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June 23, 2003
The Catawba County Board of Education met in regular session on June 23,
2003 at 5:30 p.m. at the County Schools’ Administration Building with
Chairman Charlie Wyant presiding. The following members were present:
Mr. Biggerstaff, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Sherrill, Mr. Scott, Mrs. Butler
and Mr. Sigmon. Also in attendance were Superintendent Ann Hart,
Assistant Superintendents Nancy Yount, Pat Hensley and Rick Sherrill,
Attorney Cynthia Grady from Roberts and Stevens Attorneys at Law,
Finance Director Sondra Wolfe, Technology Director Terry Bledsoe, Public
Information/Grants Writer Sonya Gordon, Transportation Director Cecil
Davis, Exceptional Children’s Director Sharon Fox White, Director of
Media Services Judith Ray, Construction Coordinator Ernest Williams,
Attorney Crystal Davis, Atilla Orkan from Atilla Orkan Architects,
Robert Smith from CBSA Architects and other Contractors.
Casey Childers represented the Observer News Enterprise and Monte
Mitchell represented the Hickory Daily Record. Al Mainess
represented WNNC.
The meeting opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance led by Mrs. Butler. A motion was made by Mr. Scott to
approve the May 26, 2003 minutes. The motion was seconded by Mrs.
Sherrill with no opposition. An amendment was made to the agenda moving
NB#6 – Consideration of School Board Attorney Agreement to NB#1. The
agenda was then unanimously approved upon a motion by Mr. Sigmon and
seconded by Mr. Biggerstaff.
Public Hearing:
Attorney Cynthia Grady 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 Hart began her report by
introducing new staff members that were in attendance: Rick Sherrill,
Assistant Superintendent for Auxiliary Services; Pat Hensley, Assistant
Superintendent for Human Resources; Cecil Davis, Director of
Transportation; and Judith Ray, Director of Media Services. She also
announced that Assistant Superintendent Hensley was awarded the
“Champions for Children,” a partnership award.
Other items of update included:
•Superintendent Hart gave a brief update on
the construction project at Fred T. Foard High School. The construction
work is somewhat behind due to weather conditions. Construction
Coordinator Williams addressed the Board on the project and introduced
architects and contractors in attendance.
•An update on summer school including
attendance information was given to the Board. The first two weeks have
gone very well with student groups being small allowing the students
considerable individual attention. A committee of teachers will review
the summer school folders for proficiency and make recommendations to
the principals. Superintendent Hart commended Assistant Superintendent
Yount and the Curriculum and Instruction staff.
•Maiden High School’s automotive program has
qualified for its National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF)
certification in order to be supported through Perkins funds. The
school had an on-site evaluation team there for two days last fall
conducting the review. The program also met another requirement of the
certification when Auto Mechanics teacher, Roger Laney, became
Automotive Service Excellence certified in the areas he teaches.
Automotive Service Excellence is the industry certification for
automotive technicians. NATEF will issue Maiden High School’s
Automotive Technology Program its official certification along with a
sign that will be displayed on the building. A celebration of this
achievement will be held this fall.
•Janet Ward, a Family Science instructor
with Fred T. Foard High School and St. Stephens High School, has been
asked to serve on the advisory committee for Johnson & Wales Charlotte
campus. This appointment will begin in August. Ms. Ward has
successfully launched the student-run café program this year called the
Five C’s.
•The Hickory American Legion
Post 48 Ladies Auxiliary selected five rising seniors from the Greater
Catawba County area schools to attend the 64th session of the
Tar Heels Girls’ State. Four of the chosen, plus the alternate, are
enrolled in Catawba County Schools. The event will be held June 8-14 at
Catawba College in Salisbury. The Girls’ State attendees will include:
Cameron Laney of Bunker Hill High School; Sara Marie Killian of Bunker
Hill High School; Amy Lauren Huffman of Fred T. Foard High School; and
Brandi Clark of St. Stephens High School. Anne Ferguson of Fred T.
Foard High School was selected as an alternate.
•In addition, ten Catawba County
Schools’ students have been selected by the American Legion to attend
the 64th session of Tar Heels Boys’ State on June 1-7 at
Catawba College in Salisbury. The Boys’ State attendees will include:
Brett Arrowood of Maiden High School; Matt Beebe of Bandys High School;
Cole Dagerhardt of Maiden High School; Chad Davis of Bandys High School;
Evan Lutz of Fred T. Foard High School; Brandon McRee of Maiden High
School; Sammy Shreitah of Fred T. Foard High School; Logan Spake of
Maiden High School; Nathan Meyers of Maiden High School; and Boone White
of Fred T. Foard High School.
