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September 27, 2004
The Catawba County Board of Education met in regular session on
September 27, 2004 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 Pat Hensley and Rick Sherrill, Attorney
Crystal Davis, Finance Officer Sondra Wolfe, Testing and Accountability
Director Kelly Rhoney, Exceptional Children’s Director Sharon Fox White,
Secondary Education Director Debbie Long, Director of Media Services
Judy Ray, Career-Technical Education Director Karen Cale and Clyde
Campbell Elementary Principal Walter Zahler.
Christina Cupo represented the Hickory Daily Record. Also in
attendance was Tracie Setzer who represented the Observer News
Enterprise.
The meeting opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance led by Mr. Scott. Chairman Wyant welcomed everyone to the
meeting and recognized three students from Lenoir-Rhyne College who were
in attendance. Mr. Scott then made the motion to approve the minutes of
the August 24, 2004 and September 13, 2004 meetings. Mrs. Butler
seconded the motion with no opposition. The Consent Agenda was amended
by Superintendent Hart to add nine additional field trip requests.
After the amendment, the agenda was unanimously approved upon a motion
by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Biggerstaff.
Public Hearing:
Attorney 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 Hart began her report by reviewing
with members the two requests made by Ms. Rebecca Gladden last Spring
during Public Comments. The two requests were: to allow All-State
Honor’s Orchestra to be approved as a field trip and to allow an
“Orchestra Independent Study” offering. Secondary Education Director
Debbie Long gave members an update of discussion held with high school
principals regarding the requests. The high school principals
unanimously agreed that orchestra should not be offered as an
independent study. If agreed upon by the two districts’ administration,
Catawba County Schools’ students should have the opportunity to enroll
in orchestra at Hickory High School. Mr. Biggerstaff stated that since
Hickory High School offered orchestra during first period, this would
allow students enough travel time to participate in orchestra.
Superintendent Hart reminded members that there are students who travel
off campus for course offerings (duel enrollment), but transportation
did become a hardship. If students did choose to participate in the
course offering at Hickory High School and there was involvement in
advancement level of orchestra competition, Mr. Scott wanted to make
sure that those students’ would be coded as “present” (the same as a
field trip).
Other items of update included:
·Members
were given a copy of a memorandum from the State Department of Public
Instruction regarding honors credit for designated Career-Technical
Education Courses.
·Coach
Randy Lowman, from Bandys High School, received the Henry Reid Male
Coach Award from the NCHSAA at the regional meeting. This award was
given to Coach Lowman for being the North Carolina 2004 Male Coach
Contributing the Most to High School Athletics.
·The
joint meeting for the three Boards of Education is scheduled for
November 8, 2004. Our Board will be the hosts and the topic of the
meeting will be the Foresight Report, specifically the education goals
and recommendations. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the newly
renovated boardroom at the Catawba County Schools’ Annex facility.
·One
of the recommendations in the Foresight Report is to conduct an
Education Forum. The Chamber of Commerce has agreed to sponsor the
event. The “Champions of Education” is scheduled for December 1, 2004
from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Catawba Valley Community College.
·The
Human Resources Department is completing the annual report on highly
qualified teachers in the system. Superintendent Hart commended
Assistant Superintendent Hensley and her staff for their outstanding
work.
·The
Weather Station is now in operation. Seven schools, working with WBTV
Channel 3, can monitor weather twenty-four hours a day/seven days a
week. The seven schools, which are: Campbell Elementary School, Lyle
Creek Elementary School, Balls Creek Elementary School, Maiden
Elementary School, River Bend Middle School, Mill Creek Middle School
and Tuttle Middle School, are subscribed to Weather Bug Achieve
which will be beneficial to weather-related activities and lesson plans.
·Members
were given a copy of the 2004 Summer School report. The report gave a
comparison to 2003 Summer School results.
·Members
were also given a copy of the NSSE Opinion Survey results. Our
constituents continue to be very pleased with our school system. We do
see some concern regarding bullying and harassment, both of which are
being addressed in the schools.
·The
North Carolina School Boards’ Association Law Conference will be held on
October 20-22, 2004 in Asheville. Registration deadline is October 13,
2004. Please notify Joretta Fish if you are interested in attending.
·The
North Carolina School Boards’ Association Annual Conference will be held
on November 15-17, 2004 in Greensboro. Hotel reservation deadline is
October 13, 2004. Please notify Joretta Fish if you are interested in
attending.
·Our
Board will be hosting the North Carolina School Boards’ Association
District Seven meeting on September 29, 2004 at Lyle Creek Elementary
School. Members were given an outline of the break-out session that our
administration will be conducting on School Construction.
