Rock Hill Schools October Business Meeting Results

Action Items:

-approved 7-0 the consent agenda consisting of ; minutes of the September 22 and October 13 school board meetings; personnel recommendations; overnight field trip requests submitted by Rock Hill High, South Pointe, Sullivan, Ebenezer Avenue, Rawlinson Road, and Dutchman Creek; agreed to attach a copy of the revenue summary for the 2008-09 General Fund Budget to the June 2008 board minutes; and approved distribution of Trustee Jim Vining's October-December board compensation to Back the Pack, RH Elementary School Honors Choir, and Rock Hill Schools' Robotics Team

-approved 7-0 first reading of policies DKB (Salary Deductions), JI (Student Rights and Responsibilities), GBAA (Employee Racial/Sexual Discrimination and Harassment), and second reading of policy GCO (Evaluation of Professional Staff);

-approved 6-1 trips to Hawaii during the 2009 spring break for the bands at Northwestern and at Rock Hill High. Due to travel accommodations, band members will have to miss more school days than previously thought, but the board was assured that teachers will work with students to make up missed work. Brown voted against because of trip security issues.

In other business:

The Northwestern High School Purple Regiment Band was recognized as the 2008 South Carolina 4A State Champion. The band has won many championships, but this is its first state championship. Representing Northwestern was Band Director Larry Wells and Principal James Blake.

Allowed Eddie Knox, Ralph Brannon, and Hugh Barnett (96 years young) to discuss their participation in the Senior Tour '08 on October 22. They told how much they enjoyed visiting the schools, watching the teachers, and getting to interact with the students.

The Rock Hill High School Athletic Program was recognized on its selection as the 2007-08 Class 4A, Region 3 Award of Excellence for exemplary display of sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity. Representing Rock Hill High were Principal Judy Mobley and Athletic Director Billy Parker.

Supt. Moody made the following announcements:
Students will receive their first report cards this school year on Thursday, October 30.
The next Community Chat will be held on Wed. morning, Nov. 5, at Durango Bagel in the Millwood Shopping Center on Herlong Avenue. Come talk about the Rock Hill Schools between 7:30-9:00. The first chat was held on Oct. 1 with an excellent turnout.

All schools and offices will be closed on Election Day, November 4 (although many will be open for voting), and for the Thanksgiving holidays, Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 26-28.

The school board's next work session will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 10, in the Cyber Cafe at the Flexible Learning Center. Dr. Walter Wolff, director of the Phoenix Academy, will serve as the host.

Wednesday, November 12, will be the third of six late start dates this year so that teachers can participate in staff development activities. Students in kindergarten for five-year-olds through grade 12 are to report to school on a two-hour delay. Parents who transport their children to school, and who need to drop them off at the usual time, should notify their school principal as soon as possible.

Assoc. Supt. Bill Mabry provided information on projected reductions in funding for K-12 this year. From information received from the State Dept., school districts will not see any further reduction of funds related to the Education Finance Act, employer contributions, retiree insurance, EEDA guidance, career specialist or nurse funds at this time. The district will have to absorb a reduction in Education Improvement Act funds, which could possibly total $1 million.

Assoc. Supt. Harriet Jaworowski gave a report on Adequate Yearly Progress. Dr. Jaworowski stated that Rock Hill Schools did not meet AYP in 2007 or in 2008, but most schools met more objectives in 2008 than in 2007.

Trustee Walter Brown state that public education (K-12) was foremost in the minds of House and Senate members as they looked at budget reductions, and that we owe them a vote of thanks.