Those darn minutes!

Tim Rooks gave me permission to post the following regarding his impressions of some of the Board Majority's allegations against Mr. Burleson. It is a long read, but well worth your time and attention.

Thanks Tim.

The meeting minutes below put some of the "allegations" made by the BOE into context and I think reflect on the hollowness of the allegations, but rather than comment on them, I'll allow intelligent folks to draw their own conclusions. I do not address the EBHS incident because that subject was discussed for over 9 months as reflected in the meeting minutes and is a dead issue. Reading the 2006 and 2007 meeting minutes, however, provides a good understanding of the agenda of this board majority, the hypocrisy of their words, and the impression that this glaring dysfunction began with the election of this board Chair and Vice-Chair. The other benefit of reading the minutes is to make clear who supports this board majority, especially in the context of their "hear no evil, see no evil" approach to life. The "supporters" of Tim and Tracy are identified in those minutes, especially as it relates to the revisions to the Media Policy back in 2006. I won't name names, but the minutes do..... so read em and know your opposition.

Here goes::::

Allegation: "The board had previously noted serious concerns about serving the needs of children in the exceptional children's program and had directed the superintendent to ensure that our education programs are meeting the needs of all children."

11-20-06 BOE Meeting Minutes: " Mrs. Norman acknowledged she attended a No Child Left Behind Session before the conference began. Michael Resnick spoke during the session and mentioned some changes may be made in the NCLB legislation. They are also looking for state monies to help fund this federal legislation. She noted he stated NCLB was here to stay, no matter who was in the United States Presidency. Mr. Burleson mentioned that school systems had not received extra funds to implement the legislation with the NCLB. He also mentioned the insufficient funds received to meet the needs of exceptional students. Currently funding for exceptional students has a 12.5% cap, but Burke County Schools is approaching 20% of students who need these services."

02-05-07 BOE Meeting Minutes: "Mr. Buff mentioned the exceptionally high number of EC students in Burke County Public Schools and the lack of sufficient funding from the state for these students. He suggested presenting this to the commissioners. Mr. Burleson stated this issue should also be brought to the attention of our legislators. Currently, about 17% of our students receive EC services, but we only receive funding for 12.5%."

02-19-07 BOE Meeting Minutes: "Possible Meeting with Legislators – Mr. Burleson asked the board if they would like to have a meeting to discuss some issues with our area legislators. Mr. Buff mentioned he would like to discuss the lack of EC funding with them. Mr. Burleson indicated he had spoken to some individuals about the lack of funding and had received some positive response. The board set a tentative date of March 9, 7:30 a.m. at Liberty Middle School for the meeting."

"Finance Sub-Committee Report – Mr. Simmons acknowledged that the committee had another meeting with county commissioners on March 13 to continue dialogue on the funding from the county. One of the issues they are discussing is the lack of EC funding Burke County receives from the state. Mrs. Norman mentioned a conversation she had with someone who mentioned that the reason we have so many EC students is that the school system is doing a good job identifying students who need these services."

03-19-07 BOE Meeting Minutes: "Finance Sub-Committee Report – Mr. Simmons asked if board members had any items for consideration for next year's budget to submit them to Mr. Brackett or Mr. Burleson by the April meeting. He also acknowledged the board was not building the new high schools with tax money and the schools had nothing to do with the tax re-evaluations. The committee is continuing to meet with commissioners to map out a process for the local current expense budget for future boards. Mr. Buff acknowledged the board made the commissioners and the local state representatives aware of the issues with the bleachers at Hallyburton and that the school system was having to use local current expense money to make up for the lack of funding for all EC students." ******************************************************************

Allegation: "inappropriate use of child nutrition program funds to run the purchasing operations for the entire school system"

08-07-06 BOE Meeting Minutes: "Action/Discussion Items: Budget Amendments - Mr. Brackett presented Budget Amendment #20-

08-07-06 (To record state textbooks that must be reflected on the local general ledger).

Mr. Armour moved to approve the budget amendment, with a second from Mr. Brandon. The motion carried unanimously.Child Nutrition Budget for 2006-2007 – Mr. Brackett presented the Child Nutrition Budget for the upcoming school year. The $7,465,404 budget reflects legislative increases in salaries and some equipment that will be purchased for Patton High School. They will also be funding equipment in next year's budget for the new high school. They continue to monitor their fund balance closely so as not to accrue a large amount.

He noted there will be an increase in the meal charges for adults ~ breakfast will cost $1.25 and lunch $2.50. There will also be an increase in some a la carte items. There was no increase in student breakfast or lunch. Mr. Martinat asked how the price increase for a la carte items would compare to students buying another lunch at the regular price. He gave an example of buying the regular lunch for $1.65 and buying an extra hot dog with the increase at $1.35. Mr. Martinat asked if it would be better to increase the lunch prices rather than target the a la carte items. He acknowledged students may not be able to purchase a la carte items if the cost was too high. Mr. Brackett stated Child Nutrition has an obligation to offer a good meal at a good price; the a la carte items would be considered "extras". Mr. Martinat shared his concern that funds could be lost if the cost was too high for a la carte items.

Mr. Armour questioned the line item for "Indirect Costs". Mr. Brackett acknowledged this was money that child nutrition pays for utilities and use of the cafeteria areas at each school. The money goes back in the school system's general fund.

Mr. Buff asked if there were funds in the budget for students without lunch money. Mr. Brackett responded that there was not any money budgeted for this. Mr. Burleson added the school system received a small grant to help with this.

Mr. Martinat asked Mr. Brackett if the cafeterias had considered using vending machines for items that would be deemed appropriate for sale by child nutrition. Mr. Brackett stated this would not decrease labor costs significantly.

Mr. Simmons asked Mr. Brackett to track sales in the two groups where there were increases (adult prices and a la carte items) to see if there was a decrease in purchases. Mr. Brackett acknowledged he would look at data mid-year and report to the board.

Mr. Wilkinson moved to approve the Child Nutrition Budget for 2006-2007, with a second from Mr. Armour. The motion carried unanimously. *******************************************************************************

Allegations: "He has failed to provide timely information to the board and has withheld information from board members and the public at times. At times he shared information with individual board members that was not shared with other board members and would selectively share information with certain faculty, staff and community members."

09-01-06 BOE Meeting Minutes: "Mrs. Norman commented that she abstained from voting on these contracts because she had asked some specific questions about the contracts in June, and had still not received answers to her questions. She stated she could not vote until her questions were answered. She needed all the information before voting on the contracts."

09-18-06 BOE Meeting Minutes: "Mr. Simmons shared his concern about one of the board members at the last meeting not voting on Mr. Brackett's and Mr. Anderson's contracts because she acknowledged she did not get information she requested from Mr. Burleson in order to make an informed decision on the contracts. Mr. Martinat located Mrs. Norman's emails from Mr. Burleson in her inbox and was able to retrieve the information Mr. Burleson had sent her. She acknowledged she was not able to retrieve this information on her computer. Mr. Simmons stated he just wanted to be sure she got the information she had requested. Mr. Burleson commented he tries to be diligent in getting information to the board, when asked. This information was asked for and sent to all board members on June 29. Mr. Brackett stated, for the record, "No one asked me for any information." Mr. Brandon added that there wasn't a conspiracy with the board members; but if board members were having trouble retrieving information from their computers, they should contact Scott Smith for assistance."