Minutes 08 27 12 - Jefferson County Public Schools - Kentucky ...

JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION 

Minutes of Regular Meeting of September 24, 2012 

REGULAR meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Education held at the VanHoose Education 

Center, 3332 Newburg Road, Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday, September 24, 2012, at 7 p.m. 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: 

Chairperson Diane Porter 

Mrs. Linda Duncan 

Mr. Joseph Hardesty 

Mrs. Debbie Wesslund 

Vice-Chair Stephen Imhoff 

Mrs. Carol Haddad 

Mr. Larry Hujo 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: 

Superintendent Donna M. Hargens, Ed.D. 

Rosemary Miller, General Counsel 

Kathy Smith, Assistant Secretary to the Board 

WORK SESSION: 

A work session was held at 5 p.m. to discuss student assignment operations and technical 

enhancements. All Board members were present. 

The following staff members made a presentation and answered Board members’ questions: 

• Dr. Robert Rodosky; executive director; Data Management, Planning, and Program 

Evaluation Services; 

• Dr. Dena Dossett; director; Planning and Program Evaluation; 

• Raghu Seshadri, director, Management Information Services; 

• Cheul Hwang, data warehouse modeler; and 

• Josh Franey, systems architect. 

REGULAR MEETING: 

Chair Diane Porter called the September 24, 2012, meeting of the Board of Education to order at 

7 p.m. All Board members were present. 

The meeting opened with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the 

reading of the Vision Statement. 

III. Approval of Minutes 

Order #2012-317 - Motion Passed: Superintendent Donna Hargens recommends that the Board 

of Education approve the minutes from the September 10, 2012, regular meeting. The 

recommendation passed with a motion by Mr. Joseph Hardesty and a second by Mrs. Carol 

Haddad. 

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Mrs. Linda Duncan Yes Mrs. Carol Haddad Yes 

Mr. Joseph Hardesty Yes Mr. Larry Hujo Yes 

Mr. Stephen Imhoff Yes Ms. Diane Porter Yes 

Mrs. Debbie Wesslund Yes 

IV. Recognitions and Resolutions 

• Recognition of Beth Guthrie 

• Recognition of Jodi Adams 


of Education approve the recognitions and resolutions for September 24, 2012. The 

recommendation passed with a motion by Mrs. Carol Haddad and a second by Mr. Stephen 

Imhoff. 





Superintendent’s Report 

• “Thank you, Chair Porter, members of the Board. It is my pleasure to call your attention to a 

few items. 

• On September 11, we held the first monthly principals’ meeting at Valley High School. 

During this time, Cabinet members and I provided an update and received feedback on 

several districtwide initiatives. Attendees were also provided an overview on key legal and 

accounting policies and procedures. Similar meetings were held for central office 

administrators and counselors. 

• I provided an overview of the District’s Strategic Plan—Vision 2015 at Fern Creek 

Community Association and Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting. 

• In partnership with the Louisville Urban League, we held our first District Directional 

meeting at Roosevelt-Perry Elementary School. More than 35 parents and community 

representatives attended this meeting. 

• We held the kickoff for this year’s Metro United Way Employee campaign on September 13 

and 14. Last year, JCPS employees donated over $230,000 to Metro United Way. The 

employee campaign will run through October 12. 

• I participated in the Bingham Fellows’ graduation ceremonies at Spalding University. The 

topic for this year’s class was focused on ways to improve parental and community 

engagement support within our schools, and over 40 resident from across the community 

participated. 

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• Senator Gerald Neal hosted the Louisville African-American Initiative Community 

Education Mini-Summit Update on Friday, September 14. Several district personnel and I 

presented and participated in a panel session. 

• We held our first expanded Cabinet meeting with various community partners at Dunn 

Elementary School. Representatives from Greater Louisville Inc., the Mayor’s office, and the 

Jefferson County Teachers Association participated in this event. A special thanks to 

Principal Patti Barron and the Dunn Elementary PTA for the warm hospitality. 

