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June 12, 2006
The Catawba County Board of Education met in regular session on June 12, 2006 at 2:00 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 Timothy Markley, Assistant Superintendents Doyle Brinson, Pat Hensley and Beth Isenhour, Attorney Crystal Davis, Finance Officer Sondra Wolfe, Career-Technical Education Director Karen Cale, Public Information Officer/Grants Writer Beverly Lampe, NCWISE Project Manager Angela Blalock, Child Nutrition Director Karen Duncan, Federal Programs Director Barbara Piekarski, Student Services Director Paul Holden, Elementary Education Director Walter Zahler, St. Stephens Elementary School Principal Lori Reed and Blackburn
Elementary School Principal Donna Sigmon.
Chris Gilfillan represented the Observer News Enterprise and Lauren Williamson represented the Hickory Daily Record.
The meeting opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. Hilton. A motion was made by Mrs. Blackburn to approve the April 24, 2006 minutes and the May 22, 2006 including the corrections made prior to the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hilton with no opposition. An amendment was made by Superintendent Markley for the inclusion of the addendum to the personnel requests and to add two additional field trip requests and one camp request. The amended agenda was then unanimously approved upon a motion by Mrs. Spencer and seconded by Mrs. Blackburn.
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 introducing newly approved St. Stephens Elementary School Principal Lori Reed and welcomed her to Catawba County Schools.
Other items of update included:
•The County Manager has released the proposed County Budget. Superintendent Markley shared with members three serious concerns that he has with the proposed budget, which included: the 2006-07 County-base funding; drastic cut in technology and media capital requests for new schools; and, the current per pupil technology allotment is inadequate to meet the needs of the district’s students. There will be a Public Hearing on the proposed Budget on Wednesday, June 14.
•St. Stephens Elementary School was selected as a 2006 National School of Character. The school is one of only ten schools nationwide selected. Congratulations!
•Ms. Carol Moore, a teacher at Mill Creek Middle School, recently received the honor of winning the 2006 Corning Award for Excellence in Teaching for math and science instruction.
•Ms. Debra Harwell-Braun, a teacher at Lyle Creek Elementary School, recently won the Wachovia Award for Outstanding Educator.
•Hickory’s Wal-Mart 2006 Teacher of the Year was awarded to Andrea Ramsey of Startown Elementary School.
•Congratulations were extended to all of the 2006 graduates!
To conclude his report, Superintendent Markley announced that the Maiden High School Dedication Ceremony would be held on September 10 at 3:00 p.m. (formal ceremony in the auditorium with refreshments served in the Commons).
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 Federal Grants Fund. A copy of these amendments may be found between pages ___ and ___ and become an official part of these minutes.
Field Trip Requests/Camps:
*Bunker Hill High School AFJROTC to Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 10-17, 2006
*Bandys High School Marching Band to Jacksonville State University, June 20-24, 2006
*Bunker Hill High School AFJROTC to Pfieffer University, July 8-14, 2006
*St. Stephens High School Women’s Soccer to Wingate University, July 9-14, 2006
*St. Stephens High School NJROTC to Shaw AFB, South Carolina, July 16-20, 2006
*St. Stephens High School NJROTC to Canton, North Carolina, July 30-August 4, 2006
*Fred T. Foard High School Annual Tiger Soccer Camp, June 26-28, 2006
*St. Stephens High School Lady Indians Soccer Camp, June 29-30, 2006
Personnel Requests:
*approved certified employees Stephanie Aldridge, Mary Ciszek, Andrea Elder, Dorothy Flanary, Emiliee Hillman, Crystal Hunsucker, Lydia Johnson, Thomas Morgan, Joyce Murray, Cindy Paz, Marilyn Pendley, Melissa Rainey, Jami Robinson, Arlene Sigmon, Shannon Slaughter, April Stubbs, Seldon Bird, Victoria Braswell, Roger Cathey, Stephanie Conkling, Jill Crawford, Jacque Crump, Lynn Dula, Kristi Fulbright, Michelle Hanrahan, Stacy Martin, Kortney Munday, Willie June Noggle, Joy Rowe, Vickie Shook, Danny Sifford, Linda Smith, Alyssa Stewart and Ana Xiong;
*granted administrative contracts to certified employees Maria Ballard and Corwin Klassett;
*approved reassignment to certified employee Ken Weaver;
*approved VIF contracts to certified employees Lindsey Curran, Myra Ervin, Cristella Gomez, Susan Sutcliffe, Joanna Couper, Martha Elizondo and Luis Vasquez;
*approved job share positions for certified employees Mary Hancock and Tina Starnes;
*approved Instructional Assistance Summer School employees Heather Bertrand, Stephen Hensley, Libby Herman, Katherine Jenkins, Sam McRee and Evelyn Starr;
*approved rehire of retirees Harold Caldwell, Billie Jo Drum, Randy Faucette, Marian Ford, Michael Lawing, Terry Sipe, Jr., Karen Eades, Mary Ann Gregory, Janie Morrison, Bonnie Pritchard, Patsy Rogers, Cathy Schiffel and Linda Weaver;
