Summary of Board Minutes February 13, 2017
The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, February 13, 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 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, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Pre-K & Elementary Education Dr. Susan Blackburn, Director of Exceptional Children’s Department Ms. Tracee McManus, Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, 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 Mrs. Sharron Huffman to lead the Invocation.
Chairman Randall “Rudy” Holbrook asked if the agenda needed to be amended. Mr. Mark Byrd stated yes it needed to be amended to add an item to Roman Numeral X. Please add the contract for Rives & Associates, LLP which is Letter E. This is an Action Item.
On a motion by Mrs. 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 Executive Director of Personnel Dr. Westley Wood recognized the 2016-2017 Spelling Bee Winners. We are pleased to announce for a second year in a row Ruston Rapoport as the Wilkes County Spelling Bee winner. He is currently a 4th grader from C.C. Wright Elementary School.
We also had two runners-up in the Spelling Bee. They were Lauren Vannoy, 8th grader from West Wilkes Middle school and Parker Wells, 7th grader from North Wilkes Middle School.
We want to wish Ruston the best of luck as he prepares for the Regional Competition in March. We know you will do a great job representing Wilkes County Schools.
Ms. Glendora Yarbrough, Executive Director for Communities In Schools was present to give a brief update on the services they provide for Wilkes County Schools in our Focus on Curriculum.
Communities In Schools began serving Wilkes County Schools in 1998 with Lunch Buddies at North Wilkesboro Elementary School. During the past 19 years, we have expanded our services. We now have Friends of Youth, adult volunteers that mentor 4th- 8th graders 2-4 hours per week. Sight for Students is for students that quality to receive free eye exams and free eye glasses from one of five participating doctors in our area. New Century Scholars provides 2 year scholarships to selected 6th grade students to attend Wilkes Community College upon completing 10 community service hours every school year. Dancis is a free weekly dance class proved at CIS Dance Studio. Stuff the Bus School Supplies is where CIS coordinates a school supply drive every school year and disperses the supplies to each school in the county. We also have Site Coordination that places coordinators in the school and serve as liaisons that bring resources, services, volunteers, parents and business partners in the school for students.
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 January 5, 2017 was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the personnel report and blue sheet were approved as presented.
Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s)
Sandra Bryant – Nurse – Mountain View Elementary School
Retirement effective – March 1, 2017 with 20 years and 9 months of service
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, the Out of County/Overnight Field Trips were approved as presented. They are as follows:
School Group Destination Dates
North Wilkes High School Band Student Boone, NC 02/17/2017-02/19/2017
Roaring River Elementary Fifth Grade Herring Ridge 03/20/2017-03/22/2017
West Wilkes High School Chorus Raleigh, NC 05/05/2017-05/06/2017
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the Vendor Selection for Analog Phone Lines was approved as presented.
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 - $168,528.00
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the contract for fiscal year 2017 by Rives & Associates, LLP was approved as presented. The price remains the same at $27,910.00.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:
February 20, 2017 – Optional Workday
Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting will be March 6, 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, there being no further Business, the board adjourned at 5:54 p.m.