Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Dr. Westley Wood, Executive Director of Personnel recognized the Wilkes Education Foundation members present to issue the Mini-Grant Awards.  Members of the Wilkes Education presenting to our teachers were President, Mr. Arnold Lakey, Treasurer, Mr. Jody Hamby, Board Member and Chairman of the Mini-Grant Committee Mr. Danny Holman, Board Member and Assistant Treasurer, Mr. Bill Myers. The Wilkes Education Foundation is awarding forty mini-grant projects for the 2018-2019 school year. The total funds awarded are $31,599.05. Since the 1985-1986 school year, the Wilkes Education Foundation has funded 789 mini-grants projects for a total of $448,936.13. The winners are as follows:

Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford. Ms. Lankford presented the Board data information regarding Federal Programs. Wilkes County Schools receives federal funding that supports many program areas in our schools. Title I, Part A provides financial assistance to public schools with high numbers of percentages of poor children to help ensure all children meet the challenging State academic content standards. Currently Wilkes County Schools serves all thirteen schools in the school wide model under Title I. Title II is designed to provide students from low-income families and minority students with greater access to effective educators. Funding can be used for activities to attract, select, support and retain high quality teachers in every classroom. Title III is designed to ensure that the English Learner students attain English language proficiency and meet the same challenging academic standards that other students are expected to meet. Title IV, Part A is for Student Support and the Academic Enrichment Grant (SSAE).

Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s)

Retirement effective – December 1, 2018 with twenty-six years and one month of service

Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s)

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Wilkes County Schools and Wilkes Community College Local Articulation Agreement for 2018-2019 was approved as presented. Wilkes County Schools and Wilkes Community College has a strong partnership in providing high school students many opportunities to gain college credits while completing high school requirements. The local articulation agreement adds additional articulated courses at the local level that are not included in the statewide North Carolina High School to Community College Articulation Agreement, further streamlining students’ educational pathways by eliminating the need to take multiple courses with the same learning outcomes.

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Beginning Teacher Support Program was approved as presented. Each district in North Carolina must submit a plan for the Beginning Teacher Support Program (BTSP) which is aligned with the State Board Policy TCED-016.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the School Improvement Plans for 2018-2019 were approved as presented. School Improvement 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.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Ms. Barnes and duly carried, the Exceptional Children’s Department Contract with Wilkes Day Care Association, Inc. was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Exceptional Children’s Department Memorandum of Understanding for Watauga Opportunities, Inc. was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the recommendation to purchase four new activity buses was approved as presented. With a low bid of $351,356 plus tax from Gregory Pool Dearer-Bluebird (66 passenger) four activity buses will be purchased for WCS.

On a motion by Mr. Randall “Rudy” Holbrook, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the board agreed to Nominate Mrs. Sharron Huffman for the North Carolina School Board Association Member Leadership Award.

Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford, submitted for discussion the Memorandum of Understanding with Department of Social Services (DSS). This memorandum is reviewed each year with principals and the DSS administrative staff. This MOU is submitted for information only.

Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford and Director of Federal Programs presented the 2018-2019 Consolidated Continuous Improvement Plan Application, Title 1A, Title II-A, Title III (Language Acquisition), Title III (Significant Increase), and Title IV (Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE).