December 4, 2017

Summary of Board Minutes

December 4, 2017

The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. Monday, December 4, 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, Executive Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of CTE Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Director of Child Nutrition Mr. Marty Johnson, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Student Services Ms. April Marr, Director of Testing and Accountability Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Exceptional Children Ms. Jennifer Blankenship, Director of Pre-K & Elementary Education Dr. Susan Blackburn, Director of Foreign Languages Dr. Joe Bullis, Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Athletics and Healthful Living Mr. Chris Skabo, AIG Coordinator Ms. Angie Lamb, Public Relations Officer Ms. Morgan Mathis, 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. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Barnes 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. Mr. Byrd asked that we all take the time during this Holiday Season to do something for someone who is not expecting it. It can be a phone call, note, or a visit to check on someone. The joy you get will be rewarding. Also tonight’s devotion is also dedicated to Ms. Sharron Huffman, Vice-Chairman for the Wilkes County Board of Education. Mrs. Huffman will be inducted into the North Wilkes Hall of Fame later this evening. Mrs. Huffman has served over thirty years as a teacher and coach. Mrs. Huffman has given the gift of time, and has taught many of us valuable lessons in life in which we are so grateful. Congratulations to Mrs. Sharron Huffman.

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized Mrs. Heather Leatherman, a parent of a Moravian Falls Elementary School student. On the afternoon of October 23rd, a Moravian Falls Elementary School bus became stranded on its route due to fallen debris in the road. At the same time, Mrs. Heather Leatherman's house had sustained major damage related to the storm. In the midst of her own disaster, Mrs. Leatherman opened up her home to the bus driver and students to ensure all children and staff were safe until the storm passed. Once the storm passed, Mrs. Leatherman cleared the debris from the road so that the bus could safely continue its route back to the school. There were many stories of selfless actions from community members across the county that occurred that afternoon. On behalf of Wilkes County Schools, we extend our gratitude to Mrs. Leatherman for her actions that ensured the safety of our students and staff.

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized Mrs. Kathy Wagoner, a 3rd grade teacher at Roaring River Elementary. During the recent absence of Mr. Craig Tidline, Principal of Roaring River Elementary School, Mrs. Wagoner went above and beyond to extend her service to the staff, students, parents, and community. In addition to performing her duties and responsibilities as a teacher, she performed many responsibilities of a building level administrator. Mr. Tidline did not hesitate to recommend Mrs. Wagoner for these tasks during his absence.

Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford. Ms. Lankford gave an update on Math 1 in the eighth grade. Wilkes County will be moving forward with a plan to stop offering Math 1 in the eighth grade with the 2018-2019 school year. Changes in curriculum now include the old standards Algebra 1 in Math 1. Over 80% of the Math ACT is content from the 4th grade – Math 1. Students will be able to take as much math as they want/need for college preparation. In the past no honors option was available and now Math 1 is offered at the high school level with honors credit. There will be several options such as 8th grade Math, Advanced 8th grade Math, Math 1 and other options available for students who historically perform at 98% percentile and above for the eighth grade students. The next step is to meet with Middle school parents in January and February, and place additional information on the website for parents. Plans are to also work with the 8th grade Math Teachers over the summer in order to be prepared for the coming school year.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook asked if anyone had signed up for Public Comments. Mr. Gary York from WIFM Radio spoke to the audience about effects in which two separate acts of kindness were demonstrated. Mr. Milton Harris, an employee in our Technology Department offered assistance to Mr. York by taking apples donated by WIFM Radio out to our schools. On another occasion Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of Development was having one his United Teens in Action (UTA) and Youth Philanthropy (T3LC) Time, Talent and Treasure Leading meetings in the Stone Center for Performing Arts when the power went out. This meeting involves high school students from all four high schools and the early college. Two students came over to assist Mr. York and provide light from their phones. These acts of kindness are what make Wilkes County Schools such a special place. Mr. York thanked Wilkes County Schools for a job well done.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the minutes for November 6, 2017 were approved as presented.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Personnel Report was approved as presented.

Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s)

Deanna Hanlin – Assistant Director – Northwest RESA

Retirement effective – January 1, 2018 with twenty-eight years six months of service

Charles Sealey – Instructional Specialist – North Wilkes Middle School

Retirement effective –January 1, 2018 with twenty-five years one month of service

Blue Sheet

Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s)

Roger Davis – Maintenance Worker – Maintenance Department

Retirement effective – March 1, 2018 with thirty years of service

Sharon Davis – Custodian – North Wilkes Middle School

Retirement effective – March 1, 2018 with twenty years and seven months of service

Brenda Dula – Speech Language Pathologist – Mulberry Elementary School

Retirement effective – January 1, 2018 with nine years and six months

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Class Ranking Revision for Policy 3450 was approved as presented. The policy will now move “Honors” and “High Honors” designation to the Latin System of Honors recognition. This policy will begin with the graduating class of 2019.

On a motion by Ms. Barnes, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried the Business Advisory Committee was approved as presented. House Bill 450 requires each local board to establish a Business Advisory Council to assist the school system in identifying economic and workforce development trends related to training and education needs of the local community and to advocate for strong local CTE programs. The council must have at least nine members that reflect the education, business, and community makeup of the local school administrative unit (LEA).

On a motion by Mr. Walker, 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. This is an annual document that allows Barium Springs to access the Neglected and Delinquent funds allocated in the 2017-2018 Title I Plan. The amount allotted for this school year is $7,827.00 based on the number of students served in 2016.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried the Out of County/Overnight field trip was approved as presented.

School	Group	Destination	Dates
West Wilkes High	Chorus	Mars Hill University	02/01/2018-02/03/2018

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the budget amendments were approved as presented.

State Public School Fund: Decrease $63,043.00

Current Expense Special Use Fund: Decrease $60,282.00

Mr. Mark Byrd, Superintendent presented for discussion the 2018-2019 School Calendar Draft. For the fifth consecutive year, this will be a 164-day student calendar. Due to calendar legislation, the start day for school can be no earlier than August 26, 2018. This calendar will go before the board in January for final approval.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:

December 21, 2017 Early Dismissal
- Elementary – 12:30 P.M.
- Middle/High Schools – 1:00 P.M.
December 22, 2017 – Annual Leave
December 25-27, 2017 – Christmas Holiday
December 28-29, 2017 – Annual Leave
January 1, 2018 – New Year’s Holiday
January 2, 2018 – Optional Workday

Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting to be January 8, 2018. This meeting will be held in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom located at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina beginning at 5:30 PM.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, there being no further business, the board adjourned at 4:48 PM.