November 6, 2017

Summary of Board Minutes

November 6, 2017

The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 pm Monday, November 6, 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, Vice-Chairman Mrs. Sharron Huffman, Board Members Mr. Darren Shumate, Mr. Kirk Walker, and Mrs. Leslie Barnes. Also present were Superintendent Mr. D. Mark Byrd, Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford, Chief Technology Officer Ms. Julie Triplett, Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of CTE Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Director of Child Nutrition Mr. Marty Johnson, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Student Services Ms. April Marr, Director of Testing and Accountability Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Exceptional Children Ms. Jennifer Blankenship, Director of Pre-K & Elementary Education Dr. Susan Blackburn, Director of Foreign Languages Dr. Joe Bullis, AIG Coordinator Ms. Angie Lamb, 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 Mr. Darren Shumate to lead the Invocation.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, 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 take the time to thank a veteran for their service. If every American thanked one Veteran, can you imagine how powerful that could be? Tonight’s devotion was also dedicated to the Wilkes County School employees who helped during our Tornado Warning. With buses on the road, employees still in buildings, as you can imagine, it was a trying time. Thanks to our staff of Principals, Assistant Principals, Bus Drivers, and other employees who helped students until parents were able to arrive and safely pick up their children. Several employees stayed on the job to ensure our student safety when they needed to be at home taking care of their own families. We use terms like “servant leadership” and "customer service” and I want the community to know, these people modeled it. On Tuesday, a lot of employees who didn’t have power at home came to work to make sure our schools were safe for others. And now, for the most important detail, not one student or employee in our school system was injured during any of this. While we always look for improvement, we are extremely proud of what our staff accomplished in keeping others safe.

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd, along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford, recognized the ASU Partnership Student Art Exhibit Selection. The Appalachian State University Public School Partnership has collected two pieces of student art from each of the Partnership school districts to be on display at the Reich College of Education. The pieces are from the 3rd-11th grades. The artwork will be on display for one year. Wolf at Dawn by Mikayla Howell, a North Wilkes High School student, and Pastel by Clayton Hedrick, a Central Wilkes Middle school student, were the pieces selected for this honor. Ms. Howell and Mr. Hedrick’s artwork was celebrated recently at a reception held at ASU on November 3, 2017. The students’ family members, teachers, and administrators were also invited.

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd, along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford, recognized the 2017-2018 AIG Grant Recipients. Wilkes County Schools offered grant opportunities to high school teachers who teach AP and/or honors classes and 8th grade teachers who teach Math I. The grants ranged from $150-$750 and were funded by the AIG Department.

These grants will be used to increase the rigor and relevance in AP and honors classes by challenging students and promoting critical thinking. Many of the grants that were awarded focused on preparing students for the rigorous classes they will face in college.

The following teachers were awarded grants for the 2017-2018 school year.

Laura Brooks: Wilkes Central High School

She Was a Computer When Computers Wore Skirts - $695.07

Patricia Fettinger: North Wilkes High School

Understanding the Mole - $731.55

Michael Holleman: West Wilkes High School

Ecosystem and Science Management: Macro-Invertebrate Stem Study - $742.62

Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford. Ms. Lankford gave an update on the Continuous School Improvement Planning. School improvement planning is more than a plan; it is a framework for change. Wilkes County Schools is actively building the framework of support needed to promote school improvement. Mrs. Lankford provided a brief overview of the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and the Wilkes Teaching and Learning Framework to help connect the dots of school improvement planning and action. NC MTSS is a multi-tiered framework which promotes school improvement through engaging, research-based, academic and behavioral practices.

There are six components of a Framework for Success. They are Leadership and Shared Responsibility, Three-Tiered Instructional/Intervention Model, Data Evaluation, Data Based Problem Solving, Communication & Collaboration, and Building the Capacity/Infrastructure for Implantation. NC MTSS employs a systems approach using data-driven problem-solving to maximize growth for all. This quality instruction is making a difference for students. It is our goal that all employees will actively seek to understand the perspective of others and create a safe and trusting environment that empowers all learners to reach their greatest potential. The connecting dimension includes four parts: Connecting with Students, Connecting with Families, Connecting with Community, and Connecting with Colleagues. This will be one of the FOCUS dimensions for WCS in 2017-2018.

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

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the minutes for October 2, 2017 were approved as presented.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Personnel Report was approved as presented.

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

Melissa Foster – Bus Driver – Wilkes Central High School

Retirement effective January 1, 2018 with twenty-six years and eight months of service

John Parsons – Teacher – Millers Creek Elementary School

Retirement effective February 1, 2018 with eighteen years and five months of service

Martha Wagoner – Nurse – North Wilkes Middle School

Retirement effective February 1, 2018 with thirty years and three months of service

Sammy Wiles – Teacher – North Wilkes High School

Retirement effective February 1, 2018 with twelve years and one month of service

Timothy Wyatt – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School

Retirement effective January 1, 2018 with twenty-seven years of service

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the budget amendments were approved as presented.

State Public School Fund: Increased $161,258.00

Current Expense Special Use Fund: $46,498.00

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Disposition of Surplus Items was approved as presented. (See attachment number one)

Ms. Anna Lankford presented for discussion the School Improvement Plans for 2017-2018. Each year plans are written following a very thorough school-wide reflection process that involves the principal, school improvement team, and parents. Principals and leadership teams work diligently to make the school improvement plan a living document that directs their efforts to help students achieve at higher levels and demonstrate growth. Ms. Anna Lankford provided codes to preview each school’s plan.

Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford provided for discussion Policy 3450 Class Ranking. This policy is being submitted to the board to revise the way high school graduates are recognized for academic achievement in high school. It is recommended that we move from “Honors” and “High Honors” designations to the Latin System of Honors Recognition. The new recognitions would begin with the graduating class of 2019.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:

November 10, 2017 - Veteran’s Day Holiday
November 20, 2017 - Optional Workday
November 21-22, 2017 - Annual Leave
November 23-24, 2017 - Thanksgiving Holiday

Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting to be December 4, 2017. This meeting will be held in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom located at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina beginning at 4:00 PM.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, there being no further business, the board adjourned at 6:10 pm.