April 9, 2018

Summary of Board Minutes

April 9, 2018

The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 9, 2018 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, and Mr. Kirk Walker. Absent was Ms. 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, Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of Pre-K & Elementary Education Dr. Susan Blackburn, Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Title I/ESL/Cultural Arts Dr. Joe Bullis, Director of CTE Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Director of Testing and Accountability Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Child Nutrition Mr. Marty Johnson, Director of Exceptional Children Ms. Jennifer Blankenship, Director of Athletics and Healthful Living Mr. Chris Skabo, AIG Coordinator Ms. Angie Lamb, Public Relations Officer Ms. Morgan Mathis, School Board Attorney Mr. Fred Johnson, 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. Mark Byrd made the announcement to amend the agenda. Under Roman Numeral X (Action Item) Letter H needs to be added for approval of Exceptional Children’s Department DPI Medicaid Administrative Claiming Participation Agreement. On a motion by Ms. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate, the agenda was amended and duly carried.

Chairman Mr. Randall “Rudy” Holbrook recognized Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd for the Devotion and Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Byrd asked that we have a moment of silence for Hunter Brown, Staff, and Students of Central Wilkes Middle School. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the family, staff, and students of Central Wilkes Middle School.

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd, along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel, recognized the NC Student Academy of Science winner. It was held at the NC School of Science and Math on March 24-25, 2017. Chance Mastin, a 6th grade student at East Wilkes Middle School, placed first in the Middle School Mathematics Division and also placed 2nd in the NC Council of Teachers of Mathematics Western Regional Math Fair with his project, “It’s ‘Outta’ Here”. Chance will compete at the state competition in April. Congratulations and good luck!

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel, recognized Ralee Bare, fifth grade student at Traphill Elementary School. Ralee, hit twenty out of twenty-five throws to win the Southeastern Regional Championship for girls 12-13 on Saturday, March 17, 2018, in Middleton, Maryland. Ralee is among 72 Hoop Shoot national finalists. Ralee will compete in the Hoop Shoot National Championship on April 21, 2018 at Loyola University, Chicago. Congratulations, Ralee!

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel, recognized student participants from the HOSA State Leadership Conference that took place in Greensboro, NC the weekend of March 23-25, 2018. More than 2800 students from around the state competed in this event. The following Wilkes students finished in the Top 10:

Caroline Huffman, Bailey Johnson, Lakyn Mathis, and Brooklyn Mounce (EWHS) – Creative Problem Solving.
Emma Sheets, Rachel Shepherd, and Cody Triplett (WWHS) – Biomedical Debate
Kaitlyn Edmiston and Emily Murray (WWHS) – CPR / First Aid
Madison Wood (WWHS) – Extemporaneous Health Poster
Danielle Roten and Haley Jordan (WWHS) – Health Career Photography
Seth Eller, Alex Bryan, Joseph Jones, and Morgan Smithey (WWHS) – HOSA Bowl
Shaina Reins (WWHS) – Sports Medicine
Tyler Gambill (WWHS) – Veterinary Science

The following students finished in the Top 3 and have qualified for the International Leadership Conference in Dallas, TX this June.

Brittney Nichols (WWHS) – Dental Terminology
Anslee Nichols (WWHS) – Extemporaneous Health Poster
Thomas Pinkerton (WWHS) – Healthy Lifestyle
Kaitlyn Handy (WWHS) – Medical Assisting
Grace Reavis (WWHS) – Pharmacy Science
Kinley Adams (WWHS) – Physical Therapy
Andrew Blackburn (WWHS) – Research Persuasive Speaking
Joseph Jones and Grace Reavis (WWHS) – Outstanding HOSA Chapter Reflection

Rachel Shepherd (WWHS) was selected to represent District 7 as a State Officer. She was also awarded the honor of being elected as the 43rd NC HOSA State President. Congratulations to all of these students!

Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Director of CTE/Career and College Promise, Mr. Wayne Shepherd. The focus was on the Apprenticeship with the North Carolina Community Colleges. Understanding the terminology is important to understanding the entire process. A “registered” apprenticeship is required before students can participate in a “pre-apprenticeship”. Students must secure a “registered pre-apprenticeship” prior to graduating from high school in order to qualify for the 100% tuition waiver at a Community College. High School students with a desire to live in Wilkes County after graduating from high school has the opportunity to work locally and have a reasonable assurance they will be able to have a career that pays a family sustaining income while accruing no college debt. Students would need to schedule an appointment with the school counselor for an application. Also, students must be at least 16 years of age, possess a valid NC driver’s license, and have a reliable means of transportation. Students are required to be in good academic standing, making progress toward high school graduation, able to pass any related technical skills tests, and pass a background/drug screening test (if required). Students must provide three teacher/principal recommendations. Orientation sessions are also required to attend, and students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Apprentices learn basic technical and job-readiness to prepare for success in the Apprenticeship Program. More information can be found on the website: www.apprenticeshipnc.com.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook asked if anyone had signed up for public comments. Ms. Malinda Jarvis addressed the Board with her concerns over field trips and changes that she would like to see made. Ms. Laura Welborn also addressed the Board concerning student safety, field trips, chaperone training, and parental attendance.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the minutes for April 9, 2018 were 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):

Gary Benesh – Teacher – Central Wilkes Middle School

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with thirty-eight years and eight months of service

Meleah Greer – Teacher – Central Wilkes Middle School

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with thirty years and nine months of service

Milton Harris – Courier – Central Services

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with thirty-one years and two months of service

Nancy Mason – Teacher Assistant – Mulberry Elementary School

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with fifteen years and six months of service

Michael McElligott – ROTC Instructor – Wilkes Central High School

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with eight years and three months of service

Lee Ann Minton – Counselor – Millers Creek Elementary School

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with thirty years and four months of service

Val Parsons – Assistant Principal – Millers Creek Elementary School

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with thirty-six years and eight months of service

Samantha Parsons – Teacher – Central Wilkes Middle School

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with thirty years and eight months of service

Debra Reeves – Teacher – Moravian Falls Elementary School

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with thirty-eight years and seven months of service

Shelia Wood – Assistant Cafeteria Manager – C. C. Wright Elementary School

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with eleven years and three months of service

Marcelle Wysocki – Teacher – Central Wilkes Middle School

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with thirty years and two months of service

Blue Sheet

Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s):

Jan Kerr – Teacher – Wilkes Early College High School

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with twenty years and four months of service

Shelby Sheets – Custodian – North Wilkesboro Elementary School

Retirement effective July 1, 2018 with fifteen years and three months of service

On a motion by Ms. Huffman, 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
East Wilkes High School	Poultry Evaluation Team	Raleigh, NC NC State University	03/28/2018-03/29/2018
North Wilkes High School	Skills USA	Greensboro, NC State Competition	04/18/2018-04/20/2018
East Wilkes High School	Shooting Team	Ellerbe, NC	04/27/2018-04/28/2018
North Wilkes High School	Quiz Bowl Team	Rosemont, IL	04/27/2018-04/29/2018
East Wilkes High School	FFA	Washington, DC	06/05/2018-06/09/2018
East Wilkes High School	FFA	Raleigh, NC	06/19/2018-06/21/2018
Wilkes Central High School	JROTC	Athens, WV	06/17/2018-06/23/2018
East Wilkes High School	FFA	White Lake, NC	07/30/2018-08/03/2018

Students (2) from each High School were approved by Board Members to the NC Sports Hall of Fame in Raleigh, North Carolina on 05/04/2018-05/05/2018 prior to the Board of Education Meeting.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the NEC SV9500 Communications System Contract was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Audit Services Contract was approved as presented.

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 $316,441.00

Local Current Expense Fund: No Change

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Water Line Easement for the Town of Ronda was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the Master Affiliation Agreement between Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and Wilkes County Schools for CNA Clinical Experience was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker, the Exceptional Children’s Department DPI Medicaid Administrative Claiming Participation Agreement was approved as presented.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next Board of Education meeting will be May 7, 2018. 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 Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the board adjourned to closed session to consult with its attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3)

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the board adjourned from closed session at 6:57 p.m.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Holbrook and dully carried, there being no further Business, the board adjourned at 6:59 p.m.