August 5, 2013
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
MINUTES
August 5, 2013
The Montgomery County Board of Education convened in its regular monthly meeting on Monday, August 5, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. Board members were present as follows:
Steven W. DeBerry, Chair
Tommy Blake, Vice Chair
Bryan Dozier
Jesse Hill
Ann Long
Sandra Miller
Shirley Threadgill
Chairman DeBerry called the meeting to order and moved to adopt the agenda as shown. With a motion by Ann Long and a second from Bryan Dozier, the agenda was adopted with unanimous approval from the board.
Chairman DeBerry was next on the agenda with a devotional. When Ronald Regan was a small boy, his Aunt took him to a cobbler to have a pair of shoes made. The cobbler asked him what kind of toe he wanted on his shoes, round or square. He told the cobbler he didn’t know, because he hadn’t put any thought into it. The cobbler told him to come back and pick up his shoes. When he returned, he found the shoes had one round toe and one square toe. Regan learned a valuable lesson from this: make your own decisions and if not, someone will make them for you.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by Chairman DeBerry.
With no one signing up to address the board, the meeting proceeded with a Resolution of Esteem for Johnsie Rowland Hilliard. The resolution was presented to her family and is as follows:
WHEREAS, our Heavenly Father, in His infinite love and wisdom, saw fit to call home Johnsie Rowland Hilliard on April 27, 2013 and
WHEREAS, her services as a cafeteria employee and a bus driver for Montgomery County Schools were a living testimonial of her integrity and skill, and
WHEREAS, her loss will be deeply felt, not only by those with whom she served, but also throughout her 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 her 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.
Next, Chairman DeBerry asked that the Consent Agenda be held until the closed session portion of the meeting. With no opposition, the change was adopted.
Superintendent Ellis presented “A Culture of High Expectations”. High Expectations in Montgomery County Schools will be the theme of the Leadership Academy with Principals and Administration this week and will be reinforced with teachers during the school staff meetings. The higher the bar is raised, the better the outcome. This applies to students as well as teachers. Superintendent Ellis states that greatness is not easy. It’s not the teacher’s job to make the curriculum easier; the job is to teach the students the skills necessary to complete the work, no matter how hard it may be. Students must be educated to the best of our ability.
Next, Superintendent Ellis discussed a proposal circulating concerning testing. The proposal states that North Carolina schools test too much. Dr. Ellis agrees with the statement. There are too many tests in the county. Some tests send the wrong message to students. Tests should measure student learning, not evaluate teachers. School leaders are working with DPI to see which tests could be eliminated. More updates to follow on this, but some flexibility could be coming up in the future.
Dr. Jeff James and Deidra Steed presented a power point on Read to Achieve Legislation and what it means to Montgomery County Schools, along with Literacy Framework. The goal of Read to Achieve is to ensure that every student reads at or above grade level by the end of the third grade and continues to progress in reading proficiency so that her or she can read, comprehend, integrate and apply complex texts needed for secondary education and career success. The program was adopted July 2012 and will be effective at the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year. There are seven components of NC Read to Achieve. The components are: a comprehensive reading plan; developmental screening and Kindergarten Entry Assessment (KEA); facilitating early grade reading proficiency; elimination of social promotion; successful reading development for retained students; parent/guardian notification and accountability measures. An overview of the plan and how it would be implemented was.
Superintendent Ellis nominated Sandra Miller for North Carolina State Board Association Board of Directors. Hopefully, this will show the community the Board is serious about the kids in the county. Mrs. Miller wished to move forth with the approval process. With a motion to approve by Bryan Dozier and a second by Ann Long, the nomination was unanimous.
Dr. Lancaster presented Policy Code 4326 & 4326R – Random Drug Testing for approval. Minor wording changes were suggested and completed. A motion to suspend the previously approved policy was made by Tommy Blake with a second by Sandra Miller. The corrected policy motion was made by Sandra Miller and seconded by Tommy Blake with unanimous approval from the board.
