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May 10, 2005
The Catawba County Board of Education met on May 10, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at Fred T. Foard High School to conduct the last of four Community Redistricting Meetings with Chairman Charlie Wyant presiding. The following members were present: Mr. Hilton, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Spencer, Mrs. Butler and Mr. Scott. Also in attendance were Assistant Superintendents Pat Hensley and Rick Sherrill, Public Information/Grants Writer Beverly Lampe, TIMS Specialist Bonnie Cash, Director of Media Services Judith Ray, Fred T. Foard High School Principal Sally Bradshaw, Fred T. Foard High School Assistant Principal David Shook, Jacobs Fork Middle School Principal Ken Weaver, Mountain View Elementary School Principal Kim Penley and Mountain View Elementary School Assistant Principal Thomas Howell. Mr. Sigmon and Attorney Crystal Davis were not
present at the meeting.
The meeting opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Chairman Wyant. Upon a motion made by Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mrs. Blackburn, the agenda was unanimously approved. Chairman Wyant welcomed everyone in attendance and stated the purpose of the meeting which was to gain input from the community regarding the DRAFT Redistricting Plan.
Assistant Superintendent Sherrill presented a power point presentation of the DRAFT Redistricting Plan to those in attendance. He thanked the staff of Fred T. Foard High School and the community for their support and involvement. Assistant Superintendent Sherrill’s’ presentation began with background information. In August 2006, new Maiden High School will open, the current Maiden High School will become Maiden Middle School and the current Tuttle Middle School will become Tuttle Elementary School. In August 2007, the new Catawba Area Elementary School will open. Administration feels that the DRAFT redistricting plan will allow an excellent opportunity to address overcrowding throughout the district. The purpose of the community meetings will be to brief communities on the plan and to seek community input. Objectives in
redistricting include: utilize new/renovated schools to reduce overcrowding; uniformly spread enrollment based on schools’ capacity across the system; students’ school assignment in close proximity of residence; “grandfather” juniors and seniors (choice to remain at current school); accomplish uniformity in school structure (all schools K-6, 7-8, 9-12 and closure of Catawba Intermediate School); and eliminate student assignments across district lines. Assistant Superintendent Sherrill informed those in attendance the considerations taken when developing the DRAFT redistricting plan. Those considerations include: current enrollments, current building capacities, Long Range Plan (future additions and capacities) and projected enrollments based on Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) Growth Model. After receiving community input from the four meetings, the Board will assess the input along with the Growth Model and how redistricting will align with the Long Range
Plan. Assistant Superintendent Sherrill presented data for the Fred T. Foard School District. The data included: 2004 school enrollment, school capacity, capacity at 110%, number of mobile units at the schools, and 2006-07 projected enrollment. If the DRAFT redistricting plan is implemented, all schools in the Fred T. Foard School District will have the same grade structure and will be under capacity except for Banoak Elementary School. Lastly, Assistant Superintendent Sherrill explained the school boundaries (current and new) which included: Fred T. Foard High School/Jacobs Fork Middle School – lose northern Startown area; Blackburn Elementary School – lose small area in northwestern area; and Mountain View Elementary School – gain small area in eastern area (from Blackburn). Assistant Superintendent stressed that the school system’s goal is to do what is best to provide quality education to students, provide quality facilities and to assess the communities’ input.
Public Comments:
Due to an accident, Attorney Crystal Davis could not be present for the meeting. Chairman Wyant conducted the Public Comments section of the agenda. He asked those who wished to address members to identify themselves, inform members of the area in which they live and whether they have a child (any children) who attends school. Chairman Wyant asked persons to limit their comments to three minutes.
Mr. Pat Moss was the first person who wished to address members. Mr. Moss expressed to members his concerns of students having to change schools in “midstream.” He feels that students need to establish themselves in academics and athletics. After comments from Mr. Moss, the following persons wished to address members with comments: Ms. Jeanette Laws, Mr. Scott Jandrew, Miss Dulce Castillo (interpreting for her mother, Carmen Castillo), Ms. Connie Lutz, Mr. John Gantt, Mr. W.R. Lutz, Ms. Cindy Lisk and Mr. Drew McDaniel. After comments were made, Chairman Wyant allowed any persons in attendance to ask questions regarding the DRAFT Redistricting Plan. Those asking questions were: Mr. Pat Moss, Ms. Rhonda Pawlik, Mr. Kenneth Hodges, Mr. Paul Drummett, Mr. Jeff Wilson, Miss Dulce Castillo, Ms. Betsy
Lindeler, Ms. Tracy Laffon, Mr. Kent Brown, Mr. W.R. Lutz, Ms. Ann Drummett, Mr. Todd Wilson, Mr. Terry Coulter and Ms. Cindy Lisk. Questions and comments ranged from peer pressure, athletics, special treatment of certain students, staffing, longer bus routes, academics, room for growth if plan is approved and the continuation of student transfer process. The main concerns from this community meeting were: allowing students to remain at their current school until graduation or “grade out,” academics and not being “informed” of the community meetings. Members and administration addressed the comments and questions from the community.
There being no other persons who wished to address the Board, Chairman Wyant closed the Public Comments. Chairman Wyant thanked everyone for their input and comments. He reiterated that the interest of the Board of Education is to do what is best for all students. Upon a motion by Mrs. Blackburn and seconded by Mrs. Butler, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
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Charlie
Wyant, Chairman
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Ann Y.
Hart, Secretary
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