May 7, 2018

Summary of Board Minutes

May 7, 2018

The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 9, 2018 in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28659.

Present for meeting were Chairman Mr. Randall “Rudy” Holbrook, Vice-Chairman Mrs. Sharron Huffman, Board Members Mr. Darren Shumate, Mr. Kirk Walker, and Ms. Leslie Barnes. 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 Pre-K & Elementary Education Dr. Susan Blackburn, Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Title I/ESL/Cultural Arts Dr. Joe Bullis, Director of CTE Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Director of Testing and Accountability Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Child Nutrition Mr. Marty Johnson, Director of Athletics and Healthful Living Mr. Chris Skabo, 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. Kirk Walker to lead the Invocation.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman 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 had two items to convey. Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7-11, 2018. We have 713 teachers in Wilkes County; please take time to say “Thank You” for all that they do for our students on a daily basis. Another item that is also taking place this week is our local primary. Tomorrow’s primary is a great opportunity for us to show that educators can do to make sure our voice is heard by those in political office, and how we can make sure our views are being represented. Use tomorrow as an opportunity to model for our students how important voting is and how fortunate we as educators feel to still have that right and privilege.

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel recognized the 2018 C. B. Eller Teaching Awards.

Friends and family of C.B. Eller established the C.B. Eller Education Fund in 1987. Mr. Eller was superintendent of Wilkes County Schools for 33 years from 1933-1966. This charitable trust is designed to improve the quality of education in Wilkes County by awarding grants for professional growth for public school teachers.

Wilkes County Schools has eight educators receiving the 2018 C.B. Eller Teaching Awards. A total of $8,308.00 was granted from the C.B. Eller Education Fund of the Winston-Salem Foundation. The following list of teachers will receive awards:

Brittany Brady, Millers Creek Elementary

$1,300 to attend a Responsive Classroom Course for Elementary Educators in Durham, North Carolina

Erin Hunt, West Wilkes High

$1,300 to do an individual study of the changes in Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Topography of National Parks in the Western United States

Thelma Kastl, West Wilkes Middle

$750 to attend the Hopscotch Design Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina

Andrew Kinder, C.B. Eller Elementary

$920 to attend the National PE & School Sport Institute in Asheville, North Carolina

Kyrie Krenz, Central Wilkes Middle

$1,200 to attend the American School Counselor Association Annual Conference in Los Angeles, California

Kristen Metz, Wilkes Central High

$700 to attend the North Carolina Art Education Association Conference in Asheville, North Carolina

Martha Peller, Wilkes Early College High

$1,069 to attend the National Science Teachers Association in National Harbor, Maryland

Kelly Pipes, Wilkes Early College High

$1,069 to attend the National Science Teachers Association in National Harbor, Maryland

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel recognized the Duke University Talent Identification Program. Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented students. Duke TIP works with students, their families, and educators to identify, recognize, challenge, engage, and help students reach their highest potential. The 7th grade talent search identifies bright seventh graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school. Candidates are invited to take the ACT or the SAT college entrance exams as seventh graders, which allows them greater insight into their academic abilities. Wilkes County Schools had thirty-three 7th graders that participated in the Duke University Talent Identification Program. Out of the thirty-three students, Wilkes County Schools had six who qualified for state recognition. These students scored approximately at or above the national average of recent high school graduates on at least one part of the ACT or the SAT. These students will be invited to a special recognition ceremony held at Duke University in Durham, NC. Congratulations to the following students for earning state recognition:

Colin Barlow – Central Wilkes Middle School

Nathaniel Burchette – East Wilkes Middle School

William Epley – North Wilkes Middle School

Robert Myers – East Wilkes Middle School

Adrian Shoemaker – Central Wilkes Middle School

Grace Stanford – North Wilkes Middle School

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel recognized the NC Science and Engineering Fair which was held on March 23-24, 2018 at NC State University in Raleigh, NC. Wilkes County Schools was represented by 15 excellent projects in grades 3-12. Congratulations to the following students who placed at the state level:

Elementary Division

Cash Hart of Wilkesboro Elementary School received a first place plaque for finishing in the top 15 in the state in the elementary division. Cash also won the Dewey and Susan Ryals Memorial Award which is given to the top 5 overall winners in the state. Cash was awarded a certificate and a $100 check for this honor.

Middle School Division

Chance Mastin of East Wilkes Middle School placed 2nd in the state in the Physics/Mathematics category. Alea Mitchell of Central Wilkes Middle School placed 2nd in the state in the Biological Science category.

