Members present: Julie Jenison, president; Gail LoPresto, vice president; Sue Sullivan and Jerry Cramer, members; Superintendent Dr. Jim Capps; Debbie Baldwin, clerk; and others. Melinda Bookout arrived at 6:06 p.m. due to road closings and construction.

ITEM #1 - Inspirational Message, Moment of Silence, and Pledge of Allegiance – barbara gabel.

Barbara Gabel, Fine Arts Specialist, led in the Inspirational Message, Moment of Silence, and Pledge of Allegiance.

ITEM #2 – consideration of and vote on motion to approve the proclamation declaring march youth arts month in putnam city schools.

Barbara Gabel read the proclamation declaring March Youth Arts Month in Putnam City Schools. The proclamation recognizes the importance of fine arts in education and identifies arts as "necessary for the full development of all students."

Sue Sullivan made a motion to approve the proclamation declaring March Youth Arts Month in Putnam City Schools. Jerry Cramer seconded the motion. Vote: Sullivan, aye; Cramer, aye; LoPresto, aye; Jenison, aye.

As part of Youth Arts Month, Mikayla Pratt, a second-grade student from Central Elementary, donated a piece of her artwork for permanent display in the district. Nathan Wood, a 10th grade student at Putnam City High School, marked Youth Arts Month by presenting each board member with a piece of original art.

Board member, Melinda Bookout, arrived.

ITEM #3 – PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

There was no public participation.

ITEM #4 – Consent Agenda: All of the following items, which concern reports and items of a routinE nature normally approved at board meetings, will be approved by one vote unless any board member desires to have a separate vote on any or all of these items. The consent consists of the discussion, consideration, and approval of the following items:

Gail LoPresto made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Sue Sullivan seconded the motion. Vote: Sullivan, aye; Cramer, aye; Bookout, aye; LoPresto, aye; Jenison, aye.

a. Minutes for regular board meeting February 19, 2007.

b. Financial report and bimonthly bills for purchase order numbers 714961062 through 720939090 inclusive for time period from February 13 – 28, 2007 for the 2006-2007 school year.

c. Declaration of obsolete and/or surplus items.

d. School Activity Fund Transfer List including Hilldale Elementary, Hefner Middle School, Western Oaks Middle School, and Putnam City North High School.

e. Appeals for Deviation from Activity Absence rules for Putnam City High School students.

f. Elementary and Secondary Fund-raisers.

FUND-RAISERS –MARCH
Board of Education Meeting
March 5, 2007

APOLLO
Activity / Subaccount Spring pictures / Picture $ 500.00
Date: March 29 (teaching materials, field trips)

DOWNS
Activity / Subaccount Donate $1 to wear your favorite sports team $ 500.00
Date: March 16 t-shirt /General (Special Olympics)

NORTHRIDGE
Activity / Subaccount Book Fair / Media $ 700.00
Date: March 14-29 (author visits, books and materials for media center)

WILL ROGERS
Activity / Subaccount Book Fair / Media $ 1,000.00
Date: March 26-30 (books, AR tests, author visits, misc. materials)

PC HIGH
Activity / Subaccount Sell flower bulbs / HOSA $ 2,500.00
Date: March 6-30 (airline tickets for South Korea Exchange program)

g. Overnight travel requests as submitted under separate cover.

h. Out-of-state trips:

1. Putnam City High School yearbook students to Winston-Salem, North Carolina
March 28 – April 1, 2007.

2. Putnam City North High School Advanced Mixed Choir to New York City, New York, January 24–28, 2008 to perform at Carnegie Hall.

i. Retirements and resignations as listed on Attachment A.

ITEM #5 - Consideration of and vote on recommendation of employment of new personnel as listed on Attachment A.

Melinda Bookout made a motion to approve employment of new personnel as listed on Attachment A. Gail LoPresto seconded the motion. Vote: Sullivan, aye; Cramer, aye; Bookout, aye; LoPresto, aye; Jenison, aye.

ITEM #6 - Consideration of and vote on motion to REJECT BIDS FOR THE PUTNAM CITY WEST SCIENCE LABS RENOVATION PROJECT.

Jerry Cramer made a motion to reject bids for the Putnam City West science labs renovation project. Gail LoPresto seconded the motion. Vote: Sullivan, aye; Cramer, aye; Bookout, aye; LoPresto, aye; Jenison, aye.

The consensus of the group present at the time of bid openings was that the Downing Contracting, L.L.C. bid (the only bid submitted) was high.

ITEM #7 – Consideration of and vote on motion to approve the low bid from homeco construction company, inc. for capps middle school and putnam city north high school science labs. ($559,700 – 39-256)

Gail LoPresto made a motion to approve the low bid from HOMECO Construction Company, Inc. for Capps Middle School and Putnam City North High School science labs. Melinda Bookout seconded the motion. Vote: Sullivan, aye; Cramer, aye; Bookout, aye; LoPresto, aye; Jenison, aye.

The 2005 Bond allowed for science lab remodel at Capps Middle School and Putnam City North High School. Base bid was $496,700, alternative 2-A is $63,000 for a total of $559,700.

