September 5, 2017

Summary of Board Minutes

September 5, 2017

The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 pm, Tuesday, September 5, 2017, in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28659.

Present for the meeting were Chairman Mr. Randall “Rudy” Holbrook, Board Members Mr. Darren Shumate, Mr. Kirk Walker, and Mrs. Leslie Barnes. Vice-Chairman Mrs. Sharron Huffman was absent. Also present were Superintendent Mr. D. Mark Byrd, Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford, Executive Director of Personnel Dr. Westley Wood, Chief Technology Officer Ms. Julie Triplett, Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of Athletics and Healthful Living Mr. Chris Skabo, Director of CTE Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Director of Child Nutrition Mr. Marty Johnson, Director of Student Services Ms. April Marr, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Testing and Accountability Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Exceptional Children Ms. Jennifer Blankenship, GEAR Up Coordinator Ms. Jodi Freeman, Public Relations Officer Ms. Morgan Mathis, and Executive Administrative Assistant Ms. Carolyn Triplett.

Prior to calling the meeting to order, Chairman Mr. Rudy Holbrook recognized Board Member, Ms. Leslie Barnes, to lead the Invocation.

Chairman Mr. Rudy Holbrook called the meeting to order and asked if the agenda needed to be amended. Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd made the announcement to amend the agenda. Under Roman Number X (Action Item), letter D needs to be added for approval of Exceptional Children’s Department Contract for Continuum Pediatric Private Duty Nursing Service Agreement. On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the agenda was amended.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the agenda was approved as presented.

Chairman Mr. Randall “Rudy” Holbrook recognized Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd for the Devotion and Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Byrd asked that we all keep the staff and community of Houston in our thoughts as they continue to try and get back to normalcy. Mr. Byrd commented that everywhere he went the question asked of him was, “How was the first week of school?" Mr. Byrd stated that our week had gone extremely well. We had 93 buses on the road bringing 4500 students to schools. There were 9773 students that walked thru the doors with 600 students being their first time in our school system. We had 1600 employees greeting students, with 55 of those being new teachers. We served twenty-nine thousand breakfasts, thirty-four thousand lunches, and the students had a safe clean environment to learn in. Mr. Byrd challenged everyone to make each day better than the day before and thanked everyone for a great first week of school.

Chairman Mr. Randall “Rudy” Holbrook recognized our special guest in attendance: Mr. Ken Noland Town Manager and Mr. Gary York with WIFM.

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel, recognized Ms. Sylvia Holbrook. Ms. Holbrook holds the distinction of being a school bus driver longer than anyone still on the job in Wilkes County Schools and possibly the entire state. Ms. Holbrook began driving when she was sixteen years of age at North Wilkes High School. Ms. Holbrook has dedicated 50 years of service to Wilkes County School Bus Transportation. Her love of students and dedication to their safety is what makes her an outstanding bus driver. Thank you, Ms. Holbrook, for your service!

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel, recognized the 2017 North Carolina Governor’s School attendees. The Governor’s School of North Carolina is a five and one-half week summer residential program for intellectually gifted high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses. The curriculum focuses on the exploration of the most recent ideas and concepts in each discipline and does not involve credit, tests, or grades. The following students represented Wilkes County at the 2017 North Carolina Governor’s School:

North Wilkes High School

Leonardo Bonilla attended Governor’s School East at Meredith College in Math

West Wilkes High School

Emily Murray attended Governor’s School West at Salem College in English

Wilkes Central High School

Matthew Davis attended Governor’s School West at Salem College in Natural Sciences

Katelyn Glen attended Governor’s School at Salem College in English

Katlyn Noland attended Governor’s School at Salem College in English

Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Ms. April Marr, Student Services Director. Ms. Marr gave an update on the GEAR Up program. Wilkes County School is beginning year four of the GEAR Up grant with Appalachian State University. There are three major goals of GEAR Up.

Increase the number of students in post-secondary education, options, planning, and financial aid.
Increase the number of students who graduate from high school
Increase the number of graduates who enroll and succeed in some type of post-secondary education.

We plan to increase access and completion of a rigorous academic curriculum for students and strengthen academic performance with high expectations for all students. We will ensure that all students and families have the opportunity to participate in college visits. We will also express to all students and families the college readiness skills needed to be successful as a middle, high school, and post-secondary student, and career professional. We will also offer free online tutoring through Tutor.com, plan weekend programs at ASU, and implement high school transition programs. These transition programs for students and parents will help them be informed about choices available in high school and beyond.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook asked if anyone had signed up for public comments. No one had signed up.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, the minutes for August 7, 2017, were approved as presented.

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Personnel Report and Blue Sheet were approved as presented.

Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s):

Stephanie Williams – Executive Director of Accountability – Central Office

Retirement effective November 1, 2017, with thirty-two years and eight months of service

Promotion(s):

Scott Waugh – From Teacher – Wilkes Central High School

To Assistant Principal – Wilkes Central High School

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, the New Board Policy 4270/6140 Concussion and Head Injury was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the Out of County/Overnight Field Trips were approved as presented and are listed below:

School	Group	Destination	Dates
Wilkes Central HS	AP Academy	Salter Path, NC	09/24/2017-09/26/2017
West Wilkes HS	Yearbook	Orlando, FL	09/24/2017-09/26/2017
Wilkes Early College HS	Super Seniors & Seniors	Orlando, FL	04/24/2018-04/28/2018

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, the State Public School Fund was approved as presented:

State Public School Fund Increase $1,086,971.00

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Exceptional Children’s Department Contract for 2017-2018 with Continuum Pediatric Services was approved as presented.

Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford presented for discussion the Memorandum of Agreement with Appalachian Regional Library and Wilkes County Library. This project will provide all students and teachers with a library card with access to borrow materials from their local library and to use the digital resources the library has available. All parents will have the opportunity to opt-out of the project if they choose for their child to not have a library card. This memorandum of agreement is submitted to the board for information only.

Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford presented for discussion the Memorandum of Understanding with Department of Social Services (DDS). In 2009, Wilkes County Schools and the Department of Social Services (DSS) worked collaboratively to create a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to improve communication and services to children in our community. The memorandum is reviewed each year with principals and the DS administrative staff. The MOU is submitted for information only.

Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford presented the 2017-2018 Consolidated Continuous Improvement Plan Application Title IA, Title II-A, Title III- Language Acquisition, Title III – Significant Increase. These applications were filed and pending approval by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) for the school year 2017-2018 as of August 16, 2017. This is submitted for information only.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:

September 25, 2017 - Required Workday

Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting to be October 2, 2017. This meeting will be held in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom located at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the Board adjourned to closed session to consult with its attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3).

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Holbrook and duly carried, the board adjourned from closed session at 6:34 pm.

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, there being no further business, the board adjourned at 6:35 pm.