*approved classified employees Nantahala Abernathy, Raegan Bolick, Jodi Buckland, Joanne Corne, Zack DeBerry, Janet Donadio, Angie Drum, Mike Hollar, Melissa Johnson, Nancy Lail, Miranda Little, Teresa Nance, Monica Phillips, Karen Pruitt, Natasha Roberson, Rhonda Stone, Gaye Watts, Tammy Winchell, Gretchen Beard, Angie Blair, Tammy Brown, Tiffany Brown, Ashley Burris-Lail, Lisa Caldwell, Wendy Canter, April Coffey, Lisa Cook, Susan Elmore, Brenda Fox, Selina Hewitt, Sheila Isenhour, Miranda Ladd, Evelyn Stutts, Donald Wilkerson and Hayley Wilson;
*accepted resignations of certified employees Elizabeth Haunton, Margaret Lee, Tina Simmons, Laura Bickel, April Coffey, Ashley Morrettie, Janie Seagle, Kim Stacy, Tina Starnes and Wilma Walters;
*accepted resignations of classified employees Deborah Barham, Gretchen Beard, James Lutz, Liz McGraw, Theresa Gibbons, Alisha Herman and Nelia Sigmon;
*granted the reassignment/transfer requests of certified employees Felicia Burgess, Brian Hefner, Delene Huggins, Dean King, Kelly Miller, Michael Slaughter and Ursula Long;
*granted the reassignment/transfer requests of classified employees Lorraine Lawing, Wanda Bush, Marcia Morris, Karen Myatt and Paul Yang; and
*granted the retirement requests of certified employees.
There being no questions, the motion was made by Mr. Hilton and seconded by Mrs. Butler to approve the budget amendments, personnel requests and overnight/out-of-state field trips/camp requests including the amendment made by Superintendent Markley. The motion carried.
The following items of New Business were transacted:
NB#1: Student Services Director Paul Holden introduced Public Health Director
Doug Urland and other representatives from the Catawba County Public Health Department. Director Urland extended thanks to the Catawba County Board of Education and staff for their leadership and partnership with the Health Department. Members were presented an overview of the School Nursing Plan, which included the role and impact of school nurses. Ms. Jennifer McCracken, representative from the Health Department, then emphasized the nine school health outcomes. After their presentations, Director Urland stated that there are also plans to expand the dental program. Others from the Health Department presenting to the Board included Ms. Maria Reese and Ms. Candace Justice. Both Ms. Reese and Ms. Justice thanked the Board for their adoption of the Wellness Policy and the Tobacco Free Policy. Two students, rising sophomores at St. Stephens High School, extended their thanks to the
Board for the adoption of the Tobacco Free Policy and presented members with an appreciation plaque. Chairman Wyant extended thanks on behalf of the Board to Director Urland and his staff.
NB#2: Assistant Superintendent Doyle Brinson updated members on the status
of the five major construction projects, which included:
•Contents of the old Tuttle Middle School have been moved into Maiden Middle School.
•Renovations, such as painting and working on heating units, have begun at Maiden Middle School.
•Construction at the new Maiden High School is still on schedule. There are some issues surrounding the athletic facilities.
•Construction will begin at Bunker Hill High School with completion at the end of December.
•Footings are being poured at the new Catawba Elementary School.
NB#3: The Career-Technical Education Plan for the fiscal year 2006-2007 was presented by Director Karen Cale. This year is the continuation of a four-year strategic plan for the program. A new plan is pending reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998. Parts I and II of the plan are developed by the State Board of Education and were presented for your information. These parts do not require Board approval, but will become the State Board of Education’s expectations for the program and must be met in order to receive funding from the state. Parts III and IV of the plan must be approved annually by the Board. Part III of the plan shows the distribution of allotted federal and state funds to support the Career-Technical Education Program in
the school system. Part IV is the official signature page indicating approval of the plan agreement. Once the plan is approved, it will become the agreement between the Catawba County Board of Education and the State Board of Education to operate our Career-Technical Education Program as outlined in the plan. Director Cale opened the floor for any questions from members. She indicated there was an increase of 1.5 positions in months of employment (one position at Maiden High School and .5 position at St. Stephens High School). Mrs. Butler questioned the low goal of Performance Indicator 3. Director Cale responded to her question stating that the goal was set by the State. Mr. Sigmon asked for explanation of three courses. There being no other questions or discussion, Mr. Scott made the motion to approve the Career-Technical Education Plan for 2006-2007. Mrs. Spencer seconded the motion with no opposition.