·The
Holiday Inn Select was notified regarding the possibility of using their
facility for the October 25, 2004 Board of Education Meeting following
the scheduled ABC Celebration. Since there would be a cost of $150.00,
members unanimously decided the conduct their meeting at their regular
meeting place, the Catawba County Schools’ Boardroom.
The following Consent Agenda items were
transacted:
Field Trip Requests:
*Bunker Hill High School Media Club to Jonesborough, Tennessee, October
1, 2004
*Bunker Hill High School AFJROTC to Clemson, South Carolina, October 3,
2004
*Bandys High School FFA to Raleigh, North Carolina, October 13-17, 2004
*Bunker Hill High School FFA to Louisville,
Kentucky, October 27-30, 2004
*Bunker Hill High School JROTC/Interact to
Williamsburg, Virginia, November 4-7, 2004
*Bunker Hill High School AFJROTC to Camden, South
Carolina, November 6, 2004
*Bandys High School FCCLA to Nashville, Tennessee,
November 18-21, 2004
*Maiden High School DECA to Greensboro, North
Carolina, March 10-12, 2005
*Bandys High School FFA to Greensboro, North
Carolina, March 14-15, 2005
*Bandys High School FFA to Raleigh, North Carolina,
April 15-16, 2005
*Fred T. Foard High School TSA to Greensboro, North
Carolina, April 17-19, 2005
*Bandys High School FFA to Elerbee, North Carolina,
April 22-23, 2005
*Maiden High School DECA to Anaheim, California,
April 26-May 1, 2005
*Bandys High School FFA to White Lake, North
Carolina, June 4-9, 2005
*Bandys High School FFA to Raleigh, North Carolina,
June 7-9, 2005
*Bandys High School FFA to Washington, DC, June
21-26, 2005
*Fred T. Foard High School TSA to Chicago,
Illinois, June 28-July 2, 2005
*Bandys High School FFA to White Lake, North
Carolina, July 18-22, 2005
*Bandys High School FFA Officer Retreat, August
3-4, 2005
Personnel Requests:
*approved certified employees Lisa
Hitaffer, Jean Hogan, Robin Rudisill and Janie Seagle;
*approved VIF employees Alvara
Mediavilla and Luis Vasquez;
*approved classified employees
John Bailey, Lisa Corneliussen, Paula Lyford, Brenda Pope, Lesia Stegall
and Nichole Watters;
*granted leave of absence to
classified employee Mary Lail;
*accepted the resignations of certified employees
Deborah Kincaid and Keith Pugh; and
*accepted the resignations of classified employees
Debra Bills and Sherry Schrum.
The Board was also furnished a listing of
substitute teachers.
There being no questions or discussion,
a motion was made by Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mrs. Sherrill to
approve the presented Consent Items including the additional field trip
requests. The motion carried.
The following items of Old Business were
transacted:
OB#1:
Assistant Superintendent Sherrill distributed to members copies of Board
of Education Policy 9.2400 – Energy Management Conservation,
Administrative Procedures for Energy Conservation and Building
Management and a sample of the Energy Audit Walk-Through Report. He
reviewed previous conversation at the August Retreat and Board Meeting
regarding the documents and the energy conservation plan for the
district. Members approved the policy on first reading at the August
Board Meeting. Assistant Superintendent Sherrill highlighted the
revisions made to the administrative procedures which consisted of:
time of irrigation on the grounds and landscaping, and the addition of
paragraph 1E. No changes were made to the policy. Assistant
Superintendent Sherrill commented that the district was off to a great
start with the energy conservation plan and that the savings would be
returned to the schools. Mrs. Butler then made the motion to approve
Board of Education Policy 9.2400 – Energy Management Conservation on
second reading. Mr. Scott seconded the motion. Mrs. Blackburn asked
Assistant Superintendent Sherrill if there had been any complaints
regarding temperature setting changes. There being no other discussion,
all members voted in favor of the motion.
OB#2:
At the August 24, 2004
Board of Education meeting, members discussed and approved on first
reading the adoption of Board of Education Policy 5.2000 – Advertising
on School Property by Community or Outside Groups. Assistant
Superintendent Hensley highlighted with members the recommended
revisions that were made to policy and opened the floor for any
additional discussion or revisions. Mrs. Blackburn asked the question
if all advertising material would have to be approved by
administration. Assistant Superintendent Hensley answered her question
and stated that all advertising material would be reviewed before any
distribution in the schools. Mrs. Butler apologized for the additional
workload that this would cause for the administration. Mrs. Blackburn
then made the motion to approve Board of Education Policy 5.2000 –
Advertising on School Property by Community or Outside Groups on second
reading. Mr. Scott seconded the motion. An additional question was
asked by Mr. Sigmon regarding alcohol advertising, which was addressed
by Attorney Davis. All members were in favor of the motion.
