March 6

     SBDM Minutes

    March 6, 2002

 The Picadome School Community is committed to all students attaining the highest levels of academic achievement and responsible citizenship through equitable opportunities in becoming lifelong learners.

             The meeting was called to order at 6:10 by chair Darla Simms.  Members present:  Darla Simms, Juaacklyn Cunningham, Tammy Johnson, Betty Ann Scott, Tammy Lynch (parent), and Tom Barnes (parent).  Visitors: Melody Bourn and Jeanne Elam.  Since this was a special called meeting, minutes of the February 21 meeting were not read.

             Council members received a copy of the March 1^st staffing allocation for the 2002-2003 school year (see attached).  Our staffing allocation for the 2002-2003 school year is the same as our 2001-2002 allocation.  Also, our Special Education staffing has not changed.  However, other sources of funding that we had for the current year are pending:

         Miss Simms explained that in addition to the Section 4 staffing allocation shown on this sheet, we would receive an additional .15 PSA through the District Student Achievement Equity Plan bringing the total funding of the PSA position to .65.  We would have to purchase the additional .35 to have a full time PSA.  This was purchased through the Student Achievement Equity Plan and a District Literacy Grant for this year so we had a full time PSA without having to purchase any of the position.  

  ·        Funding for full day kindergarten has not been approved by the school board.  If they do approve this, we will get two additional kindergarten teachers bringing our total to four (two are included in Section 4, staffing budget).  Last year we received one additional teacher. 

  ·        The district has not received federal funding for the smaller class size initiative.  This year we had three teachers through this funding.  

Miss Simms shared various scenarios that could occur in next year’s staffing depending on the availability of the above funding.  

         Another change in funding this year is, in the past the district has paid the difference between our allotted Computer Aide and the upgrade needed to hire a Micro-computer Specialist.  This year they are unable to provide this funding, which means we would have to provide an additional $10,000.

         We want to continue our focus on student achievement, therefore we would like  to continue programs and initiatives in place this year and in addition increase our special area teachers to full time to support our Science, Arts and Humanities, and Practical Living/Vocational Studies curriculum.  To do this we would need the following amount:

     ·        $43,377-Reading Teacher

·        $21,689-Writing Specialist

·        $10,000-Micro-computer Specialist

·        $21,689-full time science, art, music, gym

·        $15,000-.35 PSA

 This totals $111,755.

       Because we have no additional staffing money available in our budget, council members looked at the staffing sheet to see if there were any positions we might be able to convert.  After much discussion, the following decisions were reached by consensus:

         ·        Convert the money allotted for a SAFE aide (classified)-                   $16,720

·        Convert the money allocated for cafeteria monitors (classified)-          $10,032

·        Fund Science, Art, Music, and gym at least a .8 position

{this leaves .3 (certified) in discretionary-$13,014}

   

            Miss Simms encouraged council members to think about staffing and which positions to fund so we can make a decision at our March 21 meeting.  Staffing decisions are due in Central Office on March 29.  Staff members will also be asked to think about the positions and encouraged to attend the March 21 meeting.  Proposals from staff members (about a page) are welcomed.

            Miss Simms shared that we will receive $36,417.12 in our SCIF budget and $5,025.44 in Professional Development.   At our March 21^st meeting, we will need to complete the budget for this money for the 2002-2003 school year.

             The meeting was adjourned at 8:15.

 Respectfully submitted,

 Darla Simms