Catawba County Schools
Board of Education
Meeting Minutes

   March 24, 2003

The Catawba County Board of Education met in regular session on March 24, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. at the County Schools’ Administration Building with Chairman Charlie Wyant presiding.  The following members were present: Mr. Biggerstaff, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Sherrill, Mr. Scott, Mrs. Butler and Mr. Sigmon.  Also in attendance were Superintendent Ann Hart, Assistant Superintendents Joyce Spencer, Nancy Yount and Stephen Hilton, Attorney Cynthia Grady from Roberts and Stevens Attorneys at Law, Finance Director Sondra Wolfe, Technology Director Terry Bledsoe, Workforce Development Director Roxy Poovey and Transportation Supervisor Ivan Allbritton.

Patrick Crotty represented the Observer News Enterprise.

The meeting opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Chairman Wyant.  A motion was made by Mrs. Sherrill to approve the February 24, 2003 minutes and the March 10, 2003 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Biggerstaff with no opposition.  The Consent Agenda was amended by Superintendent Hart to add three field trip requests and one camp request. After the amendment, the agenda was unanimously approved upon a motion by Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mrs. Sherrill.

Public Hearing:

Attorney Cynthia Grady conducted the Public Hearing phase of the meeting for comments concerning any agenda items. No person present wished to address the Board on any agenda item.

Superintendent’s Report:

Superintendent Hart began her report by congratulating recent winners in the school system.  Jacobs Fork Middle School team was the winner of the Battle of the Books with Tuttle Middle School being the runner-up.  Elementary school winner was the Startown Elementary School team with Clyde Campbell Elementary School being the runner-up.  Pictures of the teams can be found on the system’s web page.  The 2003 Science Fair First Place winners were as follows:  Technology Division – Hyrum Hoffa from Arndt Middle School; Physical Division – Chris Baker from Arndt Middle School; Earth Division – Wesley Jones and Jason McClelland from Arndt Middle School; Life/Biological Division – Andy Robison from Arndt Middle School; and, the Elementary Division – Carson Lindler and Rachel Chapman from Claremont Elementary School.

Other items of update included:

·June Robison, music and chorus teacher from St. Stephens Elementary School, was named this year’s National KIND Teacher by the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education.  This organization is the youth education division of the Humane Society of the United States.  Ms. Robison received the award for consistently incorporating humane and environmental education into her curriculum by involving students in class, school and community service projects to help animals and the environment.  One of the highlights of her work was a student musical called “Paws and Tales” which follows the hardships and adventures of a colony of stray cats to teach students about responsible pet care.

·David Hubbard, student from Bandys High School, participated in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence and Diplomacy in Washington, DC last month.  He was selected for the Forum because of his academic achievement and interest in a career related to national security.  Four hundred high school juniors and seniors nationwide participated in the Forum.

·The Catawba County Chapter of the National League of Junior Cotillions recently named three area teachers as recipients of the “Best Mannered Teacher” of the 2002-2003 school year awards.  Two of the three teachers were from our system.  Congratulations were extended to Beth Miller from Clyde Campbell Elementary School and Lynn Craig from Arndt Middle School.  These teachers were nominated by their students for their positive characteristics, courtesy and respect for students and service as good role models.

·Students from Fred T. Foard High School and St. Stephens High Schools are operating the Catawba County Culinary Café and Catering business, called The Five C’s, under the guidance of family and consumer science teacher Janet Ward.  Students plan, cook and serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Café, which is located at the American Legion Fairgrounds.  Costing only five dollars customers can buy lunch, and the students get a real-world education.  The Café is open to the public on those days.  The culinary arts classes are taught there the rest of the week.

·The Catawba County Schools is hosting its annual Employment Forum on Friday, April 11th at the Holiday Inn Select.  From 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., principals and staff from the district’s twenty-five schools and central office staff will interview potential employees.  A special thank you was extended to the Human Resources Department for organizing the outstanding event.

·Students in the Environmental Science class at Bandys High School are rallying efforts to get a traffic light at the high school.  Superintendent Hart read a letter in support of their efforts on behalf of the Board.  The letter will be sent to the NC Department of Transportation.

·Superintendent Hart reminded the Board of the current field trip policy.  Board members felt that no changes were necessary at this time in the policy.  Staff will continue to monitor the affects of the war and will always put safety first for the staff and students of Catawba County Schools.

·Legislation passed the House that provides LEAs with the flexibility to waive up to three days of school missed due to inclement weather if the equivalent time is added to existing school days and staff is paid for those days.  If the legislation is passed in the Senate, a direction of action from the Board will be necessary.  After discussion among members, it was the consensus of the Board not to use the flexibility even if the Senate approves the legislation.

            The following Consent Agenda items were transacted: 

      Budget Amendment:

Finance Officer Sondra Wolfe presented one budget amendment for the Board’s consideration budgeting additional funds allocated by the State Public School Fund.  A copy of this amendment may be found between pages ___ and ___ and become an official part of these minutes.

