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September 11, 2006
The Catawba County Board of Education met in regular session on September 11, 2006 at noon at Bandys High School with Chairman Charlie Wyant presiding. The following members were present: Mr. Hilton, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Spencer, Mrs. Butler and Mr. Sigmon. Also in attendance were Superintendent Timothy Markley, Assistant Superintendents Doyle Brinson, Pat Hensley and Beth Isenhour, Attorney Crystal Davis, Chief Technology Officer Judith Ray, Public Information Officer/Grant Writer Beverly Lampe, Career-Technical Education Director Karen Cale and Principal John Westberg. Mr. Scott was not present for the meeting.
Chris Gilfillan represented the Observer News Enterprise and Jennifer Menster represented the Hickory Daily Record.
Principal John Westberg welcomed everyone in attendance. The group was treated to a tractor-pulled ride to visit the agriculture division of the high school. Members visited with the students, including the FFA officers, fed and petted the animals and learned more about the students’ involvement on the local, state and national levels of agriculture. Principal Westberg then led the group on a tour of the school. Following the tours, lunch was provided in the school’s cafeteria.
Upon completion of lunch, the meeting was held in the school’s media center. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Wyant and opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Chairman Wyant. Mr. Hilton made the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion with no opposition.
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 announcing that Cynthia Haas is the new Teacher of the Year for Catawba County Schools. She has been an exceptional children’s teacher at Mt. View Elementary School since 1999. Ms. Haas began her teaching career in 1988. Congratulations to Ms. Haas and the system’s other twenty-six nominees.
Other items of update included:
•The third annual Champions of Education forum will be held on Monday, November 6th at Maiden High School in the auditorium. Networking and registration will be held from 3:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. The speakers will begin at 4:00 p.m. followed by a reception from 5:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Catawba County businesses, educators and parents are encouraged to attend as the Champions of Education continues to support economic and educational excellence.
•In remembrance of the victims and survivors of the 2001 terror attacks, Governor Easley ordered State offices to lower flags today. Several of our system’s JROTC participated in a memorial event at Benco Steel. At 2:00 p.m. today, there will be a special patriotic program at Tuttle Elementary School in recognition of 9/11 and the heroes of the Maiden community. The Maiden High School JROTC will participate.
•On the tenth day of school, the Catawba County Schools’ student enrollment was 17,540. State projection was 17,232. The system’s enrollment at the close of the 2005-06 school was 16,900. Student enrollment continues to increase.
•The October Public Hearing schedule for the Catawba Elementary School redistricting plan will be as follows:
October 2 – Oxford Elementary School, 6:00 p.m.
October 3 – Balls Creek Elementary School, 6:00 p.m.
October 4 – Sherrills Ford Elementary School, 6:00 p.m.
October 5 – Claremont Elementary School, 6:00 p.m.
The format of the meetings will include the presentation of the proposed redistricting plan and maps displayed with Board members and administration stationed at the maps for questions and/or comments.
December 4 – (tentative date) approval of redistricting plan for Catawba Elementary School, Balls Creek Elementary School, Claremont Elementary School and Sherrills Ford Elementary School at the regular Board of Education meeting.
To conclude his report, Superintendent Markley highlighted the administrative procedures for the use of the new auditorium at Maiden High School. Attorney Davis has reviewed the procedures with a few minor corrections. Any questions regarding the administrative procedures should be directed to Assistant Superintendent Brinson.
The following Consent Agenda item was transacted:
Overnight/Out-of-State Field Trip Requests:
*Maiden High School FCCLA to Sanford, North Carolina, September 29-30, 2006
*Mt. View Elementary School Sixth Grade to Hendersonville, North Carolina, October 11-13, 2006
*Bunker Hill High School DECA to Raleigh, North Carolina, October 15-16, 2006
*Jacobs Fork Middle School Seventh Grade to Columbia, South Carolina, October 23, 2006
*St. Stephens High School NJROTC to York, South Carolina, October 28, 2006
*All High Schools to the Catholic Conference Center, November 8-9, 2006
*Bandys High School Chorus to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, November 11-12, 2006
There being no questions or discussion, a motion was made by Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mrs. Blackburn to approve the presented overnight/out-of-state field trip requests. The motion carried.
The following item of New Business was transacted:
NB#1: Members, at a previous meeting, discussed the possibility of a six month contract extension with Commercial First. For the past year, Commercial First has marketed the sale of the old St. Stephens Elementary School property. Attorney Davis informed members of her conversation with representatives of Commercial First. She advised representatives to maintain a journal of steps taken to market the property, including any contacts made by phone. Upon a motion by Mrs. Spencer and seconded by Mr. Hilton, the Board unanimously approved the six month extension with Commercial First.
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 Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mrs. Blackburn, the Board unanimously went into Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 for the following purposes: under subsection (a)(1) to prevent the disclosure of privileged and confidential personnel information pursuant to G.S. 115C-319-321; and, under subsection (a)(3) to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege.
CLOSED SESSION (Separate minutes for Closed Session are prepared and kept confidential.)
The Board returned to Open Session with a motion by Mr. Sigmon and seconded by Mrs. Butler with no opposition.
There being no other items of business to be conducted, Mr. Hilton made the motion to adjourn with Mr. Sigmon seconding the motion. All members were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Charlie Wyant, Chairman
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Timothy S. Markley, Secretary
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