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April 25, 2005
The Catawba County Board of Education met in regular session on April 25, 2005 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, Mr. Scott, Mrs. Butler and Mr. Sigmon. Also in attendance were Superintendent Ann Hart, Assistant Superintendents Pat Hensley and Rick Sherrill, Attorney Crystal Davis, Finance Director Sondra Wolfe, Public Information/Grant Writer Beverly Lampe, Construction Coordinator Ernest Williams, Transportation Director Cecil Davis, Career-Technical Director Karen Cale, Child Nutrition Director Karen Duncan, Director of Media Services Judith Ray, Clyde Campbell Elementary School Principal Walter Zahler, Bunker Hill High School Principal Jerry Griffin and Bunker Hill High School
Assistant Principals Shawn Clemons and Frank Morehead.
Christina Cupo represented the Hickory Daily Record and John Mayhew represented the Observer News Enterprise.
The meeting opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. Scott. A motion was made by Mr. Scott to approve the March 21, 2005 minutes, the April 11, 2005 minutes, the April 11, 2005 Community Meeting minutes and the April 12, 2005 Community Meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hilton with no opposition. The Consent Agenda was amended by Superintendent Hart to add three camp requests. Three other amendments were made to the agenda. Mrs. Blackburn’s amendment consisted of the movement of the approval of Personnel Requests until after the Closed Session portion of the meeting. Mrs. Butler then asked for the addition of New Business #5 – Transition Plan for the new Superintendent. Mr. Hilton
reminded Chairman Wyant of the addition of New Business #4 – New Wood Flooring in Gymnasiums and Bleacher Bids (which was mailed to members in a separate mailing). After the amendments, the agenda was unanimously approved upon a motion by Mr. Hilton and seconded by Mrs. Butler.
Public Hearing:
Attorney Crystal Davis conducted the Public Hearing phase of the meeting for comments concerning any agenda items. Mr. Dennis Scronce, was the first person who wished to address the Board. His comments were regarding New Business item #1 – Rate Increase for Community Schools Program. Mr. Scronce, owner of Miss Millie’s Childcare located in front of Tuttle Middle School, asked why private enterprises do not have an opportunity to bid on before-school and after-school care of students.
Others addressing members with comments were regarding Old Business item #2 – Redistricting Update. Mr. Joe Faldowski, a parent of two children who attend Balls Creek Elementary School and lives in the Holly Springs development, expressed his concerns which revolved around longer bus routes for students. Ms. April McElroy and Mr. Matt Bumgarner, both residents of the Brookfield development, asked members to look at the district lines in their development (St. Stephens Elementary/Clyde Campbell Elementary School districts). Mr. David Sherrill was the last person to make comments to members. Mr. Sherrill, who also lives in the Holly Springs development, reiterated Mr. Faldowski’s comments regarding longer bus routes for his children. There being no other persons present who wished to address members, Attorney Davis closed the
Public Hearing portion of the meeting.
Superintendent’s Report:
Superintendent Hart began her report with a reminder that typically this time of the year the 2006-07 school calendar would be adopted; however, administration is waiting to present the calendar until next school year to allow ample time for administration and the Board to assess any changes that will need to be made due to calendar legislation.
Other items of update included:
Approximately four hundred and fifty prospective teachers visited the first annual Teacher Employment Forum of Catawba County. The Forum was held in the CVCC Multipurpose Complex earlier today, April 25th. A reception was held last evening at Café 242 to welcome the recruits providing an opportunity to meet with administrators in a relaxed setting with one-on-one conversations. Thanks were extended to Assistant Superintendent Hensley and her staff, the other two school systems as well as the Chamber of Commerce and community partners on a huge success.
Todd Dickerson, a student from St. Stephens High School, won the International Grand Champion Teen Whistler Contest in Louisburg, North Carolina.
Fifty-three Catawba County School students competed on April 15th for the Annual Fifth Grade Battle of the Books. Balls Creek B Team and Maiden A team finished with a tie.
Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week is May 2-6. We are very proud of the staff that works daily in our school cafeterias. Please show your appreciation for the hard work they do each day to prepare, serve and clean providing nutritional balance for all of our students.
The Annual Child Nutrition Appreciation Dinner will be held on May 10th at the American Legion Fairgrounds at 6:00 p.m. Please notify Angie Honeycutt if you plan to attend.
Katie McBride, seventh grader at Arndt Middle School, won second place in the NC State Science Fair Competition. Her project, “Does Tire Pressure Have an Effect on Energy Conservation” was entered in the Junior Division/Technology. Congratulations were extended to Miss McBride.
Artwork is currently displayed at Valley Hills Mall. The extraordinary artwork was done by students in grades K-12.
The Parents as Teacher Program will hold their End-of-the-Year Picnic on Tuesday, May 17th for families who are enrolled in the program. This event is sponsored by Catawba County Schools and Smart Start.
