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February 2, 2009

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

WORK SESSION

February 2, 2009

 

The Montgomery County Board of Education convened in a work session on Monday, February 2, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. prior to the regular board meeting with the following members present:

Steven S. DeBerry, Chair

James M. Spivey, Vice Chair

Frances H. Reaves

Tommy Blake

Ann S. Long

Almetta Armstrong

Shirley M. Threadgill

Chairman DeBerry called the meeting to order expressing appreciation for attendance at the meeting.

The areas of discussion were as follows:

  • The status of our state and local budgets, including possible reductions and allocations
    • Required state reversion for 2008-2009
    • County local appropriation reduction request for 2008-2009
    • Projected state reduction for 2009-2010
    • Current local budget status January 31, 2009
    • Local fund balance July 1, 2009
  • The status of our current capital outlay projects, including an update on our energy management program
    • Making a good start with the energy management program
    • Likes to look at 6 months worth of data before making determinations
  • The date for the board retreat, which is scheduled for February 20, 2009 at Jeff's Kitchen in Biscoe.

The next budget work session is scheduled for March 30, 2009 prior to the regular meeting.

Steven W. DeBerry, Chair

Donna C. Peters, Ph.D., Secretary
 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

February 2, 2009

The Montgomery County Board of Education convened in regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 2, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. with all board members present as follows:

Steven W. DeBerry, Chair

James M. Spivey, Vice Chair

Frances H. Reaves

Tommy A. Blake

Ann S. Long

Almetta Armstrong

Shirley M. Threadgill.

Chairman DeBerry called the meeting to order and called for a motion to adopt the meeting agenda. Upon a motion by Mr. Spivey, and a second by Mrs. Reaves, the agenda was adopted.

The opening devotional thoughts and a reading of Isaiah 41:6 was presented by Chairman DeBerry. Abraham Lincoln was portrayed as the President who always wanted to reach down and lift up those who needed a chance. He touched the hearts of many.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by EMHS students, AFJROTC Cadet, Jon Garner, and AFJROTC Cadet, Patrick Knight.

With no one requesting to address the board, the public comment period was not held.

Everyone present stood for a moment of silence when Chairman DeBerry presented the following Resolution of Esteem Former Educational Personnel:

Thomas W. Burkhead, Jr.

WHEREAS, our Heavenly Father, in His infinite love and wisdom, saw fit to call home Thomas W. Burkhead, Jr. on January 20, 2009, and

WHEREAS, his services as a teacher to the Educational System of Montgomery County were a living testimonial of his integrity and skill, and

WHEREAS, his loss will be deeply felt, not only by those with whom he served, but also throughout his entire community and county.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Montgomery County Board of Education goes on record in expressing a sense of real loss and regret in her passing; that a copy of this resolution be conveyed to his family as an indication of our deep sympathy; and that a copy of the same be filed as a part of the permanent minutes of the board of education.

The board recognized:

  • North Carolina D.A.R.E. Executive of the Year, Sheriff Jeff Jordan
  • MCS Making a Difference Award for January 2009
    • East Montgomery High School
      • Adriana Persin, Spanish Teacher
      • Nancy Britton, Exceptional Children Assistant
    • West Montgomery High School
      • Terri Absher, Instructional Coach
      • Ollie Stancil, Custodian

Upon motion by Ms. Armstrong and a second by Mrs. Threadgill, the board unanimously approved the consent agenda as follows:

  • Board minutes of the regular meeting held on January 12, 2009
  • Personnel and Auxiliary Reports by Dr. Kevin Lancaster as follows:

1) Upon the recommendation of the principal, approval of the following additions to the

substitute teacher list:

Certified Recommended By Record Check

1) Regina Ferree Donna Kennedy Pending

2) Charles Cochran Simeon/Thomas Yes

3) Amanda Hall Donna Kennedy Yes

4) Stephanie Britt Donna Kennedy Yes

5) Kelly Lamonds Donna Kennedy Yes

6) James Daniel Anderson John Ward Yes

7) Amber Dees Donna Kennedy Yes

8) Blake Jordan Donnie Lynthacum Pending

9) Jakia Brower Beth Lancaster Yes

 

2) Superintendent reports the acceptance of the following retirements/resignations:

Retirement/ School/

Resignation Assignment Effective Date

1) Roger Little Central Office January 23, 2009

Resignation Custodian

2) Lois Hood Central Office February 18, 2009

Resignation Child Nutrition Director

3) Linda Steck Page Street Elementary February 15, 2009

Resignation Guidance Counselor

3) Upon recommendation, approval of the following interim probationary contracts for

