August 3, 2015

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

MINUTES

August 3, 2015

The Montgomery County Board of Education convened in its regular monthly meeting on Monday, August 3, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. Board members present were as follows: Steven W. DeBerry – Chair, Tommy Blake – Vice Chair, Bryan Dozier, Jesse Hill, Ann Long and Sandra Miller. Shirley Threadgill was absent.

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 Sandra Miller, the agenda was adopted as presented with the consent agenda held until closed session.

Chairman DeBerry opened the meeting with a devotional by reading from the book of IITimothy, 4:7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course; I have kept the faith.” In 1867, John Roebling had a vision and a passion to do something experts said couldn’t be done: build a bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn, in New York City. Roebling and his son Washington, a young engineer, did not listen to the experts. The Roeblings hired a crew and got to work on John’s dream. A few months into the project, a worksite accident took John’s life. The project continued, with Washington as its leader. Three years later, Washington was severely injured. He was unable to talk, walk, or move most of his body, but his mind was sharp and his dream of building the bridge still burned in his heart. Washington had two things in his favor: one finger that still worked and a wife who loved him. Roebling and his wife figured out a communication system by tapping on her arm. For eleven years, Washington tapped out messages and instructions for building the bridge until it was finally complete. Washington Roebling needed a dependable team of people to achieve his dream. He needed his father, his crew, and his wife. With their help and his determination, he completed his quest.

Chairman DeBerry led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

Superintendent Ellis and Kevin Lancaster recognized two employees retiring from Montgomery County Schools. Joan Frye, Principal at West Middle, and Susan Fox, Administrative Assistant in Human Resources, will be ending their careers this month. Congratulations to both employees!

Next, Dr. Ellis presented a redistricting update to make the board aware of the growth at Green Ridge Elementary. The expected average daily membership for Star is 240, for Candor 359 and for Green Ridge 528. In reviewing the capacities of the schools, the consideration would be to move up to 100 students from Green Ridge to Star and up to 40 students from Green Ridge to Candor. Superintendent Ellis said, “This would create a much more balanced load of students…and could be accomplished by moving four to five classes to Star and one to two to Candor. These numbers will form our starting point and is by no means set in stone, but we have to start somewhere”. Dr. Ellis presented a timeline for his recommendation. Beginning August 2015 to November 2015 – Work with transportation to adjust boundary lines to develop the “optimal fit” for students. November 2015 to January 2016 – Continue to work with transportation and develop two alternative options for the Board to consider. February 2016 – Present the optimal fit and alternatives to the Board for approval. March 2016 – Communicate boundary changes to parents and students who are affected by any changes. March 2016 to July 2016 – Work through any issues or problems that may arise and beginning August 2016 – Open school with the new boundary lines. Board members agreed with the outline asking to be sure ample notice is given to parents and the community through public meetings and Blackboard Connect, our call out system.

Superintendent Ellis gave an I3 update to the board, listing the dates and times laptops would be distributed to the students along with the fees associated with using them. The fee will be used to access digital tools, as well as enhancements and additional staffing. Dr. Ellis stated that getting the laptops are one thing, but learning to use them is another. Extra staff is needed for the maintenance and staff development required. Rates will be pro-rated if a student enters school in the middle of the year and a payment plan of ten dollars per month is available if needed.

Dr. Lancaster presented the following policy codes for approval: 1310/4002 Parental Involvement, 4110 Immunization and Health Requirements for School Admission, 4600 Student Fees, 4601 Collection of Student Fees and Charges, 7500 Workday and Overtime. Mrs. Miller made the motion to approve the policy changes, with Ms. Long seconding. The board unanimously approved the policy changes.

During Superintendent Remarks, Dr. Ellis proudly announced that this year, the graduation rate rose from 86.4% to 87.2%. He stated that he expects that number to increase each year due to the various programs at MCS, such as Early College, the laptop program and a STEM related curriculum. With a vast number of baby boomers retiring, jobs will be there for our students who enter the job force. Dr. Ellis said, “We will reach the challenge; great things are on the horizon for our school system”.

Chairman DeBerry then asked for a motion to adjourn and move into closed session. With a motion from Bryan Dozier, and a second from Tommy Blake, the board unanimously approved going into closed session to discuss personnel and student discipline.

Following a motion by Bryan Dozier and a second by Tommy Blake, the following items were approved on the consent agenda during closed session:

1) 1) Board Minutes from July 13, 2015;

2) Personnel and Auxillary Reports:

a. Upon the recommendation of the principal, approval of the following additions to the substitute teacher list:

Certified Recommended By Record Check

1) Brooke Crump Joan Frye Yes

2) Joanna Wallace Heather Seawell Yes

3) Emily Hess Chris Jonassen Pending

b. Superintendent reports the acceptance of the following resignations/retirements:

Resignation/Retirement School/Assignment Effective Date

1) Terry Appen East Montgomery High July 20, 2015

Resignation PE Teacher

2) Chris Lee Central Office August 13, 2015

Resignation Custodian

3) Dustin Braddock West Montgomery High July 15, 2015

Resignation In-School Suspension

4) Karen Binns Mt. Gilead Elementary August 1, 2015

Resignation Inst. Facilitator

5) Rebecca Cagle Page Street Elementary July 13, 2015

Resignation Elementary Teacher

6) Opal Sloan-Archie East Montgomery High July 9, 2015

Resignation EC Teacher

7) Chelsea Dempsey Mt. Gilead Elementary August 1, 2015

Resignation 3^rd Grade Teacher

c. Upon recommendation, approval of the following probationary contracts for the 2015-2016 school year as provided by General Statute 115C-325:

Contract/ School/ Record

Effective Date Assignment Check Replacing

1) Jeffrey Barrett East Middle/ Yes Marvis Rorie

8/18/2015 East Montgomery High

2) Kelley Hensley East Middle School Yes Johni Harris Lilly

8/18/2015 7^th Grade ELA/SS

d. Report of the following transfers:

Transfer/Effective Date From To Replacing

1)Tempest Leake West Middle West Middle Carol Parsons

08/01/2015 Inst. Facilitator Testing Coordinator

2)Stephanie Lynthacum Troy Elementary Troy Elementary Chris Jonassen

08/01/2015 Elem. Teacher Inst. Facilitator

3)Amanda Brown Elementary Schools Mt. Gilead Elementary Karen Binns

08/01/2015 Inst.Tech.Specialist Instructional Facilitator

4)Ashley Hogan West Middle School West Middle School

08/11/2015 Child Nutrition P/T Child Nutrition Asst. Mgr.

5)Britton, Nancy West Middle School Green Ridge Elem.