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February 27, 2006
The Catawba County Board of Education met in regular session on February 27, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. at the County Schools’ Administration Annex Building with Chairman Charlie Wyant presiding. The following members were present: Mr. Hilton, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Spencer, Mrs. Butler and Mr. Sigmon. Also in attendance were Superintendent Timothy Markley, Assistant Superintendent Pat Hensley, Attorney Crystal Davis, Finance Director Sondra Wolfe, Chief Technology Officer Judith Ray, Construction Coordinator Ernest Williams, Career-Technical Education Director Karen Cale, Secondary Education Director Debbie Long, Elementary Education Director Walter Zahler, Academically Intellectually Gifted Facilitator Jo-Nell Ward, Mt. View Elementary School Principal Kim Penley, Catawba Intermediate School Principal Cynthia McKee, Bandys High School
Principal John Westberg, Bandys High School Assistant Principal Eric Hight, Fred T. Foard High School Principal Sally Bradshaw, members and coaches of the State 2A Duel Wrestling Team from Bandys High School and members and coach of the State 3A 200 Freestyle Relay Swim Team from Fred T. Foard High School. Mr. Scott was not present for the meeting because of flu-related illness.
Lauren Williamson represented the Hickory Daily Record and Jan Aronoff represented the Charlotte Observer.
The meeting opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mrs. Spencer. Mrs. Blackburn made the motion to approve the minutes of the January 24, 2006 and the February 13, 2006 meetings contingent upon several editing corrections made by Mrs. Blackburn prior to the meeting. Mrs. Spencer seconded the motion with no opposition. The Consent Agenda was amended by Superintendent Markley to add two additional field trips and a personnel addendum. After the amendments, the agenda was unanimously approved including the amendments upon a motion by Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mrs. Spencer.
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 Markley began his report by announcing that Jordan Roddy, a senior at St. Stephens High School, was named as a National Merit Scholarship finalist. Jordan’s many awards and honors include co-captain of the Quiz Bowl Team, NC Scholar, Honor Graduate, Life Scout, Governor’s School for Social Science and numerous leadership roles in both school and community activities.
Other items of update included:
•On February 20, Arndt Middle School held a sports recognition night. In addition to the honors that were given to the athletes, Athletic Director Mike Laughter, organized a special tribute to the late Cpl. Benny Gray Cockerham, USMC, who was killed in Iraq last October. The late Cpl. Benny Gray Cockerham’s parents were in attendance and a special plaque was placed in the school honoring his sacrifice and service.
•Tuttle Middle School Cheerleaders completed their season with competition in Chapel Hill. The team won the North Carolina Middle School State Championship. There were eleven other schools competing from across the state. This state title will be the sixth win for the cheerleaders during the past seven years.
•Emile Blake and Rita Lail, two teachers at Sherrills Ford Elementary School, won a $5,000 grant from Lowes Home Improvement. The grant will assist the teachers with the creation of a curriculum garden at the school.
•Two students from Murray Elementary School, Tyler Maltba and Kaitlin Sigmon, won first place in the Elementary Division Regional Science Fair that was recently held in Wilkesboro.
•Debra Harwell-Braun, a teacher at Lyle Creek Elementary School, recently received notification that she was one of the first fifty National Board candidates to obtain her National Board Certification Renewal. This renewal is effective for an additional ten years.
•Ponetta Hull, a teacher at Sweetwater Elementary School, was recently notified that she was the winner of the 2005-06 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) US National Citizenship Education Teacher Award for North Carolina.
•February 27 will be the first day of the series of Career Awareness Program at Balls Creek Elementary School. Various speakers from the community will visit the students. The next series will be on March 2. The school will host approximately sixty speakers from the community this year. This is a great example of school and community partnerships.
•Catawba County Schools’ nurses have been busy throughout the month helping the students celebrate Dental Health Month. Students will learn the importance of good dental hygiene and tips for keeping their teeth healthy. A special thank you was extended to all of the school nurses who continually work through an incredible number of screenings to help secure a healthier lifestyle for the children of Catawba County.
•The Catawba County Exceptional Children’s Parent Forum will be held on March 9 from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. in the annex boardroom. A light dinner will be served prior to the meeting from 5:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The speaker for the evening will be Kelly Rhoney, Director of Accountability. She will discuss issues concerning accountability, testing, ABC’s and AYP. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.
•Graduation dates for the Catawba County Schools are:
Bandys High School – Thursday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Fred T. Foard High School – Friday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Bunker Hill High School – Saturday, June 10 at 10:00 a.m.