NB#4: Finance Officer Sondra Wolfe asked from the Board for the consideration of an interim budget. She explained that G.S. 115C-434 allows for the adoption of an interim budget when the Budget Resolution is not passed prior to July. This interim budget will allow for the paying of salaries and usual operating expenses of the school system including Capital Outlay projects until such time as the Budget Resolution can be adopted. With a motion from Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mr. Sigmon, the interim budget will continue until a budget is adopted. The motion carried. Finance Officer Wolfe asked permission from members to email the final budget amendments due to the early June meeting date. Board action will then be requested on the emailed amendments at the July 31, 2006 meeting.
NB#5: Members received a copy of the Catawba County Schools’ 2005-2006 Limited English Plan (LEP) Plan prior to the meeting for their review. Federal Programs’ Director Barbara Piekarski briefed members on the plan and opened the floor for any questions and/or discussion from members. She stated that every school system is required to have a LEP Plan that shows schools have an effective plan in place that addresses the requirements of federal and state laws and meets the needs of the LEP students. In April, the LEP committee met and reviewed the changes and how they addressed the requirements of the State. The plan was revised and meets all requirements of No Child Left Behind. Board member Sherry Butler served as the Board representative on the committee. Mrs. Butler commended the
committee representatives and their ideas. She also stated that both the Valvictorian and Salutatorian at Fred T. Foard High School were LEP students. Upon a motion by Mrs. Blackburn and seconded by Mrs. Butler, the presented 2005-2006 Limited English Plan was unanimously approved.
NB#6: Federal Programs’ Director Barbara Piekarski presented to the Board the projects of the “No Child Left Behind Program” Program. Title I – Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantage Planning Allotment (allotment - $1,786,997) flexible funding is used to provide additional instructional staff, professional development, parent workshops in reading and other strategies for raising student achievement in high-poverty schools. Many set aside amounts are mandated by the federal NCLB law. The mandates include: Administration - $155,700; Parent Involvement - $22,216; Staff Development - $89,349.85; Homeless - $2,000; and, School/LEA Improvement - $357,400. All Title I schools will be designated school-wide. Currently, Sweetwater, St. Stephens, Oxford and Lyle Creek Elementary
Schools are classified as school-wide. In the coming year, Maiden, Claremont and Banoak Elementary Schools will also become school-wide. Being designated school-wide gives schools more flexibility in how they use their Title I funds. All students in the school benefit from the Title I funding. Each school writes its School Improvement Plan and decides how to use Title I funds to help students performing below grade level.
Title II – Improving Teacher Quality (allotment - $532,902) is directed toward improving the quality of teachers, administrators and paraprofessionals and increasing the number of teachers resulting in reduction of class size. The focus of Title II is on high quality professional development that will support activities across all core academic subjects. Title II funds will pay for seven teachers as reduced class size teachers to help improve teacher student ration and achievement in schools that demonstrate need.
Title III – Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students (allotment - $160,023) assists school districts in teaching English to limited English proficient students and in helping those students meet the same challenging standards required of all students. These federal funds are used to provide three additional teachers and two bilingual staff members who speak either Hmong or Spanish.
Title V – Innovative Program (allotment - $25,353) are used in the area of “Highly Qualified Teachers” through the partial employment of the Director of Professional Development Rae Thompson. The federal government is cutting this funding. These funds will soon be eliminated. The funds for the Technology Specialist Program are no long available.
Federal Programs Director Piekarski opened the floor for any questions from the members. Mrs. Spencer asked about the teacher assistant qualifications for the school-wide Title I schools. Assistant Superintendent Hensley addressed the question. There being no other questions, Mr. Hilton made a motion to approve the 2006-2007 Federal Grants (Title I, Title II, Title III and Title V) as submitted with Mrs. Blackburn seconding the motion. All members were in favor. Mrs. Blackburn commended the dedication of the teachers in all the federal programs.
NB#7: On January 24, the Board of Education adopted its 2006-2007 school calendar. Since that time, issues surrounding student attendance on Memorial Day (May 29) was brought to the attention of administration. Members were mailed a copy of the adopted 2006-2007 school calendar along with four versions of the same calendar with possible revisions to Memorial Day 2007 (May 28). Members also received student absences data for the May 29, 2006 (Memorial Day) holiday. Assistant Superintendent Hensley presented each version, which included: Version I – move the December 21 annual leave day to May 28; Version II - move the April 6 holiday (Good Friday) to May 28; Version III – move the February 19
(President’s Day) workday to May 28; and, Version IV – move the March 9 workday to May 28. After discussion of the four versions, Mrs. Butler made the motion to adopt Version IV of the 2006-2007 school calendar, including one correction (add workday “symbol – square” on February 19). Mr. Scott seconded the motion with no opposition. May 28 would also be a possible snow day make-up day if needed. Mrs. Butler requested from administration student absences data on the last four days of the school years 2005-06 and 2004-05 from all five high schools.
