November 6, 2023

The Board of Education of the Wilkes County Administrative Unit conducted a regular meeting in the Arnold and Becky Lakey Boardroom on Monday, November 6, 2023, at 5:30 PM at 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28659.

Present for the meeting were Chairman Mr. Randall "Rudy" Holbrook, Vice-Chairman Mr. Hardin Kennedy III, and Board Members Mrs. Joan Caudill and Mrs. Jammie Jolly. Mr. Kirk Walker was absent. Also attending were Superintendent Mr. D. Mark Byrd, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Westley Wood, Chief Academic Officer Mrs. Callie Grubb, Chief Finance Officer Mr. Seth Prevette, Chief Technology Officer Mrs. Julie Triplett, Director of Child Nutrition Mr. Marty Johnson, Director of Secondary Education, Athletics, and School Safety Mr. David Johnson, Director of Student Services Mrs. April Marr, Director of Maintenance Mr. Bergie Speaks, Director of Pre-K and Elementary Education Mr. Jeffery Johnson, AIG Coordinator Mrs. Angie Lamb, ESL Coordinator Mrs. Lori Holguin, Director of Transportation Mr. Eric Barker, Director of Testing and Accountability, Cultural Arts, 504, and Title I Dr. Dion Stocks, Director of Federal Programs and Career & Technical Education Dr. Joe Bullis, Director of the Exceptional Children Mrs. Jennifer Blankenship, Public Information Officer Mrs. Morgan Mathis, and Executive Administrative Assistant Mrs. Carolyn Triplett. Also in attendance were Mrs. Beckie Spears, Principal of Wilkesboro Elementary School, Mr. Jason Llewellyn, Principal of East Wilkes Middle School, Mrs. Amanda Pruitt, Principal of West Wilkes High School, Mrs. Delaina Jones, Principal of C.C. Wright Elementary School, Mr. Craig Tidline, Principal of Boomer Ferguson Elementary School, and Mrs. Danielle Dowell, Principal of Roaring River Elementary School.

Chairman Mr. Randall "Rudy" Holbrook called the meeting to order.

On a motion by Mrs. Caudill, seconded by Mrs. Jolly, and duly carried, the agenda was approved as presented.

Chairman Mr. Randall "Rudy" Holbrook recognized Superintendent Mr. D. Mark Byrd for the Superintendent's Welcome and Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Byrd stated, "Once everyone adjusts to the time change, our thoughts during the month of November turn to a season of thanks, and there are so many that we need to take time and say thank you to. This week we will observe Veteran's Day, and I would like to take the time to thank any Veteran in the room or in our school system for their service to our country. Without their efforts, we would not have the opportunity to sit here tonight and do the things that we do for students. In our school system, we talk about servant leadership, and I cannot think of any better example than those who choose to serve our country."

"Yesterday I was reminded of something I am thankful for, and it left a tremendous impression on me. I attended the funeral for Ms. Lois Ann Triplett, who served as a bus driver for Wilkes County Schools for 29 years, and my thoughts and prayers go out to her family and the Central Wilkes Middle School family. On top of her casket was a flower arrangement in the form of a school bus, and I had never seen one of those before. I just kept thinking after I left how proud Lois Ann was of the work that she did for students daily. She wore the title of bus driver with honor and wanted people to know that is what she did. I remembered years ago when it was considered an honor to have a job with the school system and people took great pride in doing so. I hope our staff and employees are as proud to say they work for Wilkes County Schools as I am, and I hope they are proud when they tell people that is where they work. While our jobs don't define us, they are a major part of our lives. I tell people all the time that there is no greater form of marketing than word of mouth when you have a good experience. In our current world of staffing shortages, if we can all be like Ms. Triplett and be proud of what we do, it may help recruit others who want to be a part of our system. All of us should be proud to work where we do and to accomplish the things that we do, and I will say once more, I hope all of you are as proud of Wilkes County Schools as I am."

"Thank you again to our Veterans, have a Happy Thanksgiving, and use one of these days as a reason to reach out to someone who may not have a lot of people reaching out to them!"

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd recognized Dr. Westley Wood, Assistant Superintendent, to announce the Wilkes County Schools 2023-2024 Beginning Teacher of the Year. The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) recently announced the annual NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year Award. This process was developed to honor beginning teachers and retain potential excellent teachers in North Carolina Public Schools. Each school district chooses a nominee who will then advance to compete for regional winner. Nominees must have been employed by Wilkes County Schools in a full-time teaching position for the full 2022-23 school year as a first-year teacher and must be employed with Wilkes County Schools for the 2023-24 school year in their second year of teaching. Nominees must also demonstrate success in the classroom according to the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards. Candidates can be nominated by principals, assistant principals, central office directors, instructional specialists, or superintendents.

Wilkes County Schools is pleased to announce that our 2023-24 Beginning Teacher of the Year is Mrs. Elizabeth Dancy. Mrs. Dancy is a kindergarten teacher at Wilkesboro Elementary School. Her principal states, "Mrs. Dancy always brings sunshine to the classroom and makes that important first year of school a positive experience. It is clear that she wants what is best for each child, and she engages parents as partners in creating the best environment for learning. She loves every child and family and believes in their capacity to find success."

