Stonewall Traditional Elementary School
School-Based Decision Making Council
Meeting of Tuesday September 16, 2003  

Members present:  Jane Armistead, Michelle Cohron, Janie Griggs, Andrea Guise, and Julie Pearman.  Also in attendance were Mr. Ed McCaw, K. Gunn and Sara Erwin.

The meeting was called to order at 5:42 PM.

  1. Agenda Item 1 – Review of Agenda

Mr. McCaw asked to add agenda item #9, field trip request.  Agenda items #7 should include request for no homework.  The agenda was approved by consensus.

  1. Agenda Item 2 – Review of Minutes

August 19 – Janie Griggs moved to approve the minutes as presented.  Michelle Cohron seconded the motion, which was approved by consensus.

August 29 – Jane Armistead moved to accept the minutes as presented.  Andrea Guise seconded the motion, which was approved by consensus.

  1. Agenda Item 3  - Financial Reports

SCIF – correct as presented. 

Information provided by Mr. McCaw from Mrs. Murrell, who uses school codes that are created in-house. 

General Funds – Correct with nothing to add, picture money to be added later

                After school detention - $2000 has been added to this account

MUNIS – List of checks presented

                New report as Mr. McCaw had asked for a report for carried forward funds labeled, but questioned by Mrs. Murrell. 

                Urban County Government donation has been spent on personnel. “Grants” are no longer there, but have been spent on personnel.

ESS- needs to balance

                Possibly reflects budget/funds for the four-year old program.  Money listed for “Jump Start” is correct.

                Codes: 1203 – last year, 1204 – this year

KETS – still incorrect, but eventually it should be corrected

                9438 is okay

Textbook funds – amount spent, but not reflected in the report

School rewards – possibly last year’s earnings

                1453 designates cafeteria monitors

Gifted/talented – depleted

Professional development – will go to 0 for 2002-3

                $708.80 is correct

                Mr. McCaw noted that shipping charges might affect the actual price, as they are estimates at the time the order is placed. 

                Action:  Janie Griggs moved to accept the financial report as read, accepting the corrections as noted.  Andrea Guise seconded the motion, which was approved by consensus.

  1. Agenda Item 4 – Committee Minutes

Jane Armistead questioned whether there was parent representation on the committees.  Mr. McCaw stated that this would be pursued.

                                Professional Development minutes indicated that a request had been approved by SBDM, which seemed to be in error.  Mr. McCaw will investigate.

                                Mr. McCaw will see if the curriculum committee had met.

                                Technology committee – Michelle Cohron questioned the report and funding.  Money is being sought to purchase other needed items.  Mr. McCaw has suggested investigating grants for additional funding to this committee.

  1. Agenda Item 5 – Personnel

     The committee is still seeking a helping custodian.  Commendations have been extended to Mr. Hausley and Mr. Black for their efforts in the maintenance of the building.

     Mr. McCaw saw Peggy Blanton regarding IEP assistants.  Mr. McCaw will report back following her reply.  SBDM will provide consultation upon hiring.

  1. Agenda Item 6 – Request for Approval of Professional Leave

Ms. Butler, resource teacher, has requested to attend a geometry workshop at EKU in Richmond on September 25 at a cost of $32.40. 

Action:  Andrea Guise moved to approve the request.  Jane Armistead seconded the motion, which was approved by consensus.

  1. Agenda Item 7 – Request from PTA for waiver of Dress Code

The PTA has requested the students be exempted from homework and waive the dress code to allow the students to wear hats on Kentucky Kids Day on September 23. 

Action:  Julie Pearman moved to accept the request as presented.  Jane Armistead seconded the motion, which was approved by consensus.

  1. Agenda Item 8 – Report Cards

Kelly Gunn and Sarah Erwin provided input for report card revisions for the first grade.  They think the current report card is not developmentally appropriate and needs to be more “parent friendly.”  With the suggested revisions parents might be more able to help at home, since the report card would spell out the expectations.

                Suggestions:

                                -“units” under “Science” would be filled in according to area studied at this time

                                -assessed scores would be listed

                                -special area teachers will provide information on what children are assessed, which will incorporate effort

                                -“comments” can be expanded as needed

                                -Michelle Cohron asked to highlight “effort” in each section

                                -“Reading Tests – change “level” to “book”

                                -Change “effort” to a 12 point font

Core-content in reflected.  First grade teachers researched other report cards prior to making their recommendations.  If approved, Mr. McCaw will implement suggestions.

Action:  Mr. McCaw will show revised version to teachers and parents to get input.  Jane Armistead moved to approve the first grade report card, considering the changes recommended.  Michelle Cohron seconded the motion, which was approved by consensus.

  1. Agenda Item 9 – Field Trip Request

The fourth grade has requested to go to Salato Wildlife Center on October 2.  This field trip would align with the curriculum.

Action:  Andrea Guise moved to approve the field trip request.  Jane Armistead seconded the motion, which was approved by consensus.  The curriculum committee will be asked to create guidelines for field trip approval and open response questions will be assigned following the trip.

  1. Agenda Item 10 – Parent Involvement

Michelle Cohron presented information on Parent Involvement Standards.  She shared a copy of the “Parent Involvement/PD” newsletter, which covers information on core content and provides sample test questions for standardized tests. It is designed to give parents and teachers information addressing “the no child left behind Act” and KCCT.

Action:  Michelle Cohron moved to purchase the “Aiming Higher” newsletter for parents and staff at the cost of $149.  Andrea Guise seconded the motion, which was approved by consensus.

  1. Agenda Item 11 – Bylaws

It was suggested that a serving a two-year term as representative would be more beneficial to the council.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Beth Roseland

SBDM Secretary