•The Administrators’ Retreat
will be held on July 17-18 at the Catholic Conference Center with the
theme being “No Child Left Behind”.
•There will be a Back-to-School
Kickoff on July 30 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the multipurpose
building at CVCC.
The following Consent Agenda items were transacted:
Budget Amendments:
Finance Officer Sondra Wolfe presented four budget amendments for the
Board’s consideration budgeting additional funds allocated by the State
Public School 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:
*Fred T. Foard High School Band and Guard to Jacksonville, Alabama, July
8-12,
2003
*Fred T. Foard High School FFA to White Lake, North
Carolina, July 14-18, 2003
*St. Stephens High School NJROTC to Asheville, North
Carolina, July 27-August 1, 2003
*Fred T. Foard High School Basketball Camp, June 16-19, 2003
Personnel Requests:
*employed certified employees Gene Brooks, Jamie Bumgarner, Cherie
Cason, Yakisha Clemons, Erin Coulter, Cynthia Faucher, Janice Hancock,
Heather Harbinson, Michele Hayes, Ray Hensley, Ramona Hodge, Rhonda
Holmberg, Tamala Howell, Marsha Justice, Corwin Klassett, Danna Knox,
Rachel Lamb, Mary Loncar, Kristin Pegg, Rebecca Porter, Susan Ramsey,
Lynne Ross, Melanie Sigmon, Greg Taylor, Jeanne Taylor, Helen Workman
and Tara Zeller;
*granted leave of absence requests of certified employees Cindy Boger,
Kelly Nicholson and Erin Sipe;
*accepted resignations of certified employees Nara Cocareli, Rebecca
Dills, Carla Bunton, Keneika Gaines, John Grant, Joanne Hale, Andrea
Jack, Jeannie Jandrew, Amy Miller, Lisa Milstead, Sally Periconi, Brian
Phillips, Heather Ramsey, Cory Stirewalt, Amy Thomas and Shelba Willis;
*accepted resignations of classified employees Alvina Alcon, Elaine
Green, Molly Khamkheuang, Pamela Louis, Sharron McCaman, Lisa Peltack,
Lori Phillips, Shannon Sigmon and Laura Sweet;
*granted the transfer requests of certified employees Heather Barker,
Gretchen Ferris, Faith Martin, Marikay McCarty, T.M. Rembert, Rudy
Rudisill, Michaele Shugart and Laura Woodruff;
*granted the transfer requests of classified employees Susan Elmore,
Kenneth Hewitt, Asten Hull and Renee Spoto;
*granted the reassignment request of certified employee Nancy Smith;
*granted the retirement requests of certified employees
Barbara Hamrick and Deborah Hinkle; and
*granted the retirement requests of classified employees Judy Fincannon,
Carolyn
Killian and Camilla Yount.
The motion was made by Mrs. Blackburn and seconded by Mrs. Butler to
approve the budget amendments, presented field trips/camps and personnel
requests. The motion carried.
The following item of Old Business was transacted:
OB#1:
Mr. Scott asked staff at the May 26, 2003 Board meeting to review the
Administrative Policy 7.3500 – Coaching and Athletic Director
Assignments Reference: Counselors and Assistant Principals. Staff
surveyed counselors, assistant principals and principals to get their
feedback. The consensus of the survey was to not make any changes to
the administrative policy. Members were given a table summarizing the
survey results. Mr. Scott led the discussion stating that there was
never any intent for assistant principals to coach. He only asked if
the schools could have the flexibility to allow the assistant principals
and counselors the opportunity to coach and serve as athletic directors
if it did not interfere with their job performance. Discussion was held
among members expressing their opinions on the administrative policy.
Superintendent Hart and Assistant Superintendent Hensley addressed any
questions from the Board. Mr. Scott then made the motion to allow
counselors the opportunity to coach and assistant principals to serve as
athletic directors with approval from their principal and the
Superintendent. Mr. Biggerstaff seconded the motion. Mrs. Blackburn
and Mrs. Sherrill voted against the motion with the other members in
favor of the motion. The motion carried.
The following items of New Business were transacted:
NB#1:
At
the May 26, 2003 Board of Education meeting, the Board voted to enter
into negotiations with Attorney Crystal Davis to serve as the School
Board attorney. Superintendent Hart, Chairman Wyant and Attorney Davis
held numerous conversations and met to discuss duties and compensation.
The recommended agreement was mailed to members for their review.
