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August 24,
2004
The
Catawba County Board of Education began day two of the Board Retreat on
August 24, 2004 at the County Schools’ Administration Building with
Chairman Charlie Wyant presiding. The following members were present:
Mr. Biggerstaff, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Sherrill, Mrs. Butler and Mr.
Sigmon. Also in attendance were Superintendent Hart, Assistant
Superintendents Pat Hensley, Rick Sherrill and Nancy Yount, Attorney
Crystal Davis, Finance Officer Sondra Wolfe, Chief Technology Officer
Terry Bledsoe, Maintenance Director Mark Bumgarner, Construction
Coordinator Ernest Williams, Assistant Construction Coordinator Rick
Sain, Energy Education Director Tony Cox, Director of Professional
Learning Rae Leonard and Bunker Hill High School Principal Jerry
Griffin. Mr. Scott was not present at the meeting.
The
meeting opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance led by Mr. Biggerstaff.
The first
item on the agenda was the overview of the district’s Beginning Teacher
Induction Program. Assistant Superintendent Hensley began by reading to
members the district’s belief statement which is “New teachers need a
structure of support and a process of systematic training. Teacher
induction should be comprehensive, coherent and sustained. We achieve
student success through teacher success. If we teach the students well,
they will teach our students well. A god school is always committed to
being a community of learners. The teachers we hire today will
determine the success of an entire generation of students.”
Initially
Licensed Teacher (ILT) retention data was presented which included
employment and retention rate data from the last two years. Changes to
the ILT program include a Lateral Entry Summer Institute – July 12-23,
implementation of the approved North Carolina Mentor Program Standards,
and the state approval of plan for flexible use of mentor allotment.
Director
of Professional Learning Rae Leonard gave members an insight on Summer
Induction Week One and Week Two. Lateral entry teachers are required to
have eighty hours of instruction before they enter the classroom. Week
One consists of: three days of instruction with master teachers on
classroom management, how the brain learns, the NC Standard Course of
Study and lesson planning, and two days of work with a CD ROM created by
LearnNC and DPI focusing on instructional strategies and assessment.
Week Two consists of: expectations; Harry Wong’s video series, The
Effective Teacher and book The First Day of School, School Improvement
Plans, understanding the effects of poverty and diversity in the
classroom, classroom management, work with lead mentors and second year
ILT’s, key Board of Education policies, and NCWISE and Schoollink
technology. Monthly Beginning Teacher Induction Sessions began August
16. The purposes of these sessions include: change of focus from
presentations by departments to video footage of the departments at work
in the classrooms, master teachers assisting ILT’s in understanding the
“hows and whys” of best practice, and peer support.
Lastly,
Director of Professional Learning Rae Leonard presented an overview of
the North Carolina Mentor Program Standards effect. Information on the
program can be located at
www.catawba.k12.nc.us/hr. The mentor program standards were
presented to the State Board of Education in January for discussion and
approved at the February meeting. Developed by the Teacher Quality
Committee and endorsed by the NC Professional Teaching Standards
Commission, the program was implemented the 2004-2005 school year. The
eight standards that mentors demonstrate include: the skills necessary
for the establishment of productive helping relationships, effective
communication skills, a working knowledge of mentoring relationships,
knowledge of the diverse roles of mentoring relationships, an
understanding of concepts of the adult as a learner; the ability to
utilize appropriate instruments and strategies for promoting growth in
the beginning teacher, the ability to assist beginning teachers in
developing and utilizing materials and techniques for instructional
presentation, and the ability to assist beginning teachers in applying
learning theory and research to plan and implement effective classroom
instruction. The three types of mentors, which are individual, lead and
master, were presented and discussed.
After the
completion of the presentation, Director of Professional Learning Rae
Leonard opened the floor for any questions or discussion from members.
Mrs. Blackburn stressed the importance of mentors for beginning
teachers. Members commended the Human Resource staff on the district’s
program.
Assistant
Superintendent Sherrill introduced Mr. Robert Smith with CBSA
Architects, Inc. who joined the meeting. The 2004-2014 Long Range
Facility Plan was the first topic of discussion. Assistant
Superintendent Sherrill stressed the importance of reviewing the long
range plan annually due to changes and needs in the school district.
School capacity summary data was given to members.