Lizbeth Alfaro along with all of the other State Teachers of the Year recently visited with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. She said the President and the First Lady were very nice, complimentary and very thankful for all that teachers do. Photos were taken of President Bush and the First Lady with each State Teacher of the Year. Ms. Alfaro also met with the Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and the Executive Director of CCSSO (Council of Chief State School Officers) Tom Houlighan.
SweetHEARTs Mentor and Partner Appreciation Celebration are scheduled for Thursday, April 28th at 6:30 p.m. at Sweetwater Elementary School in the cafeteria. Congratulations were extended to SweetHEARTS for the recent recognition in the national USA Magazine for their caring service in making a difference for others.
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/Camps:
*Maiden High School Men’s Basketball to East Burke High School, June 3-4, 2005
*Maiden High School Men’s Basketball to Greenville, South Carolina, June 11, 2005
*Maiden High School Men’s Basketball to UNC-Charlotte, June 17-18, 2005
*Stephens High School FBLA to Orlando, Florida, June 23-28, 2005
*Fred T. Foard High School French Classes to England and France, June 13-22, 2006
*Fred T. Foard High School Basketball Camp, June 6-9, 2005
*Bandys High School Boy’s Basketball Camp, June 6-10, 2005
*St. Stephens High School Wrestling Camp, June 6-10, 2005
*Bandys High School Boys’ Basketball Camp, June 13-17, 2005
*St. Stephens High School Wrestling Camp, July 10-14, 2005
*St. Stephens High School Basketball Camp, July 11-15, 2005
*St. Stephens High School Wrestling Camp, July 15-18, 2005
Personnel Requests:
*approved classified employees Maranda Ladd and Donna Smith;
*granted administrative contracts to principals Jerry Griffin, Vermel Moore, Kimberly Penley and Marsha Woodard;
*granted administrative contracts to assistant principals Barbara Bell, Brian Benton, Ronald Doss, Frieda Drum, Gerald Gouge, Karen Hammett, Donna Heavner, Michael Hefner, Thomas Howell, Laura Ingenito, Donald Mitchell and Harry Morford;
*granted administrative contracts to directors Debbie Long and Sharon Fox White;
*granted the resignation request of classified employee Brian Byers;
*granted the transfer request of certified employee Anita Denny; and
*granted the retirement requests of classified employees Edna Barrios and Thomas Logan.
The Board was also furnished a listing of substitute teachers.
There being no other questions, the motion was made by Mrs. Blackburn and seconded by Mrs. Butler to approve the budget amendments and presented field trips/camp requests. The motion carried.
The following items of Old Business were transacted:
OB#1: At the request of members, administration was directed to conduct a survey of the possible number of out-of-county employees who would enroll their children in Catawba County Schools if tuition was waived. Assistant Superintendent Hensley presented the results to members. The survey was sent to over three hundred employees with ninety-nine responding. The results found the possibility of seventy-four students. If tuition were waived for those seventy-four, there would be a possible loss of $83,250 (local amount from the County $1,125 per student). Mrs. Butler and Mr. Sigmon felt that the current policy should remain as is because of the financial impact it would cause if tuition was waived. Members
Hilton and Blackburn asked for additional time to consider this item of business. Mrs. Spencer asked if the survey results had been shared with the principals. Superintendent Hart stated that the results would be shared with the principals at their meeting on Tuesday. Mrs. Spencer also reiterated the importance of principals sharing the financial effects of this possibility with staff members. Members will take action on this item of business at their May meeting.
OB#2: Assistant Superintendent Sherrill summarized for members the input from the two Community Redistricting Meetings on April 11 and April 12. He complimented the Board on the informative meetings. Areas of concern from the meetings were: tradition, peer pressure, athletics, special treatment of students, staff, longer bus routes, academics, the continuation of the transfer policy and the possibility of leaving students at their current school until graduation or the students “grade out.” After some discussion, the members directed Assistant Superintendent Sherrill to gather additional information (numbers) for the following: Mrs. Butler asked about the possibility of “grandfathering” sophomores along
with juniors and seniors; Mr. Sigmon asked if another option could be considered regarding the moving of students from Bunker Hill High School into Bandys High School; Mrs. Butler asked that administration look at the “whole picture” (district lines) of the Claremont/Catawba area; Mr. Scott and Mr. Hilton asked for the number of students that would be effected on Laney Road and the Balls Creek Optimist area; and lastly, Mr. Sigmon asked for numbers from Western Piedmont Council of Government. Additional information will be shared at the upcoming May meeting.
The following items of New Business were then transacted:
NB#1: Members received a request from Community Schools of Catawba County for the possibility of a rate increase for school age childcare programs for the 2005-2006 school year. Members were provided with comparison data of costs for surrounding counties. Superintendent Hart introduced Mr. Jim Sprinkle, Director of Community Schools, who opened the floor for any questions or comments from members. Mr. Sprinkle stated the need for the rate change is due to increases in activity fees, fuel, employee costs and licensure requirements. He also stated that there had been no rate increase during the past four years. Mrs. Butler commented on the percentage increases and the reasoning behind the low summer rates
for Burke and Alexander County Schools. Mr. Hilton asked if the Boards of Newton-Conover City Schools and Hickory City Schools had taken action on the proposed rate increase. Mr. Sprinkle responded stating that Newton-Conover City Schools had approved the rate increase and the Hickory City Schools were taking action on the rate increase at their next meeting. Mrs. Butler then made the motion to approve the rate increase request from Community Schools. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion. Mr. Hilton complimented Mr. Sprinkle and the staff of Community Schools on their outstanding work.
