September 9, 2013
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
MINUTES
September 9, 2013
The Montgomery County Board of Education convened in its regular monthly meeting on Monday, September 9, 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 Sandra Miller and a second from Jesse Hill, the agenda was adopted with unanimous approval from the board.
Chairman DeBerry opened with a devotional. The reading focused on failure and a person’s ability to recover from it. In 1919, Paul Galvin began his search for a business in which he could achieve success. After three failed business attempts, in 1928 he and his brother purchased a battery eliminator company’s plans and equipment at auction for $750.00. Galvin created the brand name Motorola, making him a leader in the communication business. In 1983, Motorola produced the DynaTAC 8000x, the world’s first mobile phone. Paul Gavin refused to let failure lead to disappointment, saying, “Do not fear mistakes. Wisdom is often born of such mistakes. You will know failure. Determine now to acquire the confidence required to overcome it”.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by Candor Elementary students Talmedge Legrand, Meaghan Ayala, David Steed and Richard Steed.
With no one signing up to address the board, the meeting proceeded with a Resolution
of Esteem for Jane Crowell Cole. The resolution was presented to her family as follows:
WHEREAS, our Heavenly Father, in His infinite love and wisdom, saw fit to call home Jane Crowell Cole on July 3, 2013 and
WHEREAS, her services as an employee with 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.
A second Resolution of Esteem was presented to the family of Novella LeGrand Turner. It reads:
WHEREAS, our Heavenly Father, in His infinite love and wisdom, saw fit to call home Novella LeGrand Turner on July 30, 2013 and
WHEREAS, her services as a teacher for many years with 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.
Superintendent Ellis presented Page Street Elementary School with a certificate for being a NCDPI Title 1 Reward School for the 2013-14 School Year. This award goes to schools who have become one of 174 Title 1 schools to be recognized in the top ten percent as a Reward School based on the progress the school has made over several years in not only reducing the achievement gap but raising the bar for overall composite growth. Principal Anne McLean, Instructional Facilitator Bev Russell and several staff members accepted the award. Dr. Jeff James made comments about the Page Street. He said, “The staff has overcome the odds by systematically changing their school’s culture from I can’t to I will”. He added that it shows what can be accomplished with great leadership and a great staff.
Donnie Lynthacum, Principal at Candor Elementary, presented Certificates of Appreciation to Debbie Allen, Teacher Assistant and Brenda DeBerry, School Nurse. Mr. Lynthacum praised the two ladies for jumping into action when a student had an allergic reaction to an ant bite. The pair tracked phone calls and stayed on top of the situation, thereby avoiding an escalated medical emergency.
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.
Candor Elementary was responsible for the presentation portion of the program. Donnie Lynthacum, introduced Charlene Little, Kindergarten Teacher who discussed her Penguin Reading Buddies program. The program is making a huge difference in the classroom. The program matches fifth grade students who need extra help reading with kindergarten children. The fifth graders listen to kindergarten students read. Reading Buddies is making a difference in the lives of the students, by improving test taking, fluency and social interaction.
Next, Dr. Kevin Lancaster updated the Beginning Teacher Licensure Plan. The plan states that new teachers have 6 days of staff development. Teachers attended orientation at the Montgomery County Board of Education office three of those days before school started. A grant from UNCP is possible to give those teachers extra mentor support. The ethical video was included in the three days of training. The plan requires beginning teachers have three observations per year by the principal or designee. The designee would be the assistant principal; the principal will do two of the three. Sandra Miller made the motion to accept the plan with Bryan Dozier, seconding. The plan was accepted with no opposition.
Superintendent Ellis discussed job descriptions. Up to date versions of job duties are posted on the webpage for viewing by any employee. The descriptions are listed for the Executive Cabinet and any Central Office Administrator with Montgomery County Schools. This should help employees direct their questions or comments to the correct person.
