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December
6, 2004
The
Catawba County Board of Education met in regular session on December 6,
2004 at 5:30 p.m. at the County Schools’ Administration Annex 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 Pat Hensley, Rick Sherrill and Nancy Yount,
Attorney Crystal Davis, newly elected Board members Steve Hilton and
Joyce Spencer, Finance Director Sondra Wolfe, Chief Technology Officer
Terry Bledsoe, Public Information/Grant Writer Beverly Lampe,
Exceptional Children’s Director Sharon Fox White, Career-Technical
Education Director Karen Cale, Secondary Education Director Debbie Long,
Maintenance Director Mark Bumgarner, Media Services Director Judy Ray,
Catawba Intermediate School Principal Cynthia McKee, Clyde Campbell
Elementary School Principal Walter Zahler, Arndt Middle School Principal
Jeff Taylor, Bandys High School Principal Michael Wyant, River Bend
Middle School Assistant Principal Bill Long, Honorable Judges Nathan
Poovey and Amy Sigmon, and Roger Bowman and Melanie Starr with Bowman,
Pegg, & Starr, CPA’s.
Tracie
Setzer represented the Observer News Enterprise and Christina Cupo
represented the Hickory Daily Record.
The
meeting opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance led by Chairman Wyant. Mr. Scott made the motion to approve
the minutes of the May 27, 2004 meeting, June 9, 2004 meeting, August
23-24, 2004 retreat, October 25, 2004 meeting and the November 10, 2004
meeting. Mrs. Sherrill seconded the motion with no opposition. Mr.
Scott then asked that the adjustment/approval of the agenda portion be
conducted after the installation of the newly elected board members.
Public Hearing:
Attorney
Crystal Davis 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 extending congratulations to
several Catawba County Schools’ employees: Blackburn Elementary School
Principal DeAnna Finger was named Catawba County Schools’ Principal of
the Year; Catawba County Schools’ Teacher of the Year Martha Lamb was
name one of the two regional finalists for the State Teacher of the
Year; Arndt Middle School Music Teacher Tammy Shook was named the 2004
North Carolina Middle School Music Educator of the Year; and Information
Technology Specialists Donna Rudisill and Linda McCray presented the
top-rated presentation “Internet Adventures…A New Voyage” at the 2004
North Carolina Association for Educational Communications and Technology
Conference.
Other items of update included:
●The
following schedule for the Central Office will be observed during the
upcoming holidays: the week of December 20-24 – the office will be open
on Monday for the professional workday and closed on Tuesday through
Thursday but employees may work if they choose, and the office will be
closed on Thursday and Friday for the Christmas holiday; the week of
December 27-31 – the office will be open on Monday through Thursday but
employees may use annual leave if they choose, and the office will be
closed on Friday for the New Year’s holiday.
·Members
were given an update on the status of the Central Office and Annex
renovations. Special recognition and thanks were extended to Assistant
Superintendent Rick Sherrill, Maintenance Director Mark Bumgarner,
Cabinet Builder Joey Franklin and the other employees of the Maintenance
Department for their outstanding work with the renovation projects.
Upon completion of these projects, Catawba County Schools will no longer
be leasing facilities to “house” Central Office employees.
·The
inclement weather procedure letter was sent home with staff and students
during the week of December 1st. This school closing information letter
was also discussed with all principals and TAC representatives at their
meetings.
·At the
November 8 Joint Boards of Education meeting, members expressed interest
in a joint meeting with the Catawba County Commissioners. In
conversation with County Manager Tom Lundy and Chairman Wyant, January 3
or January 4 were possible meeting dates. After discussion among
members, January 4 was agreed upon. The date will be confirmed with
other parties involved and members will be notified.
·Draft
topics for the upcoming January Board of Education Retreat were given to
members. Superintendent Hart asked members to email her with any
additional topics for the agenda.
·Superintendent Hart informed members of an out-of-state field trip
(regional competition) for the Fred T. Foard High School Wrestling Team
that was approved by she and Chairman Wyant prior to tonight’s meeting.
·Superintendent Hart introduced Bunker Hill High School FFA teacher Mr.
Danny Montgomery and the FFA officers who presented beautiful
poinsettias to Board members. FFA officers Amanda Eades and Jeremy
Eades thanked the members for their support of the FFA program and their
school.
