January 9, 2018

Summary of Board Minutes

January 9, 2018

The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 9, 2018 in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28659. The meeting was originally scheduled for Monday, January 8, 2018. Due to the proposed weather forecast for anticipated freezing participation, the scheduled Board of Education Meeting was held the next night on January 9, 2018.

Present for the meeting were Chairman Mr. Randall “Rudy” Holbrook, Vice-Chairman Mrs. Sharron Huffman, Board Members Mr. Kirk Walker, and Mrs. Leslie Barnes. Board Member Mr. Darren Shumate was absent. Also present were Superintendent Mr. D. Mark Byrd, 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 Child Nutrition Mr. Marty Johnson, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Testing and Accountability Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Pre-K & Elementary Education Dr. Susan Blackburn, Director of Middle Grades/Federal Programs Dr. Joe Bullis, 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. Kirk Walker to lead the Invocation.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker 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 announced that January was School Board Appreciation Month. He asked that we join him in celebrating School Board Appreciation Month by thanking our board members for all they do, and most importantly, thanking them for all that they do for the students of Wilkes County Schools on a daily basis. Several Administrators were in attendance for this honor.

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel, recognized the 2018 Poetry Out Loud Winners. On November 28, 2017 Wilkes County Schools held the Poetry Out Loud competition. Students from all five high schools competed. Poetry Out Loud encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literacy history. The runner up and winner will advance to the state Poetry Out Loud Competition in Greensboro on March 3, 2018. Congratulations and good luck to the following students:

Poetry Out Loud Champion: Morgan Worsham – Wilkes Early College High School

Poetry Out Loud Runner Up: Vanessa Chaquea – Wilkes Early College High School

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel, recognized the Regional Science Fair Winners. Wilkes County Schools hosted the 2017-2018 science fair on November 16, 2017. Over 120 outstanding projects were submitted from grades 3-12. Wilkes County Schools had 10 elementary, 14 middle, and 6 high school projects that advanced to the Regional Science Fair at Appalachian State University on December 19, 2017. These are the students who advanced:

Sophie Shupe – Mtn. View Elementary	Joey Andreski – Central Wilkes Middle
Nathan Barrows – C. C. Wright Elementary	Savannah Sparks – East Wilkes Middle
Shalyn Bare – Traphill Elementary	Haley Ward – East Wilkes Middle
Ralee Bare – Traphill Elementary	Salem Sparks – East Wilkes Middle
Laurel Mitchell – Wilkesboro Elementary	Trey Handy – East Wilkes Middle
Lilly Anderson – Wilkesboro Elementary	Chance Mastin – East Wilkes Middle
Claire Anderson – Wilkesboro Elementary	Mattox Higgins – East Wilkes Middle
Cash Hart – Wilkesboro Elementary	Taner Estes – West Wilkes Middle
Jason Wilson – Wilkesboro Elementary	Nena Hunt – West Wilkes Middle
Hallie Phillips – C. B. Eller Elementary	Elizabeth Shepherd – North Wilkes Middle
Jaxon Osborne – Roaring River Elementary	Brooke Church – North Wilkes High
Alea Mitchell – Central Wilkes Middle	Tanner Minton – Wilkes Central High
Anna Grace Anderson – Central Wilkes Middle	Kaitlyn Wright – Wilkes Central High
Victoria Wright – Central Wilkes Middle	Emily Pontzer – Wilkes Central High
Aiden Edwards – Central Wilkes Middle	Madison German – Wilkes Central High
Addisen Freeman – Central Wilkes Middle	Mary Anna Bailey – Wilkes Central High

Out of the thirty projects from Wilkes County, seventeen qualified to advance to the state competition on March 23-24, 2018 at NC State University.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook asked if anyone had signed up for Public Comments. No one had signed up for comments.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, the minutes for December 4, 2017 were approved as presented.

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

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
West Wilkes High School	Dance Team	Orlando, FL	02/01/2018-02/05/2018
North Wilkes High School	Beta Club	Greensboro, NC	02/02/2018-02/04/2018
North Wilkes Middle School	Sixth Grade	Washington, DC	03/15/2018-03/17/2018
West Wilkes High School	Band	Orlando, FL	04/05/2018-04/08/2018

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

State Public School Fund: Increase $137,382.98
Current Expense Special Use Fund: Increase $65,817.00

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mrs. Barnes and duly carried, the 2018-2019 School Calendar was approved as presented.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:

January 12, 2018 – Second Grading Period Ends
January 15, 2018 – Martin Luther King Holiday
January 15-17, 2018 – Required Workdays
January 18, 2018 – Third Grading Period Begins

Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting to be February 5, 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.

Comments from Board Members: Mrs. Huffman thanked publicly the staff of Wilkes County Schools for their decisions regarding the early release and delay of school. Ms. Huffman stated that she knew Mr. Byrd always had the safely of the children first in his decision making. Mr. Rudy Holbrook also thanked the staff for a job well done. All Board Members were in agreement.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, there being no further business, the board adjourned at 5:52 PM.