Summary of Board Minutes June 16, 2014
The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p. m. on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28659 in the Stone Center for the Performing Arts.
Present for the meeting were Chairman Randall “Rudy” Holbrook, Vice Chairman Mrs. Sharron Huffman, Board Members Mr. Rick Lankford, Mr. Darren Shumate and Mr. Hardin C. Kennedy, III. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Marty Hemric, Associate Superintendent Dr. Wanda Hutchinson, and Assistant Superintendent Mrs. Anna R. Lankford. Administrative staff included Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Athletics and Healthful Living Mr. Chris Skabo, Interim Director of Exceptional Children Ms. Tracee McManus, Executive Director of Secondary Education Mr. Mark Byrd, Director of Technology Mrs. Julie Triplett, Director of Foreign Language Dr. Joe Bullis, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, and Executive Administrative Assistant Carolyn Triplett.
Dr. Marty Hemric called the meeting to order by opening the floor for nominations for Chairman of the Board. Mr. Darren Shumate nominated Mr. Rudy Holbrook for Chairman. Dr. Hemric asked for other nominations and there were none. On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Lankford and duly carried, the nominations for Chairman were closed. The Board approved Mr. Randall “Rudy” Holbrook as Chairman by acclamation. Dr. Hemric opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chairman of the Board. Mr. Holbrook nominated Mrs. Sharron Huffman for Vice-Chairman. On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried the nominations for Vice-Chairman was closed. The Board approved Mrs. Sharron Huffman as Vice-Chairman by acclamation.
Dr. Marty Hemric requested the Agenda be Amended by adding two items to be placed as Action Items. Item N. under Roman Numeral X – Trustee for Wilkes Community College (appointment) and Item 0. - The replacement of 10 new yellow school busses. On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the agenda was amended.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and duly carried, the agenda was approved as presented.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook recognized Dr. Hemric for the devotional thought and pledge of allegiance. Dr. Hemric recognized 650 graduates’ and 65 retiree’s from the system to date.
Dr. Wanda Hutchinson recognized Mr. Danny Holman and Jody Hamby with the Wilkes Education Foundation for the distribution of Mini Grants for the 2014-2015 school year. The total amount awarded was $23,137.55. Since the 1985-1986 school year, the Wilkes Education Foundation has funded 693 mini-grant projects for a total of $355,462.55.
Dr. Hemric and Dr. Hutchinson recognized Mrs. Carol Canter, math teacher at West Wilkes High School as Wilkes County Schools Elementary Math Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Canter will be recognized at the North Carolina Council of teachers of Mathematics State Conference in Greensboro in October.
Dr. Hemric and Dr. Hutchinson recognized the Personal Finance Team from West Wilkes High School, who qualified for the state championship meet held in Charlotte at the Federal Reserve Bank in April, 2014. Finishing 5th in the quiz bowl style championship were: Kelly Dancy, Emma Parsons, Dylan Smith, and Zach Triplett.
Dr. Hemric and Dr. Hutchinson recognized the following students from North Wilkes High School who were victorious on May 8, 2014 in the Stone Center for the High School Battle of the Books. High School Battle of the Books championship team included:
First Place: Hunter Transeau
Noel Harrold
Sara Jarvis
Guadalupe Rosales
McKenna Jolly
Kristen Pruitt
Student Advisor: Melony Adams
Dr. Hemric and Dr. Hutchinson recognized the North Carolina FFA Regional Winners from East Wilkes High School: Students who brought home awards are:
First Place-Forestry Tyler Hall, Kayla Mounce, Lydia Burcham and Joel Smith