After
completion of the Superintendent Hart’s report, she recognized outgoing
Board members, Mr. Allen Biggerstaff and Mrs. Kim Sherrill. She
presented Mr. Biggerstaff with a plaque and thanked him for his years of
dedicated service to the Catawba County Schools. Superintendent Hart
then presented Mrs. Sherrill a plaque and thanked her for her years of
dedicated service to the Catawba County Schools. Both Mr. Biggerstaff
and Mrs. Sherrill made remarks to those in attendance.
Superintendent Hart introduced Honorable Judges Nathan Poovey and Amy
Sigmon who conducted the next portion of business, the installation of
the new Board members. Judge Poovey began by administering the oath of
office to reelected Mrs. Betty Blackburn. Judge Sigmon then
individually administered the oath of office to newly elected Board
members Mrs. Joyce Spencer and Mr. Steve Hilton.
Superintendent Hart conducted the next item of business on the agenda.
North Carolina General Statute 115C-41 provides that the Board shall
elect one of the members to serve as chairman for a period of one year.
The floor was opened for nominations at which time Mrs. Butler nominated
Mrs. Spencer. Mr. Scott then nominated Mr. Wyant. Mr. Hilton made the
motion to close the nominations which was seconded by Mrs. Butler with
no opposition. Members in favor of Mrs. Spencer were Mrs. Butler and
Mrs. Blackburn with opposition from Mr. Wyant, Mr. Scott, Mr. Hilton,
Mrs. Spencer and Mr. Sigmon. Members in favor of Mr. Wyant were Mr.
Scott, Mr. Sigmon, Mr. Hilton, Mrs. Spencer and Mr. Wyant with
opposition from Mrs. Blackburn and Mrs. Butler. Mr. Wyant was reelected
as chairman. Chairman Wyant extended his thanks for reelecting him as
chairman. He stressed his commitment which included the importance of
always doing what is best for the students and staff of Catawba County
Schools.
Board of
Education Policy also states that the Board shall elect a vice-chair.
Chairman Wyant conducted this portion of the meeting. The floor was
then opened for nominations at which time Mr. Sigmon nominated Mr.
Hilton. Since there were no other nominations, Mrs. Spencer made the
motion to close the nominations. Members in favor of Mr. Hilton were
Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Spencer, Mr. Scott, Mr. Sigmon, Mr. Hilton and
Chairman Wyant. Mrs. Butler was in opposition of the motion. The
motion carried and Mr. Hilton was elected as vice-chair.
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 Capital Outlay
Fund. A copy of this amendment may be found between pages ___ and ___
and become an official part of these minutes.
Field
Trip Requests:
*Fred T.
Foard High School Wrestling Team to Indian Land, South Carolina,
December
4, 2004
*Catawba Valley MagnIt Program to Orlando, Florida, March
4-8, 2005
*Fred T. Foard High School French Club to Canada, June 8-13,
2005
Personnel
Requests:
*approved
certified employees Amy Klappert and Deanna Smith;
*approved
rehire of retirees David Echerd, Sandra Harbinson, Jeannie Little,
Curtis Loftin, Janie Morrison, Debbie Sullivan, Donna Waldron and Dianne
Watts;
*approved
classified employees John Bailey, Janice Bennett, Holly Calvert, Frances
Hart, Lynn Hedspeth, Frances Laughter and Robert Swink;
*granted
leave of absence to certified employee Melissa Leonhardt;
*accepted
the resignation of certified employee Katherine Kinard;
*granted
the retirement requests of certified employees Sandra Harbinson, Linda
Hawkins, Elizabeth Herman, Jacqueline Jarrett, Janie Morrison, J. Mike
Ogle, Brenda Rader, Sherry Sipe and Dianne Watts; and
*accepted
the resignation of classified employee Charlie Rogers.
The Board
was also furnished a listing of substitute teachers.
The
Consent Agenda was amended by Superintendent Hart to add an additional
overnight field trip request - Catawba Valley MagnIt Program to Orlando,
Florida, March 4-8, 2005. Mr. Scott made the motion to approve the
budget amendment, presented field trips including the amendment made by
Superintendent Hart and the personnel requests. Mrs. Butler seconded
the motion. Before action was taken on the presented Consent Items,
Mrs. Spencer asked Assistant Superintendent Hensley to explain the
process of compensating certified retired employees who contract back
with the school system. Assistant Superintendent Hensley and Finance
Officer Wolfe addressed her question. There being no other questions,
the motion was unanimously approved.
