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August 26, 2003
The Catawba County Board of Education began day
two of the Board Retreat on August 26, 2003 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 Hart, Assistant Superintendents Pat Hensley, Rick
Sherrill and Nancy Yount, Attorney Crystal Davis, Finance Officer Sondra
Wolfe, Technology Director Terry Bledsoe, Public Information/Grants
Writer Sonya Gordon and Staff Development/ILT Director Rae Leonard.
Other Central Office staff members attended various portions of the
meeting.
Sarah Newell represented the Observer News Enterprise.
Todd Baldwin was also in attendance representing Charter
Communications.
The meeting opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. Biggerstaff.
Superintendent Hart presented the first item on the agenda
which was a review of the No Child Left Behind Act and its
implications. One of the most important provisions of the No Child
Left Behind Act is the requirement that, by June 30, 2006, all
teachers of core academic subjects must be “Highly Qualified” which is a
federal requirement. Assistant Superintendent Hensley presented key
points of the federal requirement including its effect and alignment
with the No Child Left Behind Act. Superintendent Hart
emphasized the goal of Catawba County Schools which is to make adequate
yearly progress, staff 100% of highly qualified personnel, use proven
methods, analyze data to be proactive and plan for the future. One of
the first challenges in meeting the federal requirement is to identify
teachers who are not already “Highly Qualified.” Licensure policies and
issues to be addressed were presented to members. The No Child Left
Behind Act is a continuous evolving piece of legislation.
Additional funding has been received through Title I funds.
The 2003-2004 Budget was 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 commitment to meeting the No Child Left Behind goals and the
goals outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan. County Commissioners
approved an allocation of $1103 per student, an increase of $1,358,270
(including growth). This restored 5% of the 7% reduction imposed last
year plus 2% for growth. These dollars will support implementation of
many of the expansion items in the budget request. ADM allocation to
schools increased by $1/ADM for supplies, $1/ADM for remediation and $2/ADM
for library books. Other expansion items included: five additional
teacher positions, five additional teacher assistant positions, 1.5
additional months of employment (per school) for high school counselors
and one technology technician. A proposed local supplement increase
recommendation was also included for employees recognizing their
experience and performance. State funds were also reduced by $291,757
in categorical allotments and $551,956 in discretionary funding for a
total reduction at the state level of $843,713. Reductions included a
$7,786 from the central office allotment, $64,579 from the
non-instructional support allotment, $12,160 in classroom materials,
$31,482 in technology and thirty-seven months of employment in Workforce
Development. Fourteen additional state teaching positions were received
due to growth and reduction in class size for second grade.
Approximately $4.3 million dollars are available in fund balance, of
which $1.6 million dollars are recommended in the presented budget,
leaving approximately $2.7 million dollars in undesignated fund
balance. The amount of $2.7 million dollars is 11.8% of the Local
Current Expense Budget. The Local Government Commission recommends that
the undesignated fund balance be between 8% and 15%. After the budget
presentation, Superintendent Hart opened the floor for any questions or
discussion. There were some questions from members regarding the
proposed local supplement increase recommendation. Superintendent Hart
commended Finance Officer Wolfe and her staff for their diligent work
with the budget.
Curriculum updates were the last items on the agenda. The
updates began with a powerpoint presentation on the Catawba Valley
MagnIT Program by Program Director Dianne Little. Workforce Development
Director Roxy Poovey introduced Ms. Little and accredited the success of
this program to the leadership of Ms. Little. The Catawba Valley MagnIT
Program is North Carolina’s first information technology high school on
a college campus. Admission requirements include: rising junior or
senior, minimum unweighted 2.5 GPA, passed or currently taking Computer
Applications I, strong teacher recommendations, passed or currently
taking Algebra I, passed the NC Computer Skills Test, excellent
disciplinary record, excellent attendance record and principal’s
approval. Benefits of attending the program include: two units of high
school credit each semester, college semester hours of credit toward an
Associate’s Degree, free textbooks, free tuition, accommodations for
exceptional students, possible industry certification, industry job
shadowing and internships, access to CVCC resources, on-site MagnIT
administrator and a CVCC advisor. Enrollment profiles, course
information, student performance data and recruitment strategies were
presented. Ms. Little concluded her presentation by stating that the
Catawba Valley MagnIT Program is the key to a successful future in
information technology. Additional information about the program may be
obtained by contacting Ms. Little at 828-327-7000 ext. 4411.
