January 7, 2019

Summary of Board Minutes

January 7, 2019

The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, January 7, 2019 in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28659.

Present for meeting were Chairman Mr. Randall “Rudy” Holbrook, Vice-Chairman Mrs. Sharron Huffman, Board Members Mr. Darren Shumate, Mr. Kirk Walker, and Mrs. Leslie Barnes. 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, Executive Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, Director of Development Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of Child Nutrition Mr. Marty Johnson, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Student Services Ms. April Marr, Director of Testing and Accountability Dr. Donna Cotton, Director of Exceptional Children Ms. Jennifer Blankenship, Director of Pre-K & Elementary Education Dr. Susan Blackburn, Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Athletics and Healthful Living Mr. Chris Skabo, Director of Pre-K and Elementary Education Dr. Susan Blackburn, Director of Middle School, Federal Programs, and Cultural Arts Dr. Joe Bullis, AIG Coordinator Ms. Angie Lamb, Public Relations 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. Darren Shumate to lead the Invocation.

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the agenda was approved as presented.

Chairman Mr. Randall “Rudy” Holbrook recognized Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd for the Devotion and Pledge of allegiance. Mr. Byrd announced that January is School Board Appreciation Month. We are fortunate to work with a collective board that gives their time, support, and talents because they want what is best for all students of Wilkes County Schools. We are fortunate to have the board members that we do. Special recognition was given to Mr. Dennis Huggins, Director of Development for Wilkes County Schools. Mr. Huggins is retiring effective February 1, 2019. Mr. Huggins has raised millions of dollars for Wilkes County Schools, and while that sounds impressive, it pales in comparison for what he has done for students through his UTA and T3LC groups. Those students have learned the importance of giving back and our entire community has benefited from this and will continue to do so. Mr. Huggins has reminded us that we all can give back, as we can all either give of our time, talent or our treasures. Congratulations, Dennis, on your retirement!

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized employees of Wilkes County Schools who received their National Board Certification. National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) released the latest numbers of teachers to receive National Board certification for both states and the nation in December, 2018. Working to establish a professional career continuum for teachers, the National Board is at work across the country, setting the expectation that all teachers should demonstrate accomplished teaching via National Board certification and become leaders in their schools and communities. Created for teachers, by teachers, National Board Certification is a voluntary, performance based, peer-review process that recognizes the complex nature of teaching. National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) are having a significant impact on student achievement.

Congratulations to the following Wilkes County Schools teachers who were recently awarded National Board Certification:

Megan Gorski, Mulberry Elementary School – Generalist/Early Childhood
Tyler Woodie, North Wilkes Middle School – Science/Early Adolescent
Janet Randazzo, East Wilkes Middle School – Art/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Alex Baucom, West Wilkes Middle School – Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Clarissa Darnell, Mountain View Elementary – Generalist/Early Childhood
Kelly Pipes, Wilkes Early College High School – Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Kelsey Adams, Moravian Falls Elementary – School Counseling/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized Dr. Jim Brooks, English Teacher at West Wilkes High School, who was appointed to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards board of directors during the organization’s November board meeting. The founding mission of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is to advance the quality of teaching and learning by maintaining high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do; providing a national voluntary system certifying teachers who meet these standards, and advocating related education reforms to integrate National Board Certification in American education and to capitalize on the expertise of National Board Certified Teachers. Recognized as the “gold standard” in teacher certification, the National Board believes higher standards for teachers means better learning for students. Dr. Brooks has a broad range of experience and skills to bring to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to elevate the profession and advance accomplished teaching. Congratulations to Dr. Jim Brooks!

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized The Chamber Singers from Wilkes Central High School who auditioned and were selected to perform at the Biltmore Estate Candlelight Christmas Evenings on December 16, 2018. The Chamber Singers performed two sets of choral music in the Winter Garden at the Biltmore Estate as guests toured the house during the candlelight hours. Congratulations to the following students:

MaryAnna Bailey	Bram Koch
Olivia Billings	Cortara McCurdy
Jonah Brooks	Thomas McNeil
Londen Denny	Quinton Metz
Thompson Duncan	JoRaye Morrison
Olivia Felts	Tyriq Moxley
Macy Frazier	Josh Pack
Madison German	Landon Perry
Reagan Hailey	Lola Price
Nick Hall	Lacey Shrader
Darcy Hernandez	Luke Sturdivant
Correy Horton	Copeland Ward
Hunter Johnson	Isaac York
Amber Keller

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized The Madrigal Singers and Chamber Singers from Wilkes Central High School who auditioned and were selected to perform for Walt Disney World’s Candlelight Processional on December 2, 2018. The Candlelight Processional fills the stage nightly at Epcot’s American Gardens Theater with choirs, herald trumpets, and a full orchestra, as a guest celebrity narrates the Christmas Story. The guest celebrity narrator was actor John Stamos. We would like to congratulate the following students that performed at Walt Disney World!