• Chair Diane Porter and I met with members of the Jefferson County Legislative Delegation 

during their monthly meeting last week. 

• Several teachers from Eastern, duPont Manual, and Buechel Metropolitan high schools were 

recognized at the annual ExCELebration awards program. Each year, six teachers within the 

district are selected based on their contributions to teaching and are provided with $1,000 to 

be used for supplies. 

• We held the first Community Relations Committee meeting on Thursday, September 20. 

Several Board members joined parents and representatives from across the district in 

providing feedback on ways the district can improve communication to parents and other 

key stakeholders. 

• Finally, as of today, I have visited 99 different schools, for a total of 144 school visits. 

• At this time, I recommend the consent calendar for your consideration.” 

V. Consent Calendar for September 24, 2012 

A. Approval of Personnel Actions 

B. Approval of Certified Leaves 

C. Approval of Job Descriptions 

D. Approval of Organizational Charts 

E. Approval of Field Trips 

F. Approval of Bid and Revised BG–1 Form for a New Preschool Center 

G. Approval of Project Completion and BG–4 Form for Structural Repairs at Moore 

Traditional School 

H. Approval of Construction Change Orders 

I. Approval of Bid Tabulations and Amendments 

J. Acceptance of Purchase Order Report 

K. Acceptance of Voucher Report 

L. Approval of Professional Services Contracts of $5,000 or More 

M. Approval of Monthly Report of Professional Services Contracts 

N. Acceptance of Financial Report for Period Ended August 31, 2012 

O. Approval of a Temporary Construction Easement at Bates Elementary School 

P. Approval of an Electrical Easement at Thomas Jefferson Middle School 

Q. Approval of Donations 

R. Acceptance of Funding from the Jefferson County Public Education Foundation 

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S. Acceptance of Grants and Funding 

1. Acceptance of Give with Target Grant for Minors Lane Elementary School 

2. Acceptance of Grant from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for Stonestreet 

Elementary School Multi-Use Path Project 

3. Acceptance of Grant from the Kentucky Department of Education for the English 

as a Second Language Program 

4. Acceptance of Funding for District-Sponsored AmeriCorps Project 

T. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement with the Kentucky Department of 

Education for Education Recovery Specialist 

U. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement with the Jefferson County Teachers 

Association 

V. Approval to Remove Application Process for Elementary Optional Programs 

W. Approval of Rutherford Elementary School as an Advance Program School in 

Cluster 5 for 2013–14 

X. Approval of Programmatic Changes for The Academy @ Shawnee for 2013–14 

Board members requested additional information on the following items: 

• V.C. Approval of Job Descriptions—Dr. Dewey Hensley, chief academic officer; Dr. Michael 

Raisor, chief operations officer; and Rick Caple, director of Transportation; came forward to 

provide information and answer questions. 

• V.D. Approval of Organizational Charts—Dr. Dewey Hensley, chief academic officer; 

Dr. Michael Raisor, chief operations officer; and Rick Caple, director of Transportation; came 

forward to provide information and answer questions. 

• V.L. Approval of Professional Services Contracts of $5,000 or More (Contract #2 to Mucker 

Johnson, LLC dba SOAR Tutoring)—Dr. Dewey Hensley, chief academic officer, came 

forward to provide information and answer questions. 

• V.U. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement with the Jefferson County Teachers 

Association. 

• V.W. Approval of Rutherford Elementary School as an Advance Program School in Cluster 5 

for 2013–14—Dr. Bob Rodosky, executive director, Data Management, Planning, and 

Program Evaluation; Bernadette Hamilton, director; Optional, Magnet, and Advance 

Programs; and Kathy McGinnis, director, Elementary Student Assignment; came forward to 

provide information and answer questions. 

