October 6, 2010

The following members of the Board were present for the meeting: Robert Nelson, Ben Strider, Steve Bergman, Jason Schmeski, Doug VanDolah and Lisa House. Administrators, media and other guests were also present. Mr. Nelson stated the meeting had been duly called and appropriate notice given. He called the meeting to order at 11:35 a.m.

Board Action Items:

Network Cabling and Fiber Optic at the High School Library – Dorothy Cook

Ms. Cook addressed the Board for Ms. Martin who was out. Ms. Cook stated that Mr. Keith Alman was available for questions from the technology department. Because the library is not physically connected fiber optic cable will need to be run from the High School Service Room to the High School Library and from the main library switch to each lab in the library. Specifications for bids were placed and one bid was received. This job will connect 114 workstations to the network and include all installation, termination and testing of 5 strand multimode fiber and Cat 6 cabling wall outlets, plates, patch panels, cabling and cable management racks. Ms. Cook made the recommendation for Ms. Martin to accept the bid from bidder 1. This project would be funded with stimulus money and the bidder has been used with satisfaction in the past.

Motion to Accept Bid to Install Fiber Optic and Cabling

Ms. House made the motion to accept the bid recommendation for the total price of $16,847.12 for the installation and material to connect the 114 workstations to the network from the new library. Mr. VanDolah seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously.

Investment of Remaining Bond Proceeds – Dr. Lonnie Myers

Dr. Myers addressed the Board concerning two CD’s which are currently held by the District. These two CDs will be maturing on or about October 19^th. One CD has a face value of $1 million and the other has a face value of $5 million. These funds together with an interest-bearing checking account of just under $4 million constitute the remainder of the bond proceeds from the 2008 bond issue. Since it is not uncommon for school districts in the Arkansas to empower the superintendent and/or business manager to shop for rates and invest the money in the District’s best interest, he recommended the Board give them the authority to make a reinvestment of the CD’s to maximize the earnings in a timely manner.

Motion to Invest Remaining Bond Proceeds

Mr. Strider made a motion to approve the reinvestment of bonds at the discretion of Ms. Harned and Dr. Myers. Mr. Bergman seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously.

PRESENTATIONS:

Choir Presentation – Ms. Sandra Hitt

The Board recognized Ms. Sandra Hitt, High School Choir Director and her All Girl’s Ensemble, Whitney Booy, Melissa Burnley, Elizabeth Burr, Ashlyn Carson, Eden Cousins, Jessica Davenport, Jessica Dutton, Christina Fitzpatrick, Payten Frunzi, Miranda Greenway, Kali Hostetler, Cassidy Mata, Holly Shook, Kayla Whitehead, Amberly Suscella, Loren Alexander, Jhoone Bailey, Michelle Crowe, Amber Gomez, Larkin McDaniel, Hannah Oels, Emily Prohl and Shelbie Thrasher. The girls presented two selections: “The Star Spangled Banner” and the “Mountain Home Alma Mater.”

The Board thanked the Ms. Hitt and the girls for the outstanding performance.

Panel of Students to Discuss Career Academy – Ms. Brown/Ms. Shipman

Ms. Brown stated that she thought the Board would appreciate interaction with some of the high school students regarding the career academies and their personal experience with learning in an academy type setting. All of the students had been in the academies since they started high school, except for one student who had recently transferred to Mountain Home from a traditional high school. The students made positive comments about the fact that they are able to learn in an environment specific to their learning style, be it ACME, HHS or CAB. The student who had attended a traditional high school last year stated that she enjoyed the academy style approach much better than the traditional style. All the students expressed their appreciation of block scheduling because it allowed them more inaction with their instructor. The added time allows individuals to get questions answered while in class rather than speeding through a lesson in a 45 minute class and not having the instructor available later to explain things they didn’t completely get.

The only suggestions the students had for improvement were the “even/odd” day schedules that occasionally had two odd days in a row when the month ends on the 31^st. They suggested possible “blue/gold” days or something along that line so that every other day would be different class schedule and no dependent on the actual calendar day. Most felt that the Keystone class they all took as a prelim to the academy setting was beneficial in finding their learning style. Some thought there might be too much “fluff” in that class, they felt it would serve students better to stress some goal setting.

The Board expressed their pleasure in getting to interact with the students. Dr. Myers reiterated that the high school in Mountain Home is a diamond in North Central Arkansas.

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Strider made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 12:18 p.m.

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Robert Nelson, President Jason Schmeski, Secretary