Olivia Billings	Bram Koch
Sheridan Bullis	Rebecca Langston
Sydnee Burchette	Saige Lyall
Ashely Call	Cortara McCurdy
Faith Davis	Thomas McNeil
Londen Denny	Quinton Metz
Thompson Duncan	Karisa Meza
Alexis Edsel	JoRaye Morrison
Ashley Faw	Tyriq Moxley
Olivia Felts	Noel Noblett
Macy Frazier	Josh Pack
Hannah Garcia	Lola Price
Madison German	Jadyn Riddle
Kenzie Gibbs	Lacey Shrader
Maddy Glass	Robert Smith
Reagan Hailey	Luke Sturdivant
Nick Hall	Chance Tevepaugh
Tamia Harris	Taryn Thompson
Darsy Hernandez	Copeland Ward
Correy Horton	Octivia Wellington
Ashlyn Inscore	Sierra Woods
Hunter Johnson	Kailynn Workman
Tate Jolly	Isaac York
Amber Keller	LilyKate Young
Kassidee Kidrick	David Brooks, Music Teacher

Curriculum Focus was presented by Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford, and Director of Testing and Accountability Dr. Donna Cotton. Each year, districts in North Carolina are provided with proficiency data for all tested areas and subgroups in late summer. Late in the fall, districts are provided with student growth data that is provided by the SAS Institute, Inc. This program is called EVAAS. This allows us to measure growth, not achievement. Regardless of their entering achievement, students should at least maintain their achievement relative to other students across the state. This program allows us to see that data and gain much needed information to see where we are as a system to make adjustments moving forward. Dr. Cotton explained that Wilkes County Schools had several areas of celebration in student growth. When we look at school reports cards for many of our subgroups we will see failing grades, but this is due to the fact that 80% of the grade is proficiency and 20% is growth. When we look at our students with disabilities in math, reading, and science we are seeing great growth. English Language Learners are also make great growth in these three areas. We also realize there are areas we need to focus on and are already putting things in place to increase student achievement in English II and in Math at the 4th and 7th grade level. Ms. Anna Lankford shared a full report of student growth from EVAAS with all board members.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook asked if anyone had signed up for Public Comments. Mr. Gary York, Owner/CEO from 100.9 WIFM radio in Elkin came to show his appreciation of the Staff at East Wilkes High School. Mr. York was needing help in researching a former Coach to gain more information about his career at East Wilkes High School. Mr. York wanted to publicly thank them for their efforts in helping him. He was greeted by a very welcoming staff and as he continued everyone went above and beyond in helping him get the information he needed. Mr. York also stated that the inside of the school, the grounds outside, and parking lot was in great shape and that took a lot of work to get it looking so good. Also, Mr. York wanted to congratulate our Northwest Region Teacher of the Year, Ms. Laura Snipes Brooks. Ms. Snipes is a Math teacher at Wilkes Central High School.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the minutes for December 3, 2018 were approved as presented.

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Personnel Report was approved as presented.

Resignation(s) and/or Retirement(s)

Tammy Day – Bookkeeper – Ronda Clingman Elementary School

Retirement effective – March 1, 2019

On a motion by Ms. Barnes, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the Board Policy Number 3420 Student Accountability Standards was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Gear Up Program contact was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Barnes and duly carried, the Out-of-County/Overnight field trips were approved as presented.

School	Group	Destination	Dates
West Wilkes High School	BETA Club	Greensboro, NC	02/07/2019-02/08/2019
West Wilkes High School	Model United Nations	Chapel Hill, NC	02/21/2019-02/24/2019
West Wilkes High School	HOSA	Charlotte, NC	03/06/2019-03/09/2019

In addition, a previous field trip was approved for a student at NWHS in December to attend a Chorus event in Mars Hill, North Carolina. They requested to leave on 2/1/19, but learned they needed to leave 1/31/19. Board approved this change along with the trips listed above.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the budget amendments were approved as presented.

State Public School Fund: Increase $663,327.00

Capital Outlay Fund: Increase $382,130.00

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the 2019-2020 School Calendar was approved as presented.

Executive Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, presented for discussion several policy updates for discussion. They are as follows:

Policy 6420 – Contracts with the Board
Policy 6430 – State Purchasing Requirements for Equipment, Materials and Supplies
Policy 6440 – Local Purchasing Requirements for Equipment, Materials and Supplies
Policy 9120 – Bidding for Construction Work
Policy 9125 – Participation by Minority Businesses

The current policies were adopted in 2006. The dollar thresholds in general statute have increased since that time. These polices are being presented for Board review to increase the thresholds to match current general statute and re-arrange the language to coincide with that of the State Board of Education. These policies will return as an action item in February.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:

January 17, 2019 – Second Grading Period Ends
January 18, 2019 – Required Workday
January 21, 2019 – Martin Luther King Holiday
January 22, 2019 – Third Grading Period Begins

Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting to be February 4, 2019. This meeting will be held in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom located at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina beginning at 5:30 PM.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, there being no further business, the board adjourned at 6:33 PM.

WCS Board Minutes for January 7, 2019 (PDF/Printer-Friendly)