Summary of Board Minutes November 7, 2016
The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 7, 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 Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of Student Services Ms. April Marr, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Pre-K & Elementary Education Dr. Susan Blackburn, Director of CTE, Career & College Promise & Safe Schools Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Director of Director of Testing and Accountability Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Athletics and Healthful Living Mr. Chris Skabo, Director of Foreign Language and Title I Dr. Joe Bullis, 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 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. Mr. Byrd reminded everyone that tomorrow is Election Day. Please keep our students/children in mind in making decisions. Thank a Veteran who protected our right to do so.
Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel recognized that on October 11, 2016 Ms. Robin Stanley, Career and Technical Education Administrative Assistant was named the District winner for the North Carolina District 3 Office Professional of the Year. Ms. Stanley will also be considered for the Lula M. Burrell Education Office Professional of the Year at the NCAEOP State Conference in March 2017. Congratulations and good luck to Ms. Robin Stanley.
Ms. Julie Triplett, Chief Technology Officer gave the Board Members a brief update on Digital Learning in Wilkes County Schools. We are blessed with technology resources to provide our students with an engaging and blended learning environment. Teachers utilize digital tools to individualize instruction, effectively communicate with students and parents, and encourage students to collaborate in a digital world. In our Middle Schools we have 2,151 Student Chromebooks; at our High Schools we have 3,075 Student Windows Laptops and 5,226 total student 1:1 devices in Grades 6-12.
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 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 Hallock – Teacher – Central Wilkes Middle School
Retirement effective – January 1, 2017 with eight years and eight months of service
On a motion by Ms. Barnes, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Policy revisions were approved as presented. The following two policies were presented to the board and are: Board Policy 4115 Behavior Standards for Transfer Students and Board Policy 4240 Child Abuse – Reports and Investigations. These updates align with North Carolina General Statute therefore; these policies do not require a second reading.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Walker the School Improvement Plans for 2016-2017 were approved as presented. The school improvement plan for our low performing schools, North Wilkes Middle School and C.C. Wright Elementary School were also approved as presented.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Memorandum of Agreement between Barium Springs Home for children and Wilkes County Schools was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, 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
Wilkes Central High School Girls Basketball Team Charlotte, NC 11/04/2016-11/05/2016
Wilkes Central High School Girls Basketball Team Morganton, NC 12/27/2016-12/28/2016
West Wilkes High School Chorus Mars Hill, NC 02/03/2017-02/04/2017
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Budget
Amendments were approved as presented. The State Public School fund had an
Increase of $335,754.00 and the Current Expense Special Use Fund Budget had an
Decrease of $146,040.00.
Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Seth Prevette introduced Mr. Travis Hardee with Rives &
Associates, LLP to present the 2015-2016 fiscal year audit. On a motion by
Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the audit was approved
as presented.
Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel presented for discussion Merit Bonus
Pay. Section 36.1A of House Bill 1030 (2016-2017 Budget) included funding for merit based bonus pay for public school non-educators. Wilkes County Schools received an allotment of $136,548.00 in funding for this purpose. The bonus is a one-time non-recurring payment not subject to retirement. Guidance given by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction indicates that the bonus cannot be an across the board bonus, but must be based on form of merit. Only state funded employees are eligible for the bonus pay. Local approved plans
must be submitted to the North Carolina Division of School Business by December 20, 2016.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:
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November 8, 2016 – Required Workday November 11, 2016 – Veteran’s Day Holiday November 23, 2016 - Optional Workday November 24-25, 2016 – Thanksgiving Holiday |
Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting to be December 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 encouraged everyone to exercise your right to vote and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, there being no further Business, the board adjourned at 6:20 p.m.