April 13, 2015
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
MINUTES
April 13, 2015
The Montgomery County Board of Education convened in its regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 13, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. Board members present were as follows:
Steven W. DeBerry, Chair
Tommy Blake, Vice Chair
Bryan Dozier
Jesse Hill
Shirley Threadgill
Ann Long
Sandra Miller
Chairman DeBerry called the meeting to order and moved to adopt the agenda as shown. With a motion by Ann Long and a second by Jesse Hill, the agenda was adopted with unanimous approval by the board.
Chairman DeBerry opened the meeting with a devotional by reading from the book of Mark chapter 9 verse 23: “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”. In 1931, Ted and Dorothy Hustead, a young couple just two-and-a-half years out of the University of Nebraska, arrived in South Dakota looking for three things: good schools, a Catholic church, and a drug store for sale. Hustead was a pharmacist and the local drug store sold only over-the-counter medicines, not prescriptions. The town doctor, G.W. Mills, told Ted that Wall needed a pharmacist and predicted he could do well. Mills was right, but certainly, he could not have imagined the now-classic American success story about to unfold. In a moment of inspiration during the hot summer of 1936, Dorothy suggested the drug store might supplement its revenue by pulling travelers off Highway 16. The bait Dorothy proposed to lure travelers? Free ice water as advertised on roadside signs the Husteads erected. In the days before air-conditioned cars, the ice water offer had many takers, and the Husteads provided friendly conversation, ice cream and Black Hills souvenirs. Ted and Dorothy Hustead have since passed away, but today the Wall Drugstore is a popular 76,000 square foot roadside attraction where you still get free ice water.Devin Hurley and Brayden Christiana, students from Star Elementary, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
A Resolution of Esteem was presented to the family of William Samuel “Sammy” Jackson. Mr. Jackson was a baseball coach with Montgomery County Schools. The resolutions read as follows:
WHEREAS, our Heavenly Father, in His infinite love and wisdom, saw fit to call home William Samuel Jackson on February 20, 2015. WHEREAS, his services as a coach with Montgomery County Schools were a living testament of his integrity and skill. 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 his 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.
Superintendent Ellis welcomed Chrissy Haynes and Youth Leadership Montgomery. Students were asked to stand and introduce themselves to the Board. Members of the class are: Josh Lyles, Joely Faulkner, Abbey Styers, Kacy Haithcock, Anna Beane, Jordyn Inman, Brianna Cranford, Austin Hurley, Gabriel Ellis, Kaleigh Wright, Emily Callicutt, Brenda Perez, Colby Maynor, Ivonne Reza, Brooke Sessoms, Toria Barrett, Nathan Powell and Meredith Chappell.
Dr. Ellis and Dr. James recognized Montgomery County Schools grant providers Mark Sorrels with Golden Leaf, Pam Daniel from Curriculum Associates and Kenston Griffin from Dream Builders and thanked them for their continued support of MCS.
Deidra Steed recognized Cameron Beard as the receipient of the Governor’s School of Natural Sciences award.Katie Hursey and Community In Schools, Lynn Epps, along with Dr. Ellis, presented certificates and Walmart cards to the winners of the Black History Month door-decorating contest. Winners include: Debbie Russell – Troy Elementary, Jennifer Nance – Page Street Elementary, Allison Vanness – Mt. Gilead Elementary, Emily Tew – Star Elementary, Reggie Cagle and Ashley Williams – Candor Elementary, Kristen Throneburg – Green Ridge Elementary, Sherri Allgood – West Middle and Alison Wilson, Amanda Terry and Sandy Byrd – East Middle.
Continuing with Communities in Schools recognitions, Katie Hursey presented a video clip of East Middle School, winners of the So You Think Your School Rocks competition. East Middle School performed a medley of songs from the 50’s and 60’s.
North Carolina School Boards Association Academy acknowledged three of Montgomery County’s Board members. Superintendent Ellis presented Ann Long the Silver Award and Jesse Hill and Sandra Miller Certificates of Achievement. Congratulations, Board Members!
Chairman DeBerry asked for a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as shown. With a motion by Tommy Blake and a second by Sandra Miller, the Consent Agenda was approved with unanimous approval from the board. Items approved were as follows:
1) Board Minutes from March 2nd and the Mid Year Review March 5th;
2) Personnel and Auxillary Reports:
a. Upon the recommendation of the principal, approval of the following additions to the
substitute teacher list:
Noncertified Recommended By Record Check
1) Nancy Cordozo Heather Seawell Yes
2) Elsa De Los Angeles Sharon Castelli Yes
b. Superintendent reports the acceptance of the following resignations/retirements:
Resignation/Retirement School/Assignment Effective Date
1) Beth Bailey Candor Elementary 06/15/2015
Retirement EC Teacher
2) Christine Stackhouse West Montgomery High 06/15/2015
Retirement EC Teacher
3) Patrice Monroe Central Office 06/15/2015
Retirement EC Literacy/NCSIP Coord.