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel recognized the 2018 NC State Superintendent’s Arts Initiative. The State Superintendent of North Carolina Public Schools sponsored a statewide arts initiative for 2018. The Superintendent’s Arts Initiative is an opportunity to recognize student artists and to encourage participation in all of the arts throughout the state, as well as in each Local Education Agency (LEA). The initiative was open to all K-12 public school students in all arts disciplines (Dance, Music, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts). The artwork selected will be displayed in the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh. Local Education Agencies were only allowed to select one representation for their district. Wilkes County Schools art teachers submitted artwork from various students and grade levels to be selected. Out of 17 pieces submitted, the selection committee chose a representation of the Eiffel Tower by Sarah Vestal. Ms. Vestal is an 11th grade student at East Wilkes High School. Congratulations to Ms. Sarah Vestal!

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel recognized the West Wilkes High School Band (WWHS) which was awarded many honors at the Spring Festival held by Music U.S.A. Festivals at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The WWHS Concert Band, under the direction of Matthew Dauer, attended the competitive festival in early April. The Band was evaluated on music performance by three judges in the areas of Tone, Intonation, Ensemble Technique, Interpretation, Balance, and Literature. The judges awarded West Wilkes High School straight Superior ratings which are the highest level a band can earn in performance as well as being awarded 1st place in their Concert Band category. The Blackhawk Band would like to thank all of their chaperones and community supporters who helped raise funds for this trip. The trip was entirely funded by the students, WWHS Band Boosters and many businesses and individuals in the Wilkes County community. A plaque commemorating the communities support will be installed during the band’s Spring Concert on May 4, 2018 in the West Wilkes High School Gymnasium. Congratulations to the West Wilkes High School Band!

Members of the West Wilkes High School Concert Band are:

Pierce Benton	Clate Eller	Julia McGee
Matthew Blackburn	Molly Farrish	Tucker McNeil
Matthew Blankenship	Raquel Flores	Kaylee Messick
Jakob Brannan	Marc Gonzalez	Caleb Moore
Arlie Brown	Logan Goss	Winston Poe
Dylan Brown	Cameron Grimes	Preston Shumate
Molly Campbell	Aaron Hamby	Natalie Treadaway
Kenneth Carll	Kelly Hamby	Shaina Treadaway
Andrea Crane	Levi Lankford	Danny Whitley
Millie Culver	Maria Lopez	Savana Whittington
Ryan Dauer	McKenzie Lovette
Brantley Duncan	Timothy Lowe	Mr. Matthew Dauer, Director

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel recognized the West Wilkes High School Yearbook Gallery of Excellence Award. The annual Gallery of Excellence showcases the best yearbooks printed by Walsworth, and only a small percentage of the yearbooks they publish are included in this distinguished collection. Yearbooks are chosen based on their superior examples of theme, coverage, design, photography and copy. The induction of West Wilkes High School’s yearbook honors the staff’s exceptional work and dedication to excellence. Congratulations on this tremendous achievement!

Members of the West Wilkes High School Yearbook Committee are:

Kaitlyn Bell	Luke Minton
Olivia Benton	Emily Murray
Matherly Collins	Kinsley Parsons
Kaitlyn Edmiston	Emma Sheets
Seth Eller	Cody Triplett
Madison Elliott	Danielle Roten
Meredith Felts	Graylan Walker
Skyler Lunsford	William Walker
Daniel McNeill	Dr. Jim Brooks, Advisor

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel recognized the Elementary Battle of the Books Winner. On March 28, 2018, our local Elementary School Battle of the Books Competition was held at Wilkes County Schools Central Services with thirteen elementary schools participating. Students competed in thirteen rounds answering questions about fifteen books on this year’s booklist. Millers Creek Elementary School won our district competition.

On April 24, 2018, Millers Creek Elementary won the regional Elementary Battle of the Books. This is the first time a team from Wilkes County has won a regional Battle of the Books Competition. Congratulations to Millers Creek Elementary!

Millers Creek Elementary School Battle of the Books team members are:

Lainie Church

Gabby Flores

Bayleigh Harris

Hannah Sheets

Olivia Wingler

Salem Woodruff

Karyn Church, Coach

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel recognized the Middle School Battle of the Books Winner. On March 1, 2018, our local Middle School Battle of the Books Competition was held in the Stone Family Center for the Performing Arts Center with all four middle schools participating. Students competed in twelve rounds answering questions about twenty-seven books on this year’s booklist. Central Wilkes Middle School won our district competition. On April 19, 2018, Central Wilkes Middle School finished second in the regional Middle School Battle of the Books Competition. Congratulations to Central Wilkes Middle!

