 |
August 22, 2005
The Catawba County Board of Education met in regular session on August
22, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. at Balls Creek Elementary School 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 Nancy Yount,
Attorney Crystal Davis, Finance Director Sondra Wolfe, Chief Technology
Officer Judith Ray, Public Information Officer/Grant Writer Beverly
Lampe, Testing and Accountability Director Kelly Rhoney, Balls Creek
Elementary School Principal Jeff Isenhour and Balls Creek Elementary
School Assistant Principal Frieda Drum.
John Mayhew represented Observer News Enterprise. Also in
attendance was Lauren Williamson who represented the Hickory Daily
Record.
The meeting opened with a Moment of Silence at which time Board member
Sherry Butler asked those in attendance to remember Michael Rabb and his
family. Michael is a student at Bandys High School and was diagnosed
with leukemia prior to the beginning of school. The Pledge of
Allegiance was then led by Chairman Wyant. A motion was made by Mr.
Scott and seconded by Mrs. Blackburn to approve the June 27, 2005
minutes. All members were in favor of the motion. The Consent 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. No person present wished to
address the Board on any agenda item.
Superintendent’s Report:
Superintendent Markley began his report by extending thanks to Balls
Creek Elementary School Principal Jeff Isenhour, staff and the community
for hosting the Board meeting.
Other items in his report included:
•Catawba County Schools’ Employee Back-to-School Kickoffs were held
earlier today in the five feeder school attendance areas. The Central
Office’s Kickoff was held on August 19. Superintendent Markley shared
his vision and expectations for making our school system a Premier
School System.
•School Open House schedules for students and parents were given to
members.
•Students arrive on Thursday, August 25 to begin their new school year.
•Mt. View Elementary School will host the district science teacher
training on August 24 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Over one hundred
fifty teachers from five different schools will be trained to use new
science kits that assist with the implementation of the new
inquiry-based instructional method for teaching science. Schools
participating include: Mt. View Elementary School, Lyle Creek
Elementary School, Maiden Elementary School, Banoak Elementary School,
Sherrills Ford Elementary School and Startown Elementary School. The
science programs are designed by Delta-Education-FOSS Kits and Carolina
Biological-STC Kits.
•An update of AYP School Choice was given to members.
•Ms. Martha Lamb, 2004-2005 Teacher of the Year, was recently recognized
at Mill Creek Middle School in honor of her dedication and service as an
excellent educator/Teacher of the Year. Ms. Lamb received a “get-away
weekend package.” The 2005 Teacher of the Year will be announced a
luncheon on September 9 at the Holiday Inn.
•Upcoming Board of Education meetings included:
School Visit at Arndt Middle School, September
12 beginning at Noon
Work Sessions in the Annex Boardroom, September
26-27 beginning at
12:00 until 5:00 p.m.
Regular Monthly Meeting in the Annex Boardroom,
September 27
beginning at 5:30 p.m.
•Sessions will be held in the five feeder areas to introduce the
Superintendent and allow time for questions and answers. The following
is a schedule of the sessions:
Jacobs Fork Middle School, September 12
beginning at 7:00 p.m.
River Bend Middle School, September 15 beginning
at 7:00 p.m.
Maiden High School, September 19 beginning at
6:00 p.m.
St. Stephens Elementary School, September 29
beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Mill Creek Middle School, October 2 beginning at
2:00 p.m.
•Classrooms will be recognizing Constitution Day which is September 17.
Special activities during this time will recognize the Constitution of
the United States and US Citizenship.
•Our office recently received the official ejection list from the North
Carolina High School Athletic Association. Four out of five high
schools did not have any ejections last year which was an improvement
from last year’s record of three out of five.
•“Beth’s Run for Strength,” a 5K walk/run will be held on September 10
beginning at 9:00 a.m. at First Citizens Bank in downtown Hickory. Ms.
Beth Haunton is an English teacher from St. Stephens High School who
remains in a nursing facility. Ms. Haunton experienced a heart attack
while driving to pick up her daughter at Blackburn Elementary School on
Valentine’s Day last February. The heart attack caused severe brain
injury that led to her hospitalization and continued care in the local
nursing facility. All donations from the walk/run will go into a higher
education fund for Annie Lavender Haunton, daughter of Ms. Haunton.
