WILKES COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the
Wilkes County Board of Education
April 4, 2016
The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p. m. on Monday, April 4, 2016 in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28659.
Present for the meeting were Chairman Randall “Rudy” Holbrook, Board Members, Mrs. Sharron Huffman, Mr. Hardin C. Kennedy, III, and Mr. Darren Shumate. Mr. Rick Lankford was absent. Also present were Superintendent Mr. D. Mark Byrd, Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford, Director of Secondary Education/Dean of Wilkes Early College High School Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of CTE, Career & College Promise & Safe Schools Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, Director of Foreign Language and Title I Dr. Joe Bullis, Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Gear Up Program Coordinator Ms. Jodi Freeman, Chief Technology Officer Julie Triplett, Director of Student Services Ms. April Marr, School Board Attorney Mr. Fred Johnson, and Executive Administrative Assistant 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 Ms. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and duly carried, the agenda was approved as presented.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook recognized Mr. D. Mark Byrd for the devotional thought and pledge of allegiance.
Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized the 2015-2016 Wilkes County Schools Spelling Bee winners. Ruston Rapoport from C.C. Wright Elementary School was the district winner. Ruston also made it through the 5th round of the Regional Spelling Bee on March 20, 2016. A complete list of student representatives is provided below:
Boomer-Ferguson – Summer Stamper
C.B. Eller – Jaron Nunnemaker
Central Wilkes Middle – Logan Hicks
East Wilkes Middle – Ashley Carr
Millers Creek – Raiana Widener
Moravian Falls – Joshua Lopez
Mount Pleasant – Jaclyn Dancy
Mountain View – Mallie Carson
Mulberry – Chase Woods
North Wilkes Middle – Hanna Rollins
North Wilkesboro – Brant Willever
Roaring River – Hank Porter
Ronda-Clingman – Robert Myers
Traphill – Cassidy Pruitt
West Wilkes Middle – Makenzie Starr
Wilkesboro – Hannah O’Dell
Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized the Science Olympiad Regional Competition. These tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of different hands-on, interactive, challenging and inquiry-based events. Wilkes County Schools had three middle schools that participated in this competition. Central Wilkes Middle brought home 35 medals with two students, Patrick Ferroni and Lacey Shrader advancing to the State Finals in Scrambler. Jacob Joyner and Alana Barker also advanced to State Finals in Fossils.
West Middle, in their second year as a team, placed 6th and were only 16 points behind Central Middle. North Middle had one student participating, paving the way for their team next year. Congratulations on a job well done.
Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized the Region 7 Skills USA Competition. Each High School had at least one individual that finished in first place in their specific area and they are as follows:
East Wilkes: Chirico Barker, Aaron Brown and Dillon McCann-Welding Fabrication
North Wilkes: Anthony Brown – Carpentry I and Terin Adams – CNC Milling Specialist
West Wilkes: Gabe Patrick-Automotive Tool ID and Skyler Stanley – Welding
Wilkes Central: Reva Call- Masonry Bulletin Board and Dalton Johnson – Automotive
Service Technology
Wilkes Early College: Tate Eller – Diesel Equipment Technology
These students will compete in the State Skills USA competition in Greensboro, North Carolina on April 19-21, 2016.
Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized the Poetry Out Loud Winner Francisco Hernandez, a student at Wilkes Early College High School. Francisco will compete at the state finals in Greensboro. Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest which helps students master public speaking skills, builds self-confidence, and provides opportunities to learn about literary heritage.
Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized the Regional TSA Competition. The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national, non-profit organization of middle and high school students who are engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Western Region TSA competition was held recently in Boone, North Carolina. West Wilkes Middle School had several students that participated and brought home medals in this competition. Sarah Whittington and Caleb Dancy finished in 1st place in Medical Technology. Sarah and Caleb researched the effects of CT scan and created a display to showcase their findings.
Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized Ms. Jessika Norman an eighth grade student at West Wilkes Middle school for her recent recognition at the National Beta Club Convention. Ms. Norman continues to represent Wilkes County Schools with her talent and commitment to art media through her work with the Beta Club. Jessika placed 1st in Acrylic Art for the 4th year in row February 1st and 2nd at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. Jessika will compete at the National Beta Convention in New Orleans in June.
Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Ms. April Marr, Director of Student Services. Wilkes County Schools has partnered with Application State University in a 7 year GEAR UP Grant. GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is currently in year two in our middle schools and will expand to high schools in the 2016-2017 school years. Wilkes is one of eleven counties participating in this program. There are three goals of the GEAR UP Grant:
Secondary educational options, planning, and financial aid.
Secondary education.
We are meeting the goals and directives of this grant. This includes creating a college going culture to increase access to and completion of a rigorous academic curriculum for all students. Also this grant strengthens academic performance with high expectations for all students and provides non-cognitive support to help with success in standardized tests.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook asked if anyone had signed up for public comments. No one had signed up.
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the minutes were approved as presented.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the personnel report and blue sheet were approved as presented.
Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s)
Uwe Ehrlich – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with twenty-six years and five months of service
Raymond Skip Erb – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with twenty-five years and six months of service
Kayren Hall – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with twenty-seven years and four months of service
Phillip Hicks – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Resignation effective – June 8, 2016
Hunter Hilton – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Resignation effective – June 1, 2016
Andrew Lindsey – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Resignation effective – June 8, 2016
Shelly Mitchell – Instructional Specialist – Wilkes Central High School
Resignation effective – April 9, 2016
Sally Parker – Media Specialist – Ronda-Clingman Elementary School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with ten years and nine months of service
Julie Parrish – Cafeteria Assistant – Mulberry Elementary School
Resignation effective – March 9, 2016
Betty Pollard – Media Specialist – Central Wilkes Middle School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with twenty-four years and three months of service
Paula Ross – Teacher Assistant – Mountain View Elementary School
Retirement effective – June 1, 2016 with twenty-two years and four months of service
Ana Ruiz – Interpreter – Millers Creek Elementary School
Resignation effective – March 16, 2016
Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s) (continued)
Kevin Shinault – Teacher – East Wilkes High School
Resignation effective – March 11, 2016
Michele Smith – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with twenty years and eight months of service
Perry Snipes – Teacher – Mount Pleasant Elementary School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with twenty-nine years and seven months of service
Gary Treadway – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with twenty-one years and four months of service
Glenda Triplett – Teacher – Millers Creek Elementary School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with eight years and six months of service
Nathaniel Tulburt – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Resignation effective – June 8, 2016
Elizabeth Whittington – Teacher – Mulberry Elementary School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with thirty-years and six months of service
Lawrence Wilborn – Custodian – Wilkes Central High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with twenty-two years and six months of service
Recommendation of Licensed Personnel for 2016-2017 School Year
Ashton Nickles – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Recommendation of Support Personnel
Wanda Freeman – Temporary Custodian – Central Office
James Littlejohn – Interim Teacher Assistant – Central Wilkes Middle School
Sarah Wymer – Temporary Cafeteria Assistant – West Wilkes High School
Request for Leave of Absence (s)
Davina Benge – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Request leave without pay – Effective March 9, 2016
Leroy Boles – Custodian – Mountain View Elementary School
Request medical leave – Effective March 10, 2016
Request for Leave of Absence (s) (continued)
Jennifer Crouse – Teacher – Mountain View Elementary School
Request family medical leave – Effective March 7, 2016
Kristin Dowell – Teacher – East Wilkes High School
Request family medical leave – Effective March 22, 2016
Kristy Flake – Teacher – North Wilkes Middle School
Request family medical leave – Effective March 7, 2016
Emily Freeman – Teacher – Roaring River Elementary School
Request family medical leave – Effective February 25, 2016
Chrystal Parsons – Teacher Assistant – Mount Pleasant Elementary School
Request family medical leave – Effective March 23, 2016
Transfer of Assignment
Brenda Combs – From Bus Driver/Custodian – North Wilkes High School
To Bus Driver/Custodian – Millers Creek Elementary School/Transportation Department
Workers Compensation
Donna Church – Teacher – Millers Creek Elementary School
Promotion
Sharon Slane – From Cafeteria Assistant Manager – Millers Creek Elementary School
To – Cafeteria Manager – Mount Pleasant Elementary School
Substitute(s)
Non-Certified
Rita Gail Vidrine
Blue Sheet
Resignation(s) and/or Retirements(s)
Teresa Miller – Counselor – Moravian Falls Elementary School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with twenty-nine years and five months of service
Resignation(s) and/or Retirements(s) (continued)
Sarah Patton – Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
Resignation effective – March 24, 2016
Donna Rollins – Counselor – Wilkes Central High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with thirty years and five months of service
Dorothy Whisnant – Cafeteria Assistant – Mulberry Elementary School
Resignation effective – April 8, 2016
Recommendation of Licensed Personnel for 2016-2017 School Year
Jeff Savage – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Request for Leave of Absence (s)
Karen Hill – Secretary/Bookkeeper – Mulberry Elementary School
Request medical leave – Effective March 18, 2016
Substitute(s)
Certified
Savannah Kilby
Sarah Schambach
Michelle Shore
Kristen Trivette
Sharon Underwood
Non-Certified
Jeffrey Austin
Kayleigh Behrens
Amanda Campbell
Amber Combs
Chassidy Cothren
Jamie Dowell
Dana Dyer
Alaina Grit
Cassie Hendren
Alevia Holbrook
Connie Holbrook
Kathy Hunt
Nettie Johnson
Erica Marsh
Cassie Mathis
Jamie Miller
Non-Certified (continued)
Dasheria Perry
Sharon Pruitt
Megan Richardson
Amanda Teague
Graylan Tharpe
Jessica Thomas
Alicia Walsh
Mike Walsh
Lori Wood
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Huffman the Out of County/Overnight
Field Trips were approved as presented:
School Group Destination Dates
West Wilkes High School Chorus Raleigh, NC 04/29/16 – 04/30/16
West Wilkes High School EV Team Raleigh, NC 04/29/16 – 04/30/16
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Budget Amendments were approved as presented.
Current Expense Special Use Fund Decrease $6,008.00
Capital Outlay Fund Increase $14,645.00
Local Current Expense Fund Decrease $50,000.00
State Public School Fund Increase $5,267.00
Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcement:
April 18, 2016 Optional Workday
April 19-22, 2016 Annual Leave
Chairman Mr. Rudy Holbrook announced the next Board meeting will be held May 2, 2016 5:30 p.m. at North Carolina 28659.
On a motion from Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Huffman, and duly carried the Board adjourned at 6:15 p.m. to closed session; to prevent the disclosure of information that is privileged or confidential under state or federal law, including but not limited to N.C.G.S. 115C-319, N.C.G.S. 115C-402, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1) to consult with its attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) to consider the qualification, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee, or prospective public officer or employee, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6)
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Board adjourned from closed session at 7:05 p.m.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, there being no further business, the Board adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
Date D. Mark Byrd
Recording Secretary