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October 4, 2010

Board Notes/Agenda from

Monday, October 4, 2010

Board of Education Meeting

GENERAL

  • Call to Order and Adoption of Agenda – Chairman Steve DeBerry
  • Opening Devotional
  • Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America
    • Candor Elementary
      • Caroline Steed
      • Ruben Velasco-Perez

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

RECOGNITIONS

  • Montgomery County Schools Community Partnership Award
    • David Thomas
      • The Board recognized David Thomas for making tremendous contributions to the Montgomery County school system.  Mr. Thomas has volunteered his time/labor for two projects at Candor Elementary, Butterfly Garden and Amphitheatre.  Mr. Thomas designed and built both projects.  He also provided guidance to acquire the proper paperwork for health codes and building permits.

CONSENT AGENDA

  • Board Minutes: September 13, 2010 Regular Meeting - (Enclosure)
  • Personnel and Auxiliary Reports – (Enclosure) – Kevin Lancaster

I. NC Public Schools Will Produce Globally Competitive Students

  • 2009 – 2010 SAT Results – (Enclosure) – Ben Grindstaff
    • Ben Grindstaff presented the 2009-2010 SAT results to the Board.

·         Race to the Top (RttT) Update – Dale Ellis  -

·         Dr. Ellis gave an update on the Race to the Top grant.  MCS may apply for up to $509,000, to be used over a 1-4 year period.

  • Distance Learning Update – (Enclosure) – Beth Blake
    • Beth Blake gave an update on Distance Learning.  During the 2009-10 school year, there was a 91 percent success rate, and 355 students took 609 classes.  During summer 2010, there was a 93 percent success rate, and 49 students took 62 classes.
    • Due to cuts in funding for Learn and Earn Online, MCS lost 225 classes through MCC and 17 classes through UNCG-iSchool, a loss of 75 percent of the distance learning classes for fall 2010.
    • Due to cuts in funding for NC Virtual Public Schools, MCS lost $197,940.00 of allotted funding for 2010-2011
    • The cuts have affected MCS in an extreme way.
    • Dr. Ellis will prepare a letter to legislators at the Board’s request, asking that funding be reinstated.
    • The Distance Learning program in Montgomery County Schools has made a tremendous difference in the lives of many students who have taken advantage of the offerings. 

II. NC Public Schools Will Be Led by 21st Century Professionals

  • Curriculum Update
    • Candor Elementary – (Enclosure) 
      • Donnie Lynthacum, Principal
      • Frank Fiorella, Child Nutrition Director
        • Donnie Lynthacum and Frank Fiorella gave a presentation on the “Universal Free Breakfast in Classroom” that has been implemented at Candor Elementary School
        • The program originated last semester during EOG time to save time and work in remediation.
        • The child nutrition director, Frank Fiorella, was interested in having a pilot school initiate the program.
        • Positives: students are arriving early, breakfast is in the room waiting and it gives more time for instruction, decline in discipline issues (due to students not being in central location in the morning), more students eating breakfast, and it is a healthy choice!
        • Challenges: workload (everyone has worked together), trash and cleanup (worked with custodial staff), received a grant to purchase containers that keep hot foods hot and cold food cold.
        • Everyone has done a great job of making this program a success!
  • North Carolina School Boards Participation in Legal Requests – (Enclosure) – Dale Ellis – Action Item
    • Per the NC School Boards Association request, Dr. Ellis requested that the Board approve the agreement.
    • The Board approved the request.
  • Jobs Bill Update – Dale Ellis
    • MCS has been approved for $965,000 but haven’t received it yet.
    • There is a projected 3-4 billion dollar shortfall in state revenue; therefore, Dr. Ellis recommended that we keep the money in reserve to see what the state cuts will be for next year.

III. NC Public School Students Will Be Healthy and Responsible

IV. Leadership Will Guide Innovation in NC Public Schools

  • 2010-2011 Montgomery County Schools Goals – (Enclosure) – Dale Ellis Action Item
    • Dr. Ellis solicited feedback from all schools and departments to develop the goals.
    • The Board approved the goals presented by Dr. Ellis.

V. NC Public Schools Will Be Governed and Supported by 21st Century Systems

  • Policy and Regulations – (Enclosure) – Kevin Lancaster First Reading

·       Policy Code 3470/4305 -Alternative Learning Programs/Schools

·       Policy Code 4130-R       -Discretionary Admission (Assignment and Transfer of Students)

  • Guardian Program – (Enclosure) – Kevin Lancaster
    • Dr. Lancaster presented the Guardian Program to the Board, which helps fulfill the requirement for staff members who are charged with any offense to make the human resources department aware of the charge.
    • Free service.
    • Allows MCS to keep track of any employee that is charged with a crime anywhere in the United States.
    • A way to keep track of offenses and keep our students safe.

VI. Superintendents Comments

  • Dale Ellis – (Enclosure)
    • Dr. Ellis reviewed his Model for Instructional Excellence (MIE) and explained how it could help improve student achievement.

CLOSED SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING PERSONNEL [NC GENERAL STATUTE 143-318.11(a)(6)].

Upon reconvening after closed session, the Board approved the consent agenda.

ADJOURNMENT – Chairman DeBerry

NEXT MEETING

  • Monday, November 1, 2010, 6:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting

CALENDAR ITEMS

  • Thurs., October 7, 2010 MCBOE Visit to Candor Elementary
  • Sun., Mon., Tues., November 15, 16, 17, 2010 NCSBA State Conference