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August 28, 2002
The Catawba County Board of Education held
its two-day Board Retreat on August 28-29, 2002 at the County Schools’
Administration Building with Chairman Betty Blackburn presiding. The
following members were present: Mrs. Sherrill, Mr. Biggerstaff, Mr.
Wyant, Mrs. Butler and Mr. Huffman. Also in attendance were
Superintendent Hart, Assistant Superintendents Stephen Hilton, Joyce
Spencer and Nancy Yount, Attorney Alex Williams, Finance Officer Sondra
Wolfe, Technology Director Terry Bledsoe, Testing and Accountability
Director Joe Famulary and Public Information/Grants Writer Sonya
Gordon. Other Central Office staff attended various portions of the
meeting. Mr. McRee was not present.
The meeting
opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led
by Chairman Blackburn. A motion was made by Mr. Huffman to accept the
presented agenda for the Retreat. Mrs. Sherrill seconded the motion
with no opposition.
The Strategic
Plan Evaluation was the first item on the agenda. Superintendent Hart,
Assistant Superintendent Yount and Technology Director Terry Bledsoe
presented the information. Superintendent Hart informed the Board that
the presentation was a status update of the Strategic Plan. She thanked
Assistant Superintendent Yount for compiling the information and writing
the evaluation, along with Mr. Bledsoe for his editing and technical
assistance. She also thanked the schools for the information.
Superintendent Hart welcomed any comments from the Board as she
discussed the plan. She reviewed the process of the plan and reviewed
the nine goals: Collaborative Networks, School Environment, Student
Achievement, Instructional Programs, Resources, High School Graduation
Rate, Character Development, Diversity and Staff Development. Assistant
Superintendent Yount highlighted the evaluation questions: What
strategies have had the greatest impact? What are the student
achievement results? Are our customers satisfied? What conclusions can
be drawn? What are the recommendations for the future? Successful
strategies such as business partners, use of schools for community
activities, partnerships, tutoring, International Newcomer Center,
Partners in Print and parent nights were mentioned. The PEP process,
achievement results, human resources of the district, customer
satisfaction, improvement, conclusions and recommendations were
discussed. The Strategic Plan is a useful document containing important
district information that allows the district to remain true to its
vision, mission and purpose.
The next item
on the agenda was the presentation of the Eight Year Long Range Facility
Plan. Assistant Superintendent Hilton and Construction Coordinator
Ernest Williams introduced the proposed plan to the Board. County
Commissioners requested that the proposed building/renovation plan be
spread over a period of eight years. Assistant Superintendent Hilton
thoroughly discussed each project and the proposed funding schedule.
The majority of funding would be needed during years two and three.
Board members expressed their concerns in meeting the immediate needs of
the schools with the limited amount of money that exists. Discussion
was held regarding which project had the greatest need of urgency.
Suggested revisions will be made to the document and presented to the
Board at its September meeting. Mrs. Butler then suggested that the
sixth grade students from Balls Creek area be allowed to go to Catawba
Intermediate School instead of Tuttle Middle School. These students
would then attend Mill Creek Middle School and already be established in
that middle school/high school feeder area. A proposal containing
enrollment numbers and district data for this suggestion will be
distributed prior to the September meeting. Assistant Superintendent
Hilton also discussed the additional Capital Outlay Needs document of
future facility needs of the district.
Assistant
Superintendent Hilton updated the Board of other real estate
opportunities – the possibility of purchasing one acre adjoining the
administration property and property adjoining Startown Elementary
School being vacated by Startown First Baptist Church. Then, Attorney
Alex Williams informed the Board that a revised contract was submitted
to Venture Properties regarding the old St. Stephens Elementary
property.
The last item
on the agenda for the day was the presentation on the UNC Center for
International Understanding Program. Through this program, a group of
educators traveled to Mexico for ten days to gain a better understanding
of the Latino community. Elementary Education Director Barbara
Piekarski traveled with group. Mrs. Piekarski introduced the other
educators that traveled to Mexico: Joey Schnople, Karen Hammett, Keri
Von Dohlen, Neil Bolick and Gail Whisnant. Each person discussed
experiences about the trip including the selection process, preparations
and living in the native environment. Visiting Mexico enabled the
participants to explore the New American experience, to gain information
in helping Spanish speaking students to be successful in our schools,
and to learn ways of empowering the Latino community to become a more
positive force in our schools.