•The Catawba County Schools’ Public Information Office was recently
recognized with a National Award of Merit from the National School
Public Relations Association. The award was given for Distinguished
Achievement for School District–Marketing Materials.
•The United Way Kickoff Breakfast will be held on September 15 at 8:00
a.m.
Lastly, Superintendent Markley asked for direction from members
regarding two items of business: ABC Celebrations and the School
Improvement Plan process. Members directed administration to review the
School Improvement Plan initially. Information will then be forwarded
to members. Regarding the ABC Celebrations, members are to notify
Superintendent Markley of their preference.
The following Consent Agenda items were transacted:
Personnel Requests:
*approved certified employees Heather Bertrand, Lisa Biddix, Rustin
Brendle, Mitzi Brooks, Misty Capps, Stephen Doorly, Angela Garrison,
Dana Greene, Cynthia Jarvis, Amy Loyer, Sandra Matthews, Grant
McCracken, Christy Moore, Patricia Mordas, Ellen Mull, Daniel Ousley,
Diana Rink, Kimberly Stacy, Wilma Walters, Kristin Weathers, Deena
Whitener, Christopher Abernethy, Heather Aubain, Lora Drum, Mindy
Harmon, Michael Hollar, Heather Jurney, Kathy Keane, Lucia Morales, Gina
Morningstar, David Navlyt, Clinton Palmer, Angela Rembert, Christopher
Rittle, Gloria Schrandt, Kristina Sherfinski, Tiffany Shumate, Ron
Taliana, Lee Vanderlinden and Lauren Westmoreland;
*approved certified employees, for the Instructional Assistance Program,
Margaret Gatewood, JoAnn Simmons, Evelyn Starr and Sandra Teubner;
*approved rehire of retirees Paula Bolliger, Joe Bost, Gene Brooks,
Harold Caldwell, Larry Carpenter, Ray Clawson, Pam Coulter, Billie J.
Drum, Karen Eades, Tommy Edwards, Suzanne Eller, Mary Ann Gregory, Becky
Haynes, Janice Herman, Michael Lawing, Terry Myatt, Lorraine Patterson,
Bonnie Pritchard, Patsy Rogers, Terry Sipe, Sr., Barbara Walter,
Priscilla Watts, Linda Weaver, Belinda Wilfong, Joyce Wilson, Helen
Workman, Susan Bolick, Diane Buff, Elizabeth Hunley, Brenda Rader and
Marcia Rowe;
*approved job share positions for certified employees Dana Greene and
Rebecca Matthews;
*approved classified employees Brock Arrowood, Amina Austin, John
Bailey, Julie Barker, Patrick Barker, Rosa Bradley, Tammy Bumgarner,
Janice Eckard, Debbie Elliott, Sandra Forbis, Donnaree Forehand,
Kimberly Haynes, Rush Henry, Hollie Kilby, Brenda Knight, Michelle
Kowaleski, Kim Little, Tommy Lowman, Liz Mackie, Clinton Palmer, Suzanne
McGee, Pamela Peters, Donna Riley, Maria Robles, Shellie Scronce, Bart
Sigmon, Julius Smith, Susan Young, Felicia Alley, Paige Brinkley,
Barbara Cook, Gina Crooks, Sherry Csobady, Donna Deal, Annette Demers,
Becky Denton, Rebecca Deyo, Michele Fox, Pat Harris, Alisha Herman, Lori
Hoffa, Michael Houston, Tammie Howton, Susan Kevas, Brenda Knight,
Lorraine Lawing, Karen Lay, Jacob Lee, Betsy Lindler, Mary Lombardi,
Tommy Lowman, Rebecca Maynard, Dee Mercer, Rhea Mitchell, Marcia Morris,
Annette Newton, Leigh Ann Oaks, Kathryn Phillips, Brenda Pope, Priscilla
Prevatte, Karen Pruitt, Amy Robinson, Katherine Seitz, Willard Smart,
Alisha Smith, Alyssa Stewart, Alisha Storey, Evelyn Stutts, Kristina
Vanderpool, Mai Vang, Jennifer Woodard and Karen Worley;
*granted leave of absence to classified employee Susan Pope;
*accepted the resignation of certified employees Candius Campbell,
Kristy Hollar, Deborah Icard, Joseph Johnson, Kent Mann, Audrey McGee,
Nicole Ridenour, Gregory Taylor and Deborah Waldon;
*accepted the resignation of classified employees Leslee Bekemeier,
Kristi Fulbright, Marsha Harris, Pao Lo, Diana Perry, Christopher
Sigmon, Betty Abee, Patrick Barker, Bradley Coulter, Debra Harris, Jana
Rae Spake and Hilma Witherspoon;
*granted the retirement request of certified employee J. Robert Moore;
*granted the retirement request of classified employees Allen Annas,
Doretta Sigmon and Evelyn Stutts;
*granted the transfer request of certified employees Brian Hefner,
Sylvia Schnople and Lisa Whitener; and
*granted the transfer request of classified employees Carrie Fogle,
Sandra Herman and Cindy Rhyne.
