March 4, 2019

Summary of Board Minutes

March 4, 2019

The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit met in a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2019 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. 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 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 CTE/Career and College Promise Mr. Wayne Shepherd, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, 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. Kirk Walker to lead the Invocation.

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Ms. Barnes 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 this week is Severe Weather Awareness Week, which includes the statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. March 3-9, 2019 is also School Social Worker Awareness Week. School social workers serve as a vital link between the students they serve and community resources. They are a voice for students that may not otherwise have advocates. If you get a chance, please say “thank you” to the five School Social Workers that we have in Wilkes County Schools, and let them know how much their work is appreciated. In conclusion, March 4-8, 2019 is National School Breakfast week. We have 125 employees in Wilkes County’s Child Nutrition Department. This department serves roughly 7000 breakfasts per day. Please take time to say “thank you” to our Child Nutrition department for all they do for the students of Wilkes County Schools.

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized the VFW District 15 Teacher of the Year. Without our nation’s veterans, America wouldn’t be the great nation it is today. Our youth deserve to learn about our rich history, traditions, and the role our veterans play in creating and shaping America. The VFW recognizes exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teaching American History and patriotism to their students. The VFW District 15 Teacher of the Year is Mr. Daniel N. Sluder, teacher at Wilkes Early College High School. Presenting the award is VFW District 15 Commander Mr. Kevin Holden, VFW Post 1142 Commander Foyst Blackburn, VFW Post 1142 Chairman Mr. Larry Thompson, and VFW Committee Member Mr. Pat McNeill. Congratulations, Mr. Sluder, VFW District 15 Teacher of the Year!

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized the 2018-2019 Wilkes County Schools Spelling Bee. The 2018-2019 Wilkes County Schools Spelling Bee was held February 21, 2019 in The Stone Family Center for the Performing Arts. The Wilkes County Schools runner up is Alyssa Wondolowski. Alyssa is a 4th grade student at C. B. Eller Elementary School. Our Wilkes County Schools Spelling Bee winner, for the fourth consecutive year is Ruston Rapoport. Ruston is a 6th grade student at Central Wilkes Middle School. We wish Ruston the best of luck as he prepares for the Regional Spelling Bee scheduled for March 24, 2019 at The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized The North Carolina State Beta Club Convention which was held in Greensboro, North Carolina on February 7–8, 2019. Reagan Jenkins, a freshman at North Wilkes High School, placed first in science. Alexus Thomas, a senior at North Wilkes High School, placed third in Fiber Arts. Both girls have now qualified to compete at the National Beta Club Convention June 19-22 in Oklahoma City, OK. Congratulations to Ms. Reagan Jenkins and Ms. Alexus Thomas!

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized The Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest. This program is designed to provide an interesting, character-building, competitive program for all boys and girls in the contest regardless of their previous athletic competition or abilities.

Peyton Gregory, a 2nd grade student at Mulberry Elementary, competed at Freedom High School on January 27th and made 23 out of 25 free throws to win the District in the 8-9 age group boys division.
Eli Shell, a 7th grade student at North Wilkes Middle, also competed at Freedom High School on January 27th and made 24 out of 25 free throws to win the District in the 12-13 age group boys division.
Ralee Bare, a 6th grade student at North Wilkes Middle, won the District and then competed in the State competition at Grimsley High School on February 9th. Ralee made 23 out of 25 free throws to win the State competition in the 10-11 age girls bracket and will now advance to the Southeastern Regional Championships in Middleton, MD on March 9th, 2019.

Congratulations to our hoop shoot winners and good luck to Ralee on March 9th!

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd along with Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford recognized The Mountain Valley 1A/2A Athletic Conference coaches and players of the year. Coaches vote on awards at the conclusion of each sports season. Wilkes County Schools is proud to recognize four coaches and five athletes from our schools that were chosen as coaches and players of the year.

WRESTLING

William Walker – West Wilkes – Mountain Valley 1A/2A Co-Wrestler of the Year

Coach Kelly Nichols – West Wilkes – Mountain Valley 1A/2A Coach of the Year

SWIMMING

Sarah Olson – Wilkes Central – Mountain Valley 1A/2A Women’s Swimmer of the Year

Parker Davis – Wilkes Central – Mountain Valley 1A/2A Men’s Swimmer of the Year

Coach Richard Huffman – Wilkes Central – Mountain Valley 1A/2A Women’s Coach of the Year

BASKETBALL

Malaya Cowles – Wilkes Central – Mountain Valley 1A/2A Women’s Player of the Year

Noah Johnson – Wilkes Central – Mountain Valley 1A/2A Men’s Player of the Year

Coach Allie Greene – West Wilkes – Mountain Valley 1A/2A Women’s Coach of the Year

Coach Matt Hagaman – Wilkes Central – Mountain Valley 1A/2A Men’s Coach of the Year

Congratulations to these coaches and players for being recognized as the best of the best in the Mountain Valley 1A/2A conference!

The Wilkes County Time, Talent, Treasure, Leading to Change (T3LC) is comprised of high school seniors from all Wilkes County High Schools, working to make a change in their communities. The students meet monthly during the school year to learn about philanthropy through a collaborative program of the Wilkes County Schools and Leading to Change. Grant funds are made possible through an anonymous donor and from the youth serving on the T3LC board. Students are led by adult advisor, Morgan Mathis. The Youth Philanthropy Board of Wilkes County Schools T3LC, is pleased to announce grant awards to nine local groups totaling $7,000.00 for youth-led projects in Wilkes County. The group leaders, amounts awarded, and titles of the projects are:

Students, Davis Ritenour and Chase Colbert of UTA (United Teens in Action) and adult leader, Morgan Mathis, received $592.00 to hold a field day at Central Wilkes Middle School to teach 7th graders leadership skills, provide encouragement, and stress education.

