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CHEROKEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

BOARD MEETING

AUGUST 12, 2003


The Cherokee County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at 7:00 PM in the
Board Room at the District Administrative Office. Board members present were Chairman Mr. Jerry W. Shad McDaniel, Vice Chair
Ms. Ola H. Copeland, Secretary Mr. Ralph Clay Cole, Mrs. Lindley H. Auton, Mr. Barry E. Bailey, Mr. Willie J. Crosby, Mr. Mike A.
Ellis, Mr. Greg B. Kirby, and Mrs. Patricia R. Wells. Administrators present were Superintendent Dr. William B. James, Chief
Academic Officer Dr. Linda C. Sellars, Chief Administrative Officer/Director of Personnel Mr. William A. Jones, Chief Finance &
Operations Officer Mr. James H. Bridges, Director of Special Services Mrs. Connie P. Prozny, and Maintenance Supervisor Mr. John
Burchstead. Mr. Jim Britton with Southern Management Group, Mr. Butch Barnhardt Jenkins, Hancock & Sides, and Mr. Henry
Brown Nexsen Pruett Jacobs & Pollard, were present. News media present were Mr. Scott Powell - Gaffney Ledger, Mr. Tommy
Martin Cherokee Chronicle, and Ms. Lynne Powell Spartanburg Herald-Journal.

In accordance with South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 30-40-80(d), as amended, the following have been notified of the time, date,
and agenda of this meeting: The Blacksburg Times, The Cherokee Chronicle, The Gaffney Ledger, the Shelby Star, the Spartanburg
Herald-Journal, Radio Stations WEAC/WAGI and WFGN, WSPA-TV, WYFF-TV, and WSOC-TV.

Chairman Mr. Jerry W. McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and recognized the news media present. Mr. Crosby led in the
opening prayer.

Two items needed to be added to the agenda School Board Policy IDF Interscholastic Activities & Athletics C Average and
Executive Session Legal Counsel on Gaffney High School Remediation. Mr. McDaniel called for a motion on the School Board Policy
IDF. Mr. Bailey made the motion to add this item to the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Auton. The following trustees voted in favor
of the motion: Mrs. Auton, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Ellis, and Mr. McDaniel. The following trustees voted in opposition to the motion: Mr.
Crosby, Mrs. Wells, Mr. Kirby, and Mr. Cole. Ms. Copeland abstained from voting, citing this item should not be added to the agenda
without trustees first having the opportunity to review the policy or discussing any concerns in committee. The motion failed due to a
tied vote. Mr. McDaniel called for a motion on Executive Session. Mr. Crosby made the motion to add this item to the agenda,
seconded by Mrs. Auton. All trustees voted unanimously for the motion.

Approval of the Board Agenda was the next item on the agenda. Ms. Copeland made the motion to approve the agenda, seconded by
Mrs. Wells. All trustees voted unanimously for the motion.
Called Board Minutes dated June 9, 2003, Student A was presented for approval. Mrs. Wells made the motion to approve, seconded
by Mr. Kirby. All trustees voted unanimously to approve Called Board Minutes dated June 9, 2003.

Board Minutes dated June 9, 2003, Student B were presented for approval. Mr. Crosby made the motion to approve, seconded by Mr.
Kirby. All trustees voted unanimously to approve Board Minutes dated June 9, 2003.

Public Hearing Minutes dated June 10, 2003 were presented for approval. Ms. Copeland made the motion to approve, seconded by
Mr. Kirby. All trustees voted unanimously to approve Public Hearing Minutes dated June 10, 2003.

Board Minutes dated June 10, 2003 were presented for approval. Mr. Crosby made the motion to approve, seconded by Mr. Kirby.
All trustees voted unanimously to approve Board Minutes dated June 10, 2003.

Public Participation was the next item on the agenda. No one requested to address trustees.

The next item on the agenda was Honors/Accomplishments/Commendations. Dr. James recognized the faculty and staff of BD Lee
Elementary, Corinth Elementary, Mary Bramlett Elementary, and Gaffney High School for being named a 2003 Red Carpet School. A
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total of 126 schools in the 86 school districts in South Carolina received Red Carpet awards this year. Grassy Pond Elementary received
the award last year, making a total of 5 schools in the district having received this distinguished award. Dr. James said the preliminary
scores for the spring testing were received this afternoon. The Exit Exam scores have increased 4% from last year, which would make
this the third consecutive year, the scores have increased. PACT math scores have increased in all grades at all levels. The PACT
Language Arts scores are still being analyzed and it appears that these scores have also improved and hopefully in all areas as well. He
commended the teachers and administrators for their efforts and hard work. Dr. James also commended Dr. McFadden and Ms. Kathy
Bell for writing an alternative grant that was approved and funded for the alternative program. Ms. Bell will be responsible for the
administration of the grant. The grant provides funding for a GED teacher to provide students an opportunity to pursue their GED.

