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2018-19 Board Meeting Minutes » February 4, 2019

February 4, 2019

Summary of Board Minutes

February 4, 2019
The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, February 4, 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 Ms. 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 Child Nutrition Mr. Marty Johnson,  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 Middle School, Federal Programs, and Cultural Arts Dr. Joe Bullis, Director of CTE/Career and College Promise Mr. Wayne Shepherd, 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 Ms. Leslie Barnes to lead the Invocation.
 
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate 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 February 4-8, 2019 is National School Counselor Week. We have 27 Counselors who serve over 9500 students in our school system. Also, February 11-15, 2019 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Week. Please take the time to say “Thank You” to these individuals recognized tonight. They make a difference every day in the success of our children of Wilkes County Schools.
Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized the Poetry Out Loud Competition, which was held on January 7, 2019. Wilkes County Schools welcomed high school students from all five high schools to compete. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Congratulations to the following students:
 
Amber Keller – Poetry Out Loud Winner, Wilkes Central High School
Macy Murphy – Poetry Out Loud Runner-up, Wilkes Early College High School
 
Ms. Keller will represent Wilkes County Schools in the State Poetry Out Loud Competition on February 16, 2019 in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Curriculum Focus was presented by Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford, and our Middle School Principals. All four middle schools in our district embarked on implementing LEAD in the 2016-2017 school year. LEAD, or Leader in Me, is an evidence-based school improvement model based on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens that aims to empower students, teachers, and parents with the leadership skills they need to excel personally, academically, and beyond. These essential skills, along with a strong core curriculum, are better preparing our students to lead after middle school, at the high school level, university level, and in the workforce, ultimately strengthening our community for the future. The following are dates in which Community Lead Days will be held in each of our middle schools.
 
CWMS Community Day – March 6 from 12:00-1:30 PM
EWMS Community Day – March 27 from 8:30-11:00 AM
NWMS Community Day – March 28 at 10:30 AM or 1:00 PM
WWMS Community Day – February 8th at 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM
Chairman Mr. Holbrook asked if anyone had signed up for Public Comments. No one had signed up.
 
On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the minutes for January 7, 2019 were approved as presented.
 
On a motion by Ms. Barnes, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Personnel Report was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the Erate Category 2 Wireless Access Points was approved as presented.

 

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Erate Category 2 Network Switching Hardware was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Wilkes County Schools’ Summer School Plan for 2018-2019 was approved as presented. Wilkes County Schools has elected to provide a summer school program, called “WCS Success Academy”, immediately following the last day of school. It will extend the school year for qualifying students by four days.

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
Wilkes Early College High School Senior BETA Club Greensboro, NC 02/07/2019-02/08/2019
East Wilkes High School FFA Greensboro, NC 03/02/2019-03/03/2019
East Wilkes High School Ag Students Mount Olive, NC 03/05/2019-03/06/2019
East Wilkes High School HOSA Charlotte, NC 03/06/2019-03/09/2019
Wilkes Central High School HOSA Charlotte, NC 03/06/2019-03/09/2019
East Wilkes High School Poultry Team Raleigh, NC 03/12/2019-03/13/2019
Roaring River Elementary School Camp Harrision Boomer, NC 05/01/2019-05/03/2019
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the budget amendments were approved as presented.
 
 
State Public School Fund:  Decrease $168,667.00
Capital Outlay Fund:  Increase $53,195.00
Local Current Expense:  No Change

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the Audit Services contract for fiscal year 2019 was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shumate and duly carried, the following policies were approved as presented:

  • 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
 
These policies were adopted in 2006.  The dollar thresholds in general statute have increased since that time.  These polices were approved to increase the thresholds to match current general statute and re-arrange the language to coincide with that of the State Board of Education. 
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Roofing Change Order for Mountain View Elementary School was approved as presented. Joe Campbell Roofing submitted a Change Order for additional material needed on both roofs at Mountain View Elementary. Both items combined are $5,755.00.
On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Resolution Supporting Local Control of School Calendars was approved as presented. This resolution allows the local Board of Education to best meet the unique education needs and school calendar preferences for the children and their families of Wilkes County Schools.
On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the Wilkes Community College Board of Trustee Appointment was approved as presented. The board appointed Mr. Gene Faile beginning July 1, 2017. Due to the recent retirement of Mr. Gene Faile, the Board appointed Mr. Jay Vannoy to complete his term.
Executive Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, presented for discussion Policy 9030 – Facility Construction. This policy is being presented for Board Review to include language pertaining to change orders during construction.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:

  • February 15, 2019 – Required Workday 
 
Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting to be March 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. Shumate and duly carried, there being no further business, the board adjourned at 6:17 PM.