of Sam Harbin as superintendent) made by the FOP administrators. A motion was also made and passed to approve the salary and benefits package proposed for the new superintendent, and the repairs to the CJSHS kitchen that had been discussed previously.

The FOP administrators then presented an update of the District's finances. They indicated that although the report was not final since the fiscal year did not end until June 30th, they anticipated that the District would show positive balances in all funds. Looking ahead, they expressed some uncertainty concerning the timeliness of the receipt of local property taxes.

There was no "New Business" to discuss.

The final item brought up was the need to fill the position on the FOP created by the resignation of Dr. Harbin. Some possible names were discussed, but it was clear that no one had been approached as to their willingness to serve.

The FOP voted to adjourn at 11:26 a.m.