Summary of Board Minutes August 1, 2016
The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, August 1, 2016 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 Mrs. 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 Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of Athletics and Healthful Living Mr. Chris Skabo, Director of CTE, Career & College Promise & Safe Schools Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Director of Student Services Ms. April Marr, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Foreign Language and Title I Dr. Joe Bullis, Director of Secondary Education/Dean of Wilkes Early College High School Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Pre-K & Elementary Education Dr. Susan Blackburn, Director of Exceptional Children Ms. Tracee McManus, and Executive Administrative Assistant Ms. Carolyn Triplett.
Prior to calling the meeting to order, Chairman Mr. Rudy Holbrook recognized Board Member Ms. Sharron Huffman to lead the Invocation.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the agenda was approved as presented.
Chairman Mr. Randall “Rudy” Holbrook recognized Superintendent Mr. D. Mark Byrd for the Devotion and Pledge of Allegiance.
Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford. As the new school year begins there are several updates in the Instructional Services Area in which a brief overview was provided.
Analysis of Student Work (ASW)
New this year is the Analysis of Student Work (ASW). All teachers that do not have an EOG, EOC, NCFE, or CTE Post-Assessment will participate in the ASW process in 2016-2017. Wilkes County Schools collaborated with three other districts to develop a local option plan for ASW. This plan was approved at the June 2016 State Board of Education Meeting. Teachers will be trained beginning on August 26, 2016.
NC Final Exams
Students in grades 6-12 will be required to take the North Carolina Final Exams in all required courses. These exams like the EOG and EOC’s will count for 20% of a student’s final grade. These tests must be administered in the last five days of a semester block or ten days in a year long course.
High School Math Courses
DPI has completed the standards review process with High School Math and the State Board of Education has approved the changes to the curriculum. The General Assembly did consider requiring two tracks of math in the high school but that did not pass.
School Improvement Planning
Wilkes County Schools will be using a online planning tool, NC Star, for their School Improvements Plans. The School Improvement Plans will be presented in the online system to the board in October.
Leader in Me (Middle Schools)
Beginning in the Middle Schools the Leader in Me empowers students with the leadership and life skills they need to thrive in the 21st Century. Emphasis is placed on goal setting, personal planning, organization, group collaboration, empathetic listening, public speaking and classroom/school leadership. Our four middle schools have sent teams to training this summer and all staff will be trained in this model. We are excited about the transformation we are about to experience at our middle schools.
Project ADMIT
Project Admit facilities at all of our high schools are nearing completion. There will be an Open House/Ribbon Cutting Event later in September. Our priority is getting the building complete and ready for students on August 29, 2016.
FitnessGram
Our program Fitness Gram showed a slight gain of 1% - 3% from last year in five different areas. We are very pleased with this gain and are going in the right direction as we continue to improve.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook asked if anyone had signed up for public comments. No one had signed up.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the minutes were approved as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the personnel report and blue sheet were approved as presented.
Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s)
Barbara Hollar – Teacher Assistant – Roaring River Elementary School
Retirement effective – November 1, 2016 with 11 years and 3 months of service
Kathy McGinnis – Teacher – North Wilkes High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2016 with 21 years and 4 months of service
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the 2016-2017 Consolidated
Entitlement Funding Application for federal funds to be allotted to Wilkes County Schools were approved
as presented.
On a motion by Ms. Barnes, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Exceptional Children’s
contracts were approved as presented. They are as follows:
Wilkes Day Care Association, Inc.
Sunbelt Staffing, LLC
Wanda Griffin
Speechcenter, Inc.
Linda Love
John E. Sexton & Associates, Inc.
Janice Lambey
“I CAN” Pediatric Therapies, LLC
Health & Home Services, Inc.
Donna R. Key
Wilkes Adult Development Activity Program, Inc.
Lisa Pruitt
On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the revisions to the 3000
Series of the board policies were approved as presented. These changes align them with the State
Board of Education Policy or NC General Statue.
Policy 3100 Curriculum Development
Policy 3420 Student Accountability Standards
Policy 3430 School Improvement Plan
Policy 3460 Graduation Requirements
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Board Policy
4231 Pediculisis (Head Lice) 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.
East Wilkes High Band Newland, NC 08/02/2016 - 08/05/2016
East Wilkes High FFA White Lake, NC 08/01/2016 – 08/05/2016
West Wilkes Middle Eight Grade Washington, DC 04/06/2017 - 04/11/2017
Ms. Anna Lankford, Associate Superintendent presented for discussion the Policy 3101 – Course Credit/
Independent Study/Internship. This policy would provide students with a more authentic internship experience.
CTE Internships will be offered at standard and honors levels through the supervision and approval of the
Career Development Coordinator.
Ms. Anna Lankford, Associate Superintendent presented the Cooperative Agreement. This is between
Wilkes County Schools and The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation Services. The purpose of this agreement is the successful transition of students with
disabilities from school to post-secondary institutions of higher education and the work place.
Ms. Anna Lankford, Associate Superintendent presented the Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission
Agreement. The purpose of the agreement is to identify and provide services for children with disabilities
enrolled in daycares throughout the county.
Director of Athletics and Healthful living Mr. Chris Skabo presented the 2015-2016 School Health
Advisory Report. North Carolina requires that each school district establish and maintain a local school
health advisory council (SHAC) to help plan, implement, and monitor health education programs. This
report highlights major initiatives and gives an overview of success from the 2015-2016 school year.
Director of Athletics and Healthful living Mr. Chris Skabo presented the 2015-2016 High School Athletic
Summary Report. During the past school year Wilkes County Schools had varsity teams with 1,268
Participants. Out of these 35% were multi sport athletes. The average GPA for all of these varsity teams were
3.364 (GPA). Wilkes County had five varsity teams with the highest GPA in their particular sport across
North Carolina. Wilkes County had 770 individual scholar athletes quality for the NCHSAA scholar athlete
award. To qualify for this award an individual must achieve at least a 3.5 weighted GPA.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:
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August 17-19, 2016 – Optional Workdays August 22-26, 2016 – Required Workdays August 29, 2016 – First Grading Period Begins September 5, 2016 – Labor Day Holiday |
Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting to be September 12, 2016. This meeting will be held
In the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom located at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
On a motion by Mrs. Sharron Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, there being no further
Business, the board adjourned at 6:10 p.m.