Spring 2003 Safe School and National Study of School
Evaluation (NSSE) opinion survey results were reviewed with members.
These surveys are also used by school staff to revise their School
Improvement Plans. Assistant Superintendent Yount began with the Safe
School survey results. Approximately 5,836 students, 3,131 parents, 866
teachers and 329 classified employees were surveyed. Statistical
information was presented from the four areas of concern: physical
fights, drug possession, vandalism and verbal abuse. About 80% of the
total student body indicated that they felt comfortable talking to
teachers, 79% indicated that school rules were clearly defined and
explained, 7% indicated school rules were not fairly and consistently
enforced for all students, and 9% indicated that students of all racial
groups were not listened to by teachers at their school. In conclusion,
overall 98.2% of all constituents felt safe (up from 97.3 in 2001). In
the four areas of specific concern, only physical fights increased on
average. Mrs. Blackburn and Mrs. Butler asked administrative staff to
discuss with high school and middle school principals the concern of
tobacco use in their schools.
NSSE opinion surveys data results were presented next.
Assistant Superintendent Yount, Testing and Accountability Director Joe
Famulary and Technology Director Terry Bledsoe presented the results.
Surveys were distributed to approximately 6,340 students, 3,718 parents
1,837 certified staff members and 492 community members. Students,
teachers, parents and community members hold a significant stake in the
success of the schools and it is essential that their opinions be
considered in school improvement planning. The survey breaks items down
into three common groups: quality of the instruction program, support
for student learning and school climate/environment for learning. The
students, teachers and parents rated the schools higher than the
national average in all categories. The community did not rate the
schools as high. In fact, the community ranked the schools below the
national average in each of the common groups. This year, the NSSE
data was analyzed for indicators of quality instructional systems and
for indicators of quality organizational systems. Catawba County
Schools was ranked in the fully functioning and operational range in all
areas. Under the Indicators of Quality Instructional Systems, the
schools ranked highest in developing a quality curriculum and aligning
the instruction with the goals and expectations for student learning.
In the Indicators of Quality Educational Systems, the schools ranked
high in a number of areas. These areas included: developing a shared
vision, beliefs and mission, having measurable goals focused on student
learning, promoting quality instruction and an academic learning
climate, and developing school-wide plans for improvement. In most
areas, Catawba County Schools was above the national average on the
survey results. Superintendent Hart commended the staff for their
presentations of the important data.
Testing and Accountability Director Joe Famulary briefly
presented 2003 Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) results. Scores increased
in both math and verbal. Combined SAT scores rebounded in 2003, second
highest since the scale was re-centered in 1996. Statewide, 68% of high
school students took the SAT and approximately 55% of the district’s
high school students took the test.
Assistant Superintendent Yount presented the K-12 Social
Studies Continuum which became effective 2003-2004. The continuum is as
follows: Kindergarten – Self and Family/Families Around the World; First
Grade – Neighborhoods and Communities Around the World; Second Grade –
Regional Studies: Local, State, US and World; Third Grade –
Citizenship: People Who Make a Difference; Fourth Grade – NC Geography
and History; Fifth Grade – US History: Canada, Mexico, Central America;
Sixth Grade – South America and Europe (including Russia);
Seventh Grade – Africa, Asia and Australia; Eighth Grade –
NC: Creation and Development of the State; Ninth Grade – World
History; Tenth Grade – Civics and Economics; Eleventh Grade – US
History; and Twelfth Grade – Electives.
Upon the completion of the curriculum updates, Chairman
Wyant declared day two of the Retreat adjourned. The regular Board of
Education meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Charlie C. Wyant, Chairman
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Ann Y. Hart, Secretary
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