UPDATED:

Original postings follow:

The Cairo Board of Education held a Special Meeting on Tuesday, August 5, 2014, at 6 p.m.

The original agenda was amended to include under Item #7:

1. Approve Purchase of 2nd School Uniform

The "minutes" follow the agenda...

1. All BOE members were present.

2. Danny Brown was recognized to address the BOE. He had three questions/concerns:

• Whether the bed bug problem that plagued Cairo Elementary last school year had been eradicated. Superintendent Andrea Evers indicated that the building had been thoroughly cleaned and sprayed. CE Principal Rose Gayle Pickett added that "critter traps" had been set and inspected. Other than the "normal variety" of creepy crawlers, no evidence of bed bugs was detected.

• What the Superintendent's "open door policy" was. Mr. Brown indicated that he had tried to contact the superintendent on more than one occasion last year, but was never successful. He indicated that if he had concerns in the future, he expected to speak to the superintendent, not a secretary.

• In reference to the BOE's move to "shut down" Glenn Box during the last BOE meeting (giving him a two-minute warning), Mr. Brown wanted to know if the BOE had a policy limiting speaking time. BOE President Artie McBride responded that Mr. Box had already spoken for 5 minutes (the limit under BOE policy) when he was given the warning. President McBride indicated that a copy of the pertinent policy was on the podium used by guests.

3. A motion was made to approve the consent agenda. BOE Member Rodney Moore inquired as to whether the approval of a free 2nd school uniform for all students was going to be considered...should be on the agenda. Mr. Moore was informed that the mailed agenda had been amended (see intro to the posting) to include said action. The consent agenda was then approved.

4. Open Session - Nothing.

5. The BOE voted to enter closed session at 6:05 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 8:15 p.m.

6. Requiring Action/Decisions By Board of Education:

(1) Hirings:
• Hired Rena Adams as Kindergarten Teacher - Cairo Elementary School

• Hired Danielle Battles as Middle School English Teacher - Cairo Jr/Sr High School

• Athletic Recommendations:
  • Hired Julian Watkins as Head Junior High Baseball Coach

  • Accepted the resignation of Julian Watkins as Assistant Junior High Baseball Coach. (Superintendent Evers indicated that Mr. Watkins resignation had been contingent upon his being hired as the head coach.)

  • Hired Janiece Blake as Junior High Head Softball Coach

  • Hired Larry Woods as High School Volley Ball Coach

(2) Approve Non-Union, Non-Certified Salary Increase (i.e. secretaries and school nurse) - There was confusion at the table over this, so don't hold me to the accuracy of this item. The raise was 2.5%. Whether this was for one year or three years, I dunno!

(3) Approve Teacher-Assistant Contract and Salary Increase - Three-year contract (FY15, FY16, and FY17) with raises of 2.5%, 3.0%, and 3.5%.

(4) Approve Custodian Contract and Salary Increase - Same deal as (3) above.

(5) Approve Student Handbook for 2014-2015 School Year - Done, with necessary changes. (See handout below.)

(6) Adjust Zena Madison Salary Retro to July 1, 2014 from 2.0% to 2.5% - Done.

(1) Approve Purchase of 2nd School Uniform - Done. (BOE Member Rodney Moore continued to push for a 3rd uniform, and he may get his wish. Contrary to the laughter and eye-rolling that met him suggestion a couple of weeks ago, Superintendent Evers indicated that with donations, the District was nearing the possibility of doing just that, but, that they weren't quite there yet. Stay tuned...

As the BOE was about to adjourn, De De O'Shea reminded the Superintendent of the pictures propped against the wall at the entrance to the BOE room, whereupon, Superintendent Evers showed off large framed pictures of the Junior and Senior High Beta Club students on their recent trip to Washington DC, posing with the White House in the background...thanks to the Beta Club Sponsor, Ryan O'Shea. The pictures are very professional and impressive to see, capturing what could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience of these young people. Congratulations to the students and a special THANK YOU to Ryan O'Shea!

8. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.