Maiden High School – Saturday, June 10 at 2:00 p.m.
St. Stephens High School – Saturday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m.
All ceremonies will be held on the campus of CVCC in the Multi-Purpose Complex.
•An Opportunity Showcase will be held on March 2 in the St. Stephens High School gym beginning at 6:00 p.m. This is a free event open to all parents and students of all ages. Various community speakers will be featured on a panel from 6:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with an exhibitors’ showcase to follow until 8:00 p.m. For more information, contact 256-9841 ext. 314 or view our system’s website.
•A mock trial will take place in Hollis Whalen’s English class at St. Stephens High School on March 4. Catawba County District Attorney Jay Gaither will serve as the judge for the event. The trial will be from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the ROTC room during third period. Abigail Williams will be “tried” for attempted murder. Her defense team will plead not guilty due to extenuating circumstances. There will be ten students on the defense team and ten students on the prosecution. The remainder of the students will be actors from the Crucible play who will be cross-examined.
•On March 8, Maiden Elementary School will be conducting a “Jump Rope for Heart Reward” event beginning at 8:30 a.m. The K-5 students were challenged to reach a goal of $5,000 and surpassed the goal. As promised, Coach Deb Brinkley will be “duct taped” to the wall at the school. The public is invited to attend.
•LeeAnn Privett’s personal fitness students at St. Stephens High School are creating a walking path on the grounds of the campus. This is a part of a faculty wellness program. The students are constructing a walking path (inside and outside the school) that will be a 1.5 mile course. This endeavor is partnered with Generation Fit, a project designed by the American Cancer Society, for students to learn to advocate for health and fitness.
•Sweetwater Elementary School will be holding a Seussational Read-A-Bration on March 2 at 9:00 a.m. Several community leaders will be a part of the reading celebration. For details, contact Ponetta Hull at Sweetwater Elementary School.
•The Complete Works of William Shakespeare will be presented by the Bandys High School Advanced Theatre Class on March 16 and March 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bandys High School Drama Room. Tickets are $7 and are available at the door. Contact Cynthia Lohr at Bandys High School for more information.
•Tuttle Middle School Band will be holding two fundraisers: Take your family to eat at Sagebrush Steakhouse in Denver on any Tuesday in March and 10% of the receipt goes directly to the band. In addition to Sagebrush Steakhouse, eat dinner at Captain Pete’s on Monday, March 13 and proceeds will assist the band as well. For details, contact Kisha Clemons, band director at Tuttle Middle School.
Special recognitions by Superintendent Markley and Board Members included:
•Spelling Bee winner – Holly Jones, a student at Arndt Middle School, and her mother
•Fred T. Foard High School Men’s Relay Swim Team Members – Rick Smith, Micah Penley, Stephen Latimer, Ethan Eaker, Coach Carla Eaker, and parents of the members
•Bandys High School State 2A Dual Wrestling Team Members – Jordan Armstrong, Josh Armstrong, Casey Bolick, Jon Cayer, Chris Chapman, Corey Chapman, Alan Chester, David Clemmer, Brock Durfee, William Gilleland, Cameron Haynes, Colt Howell, Taylor Jackson, Eakachi Jurasinont, Caleb Lyda, Aaron Lytton, Trent Mauney, Patrick McIntosh, Brian Moore, Markley Morrison, Daimyn Niemi, Titus Reep, Trevor Rowe, Kyle Schoonmaker, Byron Sigmon, Matt Singletary, Matt Smith, Matt Stogner, Michael Styer, Cody Walters, Bobby Watts, Cole White, Ryan White, Coaches Forrest Blake and Ronnie Sigmon, and parents of the members.
All students and coaches recognized were presented certificates of outstanding achievement.
To conclude his report, Superintendent Markley updated members on several other items:
•County Budget Hearings (first round) will be held on Thursday, April 6 at 8:00 a.m. in the County Manager’s Conference Room at the Government Center.
•The National School Boards Association Southern Region Meeting will be in Sandestin, Florida on July 23-26, 2006. Any member interested in attending, contact Joretta Fish.
•The Transportation Department was commended for their outstanding work with TIMS data.
•Members were given a copy of the Monthly Construction Report from Construction Coordinator Ernest Williams.
The following Consent Agenda items were transacted:
Budget Amendments:
Finance Officer Sondra Wolfe presented three budget amendments for the Board’s consideration budgeting additional funds allocated by the State Public School Fund, the Local Current Expense Fund and the Capital Outlay Fund. A copy of these amendments may be found between pages ___ and ___ and become an official part of these minutes.