Official recommendation of Community Bus Stops was next on the agenda. Executive Director of Auxiliary Services, Bill Mingin, presented a power point showing the savings of community stops. The new stops could save Montgomery County Schools an estimated $25,000.00 per year in fuel cost and wages. With the new plan, only one bus would be cut, with no job loss due to the retirement of one driver. Stops will be monitored closely to ensure a smooth transition. Problems and adjustments will be made on a case by case basis. Students would, in no case, have to walk more than three tenths of a mile to reach their stop. Letters will be sent out to families to inform them of the changes and staff will be on hand at the Back to School Rally and Open House at each school to answer any questions parents may have.
Superintendent Ellis presented a resolution opposing the treatment of North Carolina’s children and professional educators in the 2013-2015 State Budget. Regional superintendents will be presenting this to the state legislature. Superintendents want to send the message that they disapprove of the budget and that the changes are detrimental to the teachers and our counties. Superintendent Ellis asked for approval of the resolution. Bryan Dozier stated he had issues with the resolution because he felt the problems at the state level were “inherited” and it would be like “poking the bear” to approve it and things could get worse with the General Assembly in the future. Chairman DeBerry said that teachers were really getting “kicked” and that was a problem. Jessie Hill and Sandra Miller agreed that a message should be sent to the state that this budget was not acceptable and hurt our teachers and students. Sandra Miller made a motion to accept the resolution with Ann Long seconding. The decree passed with a six to one vote, with Bryan Dozier opposing. The resolution states:
In closing, Superintendent Ellis asked for a moment of silence for Julius Chambers of Mt. Gilead, who passed away August 2, 2013. Chambers was an American lawyer, civil rights leader and educator. As a child, he saw firsthand the effects of discrimination when his father’s auto repair business became the target of racial injustice in 1948. A white customer refused to pay his father and his father couldn’t afford a lawyer to file suit against the man. Chambers said this experience made him pursue a career in law, in order to help end segregation and racial discrimination. His firm became the first integrated firm in North Carolina history and their efforts were met several times with violence from white supremacists. While attending a speaking engagement in 1965, his car was destroyed by a bomb. During another hearing that same year, his home was bombed. Luckily, there were no injuries. Chambers’ career included eight winning arguments before the U. S. Supreme Court and landmark decisions that shaped the interpretation and implementation of civil rights law at the start of racial integration in the United States in the 1960’s and 70’s. In 1993, he became the chancellor of his alma mater, North Carolina Central University. He served there until June 30, 2001. Mr. Chambers passed away after months of failing health at the age of seventy-six.
With a motion from Bryan Dozier, along with a second from Tommy Blake, the board unanimously approved going into closed session to discuss personnel.
Upon reconvening, Chairman DeBerry then asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. With a motion from Bryan Dozier and a second from Shirley Threadgill, the board approved the information:
1) Minutes from the July 8, 2013 Board of Education Meeting;
2) Personnel and Auxiliary Reports as follows:
a. Superintendent reports the acceptance of the following resignations/retirements:
Noncertified Recommended By Record Check
1) Claudia Stewart Donnie Lynthacum Yes
2) Darthelia Ingram Donnie Lynthacum Yes
3) Stephen Hurley Jr. Teresa Dunn Yes
4) Emma Hodges Donna Kennedy Yes
5) Audrey Norton Donna Kennedy Yes
6) Robert Cresson Anne McLean Yes
7) John Paul Callicutt Jack Cagle Yes
8) Shelia Lassiter Vance Thomas Pending
9) Brandi Lamonds Jack Cagle Pending
10) Angie Ussery Donna Kennedy Pending
b. Superintendent reports the acceptance of the following resignations/retirements:
Resignation/Retirement School/Assignment Effective Date
1) Emmalie van Kuilenburg East/West High Schools June 17, 2013
Resignation Science Teacher
2) Brittany Caldwell Page Street Elementary July 17, 2013
Resignation 5th Grade Teacher
3) Jackie Zaccherio West Middle School July 18, 2013
Resignation PE Teacher
4) Cindy Stephens Star Elementary School June 17, 2013
Retirement Elementary Teacher
5) Meredith Johnson East Montgomery High School July 16, 2013
Resignation Health Science Education Teacher
6) Judy Nance West Middle School August 1, 2013
Retirement Business Teacher
7) Amy Frieary West Middle School July 31, 2013
Resignation Instructional Facilitator
8) Brandy Whitley Green Ridge Elementary July 13, 2013
Resignation Elementary Teacher
9) Melvin Streeter Candor Elementary School August 1, 2013
Retirement Custodian
10) Heather Marshall Central Office August 15, 2013
Resignation Part time Custodian
11) Jada Holland West Middle School July 29, 2013
Resignation Science Teacher
12) Elizabeth Ritch West Montgomery High July 31, 2013
Resignation AG Teacher
c. Report of the following transfers:
Transfer/
Effective Date From/To Replacing
1) Amanda Thompson Candor Elementary/Star Elementary Kristy Comer
08/20/2013 Pre-K Teacher/ 3rd Grade Teacher
2) Kathryn Trogdon Candor Elementary/Candor Elementary Beth Blake
08/20/2013 Teacher Assistant/Elementary Teacher
3) Sherry Starnes Page Street/Page Street Jessica King
08/03/2013 Teacher Assistant/Bookkeeper
4) Jennifer Pieczyski East Middle School/East Montgomery Todd McGuire
08/20/2013 Social Studies Teacher/French Teacher
5) Tempest Leake West Montgomery/West Middle Amy Frieary
08/01/2013 Science Teacher/Inst. Facilitator
6) Beverly Talbert Mt. Gilead Elementary/Troy Elementary Jane Smith
08/20/2013 Elementary Teacher/Elementary Teacher
7) Kristy Comer Star Elementary/East Middle Julie Daniel
08/20/2013 Elementary Teacher
8) Teresa O’Connor Green Ridge/West Middle Becky Crump
08/20/2013 Elementary Teacher 6th Grade Teacher
9) Heather Saunders Mt. Gilead Elementary/Candor Elementary Amanda Thompson
08/20/2013 Elementary Teacher/Elementary Teacher
d. Upon recommendation, approval of the following interim probationary contracts for 2013-2014 as provided by General Statute 115C-325:
Contract/ School/ Record
Effective Date Assignment Check Replacing
1) Carrie Watkins West Middle School Yes Caitlin Batten
08/20/2013 Math Teacher
2) Tracie Whitley West Middle School Yes Judy Nance
08/20/2013 Business Teacher
3) Laura Chustek Page Street Elementary Yes Kathryn Tortorella
08/20/2013 Guidance Counselor
4) Cody Tucker West Middle/West High Yes Gary Graham
08/20/2013 Band Teacher
5) Teddi Benson West Montgomery High Yes New Position
08/20/2013 EC Teacher
6) Miranda Duell West Middle School Yes Kim Thomas
08/20/2013 Language Arts 8th Grade
7) Marissa Duncan East Montgomery High Pending Michelle Larking
08/20/2013 English Teacher
8) Margaret Miller Green Ridge Elementary Pending June Hysell
08/20/2013 EC Mastery
9) Rebecca Micco East Middle School Yes Jamie Teeter
08/20/2013 7th Grade ELA Teacher
10) Bethany Morgan Star Elementary School Pending Cindy Stephens
08/20/2013 4th Grade Teacher
11) Chelsea Dempsey Mt. Gilead Elementary Pending Chris Jonassen
08/20/2013 3rd Grade Teacher
12) Natasha Torrence Mt. Gilead Elementary Yes Catherine Ballard
08/20/2013 5th Grade Teacher
13) Jamie Troskey Mt. Gilead Elementary Pending Danielle Hurley
08/20/2013 3rd Grade Teacher
14) Lisa Bunting Green Ridge Elementary Pending Brandy Whitley
08/20/2013 2nd Grade
15) Joey Gaddy West Montgomery Pending Elizabeth Ritch
08/20/2013 AG Teacher
16) Jessica Grooms West Middle School Pending Jackie Zaccherio
08/20/2013 PE Teacher
e. Upon recommendation, approval of the following teacher assistant reassignments:
Employee From To
