VI. Approval of Agendas - A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

• Regular Meeting
• Closed Meeting

VII. Approval of Treasurer's Report - A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

VIII. Approval of Payment of Bills/Payroll - After a few questions from BOE members, a motion was made, seconded, and passed.

IX. Informational

1. National School Board Association 69th Annual Conference - San Diego - April 4-7, 2009 (Editor's Note: See my comments about this and another "travel adventure" as I "editorialize to heighten emotion".) - Superintendent Leotis Swopes indicated the importance of professional development and encouraged the BOE members to attend the conference. In a breath of fresh air...the BOE members rejected the solicitation to attend!
2. Financial Oversight Panel Budget - 2008-2009 - The Superintendent indicated that this was to be approved following closed session.
3. Other...didn't hear this item. (Editor's Note: Although we didn't know it at the time, STAY TUNED...this turned out to be a preview of coming attractions!!!)
4. Superintendent Swopes indicated that there were some maintenance concerns and that he had consulted with the insurance company. Two of the concerns involved the CJSHS kitchen...a blown motor in the HVAC system and a blown motor in the double refrigerator...possibly due to a power surge during last week's storm. The other concern was that one of the light standards at the football field is evidently leaning...the foundation coming out of the ground.
5. The Superintendent drew the BOE's attention to a proposal in the packets for a summer basketball camp...for them to look it over.
6. The Superintendent drew the BOE's attention to a list of "professional development days"...days he would be out of the District. (A week in Atlanta in November, ???)
7. The Superintendent is "anticipating" a request for "pregnancy leave" by an employee. (Question: Can she do that? What if we haven't negotiated a contract by then??? I'll address this issue in my rant tomorrow...)

8. Checks Deposited - District Account

   $200,052.61 - State Aid - 2nd Payment-July
   610.31 - TAMES
   4,544.83 - TAMES
   14,815.30 - E-Rate Program - AT&T
   845.33 - State Lunch
   15,170.05 - TAMES
   50.00 - Rent - First Student Transit

X. Closed Session - Pending Litigation (Editor's Note: This is NOT the other item mentioned above. This might be the pending Unfair Labor Practice for the District's "picking your pocket" on September 15th. Then, again, it might be the continued persecution of James Gibson, who the District would rather pay NOT to work or to let work somewhere else. Of course, it might be something else altogether. So many lawyers...so little time. No wonder the District needs to "borrow" money from its employees! Over the years, we have definitely learned who comes first with the District...and it "ain't" students or teachers.) The BOE voted to enter closed session at 6:34 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 8:00 p.m.

Folks...this is where the "minutes" must end!

The Superintendent mumbled something about something...and THEN the air conditioner kicked on. Well, this is nothing new...happens all the time. The audience just leans forward, cups hands to ears, and usually the group effort allows us to put together a fairly accurate record of what transpires at the PUBLIC MEETING.

This time, however, the mumbling was lower than usual. Finally, CAT President De De O'Shea indicated that the audience could not hear.

At the request, a BOE member pointed to the wall (evidently because that was where the thermostat was.) When President O'Shea repeated her concern about the audience not being able to hear, that same BOE member said in a rude manner that if we couldn't hear, then turn the AC off. We were taken aback. And...just to make clear that it wasn't just our interpretation, one of the other BOE members turned to the one making the remarks and said "Be nice." His response...I don't have to.

Since it was plain that an audience was NOT wanted at this PUBLIC MEETING, the audience departed. Therefore, you will have to wait until the official minutes are approved and made public...in a couple of months...hoping that they are accurate!)

Why the rudeness?

Let me "editorialize to heighten emotion"...

• The "audience" after the closed session consisted of two people...the current CAT President and the past CAT President. There was no one present to witness said behavior...just two ornery ol' CATs.

• I believe somebody's been reading CAT Tracks...and gotten pissed off.

Well...welcome to our world! WE of the exile to SCC; WE of the shorted paychecks; WE of the no sick days and no personal days; WE of whatever else has been denied that we have not been made away of as yet! (The denied sick days and personal days will be the subject of my rant tomorrow!)

It's good I retired...you DO need 24/7 to keep up the shenanigans being pulled by the current administration!!!

A final thought...

Why are a couple of individuals going out of their way to stomp on CAT tails. I know I mentioned this before, but do certain parties think that a STRIKE is in their best interests???

We...the CAT...certainly hope not!!!

XI. Requiring Action/Decisions By Board of Education

1. Personnel employment, resignation, release, discipline, or compensation.
   a. Accept Resignation of Zach Schumacher as High School Boys Asst. Basketball Coach
   b. Employ Rosemary Owens - Special Ed. Teacher - Bennett School
   c. Employ Regina Brown - Girls Softball Coach
   
2. Approve Application For Recognition of Schools
3. Approve Early Graduation Application
4. Approve Changes In The School Calendar as follows: (Editor's Note: This is the 4th or 5th attempt to "get it right". CAT pointed out the error of having the first semester ending the week AFTER Christmas break. In light of recent events, I'm surprised to see this being changed PRIOR to the conclusion of negotiations...surprised that it is NOT being held hostage as with your step increase. Of course, they can't spend a change in the calendar!)
   a. October 9, 2008 - 1/2 Day - School Improvement Day
   b. Second Quarter - Semester Ends - Dec. 19, 2008
   c. Third Quarter To Begin - Jan. 8, 2009
   d. Second Quarter - 40 Days
   e. Third Quarter - 47 Days
5. Approve Posting for Teacher Assistant Position
6. Approve Superintendent's Performance Based Goals - 2008/2011 (Editor's Note: Sorry, can't resist the cheap shot...after all, YOU paid for it on September 15th...Hope they include an item about NOT committing blatant ULPs!)
7. Other - None.

XII. Old Business

XIII. Adjourn

CLOSED SESSION IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, PERFORMANCE OR DISMISSAL OF INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES WHICH MAY BE OF A TEMPORARY CONFIDENTIAL NATURE, STUDENT DISCIPLINE, PLACEMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS, DISCUSSION OF LITIGATION PROBABLE, IMMINENT, FILED OR PENDING AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING OR RELATED ISSUES.