Summary of Board Minutes April 3, 2017
The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 3, 2017 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, Chief Technology Officer Ms. Julie Triplett, Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, 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 Student Services Ms. April Marr, 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 Ms. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate 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.
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized winners from the NC Science and Engineering Fair which was held on March 24-25, 2017 at Meredith College. Three elementary students placed at the Exemplary level which means they were one of the top 15 science fair projects in the state of North Carolina. Each student won a plaque and was awarded a check for $75.00. Congratulations to the following students.
Anna Grace Anderson: Wilkesboro Elementary School
“How Does Sunscreen Affect our Lakes”
Ralee Bare: Traphill Elementary School
“Gone Sinkering”
Alea Mitchell: Wilkesboro Elementary School
“Must you use a # 2 – What’s the Best Grade of Pencil to Use on a Scantron Test”
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized the NC Student Academy of Science winner. It was held at the NC School of Science and Math on March 24-25, 2017. Chance Mastin, a 6th grader at East Wilkes Middle School, placed first in the Middle School Mathematics Division and also placed 2nd in the NC Council of Teachers of Mathematics Western Regional Math Fair with his project, “It’s ‘Outta’ Here”. Chance will compete at the state competition in April. Congratulations and good luck!
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized Sophia Norman for placing first in the painting competition at the NC Junior Beta Club Convention. Sophia will be competing at the national level at Disney World on June 25-28, 2017. Sophia Congratulations and good luck to Sophia!
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized the North Carolina Hoop Shoot Winner for Wilkes County. Congratulations to Peyton Compton for placing first in the NC State Hoop Shoot in Greensboro on February 25th. Peyton placed first making 24 out of 25 foul shots in the 12-13 boy’s age group division. Peyton then traveled to Maryland on March 11th to compete in the Regional where he placed 3rd making 21 out of 25 foul shots. Peyton is a seventh grade student at Central Wilkes Middle School. Congratulations Peyton!
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized Clara Spears for being selected to participate in the 2017 All State Clinic and Concert at UNC Greensboro on May 5-7, 2017. Clara is an eighth grade student at Central Wilkes Middle School. Being selected to participate in the All State Clinic and Concert is a major honor and an exciting opportunity for Clara as a rising musician.
Ms. Brittany Brady, 3rd Grade Teacher, Ms. Karyn Church, Media Specialist, and Principal Cindy Price shared Learning at Millers Creek Elementary Creating Green Screen Videos to Extend Student Learning. They are our Focus of Curriculum. Green Screens, once only used for high-tech special effects, have made their way into classrooms at Millers Creek Elementary School. By using a green screen, an iPad, and an app, Mrs. Brittany Brady’s class, have created biography projects. Fifth grade classes have used this technology to create science presentations on severe weather. Green screen technology not only adds a digital component to projects and presentations, it also adds much more depth in terms of student learning, than the more traditional written report. Students are highly engaged and love this digital tool to create projects and presentations. Special thanks to Millers Creek for sharing this exciting technology with us.
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 for February 13, 2017 was 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)
William Bowers – Teacher – North Wilkes Middle School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with thirty-one years and nine months of service
Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s) (continued)
Barbara Brooks – Teacher Assistant – Traphill Elementary School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with seventeen years and five months of service
John Broome – Teacher – West Wilkes Middle School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with thirty years and four months of service
Sonnie Brown – Teacher Assistant – Wilkes Central High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with twelve years and nine months of service
Randy Colbert – Teacher – Exceptional Children Department
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with thirty years and four months of service
Sally Ehrlich – Teacher Assistant – Wilkes Central High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with twenty years and eight months of service
Billie Howell – Social Worker – West Wilkes High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with thirty years of service
Vickie Hugger – Director of Child Nutrition – Child Nutrition Department
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with twenty-three years and seven months of service
Cathy Kolstad – School Psychologist – Exceptional Children Department
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with thirty years and four months of service
Teresa Miles – TIMS Coordinator – Transportation Department
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with thirty-two years and one month of service
Charles Tom Mullis – School Psychologist – Exceptional Children Department
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with twenty years and two months of service
Brenda Susan Parsons – Teacher – Traphill Elementary School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with twenty-two years and nine months of service
Bonnie Staley – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with thirty-one years and three months of service
Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s) (continued)
Barbara Stanley – Custodian – Central Wilkes Middle School
Retirement effective – June 1, 2017 with thirty years of service
Linda Swaim – Teacher – East Wilkes Middle School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with forty years and five months of service
Rose Ward – Teacher Assistant – Ronda Clingman Elementary School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with nineteen years of service
Karen Watts – Teacher – Central Wilkes Middle School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with twenty-nine years and four months of service
Linda Windsor – Custodian – East Wilkes High School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2017 with ten years three months
On a motion by Ms. Barnes, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the Out of County/Overnight Field Trips were approved as presented. They are as follows:
School Group Destination Dates
All High Schools Two students from each HS Raleigh, NC 05/05/2017-05/06/2017
Wilkes Central High School Air Force JROTC Athens, WV 06/18/2017-06/24/2017
Wilkes Central High School Varsity Basketball Greensboro, NC 06/23/2017-06/25/2017
West Wilkes High School Varsity Basketball Brunswick, NC 04/17/2017-04/20/2017
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Revision to Policy 4330 (Random Student Drug Testing) policy was approved as presented. The purpose of this revision is to clarify the frequency that students and their parents must give written consent for participating in the random student drug testing program beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the contract for with Continuum Pediatric Services was approved as presented. This contract is to provide high quality nursing services for students with disabilities.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried,
the Budget Amendments were approved as presented.
State Public School Fund – Increase - $282,935.00
Local Current Expense Fund - Decrease - $2,000.00
Fiduciary Fund – Increase – $400,000.00
Current Expense Special Use Fund Budget – Increase $29,413.00
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd presented the revision of the Free and Reduced Price Food Services Policy 6225. These changes address the need to return to the use of free and reduced price lunch forms or applications at the high school level, as well as compliance with USDA SP 46-2016 which requires a meal charge policy that is clearly communicated to school administrators, school food service professionals, families and students. This policy will set guidelines to not allow students to accrue more than $10.00 in charges.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:
April 14, 2017 – Easter Holiday
April 17-21, 2017 - Annual Leave
Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting will be May 1, 2017. 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. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the board adjourned to closed session 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. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the board adjourned from closed session at 6:26 p.m.
On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shumate and dully carried, there being no further Business, the board adjourned at 6:27 p.m.