Other information shared
about Mexico included: since 1993 the number of students with limited
English skills in North Carolina has increased from 8,900 to 52,500;
religion and education are highly respected; basic education is
inclusive up to fourteen years of age; and interesting data about
population, sub nations, and the structure of education system. The
presenters emphasized, “We have the power to make a difference.” At a
later date, these educators will present their experiences to fellow
colleagues.
Chairman
Blackburn thanked the Board members for their attendance and for a
successful day. She then declared the meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________
Betty C. Blackburn, Chairman
______________________________
Ann Y. Hart, Secretary
August
29, 2002
The Catawba
County Board of Education began day two of the Board Retreat on August
29, 2002 at the County Schools’ Administration Building with Chairman
Betty Blackburn presiding. The following members were present: Mrs.
Sherrill, Mr. Biggerstaff, Mr. Wyant, Mrs. Butler and Mr. Huffman. Also
in attendance were Superintendent Hart, Assistant Superintendents
Stephen Hilton, Joyce Spencer and Nancy Yount, Attorney Alex Williams,
Finance Officer Sondra Wolfe, Technology Director Terry Bledsoe,
Elementary Education Director Barbara Piekarski, Public
Information/Grants Writer Sonya Gordon and Systems Engineer Joel
Benware. Other Central Office staff members attended various portions
of the meeting. Mr. McRee was not present for the meeting.
The meeting opened with a Moment of Silence
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. Biggerstaff.
Chairman Blackburn
briefly discussed and distributed to the Board a response to the letter
written by Larry Eckard that was recently published in the Hickory
Daily Record, raising a number of questions about the kinds of
services Catawba County is required to provide to its growing immigrant
population. A meeting will be conducted with newspaper staff regarding
this information.
Since the presentations
of the School Improvement Plans are scheduled for September 9 and 10,
with the consensus of the Board, the scheduled September 9, 2002 Board
of Education School Visit to Clyde Campbell Elementary School was
cancelled.
Elementary Education
Director Barbara Piekarski presented to the Board information regarding
the Title I Program Evaluation, which was the first item on the agenda.
The Title I Program strives for a quality education for every child.
The history of the program was discussed. This program was originally
enacted in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was considered the
cornerstone of “war on property.” In January 2002, a reauthorization of
Title I was signed by President Bush. Nationally, schools are required
to have 100% proficiency within twelve years, and North Carolina
requires 95% proficiency within ten years. The eight Title I Program
Evaluation questions are the following: What are defined goals,
objectives and outcomes? What strategies were used to implement the
program? Was the program implemented as designed? What are the student
achievement results? Are our customers satisfied? Are there factors
that have changed the implementation or results? What conclusions can
be drawn from the student data? What are the recommendations that
result from this program evaluation? Catawba County Schools’ Title I
Program was designed to use multiple criteria in selecting students most
at-risk of not reaching reading proficiency. The program targets grades
K-3 with emphasis on first, second and third grades and provides proven
strategies for reading instruction. There is one school-wide Title I
school and nine schools with targeted assistance. The district
implementation of the program consists of the development of individual
school plans; employment of trained Literacy Specialists and Lead
Literacy Specialists; requirement of Literacy Specialists to work on
master’s degree in reading; use of research-based best practices in
decision-making and instruction; build on student self-concept, cultural
pride, and community identity; implementation of strategies for parent
involvement; allocation of resources to support learning program;
keeping student/teacher ratio low; and increase amount and quality of
learning time. Factors that have caused program changes are changes in
families applying for free and reduced benefits, personnel changes,
leadership changes and a new school added to district. Other factors
included the increased number of LEP and exceptional children
population. Results, findings, growth and sustained achievement were
discussed.
In conclusion, Catawba
County Schools showed progress in average percentage of second grade
students reading at grade level proficiency, increased allotment for
parent activities in 2002, and Title I students demonstrated an 11.6%
gain while the all student group increased by 5.3%. During the period
studied, Title I group also gained 15.4% in overall scale score as
compared with all student group 7.2%. Recommendations for the program
are as follows: maintain progress; use scientifically-based research;
use computer-assisted learning; increase parent involvement; provide
staff development; provide incentives for parents to attend activities;
carefully examine data and funding; provide supplementary materials;
emphasize that Title I is a supplementary program; carefully
disaggregate data; study ways to assist ESL and exceptional children
students; and provide focused interventions. Superintendent Hart
commended Mrs. Piekarski and her staff for the success of the Title I
Program.
Since there
is little budget information from the State, Superintendent Hart was
unable to present a budget update. As she encouraged members to contact
legislators regarding the budget, she emphasized that the system is
operating in day seventeen of school with no budget.