Construction Coordinator Williams then briefed members on the
alterations and additions at St. Stephens High School. As he presented
the construction costs, including the bid tabulations and funding
information, the floor was opened for any discussion or questions from
members. Mrs. Butler asked about the status of dialog with the County
Commissioners regarding the additional funding. Mr. Sigmon asked about
the difference in cost of the commercial kitchen equipment.
Construction Coordinator Williams stated that this was a mistake made by
the construction company. Currently, administration is looking into a
location to meet the requirements of the Culinary Arts Program.
Members
were then given handouts for proposed changes to the current Maiden High
School and current Tuttle Middle School once the new Maiden High School
is complete. Current facilities were reviewed and changes were
presented. Construction Coordinator Williams stated that the Tuttle
Middle School project would be a twelve- month project and the Maiden
High School project would be a six-month project.
Construction Coordinator Williams shared with members information
received from the State Department of Public Instruction regarding sewer
requirements. Assistant Superintendent Sherrill presented available land
options near Bunker Hill High School for proposed additions,
improvements and sewer needs. The purchase of additional land would
allow for the possibility of additional classrooms, athletic
improvements, new cafeteria and new gymtorium. Superintendent Hart
reiterated that all decisions are based on the instructional plans for
the students. Members gave direction to administration to pursue with
the land options for the Bunker Hill High School project. Construction
Coordinator Williams recommended to members that Atilla Orkan be
selected for the project. CBSA Architects, Inc. has been selected for
the St. Stephens High School, current Maiden High School and current
Tuttle Middle School projects. Assistant Superintendent Sherrill
commended Maintenance Director Bumgarner, Construction Coordinator
Williams, Assistant Construction Coordinator Sain and Bunker Hill High
School Principal Jerry Griffin for their preliminary work with the
Bunker Hill High School project.
Other land
acquisitions presented to members included some land near Banoak
Elementary School. Maintenance Director Bumgarner informed members that
only preliminary conversation has taken place. Members asked
administration to continue to monitor the status of the land
availability.
Assistant
Superintendent Sherrill updated members of possible land acquisition
near Bandys High School. This land adjoins the school property and
contains buildings that help support the vocational program at the
school. Members discussed the property and costs involved. Mrs. Butler
then made the motion for administration to pursue the purchase of the
property. Mrs. Sherrill seconded the motion with no opposition.
Administration will begin dialog with County Commissioners regarding
funding options.
Another
land possibility near Claremont Elementary School was presented by
Assistant Superintendent Sherrill. Members showed no interest in the
purchase of the land.
Due to
change in recent legislation, revisions are necessary to the previously
adopted 2005-2006 school calendar. Members were mailed copies of the
North Carolina General Assembly calendar legislation guidelines and a
proposed school calendar prior to the meeting. Assistant Superintendent
Hensley presented key provisions from House Bill 1464 “School Calendar
Changes”. She walked through the proposed 2005-2006 calendar and
allowed time for any questions or discussion from members. Mrs. Butler
asked the question regarding duel enrollment possibilities for high
school students and what impact the legislation would be for the
enrollment. It was recommended to members to consider administrative
procedures regarding make-up days on Saturdays due to inclement
weather. Mrs. Butler commended Assistant Superintendent Hensley for her
work with the calendar revisions due to legislative mandates.
Superintendent Hart expressed to members that revisions to the calendar
were made in consideration to parents, students and staff. Assistant
Superintendent Hensley extended thanks to members for their lobbying on
the calendar issues. The proposed 2005-2006 school calendar will be
sent to schools and posted on the web page for additional review before
final approval by the Board of Education.
The
2004-2005 Budget highlights were presented to members by Superintendent
Hart and Finance Officer Wolfe. Superintendent Hart emphasized that in
the Catawba County School system, the first and most important goal is
student achievement. The presented budget reflects the on-going
commitment to meeting the No Child Left Behind goals and the goals
outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan. She commended the
outstanding work of Finance Officer Wolfe and her staff.
