BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF SCSDB

MINUTES OF MEETING

December 1, 2009

The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the BB&T Board Room in Walker Hall on the SCSDB campus, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Chairman Holland called the meeting to order and stated that proper notification of the meeting had been made according to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. She welcomed everyone to the meeting.

MEMBERS PRESENT Cynthia S. Holland, Chairman Phyllis H. Alexander Ettaleah C. Bluestein David A. Brown F. Ashton Cribbs, III Robert H. Morrow MEMBERS ABSENT Robert A. Dobson, III Nancy W. Knowles Anthony A. McCallum Steven R. Ross

STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Maggie Park, Interim President Ann Akerman Teresa Bird *Jon Castro Linda Coon Bob Day *Joan Dudgeon Loreta Dylgjeri Cindy Gass Sharon Goolsby Sara Kollock Carol Mabry Cinnie MacDougall *Lin Mackechnie Brian Marsh Kristin Milner Karen Neal Scott Ramsey John Reynolds Katie Rice Elaine Sveen Kakie Verticchio INTERPRETERS Wendy Lufkin Phyllis Petty GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE Scott Alexander Elizabeth Cleary Penny Gosnell Kelly Lowry Katie Massey

STUDENT PERFORMANCE

A group of students from the School for the Blind performed a song for the Board. They were accompanied by Chip Walters, Fine Arts Director and Melanie Gladstone, music teacher.

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

Ms. Dudgeon was recognized and thanked for 20 years of dedicated service to SCSDB. Interim President Park and Chairman Holland presented Ms. Dudgeon with framed student artwork.

Ms. Mackechnie was recognized and thanked for 28 years of dedicated service to SCSDB. Ms. Mabry and Chairman Holland present Ms. Mackechnie with framed student artwork.

INTRODUCTION OF STAFF WITH NEWLY ASSIGNED LEADERSHIP ROLES

Interim President Park recognized Loreta Dylgjeri, the new Admissions Coordinator for SCSDB.

INTRODUCTION OF THE WALKER FOUNDATION CEO

Interim President Park introduced Ann Akerman, the new CEO of The Walker Foundation.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the September 22, 2009 Board meeting (see attachment #1 to the December 1, 2009 agenda) were unanimously approved as submitted.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. Castro and Mr. Marsh reviewed the financial information that had been mailed to the Board prior to the meeting (see attachment #2 to December 1, 2009 agenda) with the Board. They responded to questions from the Board.

Interim President Park advised that the Budget Committee continues to meet and discuss ways to make up for the cuts we have received to our state budget. She stated that the goal is to not cut programs.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Mr. Ramsey updated the Board on the cuts that have been received by the agency and the likelihood of the additional 3% (at least) cut that is expected. He also discussed strategies to hopefully avoid future cuts. One of the measures taken is a letter of invitation to visit the campus being sent to all state legislators from Interim President Park. A copy of the letter will be shared with the Board.

THE WALKER FOUNDATION UPDATE

Ms. Akerman updated the Board on the work of The Walker Foundation on behalf of the agency. She advised that one of the primary goals and objectives of The Walker Foundation Board of Trustees is to create Regional Advisory Councils that will be ambassadors for us all over the state and asked for help in identifying individuals to be invited to serve on the Councils.

SCSDB FY 2009-10 STRATEGIC PLAN

Ms. Mabry reviewed the SCSDB FY 09-10 Strategic Plan as approved by the Board on September 22, 2009 (see attachment #3 to the December 1, 2009 agenda) with the Board.

SCSDB BOARD POLICY REVISIONS: SECTION B – SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE AND OPERATIONS; SECTION C – GENERAL SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION; SECTION F – FACILITIES PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT; SECTION G - PERSONNEL

Ms. Mabry reviewed proposed revised policies (see attachment #4 to the December 1, 2009 agenda) with the Board. After discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Cribbs and unanimously passed that the policies be approved as presented.

NATIONAL HISTORICAL RECOGNITION/COMMEMORATION OF REVOLUTIONARY CEDAR SPRING BATTLEGROUND SITE: A PARTNERSHIP OF SCSDB AND CEDAR SPRING BAPTIST CHURCH

Mr. Day reviewed the proposed Memorandum of Understanding Between SCSDB and Cedar Spring Baptist Church (see attachment #5 to the December 1, 2009 agenda) with the Board and provided some history regarding the request. After discussion, a motion was made by Ms. Alexander, seconded by Mr. Brown and unanimously passed that the Memorandum of Understanding be executed.

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Ms. Rice distributed a list of upcoming special events.

DATE/TIME/PLACE FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

Future meetings of the Board are scheduled as follows:

· February 10, 2010-----Columbia

· May 18, 2010----------SCSDB Campus

EXECUTIVE SESSION

A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters and to receive legal advice.

A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed to move out of Executive Session.

Chairman Holland stated that no action was taken in Executive Session.

OTHER

Interim President Park announced that SCSDB won the 2009 Energy Project of the Year Award presented by the South Carolina Association of Energy Managers (the only one presented in the state).

Interim President Park shared information with the Board regarding a visit by Leadership South Carolina. The group consisted of approximately 40 participants. SCSDB students were involved with the visit. As a result of their visit, we have received word that the group has selected SCSDB for their class project.

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 12:45 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Cynthia S. Holland, Chairman

Phyllis H. Alexander, Secretary

*Attended part of the meeting.