Since there was no additional budget information to
discuss, Superintendent Hart presented an update on technology. She
commended the technology staff for their continued innovative and team
effort. Technology Director Terry Bledsoe and Systems Engineer Joel
Benware presented the Catawba County Schools’ web page/portal.
Superintendent Hart emphasized that staff members use this resourceful
tool to perform their jobs on a daily basis. The design of the web page
continues to grow, and there is unlimited access to information. Mr.
Bledsoe and Mr. Benware briefly discussed items such as the Board Policy
Manual, Personnel Directory, DocuShare, Web Quest Link, outside resource
links, the Administrative Handbook, and the monthly feature of a teacher
from Catawba County Schools. Individual schools maintain their own
websites, and technology staff conducts “how to” workshops. Mr. Bledsoe
and Mr. Benware asked the Board for any suggestions for improving the
website.
Superintendent Hart then
presented the No Child Left Behind legislation and its
implications to the schools. With effective dates of January 8, 2002
until 2007, this legislation is a reauthorization of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act and is the largest federal overhaul of education
as well as the largest increase of federal school funding in recent
years. The legislation focuses on four areas: accountability,
flexibility, emphasis on what works and empowerment of parents. Since
North Carolina and Texas have served as models, North Carolina has
already met many requirements. All schools are required not only to
have 100% proficiency within twelve years but also must make adequate
yearly progress. Another provision of this legislation raises teacher
and paraprofessional standards. In conclusion, this legislation is the
most significant thing that is happening in education. Additional
information regarding this legislation can be found on the USDE web site
and DPI’s Summary as well as Frequently Answered Questions.
Superintendent Hart
introduced two successful programs available in our schools, the Parents
as Teachers Program and the More at Four Program. Elementary Education
Director Barbara Piekarski presented the More at Four Program. This
educational program, which is a community-based, voluntary
pre-kindergarten initiative designed to prepare at-risk four year olds
for success in school, was proposed by Governor Mike Easley and is
funded by the North Carolina General Assembly. The Partnership for
Children along with the three school systems coordinated a joint
application that was filed last December for program approval.
Notification was received in January 2002 to set up the program in the
schools. A More at Four Program, serving eighteen students, is located
at Sweetwater Elementary School. Classrooms are required to meet
specific program requirements. The students need to be prepared in all
five of the major domains outlined by the National Education Goals
Panel. Each of the domains is critical to students’ well being, in
particular for their success in reading and math as they attend
school. The five domains are health and physical development, social
and emotional development, approaches toward learning, language
development and communication, and cognition and general knowledge. The
four program standards include: maximum class size of eighteen, with a
teacher and an assistant; teachers must have certification in early
childhood education although provisional approval is allowed for
teachers working toward certification; approved pre-K curriculum; and a
six hour school day. Also, staff is required to participate in
professional development. This high quality pre-K education program for
at-risk students before they enter kindergarten can provide these
students the educational boost they need.
Student Services Director
Pat Hensley introduced the Parents as Teachers Program which is part of
the Parent Education Program. The Parents as Teachers Program’s major
guiding principle is that the early years of a child’s life are critical
for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school
and in life. Another principle for the program is that all families
have strengths and all parents want to be good parents. Furthermore,
supporting the parents of at-risk preschoolers in helping their children
start school ready to learn is very important since parental involvement
is a basic ingredient of student success. Established and emerging
research should be the foundation of parent education and family support
curricula, training, materials and services. Catawba County Schools
employs eight certified personnel in its Parents as Teachers Program.
The programs are located at St. Stephens Family Resource Center, Bandys
Family Resource Center, Southern Catawba County Family Resource Center,
Foard Family Resource Center, Bunker Hill Family Resource Center and
Southview Family Resource Center. Funding sources come from Smart
Start, Safe and Drug Free Schools Program, local funds and other sources
such as Hickory Service League, Delta Kappa Gamma, local businesses,
municipalities and churches. Beginning in 1999, 188 children were
served by the program and the number increased to 325 in 2001. The four
components of the Parents as Teacher Program are personal visits, group
meetings or family nights, developmental and health screenings, and
resource and referral network. Referrals are received from The
Developmental Evaluation Center, Early Childhood Support Team,
Department of Social Services, Early Childhood Intervention Services,
Public Health, Mental Health, hospitals, school counselors, school
nurses, teachers, our preschool program, ESL teachers and parents.
Upon the completion of
the Parents as Teachers Program presentation, Chairman Blackburn
declared day two of the Retreat adjourned. The regular Board of
Education meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________
Betty C. Blackburn, Chairman
______________________________
Ann Y. Hart, Secretary
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