NB#2: Due to rising fuel prices, administration requested the Board’s approval of raising the activity bus usage fee to .90 cents per mile effective June 1, 2005. The current fee is .50 cents per mile plus the cost of fuel. The last shipment of diesel fuel was received on March 23, 2005 at a cost of $1.643. The cost for gasoline was $1.6419. The usage fee allows the district to: perform required bus maintenance (oil/lubrication, brakes, safety checks); purchase supplies and equipment (tires, parts); supply diesel fuel; and collect funds to purchase new buses. Administration considered raising the activity bus usage fee last year, but did not primarily due to the long distances traveled by the athletic
teams and keeping the schools’ cost to a minimum. Due to the new athletic conference for the coming year, travel distances will drastically decrease. Assistant Superintendent Sherrill opened the floor for any questions or discussion from members. Members’ questions and discussion consisted of: gas mileage of activity buses; increase usage fee impact on schools and athletic budgets; and if the usage fee increase had been discussed with high school principals/athletic directors. After the discussion, Mr. Hilton asked if the usage fee could be increased to .85 cents per mile for this year (2005-2006) and prepare the schools for a possible additional increase for the 2006-2007 school year. There being no additional discussion, Mr. Hilton made the motion to raise the activity bus usage fee to a flat rate of .85 cents per mile. Mrs. Butler seconded the motion with no opposition.
NB#3: Assistant Superintendent Sherrill introduced Child Nutrition Director Karen Duncan who presented the next item of business. Child Nutrition Director Duncan informed members that the North Carolina Child Nutrition Guidelines require that each LEA approve a procurement plan which states that the Child Nutrition Program will follow all state and federal regulations in the operation of the program. She also requested that the district’s bid proposal schedule be changed from a one-year approval with a two-year rollover to a one-year approval with a four-year rollover. Mrs. Butler asked why the change from a two-year rollover to a four-year rollover. Child Nutrition Director Duncan stated that it was mainly
because of competition and to align with USDA guidelines. She also commented that surrounding counties have already adopted this policy. There being no other questions, Mrs. Butler made the motion to adopt the presented guidelines and bid proposal schedule. Mrs. Butler seconded the motion. All members were in favor.
NB#4: Assistant Superintendent Sherrill presented the bidding information for the new wood flooring in the gymnasiums at Fred T. Foard High School, Bunker Hill High School and Mt. View Elementary School. The low bidder was Mountain Creek Contractors with a Base Bid of $280,000, Alternate #1 (athletic equipment at Fred T. Foard High School) - $35,500 and Alternate #2 (athletic equipment at Bunker Hill High School) - $35,500. The bid also included new gymnasium seating at Startown Elementary School. Assistant Superintendent Sherrill presented the available funds to cover these projects if approved by the Board. Mr. Sigmon asked about the status of new bleachers at the elementary schools. Construction
Coordinator Williams addressed his question. There being no other discussion, Mr. Scott made the motion to approve and award the presented projects to the low bidder, Mountain Creek Contractors. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion with no opposition.
NB#5: Mrs. Butler began the conversation on this item of business. She asked if Superintendent Hart and staff could provide members and the new Superintendent with a transition plan updating the status of items such as the Strategic Plan, program evaluations (what has been done) and the hiring of vacant positions. At the request of members, the transition plan will be presented at either the May or June Board meeting.
Public Comments:
Attorney Crystal Davis conducted the Public Comments section of the meeting. There were several persons in attendance who wished to address the Board.
Mr. Dan Greene, a volunteer with the foreign exchange program and local chapter president responsible for recruiting host families, asked the Board to consider a change in the number of foreign exchange students permitted into Catawba County Schools. He informed members that the program provides an enormous amount of benefits and is a great experience for teachers.
Mr. Dale Sherrill, a representative of the Bunker Hill High School community, presented members with information regarding facility needs and renovations needed at Bunker Hill High School. He asked members to consider making these improvements before the construction of a new Catawba Elementary School. Lastly, he asked members to reconsider the movement of students from Bunker Hill High School into the Bandys High School District.
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 purpose: under subsection (a)(1) to prevent the disclosure of privileged and confidential personnel information pursuant to G.S. 115C-319-321.
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.
After discussion of personnel requests in Closed Session, a motion was made by Mrs. Butler to approve the revised personnel requests. Mr. Scott seconded the motion with no opposition.
There being no other items of business to be conducted, Mr. Hilton made the motion to adjourn. Mrs. Spencer seconded the motion. All members were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
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Charlie
Wyant, Chairman
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Ann Y.
Hart, Secretary
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