Catawba County Schools
Board of Education
Meeting Minutes

Oct. 5-Redistricting
Oct. 4-Redistricting
Oct. 3-Redistricting
Oct. 2-Redistricting
September 25, 2006
September 11, 2006
July 31, 2006
June 12, 2006
May 22, 2006
April 24, 2006
April 10, 2006
March 27, 2006
February 27, 2006
February 13, 2006
January 24, 2006
December 5, 2005
October 24, 2005
September 27, 2005
Sept. 27, 2005-Retreat
Sept. 26, 2005-Retreat
September 12, 2005
August 22, 2005
July 25, 2005
June 27, 2005
May 31, 2005
May 10-Redistricting
May 9-Redistricting
April 25, 2005
April 12-Redistricting
April 11-Redistricting
April 11, 2005
March 21, 2005
February 28, 2005
February 10, 2005
January 25, 2005
December 6, 2004
November 10, 2004
October 25, 2004
September 27, 2004
September 13, 2004
August 24, 2004
Aug. 24, 2004-Retreat
Aug. 23, 2004-Retreat
August 9, 2004
July 20, 2004
June 28, 2004
June 9, 2004
May 27, 2004
May 24, 2004
April 26, 2004
March 22, 2004
March 8, 2004
February 23, 2004
February 9, 2004
February 3, 2004 - Ret.
February 3, 2004
December 1, 2003
November 17, 2003
October 27, 2003
Sept 22, 2003
Sept 8, 2003
Aug 26, 2003
Aug 26, 2003 rt
Aug 25, 2003
Aug 11, 2003
June 23, 2003
May 26, 2003
May 14, 2003
April 28, 2003
April 15, 2003
April 2, 2003
March 24, 2003
Mar 10, 2003
Feb 24, 2003
Feb 10, 2003
Jan 18-19 2003
December 19, 2002
December 2, 2002
Nov 18, 2002
Oct 29, 2002
Sept 23, 2002
Aug 29, 2002
Aug 28-29, 2002
Aug 12, 2002
June 24, 2002
June 10, 2002
May 27, 2002
May 13, 2002
April 22, 2002
Mar 25, 2002
Feb 25, 2002
Jan 29, 2002
Dec 13, 2001

September 27, 2005

The Catawba County Board of Education began day-two of the Board Retreat on September 27, 2005 at the County Schools’ Administration Annex Building 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 Dr. Doyle Brinson, Pat Hensley and Nancy Yount, Attorney Crystal Davis, Finance Officer Sondra Wolfe, Construction Coordinator Ernest Williams, Public Information Officer/Grant Writer Beverly Lampe, Transportation Director Cecil Davis and Systems Engineer Marty Sharpe.

Lauren Williamson represented the Hickory Daily Record and Lauren Miller represented the Observer News Enterprise.

The meeting opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mrs. Spencer.

The first item on the agenda was the presentation of the 2005 Western Piedmont Council of Governments Education Model (CGEM) for Catawba County Schools.  Superintendent Markley introduced Mr. H. Dewitt Blackwell, Jr. and Mr. Taylor Dellinger from the Western Piedmont Council of Governments.  Mr. Taylor presented data based on enrollment numbers of 5/1/05.  The project goal of CGEM is to develop a workable model using GIS technology that measures and estimates student population growth in the school system.  Between 2000 and 2004, Catawba County’s population grew from 141,685 to 148,797 persons.  Catawba County’s population growth rate since 2000, however, is only 50% of the growth seen during the 1990s.  Components of the CGEM include:  projected number of new housing units; current student enrollment; grade retention rates; birth rates; dropout rates; and economic conditions. 

Mr. Dellinger addressed the data compiled for the five high school attendance areas:  Bandys High School, Bunker Hill High School, Fred T. Foard High School, Maiden High School and St. Stephens High School.  Data presented consisted of: household and population demographics; vacant acreage and housing growth; and projected student growth. 