Superintendent Ellis continued with the 2013-14 NCSBA Business and Non-Profit Honor Roll recipients: Grede Corporation of Biscoe, McRae Industries, Jordan Lumber Company, First Health Montgomery and Win Dozier and the Dozier Family. The recipients were presented a certificate for their contributions to Montgomery County Schools. Dr. Ellis said, “Our schools need people and businesses in the county to financially support what wer do and make our efforts manageable. Thank you for all you do for Montgomery County Schools”.
The following policies were presented by Dr. Lancaster for study to be approved at the October 7th Board Meeting: Policy Code 4302-R-1 Incident Report-Use of Seclusion or Restraint in Schools and Policy Code 4330 Theft, Trespass and Damage to Property.
In closing remarks, Dr. Ellis discussed the fact that scores for tests taken last May and June will not be available until November, not October as first stated. Teachers don’t have the information they need to move forward with teaching our children; they are using old data to base assessments on. No matter the scores, holding them another month isn’t going to change the outcome. Sandra Miller commented that the state needs to know how concerned the board is about this. Dr. Ellis offered to pen a letter to the appropriate people in Raleigh with the Board being in agreement.
In other comments, Bryan Dozier praised Superintendent Ellis on the changes made at Page Street last year, saying that Dr. Ellis put the school on the right path. Jesse Hill asked Executive Director of Auxiliary Services, Bill Mingin, how the Community Bus Stops were working out. Mr. Mingin said even though there was a glitch in the computer system that put them behind a week in starting the revised stops, there were no major issues. Mr. Mingin asked if the Board had any calls or complaints. Ann Long stated that everyone was “happy in her area”. No other Board Member had any calls or complaints to report. Mr. Mingin said the Transportation Department would deal with weather issues as needed.
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 following:
1) Minutes from the August 5th, 2013 Board of Education Meeting;
2) Personnel and Auxiliary Reports as follows:
a. Upon the recommendation of the principal, approval of the following additions to the
substitute teacher list:
Noncertified Recommended By Record Check
1) Mary Ann Sweitzer Jack Cagle Yes
2) Angela Collett Heather Seawell Yes
3) Kori Wall Beth Lancaster Yes
4) Faye Holmes Jack Cagle Yes
5) Johnny Seawell Donnie Lynthacum Pending
6) Elizabeth Baker Donnie Lynthacum Pending
b. Superintendent reports the acceptance of the following resignations/retirements:
Resignation/Retirement School/Assignment Effective Date
1) Tammy Simmons West Montgomery High August 19, 2013
Resignation Part time Child Nutrition
2) Wesley Maynor Mt. Gilead Elementary August 15, 2013
Resignation Part time Custodian
3) Nora Beasley Page Street Elementary August 5, 2013
Resignation Elementary Teacher
4) Edana McDonald East Montgomery High August 5, 2013
Resignation ESL Teacher
5) Jessica Hargest West Montgomery High August 8, 2013
Resignation Math Teacher
6) Amy Brewer Mt. Gilead Elementary August 20, 2013
Resignation Elementary Teacher
7) Warren Odham Star Elementary August 31, 2013
Retirement Teacher Assistant
8) Jackie Greene Star Elementary August 19, 2013
Resignation Part-time Child Nutrition
9) Jamie Teeter East Middle School June 10, 2013
Resignation ELA Teacher
10) Julie Daniel West Montgomery High January 22, 2014
Resignation Science Teacher
11) Laura Chustek Page Street Elementary August 29, 2013
Resignation Guidance Counselor
c. Report of the following transfers:
Transfer/
Effective Date From To Replacing
1) Amy Glover Candor Elementary Candor Elementary Melvin Streeter
08/13/2013 Part-time Custodian Full-time custodian
2) Heather Saunders Candor Elementary Mt. Gilead Elem.
