Jan 10th, 2013

Board of Trustees Meeting
Monday, September 17, 2012
Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elementary
Those Present: Chairwoman Cassandra Denmark, Dr. Terry Fasel, Co-Chair Keith Wadsworth, Betty Wojcik, Cheryl Garnett, Kristine Shollenberger, Pat Cain, Danny Gill
Staff Present: Superintendent Jesse Jackson , Brian Fisher, Kenneth Henson, Anuj Serran, Gail Quam, Damien Moses, Barbara Jones, Jennifer Barrow, Julio Acevedo, Angela Heyward, Donna Dunson,
Marie Cherrington-Gray
Others Present: Robin Gibson, Mary Cannady, Phil Attinger
I. CALL TO ORDER Cassandra Denmark, Chair
Chairwoman Cassandra Denmark called the September 17, 2012 LWCS Board of Trustees meeting to order at 5:43 PM.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Principal Kenneth Henson, Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elementary.
III. APPROVAL OF WORK SESSION AND BOARD MEETING
MINUTES (August 20, 2012)
Chairwoman Denmark called for any addition/deletions to the August 20, 2012 Trustees Work Session and Board Meeting Minutes. There being none Chairwoman Denmark called for a motion to approve. Motion to approve the Trustees Work Session minutes was made by Trustee Terry Fasel with a second by Trustee Betty Wojcik. Motion approved unanimously. Motion to approve the Trustee Board Meeting Minutes was made by Trustee Betty Wojcik with a second by Trustee Terry Fasel. Motion approved unanimously.
IV. SCHEDULED PERSON’S ADDRESSING THE BOARD (none)
V. RECOGNITIONS Jesse Jackson, Superintendent
Presentation of 5 Star School Awards
The presentation of the 5 Star School Award were made by Superintendent Jackson, Board Chair Cassandra Denmark and Co-Chair Keith Wadsworth. The Principals for each school were called up one at a time to receive the presentation for their school. The FL Department of Education 5 Star School Award was presented to Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elementary (Principal Kenneth Henson), Hillcrest Elementary (Interim Principal Jennifer Barrow), Janie Howard Wilson Elementary (Principal Barbara Jackson), Polk Avenue Elementary (Principal Gail Quam).
Principal Kenneth Henson for Dale R. Fair Babson Park Kenneth Henson called up Mike Mendes of MM Landscaping also a parent at this school. Mr. Mendes received a certificate of appreciation for his hard work and the time and commitment of his crew for the beautiful landscaping provided at this school. We are all very appreciative of the beautiful grounds. Thanks again to Mr. Mendes and MM Landscaping.
VI. FINANCIAL REPORT Brian Fisher, CFO
Recommend approval of monthly financials as reviewed and presented at the September 17, 2012 Board of Trustees Work Session. Chairwoman Cassandra Denmark asked if there was any further discussion on the monthly financials as presented by CFO Brian Fisher at the September 17, 2012 Work Session. Being none, she asked for a motion to approve. Motion to approve was made by Trustee Pat Cain, with a second by Co-Chair Keith Wadsworth. Motion approved unanimously.
VII. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Jesse Jackson, Superintendent
A. AUDIT DOCUMENTS – 2011-2012
Recommend approval and acceptance of the audit for the 2011-2012 school year as reviewed and discussed at the September 17, 2012 Board of Trustees Work Session. Superintendent Jackson asked if there was any further discussion on the audit as presented by the auditors from BKHM P.A. at the September 17, 2012 Work Session. CFO Fisher advised the reconciliations were current to the end of July. Co-Chair Wadsworth asked for us to receive an update at our next meeting on the recommendations from the auditors. Superintendent Jackson asked for a motion to approve. Motion to approve was made by Co-Chair Keith Wadsworth, with a second by Trustee Cheryl Garnett. Motion approved unanimously.
B. SES CONTRACT
Recommend approval and acceptance of the SES Contract as reviewed and presented at the September 17, 2012 Board of Trustees Work Session. Superintendent Jackson asked if there was any further discussion on the SES Contract as presented by Program Specialist Heyward at the September 17, 2012 Work Session. Being none, he asked for a motion to approve. Motion to approve was made by Trustee Pat Cain, with a second by Trustee Terry Fasel. Motion approved unanimously.
C. MIGRANT PROGRAM – CELL PHONE
Recommend approval and acceptance of the Migrant Program cell phone as discussed and presented at the September 17, 2012 Board of Trustees Work Session. Superintendent Jackson asked if there was any further discussion on the Migrant Program – Cell Phone as presented by Migrant Coordinator Acevedo at the September 17, 2012 Work Session. Being none, he asked for a motion to approve. Motion to approve was made by Trustee Betty Wojcik, with a second by Trustee Cheryl Garnett. Motion approved unanimously.
D. PERSONNEL CHANGES
Recommend approval of the Personnel Changes as distributed and discussed at the September 17, 2012 Board of Trustees Work Session. Superintendent Jackson asked for a motion to approve the Personnel Changes. Motion to approve was made by Trustee Cheryl Garnett, with a second by Co-Chair Keith Wadsworth. Motion approved unanimously.
VIII. NEXT BOARD WORK SESSION AND MEETING
The October Board of Trustee Work Session and Board Meeting will be on Monday, October 15, 2012 at the Janie Howard Wilson Elementary. The Work Session will begin at 3:30 PM and the Board Meeting will begin at 5:00 PM or immediately following Work Session.
IX. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Cassandra Denmark, Chair