Superintendent Hart and Chairman Wyant made the recommendation to the
Board for approval of the proposed agreement. Mrs. Butler asked several
questions regarding the missing language of fines and forfeitures in the
agreement, no specifics of cost of membership(s) and the authorization
of Attorney Kent Crowe acting on the behalf of Attorney Davis if she was
unable to represent the Board. Superintendent Hart and Attorney Davis
addressed the questions. There being no other questions, Mr. Sigmon
made the motion to approve the proposed agreement with the addition of
fines and forfeitures language to the agreement. Mr. Scott seconded the
motion. All members were in favor of the motion except for Mrs. Butler
who voted against the motion.
NB#2:
The Workforce Development Education Plan for the fiscal year 2003-2004
was presented by Director Roxy Poovey. This year is the fourth of a
four-year strategic plan for the program. 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. Part III of
the plan shows the distribution of allotted federal and state funds to
support the workforce development education program in the school
system. Part IV is the official signature page indicating approval of
the plan agreement. Both Parts III and IV must be approved annually by
the Board. A motion was made by Mrs. Butler to approve Parts III and IV
of the plan, which will become the agreement between the Board and the
State Board of Education to operate the workforce development education
program. The motion was then seconded by Mrs. Blackburn with no
opposition.
NB#3:
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 until such
time as the Budget Resolution can be adopted. With a motion from Mrs.
Blackburn and seconded by Mrs. Sherrill, the interim budget will
continue until a budget is adopted. The motion carried.
NB#4:
Superintendent Hart publicly thanked the County Manager and
Commissioners for the necessary funding to begin the construction of the
new high school in the Maiden area. The first step in the planning
process would be the selection of an architect. Having worked well with
the Board of Education for many years and having a strong interest in
working with the construction project, Superintendent Hart made the
recommendation to the Board to select Atilla Orkan Architects.
Superintendent Hart, Assistant Superintendent Sherrill and Construction
Coordinator Williams visited the new high school in Lincoln County that
Atilla Orkan Architects recently constructed. Completion of the new
high school in the Maiden area will be Fall of 2006. Superintendent
Hart commended Construction Coordinator Williams for his hard work with
the project. Mrs. Blackburn made the motion to approve the
recommendation of Atilla Orkan Architects with Mrs. Butler seconding the
motion. All members were in favor of the motion except for Mr. Sigmon
who abstained from the vote. Superintendent Hart recognized Mr. Orkan
who then made comments to the Board.
NB#5:
With the construction of the new high school in the Maiden area,
renovations would be necessary to the existing Maiden High School
converting the facility into a middle school and the existing Tuttle
Middle School for future use as an elementary school. Superintendent
Hart asked the Board to consider employing CBSA Architects for the
renovations. The completion goal of the projects would also be the Fall
of 2006. Mrs. Blackburn made the motion to employee CBSA as the
architect for the projects. Mrs. Butler seconded the motion. All
members were in favor of the vote except for Mr. Sigmon who abstained
from the vote. Superintendent Hart recognized Robert Smith from CBSA
Architects who was present at the meeting.
NB#6:
Construction Coordinator Ernest Williams presented to the Board bid
tabulations for asbestos removal in nine of our schools. The asbestos
is located mostly in the boiler rooms and areas where students are not
exposed. Removal of asbestos in the student areas was completed in the
early 90’s. Mr. Scott made the motion to award Allied Contract Group
this project with Mrs. Blackburn seconding the motion. There was no
opposition. Mrs. Butler asked the question why removal was done in
phases. Construction Coordinator Williams addressed the question
stating funding as the answer. Removal of the asbestos will occur
during the summer when students are not in attendance.
Public Comments:
Attorney Cynthia Grady conducted the Public Comments section of the
agenda at which time no person presented wished to address the Board.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Sherrill and seconded by Mrs. Butler, the Board
unanimously went into Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1)
and (3) for the purpose of preventing the disclosure of privileged and
confidential student information pursuant to FERPA and to prevent the
disclosure of privileged and confidential personnel information pursuant
to G.S. 115C-319-321 and to receive advice from the School Board
Attorney regarding the lawsuit of Yeng Her v. Catawba County Schools
and Connie Gunsley.
CLOSED SESSION (Separate minutes for Closed Session
are prepared and kept confidential.)
The Board returned to Open Session with a motion by Mrs. Sherrill,
seconded by Mr. Scott with no opposition.
There being no other items of business to be conducted, Mrs. Sherrill
made the motion to adjourn. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion. All
members were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
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