The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, August 13, 2018 in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28659.
Present for the meeting were Chairman Mr. Randall “Rudy” Holbrook, Vice-Chairman Mrs. Sharron Huffman, Board Members Mr. Kirk Walker, and Ms. Leslie Barnes. Mr. Darren Shumate was absent. 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, Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of Athletics and Healthful Living Mr. Chris Skabo, Director of CTE Wayne Shepherd, Director of Student Services Ms. April Marr, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Foreign Language and Title I Dr. Joe Bullis, Director of Secondary Education/Dean of Wilkes Early College High School Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Pre-K & Elementary Education Dr. Susan Blackburn, Director of Exceptional Children Ms. Jennifer Blankenship, Director of Child Nutrition Mr. Marty Johnson, AIG Coordinator Ms. Ange Lamb, Public Information 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. D. Mark Byrd for the Devotion and Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Byrd congratulated Ms. Michelle Shepherd on a great first day start of the Early College High School. Mr. Byrd also addressed the continued focus on school safety as we begin our 2018-2019 school year in a couple of weeks.
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel, recognized the Lowe’s Charitable and Education Foundation Grant winner. Moravian Falls Elementary School was awarded a $50,000.00 matching grant from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation to fund a new playground. The grant was submitted by Ms. Paula Farmer, media specialist at Moravian Falls Elementary. The new playground will consist of two levels with the bottom level being handicapped accessible. The playground is expected to be ready for use at the starting of the 2018-2019 school year. We congratulate Moravian Falls Elementary!
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel, recognized the Singapore Math Summit held in June. The summit drew approximately 60 elementary school teachers from across the state. The summit was part of the fulfillment of expectation from Burroughs-Wellcome who has funded a Singapore Math Grant at North Wilkesboro Elementary for the past few years. The staff was featured in the July 3rd edition of an online newsletter from EdNC. We congratulate them on a successful summit and appreciate their efforts in promoting math success for our students and teachers. Staff members who participated in the summit were:
- Kim Bell
- Andrea Byers
- Amber Campbell
- Kim Gilley
- Leann Lassister
- Amber Faw
- Angela Porter
- Brittany Roberts
- Elizabeth Taggart
- Tonya Teague
- Emily West-Dula
Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford. As the new school year begins there are several updates in the Instructional Services Area in which a brief overview was provided.
Wilkes County School Teaching and Learning Framework (Phase 2)
In 2017-2018, the focus was on Phase I of implementation including the Connecting and Planning dimensions. With the start of school (2018-2019), Phase 2 of implementation includes Teaching and Assessing. Administrators and Instructional Specialists were trained in July with training for other staff on August 17th. Principals will continue growing as instructional leaders through monthly principal meetings focused around topics supporting the framework and coaching provided from Central Services.
Leader in Me (Year 3)
Beginning in the Middle Schools, Leader in Me empowers students with the leadership and life skills needed to thrive in the 21st Century. Schools are seeing the positive impact this program is making in student leadership and decreased discipline incidents. Teachers will be participating in professional development, “The Leader in Me Empowering Instruction”. Schools will continue to receive coaching from the Franklin Covey Coaching System.
NC Check-Ins
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction provides two opportunities for formatively assessing students in grades 3-8 during the year. It focuses in on Mathematics and Reading. These are formative benchmark assessments that provide teachers with immediate feedback for guiding instruction. The NC Check-Ins are aligned to the NC Standard Course of Study and were created by teachers in the field. Wilkes County Schools will be participating in NC Check-Ins as our benchmark assessments this school year.
North Carolina Standard Course of Study Revisions for 2018-2019
We will be implementing and testing revised Mathematics Standards in Grades K-6 and ELA Standards in Grades K-12, but will not test new standards until the 2019-2020 school year. We will work with teachers to help them understand the changes on August 24, 2018.
