MEMORANDUM

ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS

I have made the following appointments for the 2005-06 school year.

Robert Bohrer, currently principal at Westmeade Elementary, will be the principal at Julia Green Elementary; Stephen Breese, currently principal at DuPont Elementary, will go to Westmeade Elementary; Carlos Comer will move from Ross Elementary to Caldwell, and Deltina Braden, currently Assistant Principal at Park Avenue, will become the principal at Ross. Earlier this year I had appointed Teresa Dennis to become the Principal at Ruby Major, she is currently at Percy Priest Elementary. Stephanie Chatham will move from Crieve Hall Elementary to Percy Priest.

LANCE LOTT, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

The district is working with Metro Government and the State of Tennessee on applications for Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB). These are interest free bonds that are issued for projects in high need schools and they require a ten percent match from a private organization. The district is pursuing applications for significant upgrades in the science equipment and labs at the five high schools that meet the poverty guidelines (35%) of the QZAB program. We will be teaming with the Alliance for Public Education in our applications for the upgrades at Whites Creek, Pearl Cohn, Stratford, Maplewood, and Glencliff. The application deadline is April 1st.

RALPH THOMPSON, ADMINISTRATIVE TIER DIRECTOR, 9-12 AND K-12 DISCIPLINE

Martin Luther King Safety Concerns

Today I met with Mr. Joe Edgens, Mr. Wayne Parker, Mr. Joe Anderson, Mr. Ervin Tinnon, Officer Lynette Frazier, Lieutenant J. Reinbold, Lieutenant C. Beard and Sergeant Milton Pirtle. The meeting was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet High School in regards to the parking and safety questions that have been raised. The Rotary Club of Nashville and the Metro Board of Parks have joined together to remodel the Watkins Park Community Center including an expansion of their current parking lot. It is believed by some that the existing parking lot belongs to MNPS. This is not true. It has been through the generosity of the Community Center and the Board of Parks that a great sharing concept has taken place. After completion of this three (3) year construction project, it will provide a new and improved parking facility that will still be shared with Martin Luther King High School. The project will be completed in phases and parts of the parking lot will be available as progress is made. The construction company and the Center have agreed to allow parking in a gated area as well as on the grounds, weather permitting for special events. Relative to safety issues, there has not been an incident involving the staff, students or parents of MLK since last school year. Approximately four to six weeks ago, there was a shooting that involved neighborhood residents only. Lieutenant J. Reinbold reported that crime in that area has dropped some 30% over the past two to three weeks. Also, of note is that residents of the John Henry Hale Homes are now moving out as the revitalization of that area has begun. The school Resource Officer reported that things have been quiet for some time now as far as the school is concerned. The Police Department has pledged extra help for special events regarding crime as well as parking and traffic issues. Woody McMillin has agreed to draft an official letter from Central Office to the constituents of MLK and the community detailing construction and safety.

PEG/jw