Presentation of District Drug Dog was the next item on the agenda. Dr. James and Officer Eric Quinn presented Apache, the drug dog
purchased for the district in partnership with local law enforcement. Apache will partner with safety personnel and has been trained to
detect drugs and weapons in schools and on school property. All trustees signed a proclamation in support of Americas Safe Schools
Initiative.

Building Program Update was the next item on the agenda. Mr. Jim Britton from Southern Management Group provided an update on
the Cherokee Street Elementary School, Grassy Pond/Northwest elementary schools, and the Veterans Field Dugout Renovation Project.
The building footings and sub-grade masonry are now 100% complete on the Cherokee Street Elementary School Project and the first
concrete pour will be made this week. The pour will be for Buildings E and F (Kitchen, Cafeteria, Multi-Purpose Room). The next pour
will be the center section of building (Building A). Other items in progress: curb and gutter installation and ME&P under slab rough-in.
The inclusion of playgrounds was a part of the original contract documents. There will be a total of three play ground areas: one at the
end of the kindergarten wing (which is now under the topsoil stock pile), one between buildings B and C, and a third located in the
clearing between the building and the retention pond. The sitework contractor is now working on punch list items and should be 100%
complete within the next few weeks. All items for Change Order #1, which totals $246,793.00, have been finalized. Change Order #1
includes eleven separate items: the SCDOT mandated changes (four items); unsuitable soil; additional testing in the amount of
$213,448.00; and relocation of soil in an effort to compensate for the unsuitable soil. The project (sitework and building) as a whole, is
still under budget by almost $800,000 (including contingency). The revised substantial completion date is March 17, 2004 and the final
revised completion date is April 17, 2004. Weather continues to impact the construction schedule. A total of 15.8 of rain recorded on
site during the month of July.

Clayton Construction Company has mobilized at both Northwest and Grassy Pond elementary school sites and is in the process of
installing all required storm drain structures and grading. The grading process is expected to be complete this week and plumbing trunk
lines should begin soon after. Building footings will follow. Weather has also caused an impact to the schedule. The project has already
incurred a 7-day delay due to weather.

Diversified Technology Incorporated is the architect responsible for the Veterans Field Dugout Renovation Project. The original project
description involved the complete revamp of the Gaffney High School Baseball practice field into the competition field. This design was
pared down and relocated to the existing competition field at Veterans Field. The scope of work includes the demolition of the existing
two dugouts and construction of two new dugouts. Each dugout will have a storage room and the home dugout will have a dressing room
bid as an alternate. Also included will be the realignment of the backstop and fencing along the first and third base lines. Several
meetings have been scheduled with the coaching staff and administration with the most recent meeting held the week of August 4
th
. The
project design is complete and is ready to be issued to contractors for bidding. SMG plans to advertise for bids on Sunday, August 17
th
and to receive bids on September 4
th
. The Notice to Proceed will be issued on September 10
th
. Work is scheduled to begin by September
17
th
and should be completed by December 5, 2003. The total budget for the renovation project is $449,820.00. The design development
estimate is $97,500. The design development estimate with the alternate is $143,500. In discussion, trustees questioned the budget and
design estimates, as some understood the cost to be approximately $50,000 for the overall project. Dr. James said the administration
would review the proposed plans and costs associated with the design and advise the Board at the September meeting the status and
whether or not to proceed with the project.

Executive Session Legal Counsel on Gaffney High School Remediation Work was the next item on the agenda. Mr. McDaniel called
for a motion to go into executive session to receive legal counsel on the Gaffney High School Remediation Work. Mrs. Wells made the
motion to go into executive session, seconded by Mr. Kirby. All trustees voted unanimously to go into executive session. The
executive session began at 7:40 PM and ended at 8:25 PM. Mr. McDaniel called for a motion to return to regular session. Mrs. Wells
made the motion, seconded by Ms. Copeland. All trustees voted unanimously to return to regular session. This item was received
for information only; no action was taken.