Linda Sanders Page Street Elementary East Montgomery High
John Morton East Montgomery High Montgomery Learning Academy
Warren Odham Star Elementary Page Street Elementary
Sandra Pegues Green Ridge Elementary East Montgomery High
Jeanene Robinson Candor Elementary Page Street Elementary
Angela Leak East Montgomery High West Middle School
Robin Haithcock Mt. Gilead Elementary West Montgomery High
Lynn Barton Page Street Elementary Mt. Gilead Elementary
Adrian Davis Troy Elementary West Middle School
Nancy Britton East Montgomery High West Middle School
Denise Carpenter East Middle School East Montgomery High
Fannie Cagle Troy Elementary East Middle School
f. Upon recommendation, approval of the following ESL/EC reassignments:
Employee From To
1) Laura Wolf East Middle School Page Street/Troy Elementary
2) Shana West West Montgomery High Candor Elementary
3) Judy Hatley-Seawell Green Ridge Elementary Star, MLA/ Mt. Gilead
4) Cynthia Martinez Central Office WMS/West Montgomery
5) Laura Trumfio Page Street Elementary Montgomery Learning Academy
6) Chris Blake West Middle School Candor/Green Ridge Elementary
7) Sharon Wade West Middle School Star Elementary
8) Betty Harvel Green Ridge Elementary Page Street Elementary
g. Upon recommendation of the superintendent, approval of recommendation for employment of the following non-certified personnel:
Employee/ School/ Record
Effective Date Assignment Check Replacing
1) Tina Biby County Office Yes
08/20/2013 Cafeteria Sub
2) Derrick Drake West Montgomery High Yes Ollie Stancil
07/29/13 Part time Custodian
3) Eric Slingerland Central Office Pending William Saunders
07/31/2013 Grounds Keeper 1
h. Superintendent reports termination of employee:
Employee School Assignment Effective Date
1) Cheryl Kearns Troy Elementary School July 16, 2013
Teacher Assistant/Substitute
i. Upon recommendation, approval of the following coaches for the fall 2013 sports season:
East Montgomery High School-
Coach Sport
Mike Barrington Athletic Trainer
Mark Miller Athletic Director
Scott Blue Field Maintenance, Soccer Asst.
Cindy Martin Cheerleading
Sean Hassell Cross Country (Boys)
Mishele Hare Cross Country (Girls)
Philip Collett Football
Ray Massey JV Football
Ted Harman Football Asst.
Chris Hadlock Soccer (Men)
Jimmy Blake Tennis (Womens)
Janira Reza Volleyball
Ray Deaton Asst. Football (Pending Background)
East Middle School-
Coach Sport
Reggie Jackson Football
Kirk Watts Football
Chris Kingston Football
Josh Frye Football
Maggie McKinley Volleyball
Barbara Streeter Cheerleading
West Montgomery High School-
Coach Sport
Stephanie Panzer Volleyball
Henry Panzer Volleyball Asst.
Vickie Panzer JV Volleyball
Earle Poole Cross Country
Katie Kimrey Cross Country Asst.
Ralph Thompson Soccer (Men)
Jorge Munoz Soccer Asst.
Nick Eddins Football
Ken Neal Football Asst.
Dustin Braddock Football Asst.
Chris Brown Football Asst.
Terry Callicutt Football Asst.
Tom Berriman Football Asst.
Eddie Swan Football Asst.
Derrick Drake Football Asst.
Jimbo McIntrye First Responder
West Middle School-
Coach Sport
Jerimy Rinker Football
Sean Thompson Football
Daniel Jones Football
Caitlyn Batten Cheerleading
Daphne Brown Volleyball
Suzannah Laucher Cross Country
Ron Weaver Cross Country
j. Upon recommendation, approval of the following administrative contract:
John Beard, Principal, Montgomery Learning Academy, annual twelve-month term, commencing August 6, 2013 and ending June 30, 2015.
k. Upon recommendation approval of the following student transfers is requested.
Moore County Schools to Montgomery County Schools
Susan Strong Kaleb Comer Katelyn Comer
Stanly County Schools to Montgomery County Schools
Michaela Stovall
3) Pel Industries Agreement;
4) SRO Agreement.
After the closed session, Chairman DeBerry then asked for a motion to adjourn. With a motion from Bryan Dozier, along with a second from Sandra Miller, the meeting was duly adjourned.
The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, September 9, 2013.
_________________________
Steven W. DeBerry, Chairman
_________________________
Dale Ellis, Ed. D., Secretary