The
following item of Old Business was transacted:
OB#1:
At the October 25, 2004 Board of Education meeting, members decided
to host the upcoming Advisory Council Dinner meeting during the month of
March in the newly renovated boardroom. Superintendent Hart presented
to members available dates for the meeting – March 3, March 7, March 10
and March 17. Members discussed the dates and decided upon March 10.
Additional information regarding available caterers and cost will be
presented to members at the January Retreat. Mrs. Butler made the
motion to host the upcoming Advisory Council Dinner meeting on March
10. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion with no opposition.
The
following items of New Business were then transacted:
NB#1:
The 2004 Audit Report was presented to the Board. Finance Officer Wolfe
introduced Roger Bowman and Melanie Starr with Bowman, Pegg & Starr,
CPA’s. She informed members that 2004 was a very good fiscal year. Mr.
Bowman briefly presented some basic information regarding the different
audit reports allowing time for any questions. Mrs. Butler asked a
question about information on page 82 of the report. She asked if an
additional footnote could be added at the bottom to better understand
and explain the number of students when exiting the following schools:
Oxford Elementary School, Balls Creek Elementary School, Sherrills Ford
Elementary School, Claremont Elementary School and Maiden Elementary
School. Mrs. Spencer asked what process is in place for reviewing audit
letters with school secretaries. Finance Officer Wolfe addressed her
question. The letters are reviewed with secretaries in a meeting in
January. Mr. Hilton then asked if the principals attended the meeting
or if there was a meeting for them. Mrs. Spencer also asked if the
meeting was mandated. Mrs. Butler made the comment that some of the
same schools keep appearing on the report. Mrs. Spencer suggested to
Finance Officer Wolfe that principals should be invited to attend the
meeting with their secretaries. Mr. Hilton asked Mr. Bowman and Ms.
Starr if the system was doing as well as in the past several years.
Taking many factors such as new software, turnover in staff, human error
and time constraints, Mr. Bowman and Ms. Starr was very pleased with the
audit results. They stressed the increase in size of the chart of
accounts. Mrs. Butler made comments about all employees being
conscientious of the Fair Labor Standards Act law and regulations.
Superintendent Hart informed members that Mr. Bowman and Ms. Starr would
conduct an in-depth presentation of the audit at the upcoming January
2005 Retreat.
NB#2:
The current contract for auditing services with Bowman, Pegg, & Starr,
CPA’s expires in December 2004. Finance Officer Sondra Wolfe recommended
that the contract with this auditing firm be renewed for the year ending
2005. She indicated the recommended contract reflected an annual
increase of $750.00. The auditing firm of Bowman, Pegg & Starr, CPA’s
display outstanding performance with the school system. Mrs. Blackburn
made the motion to renew the contract as presented with Mrs. Butler
seconding the motion. Before the vote was taken, Mr. Hilton asked
Finance Officer Wolfe about the annual increase amount of $750.00. The
Board’s agenda expansion showed a different amount of increase
($1,650.00). Finance Officer Wolfe addressed the discrepancy. There
being no other questions, the motion was approved.
NB#3:
Superintendent Hart presented the recommended meeting dates for the 2005
calendar year. In addition to the regular meeting dates, school visits,
work sessions as well as public hearing on the budget were included.
Superintendent Hart asked for any suggestions or changes to the
recommended calendar. Mrs. Spencer expressed a conflict with the
February 7 date. Members discussed another possible date and decided
upon February 10. Members also agreed upon April 11 as the date for a
school visit at Tuttle Middle School. Superintendent Hart pointed out
to members the shift in meeting time of September instead of August for
the fall retreat due to recent calendar legislation of the beginning of
school next year. The being no other recommended changes, Mr. Hilton
made the motion to adopt the recommended calendar of meeting dates for
the coming year. Mr. Scott seconded the motion with no opposition.
NB#4:
Superintendent Hart presented to the Board a list of current
committee/activity representatives. Mrs. Butler asked how often does
the committees meet. Superintendent Hart addressed by explaining that
some committees are required to meet, some committees do not meet unless
there is a mandate change and others only meet on an as need basis.