State
legislative action included average salary increases, reduction in the
third grade class size to eighteen with a maximum of twenty-one, rehire
of retired teachers, increase discretionary reduction but remove
language making the reduction permanent, retirement matching rate of
5.815%, provided funding for payment of ABC bonuses, restoration of
Vocational Education funding and the expansion of More at Four
Programs. Discretionary reductions $876,543 included: classroom
materials, textbooks, central administration, academically gifted,
non-instructional support personnel, assistant principal months of
employment, support personnel and classroom teachers. State funding
adjustments will include the adjustment of the funding formula due to
growth exceeding 2% of projected ADM or one hundred students (on the
13th day of school, the district’s enrollment was up 322 students from
the state projection and 395 more students from the same day last year).
An adjustment will be requested to the State after the 20th day of
school. Adjustments will then be made in the following areas:
classroom teacher, instructional support, non-instructional support
teacher assistant, classroom materials, textbook and Vocational
Education support categories.
Included
in the Local Current Expense Fund, County Commissioners approved an
allocation of $1125 per student up from $1103 in the prior year (2%
increase). The total increase of $264,158 only reflected a 1% increase
due to state’s projected decrease in enrollment. Fines and forfeitures
are projected at an increase of 14%.
Several
projects, included in the Capital Outlay Fund, have been approved by the
County. These projects are: the new Maiden High School, St. Stephens
High School addition, roof work, purchase of land at Banoak Elementary
School, renovation of classrooms and cafeteria at Bunker Hill High
School, gym floor replacement at Fred T. Foard High School and Mt. View
Elementary School, ADA, two yellow buses, two activity buses, new
wrecker boom, service truck for the Bus Garage, the enclosure of bus
washing pit at the Bus Garage, sprinkler system at the Maintenance
Department, maintenance vehicle, per capita at $45 per ADM and
technology at $10 per ADM.
Superintendent Hart reminded members that the 2004-2005 Budget approval
would be an item of business at the September Board of Education
meeting.
Superintendent Hart presented the last item on the agenda, which was a
review of the No Child Left Behind Act and its implications. In 2002,
President Bush signed into legislation the No Child Left Behind Act to
improve the quality of education for all students. Superintendent Hart
emphasized the goal of Catawba County Schools which is to raise student
achievement across the board, eliminate the achievement gap between
students with different backgrounds, meet adequately yearly progress (AYP)
goals, have highly qualified staff, use research-based programs and
empower parents. The ten subgroups include: the school as a whole,
white, African American, native American, Asian/Pacific Islander,
limited English proficient, students with disabilities, economically
disadvantaged students, Hispanic and multi-racial. Additional
information regarding subgroups was: each student in at least two
subgroups, forty students in a subgroup to be counted in AYP, if one
subgroup does not meet its growth target then the school does not meet
AYP and ten groups testing in reading and math for a total of twenty
possible categories. In 2004, seventeen of the district’s twenty-five
schools made AYP (68%) which was up from 40% in 2003. Four hundred
twenty-eight out of four hundred thirty nine target goals were also met
(97.5%). Superintendent Hart informed members that the district had
one Title I school that did not make AYP for two consecutive years. St.
Stephens Elementary School was 89.4% proficient. In the school
improvement portion of the NCLB legislation, students who attend the
school that does not meet the legislation, must be given the opportunity
to attend another public school with transportation being provided. The
law gives each Local Education Agency (LEA) the authority to decide
which schools that eligible students may choose to attend.
Administration decided to keep the choices in the same feeder schools.
Information was sent to those who were impacted at St. Stephens
Elementary School. Parents were asked to respond by July 19 to allow
ample time for class rosters to be compiled and transportation issues to
be finalized. Thirty-three students chose to attend another school in
the St. Stephens Elementary School feeder district. Transportation was
also provided to those students. Superintendent Hart expressed to
members that our district did extremely well and are dealing with the
NCLB legislation. She commended the work of Assistant Superintendent
Yount and the Transportation Department.
Upon the
completion of the No Child Left Behind update, Superintendent Hart asked
members for a motion to go into Closed Session. Upon
a motion by Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mrs. Sherrill, the Board
unanimously went into Closed Session pursuant to G.S.143-318.11 for the
following purpose: 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 Mrs. Butler, seconded by Mrs.
Sherrill with no opposition.
Mrs.
Sherrill made a motion to conclude day two of the Retreat with Mrs.
Butler seconding the motion. There was no opposition. The regular
Board of Education meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Charlie C.
Wyant, Chairman
__________________________
Ann Y.
Hart, Secretary
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