2008-2009 as provided by General Statute 115-C-325:

Contract/ School/ Record

Effective Date Assignment Check Replacing

1) Courtney Niederer East Montgomery H.S. Yes Bryant Ford

1/20/09 – 6/12/09 Math Teacher

2) Stephanie Pritchard East Montgomery H.S Yes Larry Kissell

1/20/09 – 6/12/09 English Teacher

4) Upon recommendation of the superintendent, approval of recommendation for

employment of the following noncertified personnel:

Employee/ School Record

Effective Date Assignment Check Replacing

 

1) Wanda Stuart Green Ridge Yes New

1/13/09 Part-time cafeteria

 

5) Upon recommendation of the superintendent, approval of recommendation for

reemployment of teacher to receive career teacher status during 2008-2009 as

described by General Statue 115C-325:

WestMiddle School

Roslyn Thomas

a. Upon recommendation, approval of the following overnight school trip is

requested.

1) March 6-8, 2009 – West Montgomery High School AFJROTC

to Northside High School, Pinetown, NC for drill meet

2) June 14-20, 2009 – West Montgomery High School AFJROTC

to Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, Jacksonville, NC for

Summer Leadership School.

3) July 5-11, 2009 – West Montgomery High School AFJROTC

to Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC for Cadet

4) February 27-28, 2009 – West Montgomery High School to Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville, NC to participate in the Onslow Rotary Club Academic Challenge

  • Under the consent agenda also approved the capital building fund application for maintenance projects.

Dr. Ginny Carpenter gave a curriculum update. There is a sharing of talent across Montgomery County. A learning session last August gave employees a focus on vocabulary; Thinking Maps at middle and high schools, inclusion training; and benchmark assessments - how to use the data. Science test scores will count grades 5 and 8 for the first time. Staff is going through writing Moodle training for K-8. The Ruby Payne training is rescheduled. There is cultural responsiveness training for the Gap Committee. Beth Blake and Dr. Bryan Setser will present at NCASCD on February 12. Pre-K enrollment is 132 students. Instructional coaches meet every other week. Reading First is in the last fully funded year. We have funded technology in grades K-3. We are working on how to help counselors be more beneficial to students. SAT preparation is provided at both High Schools with free administration through RESA. Math Cognitive Guided Instruction was continued this year, and teachers built cars and raced them down the hall. A grant provided through DPI allows math leaders in grades K-5 from each school to learn new strategies. There are 504 identified AIG students in MCS -22% are minority students. New technology is in use at both high schools in CTE classes with autocad and drafting. There are new 21st Century tools used with K-3 ActivBoards. Advanced placement numbers at EMHS are 74, last year 53; WMHS 51 and 13; last year 63. We have 7 proficient scores from MLA for the first time. We are furthering communication with parents, the community, and students with the Alert Now systems and the School Wires web site.

Sue Hatley then introduced, Trent Taylor, who along with faculty members Kay Cagle Kinch and Jill Blake, presented the Teacher Cadet Program. A starting philosophy that says “Tell me and I will forget; show me and I may remember, involve me and I'll understand.” We want Montgomery County students to know all about teaching. In a survey, 85% of new teachers said this type of program was the biggest factor in their decision to become a teacher. It is designed to get students excited and promote interest in pursuing a teaching career. We have 20 students at present who are participating.

Mr. Larry Jenkins presented the Pandemic Influenza Emergency Plan. Mr. Spivey made a motion to accept the plan, with a second from Mrs. Long, along unanimous approval from the board.

The school capital building fund applications for technology were presented by Dr. Ginny Carpenter. With a motion from Mrs. Long to accept these applications, followed by a second from Ms. Armstrong, the board unanimously approved the applications.

Dr. Kevin Lancaster presented the 2009-2010 Montgomery County School Year Calendar for approval with the 30 day approval period achieved from last months meeting having been reached. With a motion to accept the calendar from Mr. Spivey, along with a second from Mrs. Reaves, the calendar was passed with unanimous approval from the board.

Dr. Lancaster also presented the Technology Policies for approval, having waited the 30 day approval period. With a motion from Ms. Armstrong to approve, along with a second from Mrs. Reaves, the policies were unanimously approved by the board.

With a motion from Mrs. Long, and a second from Mrs. Reaves, the meeting was duly adjourned. The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, March 2, 2009.

Steven W. DeBerry, Chairman

Donna Cox Peters, Ph.D., Secretary