NB#8: Superintendent Markley presented a Resolution in support of legislation that encourages the North Carolina Legislature to partner with the SALT Block to fund $250,000 towards the renovation of the auditorium of the Arts and Science Center of Catawba Valley. He emphasized that the school system used the Arts and Science Center of Catawba Valley for special events and what a great asset the facility is for the community. There being no questions regarding the Resolution, Mrs. Butler made the motion to approve the Resolution requesting that the NC Legislature fund $250,000 for renovation of the auditorium of the Arts and Science Center of Catawba Valley. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion with no
opposition.
NB#9: At the April 24, 2006 Board of Education meeting, there was some discussion regarding the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in all of the Catawba County Schools. Since that meeting, BLT meetings at the schools that were not reciting the Pledge were held. As a result of the meetings, Superintendent Markley informed members that all schools will now encourage participation in the recitation of the Pledge with the beginning of the 2006-07 school year.
NB#10: Members were mailed a copy of the Catawba County Schools’ 2006-2011 Strategic Plan. Superintendent Markley extended thanks to Board members Mrs. Spencer and Mr. Sigmon for serving on the Strategic Planning Committee and their dedication to the development of the plan. Superintendent Markley stated that the plan was developed with a workable mission and vision for the next five years. Thanks were also extended to retired Assistant Superintendent Nancy Yount for her outstanding work with the plan. Upon a motion made by Mrs. Spencer and seconded by Mr. Sigmon, the Catawba County Schools’ 2006-2011 Strategic Plan was unanimously approved.
NB#11: Superintendent Markley briefed members on conversation that he and Public Information Officer Beverly Lampe had with representatives from the Taylorsville Times. The Taylorsville Times publishes a free publication, Kidsville News, to all elementary students and is currently working with the Iredell and Alexander County Schools. If approved, Catawba County Schools’ publication would include local news about the system as well as national content surrounding Character Education. Concerns about the publication from members included the selling of ads and the ads meeting the requirements of Catawba County Schools’ policies and procedures. Members asked Attorney Davis to review the
presented agreement. Mr. Sigmon made the motion to approve the presented agreement with Kidsville News (for one year with review of extension) pending review by Attorney Davis and also with the understanding that the advertisements in the publication meet all Board of Education policies and guidelines. Mrs. Butler seconded the motion with no opposition.
Public Comments:
Attorney Davis conducted the Public Comments section of the agenda at which time no person present desired to address the Board.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hilton and seconded by Mrs. Butler, the Board unanimously went into Closed Session the pursuant to G.S.143-318.11 for the following purposes: under subsection (a)(3) to discuss matter protected by the attorney-client privilege; and 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. Hilton, seconded by Mrs. Butler with no opposition.
Mrs. Spencer made the motion to approve the personnel list (probationary to probationary status) as presented by Assistant Superintendent Hensley, excluding the names of Kristen Houser and Terry Sherrill. Mrs. Butler seconded the motion with no opposition.
Another motion was made by Mrs. Spencer to approve the personnel list (probationary to probationary status) as presented by Assistant Superintendent Hensley, excluding the name of Heather Houston. Mr. Hilton seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Mrs. Spencer then made the motion to approve the personnel list (probationary to probationary status) as presented by Assistant Superintendent Hensley, excluding the name of Shelly Isenhour. Mr. Hilton seconded the motion with no opposition.
Lastly, Mrs. Spencer made the motion to approve the names of Kristen Houser, Terry Sherrill, Heather Houston and Shelly Isenhour. Mr. Hilton seconded the motion. All members were in favor of the motion except for Mr. Sigmon, Mr. Scott and Mrs. Butler who abstained from the vote due to being related to the listed individuals.
Mrs. Butler made the motion to approve the non-renewal personnel list (due to performance and contracts expired) as submitted by Assistant Superintendent. Mr. Scott seconded the motion with no opposition.
A motion was made by Mrs. Spencer and seconded by Mr. Hilton to extend Superintendent Markley’s contract for an additional year and to amend his contract waiving the $25,000 penalty fee in the event of a merger. All members were in favor of the motion except for Mr. Sigmon. Mr. Sigmon stated that he was pleased with Superintendent Markley’s outstanding performance, but due to not filing for reelection in November, he would not vote in favor of the motion.
Mrs. Butler made a motion to increase Superintendent Markley’s travel allowance by $100 effective July 1, 2006. Mr. Scott seconded the motion with no opposition.
The last motion was made by Mr. Hilton and seconded by Mrs. Spencer for Catawba County Schools to pay legal representation for an employee. The motion carried.
There being no other items of business to be conducted, Mrs. Butler made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Hilton seconded the motion. All members were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Charlie
Wyant, Chairman
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Timothy S.
Markley, Secretary
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