​REPORT ON FEBRUARY 22, 2018 MEETING

Thanks to those who got messages to the board of education before special meeting last night.  I think it made a difference.
 
The board of education voted 4 to 3 to go ahead and purchase the land on Waverly.  David Smith presented a review of the process leading to that recommendation by the staff.  See pp. 8-12 on attached Challenges and Recommendations handout.  Waverly is highlighted on p. 10 as the least expensive per acre. Those voting "yes" were Brenda Jones, president, Maxine Drew, Janey Humphries, and Dr. Stacy Yeager, and those voting "no" were Dr. Valdenia Winn, Wanda Paige and Harold Brown.  Dr. Winn's concern was that the price was too high and that the appraisal should have been "as is" or same as the county tax appraiser's value. Mr. Brown was concerned about an old well on the property, and Janey Humphries ably described the process when closing a well, how the water is tested routinely and data maintained by the state.  At the end of the discussion, the suggestion was to stop looking for what might have gone wrong and consider "what we can live with as a board" and make a decision.
 
Saturday at 11 am, Central Office, board room -- opening bids from search firms to find a superintendent.  This is open to the public.  It would help if some of the public could be there to see the process.
 
Next Tuesday, regular meeting, Central Office, 5pm.  Based on conversations toward the end of last night's meeting, Dr. Winn is interested in returning to the idea of sitting in on all staff meetings with the general contractor.  (In my view, it might be possible to monitor a meeting or two like sitting in on a classroom, but I am concerned.)