The Dodge County Board of Education governing board held a special called board meeting on Tuesday evening, September 26, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. at the administrative offices. This is the second called meeting by the board within the past thirty days. The purpose of the special called meeting was to discuss the superintendent’s evaluation instrument. In addition to the evaluation instrument, the agenda listed a school food service equipment purchase request, a high school track stage re-construction request, an awning purchase request for the middle school and personnel issues. The agenda was accepted with no modifications. All board members were present for the special called meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Melinda Dennis presented to the board an evaluation instrument for the governing board to consider utilizing as a tool to evaluate her job performance. Dr. Dennis discussed the instrument with the board and advised them that this instrument would be “fluid” and additional indicators would be added on-goingly during the course of her one-year contract. Dr. Dennis advised the board that the evidence to support the indicators would be available to all board members in her office and would be available at all board meetings.
The superintendent’s evaluation instrument contains a list of goals for the school system including indicators in the areas of student achievements, finance/resources, community involvement, communication, and educational leadership. Each indicator requires evidence related to the indicator. The evidence measures performance, achievement and/or progress on the indicators.
Dr. Dennis asked the board to consider the evaluation instrument as a monitoring tool during the course of her contract. Dr. Dennis’s contract began on June 1, 2011 and will end on May 31, 2012. Dr. Dennis asked the board to consider monitoring her progress quarterly rather than at the end of her contract.
A lengthy discussion was held by the board members regarding the evaluation instrument but was finally adopted as a tool to monitor the superintendent’s progress by a vote of 7 to 0.
In other business, the school food service department submitted a request for the purchase of five milk coolers for the school nutrition program to replace units that are approximately 20-years old and in poor working condition at Dodge Pre-K, South Dodge Elementary and North Dodge Elementary. Three companies submitted bids. The bids were Strategic Equipment and Supply, $13,016.00; Norvell Fixture and Equipment Company, $12,354.00; and Direct South, Inc., $12,625.00. Nutrition program director Dena Barrows recommended to the board that the lowest bid by Norvell Fixture and Equipment Company at a cost of $12,354.00 be approved. Barrows stated the funds were available from the school nutrition program’s budget. Board member Roscoe Bennett made a motion to accept the request and was seconded by board member Mark Driggers. The motion carried 7-0.
Bids were received for the replacement of the stage at the high school track. The stage was destroyed in severe weather sometime last year. Three companies submitted bids to include pricing for the stage and a metal roof. The bids were H&H Construction, $4,425.00; John Dykes, $3,327.96; and Graham and Studstill, $5,331.00. It was noted that Graham and Studstill’s bid was for steel framing. Discussion was held and the board inquired with finance administrator Wendy Wahl regarding insurance funding for the destroyed stage. Wahl informed the board the insurance company paid funding on the insurance claim totaling $4,000.00. Board member Dee Yearty made a motion to accept the lowest bid of $3,327.96 from John Dykes. Board member Mark Driggers seconded the motion. The motion carried 7 to 0. Board member Roscoe Bennett reminded the superintendent to make sure all request for bids are to be published on the administration’s website for public viewing.
Bids were reviewed for the addition of awnings at the middle school. Bids were received from three companies. The bids were John Dykes, $3,200.00; Graham and Studstill, $3,828.00; and GaPort, $3,090.00. The board reviewed the bids and it was noticed that there were discrepancies in the awning sizes and lengths as well as who would install the installation of the awnings. After much discussion, Dr. Dennis recommended to the board that action on this matter be tabled until further clarification could be made on the bids and installation procedures. The matter was tabled to the next board meeting.
The board accepted the resignations of Benita Spires, pre-k school food service, Lynn Fruitrail and Don Jones, bus shop.
Recommendations accepted included Joanne Ryan, substitute custodian, Trent Dykes and Joe Newlan, bus drivers.
Additions to the substitute teacher list included Jodi Batchelor, Mary Cravey, Heather Creech, Kristen Jones, Lynn Lee, Michael Lowery, Marie Smith, Kimberly Young, Dale Walker, Tammy Williamson and Jennifer Woodard.