Monthly Financial Update was the next item on the agenda. Mr. Bridges provided trustees with a report of the various building project
financial statements as of August 12, 2003. The report included budgeted expenditures, encumbrances, and remaining balances on
current building projects by location. He reported that all the projects are in good shape financially with the exception of the Gaffney
High School Project. There are still some outstanding bills to be paid. At present, the project is $439,000 overspent above project
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contingency and revenue available. Mrs. Wells asked if the monies set aside in reserve during budget projections could be used to
purchase new furniture and equipment for the new elementary school. Mr. Bridges advised trustees that no monies had been budgeted for
this expense but it was hopeful there would be revenue available from the project contingency to purchase new equipment and furniture
without using these funds. This item was received for information only; no action was taken.

Ratification of Claims was the next item on the agenda. Mrs. Auton made the motion to approve, seconded by Mr. Cole. All trustees
voted unanimously for the motion.

Approval of External Revenue Generation Beverage Contract was the next item on the agenda. The administration recommended that the
district enter into an exclusive beverage contract with Pepsi Cola, Inc. Pepsi Cola submitted the best revenue-generating contract secured
by DD Marketing, Inc. through the bid process. The district could also receive revenue through truckload sales and the Community to
District Vending Program. Pepsi Cola will provide carbonated non-alcoholic drinks as well as non-carbonated non-alcoholic beverages
nutritional drinks including fruit juices, fruit juice-containing drinks, and fruit flavored drinks, tea products, isotonic (Gatorade), fruit
replacement drinks (sports drinks) and packaged waters. Mr. Kirby made the motion to approve, seconded by Mr. Crosby. All
trustees voted unanimously for the motion.

The next item on the agenda was Approval of Procurement Code Revisions. The administration presented revisions to the procurement
code for approval, as directed by the Materials Management Office of the State Budget & Control Board. Mr. Kirby asked why trustees
did not receive a revised procurement code document as opposed to just the summary since the summary provided only the changes. Mr.
Bridges said the administration had a copy of the procurement code, as revised, on file for trustees to review. Mrs. Wells made the
motion to refer this item to the Budget & Finance Committee and authorize the committee to act on the item, seconded by Mr.
Kirby. The following trustees voted in favor of the motion: Mrs. Auton, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Cole, Mr. McDaniel, Ms.
Copeland, Mr. Crosby, and Mrs. Wells. Mr. Kirby voted in opposition to the motion. The motion passed by a majority vote.

Revenue Sources for District Facilities Upgrade was the next item on the agenda. The Board directed the administration to investigate
the possibility of building a stadium at Gaffney High School and to make major renovations in the athletic facilities at Blacksburg High
School at the Board meeting in June. The administration was also asked to identify funding other than tax money and consider the
Greenville School District BEST model. The administration spoke with Brent Jeffcoat who authored the program for Greenville
County. The administration spoke with Steve Moss, a local banker, regarding private financing. The administration also identified
potential revenue sources to fund this project. Mr. Jeffcoat informed the administration that it was possible to build facilities using this
method of purchasing and that he would be willing to assist the district on the legal component. His instructions were to have the School
Board of Trustees appoint a five (5)-member board to oversee the project. Mr. Moss advised the administration that private financing
was possible and that he would like to review the numbers regarding revenue particularly for a project using non-tax revenue to retire the
debt. Trustees received a list of possible revenue sources based on a maximum potential or best-case scenario and lesser-projected
revenue. Dr. James noted the projections were not all-inclusive and that it would be impossible to determine with absolute accuracy the
amount of revenue that could be obtained from these sources over a twenty-year period. Two options were provided with optimum and
projected revenue from a seat tax, parking fee, booster boxes, Booster Club contributions, donations, preferred seating license, vending
contracts, and the Dickens Foundation. The optimum revenue total was projected to be $585,000. The projected revenue total was
$262,000. The target debt service for $7 million at 5% would be $560,000 as an optimum. The target debt service for $4 million at 4%
would be $300,000. The debt could be serviced in different ways. In the Greenville model, General Obligation Bonds were sold and
retired each year in the amount needed to service the debt. Funds could be generated through various fundraisers. The Cherokee County
School Board of Trustees has fiscal autonomy and could allocate operational millage from the General Fund to retire the debt. All
available general obligation debt could be issued and serviced with traditional debt service millage. A new stadium could be built and
funded by private funding using fund raiser, private funding using operational millage, bond issue, or a combination of all the above or
the Board could elect to renovate the existing stadiums, maintain current facilities, or do nothing. Trustees also received a copy of the
short list of suggested stadium improvements. Mr. Kirby made the motion to proceed and appoint the committee of individuals to
serve on the non-profit organizational board separate from the School Board and to instruct the committee to look at all the
alternative funding sources. Mrs. Auton seconded the motion. The following trustees voted in favor of the motion: Mrs. Auton,
Mr. Ellis, Mr. Cole, Mr. McDaniel, Ms. Copeland, Mr. Crosby, Mrs. Wells, and Mr. Kirby. Mr. Bailey voted in opposition to the
motion. The motion passed by a majority vote. Dr. James suggested that the Budget & Finance Committee review the projected
revenue sources and cost figures and select and confirm five individuals to serve on this committee based on the motion by Mr. Kirby. A
committee meeting will be scheduled next week since time is of essence in this matter, especially with the current low interest rates.