4) Bobbie Jo Bruton Mt. Gilead Elementary 03/16/2015
Resignation Child Nutrition Asst. Mgr.
5) Leigh Anne Lamonds West Montgomery High 07/01/2015
Retirement Business Teacher
6) Sharon Romero West Middle School 04/07/2015
Resignation Social Studies Teacher
7) Jennifer Hare East Middle School 07/01/2015
Retirement Language Arts Teacher
8) Teresa Thomas Candor/East Montgomery 09/01/2015
Retirement Media Specialist
9) Tina Jackson Star Elementary 03/24/2015
Resignation Tutor
10) Henry Panzer West Montgomery High 06/12/2015
Retirement PE Teacher
11) Donna Wray West Middle School 07/01/2015
Retirement Child Nutrition
12) Sharon Furlano Central Office 04/27/2015
Resignation Speech Language Pathologist
13) Sally Britt Star Elem./East Middle 05/01/2015
Retirement Media Specialist
14) Jacqueline Jahns Mt. Gilead/Green Ridge 06/11/2015
Retirement Media Specialist
c. Upon recommendation, approval of the following interim temporary contracts for the 2014-2015 school year as provided by General Statute 115C-325:
Contract/ School/ Record
Effective Date Assignment Check Replacing
1) Deborah Knapp Green Ridge Elem. Yes Laurie Brown
04/21/2015 Instructional Facilitator
d. Upon recommendation, approval of the following interim probationary contract for the 2015-2016 school year as provided by General Statute 115C-325:
Contract/ School/ Record
Effective Date Assignment Check Replacing
1) Elizabeth R. Farmer West Montgomery High Yes Gary Thomas
06/16/2015 AG Teacher
2) Lynne Terry Central Office Yes Patrice Monroe
08/15/2015 Transition Coordinator
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) Charlene Kelly Central Office Yes
03/09/2015 Child Nutrition Sub
2) Nannie Hinton Central Office Yes
03/09/2015 Child Nutrition Sub
3) Frederick Dumas West Montgomery High Yes Jorge Munoz
03/23/2015 Part-time Custodian
4) Grant Smith West Middle/West High Pending New Position
04/20/2015 Technology Technician
f. Report of the following transfers:
Transfer/
Effective Date From To Replacing
1) Tawanda Gamble Green Ridge Green Ridge
03/09/2015 Child Nutrition Sub Child Nutrition P/T
2) Ashley Hogan West Montgomery West Montgomery
03/30/2015 Child Nutrition Sub Child Nutrition P/T
3) Linda Sanders West Middle East Middle/East High
05/04/2015 Teacher Asst. Technology Technician
4) Lee Waln West Middle West Middle
07/01/2015 Science Teacher Instructional Technology Specialist
5) A. J. Whitsell MLA East Montgomery High
07/01/2015 Social Studies Tea. Instructional Technology Specialist
6) Mandy Brown Page Street Elementary Schools
07/01/2015 Elementary Tea. Instructional Technology Specialist
7) Kirk Watts East Middle School East Middle School
07/01/2015 Social Studies Tea. Instructional Technology Specialist
g. Upon recommendation, approval of the following coaches for the spring 2015 sports
season:
East Middle SchoolNathan McCallum Baseball
Wesley Maynor Baseball
Amanda Terry Softball
Johnny Seawell Softball
Lauren Peter Tennis
Greg Bender Tennis
Reggie Jackson Soccer
Elise Smith Soccer
West Montgomery High School
Jeffrey Barkley Baseball
Andrew Hurley Baseball
East Montgomery High School
Sarah Blanton Golf
h. Upon recommendation, approval of the following tutors:
Elizabeth Baker Candor Elementary
Vanessa Moore Candor Elementary
Curt Hancock Green Ridge Elementary
Jordyn Robinson Candor Elementary
i. Upon recommendation of the superintendent, approval of recommendation for employment of the following bus driver/sub driver for the 2014-2015 school year that are not dual employees:
Johnny Little - Bus Driver
General Lennox - Bus Driver
Susan Davis – Bus Driver
Shywanna McGuire – Bus Driver
Upon recommendation, approval of the following overnight trips is requested:
July 16-19, 2015 – East Montgomery High School Football to Appalachian State University Football Team Camp.