OB#3:
Assistant Superintendent Hensley reviewed with members the revised
2005-2006 school calendar. Members received a copy of the proposed
calendar at their August Board Retreat. The calendar was shared with
principals and school staff with no additional recommended revisions.
Assistant Superintendent Hensley shared with members additional
discussion held at a curriculum meeting. Some LEA’s maybe asking for
waivers to the calendar for reasons other than weather-related issues.
There is some concern in our district regarding other waivers relating
to high school students and duel enrollment. At this point, the State
Board does not have a waiver process except for weather-related issues.
If there would be an opportunity to apply for a waiver, this information
would be brought back to members for direction. Mrs. Butler made a
comment about the misunderstanding of complying with the state laws.
There being no other recommended revisions or discussion, Mr. Scott made
the motion to approved the revised 2005-2006 school calendar. Mrs.
Blackburn seconded the motion with no opposition.
The following items of New Business were then
transacted:
NB#1:
Testing and Accountability Director Kelly Rhoney
presented to members the 2003-2004 Annual Report on Student
Performance. The comprehensive and informative powerpoint presentation
given by Testing and Accountability Director Rhoney reflected an
overview of the current math, reading and overall performance testing
data for last school year. During the presentation, members asked
questions and made comments regarding the data that was being
presented. Presented math achievement information included: overall
average performance of 91.7 percent proficient places the system at the
level of excellence in math grades 3-8; more than 216 students were
proficient in 2004 than in 1999 as third graders; and 91 percent of high
school students earned proficient scores in Algebra I, 83.2 percent in
Algebra II and 81 percent in Geometry. The achievement gaps are closing
as the achievement bar continues to be raised. SAT math scores continue
to climb, fourteen points above the state average and six points above
the national average. Advanced Placement Math scores rose in 2004 after
having declined in 2002 and 2003.
Presented reading achievement
information included: overall average performance of 87.4 percent
proficient placed the system at the level of distinction in reading
grades 3-8; more than 227 students were proficient in 2004 than in 1999
as third graders; comparison achievement data was presented for 2004
grades 3-8 levels III and IV in reading and English by ethnicity;
continued to see growth in SAT verbal; and advanced placement English
scores experienced a decline, falling 14.2 points from 2003 scores
(students are not required to take advanced placement courses). Catawba
County Schools ranked 51st in NC in percent of successful
Competency Test takers (2002 data).
Data was also presented regarding
Career-Technical Education. Catawba County Schools’ Career-Technical
Education courses have exceeded all state goals for the last three
years. A three-year comparison of results by school showed lots of
growth in VoCATS.
The number of students taking
Advanced Placement exams was up 64.5 percent from 2002. SAT scores were
up two points in 2004.
Catawba County Schools’ scores
rank 28th in the state and are in the top 24th
percent of North Carolina school systems. The overall performance
continues to increase. Seventy-two percent of the schools are either
recognized as Schools of Distinction, Schools of Excellence or Honor
Schools of Excellence which is up from 32 percent in 2000. The 2004
percentage could increase to 80 percent pending a State Board of
Education ruling. The State Board of Education will be discussing and
considering, at their State meeting, a ruling that would consist of
removing sixth grade reading scores from the ABC’s growth model. If
this would happen, six of the district’s school would be directly
impacted, altering test presented test data in this report.
Additionally, the data in this
annual report will be used in assisting building level administrators
and the central office staff with making data-driven decisions aimed at
improving student achievement within individual school and the school
system as a whole. The challenges that lie ahead for the district
include: monitoring the academic progress of all subgroups;
establishing strategies that support high academic performance;
continuing to improve technology; providing differentiated services to
help “close the gap”; continuing to expand scientifically-based programs
such as AVID; professional development for all teachers, classified
staff, and administrators; teacher recruitment and retention; promote
diversity and cultural awareness; and provide a rigorous and challenging
curriculum within honors program. Mrs. Butler commended Testing and
Accountability Director Rhoney for her outstanding work with the annual
report.
NB#2:
Members received prior to the meeting a copy of the 2004-2005 Catawba
County Schools’ Budget document. Superintendent Hart and Finance
Officer Wolfe presented to members at their August Retreat detailed
information outlined in the document. Key points presented by Finance
Officer Wolfe included: an average of 2.5% salary increase for all
teachers; an average 2.39% salary increase for principals and assistants
principals; and either a $1,000 increase or 2.5%, whichever is greater,
for all other positions; retirement rate increased from 3.42% to 5.815%;
and hospitalization insurance increased from $3,307 per year per
employee to $3,420 per year.
