Summary of Board Minutes November 3, 2014
The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p. m. on Monday, November 3, 2014 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, Vice Chairman Mrs. Sharron Huffman, Board Members Mr. Darren Shumate, Mr. Rick Lankford, and Mr. Hardin C. Kennedy, III. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Marty T. Hemric, Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford, Assistant Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd, Director of Business Services & Chief School Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Human Resources Dr. Westley Wood, and Executive Administrative Assistant Carolyn Triplett.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the agenda was approved as presented.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook recognized Dr. Hemric for the devotional thought and pledge of allegiance.
Assistant Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd recognized the 2014-2015 AIG AP/Honors Mini-Grant Recipients. High School Teachers submitted grants to AIG Director Angie Lamb for projects which will enhance the content of their programs.
The following teachers received a grant:
Laura Wills When Fact Meets Fiction EWHS
Summmerlyn Glass Hopping Mad for Biology NWHS
Sara Miles Resource Library for English Honors NWHS
Michael Triplett Academic Writing NWHS
Tony Warren See the Polynomial Operation NWHS
Angelia Church Succeeding on the AP US History Exam WWHS
Rachel Hughes Picture This! WWHS
Susan Sprinkle NewViews WWHS
Ginger Bentley Individualized Math Instruction WCHS
Laura Brooks A Real World Quadratic WCHS
Kaylene Burcham-Hall Tom Stoppard’s ARCADIA: An Interdisciplinary
Amalgam WCHS
Heather Colvard Experimental Biology WCHS
Heather Hahn Civic Creations WCHS
Kayren Hall Gain the Power to Ace the ACT WCHS
Marian Marley The Magic of Chemistry WCHS
Nathan Tulburt Rocking Around the Clock WCHS
Nancy Wayne Worldwide Waves WCHS
Kelly Pipes Extract Yourself! Your DNA is a Vial WECHS
Assistant Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd recognized Wilkesboro Elementary as being identified as one of the state’s top-performing Title I Schools, also known as a Reward School, for the 2014-2015 school year.
Assistant Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd recognized Ms. Melanie Hudson, Band Director at North Wilkes High School who spoke about the results of the fundraiser and other positive aspects of music education in Wilkes County Schools.
Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Associate Superintendent Mrs. Anna Lankford regarding STEM Investigations. In January 2014, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation awarded a grant to Wilkes County Schools for $194,500.00 for STEM Investigations in the four middle schools. In addition, Duke Energy in partnership with Wilkes Community College awarded $24,000 for the purchase of advanced interactive whiteboards to enhance the STEM Investigations initiative. At the end of the first grading period, students have been busy working in collaborative teams to expand their knowledge and skills in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM). We are thankful for our partners in the business community who provided this funding for our students and enhancing their education.
Associate Superintendent Mrs. Anna Lankford presented the GEAR UP Grant information. Appalachian State University has received grand funding for the US Department of Education to serve students through the GEAR UP Program.. Wilkes County Schools is fortunate to be included in the grant proposal and our students will benefit from the services provided through GEAR UP. GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. The first year of the grant will serve sixth and seventh grade students and will continue to add a grade level through the life of the grant. Wilkes County Schools will receive $201,000 annually for seven years. Funds will be used for student programming and to hire program coordinators. Some of the activities for students could include tutoring, weekend or week-long college programs on leadership, and supporting students to develop college ready skills, critical thinking, and problem solving.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook asked if anyone had signed up for public comments. No one had signed up.
On a motion by Mr. Lankford, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the minutes were approved as presented.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Lankford and duly carried, the following Personnel Report and Blue Sheet was approved.
Retirement(s)
Carolyn Flanagan – Cafeteria Assistant – C. C. Wright Elementary School
Retirement effective – November 1, 2014 with thirty-eight years eight months service
Linda Hawkins – Bus Driver – Millers Creek Elementary School
Retirement effective – January 1, 2015 with nine years and two months of service
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Exceptional Children’s Program Contract with Sunbelt Staffing was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Lankford, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the contract with InfoSnap, Inc., was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Contract with Our House/Child Abuse Prevention Team was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Lankford and duly carried, the Read to Achieve Local Alternative Assessments was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Out-of-County/Overnight Field Trips were approved as presented.
The following out-of-county field trips were submitted late and have been approved by Dr. Marty Hemric prior to the event.
School Group Destination Dates
West Wilkes High Chorus Johnson City, TN 10/04/2014 – 10/05/2014
West Wilkes High FFA Louisville, KY 10/28/2014 – 11/01/2014
The following out-of-county field trips are being submitted for your approval:
School Group Destination Dates
West Wilkes High Dance Team New York, NY 03/12/2015 – 03/15/2015
North Wilkes High Band/Chorus Orlando, FL 04/06/2015 – 04/09/2015
North Wilkes Middle 7th Grade Nags Head, NC 05/01/2015 – 05/03/2015
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Lankford and duly carried the Budget Amendments were approved as presented.
Chairman Mr. Rudy Holbrook made the following announcements:
November 4, 2014 Required Workday
November 11, 2014 Veteran’s Day Holiday
November 24-25, 2014 Optional Workdays
November 26, 2014 Annual Leave Day
November 27-28, 2014 Thanksgiving Holiday
Chairman Mr. Holbrook wished everyone a “Happy Thanksgiving”! Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next Board meeting will be December 1, 2014 5:30 p.m. at West Wilkes Middle School/Media Center 1677 N. NC Hwy 16, Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, there being no further business, the Board adjourned at 6:17 p.m.