WCS Virtual Academy
All juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to register for online courses through WCS Virtual Academy. We will now offer the following:
- Spanish III and IV Honors
- American History: Founding Principals, Civics and Economics Honors
- AP Language and AP Literature
- American History I, II, and Honors
- English III and IV Honors
Illustrative Mathematics (Grades 6-8)
All WCS Middle Schools will be implementing a new math program that aligns with the new revised math standards in 2018-2019. Illustrative Mathematics is a problem-based core mathematics curriculum. Open Education Resources are free. Wilkes County Schools did invest in the North Carolina aligned workbooks for the first year, but after this year everything will be available online at no cost. Teachers will be trained in the new program on August 24 and will have follow-up training in October to support the implementation. Other large districts implementing the curriculum include Wake County Schools, Guilford County Schools, and Buncombe County Schools.
Social Emotional Learning Resources and Training
In WCS, we promote healthy, safe, engaged, and challenged minds and lifestyles. By promoting and supporting the health and well-being of students, staff, classrooms, and schools, we are developing the environment which is also most conducive for effective teaching and learning. When we learn who our students are, enhancing connectedness between them and the school, we not only increase their sense of belonging and safety, we also better understand what makes our students tick and can adjust instruction and content to suit. When we reach out to families and the local community, we not only expand the safety net, but we also empower key stakeholders in the responsibility and purpose of education.
Latin System for Honor Graduates (Class of 2019)
Weighted GPAs
3.5 – 3.99 = cum laude
4.00 – 4.249 = magna cum laude
4.25 or higher = summa cum laude
Honor Graduate Protocol ensure that schools are consistent in determining honor graduates.
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. Walker and duly carried, the minutes were approved as presented.
On a motion by Ms. Barnes, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the personnel report and blue sheet were approved as presented.
Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s)
Thomas Noble – Teacher – North Wilkes High School
Retirement effective – August 1, 2018 with thirty-two years and seven months of service
Transfer(s) of Assignment(s)
Dan Biesak – From Assistant Principal – Central Wilkes Middle School
To Assistant Principal – C.C. Wright Elementary School
Michael Floyd – From Assistant Principal – Millers Creek / Wilkesboro Elementary Schools
To Teacher – North Wilkes Middle School
Dannette Hincher – From Instructional Specialist – Moravian Falls Elementary School
To Instructional Specialist – Wilkesboro Elementary School
Hannah Peacock – From Instructional Specialist – Ronda Clingman Elementary School
To Instructional Specialist – Moravian Falls Elementary School
Teresa Stone – From Teacher – Mountain View Elementary School
To Instructional Specialist – Ronda Clingman Elementary School
Deborah Surgeon – From Assistant Principal – C.C. Wright Elementary School
To Assistant Principal – North Wilkes High School
Promotion(s)
Katie Reeves – From Teacher – Mountain View Elementary School
To Assistant Principal – Millers Creek Elementary School
Jennifer Sorel – From Teacher – North Wilkes High School
To Assistant Principal – West Wilkes High School
Robert Weddington – From Teacher – Mountain View Elementary School
To Assistant Principal – Central Wilkes Middle School
Blue Sheet
Transfer(s) of Assignment(s)
Kathryn Wright – From Teacher Assistant – Wilkesboro Elementary School
To Gear-Up Coordinator – Central Services
Promotion(s)
Takiyah McCathern – From Teacher – Wilkesboro Elementary School
To Assistant Principal – Millers Creek / Wilkesboro Elementary Schools
On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Evaluation of Student Progress (Policy 3400) was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, the Exceptional Children’s contracts were approved as presented. They are as follows:
- BAYADA Home Health Care, Inc.
- Continuum Pediatric Services
- Donna R. Key
- Wanda Griffin
- Lingo Therapy, PLLC
- Linda Love
- Lisa Pruitt
- John E. Sexton & Associates, Inc.
- The Stepping Stones Group/Cobb Pediatric Speech Services LLC
- Wilkes Adult Development Activity Program
- Wilkes Day Care Association, Inc.
- Soliant Health, Inc.