Chair Denmark: While mentoring new Trustee Board member Garnett they had the opportunity to visit Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elementary and Hillcrest Elementary. Please stop by and visit the schools as much as you can.
X. TRUSTEE REPORT
Trustee Fasel: NASA Meteorite Workshop at Warner University – the first 60 teachers to sign up will attend for FREE. This opportunity has been extended to all schools.
Trustee Garnett: It has been great mentoring with our Board Chair. I will be visiting LWHS on Friday.
Co-Chair Wadsworth: I would like to thank Principal Quam for calling all Principals to discuss groups within the schools. Involved groups at times comment at the Board and Foundation level. We will continue building relationships and maintaining great communications.
XI. OTHER BUSINESS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
LWCS Foundation Chair Robin Gibson wanted to discuss with the Trustee Board: The Master Plan for Edward W. Bok Academy, LWCS Expo and the Letter to the Editor (Pride and Concern). The LWCS Foundation would like to move forward with the Bok Master Plan, however we need to address the Pride and Concern Letter to the Editor before we can move forward. We will be having a LWCS Expo soon. This Expo will assist us with creating we need to establish in supporting our public schools. We need to broaden this base.
Summarizing the Pride and Concern Letter to the Editor of the Lake Wales News: We never want any Lake Wales family to think they are on the outside – looking in. We want to strengthen our community and prepare our Middle Schools for the Lake Wales High School.
Superintendent Jackson: Every child that finishes the 8th grade will now automatically be a part of the Lake Wales Charter Schools System while attending the Lake Wales High School. We want to be able to be a part of their academic influence before they get to the Lake Wales High School. We want to be able to serve the kids better. It appears as if we have to beg to serve the kids; this is sort of troubling.
Foundation Chair Gibson: We don’t want anyone at McLaughlin to feel like we are superior. We would like for them to be a part of our system. We will pursue the formula; we’ll do it right. How best to go about it? We’ll take the Principal and the teachers off the spot. The initiative will come from the parents.
This will be a community effort. This information was written to the Editor of the Lake Wales News because this is our local paper. We will do this the right way and it will be done according to law. We need authorization from the Board to send this letter to the Editor. We don’t want any friction. We want to do this carefully and respectfully. Our main focus will be to support the kids in our community. How do we proceed?
Superintendent Jackson: We have made several attempts to meet with Principal Chipman from McLaughlin. After these attempts we were informed by Principal Chipman – if and when we meet she would like for her supervisor and her superintendent to be in attendance; we had to contact the superintendent’s office to set an appointment. We called the superintendent’s office several times and was informed we would get a return call and we have not to date. Principal Chipman advised whenever her superintendent was available she would also be available.
Trustee Cain: Does this include Spook Hill? We feel as if Spook Hill is a safety valve for teachers who don’t want to leave town.

Foundation Chair Gibson: When we appealed to Spook Hill in the past the concern was the risks of being in a smaller organization. Some feel more secure with being in a larger organization.
Trustee Cain: How does the Principals feel?
Hillcrest – Interim Principal Barrow: When we were all at the Chamber Welcome Back Rally she had teachers coming up to her in reference to being a part of our system.
Trustee Fasel: When you think of the movement that has occurred in the District with no warning. The time is now to add to the LWCS.
Superintendent Jackson: The community that supports our schools did not start with the LWCS in 2004. It started with the 1st school in Lake Wales in 1914 and opened up in 1940. Folks here are very endearing to educating their children.
Trustee Wojcik: We will do it for all and the letter to the editor should come from the Board.
Trustee Cain: Roosevelt simultaneous votes did not happen.
Foundation Chair Gibson: Votes has to be simultaneous. We do not want to be in an adversarial situation.
Superintendent Jackson: Disheartened when I see them not allowing the kids to participate in programs such as football at Bok. The arts program at McLaughlin does not have all the students involved.
Principal Dunson: The educators at these schools need to realize we have a collaborative effort. Principals decide the direction of their schools and the programs they use.
Trustee Fasel: McLaughlin is given a curriculum with no reserves or supplemental materials for students.
Foundation Chair Gibson: Remembered 9 years ago when Clint Horne and Robin walked the halls of the high school… the kids in the hallway light up when they say Clint and said “hey you are the guy that I saw at tutoring.” They did not concern themselves with Clint or Robin’s title, they just remembered he took the time to tutor them. I will never forget that day.
Trustee Cain: Motion for Robin to re-draft the letter to McLaughlin and also give Spook Hill the opportunity to join LWCS for the good of the children.
Trustee Gill: Second the motion and also added for Robin to be our legal counsel on this (he will be our legal advice attorney).
Q&A will also be done by Robin and posted on our website.
Chairwoman Denmark then asked for a motion to approve Robin re-draft the letter and also be our legal counsel. Motion to approve was made by Trustee Cain and seconded by Trustee Gill. Motion approved unanimously.
XII. ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 6:43 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,

Marie Cherrington-Gray, Corporate Secretary
Board Approved: Oct. 15, 2012