08/20/2013 Pre-K Teacher Pre-K Teacher
3) Anthony Maynor Candor Elementary Candor Elementary
09/03/2013 Full-time custodian Part-time custodian
4) Cynthia Martinez WMS/West Montgomery East Montgomery Edana McDonald
08/20/2013 ESL Teacher ESL Teacher
5) April Mabe Page Street Star Elementary Jacqueline Greene
09/03/2013 Part-time Child Nutrition Part-time Child Nutrition
6) William Saunders County Office County Office Fannie Cagle
07/01/2013 Maintenance Dept. Transportation Dept.
d. Upon recommendation, approval of the following probationary contracts for 2013-2014
as provided by General Statute 115C-325:
Contract/ School/ Record
Effective Date Assignment Check Replacing
1) Steward Browne West Montgomery High Yes Tempest Leake
08/21/2013 Science Teacher
2) Casey Galloway EMHS/WMHS Yes Ron Hudson
08/20/2013 Firefighter Instructor
3) Mollie Williams East Montgomery High Yes Emalie Van Kuilenburg
01/14/2013 Science Teacher 2nd sem.
4) Michelle Wendell East Montgomery High Yes Lora Coble
08/20/2013 Science Teacher
5) Julie Estes Page Street Elementary Yes Brittany Caldwell
08/20/2013 5th Grade Teacher
6) Claudia Stewart East Montgomery High Yes Meghan Harter
08/20/2013 EC Teacher
7) Julie Daniel West Montgomery High Yes Emalie Van Kuilenburg
08/20/2013 Science Teacher 1st sem.
8) Meghan Ridgeway Candor Elementary Yes Amanda Thompson
08/20/2013 Pre-K Teacher
9) Tyler Wendell West Montgomery High Yes Jessica Hargest
08/20/2013 Math Teacher
10) Corey Crane Page Street/Green Ridge Yes Andrea Smith
08/20/2013 EC Teacher
11) Yana Stevenson West Middle School Yes Jada Holland
08/20/2013 7th Grade Science
12) Courtney Britt East Middle School Yes Amy Yarboro
08/20/2013 ESL Teacher
13) Lauren Peter East Middle School Yes Julie Daniel
08/20/2013 6th Grade Sci/SS
14) Candice Dunton Mt. Gilead Elementary Yes Amy Brewer
08/20/2013 2nd Grade Teacher
15) Teresa Allred East Montgomery High Yes Meredith Johnson
08/20/2013 Health Occupations
16) Jennifer Nance Page Street Elementary Yes Nora Beasley
08/20/2013 5th Grade Teacher
17) Shea Walter West Middle School Yes Sharon Wade
08/20/2013 EC Inclusion Teacher
18) Seth Dunlap West Montgomery High Pending Tom Berriman
Social Studies
e. 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) Kevin Bennett Mt. Gilead Elementary Yes Wesley Maynor
08/21/2013 Part-time Custodian
2) Dakota Dunn Candor Elementary Yes Anthony Maynor
08/26/2013 Full-time Custodian
3) Cassandra Little Mt. Gilead Elementary Yes Melanie Hendrix
08/21/2013 Part-time Child Nutrition
4) Katie Hursey Central Office Yes Lindsay Whitley
09/10/2013 Special Projects Coord.
Part-time
f. Upon recommendation, approval of the following coaches for the fall 2013 sports season:
East Montgomery High School
Coach Sport
Barry Jackson Football
Jerry Spencer Football
g. Upon recommendation, approval of the following administrative contract:
· Tom Berriman, Asst. Principal, Montgomery Learning Academy, annual eleven-month term, commencing date TBD and ending June 30, 2015.
h. Upon recommendation of the superintendent, approval of recommendation for employment
of the following bus driver/sub drivers for the 2013-2014 school year that are not dual employees:
Susan Smith
Michael Johnson
Roneisha Edwards
i. Upon recommendation of the superintendent, approval of recommendation for leave of
absence of the following personnel:
· Debra Knowles, West Middle School, requesting a leave of absence from August 20, 2013 until October 8, 2013.
3) Budget Resolution;
4) Mission MedStaff Registered Nurse Contract;
5) Invision Services Contract/Teacher for the Visually Impaired;
6) GRES Tolling Agreement;
7) Healthcare Provider Agreement;
8) Community Use of School Facilities.
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, October 7, 2013.
_________________________________
Steven W. DeBerry, Chairman
_____________________________ __
Dale Ellis, Ed. D., Secretary