Summary of Board Minutes December 5, 2016
The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, December 5, 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, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Pre-K & Elementary Education Dr. Susan Blackburn, Director of Testing and Accountability Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Child Nutrition Dr. Vickie Hugger, Director of Student Services Ms. April Marr, Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, 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.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook called the meeting to order and asked if the agenda needed to be amended. Mr. Byrd made the announcement to amend the agenda. Under Roman Numeral IX (Action Item) Letter E only needs to be voted on at this time. The change order dated November 11, 2016. Additional Information is needed before voting on the Change Order dated October 25, 2016. On a motion by Ms. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate the agenda was amended.
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. D. Mark Byrd for the Devotion and Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Byrd reminded everyone that during this Holiday Season we have people that may not have families or be away from families. Find a neighbor or relative you haven’t seen in a while, give them a call. Leave a note of thanks, cookies etc. for your mail carrier or UPS driver who is working overtime to make sure you get your packages on time. It doesn’t cost a dime to do something nice for someone. Mr. Byrd challenged every teacher, student, and school employee to take a minute to do something for someone who is not expecting it. The joy you get will be rewarding.
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Executive Director of Personnel Dr. Westley Wood recognized the following for receiving the AIG Department grants. The grants are based on the rigor and the impact the project will make on student learning. Congratulations to the following teachers for winning Honors/AP grants.
Laura Brooks – WCHS – Transformational Geometry - $663.88
Justin Colbert – WCHS – Anatomy in Clay $601.48
Taylor Edwards – WCHS - Campfire Stories $701.92
Brandy Sappington – WCHS - Virtual Reality for Global Mentality - $612.43
Kim Collier - West Wilkes High School – Bringing World History to Life - $749.47
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Executive Director of Personnel Dr. Westley Wood recognized the Wilkes County Schools Science Fair winners. The Science Fair was held on November 15, 2016 in the Stone Center for Performing Arts. Over 160 outstanding projects were entered from grades 3-12. Wilkes County Schools has 14 elementary, 13 middle school and 10 high school projects that will advance to the Regional Science Fair at Appalachian State University on December 13, 2016.
Elementary (All 1st Place Winners)
Hayden Phillips – CB Eller Elementary
Eli Johnson – CC Wright Elementary
Nena Hunt – Millers Creek Elementary
Hannah Sheets – Millers Creek Elementary
Andrew Scarbro – Mt. Pleasant Elementary
Parker Farrington – Mtn. View Elementary
Trey Handy – Roaring River Elementary
Abby Hatley – Roaring River Elementary
Ralee Bare – Traphill Elementary
Natalie Mathis – Traphill Elementary
John Ray – Traphill Elementary
Anna Grace Anderson – Wilkesboro Elementary
Johnny Andreski – Wilkesboro Elementary
Alea Mitchell – Wilkesboro Elementary
MIDDLE SCHOOL 1st Place Winners
Stormy Epley – North Wilkes Middle
Dylan Ward and Camron Somers – East Wilkes Middle
Robert Myers – East Wilkes Middle
Tristen Blevins, Riley Simpson, and Madison Carter – East Wilkes Middle
Drew Call – Central Wilkes Middle
Daniel Durham and Grace Lay – East Wilkes Middle
Salem Sparks and Haley Ward– East Wilkes Middle
MIDDLE SCHOOL 2nd Place Winners
MaryAnna Bailey – Central Wilkes Middle
Faith Epley – North Wilkes Middle
Tate Jolly – Central Wilkes Middle
Alex Simmons – Central Wilkes Middle
Collin Barlow – Central Wilkes Middle
Sylvia Prevette – East Wilkes Middle
HIGH SCHOOL 1st Place Winners
Olivia Benton and Levi Lankford – West Wilkes High
Tori Fowler and Carrie Lowe – Wilkes Central High
Sasha Alexander, Noel Nobblet, and Leah Combs – Wilkes Central High
Bram Koch – Wilkes Central High
Owen Miller and Luke Sheets– West Wilkes High
HIGH SCHOOL 2nd Place Winners
Cody Triplett – West Wilkes High
Jessie Babb and Alex Reavill – West Wilkes High
Nate Robinson and Joshua Handy – West Wilkes High
Michelle Noble – West Wilkes High
Brea Delbert and Jessica Thornton – North Wilkes High
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Executive Director of Personnel Dr. Westley Wood recognized the NCDA Poetry & Poster Contest Winners. The national Career Development Association promotes career development through its annual celebration of National Career Development Month. This year’s annual poetry poster contest theme was “The Joy of Work: Positive Approaches to Work, Career & Life!” Three winning entries are selected at the County level which are then sent on to the state level. The three winners from Wilkes County are all from Traphill Elementary. Congratulations to the following students:
1st Place Jaiden Lopez, 3rd Grade – Police Poster
2nd Place Morrigan Whitley, 3rd Grade – School Poster
3rd Place Danny Anderson 3rd Grade – Art Poster