Central Wilkes Middle School Battle of the Books team members are:

Lora Earp

Vincent Lu

Bernardo Gomez-Meza

Alea Mitchell

Vivian Nguyen

Kelly Holleman, Coach

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel recognized the High School Battle of the Books Winner. On April 18, 2018, our local High School Battle of the Books Competition was held in the Arnold & Becky Lakey Boardroom at Wilkes County Schools Central Services. Three local high schools competed and this year we were pleased to have Ashe County High School and Watauga High School join the competition as well. Students competed in ten rounds answering questions about fifteen books on this year’s booklist. North Wilkes High School won our district competition.

North Wilkes High School Battle of the Books team members are:

Leo Bonilla	Adam Nguyen
McQue Cejka	Hanna Rollins
Aaron Cianchetta	Anna Splawn
Taylor Gregory	Erica Walker
Jordyn Johnson	Karen Welborn
Johana Meyer	Coaches: Melony Adams & Cathy Stanford

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel, recognized the Skills USA Competition. On April 18-19, 2018, Wilkes County High School students attended the NC State Skills USA Competition held in Greensboro, NC. The following students proudly competed in the Welding Fabrication competition and finished in either 1st or 2nd place. Students that finished in first place have earned the right to compete for a National Title in Louisville, Kentucky in June. Congratulations to the following students:

West Wilkes High School - 2nd Place:	Wilkes Central High School - 1st Place:
Holden Eller	Charles “Jacob” Ballard
Zachary Gregory	Clint “Parker” Jones
Joshua Hart	Noah Osborne

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel, recognized the Waste Water Grant for Mulberry Elementary School. In 2017, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality State Water Infrastructure offered a grant called CDBG-I (Community Development Block Grant) for public schools. Grant applications were due June 6, 2017. The grant cap was $1,000,000.00 per recipient. Wilkes County Schools worked with the town of North Wilkesboro and the County of Wilkes to submit an application in the county’s name for a needed waste water upgrade for Mulberry Elementary School which would tie them into the town of North Wilkesboro’s sewer system. The estimated cost of this project was $1,020,000.00. Thanks to the combined efforts and hard work of the following people, Wilkes County and Wilkes County Schools were awarded $1,000,000.00 on April 18, 2018, for the construction of the new lift station and force main to serve Mulberry Elementary School. A special thank you is extended to the school community and Mulberry community members for their support of this project. Without their input and help, it would not have been possible.

Application Information and Submission Process:

Mr. Bergie Speaks, Maintenance Director, Wilkes County Schools

Mr. Ritchie Cornette, Principal, Mulberry Elementary School

Mrs. Karen Hill, Secretary, Mulberry Elementary School

Mrs. Juana Liberatore, Interpreter, Mulberry Elementary School

Mr. Kelly Coffey, High Country Council of Government

Mr. Dale Shumate, Town of North Wilkesboro

Supporting Members:

Mr. Mark Byrd, Superintendent, Wilkes County Schools

Mr. John Yates, County Manager

Mr. Larry South, North Wilkesboro Town Manager

Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford. The focus is on the NC Standard Course of Study for 2018-2019. Schools in North Carolina will be implementing revised standards to the Standard Course of Study in K-8 Mathematics and K-12 English Language Arts in 2018-2019. In the next school year, Professional Development will be presented throughout the year as well as during grade level meetings and content area meetings. Curriculum newsletters will be provided for teachers, and documents will be updated. Wilkes County Schools will update the website for parents and provide letters to parents with the EOY Report Cards.

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 Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the minutes for April 9, 2018 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):

Mark Bauguess – Teacher – East Wilkes Middle School

Retirement effective – July 1, 2018 with twenty-eight years and seven months of service

Anita Holbrook – Receptionist – East Wilkes High School

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

Carolyn Lambert – Teacher – Mountain View Elementary School

Retirement effective – July 1, 2018 with twenty-five years and four months of service

Blue Sheet

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

Lisa Joines – Principal – North Wilkes High School

Retirement effective – July 1, 2018 with thirty years of service

Lisa Shumate – Teacher – North Wilkes Middle School

Retirement effective – September 1, 2018 with fifteen years and five months of service

On a motion by Ms. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Renewal of Licensed Personnel was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Ms. Huffman and duly carried, the Wilkes County College Board of Trustee appointment was approved as presented. Wilkes County Schools appoints members to the Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees for a term of four years. This year, the board approved and appointed Mr. Bert Hall for a term of four years beginning July 1, 2018.

