Summary of Board Minutes February 8, 2016
The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p. m. on Monday, February 8, 2016 in the Media Center at West Wilkes High School located at 6598 Boone Trail, Millers Creek, North Carolina 28651.
Present for the meeting were Chairman Randall “Rudy” Holbrook, and Vice Chairman Ms. Sharron Huffman. Board Members Mr. Hardin C. Kennedy, III, Mr. Rick Lankford and Mr. Darren Shumate. Also present were Interim Superintendent Mr. D. Mark Byrd, Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford, Director of CTE, Career & College Promise & Safe Schools Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Director of Exceptional Children Ms. Tracee McManus, Chief Technology Officer Julie Triplett, Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Student Services Ms. April Marr, Public Information Officer Ms. Pat Mazza, and Executive Administrative Assistant Carolyn Triplett.
Prior to calling the meeting to order, Chairman Mr. Rudy Holbrook recognized Board Member Mrs. Sharron Huffman to lead the Invocation.
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the agenda was approved as presented.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook recognized Mr. D. Mark Byrd for the devotional thought and pledge of allegiance. Interim Superintendent Mr. D. Mark Byrd announced that February was Black History Month. Mr. Byrd thanked the staff at West Wilkes High School for their continued support and dedication to the students and employees of Wilkes County Schools.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook recognized our Guest Representative Mr. Jeffrey Elmore. Mr. Elmore gave an update to Board Members on issues currently being discussed in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Several Board Members commented on the Driver’s Ed Program, State Teacher Salaries, Teacher Assistants, and Report Cards for Schools. The Board thanked Mr. Elmore for attending and providing updates in various areas.
Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized The National Board Certification Recipients. The National Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) released the latest numbers of teachers to receive National Board Certification for both states and the nation in December, 2015. For two decades, North Carolina has ranked first with the highest number of National Board Certified Teachers in the nation. National Board Certified Teachers have a significant impact on student achievement. Research has shown that the students of NBCT’s outperform their peers in other classrooms.
Congratulations to the following Wilkes County Schools teachers who were recently awarded National Board Certification:
Ms. Jessie Childress RCES Early Childhood
Ms. Jennifer Lablanc WWHS Adolescent and Young
Adulthood/Mathematics
Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Director of CTE, Career & College Promise, & Safe Schools. Mr. Shepherd gave an update on Project Admit (Advancing Development in Manufacturing and Integrated Technology). This year emphasis was placed on soft skills such as Professional Development for all CTE Teachers, A Revised Internship Program, and Internship Handbooks. We still have challenges to face like finding programming teachers. These professionals are extremely hard to find as well as Technology Education Teachers. Hardware and software requirements in both areas are extremely expensive. We continue to work with Wilkes Community College to create professional development opportunities for teachers. Also, emphasis is placed on S.T.E.M. Education (Project based learning) in elementary and middle schools. In our High Schools implementation of Advanced Manufacturing 1 & 2 and Career and College Promise – alignment and articulation are being implemented. Educating the community, students, parents and school staff is a major goal as we continue establishing programs.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook asked if anyone had signed up for public comments. No one had signed up.
On a motion by Mr. Lankford, seconded by Ms. Huffman and duly carried, the minutes were approved as presented.
On a motion by Ms. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and duly carried, the personnel
report and blue sheet was approved as presented.
Recommendation of Administrative Personnel
Promotion
Julie Simpson From Teacher – C. B. Eller Elementary
To Program Specialist – Exceptional Children Department
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Ms. Huffman and duly carried, the Out-of- County/Overnight Fields Trips were approved as presented.
School Group Destination Dates
North Wilkes High School Band Boone, NC 02/19/16-02/21/16
North Wilkes Middle School
East Wilkes High School FFA Raleigh, NC 03/28/16-03/29/16
East Wilkes High School FFA Oklahoma City, OK 05/01/16-05/06/16
On a motion by Ms. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Telephone Services for Administrative Site and twenty-one schools were approved as submitted.
On a motion by Ms. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and duly carried, the Analog Lines for Fax, Alarm, and Security at Eight Schools was approved as submitted.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Lankford and duly carried, the Disposition of Surplus Items was approved as presented. Director of Maintenance, Mr. Bergie Speaks amended the surplus list by adding one item Exhibit A-2 a 1998 Ford Taurus from Wilkes Central High School to be declared surplus. (See Attachment Number One).
Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:
March 11, 2016 – Third Grading Period Ends
March 14, 2016 – Optional Workday
March 15, 2016 - Required Workday
March 16, 2016 – Fourth Grading Period Begins
March 25, 2016 – Easter Holiday
March 28, 2016 – Optional Workday
March 29, 2016 – Required Workday
Chairman Mr. Rudy Holbrook announced the next Board of Education Meeting will be held March 7, 2016 5:30 p.m. , North Wilkes High School/Media Center located at 2986 Traphill Road, Hays, North Carolina 28635.
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Ms. Huffman and duly carried the Board adjourned at 6:54 p.m. to closed session; to consider the qualification, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee, or prospective public officer or employee, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6).
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Lankford and duly carried, the Board adjourned from closed session at 6:57 p.m.
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Sharron Huffman and duly carried, there being no further business, the Board adjourned at 7:05 p.m.