July 26-28, 2015 – East Montgomery High School Volleyball & JV Volleyball to UNC-Chapel Hill Volleyball Camp
Upon recommendation, approval of the following student transfers is requested:
Montgomery County Schools to Asheboro City Schools
Ian Desrosiers Samuel Elkins Taylor Hildreth Paige L. Kern
Sarah Hildreth Aden Blake Wood Amber D. Wray
Montgomery County Schools to Moore County Schools
Brennan Cripps Hollis Cripps Riley Claire Lefler Raegan Deaton
Montgomery County Schools to Randolph County Schools
Skylee Smith
Montgomery County Schools to Stanly County Schools
Alyssa D Prior
Upon recommendation, approval of the following summer work schedule is requested:
Four ten-hour days, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday with a 30-minute lunch break beginning Monday, June 15, 2015 and ending Friday, August 15, 2015.
3) North Carolina Medicaid Administrative Claim Program Local Board of Education Participation Agreement.
Star Elementary Principal, Teresa Dunn, introduced Guidance Counselor Laura White and a group of students from the Kindness and Compassion Club. This is the first year for the “KC” club at Star. Teachers refer students to be in the club, which has fifteen members. The club is an age-appropriate, year-long introduction to Rachel Scott and her challenge to reach out to others with acts of kindness. Rachel was one of the victims in the Columbine shootings, although there is no mention of that in the program. The lesson plans, DVD’s and activities revolve around five challenges for elementary students. The challenges are: Influence – the power of both positive and negative influences; Goal Setting – the importance of dreaming big; Journaling – the powerful impact of writing goals, thoughts, emotions and dreams down; Acceptance – understanding, inclusion, respect, compassion…the first steps to eliminating prejudice, and Kindness – simple, deliberate acts of kindness positively impact the recipient and the giver. Ms. White said the program has changed the way students interact with each other.
Alisha Ellis, Director of Curriculum Support, discussed AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination). AVID is a global, non-profit organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college. AVID is an elective and is not required, but the course helps students develop specific strategies in reading, writing, thinking and speaking, to prepare them for college. AVID works because it raises student achievement, ensures college success and closes opportunity and expectation gaps. AVID currently has 25 students enrolled and is scheduled to be implemented in all MCS middle and high schools next year. Daishun Gaddy, West Montgomery student, discussed how AVID had pushed her to be a better student and opened doors for her. Ms. Gaddy closed by reading her life plan.
Next, Dr. James introduced Kenston Griffin with Dream Builders. Mr. Griffin presented an update on the Dream Builders program that has been in Montgomery County Schools for four years. The program operates at Troy Elementary, Star Elementary, Mt. Gilead Elementary, Candor Elementary and Green Ridge Elementary. Each school customizes the services they receive to fit the students. Dream Builders is in talks with a professional soccer player to speak with students at East Middle. He hopes to secure a professional football player for West Middle in the future. Mr. Griffin is pleased with the partnership between Dream Builders and Montgomery County Schools.
Beth Walker with FirstHealth discussed the FirstHealth Montgomery Foundation Spring Fundraiser, Saturday, May 2 at Flashbacks in Mt. Gilead. The foundation is having a Kentucky Derby Day to support the Kids in Crisis Fund. The fund was established to help offset the cost of health care for students identified through the School Health Centers facing mental health issues. Since 2002, the fund has put $300,000 back into the school system. Ms. Walker invited everyone to attend the event and support a great cause.
Kevin Lancaster presented for first reading Policy Code 3225/4312/7320 Technology Responsible Use. The policy will be presented for approval at the May board meeting.
Dr. Ellis discussed school redistricting, presenting the topic for discussion. With growth and facility issues, Green Ridge is a possible starting point as far as recommendations for the future. Topic will be revisited at another meeting when the press is present.
Superintendent Ellis presented a resolution supporting the establishment of a local capital fund to the board for approval. There has been a lot of discussion in the community about one high school verses two. The answer would be what was best for the children in Montgomery County and the long-term needs. Right now, there is no funding. The purpose of the resolution is to establish a fund to build when and if needed. Chairman DeBerry asked for a motion to approve the resolution supporting the local capital fund. Sandra Miller made the motion with Ann Long seconding. The resolution passed with unanimous approval from the board.
Chairman DeBerry then asked for a motion to adjourn and move into closed session. With a motion from Bryan Dozier, along with a second from Tommy Blake, the board unanimously approved going into closed session to discuss personnel.
Chairman DeBerry asked for a motion to adjourn. With a motion by Bryan Dozier and a second from Shirley Threadgill, the meeting was duly adjourned.
The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, 2015.
__________________________ ________________________
Steven W. DeBerry, Chairman Dale Ellis, Ed. D., Secretary