On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Ms. Huffman and duly carried, the Out-of-County/Overnight field trips was approved as presented.
| School |
Group |
Destination |
Dates |
| East Wilkes High School |
Student Council |
Reidsville, NC
NCASC Middle Level Workshop
|
09/29/2018-09/30/2018 |
| East Wilkes High School |
Student Council |
Summerville, SC
SASC Conference
|
10/18/2018-10/21/2018 |
| Wilkes Central High School |
FFA |
Indianapolis, IN
National Convention
|
10/23/2018-10/26/2018 |
| East Wilkes High School |
Student Council |
Roanoke Rapids, NC
NCASC Convention
|
03/14/2019-03/17/2019 |
| North Wilkes Middle School |
Sixth Grade |
Washington, D.C
Visiting Memorials
|
03/16/2019-03/18/2019 |
| Central Wilkes Middle School |
Eighth Grade |
Outer Banks, NC
Visiting Coastal Sites
|
04/04/2019-04/06/2019 |
| West Wilkes Middle School |
Eighth Grade |
Washington, D.C.
Visiting Memorials
|
04/04/2019-04/06/2019 |
| North Wilkes Middle School |
Seventh Grade |
Wilmington, NC
Raleigh, NC
|
04/11/2019-04/13/2019 |
| North Wilkes Middle School |
Eighth Grade |
Outer Banks, NC
Visiting Coastal Sites
|
05/02/2019-05/02/2019 |
On a motion by Ms. Barnes, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the two Memorandum of Agreements with Wilkes Community College were approved as submitted. Wilkes County Schools and Wilkes Community College have a strong partnership in the Wilkes Early College High School and the Career College Promise Programs.
On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, the Schedule of Fees for Wilkes County Schools was approved as presented.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the Child Nutrition Local Beef Bid was approved as presented. The only bid received was from Apple Brandy Beef in the Mountain View Community. The bid submitted totaled $7,150.00.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, the Disposition of Surplus Items was approved as presented. (See attachment one).
Ms. Anna Lankford, Associate Superintendent, presented the Cooperative Agreement. This is between Wilkes County Schools and The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. The purpose of this agreement is the successful transition of students with disabilities from school to post-secondary institutions of higher education and the work place.
Ms. Anna Lankford, Associate Superintendent, presented the Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission Agreement. The purpose of the agreement is to identify and provide services for children with disabilities enrolled in daycare facilities throughout the county.
Director of Athletics and Healthful Living, Mr. Chris Skabo, presented the 2017-2018 School Health Advisory Report. North Carolina requires that each school district establish and maintain a local school health advisory council (SHAC) to help plan, implement, and monitor health education programs. This report highlights major initiatives and gives an overview of success from the 2017-2018 school year.
Director of Athletics and Healthful Living, Mr. Chris Skabo, presented the 2017-2018 High School Athletic Summary Report. During the past school year, Wilkes County Schools had varsity teams with 1,648 participants. Out of these, 40% were multi-sport athletes. The average GPA for all of these varsity teams was 3.315 (GPA). Wilkes County had 668 individual scholar athletes qualify for the NCHSAA scholar athlete award. To qualify for this award, an individual must achieve at least a 3.5 weighted GPA.
Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel, presented for discussion the Return to Work policy (new). This policy provides support to the practice of bringing employees back to work after a work-related injury or illness as soon as they are medically able to do so in order to enhance the employees’ recovery while minimizing the impact of work-related injuries on school system operations. This is a draft and will be submitted for approval at the next board meeting.
Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:
- August 14-16, 2018 – Optional Workdays
- August 17, 20-24, 2018 – Required Workdays
- August 27, 2018 – First Grading Period Begins
- September 3, 2018 – Labor Day Holiday
Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting to be September 10, 2018. This meeting will be held in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom located at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the board adjourned to closed session 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 establish, or to instruct the public body’s staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by on behalf of the Board of Education in negotiating the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(5), 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 Ms. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the board adjourned from closed session at 7:00 p.m.
On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, there being no further business, the board adjourned at 7:30 p.m.