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd recognized Dr. Westley Wood, Assistant Superintendent, to recognize the students selected for the J. Elwood Roberts Choral Festival. The Mars Hill University - J. Elwood Roberts Choral Festival was established in 1949 as an effort to improve choral music in the high schools of western North Carolina. Since then, the annual event has grown into one of the premiere choral festivals in North Carolina and is known for being the longest, continuously-running festival of its type in the southeast. Each year, more than 800 students from approximately 100 high schools audition for the Festival Choir to participate in the 325-voiced choir. Guest conductors have included some of the most prominent choral musicians in the United States. Students are required to prepare a required selection and sight read for a judge as part of the audition process. The following students auditioned and were selected for this year's chorus performance to be held at Mars Hill University.

East Wilkes High School
Anna Tilley
Grayson Sparks
Palmer Tharpe

North Wilkes High School
Katie Cothren
Charity Chavez
Brooklyn Hinshaw
Elizabeth Foster

West Wilkes High School
Eli Johnson
Martha Holman
Halah Sprinkle
Kyley Brindle
Jessica Watson
Kori Cornett

Wilkes Central High School
Maya Coleman
Aurora Higginbotham
Natalie Johnson
Courtney Scott
Woody Biesak
Josiah Cardenas

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd recognized Dr. Westley Wood, Assistant Superintendent, to recognize the students selected for the Honors Chorus. Every year, the Middle School Honors Chorus is held in November, performing at the North Carolina Music Educator's In-Service Conference. This chorus provides an opportunity for the very best singers from across the state in grades 6, 7, and 8 to come together and work with a nationally acclaimed choral conductor. In order to audition for honors chorus, students must sing their voice part of the selected audition piece. Each student auditions in front of a single judge in a closed audition. Only about the top 10-15% of auditioned singers are selected for this prestigious choir. This truly showcases talented students who will sing with students from all over the state of NC who have auditioned and been selected.

Congratulations to the following East Wilkes Middle School students and their director, Teresa Beshears:

Leighlah Holbrook - Alto 1

Braden Mathis - Bass 1

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd recognized Dr. Westley Wood, Assistant Superintendent, to announce the teacher selected for the North Carolina Multilingual Learner Teacher Network Leadership Team. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Multilingual Learners (ML)/Title III Team is dedicated to growing the success of multilingual learners by sustaining statewide implementation of the English Language Development (ELD) Standards, ensuring program compliance, and coordinating professional learning. They recently developed a NC Multilingual Learner Teacher Network Leadership Team for the 2023-2024 school year to help create a community of practice for all educators that serve our student population in the state. Congratulations to Barbara Ritchie, multilingual learner teacher who serves Ronda-Clingman Elementary, C. B. Eller Elementary, Roaring River Elementary, East Middle, and East High for being asked to serve on the leadership team with other NC educators across the state!

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd recognized Dr. Westley Wood, Assistant Superintendent, to announce the North Carolina Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation Grant Recipients. The North Carolina Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation provides funds for North Carolina educators and chapters of NC Delta Kappa Gamma to advance the professional/personal growth of educators and to develop special projects related to the improvement of education in North Carolina. Congratulations to Wilkes County Schools three grant recipients:

Jean Graham, multilingual learner teacher at North Wilkesboro Elementary, was awarded a $1,000 Learning/Literacy Project grant to promote writing by having students create a book and publish it. The completed book will be purchased for each student with grant money.

Kellen Duncan, multilingual learner teacher at C.C. Wright Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, and Traphill Elementary, was awarded a Continuing Education for Professional/Personal Growth grant of $500 to attend a conference in November.

Rosanna Limon-Reyes, cultural liaison for Wilkes County Schools, was awarded a $1,000 McCall Fine Arts grant for a projector, stand, and art supplies for our annual Culturefest.

Superintendent Mr. Mark Byrd recognized Dr. Westley Wood, Assistant Superintendent, to announce the Hometown Hero Awards. Hometown Hero Day was recently held at McNeill Chevrolet Buick Nissan on October 19, 2023. During the event, first responders, law enforcement, healthcare workers, and others who go above and beyond to keep our communities and families safe were celebrated with a special presentation, awards, and lunch.

Wilkes County Schools is proud to recognize two School Resource Officers (SROs) who were presented with Hometown Hero Awards. Congratulations to Deputy Tim Hutchens, SRO at North Wilkes High School, and Deputy Mireyda Cruz, SRO at East Wilkes High School.

Focus on the Curriculum was presented by Chief Academic Officer Mrs. Callie Grubb. As defined in G.S. 115C-105.37, schools that receive a school performance grade of D or F and school growth score of "met expected growth" or "not met expected growth" are identified as low-performing schools. These schools must 1) develop an improvement plan that specifically addresses how the school will improve both the school performance grade and the school growth score, 2) notify parents of the low-performing status, 3) complete super observations on all certified staff members, and 4) present their improvement plans to the local Board of Education for approval.