Field Trip Requests:
*St. Stephens High School NJROTC to Maryville, Tennessee (date to be
announced)
*St. Stephens High School NJROTC to York, South Carolina, October 29,
2005
*Jacobs Fork Middle School 8th Grade to Washington, DC, March
15-18, 2006
*St. Stephens High School NJROTC to Washington, DC, April 15-19, 2006
*Lyle Creek Elementary School JAM Club to the Outer Banks, North
Carolina, April 10-14, 2006
There being no questions or discussion, a motion was made by Mrs.
Spencer to approve the presented field trips and personnel requests
including the personnel addendum given to members prior to the meeting.
Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion with no opposition.
The following items of New Business were transacted:
NB#1:
Members were presented the 2005 ABC/AYP Performance results by the
Accountability and Information Director Kelly Rhoney. She informed
members that students continued to show progress, but not as much
progress was made in math as in the past years. In math proficiency
(two year comparison) grades 3-8, seventh grade only made growth. The
growth progress was made in reading proficiency in grades 3-8. Overall
proficiency results in grades 3-8 dropped slightly, but did show great
performance. Other performance results included: great gains in High
School Level III and IV EOC Math; great scores in High School Level III
and IV EOC Science; overall proficiency in grades 9-12 rose
significantly from 80.3% to 83.3%. Catawba County Schools’ District
Composite (all schools, grades 3-12) overall was 87.5% proficient.
Accountability and Information Director Rhoney informed members of a
“first time” special recognition: Catawba Intermediate School was in
the top 25 Most Improved Schools for 2005. Another special recognition
included: St. Stephens Elementary School – Honor School of Excellence,
High Growth. District AYP Performance for 2005 included: 17 of 25
schools met AYP (68%); 450 of 465 individual school targets met (96.8%);
and, 60 of 65 System targets met (92.3%).
NB#2:
Chief Technology Officer Judith Ray presented six new Board of
Education policies, on first reading, and one revised Board of Education
policy, on second reading, that are required by the State. The six
policies presented on first reading included: Equipment/Materials
Donation; NCWISE Password and Workstation; Remote Access; Security
Awareness; Virus Protection; and, Technology Hardware and Software
Procurement. The policy presented on second reading included: Network
Security. She explained that North Carolina school systems are in the
process of writing new Technology Plans. In order to have the plan
approved by the State and thus make the district eligible for eRate
funding, school districts must have the Board policies adopted in
fifteen areas. The six presented policies reflect the areas in which
our district does not already have a Board adopted policy. The Board of
Education already has the Network Security policy adopted, but revisions
are necessary due to wireless technology. Mrs. Butler asked if Attorney
Davis had reviewed the language contained in the six new policies.
Chief Technology Officer Ray addressed Mrs. Butler’s question stating
that the State developed the template for the policies. After
discussion among members, Mrs. Butler made the motion to adopt the
revised Board of Education Network Security Policy on second reading and
to delay the adoption of the six new policies until after Attorney Davis
has completed her review of the policies. The six policies will be
presented again at the September 12 Board of Education meeting.
