Summary of Board Minutes October 5, 2015
The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p. m. on Monday, October 5, 2015 in the Stone Center for the Performing Arts at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28659.
Present for the meeting were Chairman Randall “Rudy” Holbrook, Board Members, Mrs. Sharron Huffman, Mr. Darren Shumate, Mr. Hardin C. Kennedy, III., and Mr. Rick Lankford. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Marty T. Hemric, Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford, Director of Student Services Ms. April Marr, Director of Secondary Education/Dean of Wilkes Early College High School Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of CTE, Career & College Promise & Safe Schools Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Athletics and Healthful Living Mr. Chris Skabo, School Board Attorney Mr. Fred Johnson, and Executive Administrative Assistant Carolyn Triplett.
Prior to calling the meeting to order, Chairman Mr. Holbrook recognized Board Member Mrs. Sharron Huffman to lead the Invocation.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Lankford and duly carried, the agenda was approved as presented.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook recognized Dr. Marty Hemric for the devotional thought and pledge of allegiance.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook recognized Dr. Marty Hemric to introduce individuals and representatives of entities that have contributed to the 1.7 million dollar project named Project ADMIT. The contributors included the Golden LEAF Foundation, Wilkes Economic Development Corp., Katherine Anne Greene Foundation Mr. Ed Greene, Appalachian Regional Commission and Duke Energy. Several local and private foundations and benefactors included Arnold and Becky Lakey, Leonard G. Herring Foundation, Stone Family Foundation R.L. Melton Family Foundation, Danny Holman, Blake D. Lovette, Cubic Inc. Kulynych Foundation, Page Interworks, PA., Wilkes Community Foundation, and Annie Pardue. Local Companies and organizations included Wells Fargo Foundation, Wilkes Communications, Tyson Foods Inc., Wilkes County Schools, County of Wilkes, Meadow Mills, Wilkes Community College, Walmart, Window World, Inc., Finley Properties and Wilcox Marketing. Mr. Dan Gerlach and Mr. Mark Sorrels, Golden LEAF President and Vice President respectively were in attendance. Also, Sen. Shirley Randleman of Wilkes and Rep. Jeffrey Elmore of North Wilkesboro were both at the meeting. Project ADMIT will provide students with skills, credentials, and confidence needed to fill high-skilled, good paying jobs available in the region. This initiative will also provide local youth to live and have good jobs in Wilkes after finishing high school or college. Extensive research determined that curriculum changes were needed to better prepare students for careers in Advanced Engineering and computer Technology Integration which led to the development of Project ADMIT.
Dr. Marty Hemric recognized the Wilkes County Community Foundation. The NCCF is the single statewide community foundation serving North Carolina and has made $89 million in grants since its inception in 1988. The Wilkes County Community Foundation (WCF) Board presented the following grants. The Wilkes County Schools Youth Philanthropy Group, and Time Talent Treasure Leading to Change (T3LC) received $1,000.00. The Wilkes Community Partnership for children received $500.00, Moravian Falls Elementary School received $1,100.00, and Project ADMIT received $500.00.
Dr. Marty Hemric Recognized Mrs. Rebecca Kilpartick, 4th grade teacher at Millers Creek Elementary School for being selected as 2015 Wilkes County Schools Math Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Kilpatrick will be recognized at the NCCTM’s Conference held in Greensboro during the month of November.
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. Kennedy and duly carried, the minutes were approved as presented.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Lankford and duly carried, the Personnel Report and Blue Sheet were approved as presented.
Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s)
Tina Delp – Teacher – West Wilkes High School
Retirement effective – January 1, 2016 with thirty years and one month of service
Brenda Pruitt – Bus Driver – Millers Creek Elementary School
Retirement effective – January 1, 2016 with fourteen years and nine months of service
Nancy Wayne – Teacher – Wilkes Central High School
Retirement effective – January 1, 2016 with thirty-eight years and three months of service
Blue Sheet
Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s)
Frances Cantrell – Nurse – Millers Creek Elementary School
Retirement effective – January 1, 2016 with thirty years and one month of service
Cathy Wagoner – Bus Driver – North Wilkes Middle School
Retirement effective – January 1, 2016 with seven years and seven months of service
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Out-of-County/Overnight Field Trips were approved as presented.
School Group Destination Dates
West Wilkes High School FFA Louisville, KY 10/27/2015 – 10/31/2015
Wilkes Central High School AF JROTC Washington, DC 04/18/2016 – 04/23/2016
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and duly carried, The Student Wellness Policy Number 6140 (Revisions) was approved as presented.
Mrs. Anna Lankford, Associate Superintendent presented the Memorandum of Understanding with Department of Social Services (DSS). In 2009, Wilkes County Schools and the Department of Social Services (DSS) worked collaboratively to create a memorandum of understanding to improve communication and services to children in our community. This memorandum is reviewed each year with principals and the DSS administrative staff. This agreement was submitted for information only.
Mrs. Anna Lankford, Associate Superintendent presented the School Improvement Plans for the 2015-2016 school year. These plans are written each year following a very thorough school-wide reflection process that involves the principal, school improvement team and parents. Principals and leadership teams work diligently to make the school improvement plan a living document that directs their efforts to help students achieve at higher levels and demonstrate growth.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next Board Meeting November 2, 2015 to begin at 5:30 p.m. This Board of Education Meeting will be held at Wilkes Central High School/Media Center located at 1179 Moravian Falls Road, Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:
October 16, 2015 – First Grading Period Ends
October 19, 2015 – Optional Workday
October 20, 2015 – Second Grading Period Begins
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and duly carried, there being no further business, the Board adjourned at 6:08 p.m. to closed session; to discuss to prevent the disclosure of information that is privileged or confidential under state or federal law, including but not limited to N.C.G.S. 115C-319, N.C.G.S. 115C-402, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1) to consult with its attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) 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 Mr. Lankford, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Board adjourned from closed session at 7:34 p.m.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, there being no further business, the Board adjourned at 7:34 p.m.