Currently, Boomer Ferguson Elementary, C.C. Wright Elementary and Roaring River Elementary are identified as low-performing schools. Principals of these schools shared their plans moving forward with goals they have set in place. Each school shared their vision, mission, strengths, and areas of improvement. These plans will be submitted for approval at the December Board Meeting and then submitted to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Chairman Mr. Rudy Holbrook asked if anyone had signed up for Public Comments. No one had signed up.

On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Jolly and duly carried, the minutes for October 2, 2023, were approved as presented.

On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Caudill and duly carried, the Personnel Report was approved as presented.

On a motion by Mrs. Jolly, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and duly carried, the Out-of County/Overnight Field Trips were approved as presented. They are listed below:

School	Group	Destination	Dates
North Wilkes High School	Band	Charlotte, NC and Fort Mill, SC	03/22/2024
North Wilkes Middle School	Band	Charlotte, NC and Fort Mill, SC	03/22/2024
West Wilkes High School	English, Apparel 1	Abington, VA	12/12/2023
West Wilkes High School	Chorus Students	Mars Hill, NC	02/09/2024-02/10/2024
West Wilkes Middle School	Chorus	Charlotte, NC and Fort Mill, SC	05/11/2024
Wilkes Early College High School	BETA Club	Greensboro, NC	01/26/2024-01/27/2024

On a motion by Mrs. Jolly, seconded by Mrs. Caudill and duly carried, the School Improvement Plans for the district 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, staff, and parents. These stakeholders work diligently to make the school improvement plan a living document that directs their efforts to help students demonstrate growth and achieve at higher levels. Wilkes County Schools uses an online tool called NCStar as the template for our continuous school improvement process. A code to preview each school's plan is located on the school website. As defined in G.S. 115C-105.37, schools identified as low-performing (receive a school performance grade of D or F and school growth score of "met expected growth" or "not met expected growth") must develop an improvement plan that specifically addresses how the school will improve both the school performance grade and the school growth score. Schools must also notify parents of the low-performing status. Currently, Boomer Ferguson Elementary, C.C. Wright Elementary, and Roaring River Elementary are identified as low-performing schools. These plans, with the exception of the low-performing schools, were approved. Their plans will be submitted for approval at the December meeting.

On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Caudill and duly carried, the Bayada Home Health Care Contract was approved as presented. Bayada Home Health Care is a new service contract for the 2023-2024 school year for the Exceptional Children's Program. Bayada will be providing nursing services for a student with special needs attending Wilkes County Schools.

On a motion by Mrs. Caudill, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and duly carried, the Revision of Board Policy 1310/3560, Parental Involvement and Board Policy 1320/3560, Title 1 Parent and Family Engagement was approved as presented. The revision of Board policy 1310/4002 was approved in order to be in compliance with Session Law 2023-106/Senate Bill 49 known as the Parent's Bill of Rights. The policy update provides necessary edits to add appropriate content to be applicable with this law. In addition, Board policy 1320/3560 was approved for adoption. The content of policy 1320/3560 is currently included in policy 1310/4002. This adoption would separate Title 1 specific information.

On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Caudill and duly carried, the request for proposal (RFP) process for Turf Football and Soccer Fields was approved as presented. Wilkes County Schools received roughly $9 million for athletic facility upgrades at our four traditional high schools in the recent state budget. At least $6 million of this is earmarked for turf football and soccer fields at each school. Two of our neighboring school systems, Surry and Yadkin, also received funding for turf fields. In order to investigate cost savings for these projects, we have met with those districts and would like to consider entering an agreement that we hope will be financially beneficial for us all.

An RFP is a document that formally announces a project, describes the scope of the project, and invites construction bids from qualified contractors to complete the project. Approval for bids will be required once they are received. Our attorney, Mr. Fred Johnson, is advising this entire process for all three districts. All involved understand that should we determine that it is financially beneficial for a district to move forward individually, they will be allowed to do so. This is the first step in a process that must be completed by the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year in order to allow our teams to play on these fields.

Chairman Mr. Holbrook made the following announcements:

November 10, 2023 – Veteran's Day Holiday
November 20-21, 2023 – Optional Workdays
November 22, 2023 – Annual Leave
November 23-24, 2023 – Thanksgiving Holiday

Chairman Mr. Holbrook announced the next board meeting to be December 4, 2023. The 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.

All board members wished everyone a "Happy Thanksgiving" and a great "Veteran's Day" holiday. Each member commented on how thankful they are, and to reach out to someone and thank them for their service.

On a motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Caudill, the Wilkes County Board of Education voted unanimously to meet in closed session at 6:45 PM to consult with its attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege, pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(3) and to consider the qualification, competence, performance, character, fitness, 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).

No further business was presented and upon motion by Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mrs. Jolly, the Board of Education voted unanimously to end this closed session and return to open session at 7:26 PM.

Upon no further business, Mr. Kennedy made the motion to adjourn from open session, seconded by Mrs. Caudill, at 7:26 PM. The Board of Education voted unanimously.

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WCS Board Meeting Minutes for November 6, 2023

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WCS Board Meeting Minutes for November 6, 2023 (PDF/Printer-Friendly)