NB#3:
Superintendent Markley presented to members information regarding the
School Nurse Expansion Project. Two spreadsheets were mailed to members
outlining the cost of the projects. One spreadsheet outlined the costs
with Catawba Valley Medical Center’s support for five positions. The
other spreadsheet reflected potential costs if Catawba Valley Medical
Center was awarded a Duke Foundation Grant. Superintendent Markley
stated that if the five positions were granted, this would reduce the
nurse to student ratio. Currently, the ratio is well over 2,000
students per nurse. Serving as the Chairperson of the Catawba County
Public Health Department, Mrs. Butler gave additional background
information regarding the Nurse Expansion Project. Of the five nurses,
Catawba County Schools will receive services from four. Upon a motion
by Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mrs. Spencer, the Board unanimously
approved to move forward with the Nurse Expansion Project.
NB#4:
The North Carolina School Boards Association Fall District Seven Meeting
will be held on September 28 at Newton-Conover High School.
Registration will begin at 3:30 p.m. followed by the sessions/clinics at
4:00 p.m. Please notify Joretta Fish if you plan to attend.
Registration deadline is September 21.
NB#5:
The Catawba County Commissioners approved a one cent tax
increase to provide funding in the 2005-2006 Budget for a
performance-based increase in the teacher supplement from 7% to 9% for
up to 70% of teachers based on school or individual performance. The
Commissioners acknowledged that local Boards of Education would need to
approve the specific criteria by which the increase would be awarded.
Superintendent Markley presented the draft developed by the three
Catawba County School districts. In order to be eligible for the
performance supplement, an individual teacher would need to meet each of
the criteria as follows:
1. a. Be a certified staff member at a school which achieves a
performance composite of 90% (elementary or middle school), 86% (high
school), or high growth as measured by the North Carolina ABC’s Program
and
reduce the achievement gap as measured by NCLB annual yearly progress (AYP).
Schools will have demonstrated gap reduction if the following AYP
targets are met:
9-13 Targets 100% met
14-17 Targets All but one (13-16)
18-25 Targets All but two (16-23)
26-33 Targets All but three (23-30)
34-41 Targets All but four (30-37)
or
1. b. Be a certified staff member at a school which meets expected
growth (minimum of 85% proficiency) and meet 100% of AYP targets.
2. Meet all performance standards as measured by the North Carolina
teach performance appraisal instrument, or other comparable personnel
evaluation instrument.
3. Must be a certified staff member of a school for at least six months
during the school year in which the performance standards are met (ABC,
AYP, TPAI-R) AND must be employed the proceeding school year for at
least six months.
Mrs. Butler asked if all three school systems would be following the
same criteria. Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Blackburn asked if feedback had
been received from teachers. Superintendent Markley addressed both
questions. There being no other discussion, Mrs. Blackburn made the
motion to accept the draft as presented by Superintendent Markley. Mr.
Hilton seconded the motion with no opposition.
Public Comments:
Attorney Davis conducted the Public Comments section of the agenda.
Several persons present wished to address the Board. Attorney Davis
asked the persons to identify themselves, state whether or not they have
children who attend our schools and to limit their comments to five
minutes.
Mr. Tracy Aldridge was the first person to address members. He began by
extending thanks to Superintendent Markley, Assistant Superintendent
Hensley and Public Information Officer/Grant Writer Beverly Lampe for
attending the Balls Creek Community meeting. Mr. Aldridge asked members
to consider the following three solutions to redistricting: send
students to schools closest to their homes; safety – giving parents a
choice (choice program); and to postpone the proposed redistricting plan
for one or two years.
Others persons addressing members were: Ms. Anita Painter, Mr. John
LaCount, Janelle Callahand, Ms. Cindy Lisk, Ms. Lavern Bolick, Mr.
Harold Laney, Ms. Debra Brown and Ms. Vivian Jones. Their concerns and
comments ranged from long bus rides, consideration of “grandfathering
in” of students, the quality of education at the new Maiden High School
such as class options for their children, what renovations will be done
at Maiden Middle School and the “heritage” at Bandys High School. Ms.
Lisk presented maps to Superintendent Markley and the Board to consider
in making their final proposal on redistricting.
There being no other persons present who wished to address members,
Attorney Davis closed the Public Comments portion of the meeting at 6:40
p.m. She thanked those persons who made comments to members.
Chairman Wyant thanked everyone for attending the meeting and those who
spoke to members. There being no other items of business to be
conducted, Mr. Scott made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Sigmon seconded
the motion with no opposition. The meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
__________________________
Charlie
Wyant, Chairman
__________________________
Timothy S.
Markley, Secretary
|