Field Trip Requests:
*Tuttle Middle School Band to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, February 10-11, 2006
*Maiden High School Winterguard to Roebuck, South Carolina, February 18, 2006
*Fred T. Foard High School JROTC Raider Team to Leland, North Carolina, February 24-26, 2006
*Bandys High School Band to Boone, North Carolina, February 24-26, 2006
*Fred T. Foard High School DECA to Greensboro, North Carolina, March 2-4, 2006
*Tuttle Middle School Dancers to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, March 4-5, 2006
*Maiden High School Winterguard to Fort Mill, South Carolina, March 4, 2006
*Maiden High School Winterguard to Richmond, Virginia, March 10-12, 2006
*Culinary Arts to Charlotte, North Carolina, March 23-24, 3006
*St. Stephens High School Key Club to Durham, North Carolina, March 24-26, 2006
*Fred T. Foard High School International Thespian Society to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, March 31-April 1, 2006
*Culinary Arts to Greensboro, North Carolina, April 3-5, 2006
*Bandys High School FCCLA to Greensboro, North Carolina, April 3-5, 2006
*Mill Creek Middle School Science Olympiad to Raleigh, North Carolina, April 7-8, 2006
*St. Stephens High School Science Olympiad to Raleigh, North Carolina, April 7-8, 2006
*Maiden High School AFJROTC to Charleston, South Carolina, April 8, 2006
*Maiden High School AFJROTC to Goldsboro, North Carolina, April 12-13, 2006
*Bunker Hill High School AFJROTC to Atlanta, Georgia, April 28-29, 2006
*Bandys High School AVID to Atlanta, Georgia, April 28-30, 2006
*Maiden High School Concert Band and Concert Choir to Cleveland, Ohio, May 11-14, 2006
*Mt. View Elementary School Second Grade to Columbia, South Carolina, May 19, 2006
Personnel Requests:
*approved certified employees Steve Bost, Lynn Dula, Cheri Hudson, Rebecca Hunter, Alice Rhoney, Stacy Stafford and Kathryn Trivette;
*approved rehire of retirees Libby Hall, Linda Hawkins and Debbie Sullivan;
*approved classified employees Elizabeth Beam, Judy Beaman, Angie Blair, Bobbie Jo Buff, Betty Jo Carsner, Stacy Eckard, Donna Ervin, Amy Hedrick, Connie Henderson, Lisa Hildebrand, Pat Inman, Amber Killian, Linda Kuykendall, Sallie Owen, Kathryn Phillips, Martha Rice, Toni Richmond, James Riley, Angela Spurlin and Hailey Wilson;
*approved non-staff coaches Hollie Barr, Jason Guyer and Diana Plover;
*granted leave of absence to classified employees Barbara Bray and Betty Drum;
*accepted the resignation of certified employees Marsha Apke, Jennifer Hines, Leslie Kragh, Melissa Moose, Katie Norris, Terry Sidelinker and Janet Stiles;
*accepted the resignations of classified employees Tim Church, Phyllis Killian and Sherry Stancil;
*accepted the retirement request of certified employees Cynthia Blackburn, Eddie Boyles, Janice Brooks, Ramona Edwards, Betty Garner, Dianne Herman, Caroline Keenan, Janice Kolosseus, Betty Lohr, Pamela Rutledge, Alice Williams and Ellen Wilson; and
*accepted the retirement request of classified employees Leola Bowman, Sheila Miller, Paul Alan Pruitt, Gale Rhoney, Irene Smith, Billie Diane Warren and Wanda Young.
The Board was also furnished a listing of teacher and cafeteria substitutes.
A motion was made by Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mrs. Spencer to approve the presented budget amendments, field trips and personnel requests including the two additional field trips and the personnel addendum. The motion carried.
The following items of Old Business were transacted:
OB#1: Superintendent Markley presented the recommended 2006-2007 Budget Requests. These requests were reviewed and discussed at the Planning Retreat in January. The Public Hearing was also conducted on February 13, 2006 regarding the budget requests. Superintendent Markley presented a recommendation from Chamber of Commerce President Danny Hearn. He informed members that the Chamber of Commerce, as part of its ongoing Foresight Report, has formed an Education Cabinet to advance the recommendations of the Foresight Commission. The Education Cabinet has decided to hire an executive director who would oversee the day-to-day operations of the group. Businesses have pledged to assist with the funding of the position. In addition
to that funding, Chamber President Hearn asked if the three school systems would contribute $1 per student to assist with cost of the position. If approved, the amount contributed from Catawba County Schools would be $17,200. Both Hickory City Schools and Newton-Conover City Schools have agreed to assist. Both Mrs. Spencer and Mr. Hilton felt this would be a positive commitment with the school system and Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Butler had some concern regarding the funding of the amount. There being no other discussion, Mrs. Spencer made the motion to approve the Chamber of Commerce’s request. Mr. Hilton seconded the motion with no opposition.