Mrs. Spencer asked if an additional column could be added to the list
for the name of the Central Office Liaison for each committee. Members
were given the opportunity to decide upon representation for each
committee. Mr. Scott then made the motion to approve the 2004-2005 Board
of Education Committee/Activity Representative List with Mrs. Butler
seconding the motion. All members were in favor of the motion. An
updated list, including the Central Office Liaison listing, will be
given to members.
NB#5:
The Newton-Conover City Schools are applying for a New Schools Project
Grant through the Bill and Melinda Gates School Redesign Grant
initiative. The district will be developing a Health, Science and
Language Academy at Newton-Conover High School. Superintendent Hart
presented to members a resolution supporting the Newton-Conover City
Schools with their project. There is no cost to the Catawba County
Board of Education to support this project, just rendering our school
system’s support by signing the resolution for the Newton-Conover City
Schools. Mrs. Spencer made the motion to adopt the Resolution
Supporting Newton-Conover City Schools in the New Schools Project. Mr.
Scott seconded the motion with no opposition.
NB#6:
Superintendent Hart briefed members of the litigation involving
Oxford Baptist Church versus the Catawba County Board of Education, et
al. Members were mailed copies of the Settlement Agreement and Notice
of Stipulated Dismissal With Prejudice for their review prior to the
meeting. Superintendent Hart expressed that she was pleased with the
settlement by all parties involved. Attorney Davis addressed members on
the legal issues regarding the agreement and the Open Meetings Law
requiring the agreement becoming an official part of the minutes. Mr.
Hilton asked Attorney Davis several questions regarding the litigation
and what steps have been taken in regards to current Board policy. Mrs.
Butler made the motion to adopt the settlement agreement and make the
agreement an official part of the minutes. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the
motion. There was no opposition.
NB#7:
Assistant Superintendent Sherrill presented to members a Sidewalk
Easement Agreement for Maiden Elementary School. He explained to
members that the Town of Maiden would like to construct a five-foot
sidewalk in front of Maiden Elementary School to establish a safer way
for students to walk from school to the Maiden Recreation Center. The
agreement would allow the Town of Maiden to remove an old fence and
construct the sidewalk. Both Assistant Superintendent Sherrill and
Construction Coordinator Ernest Williams have looked into the easement
and had conversation with the Town administration. Mrs. Spencer asked
Assistant Superintendent Sherrill if Maiden Elementary School Principal
Marilyn McRee endorsed this project. He stated that she was contacted
about the project. Attorney Davis also suggested some changes to
Assistant Superintendent Sherrill for the easement. There being no
other discussion, Mr. Scott made the motion to approve the Sidewalk
Easement Agreement for Maiden Elementary School with Mrs. Spencer
seconding the motion. All members were in favor of the motion.
NB#8:
The last item of business was a recommendation from Bandys High School
to name the rappelling tower in memory of Eric David Crane. Assistant
Superintendent Sherrill introduced Bandys High School Principal Michael
Wyant and Army JROTC Lt. Col. Mike Colbert who addressed members.
Members were given a copy of a memorandum from the cadets of the Bandys
High School JROTC Trojan Battalion, including committee signatures,
recommending the naming of the tower. Eric David Crane was the first
“Bravo” Company Commander of the unit who was killed in an automobile
accident in the spring of 2004. He was a positive leader whose
“leadership by example style” was an inspiration to all cadets of the
newly formed unit. Mrs. Butler made the motion to name the rappelling
tower at Bandys High School in memory of Eric David Crane. She also
suggested to Principal Wyant and Lt. Col. Colbert for further reference
to bring such items of business before the Board before being released
to the media. Principal Wyant took responsibility for this
miscommunication. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion with no
opposition.
Public Comments:
Attorney
Crystal Davis conducted the Public Comments section of the agenda at
which time no person present desired to address the Board.
Upon a
motion by Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mrs. Blackburn, the Board
unanimously went into Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 for the
following purposes: under subsection (a)(1) to prevent the disclosure
of privileged and confidential personnel information pursuant to G.S.
115C-319-321; and, under subsection (a)(3) to discuss matters protected
by the attorney-client privilege.
CLOSED
SESSION (Separate minutes for closed session are prepared and kept
confidential.)
The Board
returned to open session with a motion by Mrs. Blackburn, seconded by
Mr. Hilton with no opposition.
There
being no other items of business to be conducted, Mrs. Butler made the
motion to adjourn. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion. All members
were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Charlie
Wyant, Chairman
__________________________
Ann Y.
Hart, Secretary
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