The
State Budget is based on initial allotments from the State Department of
Public Instruction. Amendments will be made as changes occur. The
Federal Budget is based on projects submitted and approved by the State
Department of Public Instruction. The Capital Outlay Budget will
include carry-over projects in addition to new funding for two yellow
buses and two activity buses, roof-work, ADA, the addition at St.
Stephens High School, the sprinkler system at the Maintenance
Department, gym wood floor replacement at Fred T. Foard High School and
Mt. View Elementary School, planning money for Bunker Hill High School,
a maintenance vehicle, wrecker boom replacement, enclosing bus washing
pit and service truck for the Bus Garage and per capita. The State
Budget includes discretionary reductions of $876,543. Also included in
the Current Expense Budget would be Phase I of the partial expansion of
the classified salary schedule. In January 2005, administration will
begin reviewing classified personnel salaries placing the positions on a
30-step salary scale. Approximately $5 million is available in fund
balance, of which $2.2 million is recommended in the presented budget.
Within the $2.2 million is $174,000 of activity bus funds that are being
transferred into the Capital Outlay Fund for the purchase of additional
buses. Approximately $2.8 million will be left in undesignated fund
balance. $2.8 million is 12% of our Local Current Expense Budget. The
Local Government Commission recommends an undesignated fund balance
between 8% and 15%. Our proposed budget would be 12%.
After Finance Officer Wolfe highlighted the key points of the presented
budget, the floor was opened for any discussion or questions from
members. Mrs. Butler commended Superintendent Hart and Finance Officer
Wolfe for their outstanding work with the budget. Mrs. Butler alerted
Finance Officer Wolfe of a correction on the local revenues portion on
page 11 of the budget document. Superintendent Hart distributed and
discussed with members a document regarding additional principal salary
supplement information. After much discussion from members, Mrs. Butler
made the motion to implement the salary supplement as presented
including all levels – elementary, middle and high, and to transfer
additional monies as needed. Finance Officer Wolfe suggested budget
amendments to redistribute the additional monies. Mrs. Butler then
withdrew her motion. There being no other discussion, Mrs. Butler made
the motion to approve the presented 2004-2005 budget including the
additional principal salary supplement as presented by Superintendent
Hart effective July 1, 2004. Mrs. Sherrill seconded the motion with no
opposition.
NB#3:
Superintendent Hart presented the schools’ request of school fund
raising activities for the 2004-2005 school year. Mrs. Butler commented
regarding the number of presented fund raising activities by the various
clubs. She asked if the current policy and procedures could be reviewed
for the possibility of changes. Superintendent Hart informed members
that fund raising would be an item of discussion at the principals’
meeting the next day. Mr. Sigmon then made the motion to approve the
requests submitted by the schools, but review the current policy and
procedures asking for input from the principals. Mrs. Butler seconded
the motion with no opposition. The current policy and procedures will
be reviewed with members at the October 25, 2004 Board of Education
meeting. Chairman Wyant commented that he had received calls regarding
the amount of pressure being put upon students to participate in fund
raising activities. Being a principal in the schools, Mr. Biggerstaff
commented about the difficulty of not allowing students to participate
in fund raising activities. Mr. Sigmon then suggested the possibility
of partnering clubs and groups together for fund raising activities.
NB#4: Recommended
members for the 2004-2005 Catawba County Schools’ Advisory Council were
presented by Superintendent Hart. There being no questions or
discussion, a motion was made by Mrs. Butler to accept the names as
presented by Superintendent Hart. The motion was seconded by Mrs.
Sherrill who commended the persons willing to serve on the 2004-2005
Catawba County Schools’ Advisory Council. All members were in favor of
the motion.
Public Comments:
Attorney Crystal Davis conducted
the Public Comments section of the agenda at which time no person
present wished to address the Board.
Upon a motion by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mrs. Butler, the Board
unanimously went into Closed Session pursuant to G.S.143-318.11 for the
following purposes: under subsection (a)(5) to discuss the acquisition
of real property and 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 Mr. Scott with no opposition.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Butler and
seconded by Mrs. Blackburn, members unanimously approved the employment
of Ms. Beverly Lampe as the Public Information Officer/Grants Writer.
There being no other items of
business to be conducted, Mr. Biggerstaff made the motion to adjourn.
Mrs. Sherrill seconded the motion. All members were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Charlie C. Wyant, Chairman
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Ann
Y. Hart, Secretary
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