The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, February 5, 2018 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. Kirk Walker, Ms. Leslie Barnes and Mr. Darren Shumate. Also present were Superintendent Mr. D. Mark Byrd, Executive Director of Personnel Dr. Westley Wood, Chief Technology Officer Ms. Julie Triplett, Executive Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of Child Nutrition Mr. Marty Johnson, Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Exceptional Children Ms. Jennifer Blankenship, Director of Student Services Ms. April Marr, Director of CTE/Career and College Promise Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Director of Athletics and Healthful Living Mr. Chris Skabo, Public Relations Officer Ms. Morgan Mathis, Administrative Assistant Melissa Shepherd, 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 announced that the first week in February was School Counselor Appreciation week.  Wilkes County Schools has twenty-six counselors.  They make a difference in the lives of students every day.  Please take a moment to thank a counselor for all they do for the students of Wilkes County Schools not only this week but thought out the year.

Generalist/Early Childhood

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel recognized our Substitute Teachers. Substitute teachers are role models, leaders, and can make a major difference in the lives of students.  Wilkes County Schools would like to recognize several substitute teachers who have shown commitment and dedication to our district.  Over the course of a calendar year, these individuals have served as a substitute teacher for over 75% of student days in which substitute opportunities were available.  Wilkes County Schools would like to say thank you for the service they have provided.

Catherine Ward

Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford and Dr. Jim Brooks English Teacher at West Wilkes High School, who is the NT3 Implementation Lead.  Wilkes County Schools is in the 2nd year of the Network to Transform Teaching Grant (NT3).  This grant through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has allowed three schools in Wilkes County to focus on school improvement through accomplished teaching.  They are Mulberry Elementary, North Wilkes Middle School, and West Wilkes High School.  The main focus is to accelerate student learning by improving teacher learning across the professional continuum, with teachers collaborating to improve their practice towards high professional standards and becoming board certified. North Carolina leads the nation in board certified teachers.  There are five core propositions for teaching.  In 2017-2018 all administrators read What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do, and were trained in the WCS Teaching Framework and Learning. We created a Live Binder of resources to support the work.  Wilkes County Schools has seen an increase in applicants for the certification process since the implementation of the NT3 Grant and providing coaching support.  The National Board’s Grant was not continued by the US Department of Education, but Wilkes County Schools will continue the work this year and beyond the grant.  A WCS team will present at the CCES Conference in March, 2018.  Administrators will participate in additional training to promote accomplished teaching.  Wilkes County Schools will continue to recruit and support NBCT candidates.

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

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, the minutes for December 4, 2017 were approved as presented.

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

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried the Out-of-County/Overnight field trips were approved as presented. They are as follows:

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, the Data Circuit Contract was approved as presented.  Wilkes County Schools posted a request for bids for twenty-four data circuits through the Erate program.  These circuits deliver Internet and network connectivity from our Administrative Office to all other sites.  We requested a 36-month contract with (2) 12 month voluntary extensions.  The following bids were received:

Spectrum Enterprise $30,441.00 per month.

The contract was granted to Wilkes Communications.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Ms. Huffman and duly carried, the Wilkes County School’s Athletic Department Contract with Wake Forest Baptist Health was approved as presented.  This contract provides a licensed athletic trainer at our four high schools that have athletic programs.  The athletic trainers will also provide services to our middle schools as needed.

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Ms. Huffman and duly carried, the HVAC Controls for Central Services were approved as presented.  Currently, Central Services has HVAC controls that were installed back in the late 1980s.  We received two proposals from business owners.  CMS Proposals was $54,500.00 and Studebaker Controls was $127,950.00.  CMS asked to withdraw their proposal due to the fact they did not follow the guidelines for the proposal.  The contract was approved and awarded to Studebaker Controls.

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

Capital Outlay Fund:   Increase $377,043.00

The Uniform Teacher Contract Policy was submitted for discussion by Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel.  Effective July 1, 2018 North Carolina General Statute 115C-325.3 states that a contract or renewal of contract between the local board of education and a teacher who has been employed by the local board of education for three years or more shall be for a term of one, two, or four school years.  Wilkes County Schools will offer these teachers a contract with an initial term of two years and, subsequent contracts will be for a term of two school years if the teacher is in good standing at the time of the contract offer.  This policy has been reviewed by Mr. Fred Johnson, Board of Education attorney.