Request from First Steps of Cherokee County was the next item on the agenda. The administration received a request from Ms. Nikol
Winthrow, Executive Director of First Steps in Cherokee County, to include First Steps employees in the district payroll for the purpose
of receiving benefits, i.e., retirement and health benefits. Dr. James expressed concern about the fact that the First Steps program was not
a district sponsored program and was funded from the state level separately from other programs serving the district, the district had no
authority regarding salary issues, concerns about possible workman comp issues and other legal ramifications, and the fact that school
officials had no vote in First Step initiatives. Mr. Kirby made the motion to deny the request based on the possible legal
ramifications for an outside agency that does not operate under the umbrella of district programs, seconded by Mrs. Wells. All
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trustees voted unanimously for the motion.

Erect Tower for Band Practice Field was the next item on the agenda. The administration received a request from Mr. Bob Cotter, Band
Director at Gaffney High School, to erect a tower for the band practice field. This item was tabled at the Board meeting on June 10,
2003, until life safety issues, code compliance issues, and structural issues could be addressed. A set of plans were designed and signed
by an engineer for the tower. The tower can be constructed according to the plans using donated materials and labor. The administration
recommended that the tower be constructed as designed. Mrs. Auton made the motion to approve the recommendation, seconded by
Ms. Copeland. All trustees voted unanimously for the motion.

Approval of Experimental Courses was the next item on the agenda. The following experimental courses for Gaffney High School were
recommended for approval: The Civil War Era, Introduction to Microbiology, The Works of Shakespeare/Classical Mythology &
Arthurian Legends, The Story of America, South Carolina History, Responding to Emergencies, and Revolutionary War/Civil War
Course. The following experimental courses for Cherokee Technology Center were presented for approval: Job Skills, Occupational
Preparation, and Pre-Vocational Skills. Mr. Kirby made the motion to approve, seconded by Mrs. Auton. All trustees voted
unanimously for the motion.

The next item on the agenda was Student Discipline Program Alternative. Members of the School Board directed the administration to
review the student discipline code and provide possible alternatives to expulsion for first time offenders of minor drug violations. Dr.
James said the Board is not required by law to expel these students, but under the zero tolerance policy in effect in the school district, all
drug offenses are expulsion offenses. The administration provided criteria that could be used for allowing alternative school placement.
Mrs. Auton made the motion to approve the student discipline program alternative as outlined with random testing added in
each six-week period. Mr. Crosby seconded the motion. Trustees discussed the criteria and the impact the program alternative could
have on the districts student discipline code. Dr. James advised trustees he was following the directive of the Board and that he
supported the zero tolerance policy, but the administration would implement the directives of the Board. After further discussion on the
zero tolerance policy and input from the superintendent and secondary principals regarding this item, Mrs. Auton withdrew her
motion. This item was received for information only.