Student, Sydney McManus, and adult leader, Justin Colbert, Wilkes Central High School, received $1,000.00 to host a prom for special needs students within Wilkes Central High School as well as extending an invitation to all county high schools.

Student, Anslee Nichols, and adult leader, Angelia Church, West Wilkes High School, received $1,400.00 to promote self-image for at-risk students through a student council program named Blackhawk Buddies.

Student, Mattie Collins, and adult leader, Dr. Jim Brooks, West Wilkes High School, received $880.00 to provide yearbooks to students in need.

Student, Sarah Whittington, and adult leader Rebecca Mastin, Millers Creek Elementary, received $1,498.00 to start a green house club for students at Millers Creek Elementary.

Student, Morgan Brooks, and adult leader, Elizabeth Coleman, Central Wilkes Middle, received $600.00 to create a tutoring center to help their current program reach more students.

Student, Kaleb Thornton, and adult leader, Elizabeth Coleman, Central Wilkes Middle, received $215.00 to improve their Character Trait Advisory Group.

Student, Regan Tullock, and adult leader, Russell Sparks, East Wilkes Middle, received $400.00 to purchase a tiller to prepare their school garden for planting each spring.

Students, Chloe Wagoner and Vanessa Chaquea, along with adult leader, Michelle Shepherd, Wilkes Early College High School, received $415.00 to bring together the Key Clubs and Beta Clubs from all high schools across Wilkes County.

Curriculum Focus was presented by Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford, Principal Ritchie Cornette, and School Counselor Meghann Roberts-Clawson. Wilkes County Schools has been working to provide schools support for students that have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) through various trainings and resource materials. Mulberry Elementary School has recently trained their staff in the Reconnect for Resilience model and has worked to provide a tiered system of support for students dealing with social and emotional issues in their classrooms. “Frasier” is a therapy dog which has added a layer of support for students, staff, and family members. “Children who are often agitated instantly become calmer when Frasier walks into the room”. He has a way of bringing happiness to every child just by walking into the room. Students are so happy by his presence in the school that they write stories and draw pictures about him. The happiness that he brings to Mulberry Elementary has not just been brought to the students, but the adults are equally impacted by him.

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 for February 4, 2019 were approved as presented.

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

Transfer(s) of Assignments

Dr. Donna Cotton – From Director of Accountability and Testing – Central Services

To – Chief Academic Officer – Central Services – Effective July 1, 2019

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

School	Group	Destination	Dates
East Wilkes High School	Wrestlers	Robbinsville, NC	02/08/2019-02/09/2019
North Wilkes High School	Wrestlers	Lexington, NC	02/08/2019-02/09/2019
West Wilkes High School	Wrestlers	Lincolnton, NC	02/08/2019-02/09/2019
Wilkes Central High School	Wrestlers	Lexington, NC	02/08/2019-02/09/2019
East Wilkes High School	Wrestlers	Greensboro, NC	02/15/2019-02/16/2019
West Wilkes High School	Wrestlers	Greensboro, NC	02/15/2019-02/16/2019
Wilkes Central High School	Wrestlers	Greensboro, NC	02/15/2019-02/16/2019
Wilkes Early College High School	Outdoors Club	Piney Creek, NC	05/03/2019-05/04/2019
Wilkes Central High School	WCHS Students	United Kingdom and Paris (EF Tours)	06/20/2019-07/03/2019

On a motion by Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, the High School Laptop Bid was approved as presented. Wilkes County Schools released a competitive bid request for high school student laptops on January 30, 2019. Two bids were received. Applied Data Technologies won the bid for $671.42 per device.

On a motion by Mrs. Huffman, seconded by Mrs. Barnes and duly carried, the budget amendments were approved as presented. They are as follows:

State Public School Fund: Increase $157,667.00

Current Expense Special Use Fund: Increase $200,000.00

On a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Huffman and duly carried, the Facility Construction Policy Number 9030 was approved as presented. This policy will include language pertaining to change orders during construction.

Associate Superintendent Ms. Anna Lankford presented to the Board a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Department of Education. This offer is to participate in a study of departmentalization in grades four and five. The following schools have agreed to participate in the two year study through Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.: C.B. Eller, C.C. Wright, Moravian Falls, Mountain View, Roaring River, Ronda-Clingman, and Wilkesboro Elementary Schools. Schools will be awarded a total of $8,000.00 for participation. Half will be paid at the end of year one, and the second half paid at the end of year two. Teachers will receive individual compensation for completing surveys and managing paperwork. Technical Assistance will be provided by Public Impact to assist with teacher placement, student assignment, and grouping. This study will analyze teacher evaluation data and student data to determine the effect of departmentalization on student achievement.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook had the following announcements:

March 15, 2019 – Third Grading Period Ends
March 18, 2019 – Optional Workday
March 19, 2019 – Required Workday
March 20, 2019 – Fourth Grading Period Begins

Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next meeting to be April 1, 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 Mr. Shumate, seconded by Mr. Walker and duly carried, there being no further business, the board adjourned at 6:17 PM.