The rest of the meeting

Amendment #20, by Director Michael Bonds, to ensure that there are defibrillators in all MPS schools. Right now, there are 27 schools without them. The amendment passed 9-0, with the $75,000 coming from proceeds from property sales.

Amendment # 21, by Bonds, to restart the GEAR UP college prep program, was withdrawn by the author.

Amendment #22, by Bonds, to eliminate funding for the pre-pack lunch pilot program, was withdrawn after the administration assured the Board that the meals served in the pre-pack program were the same as those served in more traditional serving styles.

Amendment #23, by Bonds, to centralize all professional development funding, was withdrawn after Superintendent William Andrekopoulos said that federal regulations required some schools to have professional development money in their budgets.

Amendment #24, by Bonds, to restore all SEIU (Service Employees International Union) positions to the budget -- there are 43.49 proposed for elimination without layoffs -- was withdrawn by the author.

Amendment #25, by Director Peter Blewett, to reinstate the central purchasing department, was withdrawn by the author. The administration is proposing downsizing the department and using more technology to order supplies and other items. The move is expected to save about $400,000 and would not require layoffs.

Amendment #26, to require central services approval for all travel, was approved unanimously. The amendment also requires travelers to state the cost of the trip, the purpose, payment source for the trip. The administration will report quarterly on district travel and post all travel on the Internet.

Amendment #27, to restore the Talent Development Fund, an amendment dependent for funding on an iffy FY09 surplus, failed on a 5-4 vote. Voting in favor were Miller, Bonds, Blewett and Director Annie Woodward.

Amendment #28, by Bonds, to shift $1 million in levy-supported central service costs to stimulus funding indirect (meaning the portion of overhead that can be charged to a funding source), passed unanimously, with Blewett absent. The $1 million in levy-supported funding will be moved to the contingent fund for now.

Amendment #29, by Bonds, to freeze hiring for central services positions that have been vacant for at least six months, was adopted unanimously. Positions deemed critical by the administration will be exempted. The money saved will be used to expand school nursing services.

Amendment #30, by Blewett, to establish a $60,000 earn-to-learn arts program, was adopted 7-1-1, with Director Bruce Thompson voting no and Director Tim Petersons abstaining. An Extension Fund tax levy increase will pay for the program.