Finance Officer Wolfe then distributed to members copies of several documents: the Local Current Expense Budget (which included changes for the new Maiden High School and Tuttle Elementary School and other local changes); a breakdown of line item #31; and a 2006-07 budget fact sheet. There being no other questions, the motion was made by Mr. Hilton to approve the recommended 2006-2007 Budget Requests including the presented additions. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion. All members were in favor.
OB#2: Superintendent Markley gave members an update on the impact of reduction of tuition for out-of-county employees’ children who attend Catawba County Schools. At the May 31, 2005 Board of Education meeting, members adopted a tuition reduction policy. The tuition was ½ the regular out-of-county rate. Twelve employees took advantage of the reduced tuition (totaling $8,437.50). A survey of out-of-county employees conducted by the Technology Department in 2005 indicated that 34 out of 99 respondents had school-aged children (53 total students). Superintendent Markley made the recommendation to members for the reduction of tuition to remain as is. There was no discussion from members. Mrs. Butler commented that she still
had concerns of financial effects not only with the school district but also with the County.
OB#3: At the January 24, 2006 Board of Education meeting, members approved the Resolution for Corporate VISA pending the development of administrative procedures for the credit cards. Attorney Davis, working with administration, developed the procedures which were mailed to members for their review prior to the meeting. Some questions were asked from members regarding whom the actual bills would be directed to and who would be signing the bills. Mrs. Spencer commended Attorney Davis for her work with the procedures. There being no other questions or discussion, Mrs. Blackburn made the motion to approve the presented administrative procedures. Mrs. Butler seconded the motion with no opposition.
The following items of New Business were then transacted:
NB#1: As requested by some of the members, Jo-Nell Ward, Academically Intellectually Gifted Coordinator, presented an in-depth powerpoint presentation of Advanced Placement/Honors Courses in Catawba County Schools. She explained and detailed the three major issues: Advanced Placement Course Audit, changes regarding Advanced English Courses, and Honors Teaching Preparation Portfolio (DPI requirement). The audit purpose, process, form elements and timeline were presented. Members were also given a chart listing all of the Advanced Placement/Honors Course Offerings for the 2006-07 school year for the five high schools.
NB#2: Bids were received on the new Catawba Elementary School project on February 22. Members were mailed the bid tabulations on February 23. Both Superintendent Markley and Construction Coordinator Williams were very pleased with the outcome of the bid tabulations which were much lower than originally anticipated. With the bidding being lower than originally anticipated, funding for the Bunker Hill High classroom additions would also be available. Construction Coordinator Williams briefed members on the total project cost which included: General Contractor – David E. Looper, base bid of $6,174,000 and alternate bid #3B (C&A Carpet); Plumbing Contractor – T.M. Caldwell, base bid of $395,300; Mechanical Contractor – W.C.
Reynolds, base bid of $1,206,000 and alternate bid #3A (Trane HVAC Equipment) $31,000; Electrical Contractor – Gilmore, base bid of $1,202,000; design fees - $414,259; furnishings - $300,000; soft cost - $69,953; and contingency $200,000; grand total of project - $9,892.512. After some discussion from members, Mr. Hilton made the motion to approve the base bids with contractors identified by Construction Coordinator Williams including alternate bids 3B and 3A. Mrs. Butler seconded the motion. All members were in favor of the motion.
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. Blackburn and seconded by Mr. Hilton, 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 Mr. Sigmon, seconded by Mrs. Butler with no opposition.
Mrs. Butler made the motion to approve the recommendation of Beth Isenhour as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Mr. Sigmon seconded the motion with no opposition.
A motion was made by Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mrs. Blackburn to extend the contract with Commercial First for six months with automatic renewal after the six months. All members were in favor of the motion.
Lastly, a motion was made by Mrs. Spencer to enter into the eye exam lawsuit. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion with no opposition. Attorney Davis will contact Attorney Ann Majestic of the Board’s action.
There being no other items of business to be conducted, Mr. Sigmon made the motion to adjourn. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion with no opposition. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Charlie
Wyant, Chairman
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Timothy S.
Markley, Secretary
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