Field Trip Requests/Camps:

*Fred T. Foard High School Guard to Kingsport, Tennessee, March 29, 2003

*Fred T. Foard High School Guard to Fort Mill, South Carolina, April 5, 2003

*Bunker Hill High School DECA to Orlando, Florida, April 25-30, 2003

*Bunker Hill High School Girls’ Basketball to Greensboro, North Carolina, June 19-22, 2003

*Bandys High School Basketball Camp, June 2-6, 2003 and June 9-13, 2003

*Bunker Hill High School Girls’ Basketball Camp, June 3-6, 2003

Personnel Requests:

*employed certified employee Mickey Parks;

*employed classified employees Jane Brady, Michelle Steele and Glenda Thornburg;

            *granted the retirement requests of certified employees Martha Hildebran, Elizabeth Hunley, Kay Medford and Helen Workman; and

*granted the retirement request of classified employee Mildred Whitener.

The motion was made by Mrs. Blackburn and seconded by Mr. Biggerstaff to approve the budget amendment, presented field trips/camps and personnel requests.  The motion carried. 

The following items of Old Business was transacted:

OB#1:  At the February 24, 2003 meeting, Attendance Policy 4.2000 and Attendance Administrative Procedure were presented on first reading.  Since that meeting, Assistant Superintendent Yount informed the Board that there had been no additional recommended changes.  A motion was then made by Mrs. Butler to adopt the policy and administrative procedure on second reading.  Mrs. Sherrill seconded the motion with no opposition.  

OB#2:  Members received interested attorneys’ resumes and applications for the current attorney vacancy.  Superintendent Hart asked for direction from the Board on how the remainder of the search process should be handled.  After discussion, the consensus of the Board was to review resumes and applications on April 2, 2003 at 8:00 a.m. in the Superintendent’s office.    Once the review process is completed, the date for interviews would be decided upon.

The following items of New Business were then transacted:

NB#1:  Assistant Superintendents Yount and Spencer presented a detailed powerpoint presentation on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act that became effective July 1, 2002, formerly called the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987.  As a result of this Act, it has become necessary for revisions to be made to current Board of Education Policies 4.2320, 4.2330 and 4.3100.  At the March 10, 2003 Board of Education meeting, Assistant Superintendent Spencer distributed copies of revised policies incorporating the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act for review by members.  All revisions have been reviewed by NCSBA and are in compliance with the law. Policy revisions usually require only one reading if the policies address a legal requirement such as this.  After the presentation, Mr. Scott made the motion to accept the revised policies as presented.  Mrs. Sherrill seconded the motion.  All members were in favor of the motion.  The revised policies will be available on the web page and copies of the policies will be distributed to members at the April 28, 2003 meeting.

NB#2:  G.S. 115-C-518 provides that before a school administrative unit may dispose of property, the local Board of Education must declare the property as undesirable for public school purposes and declare said items as surplus property.  Assistant Superintendent Hilton provided a list of such items to the Board.  The recommended date for the auction was Saturday, May 10, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. to be held on the grounds behind the Central Office.  Previously approved Auctioneer Jim Carpenter will conduct the sale.  Mrs. Butler made the motion to declare said items as surplus property and for Auctioneer Jim Carpenter to conduct the auction on the recommended date.    Mr. Sigmon seconded the motion with no opposition.

NB#3:  A request was received from Catawba County for a utility easement for an off site sewer line extension at Balls Creek Elementary School.  Assistant Superintendent Hilton presented and discussed the proposed easement.  He stated that Attorney Terry Taylor had reviewed the documents.  There being no discussion, Mrs. Butler made the motion to grant the easement to Catawba County with Mrs. Sherrill seconding the motion.  All members were in favor.

Public Comments:

Attorney Cynthia Grady conducted the Public Comments section of the agenda.  Tamara Wilkins, parent of children that attend Catawba County Schools, addressed the Board.  She voiced her concern regarding the safety of students on approved out-of-state field trips.

Upon a motion by Mrs. Sherrill and seconded by Mrs. Blackburn, the Board unanimously went into Closed Session pursuant to G.S.143-318.11(a)(1) and (5) for the purpose of preventing the disclosure of privileged and confidential personnel information pursuant to G.S.115C-319-321 and to discuss the terms of a contract for employment.

CLOSED SESSION (Separate minutes for closed session are prepared and kept confidential.)

The Board returned to Open Session with a motion by Mrs. Sherrill, seconded by Mr. Biggerstaff with no opposition.

A motion was made by Mrs. Sherrill to amend the agenda to consider action for the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources vacancy.  Mr. Sigmon seconded the motion with no opposition.

Superintendent Hart then made the recommendation of Pat Hensley for the position.  Mrs. Sherrill made the motion to accept the recommendation with Mr. Scott seconding the motion.  All members were in favor.

Another motion was made by Mr. Sigmon to amend the agenda to consider action for the Assistant Superintendent of Auxiliary Services vacancy.  Mrs. Sherrill seconded the motion.  All members were in favor except for Chairman Wyant who abstained from the vote.

Superintendent Hart then made the recommendation of Michael Wyant for the position.  Mrs. Sherrill made the motion to accept the recommendation with Mr. Biggerstaff seconding the motion.  Mrs. Sherrill and Mr. Biggerstaff were in favor of the motion.  Opposing the motion were Mr. Sigmon, Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Blackburn and Mr. Scott.  Chairman Wyant abstained from the vote.  The motion failed.  Superintendent Hart made no other recommendation for the position.  The position will be reposted.

There being no other items of business to be conducted, Mr. Scott made the motion to adjourn.  Mrs. Butler seconded the motion.  All members were in favor.  The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.