Second Place -Tool ID Jacob Crabb, Austin Clonch, Gralan Durham, and Matthew Tharpe
Third Place – Ag Mechanics Jesse Laws, Ethan Adams, Hayden Prevette, and Aaron Brown
Third Place State Proficiency Award for his work on Wildlife Management – Tyler Hall
Second Place Sate Proficiency Award for her work on Environmental Systems- Kayla Mounce
Dr. Hemric and Dr. Hutchinson recognized the North Carolina Skills USA conference which was held April 9-11 in Greensboro. There were a total of 127 high school and college students who participated. Career and College promise winners are
Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology
First Place Colt Holcomb EWHS
Third Place Matthew Nance EWHS
Team Works Team
Fourth Place-Juan Castillo-Cabrera, Brandon Klark, Dylan Roe, Aaron Thomas-WCHS
Welding
First Place Aaron Bullis NWHS
Second Place Luke Johnson NWHS
Fourth Place Jesse Harrold WWHS
Skills USA (continued)
Welding Fabrication Team
First Place- Brandon Combs, Garrett Fender, Jordan Richardson EWHS
Second Place-Dillon Kannup, Michael Billings, Eddie Martin NWHS
Third Place-Adam Faw, Arnold Espinoza, Benjamin Felts WWHS
Fourth Place-Dalton Davis, Ethan Gambill, John McNeil NWHS
Fifth Place- Steven Myers, Seth Roope, Chris Williams NWHS
Dr. Hemric and Dr. Hutchinson recognized the Science Olympiad winners. On Saturday, May 3, 2014 thirteen elementary schools competed in the 2nd Annual Elementary Science Olympiad Tournament at West Wilkes Middle School. The tournament’s events encouraged richer exploration of the academic standards taught in grades 3-6. Wilkesboro Elementary placed first in the competition, followed closely by Hudson Elementary in second, Ronda-Clingman Elementary in third, and North Wilkesboro Elementary in fourth. For the second year in a row, Moravian Falls Elementary received the Spirit Award, an honor given to the team with the best attitude, most respect for other teams, and general kindness and politeness during the competition. The success of the event was made possible through the assistance of teachers, administrators, and instructional specialists, students from East Wilkes High School and West Wilkes Middle School, and community volunteers from Lowe’s Companies and Community One Bank.
First Place-Wilkesboro Elementary School: Katie Beard, Charlie Landford, Andrew Key, Jack Clement, Corben Call, Jacob Call, Sam Harbour, Aaron Edwards, Sophie Pontzer, Kendall Redies, Maddie Beard, Jenavee Johnson, Vivian Nguyan, Kathryn Greene, Anjali Raman
Second Place-Hudson Elementary School
Third Place-Ronda Clingman Elementary School Team “Red”;
Rita Hunt, Haley Ward, Macy Strelko, Salem Sparks, Jake Myers, Grady Holleman, Nathaniel Burchette, Levi Ferguson, Robert Myers, Laci Anderson, Dylan Ward, Camron Somers
Science Olympiad Winners, (continued)
Fourth Place-North Wilkesboro Elementary School; Catori Wilkie, Sarah Joyner, Logan Molnar, Olive Keener, Benjamin Minton, Chadee Short, Karen Najera, Taylor Ogburn
Spirit Award-Moravian Falls Elementary School; Arlyn Parra, Zack Keys, Lacey Shrader, Abby Curry, Brianna Mitchell, Emma Curry, Laila Myers, Claire Trask, Aylin Salas, Tristen Blevins, Avery Trask, Madison Hamby, Whitney Webster, Meagan Black, Rylie Sweatt
Read to Achieve Update was presented by Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Anna Lankford. Mrs. Lankford reported that North Carolina’s Read to achieve Law has been implemented in Wilkes County Schools during the 2013-2014 school year. This law requires all third grade students to pass the Reading EOG Assessment or qualify for a good cause exemption in order to be promoted to fourth grade. Ms. Lankford will continue to provide updates and report current data.
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 of May 5, 2014 were approved as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Lankford and duly carried, the following Personnel Report was approved as presented.