Chief Administrative Officer/Director of Personnel Mr. Andy Jones presented Personnel Matters for consideration. Dr. James reviewed
the administrative recommendations including Mrs. Page McCraw for the Director of Cherokee Technology Center, Dr. Charlean Hunter
for the Middle School Alternative Program Coordinator, Mr. Alan Ruppe for the Assistant Principal position at Gaffney High School, and
Mr. Virgil Hampton for the Assistant Principal position at Blacksburg Middle School. Dr. James said he would have another
recommendation for the band program at Blacksburg should the board approve the above position changes. Mrs. Auton made the
motion to approve personnel matters, seconded by Mr. Bailey. All trustees voted unanimously for personnel matters as presented
with the following exception: Mr. Kirby abstained from voting on Mr. David Reams. Dr. James recommended Mr. Shane Dixon as
the Band Director at Blacksburg High School. According to Board policy, an employee cannot work at the same school where a spouse
is employed. He advised trustees that Mrs. Dixon would transfer to an open position at another school if her husband were approved for
the band directors position. Mr. Bailey made the motion to approve the recommendation, seconded by Mrs. Auton. In discussion,
Mrs. Wells asked if the positions had been posted according to policy and interviews conducted. Dr. James advised trustees that the
positions had been posted and interviews conducted with the exception of the Blacksburg High School Band Director position. He said
he made the recommendation based on the fact that band camp has already begun, the district had no applications for band director, and
he felt that it would be a disservice to begin school without a band director when Mr. Dixon had served as the assistant to this position.
Mr. McDaniel called for a vote on the motion. The following trustees voted in favor of the motion: Mrs. Auton, Mr. Bailey, Mr.
Ellis, Mr. McDaniel, Ms. Copeland, and Mr. Crosby. The following trustees voted in opposition to the motion: Mr. Cole, Mrs.
Wells, and Mr. Kirby. The motion passed with a majority vote.

The next item on the agenda was announcements. Dr. James reminded trustees of upcoming events. The New Teachers Luncheon will
be held on Thursday, August 14
th
at Noon at Limestone-Central Elementary School. Teachers will report on Wednesday, August 20
th
for
3 days of staff development. Students will report on Monday, August 25th. The South Carolina School Boards Association is sponsoring
the Effective Board Operations Workshop August 23-24, 2003, at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Charleston. The 32
nd
Annual Chamber
of Commerce Retreat is scheduled for September 10-12, 2003, at the Ocean Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach.

Other Matters
Mr. Kirby distributed a written request that School Board Policy BBA/BBAA, BBAB, and BD be added to the Board agenda for the
meeting in September.

Mrs. Wells said when the Board Governance Ad Hoc Committee visited other school districts and attended their board meetings, the
school principals provided a brief curriculum report at each board meeting to showcase the individual schools and to inform trustees of
any programs at their schools. She said she would like to see this added to the agenda each month.

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Mr. Crosby congratulated the schools for receiving the Red Carpet awards. He said he felt the schools met the zero tolerance policy when
first time offenders violating the student discipline code were removed from the general school setting and placed at the alternative
program. He said there had to be a better way to address first time offenders without removing the student from school completely and
the student losing a years credit in school. Mr. Crosby also asked that the administration review the legality of the C policy.

Ms. Copeland congratulated the schools for receiving the Red Carpet awards. She said she felt the standing committees should start
meeting to help solve the problems addressed at school board meeting.

Mrs. Auton congratulated the schools for receiving the Red Carpet awards. She also congratulated the teachers and administration for the
improvement in test scores and all their hard work to improve education in the district. She agreed that there should be a way to penalize
first time offenders without their losing a years credit, especially when the student was a good student and had made a foolish mistake.

Mr. Bailey congratulated the schools for receiving the Red Carpet awards. He asked how many school districts in the state had a C
policy and stated he was concerned that our students were at a disadvantage since the district requirement for athletics was more stringent
that the requirements of the high school league. He questioned the legality of the policy.

Mr. Ellis congratulated the schools for receiving the Red Carpet awards. He agreed that trustees needed to review the C policy
requirements since area schools did not have a similar policy in effect.

Mr. Cole congratulated the schools for receiving the Red Carpet awards. He asked how the district came up with the money to provide
carpet and tile for Blacksburg as well as the air conditioning. He said at the last meeting the Board agreed to put these items on hold until
some other life safety issues had been addressed and other needs assessed. He asked if someone had donated the materials or why this
work had been done without Board approval. Dr. James said the work had been done using maintenance funds. He said similar repairs
had been done in other schools according to the schedule for maintenance. The air conditioning replacement was part of the Johnson
Controls contract.

Mr. McDaniel called for a motion to adjourn. Mrs. Auton made the motion, seconded by Mr. Cole. All trustees voted unanimously
to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.


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