Minutes - January 25, 2017
Classified Staff Meeting
January 25, 2017
The following individuals were present: Barbara Smith, GRES; Teresa Greene, CES; Tina Woody, TES; Cindy Williams, WMS; Beth Hall, SES; Darthelia Ingram, MGES; Pat Cole, EMS; Iris Canul, EMHS; and Crystal Douglas, Central Office. The following individuals were absent: Carol Miller, MLA and Linda Hogan, PSES.
Dr. Ellis welcomed those in attendance, and thanked everyone for being flexible with the time change.
Early College Update
The Early College is opening in the fall. Right now working to recruit 50 rising 9thand 50 rising 10thgraders. We are encouraging everyone to apply who might be interested. We would like to have an equal representation from East and West, but we will accept those who are interested that meet the qualifications. We have recently hired a Counselor and a CDC position. Dr. Seawell will be advertising in the next few weeks for an office position. Please share this with anyone who might be interested. These classes will meet at MCC for the first year. MoVE – Montgomery Virtual Environment is also coming as part of the Early College. This is targeting home school students. Home school students would be able to take classes through MoVE. If the student takes two classes they would be considered a MCS student and those who take 3 during the year would be eligible to play sports. The student would be able to choose to graduate from MCS or home school.
Consolidated High School Update
Land has been cleared for the consolidated high school. Administration has meet with the architect. They are now conducting environmental surveys on the land. Once that is completed a meeting will be set up with the design committee and the architect to get feedback for design of school. Dr. Ellis has met with West Middle and West Montgomery and plans to meet with East Middle and East Montgomery students to get feedback on the name, mascot, and colors of the consolidated high school. This feedback coupled with Facebook comments will help to develop a survey that will be administered to all students and the community. The deployment of the survey will be in partnership with the Montgomery Herald. Please note that someone has started a Facebook page with the Uwharrie Mountain High School Grizzles. This was not started by Montgomery County Schools.
We hope that by June or July there will be bulldozer on the land beginning the building process. The goal for the school to be open in the fall of 2019. A position is currently listed for a Construction Manager, please share this information with anyone who might be qualified.
East Middle School Wing Update
Bill Mingin is working diligently on this project. We are 30 days out from being able to release the project. The project will cost $2.5 million dollar. The county is going to pay $1 million and the school system $1.5 million. The county will reimburse the schools over the next seven years – ultimately, paying for the project. The goal is for this project to be completed and open by fall of 2018.
Budget Update
Dr. Ellis had a good meeting with the new governor of NC. Due to the political nature of NC with the governor and the general assembly there will be things that are difficult. However, he says they both agree that not enough funding is being given to public schools. This year, there is a push for a raise for everyone with a big push for salary increases for assistant principals and principals. We are 42ndin the country for teacher pay and 50thand 51st(when the District of Columbia is included) in principal pay. Dr. Ellis discussed merit pay. He will continue to lobby to regional representatives for pay increases across the board for everyone. There is a push for a call for a new election in 2017 based on the unfair nature of the districts. This has been upheld in the Supreme Court. If there is a new election we believe there would be a pay increase - if no election, no increase. There is a new state superintendent. Dr. Ellis shared his concerns about the new superintendent at the board meeting. The state superintendent is in favor of vouchers for students to attend private school. Betsy DeVos, the new Secretary of Education, is a strong proponent of Charter Schools.
Questions
Bus drivers mentioned at Candor Elementary they would like incentives for bus drivers. This will be presented to cabinet and discussed.
When teachers look at sick leave and annual leave, do they look at that in 20 day increments? Annual leave gets paid out. Sick leave is used in increments of 20 to add to your years of service. For example, if you have 18 sick days you would lose them.
Merit pay that was given, will it be given next year? Dr. Ellis believes it will be, but does not know for certain. Would the same criteria be used? Dr. Ellis believes that yes, or something similar, that is approved by the board would be used.