Upon completion of the data, Superintendent Markley presented Long Range Planning Needs.  Growth areas of the county include:   Bandys High School, Sherrills Ford Elementary School, Bunker Hill High School, Blackburn Elementary School, Banoak Elementary School, Clyde Campbell Elementary School, Sweetwater Elementary School and Arndt Middle School.  These schools also exceed 110% capacity.  There are fifty-four mobile units located throughout the district serving as classrooms.  Short term needs presented by Superintendent Markley included:  three elementary schools (Catawba, St. Stephens area, Sherrills Ford area); Bunker Hill renovations (classrooms, athletic fields, cafeteria); Bandys High School (classroom and cafeteria additions); Sherrills Ford Elementary School (classroom additions); Arndt Middle School (classroom additions, administration complex); Fred T. Foard High School (track renovations, cafeteria addition); and St. Stephens High School (track renovations).  Long term needs presented included:  Banoak Elementary School expansion; new St. Stephens area Elementary School; new auxiliary gym at Bandys High School; new auxiliary gym at Bunker Hill High School; new auxiliary gym at Fred T. Foard High School; four new classrooms and cafeteria at Claremont Elementary School; new cafeteria at Campbell Elementary School; and additional items as per Long Range Plan.  Superintendent Markley presented to members advantages and disadvantages, including costs, of addressing the need for a new Catawba Elementary School versus small projects that are needed in the district.  Lastly, he presented possible funding for future projects:  ½ cent local option sales tax; lottery proceeds and bonds/COPs.

Construction Coordinator Williams presented to members the Composite Floor Plan and Proposed Site Plan for the new Catawba Elementary School and the classroom additions (seven classrooms and two art rooms) at Bunker Hill High School.  During his presentation, the floor was opened for any questions and discussion from members.  Mr. Sigmon asked administration for information regarding the age of school facilities and the dates of renovations.

There being no other discussion, Assistant Superintendent Brinson presented a review of the proposed redistricting plan.  He addressed issues surrounding the proposed plan which included:  renovations converting Maiden High School into Maiden Middle School; asbestos concerns; length of time for students riding buses; additional fuel costs; academic and support programs in the affected schools; and property valuations.  Assistant Superintendent Brinson reviewed the proposed objectives in redistricting which included:  utilize new/renovated schools to reduce overcrowding; uniformly spread enrollment based on schools’ capacity across the system; student’s school assignment in close proximity of residence; “grandfather” juniors and seniors – choice to remain at current school; accomplish uniformity in school structure and eliminate student assignments across district lines.  Data considerations included:  current enrollment; current building capacities; Long Range Plan – future additions and capacities; and projected enrollments based on the WPCOG Growth Model.  The process with the proposed redistricting plan included: the review of initial objectives, the review of data, the review of the current plan, meetings with various constituency groups, alternatives considered, adjustments made, presentation to the Board of Education and the final vote taken by members.  Members were presented proposed district line maps and allowed time for review and questions. 

Assistant Superintendent Brinson summarized the proposed redistricting considerations (the adoption of Option 5 plan originally drafted in May 2005) with some additional revisions made by members.  The “grandfather provision” was also discussed. Once approval of the redistricting plan, the Transition Team will begin working on program evaluations, staffing needs, technology needs and monitoring progress.  The selection of the new Tuttle Elementary School principal will occur in January. 

Superintendent Markley and Assistant Superintendent Brinson concluded the redistricting presentation with final thoughts and positives/negatives of redistricting stressing the most important factor is to provide the best education for all students.

Mr. Dellinger resumed the CGEM presentation based upon enrollment numbers from presented proposed redistricting plan in the effected areas.  Mr. Blackwell, Jr. informed members of the potential growth in the Mountain View area in the near future.  Chairman Wyant thanked those who made the informative presentations.

Mrs. Butler made a motion to conclude day-two of the Retreat with Mrs. Blackburn seconding the motion.  There was no opposition.  The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m. with the regular Board of Education meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m.

           

Respectfully submitted,
 

______________________________
Charlie C. Wyant, Chairman

 

______________________________
Timothy S. Markley, Secretary