• V.X. Approval of Programmatic Changes for The Academy @ Shawnee—Dr. Bob Rodosky, 

executive director, Data Management, Planning, and Program Evaluation; Dr. Keith Look, 

principal, The Academy @ Shawnee; and Kathy McGinnis, director, Elementary Student 

Assignment; came forward to provide information and answer questions 

Order #2012-319 - Motion Passed: A motion to approve the consent calendar as presented in 

Agenda Items V. A. through V. X. minus Items V.L. and V.U., which were acted on separately 

passed with a motion by Mr. Larry Hujo and a second by Mr. Stephen Imhoff. 

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of Education approve Agenda Item V.L. Approval of Professional Services Contracts of $5,000 

or More. The recommendation passed with a motion by Mr. Stephen Imhoff and a second by 

Mrs. Carol Haddad. 



Mr. Stephen Imhoff Yes Ms. Diane Porter Abstain 


Order #2012-321 - Motion Failed: Superintendent Donna Hargens recommends that the Board 

of Education approve Agenda Item V.U. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement with the 

Jefferson County Teachers Association. The recommendation failed with a motion by 

Mr. Stephen Imhoff and a second by Mr. Larry Hujo. 

Mrs. Linda Duncan Yes Mrs. Carol Haddad No 

Mr. Joseph Hardesty No Mr. Larry Hujo Yes 

Mr. Stephen Imhoff Yes Ms. Diane Porter No 

Mrs. Debbie Wesslund No 

Due to the lateness of the hour and the items still remaining on the agenda, Mr. Hardesty 

suggested that the Board amend the regular agenda and allow speakers on non-agenda items to 

address the Board at this time. 

Order #2012-322 - Motion Passed: A motion to amend the agenda and allow speakers on nonagenda 

items to address the Board at this time passed with a motion by Mr. Joseph Hardesty 

and a second by Mrs. Carol Haddad. 





The following persons addressed the Board of Education concerning fundraising for the Future 

Educators Association (FEA) Multicultural Teacher Recruitment Program (MTRP) cotillion: 

• Miss Amber Kleitz, a student at duPont Manual High School; 

• Mrs. Cindy Ohlmann, parent of a senior at Louisville Male High School; 

• Mr. Steve Bauer, parent; 

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• Miss Taylor Ohlmann, a senior at Louisville Male High School; 

• Miss Adrian Weldon, a senior at Louisville Male High School; and 

• Mr. David Ohlmann, parent of a senior at Louisville Male High School. 

Chair Porter thanked the students and parents for attending and sharing their concerns. She 

asked Dr. Hargens to look into the situation and report back to the Board and invited John 

Marshall; assistant superintendent; Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Programs; to come forward 

and provide an update. 

VI. Action Items 

VII. 

Discussion Item 

VII.A. Progress Report on SIG Schools 

The following staff members presented a progress report and answered Board members’ 

questions concerning priority schools that receive school improvement grant funding: 

• Dr. Robert Rodosky, executive director; Data Management, Planning, and Program 

Evaluation Services; 

• Dr. Dena Dossett; director; Planning and Program Evaluation; 

• Michelle Dillard, principal, Seneca High School; 

• David Mike, principal, Western High School; and 

• Staci Eddleman, principal, Westport Middle School. 


of Education receive for information a progress report on schools receiving School Improvement 

Grant funds. This recommendation passed with a motion by Mrs. Carol Haddad and a second by 

Mr. Larry Hujo. 





VII.B. 2012–13 Board of Education Discussion Agenda Planning Calendar 

Mrs. Haddad requested that a report from the Bingham Fellows Class of 2012 be added to the 

planning calendar. 

Mrs. Duncan asked when the Board could expect to receive the annual report on eliminating the 

achievement gap and group gap. Dr. Rodosky reported that Senate Bill 168 requires that the 

Board receive a report in February 2013 concerning group gaps and plans to close them. 

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of Education receive for information a planning calendar outlining discussion agenda items to 

occur during the 2012–13 fiscal year. This recommendation passed with a motion by Mrs. Carol 

Haddad and a second by Mr. Stephen Imhoff. 