Focus on Curriculum was presented by Dr. Susan Blackburn. She gave an update regarding the Pre-K Program. The NC Pre-K program is designed to provide high-quality educational experiences to enhance school readiness for eligible four-year old children. In order to be successful in school, children need to be prepared in five developmental domains that are critical to children’s overall well-being and success in reading and math as they enter school. These domains are: approaches to play and learning, emotional and social development, health and physical development, language development and communication, and cognitive development. Wilkes County Schools received 379 Pre-K slots this year. We serve 369 and provide 10 slots to Wilkes Developmental Day School. We are reimbursed monthly by DCDEE for each child based on their attendance. All of our classrooms have a five star rated license which is the highest rating possible. We are funded by DCDEE, Title I, SmartStart, and a small portion of Exceptional Children’s funds. In order to quality, a child must be four years old on or before August 31st of the program year. A wait list of eligible students is maintained throughout the year and students are placed as spaces become available.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook asked if anyone had signed up for public comments. Ms. Stephanie Church addressed the Board of Education members regarding Dyslexia and how it affects students. Her presentation is attached (Attachment One). Ms. Church would like to see professional development and assistance to K-2 teachers to have the capability to appropriately assess children not meeting reading goals and/or having behavior problems in the classroom setting, prior to the NC Read to Achieve Assessment.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the minutes for October 3, 2016 was 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)
Cheryl Bell – Data Manager – North Wilkes High School
Retirement effective – March 1, 2017 with twenty-five years seven months of service
Dennis McDaniel – Custodian – North Wilkes High School
Retirement effective – March 1, 2017 with fourteen years one month of service
Anita Tharpe – Teacher – East Wilkes High School
Retirement effective – February 1, 2017 with thirty-six years one month of service
Teresa Tucker – Nurse – East Wilkes Middle School
Retirement effective – March 1, 2017 with thirty-one years and four months of service
Blue Sheet
Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s)
Donna Noble – Counselor – North Wilkesboro Elementary School
Retirement effective – February 1, 2017 with thirty-two years and nine months of service
On a motion by Ms. Barnes, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Merit Bonus Pay Plan was approved as presented. Wilkes County Schools received an allotment of $136,548 in funding for this purpose.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the Qualified Observers list was approved as presented. A qualified observer must be licensed by the State Board of Education and currently working in North Carolina.
On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shumate 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 Student Athlete Club Banner Elk, NC 12/03/2016-12/04/2016
North Wilkes High School Students Selected for Cullowhee, NC 12/09/2016-12/10/2016
WCU Honor Band
North Wilkes High School Boys Varsity Basketball Triton, NC 12/28/2016-12/30/2016
North Wilkes High School Beta Club Greensboro, NC 02/03/2017-02/05/2017
North Wilkes High School Chorus Chicago, IL 03/21/2017-03/25/2017
North Wilkes Middle School Sixth Grade Washington, D.C. 03/23/2017-03/25/2017
North Wilkes Middle School Seventh Grade Nags Head, NC 04/09/2017-04/12/2017
North Wilkes Middle School Eighth Grade Charleston, SC 05/03/2017-05/05/2017
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the
Mulberry Reroofing Change Order #1 dated November 11, 2016 was approved.
The Change Order dated October 25, 2016 was tabled until further information
can be obtained.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried,
the Budget Amendments were approved as presented.
State Public School Fund – Increase of $167,182.00
Capital Outlay Fund – N/A
Current Expense Special Use Fund – N/A
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd presented for discussion the draft for 2017-2018 school
calendar. For the fourth consecutive year, this will be a 164 day student calendar.
Due to calendar legislation, the start date for school can be no earlier than August 28, 2016.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:
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December 16, 2016 Early Dismissal Elementary – 12:30 P.M. Middle/High Schools – 1:00 P.M. December 19-20, 2016 Optional Workdays December 21-22, 2016 Annual Leave December 23, 26-27, 2016 – Christmas Holiday December 28-30, 2016 – Annual Leave January 2, 2017 – New Year’s Holiday January 3, 2017 – Optional Workday |
Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting to be January 5, 2016. 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.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook along with all the Board Members wished everyone a “Very Merry Christmas” and a “Happy New Year” and to please remember what the season is all about.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, there being no further Business, the board adjourned at 6:16 p.m.