ITEM  #8 – SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.

· Two Putnam City art educators are being honored by the National Art Education Association (NAEA) for exemplary contributions, service and achievement.

o Barbara Gabel (Fine Arts curriculum specialist)

o Donna Kirkevold (PC Academy teacher)

· Central Elementary has been awarded the Get Moving OKC grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation in the amount of $2,700.00, submitted by Dusty Wallace (physical education teacher). The money will be used to purchase 100 pedometers, rewards, medals, and incentives to encourage participation in the walking program and for nutrition education materials.

· Four Putnam City High School students were chosen as winners in the Multicultural Institutes’ essay contest "Oklahoma’s Centennial: A Time to Celebrate Diversity". Cash prizes were awarded to: Judith Huerta, Rachel Clay, Jammy Salinas and honorable mention to Portia Colbert.

· Capps Middle School has been awarded a $7,000.00 grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation/Margaret Annis Boys Beautification Project to be used for purchasing crepe myrtles and maiden grass to be planted along the 39th Street fence.

· The American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma will honor Dr. Diane Welker, principal of Central Intermediate School, as one of six local heroes at the annual Red Cross HEROES Event, March 8th. Welker is being honored for taking quick action to stop a car that went over the curb and on to school property as school was letting out for the day earlier this year. At the same event, the Madalynne Norick Lifetime Hero award will be presented to Lois Thomas for her involvement with students and her work raising money for cancer research.

· Two Putnam City West High School students, Andrea Bryan and Jackson Turner, and one Putnam City North High School student, Matthew Diemund, have been named to the 2007 Academic All-State Class by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

· Western Oaks Elementary has been awarded the Get Moving OKC grant in the amount of $6,700.00 from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. The funds will be used to purchase a 13-station fitness trail.

· Tuesday, March 6, is election day in Putnam City. All registered voters in the district may vote in the bond election at their regular precincts from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

ITEM #9 – COMMENTS BY BOARD MEMBERS.

Sue Sullivan encouraged everyone to vote in the bond election March 6, 2007. She praised and thanked the students who donated their artwork. Mrs. Sullivan expressed her admiration for Putnam City High School students who developed a dropout reduction program and sought and received a $78,000 grant to carry it out.

Jerry Cramer praised Putnam City High School students and their sponsor for their efforts to improve the dropout rate. He thanked Barbara Gabel and said that Putnam City had the best Fine Arts program in the state. Mr. Cramer said last week’s Teacher of the Year event was wonderful, and congratulated teachers of the year from various schools as well as the district’s teacher of the year, Dionne Liebl from Putnam City West High School. He wished Bill Robinson and the Putnam City North Panthers’ Basketball team good luck.

Melinda Bookout thanked the art students and the artwork they presented to Putnam City and the Board.

Gail LoPresto thanked Barbara Gabel and the art students for their artwork given to the district and to Board members. She congratulated Putnam City West students and teachers on their production of Seussical, The Musical and said she had heard positive comments about improvements to the auditorium. Mrs. LoPresto congratulated the Putnam City North Panthers’ Basketball team. She urged everyone to get out and vote Tuesday.

Julie Jenison thanked Barbara Gabel and her dedication to Putnam City. She thanked Central Elementary School second-grade student Mikayla Pratt for her artwork. She recalled volunteering at the school and meeting Mikayla referring to her as an "amazing young student." She wished good luck to the Putnam City North Panthers.

ITEM #10 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF (1) DISCUSSING THE RENEWAL OF EMPLOYMENT FOR CERTIFIED ADMINISTRATORS AS LISTED ON ATTACHMENT C FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR AND (2) DISCUSSING THE RENEWAL OF EMPLOYMENT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT’S STAFF FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR, WHICH INCLUDES BETTIE ESTES-RICKNER, MIKE FRY, GLEN KASTNER, JASON SIMEROTH, SUE KUNTZE, DR. ANN MILLERBORG, DR. MELANI MOUSE, AND STEVE MYERS PURSUANT TO 25 O.S. § 307 (B)(1).

Melinda Bookout made a motion to enter into executive session at 6:50 p.m. for the purpose of (1) discussing the renewal of employment for certified administrators as listed on Attachment C for the 2007-2008 school year and (2) discussing the renewal of employment for the Superintendent’s Staff for the 2007-2008 school year, which includes Bettie Estes-Rickner, Mike Fry, Glen Kastner, Jason Simeroth, Sue Kuntze, Dr. Ann Millerborg, Dr. Melani Mouse, and Steve Myers pursuant to 25 O.S. § 307 (B)(1). Sue Sullivan seconded the motion. Vote: Sullivan, aye; Cramer, aye; Bookout, aye; LoPresto, aye; Jenison, aye.

ITEM #11 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN MEETING AND TO REQUEST THE BOARD CLERK TO RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.

Melinda Bookout made a motion at 7:20 p.m. to return to open meeting and to request the board clerk to record the minutes of the executive session. Sue Sullivan seconded the motion.

Vote: Sullivan, aye; Cramer, aye; Bookout, aye; LoPresto, aye; Jenison, aye.

MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION: Board President Julie Jenison, Vice President Gail LoPresto, and members Melinda Bookout, Sue Sullivan, and Jerry Cramer; Superintendent Dr. Jim Capps; Laura Holmes, attorney; Assistant Superintendents Dr. Melani Mouse and Sue Kuntze; and Associate Superintendent Dr. Ann Millerborg met in executive session for the purpose of (1) discussing the renewal of employment for certified administrators as listed on Attachment C for the 2007-2008 school year and (2) discussing the renewal of employment of the Superintendent’s Staff for the 2007-2008 school year, which includes Bettie Estes-Rickner, Mike Fry, Glen Kastner, Jason Simeroth, Sue Kuntze, Dr. Ann Millerborg, Dr. Melani Mouse, and Steve Myers pursuant to 25 O.S. § 307 (B)(1).

No action was taken.

ITEM #12 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION FOR RENEWAL OF EMPLOYMENT FOR CERTIFIED ADMINISTRATORS AS LISTED ON ATTACHMENT C FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR.

Dr. Capps announced that the administration recommends hiring the certified administrators listed on Attachment C for the 2007-2008 school year.

Melinda Bookout made a motion for renewal of employment for certified administrators as listed on Attachment C for the 2007-2008 school year. Jerry Cramer seconded the motion. Vote: Sullivan, aye; Cramer, aye; Bookout, aye; LoPresto, aye; Jenison, aye.

ITEM #13 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION FOR RENEWAL OF EMPLOYMENT FOR SUPERINTENDENT’S STAFF FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR, WHICH INCLUDES BETTIE ESTES-RICKNER, MIKE FRY, GLEN KASTNER, JASON SIMEROTH, SUE KUNTZE, DR. ANN MILLERBORG, DR. MELANI MOUSE, AND STEVE MYERS.

Melinda Bookout made a motion for renewal of employment for the Superintendent’s Staff for the 2007-2008 school year, which includes Bettie Estes-Rickner, Mike Fry, Glen Kastner, Jason Simeroth, Sue Kuntze, Dr. Ann Millerborg, Dr. Melani Mouse, and Steve Myers. Sue Sullivan seconded the motion. Vote: Sullivan, aye; Cramer, aye; Bookout, aye; LoPresto, aye; Jenison, aye.

ITEM #14 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON NEW BUSINESS.

There was no new business.

ITEM #15 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO ADJOURN.

Sue Sullivan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 p.m. Melinda Bookout seconded the motion. Vote: Sullivan, aye; Cramer, aye; Bookout, aye; LoPresto, aye; Jenison, aye.

ITEM #1 – CALL TO ORDER AND RECORDING OF MEMBERS PRESENT AND ABSENT.

Julie Jenison called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.

Members present: Sue Sullivan and Melinda Bookout; President Julie Jenison; Vice President Gail LoPresto, Superintendent Dr. Jim Capps; Debbra Baldwin, clerk, and others.

Jerry Cramer arrived during Item #2.

ITEM #2 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO ADD TWO ADDITIONAL OFF-SITE PRE-K PROGRAMS AT LAPETITE ACADEMY, INC. AND CHILD TIME LEARNING CARE CENTER FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR.

Gail LoPresto made a motion to add two additional off-site Pre-K programs at LaPetite Academy, Inc. and Child Time Learning Care Center for the 2007-2008 school year. Sue Sullivan seconded the motion. Vote: Sullivan, aye; Cramer, abstain; Bookout, aye; LoPresto, aye; Jenison, aye.

ITEM #3 – DISCUSSION OF FINANCES, DISTRICT GRADING SYSTEM, AND CONFIGURATION OF CENTRAL ELEMENTARY AND CENTRAL INTERMEDIATE.

John Murphey presented information on a possible new grading system. Dr. Capps said the grading system presented by John Murphey is just something Putnam City might want to consider in the future. Board members discussed and asked questions of Dr. Mouse and John Murphey. Administrators will discuss the subject with teachers and decide what system they think will be best for Putnam City. A district policy change would need to be approved by board members before implementation of a new grading system.

Break: 5:45 to 5:50 p.m.

Dr. Capps said the bond fund is providing for the building of a new facility for Central Elementary where the old Student Services building is located, which is right next to the current Central Elementary building. When the new school is completed, the old Central Elementary building will be torn down, and the parking lot and playground will be completed.

Sue Kuntze talked about the possibility of making Central Elementary and Central Intermediate both Pre-K through 5th grade schools. Sherri Brown, Central Elementary principal, and Diane Welker, Central Intermediate principal, also shared their reasons for the change. They both have met with their faculty to discuss the changes.

Steve Myers discussed district finances and how state aid has affected Putnam City District. He said the consequences of less state aid than expected should not affect us until next year.

ITEM #4 – CONSIDERATION OF AND VOTE ON MOTION TO ADJOURN.

Sue Sullivan made a motion at 6:30 p.m. to adjourn the meeting. Jerry seconded the motion. Vote: Sullivan, aye; Cramer, aye; Bookout, aye; LoPresto, aye; Jenison, aye.