VIII. Board Reports/Requests 

Mrs. Wesslund: “I have a request. This request came up as we were discussing the JCTA issue. 

Just something I think would be good for the Board—just to check—make sure. Dr. Hargens, I 

would like us to have a legal analysis of our payment of the JCTA president’s salary. I 

understand—I haven’t looked into this—but my understanding is that the president is paid on a 

full-time basis and—to do—carry out activities of mutual interest. But I just want to make sure 

that the activities that the president engages in isn’t in conflict with the activities that might be 

required by a full-time teacher—someone on the government payroll. And I don’t know, it may 

be that the way we do it is just fine, but I think it’s important that we take a look at that and we 

just get a report and make sure we are abiding by the law. Thank you very much.” 

Mrs. Haddad reported that she attended the graduation ceremony for the Bingham Fellows 

Class of 2012. “It was so interesting. The people were so excited about being part of education 

and learning about education. I think we need to follow through and have committees of those 

folks. They had one [report] about parental involvement and one about student achievement. 

These people really wanted to stay involved, and I think we need to keep them involved—not 

just let them do that little service and then go on. They can help us in a lot of ways.” 

Mrs. Duncan requested data on the number of teachers who enter information in Parent Portal; 

a report on the Superintendent Summits and Community Relations Committee meetings; and 

information concerning Dr. Jerry Weast’s visit to the district. She also noted that she would like 

the Policy Committee to consider a policy giving consideration for an appeal process for school 

administrators, a policy concerning the Board’s commitment to closing the achievement gap, 

and clarification of the guest speaker policy. 

In response to Mrs. Duncan’s request concerning Dr. Weast’s visit, Dr. Hargens reported that 

“Actually, Mike Raisor, Dr. Hensley, and JCTA are meeting again this week to formalize a 

report so that we can give it to you—and the [Jefferson County Public Education] Foundation 

actually funded that—and also to present to the Foundation, but to you most importantly.” 

Mr. Imhoff reported that he attended Dr. Weast’s session with business and community leaders. 

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In response to Mrs. Duncan’s request concerning clarification of the guest speaker policy, 

Dr. Hargens reported that “Miss Miller actually presented to the principals about that, so what 

we’ll do is write that up and make sure that we include it for the Board—what she presented to 

the principals—all the principals heard that from her.” 

Ms. Porter reported that she attended the District Directional Committee meeting at Roosevelt- 

Perry Elementary School and thanked the principal for hosting the event. She attended the 

College and Career Expo Breakfast at the Main Library, the Community Relations Committee 

meeting, and the Louisville Urban League Doing the Right Thing Expo. She announced that the 

Shawnee Neighborhood Association will host an appreciation luncheon for longtime Board 

member Ann Elmore on Saturday, November 10, at Hotel Louisville. 

Mrs. Duncan reported that she attended meetings of the School Curriculum Assessment 

Accountability Council and the KSBA Board of Directors. She noted that the Kentucky Leads 

the Nation’s “Creating a Culture of Innovation Summit” is scheduled for on October 26 and 27 

and the KSBA regional meeting will be held on November 1. She reported that the Kentucky 

Board of Education passed regulations concerning the use of restraint and seclusion in public 

schools, and the Kentucky School Boards Association has come out in opposition. 

IX. 

Persons Requesting to Address the Board on Non-Agenda Items 

X. Executive Session 

XI. 

Adjournment 

Order #2012-325 - Motion Passed: A recommendation to adjourn the September 24, 2012, 

meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Education at 9:42 p.m. passed with a motion by 

Mrs. Carol Haddad and a second by Mr. Joseph Hardesty. 





Diane Porter, Chairperson 

Dr. Donna Hargens, Superintendent/Secretary 

THESE ACTIONS, ALONG WITH THE AGENDA ITEMS, MAKE UP THE OFFICIAL 

MINUTES, WHICH ARE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 

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Minutes 08 27 12 - Jefferson County Public Schools - Kentucky ...

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