Hope School Board Meeting May 15th

HOPE – The Hope School Board met Monday May 15th for their regular monthly meeting.

After approving the minutes and expenditures, the board moved to the Superintendents Report. Superintendent Bobby Hart introduced parent, teacher and team sponsor Kathy Knight and her son Ben Knight who talked about the Robotics team. Ben Knight talked about a competition the team had attended. He also detailed a fundraising car wash which raised $300. He showed some “fidget spinners” the team is making as a fundraiser. He also talked about some sponsorships they are seeking. He noted the team has just under 20 members. Board President Willie Buck commended Ben Knight on his presentation.
Assistant Superintendent Steve Bradshaw gave a report on facilies and aims from strategic planning. He noted roof needs included the Agri building and HAPS campus. He also touched on HVAC and noted Johnson Controls is helping the district evaluate those systems. He updated electrical needs and noted this needs include the school administration building which still uses fuses. Mr. Bradshaw also talked about eventual conversion on lighting to L.E.D.’s. He noted there are plumbing needs at Jones Field House and at the HAPS campus. Other items touched on were windows and flooring. Mr. Bradshaw also talked about bus drives and parking evaluations. He discussed groundskeeping and noted the grounds look good. He noted the athletic complexes have improved in recent years. Mr. Bradshaw also discussed security cameras and entry access. His final point was signage.
The board heard from District PR person Ken McLemore on an updated communication plan. McLemore noted the proposal had been completed with the help from school, board and local media representatives. He went over specific goals outlined in the proposal. Mr. Hart thanked McLemore and his committee on their efforts.
The board approved a rental request from the Hope Rockers Dance Team and approved a request for the Yerger Alumni to use the Yerger campus in July for their reunion. Mr. Hart noted that group has never been charged and the board concurred.
The board accepted a letter of resignation from board member Milly Green who will be moving to Texas. Mrs. Green had been board secretary and Linda Haynes was named secretary. Mr Hart suggested the board accept letters of intent from prospective persons to fill that seat until the September election. Mr. Buck suggested that former board member Mike Beasley might be interested. Mr. Hart said he thinks it best that they appeal to the members of that zone to see what interest is there.
The board heard some proposed classified personnel policies from Chairman Alvin Hunter. Classified personnel are those who don’t need a teaching license. The proposed changes were just heard by the board. No action was taken. Mr. Hart lauded Rev. Hunter for he and his committee’s work. Certified personnel policies were discussed although there was no presentation. No action was taken.
The board looked at Benchmark literacy quotes for the Hope Academy of Public Service. The board accepted those as well as accepting two other quotes. Assistant Superintendent Ira Love presented some federal programs quotes. The board voted to accept the five separate quotes.
Personnel matters closed out the meeting.