Retirement(s)
Sharon Blackburn – Coordinator – Central Office
Retirement effective – July 1, 2014 with twenty-three years and two months of service
Ann Craighead – Teacher – Wilkesboro Elementary School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2014 with fourteen years and five months of service
Wanda Hutchinson – Associate Superintendent – Wilkes County Schools
Retirement effective – September 1, 2014 with twenty-five years and four months of service
Glenda Triplett – Teacher – Millers Creek Elementary School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2014 with seven years and four months of service
Retirement(s) continued
James Whitley – Custodian – Central Wilkes Middle School
Retirement effective – June 1, 2014 with nine years and four months of service
Carolyn Wiles – Teacher Assistant – C. C. Wright Elementary School
Retirement effective – July 1, 2014 with eleven years of service
Transfer(s) of Assignment
Bethaney Hamby Assistant Principal – Mulberry Elementary School
To – Counselor – C. C. Wright Elementary School
Pam Huffman From Principal – C. B. Eller Elementary School
To – Principal – West Wilkes Middle School
Jeffrey Johnson From Principal – C. C. Wright Elementary School
To – Principal – Central Wilkes Middle School
April Marr From Interim Student Services Director – Central Office
To – Student Services Director – Central Office
Tracee McManus From Interim Exceptional Children Director – Central Office
To – Exceptional Children Director – Central Office
Amy Sheets From Interim Program Specialist – Exceptional Children Department
To – Program Specialist – Exceptional Children Department
Delaina Smith From Principal – Boomer Ferguson Elementary School
To – Principal – North Wilkesboro Elementary School
Dion Stocks From Principal – West Wilkes Middle School
To- Principal – Wilkes Early College High School
Promotion
Donna Cotton From Principal – Central Wilkes Middle School
To – Director of Secondary Education – Central Office
Kristine Kennington From Assistant Principal – East Wilkes Middle School
To – Principal Boomer Ferguson Elementary School
Chad Mann From Assistant Principal – Wilkes Central High School
To – Principal – C. B. Eller Elementary School
Dr. Kim Stone From Assistant Principal – C. C. Wright Elementary School
To – Principal – C. C. Wright Elementary School
On a motion by Mr. Lankford, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Gardner-Webb Off-Campus School of Education Contract was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Athletic Insurance Coverage for 2014-2015 school year was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Student Discipline Policies were approved as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Acceptable Use/Internet Safety Policy Revisions was approved as presented.
Mrs. Anna Lankford submitted for approval the surplus of 400 Hewlett Packard 6530b laptops, 735 Hewlett Packard Mini 5101 netbooks and 5 Hewlett Packard Mini 5102 netbooks. These computers were used for the student laptop program for 5 years. Hewlet Packard Financial Services has provided the highest offer to purchase these devices from Wilkes County Schools for $42,737.50. On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and duly carried, the Hewlett Packard Financial Services purchase was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the CTE Local Plan for 2014-2015 school year was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Out of County/Overnight Field Trips were approved as presented:
West Wilkes High School Dance Team Myrtle Beach, SC 8/3/14 –8/7/14
West Wilkes High School Yearbook Staff Myrtle Beach, SC 8/9/14 - 8/12/14
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Lankford and duly carried, the Disposition of Surplus Items was approved as presented. (See attachment number one)
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Lankford and duly carried, the Asbestos Abatement at Moravian Falls Elementary School as approved as presented: Low Bidder; NEO Corporation $59,300.00.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Construction Contract for Moravian Falls Elementary School as approved as presented: Low Bidder; Kearey Builders, Inc. for Project Phase II and III. $2,879,800.00. Kearey Construction was the general contractor who completed Phase I for the office building in 2012.
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Community Eligibility Provision was approved as presented. This Provision allows Wilkes County School’s Child Nutrition Department to feed every student breakfast and lunch every day they are in school at no cost to the family.
On a motion by Mr. Lankford, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and duly carried, the Meal Price Increase for 2014-2015 was approved as presented. The Paid Lunch Equity requires an average $.10 increase in meals until Wilkes County Schools reaches the federal reimbursement equivalent (currently as $2.65 per meal). Meal Prices should be established in the event a family opts out of CEP and chooses to pay for their child’s meals.
Students
Breakfast – from $1.00 to $1.25
Elementary Lunch – from $1.90 to $2.00
Middle & High School Lunch – from $2.25 to $2.35
Adults
Breakfast – from $2.00 to $2.25
Lunch - $3.65 to $3.80
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and duly carried, the Wilkes Community College Board of Trustee Mr. Bert Hall was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Huffman the approval for the replacement of 10 New Buses was approved as presented.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements: There will be no July Board Meeting.
Dr. Marty Hemric announced a called Board Meeting on June 26, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. in the Instructional Services Conference Room. Congratulations to Mr. Holbrook and Mrs. Huffman for being re-elected as our Board Members.
On a motion by Mr. Lankford, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and duly carried, there being no further business, the Board adjourned to close session at 6:54 p.m. 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. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Lankford and duly carried, the Board adjourned from closed session at 7:23 p.m.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, there being no further business, the Board adjourned at 7:24 p.m.