On a motion by Ms. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Out of County/Overnight Field Trips were approved as presented. They are as follows:

School	Group	Destination	Dates
West Wilkes Middle School	TSA	Greensboro, NC NCTSA State Conference	04/22/2018-04/24/2018
Wilkes Central High School	Men's Golf Team	Forest City, NC Regional Golf	04/29/2018-04/30/2018
Wilkes Central High School	Men's Golf Team	Pinehurst, NC State Golf Championship	05/06/2018-05/08/2018
West Wilkes High School	Unified Champions	Raleigh, NC Special Olympics Summer Games	06/01/2018-06/03/2018
East Wilkes High School	FFA Members	Raleigh, NC NC State University	06/10/2018-06/15/2018
Wilkes Central High School	Latin Students	Italy, Rome, Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, Sorrento, Ostia, and Capri	06/11/2018-06/18/2018
East Wilkes High School	Women's Basketball	Greensboro, NC Basketball Camp	06/19/2018-06/21/2018
Wilkes Central High School	FFA Members	Raleigh, NC FFA State Convention	06/19/2018-06/21/2018
North Wilkes High School	FFA Members	Raleigh, NC FFA State Convention	06/19/2018-06/21/2018
Wilkes High Schools	GEAR UP High School Students	Montreat, Cullowhee Asheville, NC	06/21/2018-06/22/2018
West Wilkes High School	Women's Basketball	Salisbury, NC Catawba College Basketball Camp	06/24/2018-06/26/2018
West Wilkes Middle School	Women's Basketball	Salisbury, NC Catawba College Basketball Camp	06/24/2018-06/26/2018
East Wilkes High School	FFA	Raleigh, NC Poultry Science Summer Institute	06/24/2018-06/28/2018
East Wilkes High School	FFA	Raleigh, NC Resource Conservation Workshop	06/24/2018-06/29/2018
West Wilkes High School	HOSA	Dallas, Texas National HOSA Competition	06/25/2018-06/30/2018
West Wilkes High School	Men's Basketball	Salisbury, NC Catawba College Basketball Camp	06/26/2018-06/28/2018
East Wilkes Middle School	Men's Basketball	Salisbury, NC Catawba College Basketball Camp	06/29/2018-07/01/2018
North Wilkes High School	Men's Basketball	Salisbury, NC Catawba College Basketball Camp	06/29/2018-07/01/2018
West Wilkes Middle School	Volleyball Team	Boone, NC ASU Volleyball Team Camp	07/08/2018-07/09/2018
North Wilkes High School	AFJROTC	Lenoir, NC Piedmont Challenge Leadership Camp	07/09/2018-07/13/2018
West Wilkes High School	Football Teams	Banner Elk, NC Lees McRae College	07/12/2018-07/14/2018
West Wilkes High School	JV & Varsity Volleyball Teams	Salisbury, NC Catawba College	07/17/2018-07/19/2018
West Wilkes High School	JV Cheer	Concord, NC UCA Cheer Camp	07/23/2018-07/26/2018
West Wilkes High School	Varsity Cheer	Concord, NC UCA Cheer Camp	07/23/2018-07/26/2018
Wilkes Central High School	JV & Varsity Cheer	Boone, NC UCA Cheer Camp	07/27/2018-07/30/2018
North Wilkes High School	JV & Varsity Football Teams	Boone, NC ASU Football Camp	07/28/2018-07/30/2018
East Wilkes High School	Marching Band	Newland, NC Camp Lutherock	08/06/2018-08/09/2018

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

State Public School Fund: Increase $65,304.00

Capital Outlay Fund: $152,772.00

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Asbestos Abatement for Ronda-Clingman Elementary School was approved as presented. On April 17, 2018, bids for asbestos abatement on the Pre-K hall at Ronda-Clingman Elementary were received and opened at the office of EEC Environmental, Raleigh, NC. Four contractors submitted proposals for abatement. NEO Corporation was the low bidder at $34,500.00.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, the Child Nutrition Procurement Plan was approved as presented. The North Carolina Department of Instruction requires all School Food Authorities to have a written Procurement Plan.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Child Nutrition Bids were approved as presented. Pet Dairy is our current supplier and is the proposed vendor for next year with a bid of $410,894.21. Pet Dairy is also the vendor for ice cream with a low bid of $24,087.78. Flowers are the low bidder for our bread products with a bid of $39,437.53. Dr. Pepper is the lower unit cost for beverage products. Pepsi did have a lower unit cost, however failed to provide cost estimates for all products requested in the bid. This would result in lower sales to the Child Nutrition Program.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:

May 08, 2018 – Optional Workday
May 28, 2018 – Memorial Day Holiday
May 31, 2018 – Fourth Grading Period Ends/Early Dismissal
- Elementary Dismissal – 12:30 PM
- Middle/High Dismissal – 1:00 PM
June 01, 2018 – Required Workday

Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next Board of Education meeting will be June 4, 2018. This meeting will be held in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom located at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Holbrook and duly carried, there being no further business, the board adjourned at 6:59 p.m.